Part 1: Below
Amaranthine Hope: Part 1
I stood there with a mangalsutra in my hand. Countless thoughts running through my mind. Everything seemed to be a blur, except the past which came across my eyes in a flash.
The chattering in the back seemed to have stopped, and by the time I could register what was going on, my chest felt two tiny hands pushing me away.
"Don't do this Nachiket!"
I turned to look her. Disheveled hair, erratic breathing, red eyes, quivering lips... I almost pitied her; the emotions burning her eyes clearly mirrored mine; but what I didn't understand was why.
I was about to walk away from her, when she grabbed my forearm and pulled me hard.
"Do you not understand what I'm saying? Don't do this Nachiket! You can't do this!"
"Ragini," Pam screamed out. "What the hell..."
But I couldn't hear anymore. I extended my arm towards Pam, showing her my hand, telling her to stop talking right there and then. But when did she ever listen to me? She continued on.
"What the hell do you think you're doing Ragini? How low are you going to go to get him back now? Just accept it that he's getting married to Nivedita! Just accept it that HE WANTS TO MOVE ON!"
I was past my tolerance level, and so I did what I wanted to do. What Nachiket wants to do. Not what Pam wants Neil to do.
"Stop screaming Pam!" I screamed out, my voice echoing in the great hall. "Don't you dare say anything more!"
"But Neil..."
"JUST STOP IT PAM! Don't you dare interfere in our matters!"
I looked at her dead in the eye. She finally got my point and walked out to the lobby, muttering incessantly to herself on her way out.
"And you Ragini. Why should I not do this?" I couldn't hold back the emotions that were throttled up within me in the past few weeks. Did she still care? Then why did she pretend that she didn't?
I saw her breathing become hitched as she swallowed back her tears. I was done with her ambiguity. Tired of the little games she was playing. One minute she would make me think she never moved on, the next, she would taunt me endlessly about how perfect he was. It was now or never. I needed answers. And I would get them today. No matter what.
"Because. Because you don't love her Nachiket!"
"So what? Why does that matter to you?"
"She doesn't love you either Nachiket. Neither one of you will be happy!"
I pulled her furiously close. "Don't test my patience Ragini. Answer me, NOW!" My voice increasing with every syllable spoken.
She flinched at my tone, and I thought of backing away, but I knew there was no other way to get her to finally put an end to all the misunderstandings.
"You still love me Nachiket. I know that. I feel it! I can tell by the way you look at me. You don't look at Nivedita like that."
"I still don't have my answer Ragini."
And as if I too were testing her patience, she replied back in equal fervour, "Because I love you Nachiket! I never stopped loving you. I still go to bed every day hoping that we will have our happy ending one day. And I can't let you go again. I just can't!"
It was as if a burden had been removed from my heart. I felt relieved. Contentment washing all over me. I took her into a hug, completely oblivious to all the eyes that were on us.
But before I could tell her what I felt, I thought about the past couple of weeks.
Pulling her away from me, I couldn't help but ask. "Then why did you move on?"
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End of Part 1.
So how was it?
Do let me know :)
Will try to write the next part soon!
Take care and lots of love <3
Hinal 🤗
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