Karan's time in Delhi started off really well, he was spending quality time with his parents and making his father happy as he helped with his business, even though it was a short term arrangement Vickram Oberoi couldn't be happier to have his son standing next him, he felt like every proud father would. As time passed things started to change, it wasn't long before Vickram started pressurising Karan to accept Indu's proposal of marriage, day after day Vickram would replay the same tape, Karan went to his mum who tried to speak to her husband only to be told that he made the decisions and what he said was final. 'Karan I think it's time we told your father about Zoya...once he realises you are in love with and committed to someone he may back off...otherwise there is no talking to him' Karan nodded his head. This had gone on for too long.
Karan made his way down to his father's office as he walked through reception he bumped into Indu. Indu had requested to stay in India to complete her final year; she knew Zoya would be away so it was her chance to be with Karan without her interfering all the time. 'What are you doing here...I was just going to come and see you' she said smiling at him Karan cringed at the sight of her 'not that I need to tell you but I am going to see my dad...I need to talk to him about something important' Indu stepped closer and hooked her arm around his 'then it must be about me...after all what could be more important than me in your life right now'.
Karan clenched his jaw he removed her hand 'actually yes, I am going to talk to my father about you but not for the reasons you have cooked up in your head' Karan was about to walk off when Indu pulled at his arm 'Karan there is no need to talk to me in that tone, you know damn well that we are to be engaged soon so why all this hostility?' Karan turned to face her 'Indu I am only going to say this once so if I were you I would listen very carefully...there is no us, there is no engagement, it will never happen I will never let anything of the sort happen...do you understand' Indu looked at him 'oh really Karan...now you and I both know that when Vickram uncle decided something its written in stone...and what I really don't get is why you are so against this...we have been together since childhood so why the indifference now?'
'You really need to ask me that Indu...let me clear two things one there isn't a stone created where dad's decision can be written on regarding my life and secondly there is no way that I am going to marry someone I don't love...forget love I don't even think I like you anymore, I have seen a side to you that I never knew existed...Indu I will never give up or leave the love of my life for you or anyone else, especially for the likes of you' Karan pulled his arm back and started walking off leaving Indu to think about what he had just said, after a few seconds it struck her 'did Karan just tell me that there is someone else in his life, that he loves someone else...no...no'
Indu ran up to him and stopped him as he was about to enter the elevator 'what the hell did you just say...what do you mean Karan...you are with someone, you are in love with someone else?' Indu's whole body was shaking with rage 'I don't have time for this Indu...if you don't mind I need to go and see my dad' 'I do mind Karan' she raised her voice. Karan looked around to see people who had stopped to stare at them 'stop creating a scene Indu, have you forgotten where you are?' 'I don't give a damn...answer my question Karan who is she, who is the little bitch that you are letting come between us this time?' Karan grabbed hold of her arm making her gasp 'watch your mouth Indu...I don't have to tell you a thing...all you need to know that yes I am with someone, someone that I love very much and will go on to live the rest of my life with...this...what you think will happen between us will never happen so deal with it' he jerked Indu back and entered the lift leaving her seething with anger her eyes turning red and tears started to shed.
As Karan went up to see his father Indu rushed home. She paced her room like a caged animal waiting to pounce on its prey 'Karan Oberoi this thing that you so confidently said will never happen will happen...no matter what you say or do you will be mine...I'll make damn sure of it'. After having waited for Vickram to finish his conference call. Karan had just started to talk to his father and explain why he couldn't marry Indu when the phone rang.
Karan could her a panicked female voice on the other side and he could see his father becoming extremely worried 'don't worry nothing will happen to her we are on our way...Karan lets go' he said as he slammed the phone down and picked up his jacket 'dad wait...what happened' Karan picked up his pace to catch up with his father as they got in the lift 'dad will you tell me what is going on...who was that on the phone? And why do you look so worried?' 'Karan that was Indu's mum Indu took an overdose of tablets and has been rushed to the hospital' Karan couldn't believe it 'what?' he said in disbelief 'how is that possible I just saw her downstairs before I came up to see you...and why would she take an overdose?' Karan couldn't fathom how this could have all happened so fast.
When they got to the hospital they met with Indu's parents Vickram consoled his friend reassuring him and his wife that all will be ok. As they sat and waited the doctor finally came out of her room 'she is ok, nothing to worry about, she will just need to rest for a few days...also make sure she doesn't undergo any kind of stress, after what she has been through it's the last thing she needs'.
Indu's parents rushed to be by her side whilst Karan and his father waited outside. After a good twenty minutes Vickram and Karan went in to see Indu 'how are you feeling now sweetheart?' Vickram asked as he stroked her hair 'a lot better thank you' 'sweetheart why...what could have possible driven you to take such a step?' Indu looked up at Karan keeping her eyes fixed with his she slowly spoke 'I couldn't bear the thought of being rejected...the thought that Karan would never be mine' tears streamed down her eyes as she spoke, her parents and Vickram all looked towards him firing accusations 'what is she talking about Karan...you have something to do with this? Vickram asked, his voice laced with shock and disgust that his son could be responsible for someone trying to take their own life.
As Karan was about to answer his father truthfully Indu interrupted him 'uncle please don't blame him he was just upset and didn't know what he was saying...it's my fault for over reacting, I am sure that everything will be ok between us and that everything can go ahead as planned' Karan kept his gaze on her as she spoke to his father, he started to see through the faade it was becoming clear that all this had been an act to gain attention and to create such a situation in which Karan would feel trapped.
Vickram looked at his friend who nodded understanding what Vickram had just said with his eyes. Vickram turned towards Indu 'Indu...sweetheart everything will still go ahead as planned in fact I will make sure everything is brought forward, you and Karan will get engaged this weekend...happy?' Indu almost jumped off the bed she clapped her hands and smiled in happiness. Karan looked at his father not only with shock but pure horror 'dad don't you think we need to talk about this, I need to talk to you dad, you can't just announce something like this' Vickram looked at his son, he stood up and walked towards him 'there is nothing to talk about Karan, what I have just announced, as you put, it is final you will be getting engaged to Indu on Saturday and that's it...look at her, this girl was ready to give up her life for you and you still feel the need to talk about my decision...nothing doing Karan...if I were you I would go and start getting ready for your big day' Vikram smiled at his son as he patted him on the shoulder.
Karan didn't know what to do there was no way he was going to let this happen for the next two days he locked himself in his room he kept looking at his phone every time he saw a message from Zoya or a missed call it would rip him apart, he didn't know what to,say to her or how to tell her anything.
Avantika had just finished talking to Zaynah, she went to see Karan in his room as she walked in she saw him standing by the window 'Karan' 'oh hi mum...you ok?' 'How can I be ok when you are not? I just spoke to Zaynah, Zoya is worried sick about you, why are you not answering her calls Karan?' Karan shrugged his shoulders 'I don't know what to do mum and what am I supposed to say to her?'
Avantika took in a deep breath as she mustered all the courage to say what she was about to her only son. 'Karan...I want you to leave...go to London to be with Zoya, if you stay here your dad will do everything in his power to make sure that the engagement goes ahead with Indu' Karan looked at his mum wide eyed 'mum are you being serious, I cannot just run away like this. I need to talk to dad tell him the truth...no mum I am not taking the easy way out, I have done nothing wrong so I am not going to hide'. 'Karan talking to him wont work don't you realise that, you told Indu and look hat happened she tried to take her own life' Karan huffed 'that was all an act mum and you know it too' he said walking away from her in frustration 'maybe, but none the less. Karan look at me...if your father finds out who Zoya is or worse if Indu realises that the person you are turning her down for is none other than Zoya they will not sit still they will do everything they can to hurt her and you know that as much as I do Karan'.
'What exactly are you asking me to do mum?' 'I want you to take Zoya to Malaysia with you, you know Zack has planned to propose to Aliza so you can use that as an excuse for a few days holiday and Karan isn't it time you thought about making your relationship with Zoya permanent' Avantika cupped her son's face she slowly wiped the lone tear that escaped his eye 'mum...' 'Karan you have my permission and blessing...and if you are worried about Zaynah then I will talk to her I will make her understand that this is the only way'.
Karan hugged his mum not knowing what to say 'Karan I need you to get ready now...I will arrange for your flights and accommodation through my NGO and also inform Zack of what has been going on. And don't worry about Zoya, just text her that you are ok and have been busy she has been worrying about you'. Karan nodded he picked up his phone and sent her a message before he packed his suitcase.
Karan stood before his mother 'mum I still don't think this is right, what am I going to say to her, what will we do?' Avantika placed her hand on his cheek 'Karan, you are doing nothing wrong, I spoke to Zack and his mum. Zack is still in Mumbai and will be on his way to Malaysia to see Aliza for the New Year, why don't you and Zoya join them on your return you can stay with Zack's parents, they have assured me that they will not say anything to anyone'. Karan smiled 'you really have thought this through haven't you? You must be the world's first mother who has planned her sons get away just so he can be with the one he loves' Karan hugged his mum for the last time before he left.
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