Anjali was lost in thoughts while they were
travelling to their picnic destination in car. She was sitting in the backseat
with Kushi by her side. Anjali looked at the two men in front of her. Viren was
driving while Arnav was sitting with iPod fixed to his ears. Anjali sighed.
It has always been like this since the time she got
married. Arnav never shared a cordial relation with Viren. He cannot be blamed
for it. She and Viren were supposed to be married when she finished her MBBS.
That’s what Viren had promised, that he will bring his parents at her doorstep
to ask for her hand in marriage. But it did not happen. His parents were
against him marrying a girl from middle class family. They forced him to go
abroad and pursue his career instead. He had to leave to stand firmly on his
feet. She had to wait for 2 more years before he came back. He had to, because
Anjali’s mother passed away grieving for her daughter and Arnav had to leave to
US since he got a scholarship for higher studies.
Viren did love Anjali, so he did come when she
needed him the most. He had gone to Canada to create a life for them. His
parents were still against the marriage but they finally had to concede in
order to not lose their son. Soon after marriage his father died and his mother
made sure Anjali carried the burden of it. She accused Anjali of being a curse
to their family. Since Viren needed time to take her abroad Anjali had to stay
with Viren’s family. She suffered a lot at the hands of his mother. Arnav was
aware of it when once he visited Anjali during his break. He could not take it
and asked her to come with him but Anjali refused stating that this is her
family. It hurt Arnav. He even got into a fight with Viren for not being able
to support Anjali before his mother. Viren truly loved Anjali but he couldn’t
fight with his mother too. He loved his mother. Hence he remained silent
sometimes when Anjali had to suffer. This brought about a rift and distance
between Viren and Arnav.
One year passed like that and then they shifted
abroad. Since his mother was alone, he took his mother too with them. Anjali
soon started working but life was not easy for her. Viren’s mother was always a
throne in their life and Viren did nothing about it. At a point, even Anjali
hated him for it. Because Viren’s mother blamed her for not being able to
conceive a child when in real Viren had problem and he did not reveal it to his
mother instead let his mother blame Anjali till she lived. Anjali hated him for
that; but she could not stop loving him. Like any couple, they had their share
of ups and downs. But they survived it because deep down they still loved each
other. Viren was sorry for what he did and his guilt was always there in his
eyes; that was enough for Anjali. They rebuild their life once again and they
are now happy.
But Arnav and Viren never came close. In fact he was
distant to his sister too initially. He was hurt when she refused him and
continued to live in hell in her love for her husband. He felt like an orphan
when his sister distanced him like that. He tried to get over it by going even
further from her. Anjali had to try immensely to get her chotte back. Arnav
could never refuse his sister for long. She was his only living family. He
forgave his sister but always remained distant from her life until now. Now
they are back to being a family again but yet the differences between Viren and
Arnav did not melt. And this hurt Anjali a lot. She really didn’t know what
could bridge the distance between them. She hoped time would make it better,
she really hoped!
She rested her head on the window and gazed outside
absentmindedly.
**************
It was not just Anjali but someone else was also
lost in thoughts; none other than Kushi. She was lost and absent minded
throughout the journey and half way through the picnic. Anjali and Viren were
having a nice evening together hence they didn’t notice the sadness in Kushi’s
eyes. But Arnav did notice his doctor’s aloofness whole day. When he saw her
sitting alone at the end of the wooden bridge at the backside of the wooden
cottage, with her legs dipped into the lake, he decided to finally check what
is bothering her.
Last one month had brought them closer as friends,
as co-workers. Arnav stopped calling her sexy. But Kushi didn’t mind now; they
had a cordial relationship at personal and professional level. He is very good
at his work which definitely impressed Kushi. But still there was a thin ray of
formal nature in her behaviour with him. She never crossed it though Arnav
really considered her a good company to be with. For him she was someone
associated to his past, his dead mother, other than Anjali; someone whom his
mother liked a lot. Also she was different from his usual cluster of friends.
She was different, totally opposite to his character, not at all his type or
choice of friend. But he felt she is a refreshing change in his life.
He went and sat beside Kushi who seemed lost. He
asked her dipping his feet in the lake.
Arnav: Hey
doctor, kiske khayaalome kho gayi hai?
Kushi( startled): Arnav! You scared me!
Arnav: What? Just because I haven’t shaven it
doesn’t mean I look like ghost! Girls go gaga over my beard look.
Kushi: Oh stop it Arnav. I’m not in a mood to hear
you bragging about yourself.
Arnav: And that’s exactly why I’m here. What
happened to your mood? Flight pakadke kahi gayi kya?!
Kushi looked at him startled for a moment wondering
how he got to notice. Even Anjali hadn’t asked her anything.
Arnav: What? Now will you keep staring at my beauty
or say something.
Kushi sighed and turned her face away choosing to
ignore him.
Arnav: I guess you don’t want to
share...hmm....okay.
They continued sitting in silence. Only the water
flowing sound filled the air. Kushi was again lost in thoughts while Arnav
played with water moving his legs occasionally.
Kushi’s
mobile started buzzing. She looked at the screen but didn’t attend the call.
Arnav saw her action but didn’t comment. After a second he got up and left.
Kushi felt disappointed. She didn’t want to be alone though she didn’t want to
talk. She continued glaring into space. Few minutes later, Arnav came and sat
beside her again with French fries and tomato sauce in his hands. Kushi looked
at him and raised her eyebrow. He just shrugged and offered her the fries. She
silently took some and both started to eat. He kept the sauce in between them
and they ate in silence.
Arnav: Di sahi kehti dhi. Food is the way to get through
you.
Kushi couldn’t resist the half smile that came on
her lips. They continued eating for a while until Kushi spoke again.
Kushi: One more alliance gone.
Arnav (confused): Sorry?
Kushi (looking at him sideways): Marriage proposal.
One more didn’t work out.
Arnav : Oh!!! Wha...What happened?
Kushi( sighing and looking down on her lap): Hmm...Initially
they came saying horoscope didn’t matter to them. But after seeing my profile
and photos, they replied saying horoscopes didn’t match.
Arnav: Oh. But hey all this happen when we seek an
arranged marriage right. Do you have to get upset over it? He is not meant for
you. Just think like that.
Kushi: It’s okay Arnav if it happens only few times.
But this has been happening with me for past 8 years. So it’s not that easy.
And to top it Amma blamed me.
Arnav: What? Why would she blame you when they
rejected?
Kushi: I know she was just frustrated when this
alliance too didn’t work. But she told me it’s because I rejected it in first
place. It’s because of my negative attitude. And I should stop resisting when a
proposal comes and....
Arnav: Wait a minute. So you had rejected this
proposal first. Why?
Kushi: He did not meet my expectations and I wasn’t
interested.
Arnav: Still your parents went ahead with it?
Kushi (giving a sarcastic smile): I’m your Di’s
friend. Have you seen her? She is already married for more than 5 years; while
I’m still single at 28. It’s obvious my family will jump at any proposal that
comes their way hoping it to be a good one for their daughter.
Arnav: Hmm...That’s understandable. Loving parents
are like that. But then if you were not interested in the proposal then you
should be happy that it got called off. Why are you upset then?
Kushi: It’s true. But rejecting is one thing and
being rejected is a totally different thing. I rejected him because I didn’t
like him. But to know that even he rejected me hurt.
Arnav (raising his eyebrow and with a smirk): So you
mean to say, you never wished to marry him and rejected him. But when he showed
that he shares same opinion it hurt you? Women!!! (He bowed his head and
chuckled).
Kushi (angry and emotional): Boys like you will
never understand. You are so handsome and can get any girl you want. They throw
themselves at you. But girls like me who are not good looking and to top it
well educated gets rejected each and every time; even by guys who themselves
look ugly. How do you think it makes us feel?
Arnav didn’t say anything but kept looking at her.
She tilted her head back to face the lake.
Arnav: I’m sorry. I didn’t see it from your side.
Kushi (looking down at her lap and chuckled): That’s
the problem. No one sees it from my side. Not even my Amma. Is it my fault that
I’m not beautiful? Is it my fault that I have brains and reached heights? Just
because guys can’t tolerate women who are over them in professional life, girls
who have talent have to feel deprived or handicapped always. (Looking Arnav in
the eye) For us, even our education, career, achievements are looked down upon
and those are not achievements but hindrances to get a good guy in matrimonial
field. Wow!!!
Arnav was seeing Kushi like this for the first time.
Arnav: It’s just a phase Kushi. It will pass once
you meet the guy destined for you.
Kushi (laughing sarcastically): Nowadays I feel that
maybe there is no one meant for me. I will have to stay alone like this, always.
Arnav: No Kushi. Think positively always. If you
were married before, would you have been here? These achievements would never
have been there.
Kushi: Yes I know. In fact I’m sure of that. Dadi
would have married me off to another orthodox family and I might have ended my
life in India itself. Such a life, such experiences and achievements everything
is truly a blessing; something which I never dreamt of. But what I always
dreamt of was a family of my own; a husband, kids and happiness. I did get more
than what I dreamt, but I didn’t get what I really wanted.
Arnav (shaking his head): The problem is your
outlook at the matter. Why do you think that you won’t get what you dreamt of?
Life kadam ho gaya hai kya? Arrey, life can change anytime. Maybe tomorrow when
you wake up the world itself won’t be the same anymore. There are millions of
people out there who are not even blessed with a family or education or career
prospects. There are also people who have been married but they have their
share of problems. Either the bond won’t work or cheating spouses, affairs, no
kids etc etc. No one is leading a perfect life. Forget all this, what if a
earthquake or flood or storm breaks up here? Life totally changes. Then maybe
you won’t be left with even what you have. (Sighing) Learn to appreciate the
smallest of small blessing in life doctor. And phir dekhna, life will give you
an energy and confidence to face all the hurdles in your path.
He kept a hand around her shoulder.
Arnav: Marriage should be one aspect of your life.
Yes it’s your dream, but that is just one facet of life. You have a life before
and after it. You have a lot waiting ahead of you. Don’t let your shoulders slump
down for this. It will happen when its time. Now be happy with yourself and
your life. You will feel like living more, than merely surviving which you are
doing now.
Kushi had a thin layer of moist in her eyes. Arnav
didn’t tell her anything new which she didn’t know. In fact this is what she
hears always from everyone around her – her sister Ammu, her mother, her
bhabhi, even Anjali. But somehow hearing it from Arnav, and the way he said it
made her feel a lot better, genuinely. She gave him a thin smile.
Kushi: Arrey Waah! Chotte saab toh aaj bada
prabhaashan de raha hai. It doesn’t sound like you at all. You are better with
your usual ways of craziness and naughty nature.
Arnav: Well, I’ll take that as a compliment.
Similarly this sad look doesn’t suit you too. Your face looks even worse and
you eat a lot when sad. See you finished all the fries. I wonder how you are so
thin despite eating so much.
Kushi had her mouth hanging open.
Arnav: What? You told me you like me with my sanak
ways!!!
He winked at her.
Kushi: UUUUUU.....
She started hitting him and pulling his hair while
he laughed and cried at the same time. Unknown to them a friendship was
blooming in the air.
NOTE: Sorry guys, the update is well delayed I know.
Personal life is busy. I’m not sure if I can give an update in next two weeks
too. I will try maximum to give an update next week, but no promises. It’s my
anniversary on 25th and my family is coming and life is busy. So
please forgive me for the delay.
If I cannot update in next two weeks, please forgive
me. I will be back with a bang in 2016 then. My x’mas gift, anniversary special
and New Year gift will be delayed this time. Hope you guys understand.
And sorry if you didn’t like this update. I actually
forced myself to write since I didn’t want a long gap. Hope you all will wait
for the further updates patiently. Also I felt a little discouraged when I didn’t
see much comments or readers thoughts and discussions on the thread. Your
comments and messages boost my confidence. Such a light story is not at all my
genre. So I need your constant encouragement to gain confidence. Please do
support me friends.
I love you. Wishing all Merry Christmas and Happy
New Year, in advance J
