"Hey Abhi, is something bothering you?" Purab asked.
"How is the hostel visits going on, everything alright?" He asked again.
"I've stopped going. I'm fine"
"Ok! So finally you stopped. Good to know. Are you sure about it?" He sounded doubtful.
"What do you mean by sure? No WOMAN can make me dance on her tunes. I was the one who started and now stopped."
"Are bhai, of course I know that." Purab said.
Then we both turned to the direction of a voice - "Hello Ms. Pragya, thanks a lot for coming. I was really looking forward to meet you. Shall we sit there? And Congratulations!"
I saw her talking to a middle aged woman, who looked genuinely happy to see her.
I heard "Bhai, what are you doing? You are continuously staring at her. Should we leave?"
We left the place in a couple of minutes. I was feeling a strange restlessness. Might be because it was the first time I saw her but didn't touch her. I felt as if she has gone little far from me. But I was the one who moved away in this relationship, then why I was having this feeling. I hated it. I made a drink and tried to find solace in it like every night.
Then I saw her again, in a lift. I was coming down after a meeting and lift stopped at some floor, she came inside. She didn't see me. I was at the end of the lift and she was near the door. Her hair were tied up, I never liked her bun. I so wanted to see her long hair right at that moment. Lift stopped at ground floor and she went out. Was I really sure about my decision?
Why formal dressing is so suffocating? I never enjoy these types of functions where there are people from all fields, so called achievers of the year award. No performances, music or fun, only thousands of speeches and ever-lasting wait for your name to be announced. Still you have to attend, that too, with family, what an irony of life.
Aliya and Purab were coming with me, and when Dadi saw me in formals, she also joined me in, for the most prestigious award function. We reached little late; some winner was giving some speech, thanking the whole world. We entered in our designated row and I was making Aliya and Dadi to sit, Purab was following me. I heard announcement for a familiar name - Pragya Arora. She was on the stage, holding the award, she was saying something. Her posture, confidence, voice modulation, all were perfect. She speaks so well. I came back to the senses on the loud sound of claps, everyone was clapping. I looked around and found Dadi and Aliya were looking at me with questioning face, and Purab's looks were, you are screwed bhai. Seems I was yet to sit on my place, I kind of froze in the moment. But I was proud. And happy. We both were on the same platform, we were equal.
On the way back home, Aliya asked many questions about that girl. I never liked to lie about her. It was getting hard to reply. And then within an hour Dadi came to my room. I was definitely going to be screwed now. Dadi didn't ask about her.
"When are you getting married to Tanu."
"I haven't decided the date yet."
"Date should be finalized by elders. I'm going to call her parents tomorrow for that. If you have any issue, tell me now."
What issue, I had already taken my decision and nothing can change that. Even Dadi could never make me change my ways, choices, decisions all her life. No, not her hair; not that blue sari; not her tiny waist; not even her voice, nothing. After all she is just a woman, A WOMAN.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Whole media was busy in covering Rockstar's upcoming wedding to media tycoon Mr. Juneja's only daughter Tanu. Every small function was being celebrated in the grand manner. All news channels were covering due to Mr. Juneja. It was the biggest event of the year in the glamour world. It was hard to escape from it but I was waiting only for the wedding day. I wanted to know how I would feel once he is married. I was waiting to bury all his memories deep inside me those were still floating in my heart. But what if; he still comes after his marriage. No, he won't, otherwise he wouldn't have stopped coming. I'm still not sure if these feelings are my love for him or just an attraction, infatuation. Whatever, it does not matter now. But one thing is for sure, I won't let any other man enter in my life again. My life is complicated enough to have love issues. Enough of this love saga Pragya, you have better things to do in your life.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
All of a sudden I started feeling very restless; it wasn't the nervousness before wedding as Purab said but something else. I came out of my room, went down and everyone was asking why I'm still not ready. Soon it will be time to leave for the wedding venue, seven star hotel, city's best. I had no answer except saying, I'll be soon. While passing through the temple room in my house, I saw the Ganapati idol along with other idols. She also has a small one on her study table. And suddenly Ganapati idol broke in 2 pieces. I was standing right there and it broke. I just couldn't get it, how and why?
"That's it, I have to go and see her one last time. I can't marry without telling her."
Book Talk
Anupamaa
10