Hello All! 😊
A Broken Pact
Armaan (running through the crowded railway station) : Excuse me! Excuse me! Please give way!...I'm so sorry, i didn't mean to...Oh god am really sorry!
Armaan raised his both hands out. His palm facing the lady, apologising to her. He bends down offering to help pick up her fallen luggages. Just as he turns around he bumps into yet another woman, hitting her hard on her shoulder.
Armaan : Umm..i'm so sor.. (the lady stares at him and walks away)
Armaan stands there on the spot closing his eyes and putting his right hand to his forehead and his left hand on his waist. He can't believe he was this close yet so far. He looked up and bit his lips. Then he saw it. Just a few metres away, the white paper was staring back at him. The white paper that was pasted onto the train. The white paper that consisted of all the names of the passengers who are going to be boarding the train. The white paper was what he needed right now. He immediately ran towards it, pushing his way through the small crowd that was hovering around the list, each searching for their own names.
Finally he laid his hands on the white paper. With a slight excitement in his tummy, he ran down his fingers through the list of names and there he saw it. The person whom he was searching for: Bharti Bhaskar. Upon seeing the name, a relieved smile spread across his face. He was moving his fingers around the name as though he could feel the alphabets or more like it was like him feeling Bharti. His Bharti was inside the train and all that he needs to do now was enter in. That was pretty simple he thought.
With full confidence he entered the train and started searching for her. He was so sure that within minutes he would see the face whose smile could light a thousand dark room. However with each compartment he passed, his hope of finding her was slowly dying out. The further he went down the train, he faced rejection. His heart starting beating fast and his feet started moving faster. From walking clamly, he was walking faster and eventually he was running down the train, popping his head in each compartment. Finally there he saw it, the last compartment. It was either in here or nowhere else. He feared the outcome of the compartment. Armaan paused, took a deep breath and heaved out slowly. He walked calmly towards it and true enough reality slapped him hard across his face. Bharti was not there.
In exhaustion he sanked down into the seat in that last compartment. He cupped his face with his two hands and just let the tears streamed down profusely.
Armaan (to himself) : Last compartment and she's not here?! How could that be? Her name was on the list, surely she needs to be somewhere here! Or am i not supposed to be here? Is this the punishment i'm receiving for doing what i just did 20 minutes back? Is the pact not meant to be broken? Oh god! This is just too much to handle! Arghh Bharti, where are you?!!
Announcement : Attention all passengers, the train to Shimla is about to leave the platform in 5 minutes time. It's adviced that all passengers boarding the train, should be seated immedietly.
Armaan didn't hear the announcement, it was more like he chose to ignore it.
A Human being (😆 it's just a guy) : Ahh excuse me, i think you're on my seat?
Armaan looks up and stares at the guy.
Human being : Oh-kay dude! Do you have a problem here?
Then Armaan realised that he's at fault here. He wipes his tears that were falling off his cheeks.
Armaan: I'm sorry. Just was tired..so sat down. Sorry, am leaving now, so umm you can have your seat back. (he stood up)
Human being : No problem. Just don't give that stare again. It's freaky dude, especially you having tears..which means you're sad. But where did that anger come from? Scaaaaarryyy! (And he burst out laughing)
Armaan (coudn't be bothered to deal with the guy ) : Right. I'm leaving.
Human being : Bye! And By the way, am totally diggin' that oufit! (supressing his laughter but eventually bursting out when Armaan left the train)
Armaan wondered why the guy was laughing.
Armaan (to himself): Jeez do i look that pathetic with a sobbing face that that guy was laughing at me?! Hmm i am so not THE MAN here. Come on Armaan! You can do it! Act cool and wipe those tears off! Yea thats the way (he starts walking with an attitude and shaking his head) Yea am feelin' it, wait need to cover my red eyes! Aha! Sunglasses. Black ones totally the trend now. Yea! Now am cool, like iceee! (he uses his black aviator shades) Like the one below 😆..
Then he heard the sound of the Train horn and he got back to reality.
Armaan (to himself) : Bharti! I can't! ...man what am i doing? I've lost the love of my life..and i want to act cool now.? I can't be a MAN..i want to be only (sobbing hard)..Bharti's man! Oh dear lord, Armaan stop these tears from flowing out! (He starts wiping them, but the more he wiped them off, the more tears fell down his cheeks)
He sits down on a bench at the railway station, resting his left leg on his right thigh, slouching down with his sunglasses still on, sniffing and sighing.
Officer : Excuse me Sir, may i help you? You seem to be lost.
Armaan : No, i've just lost something special.
Officer: No problem sir, you can make a complain at the lost and found section and i'm sure they'll look into the matter right away.
Armaan (looking up at the officer) : Lost and found..? I lost someone special! Not a thing! A person and you want me to look at the lost and found section..? ( he got up and in anger starting pulling the officer by the collar)
Officer : What do you think you are doing..? Laying you hands on an officer? I can put a case against you! You said you lost SomeTHING not SomeONE!
Armaan (having realised that it's his mistake once again, lets go off the officers collar) : I am so sorry (arranging the officers's shirt and putting his collar properly) I didn't mean too. In anger i just did that. Sorry.
Officer : You are really weird you know. First you seemed like you were crying and then you become angry within afew minutes. Freaky man!
Armaan : Now (points his finger out) that sounds very familiar. Oh yea the boy just told me the same thing. Hahah am just not in my mind right now. (he sits back down on the bench)
Officer: So i assume your're the lost person huh. Wait not person more like he lost dulha! Hahah what runaway groom instead..?
Armaan looked at him. He was confused. Then he looks down at what he was using. He was still in his Orange Sherwani, using the turban (it's the head gear for weddings, i don't know what you call it..😆). He clasped his forehead in his hands, took out the sunglasses and finally realised why the boy was laughing at him.
Armaan : Ahh no no. I am not the runaway groom. Actually come to think of it, i am but that's not the point here. I've not lost my way but i've lost someone. Anways thanks for the heads up, i totally forgot i was still using the head thing. Hahah can't you believe it? I was using this all the way for the past 20 minutes..? Must have looked like a total cuckoo! Who wanders in the train station looking like that right? (Laughing and takes it off)
Officer : No problem. Just don't hang around the station for too long. Get going if you haven't got a train to catch.
Armaan : Yea sure. Just leaving now.
Officer : And hey hope you find your precious someone.
Armaan: Thanks for that but i think am too late.
Armaan walks out of the train station. The sun was scorching hot outside.
Armaan ( to himself) : Looks like this has to get back on. (he puts his sunglasses on and walks towards his car)
He starts the car engine but it ran and stop halfway.
Armaan: Right! So what i need right now. Out of petrol! Oh well.
He got out of his car and sat on top of it infront. He looked up at the sky. Though the rays were hitting him hard on his face, he laid back down. His one arm across his forehead, closing his eyes. Memories of the past starting flowing back to him one by one.
~12 years back~
Armaan, Bharti, Payal and Bhaskar at the college canteen having their lunch. The four of them were the best of friends. Always hanging out together. There were obviously more people in their gang but most of the time it'll be the four of them. The funny thing was that everyone was equally close to each other, everyone except for Armaan and Bharti.
Armaan and Bharti were particularly closer to each other. Everyone called them the best of friends. Even they themselves admited it. They knew each others dislikes and likes in and out. They certainly enjoyed each other's company. They only saw their relationship purely as friendhship and nothing else. Armaan has had a few girlfriends in college and Bharti was very much friendly with them. There was never a tinge of jealousy at all. She was always okay with any of Armaan's girlfriends and vice versa. Armaan was also okay when Bharti talked to him about any guy she liked.
Infact he would encourage her to have a boyfriend but Bharti just never seemed to beinterested. It was lunch time the four of them, Armaan, Bharti, Payal and Bhaskar were together seated on a bench.
Armaan: Hey Bharti! Come on! Just believe me Nikhil is a nice guy. He really likes you, just say yes! I know you want to.
Bharti: Stop it Armaan. Am just not interested in this dating thing right now. Our finals is approaching, i want to concentrate on it!
Bhaskar : Seriously Bharti at the rate you're going, i don't think you'll end up having a boyfriend till you're in your late 20s!
Armaan : Exactly! Hahaha! You'll be an old maid with your cats surrounding you..Aww (has a Hi-5 moment with Bhaskar)
Payal: Gosh shut up guys! Stop making fun of her!
Bharti: Rehne do Payal. I'll surely make them eat their words one day!
Bhaskar : Oohh scary! Look Bharti we're not making fun of you. We're just asking you to give Nikhil a chance. He really likes you!
Payal: Guys, just leave it. Let her do what she wants....but actually Bharti, Nikhil is kinda cute!
Bharti: Payal! Tum bhi na!
Avni : Hey Armaan! (hugs him from the back) What's going on guys..?
Bharti: Thank god you're here Avni! Could you please take your boyfriend away! He's disturbing me! Go please..Away with him..!!
Avni : Seriously Armaan! Stop teasing Bharti!
Armaan (holding onto Avni's hands): No am not! Am just trying to put some sense into this girl's head (knocks Bharti's head). Nikhil is waiting for a reply from her and she chooses to ignore him. I mean she has had crushes on so many guys and she has tons of suitors, but she's never interested in geting into a relationship!
Avni : Nikhil..? Oh gawd Bharti he's really cute girl!
Armaan : AHEM! (Clears his throat) Umm i'm here actually.. Your boyfriend...?
Avni : Aww sorry (pinches Armaan's cheeks and then turns back to the rest and says ) Nikhil is VERY cute!
All of them burst out laughing and Armaan attempts to walk away. Avni grabs Armaan's arms and whispers in his ears. "But i go for HOT guys" (and she winks at him)
Armaan went all red and everyone else at the bench went "woaaahh!! Armaan's a hottie huh..!!"
Bharti : Avni please don't call him that, knowing him he's gonna boast about it!
Avni : Okay okay..Hahah lets go then Armaan. Need to show you something
Bhaskar : You mean give him something huh..?
Bharti (raises her eyebrows up and down at Armaan, he rolls his eyes at her) : Lage raho bacho! (she waves her hand forward to both of them)
Armaan : Ha ha! Very funny!
He turns around to go with Avni, when suddenly
Armaan: Just a sec Avni.
He runs back to Bharti bends down beside her and says,
Armaan : Look you know i was kidding na abt the cats and you being an old maid. I know you have tons of suitors but please just consider Nikhil okay. He's a nice boy and i know you'll like him. So think about it yea? (he touches her cheeks and kisses her forehead by the side) Okay bye!
On the way home on that day. Bharti and Armaan were walking along the pathway. Both of them usually go back home together.
Bharti : Where's Avni? Didn't go back home with her?
Armaan: Nah, she had to go somewhere after school.
Bharti: Okay.
Armaan: So...Made your choice?
Bharti: what choice Armaan?
Armaan: Oh come on Bharti!
Bharti: Okay fine. I will go out with Nikhil on a date. Then we'll see how it goes. Just a date first.
Armaan: That's great! (started hugging Bharti)
Bharti: Armaan you're squeezing me. Let go please
Armaan: Oops sorry.
Bharti: Actually i do like Nikhil. Just didn't want to accept it. He's..
Armaan: Cute! I know.
Bharti: Yes cuter than you! Hahah anyways why'd did you want me to go out with him so badly.
Armaan : Well you see, (puts his arms around Bharti) it's because i know my friend so well inside and out that i so know you had a thing for Nikhil. Plus i've got Avni now and i want you to have someone also!
Bharti : Hmm that's true! As in you know me so well.
Armaan : Also i don't want you to live like an old maid! (runs away)
Bharti runs after him and they started hitting each other. After awhile,
Bharti : Armaan, what do you think will happen twelve years down the road..? We'll be 30 years old. You think we'll be married and all, with a family.
Armaan: Well i know for a fact that i might be married and divorced more than a couple of times..seeing how i end relationships so fast. Hahaha BUT you..hmm tough one.. A marriage itself is hard to imagine.
Bharti : Oh Shut up! I'm going to be happily married to the love of my life and YOU, grieving because you'll be all lonely not being to find the love of your life!
Armaan: Really..? That sure huh..?
Bharti : Okay actually not. I am not confident in finding the love of my life.
Armaan : Exacltly same here! I always end up lying to myself that i have found one when i am in a relationship but then later, afew months into the relationship i no longer feel the connection.
Bharti: OMG! You evil fellow! Are you gonna do the same to Avni?!
Armaan: What..?! No..! No..ahh not yet..( smile sheepishly)
Bharti smacked Armaan hard on the shoulder.
Armaan: Ouch! Hey i've got an idea! Since we're so confused with this "finding of true love" and what not and are certainly afraid of living all alone in the future, we shall make a pact! How about this? If we're still not married by the age of umm.. lets see 50? Then we will marry each other! How's that?
Bharti: Totally ..
Armaan : Cool right!
Bharti : No crappy!
Armaan: Okay fine, so i guess you're so sure that you'll get married by then! Good if you do, but if you don't then you'll remember this day, (in Bharti's voice, Armaan making fun) "Ohh i should have made that pact with Armaan! Now am all alone. Just me, myself and my cats! Sob Sob!"
Bharti: Shut up!
Armaan: What are you scared..? Don't worry i don't mean as lovers we get married, just as best friends we marry each other. Just to have someone to spent our lives with and nothing else. Please don't think of intimacy!
Bharti (looks up at Armaan) : Chee! That's gross Armaan! With you? Man never!
Armaan : Exactly (feeling awkward himself and shrugging off their idea). So deal?
Bharti : Umm...I really hate you for making me think like this
Armaan : Okay you're a scaredy cat!
Bharti (in anger): No am not!
Armaan (lifting his hands out ) : Then seal the deal! (Winked at her and smile)
Bharti : You know what?! Fine! I agree! We'll get married to each other if we still can't find our better half at the age of 50! And just so you know i'm doing this because am so sure that this pact will be broken! And the deal is just to prove it to you! Am sure i'll fine the right guy hence not needing to marry you (and she smiles widely)
Armaan: That's like my best friend! Be a sport! And yea it's all for fun, but it's totally exciting! So on this day, the 11th of May 1998 we made this pact! Lets see what happens 12 years down the road.
Bharti: Deal (shakes Armaan's hand hard)
They both smiled at each other and walked back home, arms around each other.
~Current year, 12 years later~
The same day as the starting part. Morning at 9 am.
Bharti : This is it then Armaan! You're getting married!
Armaan: To Avni! The love of my life. Can't believe it man! How time flies so fast. In two hours time i'll be a married man.
Bharti: Yea..All the best yea. Wish you all the happiness in the world.
Armaan: Where's Nikhil?
Bharti: Ohh he's outside seated.
Armaan : Looks like we can't spend time with each other freely anymore. I'll have huge responsibilities and well you too, after you get married to Nikhil.
Bharti: Yea. Hey you remember the pact we made 12 years back?
Armaan: Yes! Oh my god! Hahah how childish we were!
Bharti: Tell me about it. Looks like it'll broken afterall you're getting married.
Armaan: And you too, getting married
Bharti: Huh..What..? Yea..my marriage too...Okay then see ya after the marriage. Bye and don't be nervous you'll do fine, buddy!
Armaan : Thanks Bharti! (hugs her tight and kisses her on her forehead at the side)..I'll miss you so much..
Bharti: Oh boy me too. So very much..
They broke from the hug and Bharti walks out of the room, wiping the tears that were falling down.
She was not getting married to Nikhil. She ended their relationship afew days back. She didn't know it, till recently, that all along she has actually been in love with Armaan. It wasn't visible to her then in college because no matter what, Armaan was always surrounding her. They could spent time with each other freely because he only had girlfriends and she knew he woudn't go anywhere which made her not feel the lost. But today, the day of Armaan's marriage, she finally realised that he would be gone forever.
After his marriage with Avni, she no longer could behave with him like how she used to. She coudn't just call him up in the middle of the night and go for an ice cream because that would not be right with Avni being his wife. As much as she wanted to tell Armaan about her feelings, she coudn't because there was Avni to think about. Avni, so innocent and not knowing anything. Avni, someone who always understood Armaan's and Bharti relationship and never said a thing about it because she respects their relationship and knew it was nothing more than close friendship. Avni, a sweet girl who is so in love with Armaan and whom Armaan loves so very much back. Avni who was going to Armaan wife in afew hours time and Avni whom Bharti can bare to break her heart. So she decides to keep her feelings within herself and walks away quietly. She was taking the next train to Shimla leaving the city for awhile. She needed time to think and not be around Armaan because that would only want to make her pour her feelings out.
Armaan on the other hand, was walking towards the mandap. He coudn't believe what was happening. Seeing Bharti walk away from him just now was as though Bharti was walking out of his life forever. He had understood his feelings for Bharti ever since she went on with Nihkil. At first when Bharti and Nikhil were together, he was fine with it. But slowly he felt as though Bharti was drifting apart from him except for those little cute moments they spent when they wanted to eat ice cream late at night. He really cherished every tiny moment which he could spent with Bharti.
As much as he wanted to tell her that he actually loves her, he coudn't because he knew Bharti was happy with Nikhil. Plus it was his own idea to bring Nikhil and Bharti together. He thought that Bharti always found their relationship purely friendship and he didn't want to betray her trust. Also he had Avni on the other hand who was so much in love with him. He can't bare to break her heart. So he decided to cover up his feelings and running away from them when his mom asked him to propose to Avni. He agreed to marry her and he was so sure that the feelings he had for Bharti will evaporate slowly into thin air but little did he know that he was wrong. The more he prepared for the wedding with Avni, the more he dreaded the process.
Bharti was surrounding them all the time choosing their outfits. Seeing her around him, he just felt like pulling her aside and pouring out his feelings to her. But he controlled and went on with the wedding process. He came to a conclusion that after marriage everything will be okay.
However now as he went further to the mandap, he realised that things will not get better after marriage. It'll only worsen and might lead to a divorce. But he was too late wasn't he?
Then he saw Avni smiling looking all happy. He coudn't bare to lie to her no more and that's it he had to put a stop to the wedding
Armaan : Avni, i need to speak to you
Avni (fear in her eyes and looking down) : I think i know Armaan..
Few hours later, Armaan was running through the railway station. Bhaskar told him that Bharti is leaving on the next train to Shimla. With that news he figured out the reason as to why she was doing that. Everything came flying back to him clearly. Bharti left Nikhil because she had feelings for Armaan. She loved him and now he needs to find her before its too late.
Armaan (to himself) : How could i not know she had feelings for me?! Oh this is all because of the stupid pact that we made! We were so keen on breaking it and so we chose to hide our feelings from each other and carry on with the people whom we thought were the one for us! Or was it because we didn't want to betray each other's trust, our friendship? Arghh , Bharti where are you?! How could you expect me to get married when you're not going too..? I can't leave you alone!
Armaan (running through the crowded railway station) : Excuse me! Excuse me! Please give way!...I'm so sorry, i didn't mean to...Oh god am really sorry!
~Back to current situation~
A lady : Hello excuse me, can you get off your car? I need a lift from you?
Armaan looks up, breaking from his thoughts. He can't believe so much has happened this morning and he was back to square one. No Bharti, lost his dear friend who is the love of his life and so not getting married. He took out his sunglasses and jumped off his car and told the lady,
Armaan : Sure i'll give you a lift. Where do you want to go? (He was looking down at his watch)
Suddenly the lady wraps her arms around Armaan and says "Just take me anywhere as long as i'm with you"
Armaan (startled and jerks): Excuse me what do you think you're...(looks up at the face).. Bharti?
Bharti smiles back at him sweetly.
Armaan : Is it really you? (pinches her hard)
Bharti: Ouch Armaan!
Armaan : Oh my god! It is you! It is YOU! (and cups her face in his hands)
Bharti : Yes it is...woahh! Armaan!!
Armaan lifted Bharti up in the air and turns around.
Bharti : Okay Armaan put me down please!
Armaan puts her down but holds her firmly in his arms.
Armaan : How? Where..? Here..? I mean i thought the train, and i missed you?!
Bharti : Gee that's alot of question Armaan. Well all i've have got to say is, you looked really cute, VERY cute when you cry! So much tears falling off that face of yours.! Aww i had so much of fun watching it!
Armaan : So you were here all the while?
Bharti: YES! (Giggles and pinches his cheeks)..You really cried a river for me.
Armaan: Ha ha! Funny! So you were here all along and choose to not come out?!
Bharti: Well no.. Ahh I mean mera matlab hai...NO!
Armaan: Seriously Bharti! You are so gonna get it!
Bharti : Get what?
Armaan: Gee i don't know. Lets see maybe this?
And he pulls Bharti closer to him and kisses her on her lips softly. Bharti did not hesitate and she kissed him back. Slowly their kiss turned into a passionate one with Armaan running his fingers down Bharti's back and Bharti wrapping her arms around Armaan's neck. After afew blissful moments later they broke off from the kiss.
Armaan : Now that didn't feel awkward, did it?
Bharti : Nope not at all. (she smiled) Who would have thought that kissing a best friend would actually be that good?!
Armaan : Not all best friends should kiss like that, i think that would be really weird. Just the ones that turn into lovers should. Which... is us! (winks at Bharti)
Bharti :Coudn't agree with you any better Armaan! (Moves forward and kisses him again)
Armaan : Looks like the pact was broken anyways.
Bharti: It has always been broken ever since I was with Nikhil and you with Avni. But this time it is broken because we truly found the love of our lifes.
Armaan : Yes, (putting a strand of Bharti's hair behind her ears)..We found each other!
Bharti : i found you
Armaan : and i found you..
And they hugged each other tightly making sure of never to lose each other again.
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