Arylie FF: Full circle, Chapter 21, note updated on Pg 94 - Page 20

Originally posted by: Maria151994

I couldnt see the update?

You have to click on the button that confirms you are over 18.

Good morning/evening! (depending on where you are) Here is the next installment in the series. Chapter 8. You will likely need to read the Arylie OS: Wedding Night to get some context to a part of this chapter. I am going to link it here.

Arylie OS: Wedding Night https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/159899608

As usual, please do react, comment and let me know what you did or did not like, what you would like to see in the future. I have also decided to write a couple or may be few supplementary one shots that focus in on certain aspects of the story that are beyond the scope of this particular one. Wedding Night was one of them. Aryan and Imlie, and our Arylie Discussion Thread continue to provide inspiration. Love you all, M

Chapter 8:

A boneless Imlie sleepily traced lazy circles on Aryan’s chest. Today had been another long and emotional day. Neel had looked comfortable in their home......she thought as she drifted off to sleep.

Aryan put a hand on her fingers quieting her. He watched as her eyes drooped close, lightly tracing the diamond ring on her finger. One of the few pieces of jewelry she had allowed him to buy.

******************************************

The night after she had said yes, they had told his mother and sister. His mother had been ecstatic and could not stop hugging and kissing them.

Arpita di had given him a thumbs up and a wide grin. He had returned a smile back in conspiracy.

He had pulled his excited mother aside and told her about Imlie's condition for a simple wedding. Initially she had seemed a little disappointed but once she had heard what Imlie intended to do with the money saved, his mother had happily put aside all her objections.

"She is such a thoughtful, kind hearted girl, Aryan! What a wonderful idea!" she had exclaimed and Aryan had just smiled ruefully. That she was, he readily agreed wordlessly. Just a couple of the many reasons he loved her.

He had next set about filing for a marriage license with the court. They had picked a date 2 months from the day he had proposed marriage to her. They would marry in court and then have a ritualistic wedding the next day.

Imlie, in the meanwhile had started behaving awkwardly around him. She was quiet, would find excuses to avoid being alone with him. Aryan had observed her behavior initially puzzlement, then in exasperation wondering what was going on in her head, her heart.

He had sought her out one evening on the rooftop terrace where she seemed to be spending a lot more time. Just as he had anticipated, she was there, sitting on the covered swing with her feet curled up under her, reading. Or at least pretending to read.

“What are you doing?” He stood next to her and asked.

“Reading.” She said quietly.

Aryan gently took the book out of her hands. “Look at me, Imlie.”

“I have a test tomorrow, Aryan. Please, I want my book back.”

“What this book that you were reading upside down? Sure, I will return it as soon as you give me an answer.”

”I don’t know what you are talking about.” She said coolly.

“Really?” Aryan asked, his gaze mocking her. She looked away from him and nodded, her lips set.

Aryan looked at her. What on earth was going on with her? He wondered. Why was she pushing him away, right after she had agreed to marry him.

He turned and walked to the railing, standing there pensively. He had promised himself he was not going to be a pushy, nagging spouse. But her silence hurt more than she knew. He would be alright with it, if only he knew why.

He walked back to her. She was still sitting on the swing, her knees pulled up and arms crossed, her stare blank.

“Imlie” he said, as he crouched in front of her. When he didn't get a response, he gently hooked his index finger with her pinky finger, tugging at it lightly. That got her attention, he thought .as she turned those pretty eyes toward him.

“If we are going to enter this committed relationship, we need to set some ground rules. All of us need space and quiet to reflect, to rejuvenate sometimes, Imlie. It is necessary and understandable. But you and I, we still have to talk to each other about it. Withdrawing from me, is not going to help us become good partners."

He paused before he continued. "One of the biggest weaknesses of your previous relationship was the lack of honest and open communication. I don't want us to start off on the wrong foot, in fact, I want our ability to communicate to be our biggest strength.” She met his eyes at that.

He was right, she thought. If Babusaheb had only talked to her, listened to her, trusted her, she would have still been with him.

But that was then and this is now.

“Just talk to me. Please. I know you said yes to getting married but that is just a formality, a label for societal acceptance. I am still the same Aryan from last week. Your friend, your confidante. I am here to listen, not judge.”

Imlie looked at him. “Why does it feel like I am doing something wrong, Aryan? I mean, I promised myself I would never shed a single tear for him. So why then, do I still remember him. Why do I still ache thinking of all that could have been? Despite all the bitterness, I still have so many beautiful memories of him, of us.”

Aryan swallowed. She was still thinking of that despicable human being. What had he expected? Had he really expected a girl like Imlie who gave her all to every relationship to just forget Aditya.

He wanted to draw her into his arms and comfort her. But that would probably scare her away, right when she had trusted him enough to speak her heart.

So instead, he sat beside her on the swing, drew up his knees, resting his elbows on them, crossing his arms. “The end of any meaningful relationship is still a loss, Imlie. Granted, no one has died. But it wasthe death of a promise. A promise of life long companionship and love. Maybe that’s why?”

He looked off into the distance again as he continued, “When Arvind Bhaiyya died……..I didn’t think I could ever let myself love again, feel again. Because all it brings is heartache.” He smiled at her ruefully. “Until I met you." He turned to her. "Does it hurt to see you grieve for him? Yes, it does. But that is not what I want to focus on."

"Imlie, in your presence I feel tranquil,. I feel content with you beside me and I am happy with just that.”

“Is that enough though? Will it always be enough? Will I ever be able to forget him?” Imlie asked, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Aryan looked at her solemnly. “The memories will fade, I think, over time. But they will never disappear. You will, however, learn to live with them and despite them.”

She nodded quietly. “I feel sad for you.”

“For me? Why?” Aryan asked surprised.

“Because you are choosing to attach yourself to a broken woman, incapable of loving again, for the rest of your life.” Imlie raised her sad eyes at him.

“Ah but that's where you are wrong. You see, from where I stand, I see myeslf choosing to marry a powerful woman, a survivor who endured all odds with grace and poise. A woman who dreams of making a difference in the world and works hard to make that vision come true."

"I am choosing to marry a woman whose radiant spirit has brought my family to life, brought me to life again, who makes me want to feel again, love again.”

He gently tipped her chin. She met his eyes. “So there is no need to lament for me. I am happy with what I have. You. In my life.”

She smiled at him and just shook her head. "I did not know that Aryan Singh Rathore," she mimicked his tone as she said his name, "was so sentimental. I mean, look at you, you are acting like some lovelorn hero from the movies." she teased him.

He rolled his eyes. "Whatever." he muttered.

"Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Rahul, tum nahi samjhoge!" she said sighing dreamily, teasing him. (Something happens, Rahul, you won't understand!)

"Huh?" rolling his eyes again, "Whatever! You are nuts! One minute you are ready to burst in to tears and the next minute.....sometimes I feel sorry for myself, getting hitched to a crazy woman!" he exclaimed, as Imlie threw back her head and laughed. Aryan was secretly glad she was her cheerful self again.

After that evening, she seemed to regain her footing. Bantering, teasing, laughing with his family.

Their wedding was a quiet affair. His family, her mother, Satyakaam, Naniji and the Tripathis minus Aditya and Malini.

As promised, he had put a sum of money in a separate account at the bank to use whenever she chose to donate it.

He was brought back to the present by Imlie sighing and turning to her side. He turned with her and pulled her close.

**********************************************

The morning after their wedding, a slightly sleep deprived Aryan walked out of the shower to see Imlie still staring at her hands on the bed.

There was a knock on the door. "Imlie! Aryan!" Arpita di called them.

As Aryan strode to the door, Imlie scrambled off the bed and disappeared into the bathroom.

"Aryan, get ready bhai. Today is Imlie's first rasoi. Ask her to get ready quickly. Maa is waiting for you both downstairs." She stopped and looked closely at her brother.

"Did you not get enough sleep last night, Aryan?" she asked him, tongue in cheek, as she eyed the disrumpled bed.

"Di! Stop, okay? I am not going to answer that question. And you are right, we do need to hurry up and get ready. So....why don't you go ahead, we'll be down in a few minutes."

Di's mirth faded a little and she asked him, "Have you given her the gift yet?"

"Not yet. I will, soon" He smiled and winked back at her.

*****************************************************************************

Imlie walked straight into the closet to find something to wear for the day. Once dressed she hurried to the dressing area quickly brushing her hair. Aryan appeared behind her and she met his eyes in the mirror with a small smile.

Aryan took in the sight. A wave of possessiveness ran through him. His wife. She was not just Imlie any more. She was Imlie Aryan Singh Rathore.

As she moved to braid her hair, he stopped her. "Let it be. Looks nice on you."

Imlie's eyes widened a bit at his touch and the huskiness in his voice. He watched her swallow quickly and withdraw her hand from his grasp. "Okay." she said simply and pulled a couple of strands to pin them up.

"Don't you have anything better to do than watch me?" she asked him a little self-consciously as he continued to look at her in the mirror.

If you only knew, he thought to himself.

As he walked to the closet to get dressed, he said to her, "Before we go downstairs, I have a small gift for you."

Imlie's hands stilled and her face broke into a child-like smile. "A gift?" The next moment her smile dimmed. "Please tell me its not expensive."

"Aryan?" Imlie called after him when she didn't get an answer.

"Be patient. I will be out in a minute."

A few minutes later, Aryan came out wearing a pair of jeans and a button down shirt. He had no intentions of going to work today. He wanted to spend the day with his wife, basking in this new feeling of being content.

Imlie looked at him expectantly and he smiled at her impatience.

"Alright, it is not expensive, but it is ....valuable." Imlie frowned as Aryan made that cryptic statement. Continuing to roll up the cuffs of his shirt, he walked past her to the desk. He opened a drawer and drew out an envelope.

“Come, sit.” He put his hands on her arms and sat her on the edge of their bed. She looked up at him questioningly. Wordlessly, he handed her a manila envelope.

“What is this?” her smile faded in surprise.

“Open it. Read.” He said simply. He walked away from her and leaned against his desk, quietly obseving as she opened the envelope.

As she began scanning the contents, he said, “I received that a couple of months ago. I think you should apply.”

Imlie’s heart thudded. It was an application for an exchange student program. One year long. In the USA.

She looked up at him, a mixture of emotions in her eyes. Excitement warred with self-doubt.

“But Aryan, how is it possible? I mean look at my English. I speak a broken language at best.”

“That is easily rectified. Next.” He brushed aside her first doubt.

“Rectified. How? That’s the most glaring thing on earth. You want me to go to an English speaking country with my dehati English.”

“We’ll hire a tutor. You will speak well in no time. I am confident.”

“I am NOT!”

He shook his head. “Not a good reason to object. Next.” He said patiently. He was not going to let her wiggle out of this so easily.

She swallowed. “I will be alone in a foreign land…..”

“You will live with a host family. They usually undergo an extensive background check. You will be safe. You will learn to mingle with Americans, become well versed in their culture. The college has extensive orientation on teaching international students to integrate at the beginning of the semester. What else?”

“Money! I don’t have enough saved to even buy a ticket.”

Here we go, Aryan thought. He had fully anticipated this one. The first real challenge. Option #1: tell her that his money was technically hers, so she needn’t worry. Option # 2: Loan her the money, allow her to pay back over a long period of time.

Pick Option 2, his intelligence urged.

“Well, technically, as my wife, everything that I have is yours," he held up his hand as she opened her mouth to protest, " But if it makes you feel better, I will loan you the money. Passport, visa, flight, food and clothes. They may allow you to take a temporary on-campus job that will make it easier for you to pay me back. If not, then you can pay me back over the next few years. I am not going anywhere and neither are you.”

He knew full well that he was not going to take a single rupee from her but that seemed to pacify her. Imlie looked down at the application and up at him again. He could see the excitement taking over the doubts.

“I can do this?” her eyes shined.

“Yes! Oh yes, you can. I know you can Imlie Rathore.” He grinned back at her, his heart felt full.

*******************************************************************

Given her stellar academic performance and work experience at Bhaskar Times, Imlie was easily accepted to the exchange program. They had hired an excellent English tutor that Imlie had insisted on paying.

On Friday nights and on weekends, they would watch English movies and shows, so she could pick up on the accent and slang.

Aryan, watched Imlie’s progress fondly and with pride. She would stay up late at night and wake up early in the mornings, completing assignments for work, college and English classes. He had bought her a pair of airpods, so she could listed to some classic American songs.

Imlie had a high IQ and with the right resources, English was not a difficult language to speak. 3 months from the day they had started preparing for her trip, she was already speaking fluently. He could see her confidence grow everyday.

THIS, he thought to himself. This is why, I married her. He could not begin to describe the joy it brought to his heart to see her blossom.

***********************************************************************

It was the day before her flight for Boston was set to takeoff. Imlie had taken a few days from work to shop and pack her bags.

But today, Aryan had taken the day off too. It was tempting to accompany her, to settle her with her new family. But, he reminded himself, she was smart and she was going to be fine. She had to walk this road on her own and learn new things, new cultures, new people. He trusted her and he was going to set her free to pursue this dream, he thought.

Aryan walked in to their room which looked like a tornado had blown through. She had been packing, unpacking and repacking all day.

“Are you done yet?” He asked looking around the room in shock.

“I am tired. I mean I am packing for a whole year! What if I forget something? There are so many lists to keep track of. Documents, books, clothes, food!” She sounded a little overwhelmed.

“Alright. First, just take a deep breath okay, you will get this done. Second, you are going to the United States, not the Amazon forest."

Imlie waited with slightly arched brows. Her face had a warning on it as she said, "and third?"

"Third, is there any way I can help?” he asked.

“Please. I still have to put this room to rights. Will you help tidy the room and I will go over my lists again.”

Aryan got to work, tidying their room. An hour later, an exhausted Imlie collapsed on the bed. “I can’t move” she moaned. He smiled at her indulgently. God, he was going to miss her and her shenanigans.

He collapsed on the bed next to her and interlaced his fingers with hers. A few months ago, that kind of closeness when awake would make her skittle away.

“Aryan?”

“Hmmm?

"Will you come visit me? In Boston?” She asked still staring at the ceiling.

“Of course, I will.”

She sat up abruptly and walked to the windows. “I am going to miss Maa and Arpita Di, so much. And I am going to miss Neel.” Her voice shook with barely contained tears. He heard her sniffle and followed her to the window.

“Hey. Listen, Imlie?” He slowly turned her around. “I want you to go happily. No tears okay? And you are not going forever, are you? This is an exciting time for all of us. Look how far you have already come. Promise me you will not cry after this.”

She shook her head and quickly put her arms around his waist, sobbing.

He put his arms around her, careful to keep the hug friendly. Gently caressing her head and rubbing her back. “Its going to be alright, Imlie.”he murmured. She nodded with her head in his chest. "I know" she said sniffling.

As the sobbing settled, he stilled his hands on her back. She slowly moved away from the circle of his arms, but kept her hands on his chest. “I am okay. I....just....its all very overwhelming and scary."

“But you, are Imlie. And Imlie is scared of nothing because she is going to jab an elbow in her fear, right?” She smiled and giggled through her tears. Nodding, ”Yes! Oh yes.”

"I'll be okay" she assured him," I just needed one good cry. I am going to miss everyone so much.”

She looked up at him "But I think, I am going to miss you the most."

The earnestness in her voice. How was he going to survive this year, Aryan wondered as he grasped her wrists and pulled her arms around him again. Gently placing a kiss on her forehead. "And I will miss you, Imlie." he said quietly, framing her pretty face.

Imlie, stayed quiet for a few minutes. That kiss. Their first kiss. She felt a flutter in her stomach, her skin tingled where he had kissed her.

"Do we have time to watch a movie?" Aryan heard her say.

"I think we do." he said. Her ability to quickly regain composure no longer surprised him.

And so, they had spent that last evening together, curled upon a couch in the library, watching Imlie’s favorite movie, My Cousin Vinny. Imlie with her head on his shoulder and Aryan with his arm looped around her, a bag of popcorn between them.

As Imlie giggled through the movie, Aryan sat content, happy to just have her at his side, memorizing every peal of laughter, every smile and every look she gave him. It was going to be a long year without her.

**********************************************************************

Bzzzz, bzzzz, bzzzz. The phone brought Aryan back to the present. Anuj Pandey, ACP. Imlie stirred in his arms as the phone vibrated persistently.

Aryan, quietly slipped out of bed and silenced his phone before the sound woke Imlie.

He then called Anuj as he walked out of the room.

“Hey! Did you find him yet?”

“Yes, Aryan. We've found Mr. Aditya Kumar Tripathi. The man is wasted.”

*********************************************************************

Coming up: Aryan confronts Aditya. Aditya to stay at the Rathore Mansion??

Nice.... Amazing... Waiting for next....update soon....😊 and do read my OS... My tag is not working....

Love it. Love it. Eagerly waiting for the next part.

Aww thanks for a weekend update.🤗

Liked the flashback of how Imlie became so super confident. I like the idea of one shots to show the other slices of their life. 👍🏼😆

Amazing update!

Her hesitancy to move on into the married relationship was described so well!

The Manila envelope mystery finally solved! 😊

I can definitely see Imlie not wanting to take money from ASR!

I jumped reading AKT could be staying at the Rathores! This I can't wait for! Please don't let us all wait for too long!

Outstanding piece of writing plz update soon

So loving Asr memories so cute, loved that he is always in her corner and always ready to make he remember she is Imile and there is nothing that can hold her back when she puts her mind to it.He stood by her like a rock that calms the sea so land won't be easy away.

No Aditaya should not stay at the Rathods ever hell he should even get water there I don't like him at all.Awesome Update.

Originally posted by: happiness1

Amazing update!

Her hesitancy to move on into the married relationship was described so well!

The Manila envelope mystery finally solved! 😊

I can definitely see Imlie not wanting to take money from ASR!

I jumped reading AKT could be staying at the Rathores! This I can't wait for! Please don't let us all wait for too long!

😆I hope you liked Aryan's wedding gift. I am sort of obsessed with Imlie's progress too. So I guess I channel that obsession into Aryan. Its not very difficult to see him do the same.

Ah, I am curious to see what people think about Aditya showing up at the Rathore mansion in the next chapter. Can't wait...(rubbing my hands in excitement)!

Subah subah update... Bhai wah👍🏼