HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR PV QUEEN. GOD BLESS AND SPARE YOU MANY MORE.🥳
AGAIN THIS WAS DONE IN HASTE, BUT I HOPE YOU ENJOY NONE THE LESS
PART 1
She was so excited. It felt as if she was waiting an eternity for this. Finally after almost a year she would be with him. Not that they had ever really been together since they met. But since they met, they had been in contact every day by way of phone, skype, facetime and texts. Except for the last week and a bit of course. She had been away in a rural village doing some charity work at an orphanage with the group that had formed ever since she was in high school. They were all from affluent families and decided to form an NGO and whenever and whoever was available at any given time they would go and help out in the rural and impoverished communities. Normally they would spend 2 or three weeks at the place. But this time she couldn't wait to get back home.
The whole way back to Mumbai she was bubbling over with happiness. She had not told anyone that she was on her way back home. Not her family. And especially not him. She wanted to surprise them all. But first she was going to see him. The love of her life and future husband. The date for the engagement had been set. In fact that date had been set just days after they met. He had sent the proposal and their families met but she was still to complete her final year in Public Relations at Harvard University, thus the engagement was set for when she had completed her degree. That was his decision, not hers. She would have happily stayed to be with him then. But her felt he wanted her not to have regrets later, after they were married and settled. And she loved him even more for that.
Every time she came home for vacations, she hated to leave him again. He tried to spend as much time as possible with her when she was home but he had a very demanding job as well so they had to make do with what time they had. But now they would have all the time in the world. She couldn't believe that she was so blessed. He was so much more than she could have every hoped for in a future husband. Yes he was rich and handsome. Yes he had an awesome family that already loved her. Her biggest blessing was that he loved her so truly and completely. He never missed a chance to say it and to show it. Even when they were not together the gifts didn't stop. She would get a flower delivery every month on the anniversary of the day they met. Not to mention the jewellery and chocolates and clothes that she was gifted. He travelled extensively and he would get a gift from every place that he went. But the sweetest gifts were the ones that cost nothing. Like a serviette from the place they first met with the words "I love you" written on it, or the shell from the place that had become their special place, a single flower picked from their garden on his way to her that she pressed and dried. He was truly one in million and he was only hers.
Finally she was at his office. She was oblivious to anything other than her objective to reach him. She made her way into the elevator to the top floor of their building and when she got to his office she indicated to his PA to be quiet by putting her finger on her lips. She walked up to him softly, his office door was open and he was standing with his back to her reading a file. She came slowly to put her hands over his eyes.
"Aarti" he said before she even reached him.
"Why do you always have to spoil my fun" she pouted as he turned around.
"You know I always know when you are near." he said.
"I know" she smiled and threw her arms around him in a tight hug.
"I missed you so much."
"Me too. Me too" he said as he held her even tighter and spoke into her hair.
She lifted her head and kissed him. He kissed her back almost desperately and then he let go of her. He held her at arm's length and looked at her like he wanted to imprint her image on his memory. Then he drew her back for another tight hug.
"Yashji?" they heard from the door way and broke the hug.
"Arpi, what are you doing here. I guess you surprised me." She went to Arpita and hugged her too.
"Welcome home Didi. Did Yashji tell you the news?"
"What news?" Immediately she felt uneasy. Things that she did not see in her euphoric state seemed to come up in her mind's eye. Arpita was dressed in a saree and wearing a mangulsutra and sindoor on her head. Yash's facial expression, more sad and desperate than happy to see her. The look of pity on his PA's face when she passed her.
"What news, Yash."
"Aarti, we ... we ... I'm sorry."
"About what?" she said panicking. She tried to deny the feelings of horror that was welling up inside her.
"Tell me!" she said in a whisper.
"I'm so sorry, didi." said Arpita.
"Stop saying sorry and tell me."
"Yashji and I are married." sadi Arpita.
Aarti swallowed hard. She looked at both of them and knew that this was not the nightmare that she was wishing it to be. This was real. He looked back at her, his eyes brimming with tears.
"When?"
"Last week." Arpita said.
"How."
"It was a mistake Didi."
"What was?"
"We ... We..."
"You slept together didn't you?" No one answered. They were both crying now. "Didn't you?" She was shaking.
She walked back over to Yash.
"You told me you loved me. The last time we spoke you said you missed me that you couldn't wait to marry me. How did this happen."
"It was a mistake."
"How was it a mistake? Have you been having an affair while I was gone? Were you lying to me all this time?"
"No."
"Did you ever love me?'
"I did. I do. But ..." he didn't get to finish his sentence as she slapped him accross the face.
She shook her head and backed away from him.
"The two people I loved and trusted most in the world betrayed me. I will never forgive you for this. Do you hear me? Never!"
She walked past Arpita and made her way out of the office. Luckily the taxi was still waiting for her downstairs. She got in and told the driver where she wanted to go. She could not deal with anyone now. She needed solitude. She went to the only place that she knew she could get that.
She sat on the rock, her body convulsing in sobs. Her dream had become a cruel and sadistic nightmare. She would never have guessed this to have happened. She could not have imagined that he could do this to her. And her cousin. They grew up together in the same house. She was closer to her than her own sister. They were more than cousins or sisters, they were best friends. Her world was torn to ribbons. She had no plan B. Since she met him she only wanted to be with him. She loved him so much and now it felt that she had nothing. Her whole world had crumbled. She wanted to die. She was looking at the waves in front of her. The same waves that once brought peace and tranquillity was beckoning her to join with them forever. And she was tempted. So very tempted.
"Aarti." She heard behind her.
She didn't have to turn around. She knew at some level that he would come here too. She hoped she guessed. She wasn't sure of anything anymore.
"Aarti, baby, I'm sorry. I love you. It wasn't a lie. I've loved you from the moment I laid eyes on you. I was counting the seconds till you would me mine. It was just all a big mistake."
She didn't move or speak.
"I was drunk. We both were. I was missing you so much. One thing led to the other and we woke up in her bed at your house. And her mother walked in. We had no choice but to get married. I'm so sorry."
She still didn't turn around but her body was convulsing with sobs even more.
He went closer.
"Baby, I love you and I will never stop. I am so sorry. I ruined all our lives by one stupid decision." He embraced her from behind.
"What am I supposed to do now, Yash? Where do I go? Do I continue to live in a house where you come to visit? Do I treat you as my brother in law? How do I hide my love for you from my family? From my sister, your wife?"
"I don't know. I ask myself the same thing. Maybe I should move. I can ask bauji to open a branch somewhere else and we can live there. I don't want to cause you more pain."
She finally turned around and held onto him. They sobbed in each other's arms.
"How could you do this Yash?"
"I regret it with every fibre of my being."
"How do I live without you? I don't want to live without you."
"I know it is an impossible situation, but we have more than ourselves to think about, we have our families."
She pulled out of his arms violently.
"To hell with our families. The hell with Arpita. I don't care about that. I am broken Yash. I feel like I am in a nightmare. But I am not waking up. But it is all real. Do you know how happy my day started? All my dreams were about to come true. No not all my dreams. Only one, the only one that I had for the past year. To be your wife. Why must I think of anyone else now? Have they had their hearts ripped out? No. I did. Don't you dare ask me to think of anyone else? How could you how could you? How could you do this me?" She shouted and pummelled his chest with her fists.
He stood there and let her vent. The pain was welcome. He wanted to be punished for the hurt that he had caused her. He didn't have an answer for her. He didn't know how he did what he did. He never drank. He went out with friends and Arpita and a few of her and Aari's mutual friends were with them. He couldn't even remember how much he drank. All he remembered was that it was a very bad day for him. He had a stressful day at the office and he missed her so much and he couldn't even contact her. Not even being able to hear her voice was agonizing. He drank against his better judgment. And the next he knew he woke up in Arpita's bed and her mother came walking in. There was no choice. They got married the next day.
He wasn't any less broken then she was. He lived for the moment that she would be his wife. He had insisted that she finish her course even though it was so far away from him. He only wanted the best for her. She was his whole life and because of that he let her go. Only because he knew she was his. That she would be back. But now he had lost her forever.
Once she was tired of her outburst she sank down on the sand. He held her. Eventually she calmed down.
She got up and wiped her tears. She sighed deeply.
"I'm fine. I can handle this. Don't worry about me. I will get through this. And you don't have to move. I will go."
"Where will you go baby?' he said as he finally got up.
"Please don't call me that anymore. You wife would not approve."
"Ba ... Aarti. Where where will you go."
"I don't know Yash. Good bye."
She walked away. He stayed behind. The sobs now wracking his body as he watched her walk out of his life.
She walked into the house. Her parents were waiting for her. Arpita had called ahead and informed them of the situation.
"Aarti, my baby. Are you ok. Where were you all this time?"
She greeted them and hugged them.
"I am fine. But I need to be alone for a while, if you don't mind."
"Fine my baby. Just call if you need anything."
"Yes, mamma."
She walked up the stairs to her room, the one adjacent to Arpita's. The one that she shared with her more often than not. They often ended up talking till late, especially after she was away from home and came back on vacations, they would talk till the early hours of the morning and just fall asleep in whichever bed they were in. How things have changed.
She went to lie on the bed and started crying again. She thought of the day that the met.
Flashback a year ago
The rain had just stopped as she got out of her car. She was wearing a long flowing dress and she was irritated that the bottom would now be damp and dirty. This was an upmarket club and she wanted to look nice. She had rushed as she had been out with friends earlier and ran late. She had made arrangements to meet Arpi and some of their mutual friends here. When she came home she had so many commitments. So many friends that wanted to see her. She and Arpi had mutual friends and she also had friends from her high school. Arpi had gone to a different school. She had put on this light flowing dress as it was quick to throw on and she had knotted her hair in a tight ponytail at the back. She had beautiful bold gold earrings and flat gold sandals.
She walked to towards the club and encountered a puddle. She was negotiating going round or jumping over when a jacket was put on the puddle in front of her.
She looked at the person kneeling down. He looked up at her and she discovered the most amazing eyes she had ever seen. She could hardly tear hers away.
"What did you do? Your jacket."
"It's just a jacket." he shrugged.
But she could see that it was a very good quality designer jacket that must have cost a fortune. And now it would be ruined. He got up.
"It's safe to walk now."
"I can't walk on your jacket."
"It's already ruined."
"Still, I can't."
"Ok. I don't have the same problem."
She give a surprised scream as he suddenly scooped her up and carried her over the puddle, walking over his jacket to the door of the club. He put her down.
She looked at him still stunned.
"Shall we go inside?"
"Is this the norm for you? To carry around strange women?"
"No. In fact it is totally against my character."
"Then why did you do it now?"
"Because"
"That is not an answer."
He walked up very close to her, his lips almost touching hers.
"Promise you won't be scared." he said in a sensual whisper.
"Promise."
"Because I saw a doe eyed beauty for but a second and fell in love with her. And I am planning to marry her."
She gasped.
"You promised you wouldn't be scared" he continued.
"I'm not."
"Then shall we go inside."
"Yes,"
He took her hand and starting leading her inside.
"Wait." she said
He looked back are her quizzically.
"May I know that name of my future husband?"
"Ah, that would help a great deal. My name is Yash. And yours mother of my unborn children?"
She giggled.
"Aarti."
"Beautiful. Just like you."
They walked in the club, still wrapped in each other.
"Are you meeting someone?"
"Oh, yes." she had forgotten her friends. "My cousin and our friends." She looked around and spotted them at a table. Arpita had seen them.
"I have to go there."
"I will go with you."
She came to the table and the girls were ecstatic to see her after a long time.
"Hi all. This is Yash. We just met outside. Yash, this Arpita, my cousin, my sister and my bestest friend. This is Krishna, Priya, Diviya and Neelam. We all went to school together.
"Nice meeting you all. I was wondering if you all would like to join my friends and I. I have booked a private function room. We have our own music, food and drinks."
"No we can't impose" said Aarti.
"How can you impose? You are ..."
"Yash." she said before he could continue.
"Will you come then?"
"Will we ladies?"
They were quite eager to follow this very handsome man.
There was certainly enough of everything as he said. And enough guys for her friends to drool over.
He didn't leave her for a second longer than he had to. And his whole demeanour showed that she was his.
The found themselves in in the garden on a bench later.
The talked for a long time. She told him about her family and her studies and he told her about his family. He was vague about what he called the family business that he helped his father run. She suspected he was downplaying it.
"So when can I send my parents to your house?'
"Are you serious?"
"As a heart attack."
"We only just met"
"So, with arranged marriages people meet each other only once or twice sometimes. Why not with a love match."
"How can you say you love me so soon?"
"Because I do. I am 28 years old and I have never like this about anyone. When I saw you getting out of your car, I was blown away. I an instant my heart was no longer mine, it belongs entirely to you now."
Her heart was pounding wildly. She felt the same but could not vocalise it.
"I have to go home now."
"Yes, for now. Can I take you?"
"No, I have my own car."
He walked out with her and Arpi. She had given him her number.
"I will call you and we can see each other alone and I will talk to my parents about the wedding. He put something in her hand. She wasn't sure what it was but later discovered that it a serviette that he had written "I love you."
She drove home in relative silence. She wasn't even aware that she was smiling to herself. She was in 7th heaven.
"So Aaru-di. Are you going to tell me?' Said Arpi eventually.
"Oh, Arpi. I'm in love."
"But you only just met him. I know and there is no doubt in my heart or mind that I love him with my entire heart and soul."
"But Aarti..."
"He wants to marry me, Arpi."
"And your studies."
"I don't know. But I know I want to marry him. I am so happy Arpi. So very happy. You are happy for me too aren't you Arpi?"
"If you are happy so am I Aaru-di."
The smiled at each other as Aarti continued driving home. Her heart soaring happiness as every minute passed.
Cricket
