Broken Promises (Short story)

He turns around to see her. She stands there- in a dreamy beige dress, with the diamond earrings he'd gifted, and her romantic curls perfectly swept to one side..

"Hmm.. Not bad, Mrs Rathore", Viraj exclaims fondly..
"Excuse me Mr Rathore?.. You are getting my name wrong. It's Ms Zara.. MISS Zara Oberoi.. Ohh, I forgot my phone upstairs. I'll be back"
"It's ok.." He draws her closer to him. "I have my phone.. You don't need to carry yours.. Oh.. Darn it.. I forgot.. "
"Kya.. Your wallet Na? Again, Viraj?.."
" Nahii.. I forgot my heart somewhere.."
She hits him on the arm lightly and interrupts him quickly, "Chote hukum..that was so cheesy! Let's go! Or else we'd be late.." She grabs his hand to pull him towards the front door.
He comes close to her & whispers in her ears, "Actually.. I don't want to go now.. "
"Achaa?.. It's Priyanka's 12th birthday. And Buaji will taunt me if we don't make it in time..", Zara complains.
He stands next to her but she holds up her hand to push him away, "Please Na.. My lipstick will smear.. Then, it will take another 30 minutes.."
"Woh bhi manzoor hai", he passionately whispers, bringing his face close to her lips.
She grabs the keys from the side table & runs out, "Fine.. Aap yehiin rahiyay.. I'll tell everyone at the party that Viraj couldn't set his curly ringlets in time. Hahaha..ok Byyye.."
"Rukiyay.. Arre?", he rushes out to catch up to her..

2 weeks later..
His phone rings. He opens his eyes and excitedly looks at Zara's text message. It reads, "Wake up. Good morning!! Won't be able to Skype tonight. Going out with friends for my bachelorette party. Don't worry, I will behave myself- shaayad. Haha ;) Love you.. Can't wait to meet you.. Mwaaah.. 3 more days.. *excited*"

He smiles and kisses his phone. He types back, "Can't wait either. Have fun! Tell me all about it when you get home.. 2.5 days to go. Your flight is tomorrow in the afternoon. I Miss you ;)"

His marriage was scheduled for the weekend & Zara was to arrive with her family in 2 days. Invites had been sent out & all was set. His anxieties regarding his wedding day had finally faded away. He was elated & excited as the gravity of this new situation sank it -he was in Love indeed. He was beaming with joy & it felt like after years, happiness had come knocking at his door! He laid back in his bed looking at the freshly painted yellow color on the walls of his penthouse. He recalled Zara's words when they were selecting the paint at the paintshop, "I want it to be YELLOW.. Mango-wala yellow, Viraj! Powerful. Sunny. And high on energy. Just like you.. Hahhahaah"..
He smiles as he could already imagine her excitement when she'll look at these walls of her new house painted in her favorite colors.
"Jaldi aayiyayy, Zara", he smiles to himself again.

When it finally switches on, he discovers he'd received quite a few text message. He experiences a warm, fuzzy feeling inside, thinking how it must be from his sweetheart wishing him good morning, like she did every day. He notices there were 14 messages today. "Oh Zara.. Aap bhi Na.."
He sits down to finally read them.
They were not from Zara.
It was her brother, Akhilesh. "Viraj pick up your phone. We've decided the funeral will be held on Friday. I have booked your flight tickets. Please check & confirm".
Suddenly his heart sinks. "What in the world is he talking about. The wedding is on Saturday & he's calling me for a funeral to London?". Slowly, he scrolls up & starts reading the texts. How come Zara wasn't texting him, he wonders.
"Hey Viraj. I need to speak to you. It's urgent".
"Viraj pick up your phone, man".
"Viraj please talk to us. I left you a voicemail."
"Mom and dad are worried. Please pick up."
"Viraj.. Zara left us last night.", read the first message, as he scrolled to the top.
What does he mean left last night, Viraj wonders. Her flight was in the afternoon.
"I am sorry bro."
"Pick up the phone."
"Zara is no longer with us. She broke her promise!"
Viraj could not believe what he had just read. He kept his phone away, almost panicking & wishing this was all a dream. "This can't be happening. Of course he's joking. He's joking with his would be jeeju. Akhil this is not funny", he was suddenly fuming with anger, grinding his teeth in the process & breathing heavily.

He picked up his laptop and quickly logged in to his Facebook. He scrolled over to Zara's profile & looked at her profile picture. It was their favorite picture together as a couple. He scrolled down to pass her recently updated status which had announced, "engaged". And below that were messages from her friends on her timeline.

"RIP sweet angel", said one.
"I will miss you Z.", said another.
"RIP, Princess", below that.

Tears welled up in his eyes & he finally realized what had happened. He nodded his head & suddenly noticed his heart dropping in his chest. It felt as if he couldn't take another breath.
In his shock, he hadn't even noticed Shyam Singh Ji climbing upstairs.
"Chote hukum??...", Daaji enquired.
Viraj looked at him, "Daaji... Vaada kia tha unnhonein.. Lekin unhonein humaara bharosa todd diyaa Daaji.. Jhooth bola humse.. She lied to me that she'll never leave me.. Kya yehi tha unka Pyaar, Daaji? Dhokhaa diya humein, Daaji.. She broke her promise.".

Its is lovely ... starting from scratch