FF: Forever and Always........part 43 in new Thread - Page 69

Part 37

Meera watched Pari. She was beautiful. No doubt about that. Her long hairs were flowing in all directions thanks to the wind. She had worn casual jeans and top yet she looked good. Meera looked ahead towards the blue sea. The Arabian Sea is never calm. Looking at the waves Meera felt like the sea is a replica of life. We have ups and downs just like the wave but then that's what makes the sea beautiful. Without them life would be monotonous.

Meera:" I loved him you know."

Pari:" Yes, I know. But do you... do you blame me for your break-up?"

Meera:" I don't know. That period was chaotic. I am sure you have heard all about Armaan from Yash. Losing Armaan was not easy. And then Geet's condition... I needed Yash that time you know..."

Pari kept her hand on Meera's shoulder. As a genuinely empathetic person she could feel the helplessness Meera might have felt.

Pari:" It must have been hard..."

Meera:" It was hard. The hardest thing I have ever done you know. Coping up Armaan's loss or helping Geet was already too much but Yash breaking up the relationship was too much. And when I found him with you, it was way difficult."

Pari:" You didn't answer me Meera, do you blame me?"

Meera:" Maybe I did at a point. See watching him walking with you through the same paths where once we had walked together was difficult to bear. But then I realized you were not at fault. If he had loved me in the first place, he wouldn't have fallen in love with you."

Pari looked up sharply. She knew that Yash loved Meera, so she did not like Meera's accusation.

Pari:" But Yash loved you. I know this. I have seen him feel pain watching you hurt. Everytime he saw you getting hurt with his action, he felt the pain. He didn't even keep friendship with others so you don't need to face him. He knew you would never let the others choose even if it hurt you. So he broke the ties with them. He loved you Meera. He loved you truly. Don't ever doubt that."

Meera:"Maybe. But it wasn't enough."

Pari:" Yeah, well maybe it was for Good. Don't mind me saying this but you and Sid look happy and totally in love. So does that mean, you did not love Yash?"

Meera:" No I loved Yash. Truly I loved Yash. But Sid and I, we are deeper. Our relationship is based on stronger foundations. And we both have grown up. But how do you understand Yash so much? Don't you feel jealous?"

Pari smiled slightly. Then she said," I can't believe I am talking to you about this. I hope I can trust you."

Meera:" Of course."

Pari:" Yash is not my first love as well. I was in love with another guy but that guy turned out to be a cheating bustard. However, my feelings were pure. What I loved about Yash was that he didn't cheat you for one day even. The day he felt more than friendship for me, he broke up with you. So yes Meera, I might have acted as a catalyst for your breakup. I understand Yash because I know through experience that love can happen twice."

Meera:" I am so sorry to hear about your bad past. You are brave to have not lost your faith in love even after being in a bad relationship."

Pari:" Oh, just because my ex was a jerk doesn't mean all the guys in the world are jerks."

Meera smiled at Pari's statement. Mumbai city was still far thought they could make out the shapes of Taj hotel from afar.

Meera:" You are brave. I mean I had lost faith in love after Yash. It took lot of Sid's patience and perseverance to make me see that I still can be hapy with him inspite of the heart ache I had in past."

Pari:" Who said I am brave? I have my insecurities."

Meera:" You look so strong."

Pari:" Looks can be very deceptive. Since this one already feels like a judgement day type let me tell you that I always have this insecurity in some corner of my mind that Yash would someday maybe realize that he actually loves you and will go to you."

Meera looked at Pari incredulously and the smiled. "Guess none of us are invincible Pari. But don't worry, the last time I met Yash I could see how much he loves you. It is way stronger than what he had felt for me. And I love Sid, maybe more than how much I loved Yash. We had some unresolved issues that were settled that day in Delhi. I am sure both me and Yash have no intention of reconciling and will never have any such intentions either. You should not be insecured about me."

Pari:" Geet was right. We are more alike than we ever thought we were."

Meera smiled.

Meera:"Yeah Geet is right. And though I know Geet is your friend too but you must know Geet had always been like this sister I never had. So I can't thank you enough for looking out for her and helping her."

Pari:" As you said, Geet is my friend too. I had done what a true friend is supposed to do."

Meera:" Still..."

Pari:" You see the irony of the situation. We both had been stuck in this unwanted triangle for so long. We were supposed to be rivals to each other. Yet today we stand here consoling and providing security to eah other. When you doubted Yash's love for you I told you that it had been true and when I doubted Yash's commitment towards me, you told me that what he feels is strong."

Meera nodded and acknowledged what Pari had just said. Somehow the lines had blurred and they had changed from being rivals to almost friend. Soon they watched ahead, the magnificent view of Mumbai from the deck of ferry boat. As they were almost near the shore Meera turned to Pari.

Meera:" If we were not rivals, if at one point of life we both had not been in love with Yash, we could have been friends Parineeta."

Pari:" I agree Meera."

Meera:" Maybe someday, when Yash and my history with him wouldn't matter, when you could be so secured in your relationship that the advent of an ex wouldn't matter, we could be friends then..."

Pari was silent. The silence stretched for a long time befor Pari said almost inaudibly," Maybe someday..."

*******

The rest of the evening had been blurred as the entire group had fun. Before goining Naina and Dev both vouched they had amazing time. Pari smiled at Meera who smiled in return. Once they left Sid turned to Meera and raised his eyebrows quizincally.

Meera:" I think I finally I had my closure. I needed this chat with Pari as much as I needed that talk with Yash. And I think even Pari needed it too."

Geet smiled and hugged Meera. "Meer, I am so glad you talked with Pari. Are you both friends yet?"

Meera smiled at Geet's innocent question.The best thing about Geet is that even after all the bad things happening to her she did not lose her beautiful inner self.

Meera:" Geet, I and Pari cannot be friends yet. The fact still lies that I am Yash's ex. Someday maybe we can but at this point we can't."

Geet pouted but she understood where Meera's point of view and nodded her head. Sid came and just hugged Meera. Meera hugged him absorbing all the security and love he was showering her with. Sometimes all you need is a hug from your loved ones to realize that everything will be alright.

Geet felt her eyes tear up a bit watching them together. The moment was a private one and Geet quietly left the room. She came to the open terrace and roamed about a bit. Moments like this she missed Armaan. He would have been so happy about Meer and Sid. He would have made their lives hell by crcking jokes about all their previous fights yet he would have been the happiest. And maybe if Armaan was there with them, Yash would still be a part of the group. Armaan would have found a middle way for everyone to be happy. Unknowingly she felt tears roll down. And in that precise moment she got a text from Maan. Wiping away the errant tear she checked the message.

Maan:" I am sure you enjoyed today Miss Song. I would like to invite myself for dinner tonight with you guys. What say? "

Geet smiled. Even if it was just a day she felt like they hadn't met for such a long day. But Geet knew Meera would not be up to meeting anyone in the state of mind she was in. she called up Maan to explain the situation.

Maan:" Hello Miss Song."

Geet:" Hey Maan!"

Maan:" What's wrong Geet?"

Geet:" Why would you think something is wrong Maan?"

Maan:" May be because you did not call me Mr. Stranger."

Geet:" Maan, I don't think it is a good idea for you to come tonight."

Maan:" What is it Geet? Tell me clearly."

Geet took a deep breath. Then she went on and explained why she thought Meera won't be up to meeting anyone.

Geet:" I don't think it would be comfortable for her if you come along Maan."

Maan: "You are right Geet. But then tomorrow is Sunday. You know I spent the Sundays with Daadima. So I can't meet tomorrow as well."

Geet:" Then, how about after office on Monday? We can take them to Bandstand or something?"

Maan:" Wow! That is a good idea."

Geet:" Why do you sound so low Mr. Stranger?"

Maan:" Well I wouldn't be seeing your beautiful face until Monday. Of course I am feeling low Miss Song."

Geet laughed out. He sounded like a kid who had been banned from a candy store or something.

Maan:" You are cruel Geet. Here I am low and you are laughing at my predicament."

Geet:" Who would say you are such a big shot businessman or something? You sound like a kid Maan!"

Maan:" I am never a businessman with you Geet. I am just Maan with you. You see, I can be myself only with you. I have got only few friends and even they stay busy with their significant other most of the time. It never bothered me before but slowly I felt that I am actually very lonely. In front of my family I always have to be the strong one. They depend on me to make things right for them. So naturally, I don't share my problems with them. But when I first met you in Mumbai and we became friends, well you were like the fresh breath of air for me."

Geet felt bad for this man. He was really very lonely when it came to his emotions and problems inspite of having a family. And at that point Geet realized that despite not having a family, Geet always had amaing friends to support and look after her emotional well being.

Geet:" Maan it is okay to lose the control and be just yourself you know."

Maan:" It feels great to have someone to listen to..."