IshVeer FF : La Douleur Exquise| Important Announcement (Page 51) - Page 24

Hey, friends! Finally, the next chapter. And, I'm terribly, terribly nervous about it, so any sort of criticism is welcome for this chapter.

Chapter 19: The Twist in the Tale

The car halted with a little creek in front of the gates of the Parekh Mansion. Ranveer smiled at Ishani, realizing their adventure had ultimately come to an end, earning them both a richly deserved relief and break from the suffocating happenings of the house. Ishani appeared relieved, but the worry deepened on her face when she saw him, her heart sinking. Although a little selfishly, Ranveer could not help but cherish the affection in her eyes. The same affection she rightfully showered on him without any regret. And suddenly a hint of fear flashed in his mind, making him shiver at the thought that floated in the back of his head. But it disappeared as soon as it had come, for Ishani beamed at him.

"You know, Ranveer, this was probably the best time I've ever had out of the house. I've never felt so free. So happy. Doesn't it feel strange?"

"Maybe we should try going on such visits more often," Ranveer suggested and Ishani chuckled.

"Not a bad idea, I suppose. But, wait! Are Chirag and his family not yet gone?"

They looked around, their eyes falling on a Mustank waiting there, as Ishani eyed Ranveer, biting her lower lip. He nodded with a little shrug.

"Seems they're still here."

"Ever since this Chirag came to my life, it's turned into a hell!" Ishani said, narrowing her eyes.

"Now, now!" Ranveer asked, shaking his head. "What's his fault that Baa did to you what she did? She would have done that anyway, right?"

Ishani ignored him. "First, I need to tend those bruises of yours. Come on."

"Ishani," Ranveer said, "I'm alright. And you took me to the doctor who's already given me the medicines I needed. Don't worry and go home right now."

"No, I want to..."

"Ishani, don't be a stubborn kid," Ranveer said, grabbing her hand, as they got out of the car. "You need to go home. I'm sure nobody would like if anyone saw you here with me."

Ishani came alongside Ranveer, her steps shortening with the distance closing up, as they stood at the threshold of the Parekh Mansion.

"Could you please come with me, Ranveer?" Ishani asked in a small voice, her eyes pleading.

"No one's going to say anything, Ishani, alright? I'm sure they've all decided on everything already." Ranveer saw everyone smiling and wishing each other as though all laughed on a joke cracked by someone in the hall. Disha looked radiant and blushed deeply while Chaitali kept nudging her every now and then. Devarsh and Pratiek laughed uproariously, and the biggest surprise was Baa, who also laughed along, as though gelled well with the crowd she once deemed not understanding her due to the generation gap.

This Chirag was certainly something else, for managing to make Baa laugh the way she did was as impossible as making two rival countries to become the best of the friends. And Chirag had done the impossible. Suddenly Ranveer felt guilty for invading the privacy of the family without their knowledge, and worse at observing the happenings in the house despite knowing this. His father always told him to keep his senses sharp and eyes open while working, and not the ears to listen to what their family was talking about. And he was breaking the rule. Even if his Mota Babuji and Ishani saw him differently, the truth never changed. They didn't see him differently because he was any different from the people working in the Mansion, but because they were kind and perhaps more understanding than anyone he had ever known in this city. Everyone reminded him he was a servant, but it was Ishani who made him feel alive. She was the one who cared he didn't sleep hungry for the most times and that he got proper treatment if ever assaulted by Baa. And his Mota Babuji made sure to give him enough education to make an identity of his own. Somewhere deep down he was sure that these two people would never abandon him, no matter where in life he went.

Suddenly something snapped, and Ranveer felt Ishani slip her palm in his hand which he unconsciously closed around with his own. Ishani squeezed his hand and smiled at him, as if she knew what was running through his mind and she made sure to promise him the same secretly.

"I think you're right," she said, holding her gaze to him. "All is well, and we can go in."

Ranveer only nodded, overwhelmed by a sudden emotion he had no idea of. He just did. He shivered and gave a long, resigned sigh. They walked together, their hands wound together and for a while Ranveer did not feel like unclasping his hand from her grasp. It felt comforting as though he walked in a storm willing to swipe him off his feet without any warning.

"I'll leave now," he whispered to Ishani, as they still remained at a distance from the family. "Fulfilled my promise to have you safe home. Now, go back. Mota Babuji is waiting for you."

"Alright." Ishani chuckled. "And you, too, go back and take rest."

"Wow," Ranveer said, alerted.

"What?"

"You behaving like a human with me is rare, so that surprised me." Ranveer turned around, chuckling, but Ishani pulled him back, grabbing him by his wrist.

"I don't behave like a human with you?" She frowned.

"You're like a dictator that makes sure to torture my poor soul."

"Ughh!" Ishani leapt to strangle him but Ranveer escaped.

"Are you mad?" he cried, but silenced when he realized they were amidst the lobby of the Parekh Mansion, and all the eyes were turned to them. "Oops!" Ranveer looked at Ishani. "I'll just leave now."

"Ranveer, what happened?" Harshad stood up. "These bruises. This... Ishani, blood on your cloths! What happened?"

"Papa," Ishani said. "Some goons attacked us and Ranveer saved me. It's his blood on my clothes. I'm completely fine."

"Ranveer, go back to your room and take proper rest."

"Mota Babuji, I will. You should see the guests. They're waiting for you," Ranveer said, feeling awkward at suddenly being the center of attention.

"Ranveer, I will but you..."

"Mota Babuji, I'm fine. It was just a small accident." He looked at Ishani. "I'll just go."

Ishani nodded and Ranveer turned back to leave, smiling awkwardly. He wasn't supposed to go away like this, but hopefully Mota Babuji would understand. But what made him halt in his tracks was another voice from behind.

"Now, since the soon-to-be-bride has come, someone please give her the good news too," Chirag said and Ranveer turned back. Who was Chirag talking about? Wasn't Disha there already in the house? But it wasn't Disha he looked at right now. Instead, he stood up and walked where Ishani had turned back at his voice. He smiled and took her hand in his. "Ishani, we stayed here only to give you the good news."

"G-good news?" Ishani stammered. "About what?" She looked at everyone, confused, while everyone stared at her with the same look of shock etched on their faces.

"Yes," Chirag continued. "Our families have agreed for our marriage."

The words took an eternity to register in Ranveer's mind. He stared at Chirag and then at Ishani, trying to gather the words just spoken by him. Something tugged at his heart, his mind suddenly feeling a desperation, urging him away from the house. But he could not move. With frozen feet in the ground he watched Chirag proceed further.

"Hey, what's wrong?" he said cheerfully, but Ishani did not budge as her gaze moved to the ground. "That's what we came here for!"

Ranveer gasped, as he stepped behind, unconsciously colliding with a table behind him. But everyone was too occupied to notice him do damage to their property. From the hazy senses ripping him apart, Ranveer saw Baa getting to her feet, the laughter lost from her face and disdain taking over her eyes.

"What did you say?" she asked, her voice extremely low. "You want to marry Ishani?"

Chirag nodded solemnly, the cheerfulness leaving his features as well. "That's what I came here for, Baa," he said. "But seems like I have disappointed you...? What happened?"

"What happened?" Baa roared, surprising everyone, while Ishani snapped her eyes up. But the loud voice did nothing to shock Ranveer, who stood there in a corner, waiting with bated breath for all this to be a misunderstanding that everyone had unknowingly been the victim of. It couldn't be true! "You come here to ask for Disha's hand in marriage and decide to marry Ishani? Is this some kind of Swayamvar where we're presenting our family's girls for you?"

"What?" Chirag gasped, taking two steps back. "Disha? No! I wanted to marry Ishani since the day we met in our party. Dad, tell them what I told you!"

Ranveer dared to shift his gaze away from Chirag and Ishani, and watched Disha writhing in shame. Pity filled his heart, more so when the excitement until a day ago flickered in his thoughts. The pain of shattering the dreams was never pretty.

"Do you think we're fools here?" Baa began, and surprisingly, Harshad Parekh remained quiet as well. "We invite you, give inform our relatives and the friends about Disha and here you are telling me you want to marry Ishani instead? Do you even think what people are going to say?"

"I'm sorry, Baa," Chirag said. "I never meant to hurt any of you like this, but trust me, I'm not a social media person. I didn't know what was going on there. I have no idea what was going among the friends of Harshad Uncle and Dad's. In fact, the meeting today here was preponed because I'm not free two days later. I wanted to make sure the date of our marriage and engagement is finalized quickly."

"And you chose this illegitimate for that?" Baa said, splitting as much venom in her words as possible. "Over the daughter of Harshad Parekh, you choose this girl who has no idea who her father is!"

"Baa," Harshad Parekh spoke.

"No, Harshad," Baa cut him off. "No more words! It's all because of you these two are dancing on our heads. I warned you! I warned you against the mother and daughter but you're too blinded by your love for them. Didn't this what Falguni want?" She looked at her. "Now, you must be the happiest, aren't you? How does it feel to destroy your one daughter's life for another? The way you talk about both your girls, Ishani seems like your own daughter, and Disha is adopted!"

And before Falguni Maa could retort, Harshad Parekh raised his hand. "Enough, Baa! Enough!" He turned to Chirag. "Chirag, what is this? Why did you never say about that before?"

Chirag smiled calmly. "Uncle," he said, and sighed. "It was all about Ishani. The first date where we both were alone. Of course we were all there, but it was still because Ishani would feel uncomfortable, did I invite everyone. Then the shopping where I came to meet her only. I don't really know why you all thought I'm thinking about Disha. I'm sorry if ever gave the wrong signal, but it was all about Ishani. Trust me, Uncle."

 "Chirag, do you even know what you're saying?"

"Harshad Uncle, I thought your both the daughters were equal to you. Ishani might be anything to you all but to me, she's a gem. She was the only one not willing to do anything for me. Instead of crossing any limits for me, Ishani wanted to keep me in the boundaries. I like that about her."

Ranveer felt his patience shattering. What it was that pushed him to the edge of shedding the tear he did not know, but perhaps it was the softening look of his Mota Babuji that showed he was considering Chirag's words. Thoughts buzzed in Ranveer's head, spinning like an asteroid in empty space as he made his best attempts to hold himself together. Ishani was quiet, not saying a single word either of agreement or denial from her part. A thought in the back of his head burned. Ishani hated Chirag. She would never say yes to marry him.

The hope flickered again, the flame bursting to life. Ranveer stood there, still waiting for an answer, oblivious to all that was said or done by both the families. His eyes never left Ishani, who, he believed, was as oblivious to everything as him. And at last, his Mota Babuji's voice startled him back to reality. The argument still went on, and now Baa took over, spilling the insults to the Mehta family, occasional ones going to Ishani as well.

"Baa, please, don't say that!" Chirag's mother was saying. "Even if not like yours, we do have a very good reputation. You can't insult us like this."

"I can't?" Baa said, her hands placed on her hips and voice demanding. "Don't forget who gave your father money to start their business in the market in the first place! If not for Hansaben Parekh, you would still be living in one of the local slum areas. The heavy jewelry that you boast today would've been a farfetched dream that wouldn't come true. Not for you anyway. Now, before I ask my servants to throw you out, get lost with what dignity you are left with. I wouldn't care you're supposed to be the guests of this house in the next two minutes."

"Wait," Chirag said and everyone looked at him. He turned to Ishani. "Ishani, I'm sorry it had to be like this. But I'll wait for your answers."

The Mehtas left without any further argument, their eyes downcast. Ishani was taken back to the room by Falguni and before Ranveer could fall into the scrutiny of anyone from the household, he slipped away quietly, fighting the whirling emotions in his head. The peace and happiness from 15 minutes ago was gone, leaving in its wake a question to torment him: What was going to be Ishani's decision? She hated Chirag, he consoled himself, but still a fear lurked over, reminding him that Ishani was indeed a grownup and her parents wanted to get her married as well. But with Chirag? He waited outside the Parekh Mansion, continuously looking back, and hoping from some corner Ishani would turn up. She didn't and he hoped she was alright.

The thoughts hadn't stopped buzzing in when sound of Devarsh and Pratiek whispering something to each other secretly reached him, their words unintelligible. They silenced the moment their eyes fell on Ranveer. Ranveer didn't need say anything further, for the boys walked towards him and gave a sigh.

"What happened?" Ranveer asked, keeping his voice steady. Nobody had to know the tumult going on within him.

Devarsh shook his head. "That Chirag wants to marry Ishani!"

It stung and Ranveer barely fought the urge to request them not to consider Chirag for the marriage. It was selfish, a part of him reprimanded. But it was harder to let her go, another said. The battle within him was endless and would continue to go on forever with no answers whatsoever. But there was more. Devarsh and Pratiek seemed to be hiding something.

"What's wrong?"

"Baa slapped Ishani!" Pratiek said without hesitation. "She's lashed hard at her for being the cause of Disha's alliance getting broken."

"Wh-where is Ishani?" Ranveer asked.

"In Disha's room. Went to console her, but I don't think the results are going to be any good."

Ranveer nodded, hoping for the best for Ishani.

The wait since last an hour had been gruesome. Ranveer waited, and waited, before Pratiek informed him that Ishani was back to her room after another session of lecture and defenses from Baa and her parents respectively. Ranveer thanked Pratiek and proceeded towards Ishani's room, hoping she was alright. It wasn't her fault that Chirag had chosen her. And if Baa said anything else to Ishani, he'd make sure to inform her of the facts from which she was kept unaware so far. With slow, careful movements, Ranveer mounted the stairs and heaved a sigh of relief when he realized the door was already open, but there was no one in. Except her. He could see Ishani's shadow from the hazy medium that allowed him to peek inside slightly. Ranveer raised his hand to knock at the door, but halted, letting his mind contemplate if his decision of coming home at this time was right or not. But it didn't matter. Ishani needed him and he must be there for her. Slowly, he opened the door and felt his heart crack at her sight. She sat there on the bed, weeping uncontrollably, a pillow resting in her lap.

"Ishani?" Ranveer dared to voice slowly, but she did not look up. The happiness and life from her persona was long gone, replaced by the cold reflection of what she despised being: broken. He knelt beside her, silently, while with each sob of hers he felt an icy knife gashing through his chest. "Look at me." The simple words caught her attention and she looked up, her eyes pleading for him to understand. He returned her gaze with a warm smile that he understood her, and wasn't here to judge her for anything that happened.

"I never wanted to be the cause of Disha's suffering, Ranveer! Never." Ishani wept, more tears gushing from her eyes.

"Ishani, shhh." He placed his finger on her lips. "I know you didn't. You don't have to blame yourself for anything, alright?"

Ishani stared him. "But, Baa... Baa thinks I did this all on my own, just to ruin Disha's life! I'll never do that, Ranveer. Never. Please tell her this. Please!" Ishani pleaded desperately, her hand unconsciously holding onto the sleeve of his shirt. Ranveer wiped the tears from her face.

"I know it wasn't your fault. It was nobody's fault, alright?"

"Then why does Disha think I'm her enemy?" Ishani spoke through her sobs. "How can she think I'll ever snatch her love? She was supposed to know this, Ranveer. I'll never, ever do that!"

Ranveer smiled ruefully at her. Only if this girl's innocent heart understood the treachery of the world. "Ishani, I know, but..."

The door behind opened, and Ranveer turned back to look at the source of the sound. His Mota Babuji and Falguni Maa stood there, their faces tense. Ishani glanced at them and turned her gaze away. Her parents advanced towards her and Ranveer gave them space to take his place. They were what she needed right now. Harshad Parekh sat in front of Ishani, a small smile bending his lips. Falguni Maa stood next to Ishani, her face rigid.

"Ishani." Her father lifted her chin so that she could look into his eyes. "Do you trust your Papa?"

Ishani nodded. "But, Papa, trust me, I didn't mean to hurt Disha at all!"

"I know. I know," he said, gently wiping her tears. "And we have decided something, your mother and I."

Ishani hardly appeared excited as she gazed down at her fingers.

"I think it's right if you accept Chirag's proposal."

Ranveer felt something slam his chest with an impossibly agonizing blow as breath caught in his throat.

"Mota Babuji," he protested even before he could make sense of his words, but Harshad Parekh raised his hand as a hint for him to remain silent. Ishani's gaze also shot up and she shook her head.

"No, Papa! How can I? You know everything!" There was a resigned desperation in her tone that did not fail to crush Ranveer, his fingers curling into fists.

"I understand," her father said, ever so calmly. "I know what you think and I know what you feel. It's too quick for you, but it's the best."

"But, how can he do this to Disha? She loves him. How can he do this to her?"

"He could never keep Disha happy, Ishani," her father said. "Because he likes you. He wants to marry you."

"But, Harshad..." Falguni Maa said, but was silences by her husband's glance.

"Ishani, I don't want to force you to do anything. Just think it over. Chirag and I talked a while ago after he left and I'm surprised that he made many good points. And he said he's ready to wait for your answers as well."

"But, Papa..."

"Weddings aren't in our hands," Harshad said further. "At times it's just a matter of coincidence and you never know. Chirag is the best for you."

Ishani shook her head, not giving in.

"Ishani, if you're ready, we can talk about proceeding the matter further, and if you trust your Papa, your answer will only be a yes." He ran a loving hand on Ishani's head and smiled. "Don't worry about Baa and Disha. It's a shock for them for now, but they'll get over it soon."

And that was all that Ranveer could take. Every word his Mota Babuji had spoken was like a cluster of the tiny glassy shards splattered on the ground, on which he was forced to go on. Was this the end? Was the respite from an hour ago just a joke so that reality could cleave through the fragile hopes he had formed for a little more while? His insides screamed painfully at what had just happened in a moment. What he had lost.

It wasn't just love that he had lost tonight, but so much that he would never be able to put into the words. So much nothing would fill the gaping rent. A shudder shook his entire body and he swallowed hard, finally feeling the tears slip past his eyes and roll down to his cheeks. It wasn't just a dream anymore that Ishani saw and he dreaded, but the damning reality that made sure to smack him hard and unguarded against a blow which had no cure. And no return. He looked one last time at Ishani, still eyeing her father in disbelief and denial. His feet retreated back, as though on their own accord, not sure where they would lead him if he gave into their will.

Now, there was no destination. No home. He was just like a hopeless wanderer who had no place in this house anymore.

"Ranveer, what do you think?" his Mota Babuji suddenly asked, suspicion flaring in his eyes. "What's wrong?"

Ranveer lowered his head to hide the tears from the old man's sight and shook his head, feigning the physical pain he did not now feel. "It's just the wound, Mota Babuji, that hurts," he said, not elaborating that the wound wasn't on the back of his head that hurt.

It was just the freshly carved lesion on his heart his Mota Babuji thankfully could not see.

"I'll... be back... later, Mota Babuji," he stammered and without looking back, left.

Only one thought bounced in his mind- there was nothing left for him anymore.

Hours went by and Ranveer sat in his room, curled in a corner, trying his best to stop the flow of the tears. The rain lashed at the window, battling against the thunder rattling overhead. His attempts to erase the images from earlier the night had been in vain; futile, for all of them returned to him with vehement urgency, cutting him deep, deep with an expertise of a knife. The memories rolled in his head, one by one, like a torrent of the misery eventually falling into the abyss of an endless agony. Tears would not stop. The questions whirred like irritating bees. He remembered the determination in his Mota Babuji's voice, who had made up his mind to get Ishani and Chirag married.

"Papa, I don't want to marry Chirag. Please understand!" Ishani said, as the family gathered around eyed her, some pitifully and some enviously.

Harshad Parekh stood up and walked to Ishani. "Ishani..."

"No, Papa," she snapped. "Didn't you always say you'll get me married to the person I'd love? Then how I can I marry Chirag? I don't love him."

"Ishani," her father said solemnly. "When the person on another end is good, it's impossible not to love him back."

"But..."

"I liked Chirag, Ishani. Because he wants you, not your money. He could have asked for Disha's hand in marriage and used her for money. But he didn't. It's a good enough signal that he likes you and will keep you happy."

Ishani shook her head.

"I wanted a guy like Chirag for you," her father said. "And he will love you so much that one day you will start loving him back."

Ranveer turned back, wincing as he leaned against the pillar he just stood, fighting back the pouring emotions hell bent on conquering his senses. It took a long time for him to compose himself back but his eyes did not leave Ishani. At the end, it was her decision that mattered.

She had the ability of killing and saving him today, and Ranveer did not have the heart to witness the confession if she said yes. She always said nothing would change between them even if she married, but it was now that he realized nothing would remain the same anymore. Their friendship would be lost as the years would bear her further in life full of love and responsibilities. She would be a wife, a mother and a daughter-in-law. It's said you should find your best friend in your lover, and slowly, slowly, even if she didn't realize his place in her life would be taken by her husband.

The thought almost made him laugh somberly. Didn't this all he want his entire life? Wasn't he supposed to be happy? Then why did a part of him feel like it would never be the same again? As though it had died.

A small bottle of alcohol lay empty in front of him, but his senses were still as sharp as in the day. The intoxicating liquid did nothing to erase the memories of a few hours ago. And suddenly, he remembered his father's words before he left.

"You won't understand this unless you find a reason to forget something."

Today, he had every reason to forget the treachery of reality that never stopped stinging him, mocking him, tormenting him and destroying him. Why couldn't this be all a nightmare? Once he woke up in the morning, there wouldn't be any Chirag to steal away his Ishani. It would all be a dream, a cruel, painful dream that always felt real enough to smother him in the darkness but the dawn drew a new hope.

And as his eyes finally closed, he wished they never opened again.