This is probably going to be a two shot or three shot based on how lazy I am feeling. I was listening to the Start Again by Red and BOOM! inspiration...
Aaliyah forced me into the bookstore. Apparently this the only store that has the recent album of her favorite singer. As this bookstore is a little unknown to people, the album that she wanted hasn't been sold out here, yet. I find it ridiculous though. Firstly, why would she want to listen to other artistes when her own brother is an awesome musician? Secondly, who buys album anymore? Don't people just download them from iTunes? To this she answered for collection. And lastly, I hate the sight of bookstores because it reminds me of someone. Someone who, I don't want to remember. Despite all this, I still followed Aaliyah into the bookstore. Because I love her, unconditionally. After everything that happened, I don't know if this unconditional love is good or bad, but that's how it has always been between us.
I had to wear hoodie and sunglasses to cover my face. I wore a black hoodie and faded jeans to not bring much attention to me. Ever since my divorce with Pragya and the chaos in my household, I've been media and paparazzi's attention constantly. I looked down as I walk in and as soon as we entered in, Aaliyah dashed straightly to the music section. I was about to follow her, when someone caught my eyes. The one and only. Pragya. Apparently, there is a book signing session was going on, and there was she, sitting and giving autographs to her fans who are all lined up with her latest published book. Looking at her, reminded me the feeling of returning back to home after a long time. She wasn't wearing spectacles anymore and I hated that. She definitely looked different but at the same time familiar. I wanted to approach her, but afraid that she still hates me. It's been 4 years. All the pain and hatred I felt had turn numb. But I not sure about her scars. The scars I gave her. Intentionally and also unintentionally.
But then I remembered my disguise. Maybe she won't be able to recognize me. I quickly went and grabbed her book. I was about to pay the book at the counter when Aaliyah came to me with her set of discs. After we paid, she took the book I bought from the plastic and looked at it. She gave me a cynical look then it turned to a sad one. Then, she gave me a sad smile. She took my car keys and left without saying anything. Before she left, she slightly touched my face and mouthed "GO". I thought she was going to be upset or angry, but surprisingly she wasn't. Pain changes people. And it changed us, too. I quickly collected my guts and stood at the waiting line. I decided to approach her as me. After an hour, my turn finally came. She looked and smiled at me. But I couldn't tell if she knew who I was. She opened the book without much reaction and signed the book. She handed it to me back and gestured for the next person in the line. I am shocked. Even after reading what I wrote in the book, she gave it to me without even a flinch. Looks like, she still hates me. Annoyed, I opened the book. I looked at the part where I wrote,
Wanna have a cup of coffee? -Rockstar
I looked down the page but it was blank. Shoot. She didn't see it. Looks like she signed it on some other page. So, I wasn't completely rejected. I turned to the other page and found her signature. Below there, she wrote,
Sure. You pay. -New York Times Bestselling Author.
I couldn't help but smirk. And then, I smiled. I turned back to look at her and she was looking at me. Gosh, those eyes. They are more powerful without her spectacles. And there was once I thought that she wore spectacles to enhance her magic. How dumb of me, I sighed. So, I stayed in the bookstore and brought the book I bought to the reading section, where one can lounge and read the books. I, sat and tried reading but I couldn't concentrate. I was never into fiction, anyways. I gave up and brought some music magazines. Rolling stones magazines which is my favorite, had their latest edition out and I was looking through them. But somehow, I couldn'tconcentrate reading them either. My mind wanders everywhere. What have I done? Why did I called her out for coffee? What should I do now? What should I tell her? How do I even start the conversation? Our separation was mutual, but we didn't separate in good terms. I still remember that day.
4 YEARS AGO
Pragya barged in the room angrily. Her eyes were swollen and red from crying non-stop for days. She didn't say a word and started packing. It didn't bother me that she was leaving. I wanted her out, and I am glad that I don't have to be the one who chases her away. After her mom, who was my mother-in-law died, I don't think I could do it. As much as I hate her for deceiving me and playing along with the lies and misunderstandings between us, I couldn't throw her out when her mother whom she loved so much passed away. But her actions were loud, and it annoyed me. Mercilessly, I taunted her, "can you do it quietly please? I need to sleep."
But she didn't listen. She was grabbing her things louder than before. I was more than annoyed that I got up from the bed and took her arms. "What's your problem?" I asked angrily. "If you doing this looking for attention, well you got it," I said a little calmly and let go of her. She didn't look at me, nor did she utter a word. The Pragya that I know always had some kind of comeback. But now, she turned mute. "Look, I get that you're upset. Can we go to sleep now, and continue all this tomorrow? We just got back from the funeral and I am really tired," I said while yawning. She didn't move or flinch or even showed any reaction. To be honest, she kind of freaked me out. She quietly went and continued and packing her things.
I gave up and sat at the couch watching her, in case she does something really stupid. It was evident that she is emotionally unstable right now. Finally, she finished packing and she came out of the changing room. She brought out the wedding clothes, mangalsutra and the jewelries my daadi gave her on our wedding. She threw it right across my face. "Have you lost your mind?" I asked angrily.
She didn't answer but her face looked extremely sad that I didn't continue further and stopped there. She took all her luggage and was about to step out of the door, when I stopped her. "You can go home tomorrow, not in the middle of the night," I said. She removed my hand away and turned to me. "The only reason why I stayed in this stupid, dead marriage was because of my mother. And now that, she is g-oo-go-gone," she sobbed uncontrollably.
And after a while, she regained composure and looked at me. "I hate you, Abhishekh Mehra. Do you hear that? Because of you, and your dumb sister and that horrible girlfriend of yours, my mother is dead. I warned you and begged you to not tell my mother, the truth about my marriage. Yet, you guys did. And the consequence of that, is I am an orphan now. And now that my biggest fear has come true, I have nothing to be afraid anymore. Not even, you. The job of explaining about us to daadi, I hand it to you. I am done with this lifeless relationship and with anyone who has anything to do with you," she seethed.
I didn't know what to say. Part of me is glad and felt a huge relief that she's finally leaving and another part of me is conflicted to let her go. How will I explain it to Daadi? She would feel so bad. "Will be waiting for the divorce papers," was the last word she uttered to me.
After all those years, I finally met her. Even during those divorce settlements, she never wanted to be in the same room with me. I was flipping the pages absentmindedly, when Pragya approached me. She was wearing a dress which fit her curves perfectly and those high-heels made her look sophisticated.
Hey,' she waved.
"Hey," I smiled and waved back.
"What were you doing here?" she asked.
"Aaliyah wanted to get something," I answered. At the mention of Aaliyah her smile disappeared.
"But, she left already," I quickly added. She just nodded and didn't say much after that.
"So, where do you usually get your coffee?" I asked.
"You sure you want to go to the place where I get my two dose of caffeine's," she asked raising her perfectly trimmed eyebrows.
"Yeah, sure. Why not?" I said.
"Okay, then. Get your car and follow me, then," she said.
"Sorry, can you bring me there? My sister took my car key and left. I could call my driver but it will take longer time," I said.
"Ok, fine," she said and I followed her. She is definitely still very cold towards me and I am very much missing the warm Pragya that always generated heat the moment she entered the room.
We were in her car and she said nothing. I remembered how Pragya could barely drive till she nearly got us into accident when she was drunk. But now, she looked so confident in driving and this look kinda suits her.
TO BE CONTINUED. Thank you so much for reading.
CID
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
