" Hey what are doing?"asked Arjun.
" Painting "
" That I can see. I mean what are you painting."
" Trying to draw a perfect flawless portrait with perfection."see said blankly.
" Okay... Waise I must say you are really a good painter."
" I don't think. I need a little perfection."
" Why are you so obsessed with this word."
Hearing this her face fell down.
" Arohi what's the problem. I know something is troubling you very much. Pls tell me."he said coming in front of her.
" It's nothing yaar. You are reading too much."[B]shrugged Arohi.
He took her hand and made her sit on the chair and he himself bend down on his both knees so that he can be at her level. She was looking at the ground.
[B]" Hey look at me"he said.
She lifted her eye lashes to look into his brown pool which was giving her the assurance that he is there for her whatever be the situation. Same assurance which she want from Vansh but never got.
" Look life Mein kuch aisi chezay hoti hai jise ham Kisi se share nahi karna chahtay kyunki Hume lagta hai Ki way judgementally behave karenge. Par Kuch aisi chezay bhi hoti hai jinse ham agar chahein bhi to akele nahi lad sakte. So pls bolo what's the matter." he assured her.
She looked at as dumbfounded. How easily he had understood her in just 2 days.
" You know I fell in love with him at the age of 15. First I thought it was just teenage crush. But with time it grew. I started finding reason to spend some time with him. That's why I studied hard to get admission in Harvard because he was also planning to apply there. You know I didn't touch paint brush for 3 YEARS so that I can give my non-diverted attention to studies. I left my country, my family, My friends just to be with him. "
She was not able to speak properly due to lump in her throat. Her voice cracked because she was holding her tears. He pressed her hand to assure her. She could not control herself further and her tears escaped her eyes and fell into his hand. She wiped her tears and continued.
" May be for him leaving these things are small things but mere liye meri duniya hai ye chezay. I know I might sound like emotional fool but yehi sach hai. Mujhe pata tha Ki wo mujhse kabhie pyaar nahi karega. I am not his type. Phir bhi mujhe us se pyaar Ho Gaya. Pyaar aapke kabu Mein nahi hota, Pyaar ye nahi dekhta Ki woh insaan kaisa hai, wo person aapki feelings ko reciprocate karega bhi Ki, Pyaar kuch nahi dekhta wo to bas Ho jaata hai. Aur mujhe bhi Ho gya."[\B]she said looking at him and smiling faintly with crying face.
He looked at her. He can see her pain. He wanted to ease her pain.
[B]" Then why are you..."
" marrying him"cut Arohi
" Because I love him. And it's good for both the families and him."
" Did you told him about your feelings."
" No. I don't want him to feel bad for me." Her eyes was filled with tears.
" This is not the way Arohi. You need to tell me."
" Believe me I will. When I will become deserving for him... Waise bhi it's an arrange marriage with a twist you can say."said Arohi getting up and moving towards the balcony of her room.
" What the crap Arohi. Why and what is that deserving bullshit."said Arjun following her.
" That's not bullshit. That's is the biggest truth of my life. I am not perfect for him."she said with plain face turning her head towards him. But he could easily read the great pain beyond that plain face.
" Arohi it's not like that. Why you think so. If you want I will try to talk to Vansh. I know it's your personal matter but.. "he said softly coming beside her and putting his one palm on her hand which was holding the railing of the balcony.
" Stop"cut Arohi removing her hand and turning around.
" Arohi listen to me. You are..."
" I said STOP. Band karo mujh par taras khana. I don't want anyone's sympathy neither yours nor his. Aur kya baat karoge tum us se , Ki bechari Arohi pagal hai tumhare pyar Mein. Tum us se pyar karlo. I don't want his love. Because I know that pyar karwaya nahi jaata. Haan main nahi hoon sophisticated that does mean that I don't know about culture or fashion. Mujhe uske expensive gifts ya flowers nahi chahiye, bas uska thoda Sa attention or time chahiye. " she shouted on him.
She was frustrated. And he know that. She need to release her all pent-up emotions. And he want her to her do it now. The pain that she was holding for so long, the pain which was killing her slowly, the pain which has taken her confidence has to be taken out either by tears or anger it doesn't matter.
[B]" I don't want anything except time attention and care not even his love...not even his love."she said bending down on her knees, covering her face with her palm and crying. The anger was transformed into tears. And she cried hysterically.
He bend down on his knees too and removed her palm. He take her in his arms and soothe her by running his fingers through her hairs. He didn't say her to stop crying, he just keep hugging her. She also hugged him by winding her hand on his back. After sometime her cried stop. And realising their position she unwound, mumbled a sorry and got up to move from there.
" Wait Arohi. "[B]
She stopped on her track but didn't turn around.
[B]" If I help you to get those things which you want from him."
" By making me something who I am not " she answered turning her head.
There was no sarcasm, no pain just pure innocence in her this sentence.
" No... By making you explore your potential."he said coming towards her.
She gave him a questioning look turning around.
" I promise I will not try to change you. Not even a bit. Just trust me. "he said looking into her eyes.
" Thank you "replied Arohi smiling.
"Thank YOU Arohi for trusting me"
" Are Mai yahan kis kaam se aaya tha ye to batana hi bhool Gaya."he said diverting the topic.
"Haan main pooch na hi bhool gayi. Tujhe mujhse koi kaam tha."
" Are yaar main 20 saal ke baad yahan aaya hoon. Thoda to ghumna Banta hai na. Par Vansh busy hai or Tauji ke saath to ja nahi sakta. You know age difference or I would say frequency match nahi karti in my words. So Vansh suggested me to ask you. If you have time ...can you show me around?"he asked
" I would love to."
" So when are we starting?"
" Jab tum bolo. Just let me know a day before, so that I can make sure that I am not needed in the office."replied she.
" How about tomorrow. Waise bhi kal Saturday hai."
" Ok "
" Cool then. See you at ???"he asked
" 9 "she replied smilingly at his antics.
"So from where are we going to start."asked Arjun tying his seatbelt.
" We will start from rose garden then leisure valley then open hand monument then rock garden and finally sukhana lake."
" That's quite tight schedule I must say. So Miss. Intelligent I hope aapne mere tummy ke bare Mein bhi socha hoga."
" Don't worry they all are tourist spots so there are many hotels and restaurant nearby."she said smiling.
First they ate something at the restaurant near rose garden and then started their journey. They were moving from one spot to another. Arohi was telling him about the spots. How it was made. What its significance and other things. He would make her laugh by cracking some silly jokes. They both were enjoying each others company. And finally they came to their last destination Sukhana lake. Though they were not able to boat but the view of sunset was worth watching. The view was ethereal and magnificently beautiful. The reflection and bright orange colour of the dawning sun on the water was just magical. Something which give you unknown kind of satisfaction. Such is the nature beauty. She sat nearby to enjoy the moment. He also sat beside her. All their tiredness and fatigue was replaced by calmness.
" You know Arjun when I came here for the first time. I was with my parents. They have come here to fulfil their wish of coming here with their child. When I come to know about it I also decided that whenever I will come here next time it will be with someone whom I love. But it never happened. Vansh never got time. And my wish remained unfulfilled for my whole life."said Arohi looking at the dawning Sun.
" Oh I am sorry. If I know I would have never came here."he apologized.
" It was not your mistake. I have decided to come here. Because I have realized that some wishes are not meant to be fulfilled. Moreover even if he got time to come here with me it would have been meaningless. So just chill out."she replied looking at him.
She turned her head back to the view. He looked at her. And a smile automatically creep on his face seeing her beautiful smile.
" Thank you Arohi for showing me around."
" It's ok. Don't be formal. I also enjoyed."
" Waise yeh sab jagah to main khud bhi ghum sakta tha because these were tourist spots."
Arohi smiled and gave him 'oh really' look.
" OK I will stop that thing and will ask you directly "said Arjun rubbing his index finger on his forehead.
Arohi gave him a questioning look.
" Would you like to accompany me ... I mean I wanted to see this fare. So if you have time..."he asked awkwardly showing her the pamphlet of a fare which he got when they were coming out of restaurant after lunch.
" You want to go here."she asked amusingly pointing toward the pamphlet.
He nodded.
" You know I also wanted to go there but I have no one to accompany me. Shefali don't like these kind of crowded places and Simmi and Gauri are out of town."
" Don't worry. Now you have ME"said Arjun huskily looking into her eyes.
There was an awkward silence between them.
" I think I should go. Good night."said Arohi breaking the silence.
" Good Night "he replied.
She moved towards her house and he looked toward her retreating back.
" You know Dad it was fun. I enjoyed very much. I enjoyed her company. You know we visited so many places but my favourite was Sukhana Lake. It was so beautiful. You really was right. You know you should have seen her smile when she was seeing the sunset. You know dad... I like her...ummm... I like being with her". Arjun was video calling his father.
[B]" Yeah.. I got it that you like her VERY MUCH but beta you know na she is engaged."
" Oh Dad come on. Don't behave stereotypically. I like her as a friend."
" Ok...ok.."
" Waise Dad Maa kahan hai."
" Why are you calling her. You know na if she came to know that I have not gone for walk she will literally kill me."
" Wo to main pakka karungi."replied Arjun's mother.
" Hey beautiful Good morning."greeted Arjun.
" Good Afternoon Beta."
" It seems you have enjoyed. Tere bina man nahi lag raha. You know na your father is so boring."
" Oh so I am boring. Do you want me to show you how interesting I am."
" I think I should leave you guys alone. Get a room you two and please don't forget to close the door of the room."teased Arjun.
" Shut up Ajju. And aapko to main baad Mein dekhti hoon. Bye beta. And enjoy yourself to the full."
" Bye Maa and Dad."
P.S :- Pls comment guys. It will help me to improve.