Part 14:
Aditya straightened, took a deep breath to calm his nerves and rang the bell.
Imlie looked at the ring camera and startled as she saw Aditya standing there.
He was just about to ring once more when the door flew open.
Imlie saw him, standing there against the sunlight, the ends of his hair and eyelashes catching the light like he was some sun-catcher and not her frustrating, bull-headed husband.
Imlie was armed again.
She looked worn out, but alarmed: Did you forget something? Where's Alex?
Aditya, nervously: He left.
Imlie: He left you alone at the door? What the...(before he knew it, Aditya was pulled in and placed against the interior wall as Imlie walked out and had a look around).
Aditya interrupted Imlie's furious murmurs right outside the door: What is it?
Imlie: Keep quiet!
Aditya stepped out: There's no one around.
Imlie: Go back inside this instant!
Aditya quizzically obeyed.
Imlie came in a moment later and shut the door: Of all the irresponsible...Alex (she went for her phone).
Aditya stopped her path: He left only a moment ago.
Imlie, seriously: One of us is supposed to be around you at all times, he can't just leave you outside like that.
Aditya: Maybe he thought you would take me in if he wasn't there.
Imlie shot him a surprised look: And why would he do that? Why are you back here?
Aditya faltered to find the right words: I uh...I came back.
Imlie: Why?
He had no simple answer to her simple one word question.
Aditya: I...eh...
Imlie saw him chewing his bottom lip and looking shifty like it was a difficult question.
Imlie: What is going on? Did something happen on the road? Someone followed you?
Aditya: No no! Nothing like that. I (he sighed) I wanted to apologize. Alex helped me see that I was being an idiot. I wasn't mad at you, I was mad at myself for all the past years we lost...and I...I came to apologize.
Imlie looked on without any expression: Alex made you see that?
Aditya looked from her to the ground and back again: Yes?
Imlie: So...when I told you the same thing about regrets half-an-hour ago, it did not click, but a stranger told you something similar and you turned back to apologize?
Aditya looked sheepish.
Imlie: I forgive you. Now you are free to go in good conscience. (She shook her head and got her phone from the counter) I will call Yang to come pick you up because Alex has clearly lost his marbles...
Aditya quickly took her phone off her hands and saw what Imlie, the no-nonsense RAW agent looked like. And it was an intimidatingly gorgeous sight. He could see why these law and order type men were all into her. It is not a side to her that he was always clued into, he always found her adorable and grounded, but that was not the side of her that they saw. They saw a very attractive, in-control woman who was not uncomfortable giving orders.
Imlie snapped: What!?
Aditya: You don't understand, I came back to make amends.
Imlie's eyes narrowed: What...?
Aditya: I don't want us to lose any more time. We have lost a lot of time, you and I, after the wedding. I want to make it up to you, though I know I don't deserve you. I want us to...have a marriage. A real one, with no one else getting between us.
Imlie took a step back in surprise: You think you can just walk out after telling me you hate me and then cruise back in to say we should live like a married couple?
Aditya: No...not quite, I plan to make it up to you.
Imlie put her gun down on the counter: And what makes you think I would let you? I just told you I have no regrets about leaving you.
Aditya nervously: I am sorry for all the horrible things I said, I didn't know what I was reacting to, it was just such a shock last night that I didn't know...hate was an awful word to use. I don't hate you. I could never hate you.
Imlie swallowed the tears pressing at her throat: You seemed pretty certain last night. With every fiber of your being is how you put it. How did all that hate vanish during a 20 minute drive? (She paused) Did Alex threaten you or something? Oh dear, did he threaten your family!? Alex!
Aditya, frustrated: Can we stop talking about Alex for a minute? No, he didn't threaten me. Well, he did, but that was on a lighter note. He just helped me voice what I was feeling. I think he really loves you. If you decide that you cannot forgive me, I think you really should give him a chance because he really prioritizes your happiness. He puts your interests before his in a way I could not (before he knew it, he heard a cry and he was pushed back with Imlie showering him with punches).
Imlie crying: How many times do I have to tell you I don't want anyone else!? You have to keep insulting me! Why can't you get it into your tiny head that I. don't. want. (he grabbed her hands softly, making her look up).
Aditya shushed her: I know. I know! I am not speaking out of jealousy. I am talking practically. He's a good man. There is nothing wrong with someone seeing your value...
Imlie's long nails aimed for his cheek, but he swerved just in time.
Aditya: What in the hell-cat way of...
Imlie immediately did some kind of mechanism too fast for him and had him pinned against the couch with his arms crossed. She was breathing fire as she lay over him.
Imlie: I am not that little girl anymore! You can't overpower me with your height. So don't even think about it!
Aditya: Fine, hit me, if it makes you feel better. I will be here until you forgive me and agree to have a marriage with me - forgetting both our pasts. I will be your uninvited guest in this house and be a nuisance to you until your heart melts like mine did.
Imlie scoffed: You have the gall... You can't walk in and out of my life at your convenience! I don't want you here! Yang will come get you and you will leave.
She got off him.
Aditya warned: I will leave Yang's and put myself in harm's way again.
Imlie pushed him back down and pointed a finger at him: You will do no such thing.
Aditya: I will run away like you kept running away from me.
Imlie: I never ran away from you! You pushed me away.
Aditya sighed: Same thing.
Imlie: It is not the same thing! You pushed me away. You told me to go marry someone else and get out of your perfect life with her. Then, you deleted the video so that my case got dismissed.
Aditya: You also went and got kidnapped multiple times, did I tell you to go there?
Imlie got off, frustrated: I can't do this. It's time for Emmy's lunch. You want to stay here, stay here. But marriage is not on the table. It never was. You are only here for witness protection. And I will have this sorted for you to be back home in a month. That's it.
Aditya sat up: Then why did you tell me you wanted me since you saw me? You said you see it now that you always wanted me. You said you will remain my wife whenever I look back.
Imlie: And you said you want me to choose Alex if I find you unfit. So maybe I will!
Aditya face hardened: You don't mean that.
Imlie, fixing her hair: Why not!? I have decided I am not going to sit here waiting for you. He is a practical alternative. I have had him around longer than you. 7...almost 8 years, just like you and Malini Didi, actually longer. I think you are talking sense after all. He gets me, respects me, and he loves me as you say.
She went into the kitchen to make that god-awful cereal mix again.
Aditya could barely hear himself above his frantic, pounding heart: But you don't wear his mangal sutra!
Imlie busily: That can change. I am starting to think this religious devotion to one idiot man hasn't really been serving me well. In the past half hour, my mind changed too.
Aditya stormed up to her: You can't live as my wife for 10 years only to give it up in 10 minutes!
Imlie: Your words yesterday made me see the light.
Aditya: It goes against your values!
Imlie, furiously mixing the cereal: My mother could go for two men in one life, why can't I? It didn't compromise her values. In fact, I think she chose better the second time.
Aditya: No, she didn't! And she only wore the sindoor once.
Imlie shrugged: That's just details. And Dadah is the best. Your Malini tricked him. I won't have anything said against him in this house.
Aditya: You are just teasing me because you are angry, aren't you? You don't mean to pick Alex over me.
Imlie stopped mixing and looked at him with a straight face: Do I look like I am joking?
Aditya's chin wobbled as he set his jaws: I love you more than he does!
Thoughts?
Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin
