OS: No Regrets

The night was cold and the wind was howling. It was about to rain. She shivered a little as she walked in the garden. She was feeling cold of course but not physically. Her mind was so heavy that her body had become numb. She thought of what had happened a few minutes ago, something that she had witnessed purely by accident.

I love you so much RK.

I love you too, my Jaan. I never thought you would come here.

Well, it was a SURPRISE and you were not supposed to think that I would come.

I have a bigger surprise for you.

And what is that.

Close your eyes, Babe.

To her intense horror, she saw RK going down on his knees.

Will you be my better half, Devika?

Are you serious? YES!! YES!!! YES!!!!

She did not have the heart to stand there and watch what happened afterwards. She gritted her teeth trying to stop the foolish tears from falling. She was angry at herself for being such an emotional fool. She thought of the first time RK had proposed her. It was in the middle of a game of truth and dare. Karan had dared RK to tell what was in his heart to her. She had laughed at him and was shocked to see RK on his knees before her.

Pam, just as the night sky looks bare without the stars, I am incomplete without you.

Come on, RK. It's just a game. Don't act so filmy.

But Pam, I really love you.

Whatever.

She had laughed at him then. She laughed again now bitterly as she thought how her heart had really softened that day. She never knew when that softness turned into love but transform it did. One day she had felt her heart bursting with love for RK. It did not come in the filmy way, oh no it didn't. It just happened like all real life love stories do. She remembered that day very well.

I love you, RK. I will marry you. Oh I am so happy. I'll tell him today. No, on a second thought, I'll tell Bhai and Ragini Bhabhi first. Ragini Bhabhi will be excited; she has been trying to hook me up with RK for a very long time. Ragini Bhabhi, your dreams have come true.

She danced around her room, when suddenly she heard a door slam shut.

She went outside her room and was shocked to see her Bhai sadly coming down the stairs. She ran to him and guided him to the sofa. She was shocked to see tears in her Bhai's eyes. Her Bhai who always stayed strong, her Bhai who never cried in front of her, her Bhai who will never let her see how hurt he was, she felt her heart break. She got him a cup of water and sat near him.

What happened, Bhai?

She... she refuses to trust me.

Bhai... Bhabhi loves and trusts you more than anyone else in this world.

I thought so too, Pam. Now she refuses to listen to me. She wants a divorce.

Don't be silly, Bhai. Everything will be alright by tomorrow.

No, Pam. Not this time. She thinks that I am the father of Rupali's daughter.

Come on, Bhai, only a fool will think like that. You can never be disloyal. I'll talk to Bhabhi.

She had run upstairs and tried to reason with Ragini but she did not budge. She was firm. She wanted a divorce. Dejected, she came down again to see her brother sitting in the same position with his head in his arms. Just as she was about to go to him a mewling cry broke out. She ran to her room to soothe the baby. After feeding her, she carried her in her arms to her brother. He looked up at her.

I'll go away to some place far away from here. I'll take the baby with me. I cannot bear to see her hatred.

I am coming with you, Bhai.

But Pam, she doesn't hate you.

But, I hate her, Bhai

Pam, you have a life here. I cannot allow you to sacrifice yourself for me.

A splitting image of RK came in front of her. She quickly swallowed.

I am not sacrificing anything Bhai. You have been both my mother and father. I am just returning a favor.

I didn't ask for any returns.

And, I am not ungrateful.

She now thought of that day with regret. Had she been hasty? Had she followed her heart without thinking? Maybe, just maybe if she had stayed back that day, would she have got what she wanted? A tiny drop fell on her hand. She shivered a little trying to compose herself. Sure, she was a master in hiding emotions but facing RK will be difficult now. She walked towards the farmhouse trying to escape the rain that had now suddenly started to pour in torrents. Suddenly, she felt the rain drops stop falling on her. She looked up to see Ranbir holding an umbrella.

Pam Mom, how many times have I told you not to go out without an umbrella? Why do you always forget? This is Bombay not the U.S.A.

She looked at him to see the concern in his eyes. Something in her heart softened just as it did that day when RK proposed her for the first time. Only this time it was a different kind of softness. Did she regret the decision she made that day? No! No!! No!!! She will show to the world that Pam Khanna did not have any regrets for following her heart. She will make wedding preparations for RK and Devika. She will make everyone see what she Pam Khanna, the single mother of three kids is made of. She looked at Ranbir with a smile on her face and said softly

Beta, I never forget that you are here to care for me.

...

My Other works

OS: The Queen and Her Princess

SS: A Place in My Heart, Always...

OS: Sunrise and You