The course of true love never runs smoothly. Part I

People who don't like Indian-ism, please excuse this one, because it was written for a reason.

"Aish, I think we really need to talk."

Aish recognized from the tone of Kartik's voice that he was determined to confront the topic they were avoiding for what it seemed like days/weeks. She didn't want to confront it, she would jump at the chance of escaping a serious conversation with him because she had had the same conversation in her head a thousand times already and she knew he would influence/persuade her. She is scared to discuss because she thinks he'd make her do what she doesn't want to do, yet.

"Let's meet at the Cubbon. 3ish? I've got to get home early. My brother might be coming home tonight."

"The park? You sure?"

"Yes."

She took a deep breath before walking towards the bench, the signature bench they always sit in. Kartik was already sitting there. She smiled at him and sat next. He returned the gracious smile saying, "You look stunning. Your hair..." almost like usually or instinctively he reached and held her hand. She said "Kartik." and pulled her hand away. He faced down. "You can't stand the touch of me now, can you? You know what. Fine. Have it your way, I'm leaving." He said and raced to the parking lot near the library. He got in the car and started the engine, she got into the passenger seat. "Kartik, please, listen to me, you're right, we need to talk."

"You're damn right we need to talk! We dance around each other, flirting, getting closer, we get past so many people, we meet, we go out we share the best intimacy the two people can ever share and now you're avoiding me? You don't reply to my texts? You don't return my calls? What happened to the promise you made ten years ago? That no matter what happens you will never stop talking to me? Are you going back on your promises now?! We do so much and now you flinch when I touch you like I have some disease. Please don't tell me all the time we spent together didn't mean anything to you."

"I do want to believe they did, Kartik."

"Oh you do now, don't you?"

"Yes."

"Why did you flinch?"

"Because it was public out there; people would have seen."

"So I can touch you now?" He shifted in his seat.

"Kartik, you know I can't." and looked out the window.

"Can't? or won't?. Part of me is wishing that you would say that this whole thing was a mistake, really because your comfort is priority 1 for me, if you feel uncomfortable I would just move away from you, I am mature enough to do that. You know I wanted to talk about this and instead of choosing somewhere private you chose to meet here. You chose somewhere we wouldn't be able to talk properly, not show any sign of affection for each other, you deliberately chose this park now how am I supposed to feel about that? You're 29 years old. Behave like it, please."

"No; I..."

"Listen Aish, I really need to go now."

"Kartik."

"It's okay. I'll be okay tomorrow, I just need to clear my head is all. I'll call you tomorrow, answer my call if you want to. If possible, I'll come see you at the clinic." He leant to open the door for her but he also managed to sneak a kiss on her cheek and then she was gone. He left the park.

In the bed that night Aish thought about the evening. Up until three years ago he was just a friend to her, she trusted him, he unconditionally supported her, he was funny, wise and she loved to spend time with him. Something about him felt right and only one thing about him felt so wrong. He was her brother's best friend. It's nine years now since these best friends parted ways - something which eats her away during the nights. When they both ended up on bed it was like she completed her coffee cake with a frosting, just what it needed to be ecstatic. If she got together with him she knew it would be forever. He would be by her side, never cheat on her, admire her, make her feel like a princess, take her to Paris and many places around the world, she knew he would make her happy. This wonderful boy had come into her life ten years ago and he would be hers if she wanted him, why is she avoiding him since that night they spent in the hotel?

Kartik was absolutely right. She chose the park deliberately because she thought it was safe, as he wouldn't be able to put her in an awkward situation he usually does when they argued about the relationship' and mainly because she knew he wouldn't be able to touch her in the park with so many people around. A million questions ran on her mind, questions she needed to answer for her sake and for his. Was it just the situation with her brother or was she holding herself back? Had she got to the stage where she is simply using her brother as an excuse? What was she hiding? Did she prefer to stay alone or did she not want to get married to him in the first place? She was trying to make up her mind.

In the morning before she went to the clinic, she sat next to her mom.

"Ma, I need to talk to you."

"Aish, what's wrong?"

"I'm going to say yes to Kartik."

"Oh!"

"What do you think?"

"I don't know, I knew it would happen sometime, I want you to be happy."

"I'll talk to dad later but please let's keep this to ourselves for now? "

"Yes. Okay."

She rushed to her brother's office.

"Hey Arun, I'm sorry to barge in like this but we need to talk."

"What happened? Is there a problem with Shruthi and Rag again?"

"No. It's about us. Me and your other friend - Kartik."

"He's not my friend."

Arun was angry, mainly about Kartik. All these days he didn't believe Aish that nothing had happened until recently. Aish was determined and got through it somehow. In the end she resorted to the only thing he would understand and succumb to, anger. She yelled at him,

"How long did you think this could go on? I deserve to have a life where I can have a chance to be happy with someone, I am not going to hide how I feel about Kartik anymore. I've had enough. Mom knows already, I told her today so there is nothing to be scared of now."

*to be continued*