I wrote this nearly a month ago, but decided to post it whenever the person it's for could see it, and right now she's got time! 😃 So here it is! 😳
She slowly adjusted the teeka on her forehead before checking her reflection. She had to be the world's first bride who wasn't happy even though she was marrying someone she knew. She shook her head. That was a lie. Loads of people would be unhappy in this situation she just had to live up to the promise she had made and she would.
Aayi, Khushi Ki Hai Yeh Raat Aayi
Sajdhajke Baaraat Hai Aayi
Dheere Dheere Gham Ka Saagar
Tham Gaya Aankhon Mein Aakar
Goonj Uthi Hai Jo Shehnaai
To Aankhon Ne Yeh Baat Bataayi
"Zahra, there's someone here to see you," Meera opened the door a crack and peeped in.
"You don't have to announce yourself." Zahra smiled at her through the mirror.
"It's not me." Meera shook her head before moving away from the door.
"Prem." Zahra's breath caught as she locked eyes with the man she loved, the man who had left her and ran away leaving her all by herself.
A man who could still send her heart beat accelerating. Prem was her best friend in childhood but Zahra didn't know how or when but she had fallen in love with him. A love she later found out he didn't reciprocate. The rainy night she had confessed to him was still etched perfectly in her mind and now as he walked towards her, she relived every moment from it.
Hamesha Tumko Chaaha Aur Chaaha
Aur Chaaha Chaaha Chaaha
Hamesha Tumko Chaaha Aur Chaaha Kuch Bhi Nahin
Tumhe Dil Ne Hai Pooja, Pooja, Pooja
Aur Pooja Kuch Bhi Nahin
"Prem, meri shaadi ho rahi hain," Her voice struggled to say the words before she burst into tears.
"Why are you crying Zahra?" Prem frowned as he went to comfort her. "It's something you've always wanted."
"With you! "She burst out pushing him away. "It's always been you Prem."
Khushiyon Mein Bhi Chhaayi Udaasi
Dard Ki Chhaaya Mein Voh Lipti
Kehne Piya Se Bas Yeh Aayi
From the shock and surprise in his eyes she knew. He didn't think of her as anything more than a friend and now by putting her heart on the line, she jeopardized their special friendship.
"Zahra, I...could never think of you that way," Prem backed away and frowned. "You've always been my best friend. Just my best friend."
She felt her heart break when he said that and then she had turned on her heel and left his house and his life.
But here he was standing in front of her two months later. His hair had gotten longer and there was certain sadness in his eyes.
"Prem?" Zahra asked. "What are you doing here?"
The door closed and they both turned to see it completely shut, understanding that Meera must have done it.
Prem stepped closer to her and smiled softly. "Dulhan ke kapre mein aachi lag rahi ho."
"Thanks. Koi shak tha?"
Prem could see the forced smile on her face and his heart ached for her. How could she love him?
She was his best friend and she deserved so much better than him. It was the reason he had shunned her away that night. Zahra wouldn't be happy with him. This was why he needed her to be happy with someone else.
"No Zahra, there was never any doubt." Prem sighed as he sat down next to her on the bench. He turned her shoulders slightly to face him. "I'm sorry,"
"For what Prem?" Zahra shook her head as she put on her bangles. "You haven't done anything wrong."
Prem turned and shook his head. "Can we stop pretending?"
"Who's pretending?" Zahra got up off the little stool and walked to her balcony. "I told you everything and you told me how you felt." She shrugged before turning back. "There's nothing else."
O Preetam, O Preetam Bin Tere Mere Is Jeevan Mein
Kuch Bhi Nahin, Nahin, Nahin, Nahin, Nahin
Kuch Bhi Nahin
"I don't blame you Prem." Zahra sighed. "I just—circumstances led us to where we are."
"And where are we?" He stood up and walked to her.
"We're...we're..."
"You can't answer." Prem shook his head.
"Well then don't ask a question like that okay?" Zahra walked away. "This is my life. It's waiting at the doorstep now....and it's not something that'll change. So please just drop it."
"But Zahra."
"No! You came to my wedding as my best friend," Zahra smiled. "Stay as my best friend please?"
Prem opened his mouth but it went dry. How could he tell her he wanted her to be happy? How could he tell her he thought about everything and realized that he did in fact love her too?
Beete Lamhon Ki Yaadein Lekar
Bojhal Kadmon Se Voh Chalkar
Dil Bhi Roya Aur Aankh Bhar Aayi
Mann Se Aawaaz Hai Aayi
A knock sounded on the door and Prem backed away from Zahra who opened the door.
"Zahra, are you ready?" Meera asked.
Zahra nodded. "Give me a minute?"
Meera's eyes darted from Zahra back to Prem and she smiled. "Yeah...take your time."
Zahra sighed. "So..."
"So?" Prem took her hands in his. "Please don't hate me."
"I could never hate you Prem," Zahra took her hands out of his and placed one on his cheek. "This is the wrong time and the wrong place but I just need to say it. I...I love you Prem. And even though you don't feel that way, I just want you to be happy okay?" She took her hand away from him and turned to the door until he grabbed her and turned her back around.
Her eyes locked on his as he slowly pushed her up against the wall. His eyes were making it hard for her to breathe normally and she wanted to be in this situation for the rest of her life; sadly it could never happen.
Voh Har Ek Pal Mein Dil Mein Samaaye Diye Mein Jalaaye
Le Jaa Rahi Hoon Main Le Jaa Rahi Hoon Main Le Jaa Rahi Hoon
"I can only be happy with you," Prem said in a whisper that touched the chords of her heart.
She couldn't handle it anymore. Without warning or without thinking of what it meant or what Prem would think she threw her arms around his neck and a smile emerged on both their faces.
O Preetam, O Preetam
Bin Tere Mere Is Jeevan Mein
Kuch Bhi Nahin Nahin Nahin Nahin Nahin
Kuch Bhi Nahin
Slowly as they parted he saw tear drops on her cheeks. "Don't cry."
Zahra shrugged. "I wouldn't have had to,"
Prem sighed before taking her hand in his. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Zahra nodded. "I have to,"
Hamesha Tumko Chaaha, Aur Chaaha Chaaha Chaaha
He opened her door slightly and both of them walked through it. Zahra's eyes stayed glued to Prem's back as if she was trying to memorize him completely. His stature, his frame, the way his hair curled, the tiny mole at the back of his neck, everything.
Her friends suddenly came up to them and they took Zahra's hand out of Prem's and he watched as her eyes stayed on his even though she was being ushered to her mandap.
Aur Chaaha Chaaha Chaaha
Her hand was placed in Rahul's and Prem's eyes closed at seeing the tear cascade down her cheek. This was all his doing he told himself. If it wasn't for his stupidity; they'd be together right now.
Haan Chaaha Chaaha Chaaha
Zahra's eye searched for Prem's but he was nowhere to be seen until his ring glistened catching her eye. It was the same ring she had given him when they graduated. The fact that he still wore it 6 years later meant so much to her and she leaned over to see his face but was stunned at the tears in his eyes.
Bas Chaaha Chaaha Chaaha
Prem wiped away his tears and shook his head forcing a smile. She had to believe that he loved her as a friend. Nothing more.
Haan Chaaha Chaaha Chaaha
Rahul slowly moved her teeka and adorned her parting with red sindoor and Prem shut his eyes. The pain in his heart was too much to bear but for her happiness he'd do it.
Rahul was someone who could give Zahra all the happiness in the world she deserved and Prem knew that.
He slowly walked towards the entrance without turning back until something in his heart told him to look back and when he did; her eyes were locked on his even as she walked around the sacred fire with Rahul.
Aur Chaaha Chaaha Chaaha
Prem was leaving and this was it. She knew no matter what would happen this was the last she'd see of him. Her best friend. He saw her getting married and now it was over. Their friendship had burnt into ashes the day she had confessed her feelings. Now she was not his best friend. She was someone else's wife. Zahra looked at Prem one last time and saw him wink getting a soft giggle out of her before she turned back to watching Rahul walk the fire.
Rahul would keep her happy. He would love her. But the worst thing was. He wasn't Prem and she would never love him the way she loved Prem.
Hope you liked it Z! 😳 Love you!! *hugs tightly*
Love,
Meera😳
Cricket
CID
