❣️ Part 1 ❣️
The cold breeze hit my face despite being enveloping myself with a tight jacket n shawl. The daylight is bright as it is almost 9 in the morning. I stood below an apartment eyeing it with belief, nervousness, expectation, restlessness, a beam of hope, at least... That I could find her here... safe, happy?... Maybe!
She might be happy with her husband, got married n all... but then also, after knowing the truth, I just couldn't hold myself from meeting her once.
At least Once...
I still remember how devastated I was for the past one month since I got to know the truth that she was right! I was wrong! I misunderstood. I was blind... It's me, who crushed its own love with its own hands.
Flashback...
I was on the way to my office, MM Heights, one of the most famous construction company headed by a self-made, arrogant, handsome hulk, none other than me, Manik Malhotra! It took me 5 long years of my hard work n consistency... that I became the one, who I am.
While in the way, my car broke down. I walked out n stood by the nearest mall till the driver arrange another car for me.
Call it luck or destiny, I spotted someone whom I never wanted to see after the college valentines night... Siddharth!
He was with another girl, a familiar one but I couldn't recall exactly. They r close as if couples!
Maybe he broke up with HER. ... Good for Her.
I instantly turned my face, not wanting to be spotted by him but seems like I was late. He came towards me with her girl in his hand.
"Hey! Manik" he greeted to which I turned with a fake smile.
"Hello!" I said in not so interested tone.
"How r u bro? ... U guys just vanished after the Valentine party?" he asked. Even though I'm not interested in his talk but a part of me still wanted to know about HER.
"I'm fine!..." I replied when suddenly his words clicked me ... 'U GuyS'
"What do u mean by 'u guys'? Who else left after the party?" I instantly asked. He frowned.
As far as I remember, after I rejected HER that night, I was left devastated n left the college so that I won't be facing her again n get weak in front of her.
"Of course, U & Nandini, Who else?" he answered created havoc inside me.
Nandini left too? Why?
"Why?" I voiced.
"As far as I know, she had planned to propose u that night. And she must have done. Then u two, as a couple must have left together. That's what I heard. Isn't it right?" He reasoned n then asked. I stood there still. What's going on?
She did propose me with lots of efforts, lights, decors, balloons, flowers, roses... I fell for her again but back out as she was two-timing me. Isn't it?
"u knew that she's gonna propose me?" I asked unbelievably. If he knew then why did he proposed HER n she accepted with hugging n all.
"Of course... I used to be her best friend, remember? But she forgot me once she got u. U better tell her to contact me." He complained.
"Wait! Aren't u that one who proposed her that night n she accepted?" I asked raising my brows as inside me is a battle going on with all types of questions, probability, reasons, answers, doubts, etc. etc...
Sid looked at the eyes of her girl before turning his head to me. I was getting impatient to know the answer.
"No... Why will I propose to her when I love Aliya?" He said pointing to the lady beside her. Now I remember her, one of our batchmates.
"I proposed Aliya Valentine's night only n since then we r together, we r getting married soon." He said side-hugging her.
"But?" I murmured. I definitely saw u both that night. I'm sure!
"I think, u must be talking about the demo that I did with Nandini. I was hell nervous and freaked out but luckily she told me to assume her as Aliya and practice. It really did help me a lot and boost my confidence." He said making my world fall.
"Anyways! U both r invited for our wedding. I'll send u the invitation card. And Ya! Do tell Nandini to call me." he said before they left leaving me in turmoil. ...
I misunderstood the whole plot. I rejected her, being so stone-hearted. I loathed her, her love...
I'm a jerk, a bastard.
Oh God! What did I do?
...
I took in a deep breath before heading into the elevator and pressed the 4th floor. As the lift is going up... my heartbeats r increasing... The elevator stopped n the door opened with a click sound. I walked out with my nervous self.
I stopped in front of the door to house no.406. The address I got from her previous neighbor, who mentioned that she has got married n left already.
I inhaled deeply n exhaled slowly calming myself before ringing the doorbell. As each second passed to open the door, I was rubbing my palm to calm myself. I tried composing myself.
What will happen? How will she react on seeing me here? What will she say? What will I say? What to talk? so many questions r making me insane...
And finally, the door opened slowly wide... and my breath stopped. Seeing her in front of me after 5 long years........
She looked different, wearing salwar-kameez, hair tied in a tight bun, pale n light face, thinner body... Usually, she used to wear jeans tops with hairs open n not to forget the bright smile playing on her face, which is not present now.
"You?" She voiced as lowly as possible with shocked n surprised face. I'm just admiring her face to the fullest. Even though I had a lot of questions to ask but seems like none come out my frozen mouth.
"I..." I managed to utter only to cut off by a loud voice when again shaked me badly...
"Mummmaaaa" She's a mother now!
She turned back to the source. "Coming" she shouted back. Her voice is still the sweetest.
"Come in" she said softly turning to me and gave space for me to walk inside the flat.
I walked inside and stood there looking around the small living room. There is a small sofa on a side which can only accommodate two people. And a round table with a vase of flowers in front of the sofa. At the other side, there is a desktop which looks second-handed... I noticed there is no T.V. around.
There is a round wall clock stuck above in the yellow walls. Apart from the clock, there r photo frames of her with two children; one boy & one girl. I heard the voice of a girl before, maybe the boy is still in. But I frowned inwardly for there is no picture of her husband in any of these 6 frames; only she n her kids in different funny poses.
I looked up to see her watching my moves intensely but when I looked into her eyes, she turned abruptly not before gesturing to sit on the sofa. I obeyed silently when I saw her walked to the attached kitchen which is small too.
"Mumma... Neel is not giving my drawing book back!" a small girl in school uniform ran to her complaining.
"Mumma... tell her to return my Ben-ten sticker first." a little boy of about the same age came out in uniform too, holding a drawing book in his hand.
"Naina... return his sticker, baby" she said while preparing tiffins in the kitchen.
"No... First my drawing book" the girl, I mean Naina stomp on her foot.
"First Benten" Neel too argued. They r standing near HER in the kitchen & had not seen me yet.
"Come... exchange here, in front of me." She ordered to which Neel forwarded the drawing book ahead to Nania, who took out the stickers from her pocket n they exchanged.
"Good babies. Now, hurry up n finish this, ur Omelette and ur Poached Egg" She placed two plates in front of them in the kitchen slab n they started eating standing there only. While she walked inside.
I was looking at the two kids of probably 4-5 years old eating happily their egg dishes When suddenly Neel eyed me. He first frowned seeing a stranger at his house but soon elbowed Naina to look at me. They both r staring at me awkwardly. I didn't know what to do... so I waved them Hi! to which they frowned more.
Wrong move!
Before the kids could do some mischievous experiments on me, She came out holding two school bags n packed their tiffin n water bottles.
"Done?" she asked them n looked at them to catch them watching at me. She turned to me but broke our eye-lock in a second.
That hurt somewhere!
"Neel, Naina... He is..." before she could finish off, she was cut by the smart Neel
"MM... we know" I was shocked. How did they know me? Did she tell them about me?
A strange hope n string of happiness wash over my nerves.
"The one we saw in the news article daily." Naina added. News!, I thought she told!
"Bachoo... u r getting late. Van must be arriving, any moment. Hurry up!" She dismissed their talks from me & made them wear their shocks n shoes, straightened their clothes, handed them bags n walked them to the Van.
What would I have done sitting there? So I too walked out following them. I saw them kiss at both her cheeks n bid byes n 'see you' before riding on the van. She too kissed their cheeks n smiled.
She seems genuinely happy with her kids!
.
"Why r u here?" She asked the moment we entered her flat.
"Nandini" I took her name as prayer... I have so much to say but I just stood there looking at her eyes while she too did the same.
"I...." nothing comes out. I've so much to say but...
"I'm here to..." while I gathered my mind to speak but the doorbell ring stopped me.
I couldn't help but think that her Husband might be at the door. I composed myself to face Her Husband.
She turned n walked to open the door n walked inside with a girl of about 13 who is holding a bag on her shoulder. Now, who is she?
"Rashmi didn't come today?" Nandini asked her who is looking at me from top to bottom.
"Her dad is riding her here today." She answered turning to her.
"Okay! U go inside n start revising. We'll start as soon as she comes." Nandini said n she walked to a room. While I was standing confused.
"What do u want from here?" Nandini asked turning to me. Her voice is not so cold n rude but not that sweet as old days too.
"Can we talk for sometime?" I asked with pleading eyes. I really wanted to talk, say sorry, get assured that she's happy with her family; even though it's hurt to even think her with someone else, but I caused it.
"As u can see, I'm busy." She said looking at my eyes. I guess she's still hypnotized by my eyes as much as I'm by hers.
"Please... some time" I pleaded. MM never plead or thanked anyone, but she's the only one who can make the impossible possible.
"I'm busy so..." before she could continue the bell rang again n she walked to open. This time too she walked in with a teenage girl.
"U go inside, Megha is already there. I'll just come in a minute" she instructed to which the girl moved inside.
"My students r waiting for me. I can't talk now." She said starting to walk. Students?
"I can wait" instantly I said not wanting to go before I talk it out.
"It'll talk more than one and half an hours." she informs.
"That's fine. I'll wait here." I said n run to sit on the sofa. She stood staring at me for a while when my stomach growled...
I looked down at my stomach embarrassed with the loud sound it made. I hadn't had anything this morning with the tension n anxiety of coming here.
A plate full of chappati n curry came to my view n I looked up to see Nandini placing the plate on the table and going inside the room not before giving me last look.
She still cares!
-------------------------------
For the one n half hour to pass...
I ate the food she made. It still tastes Honey (Amrut). I envy her husband to get the food from her hand every single day. I'm the unfortunate one!
I could hear her teaching them maths aloud.
I remember she used to be the topper in our college in Accounts n Management, while I chose business studies. Not all our classes were the same, but whatever classes we had in common, we used to sit at backbenches; Me & Deepak, my school friend and, She n her friends, Siddhart n Akshita.
She used to be so much fun, cheerful, always playing pranks on us and laughing like stupid. Dressed in jeans mostly with tops or Kurti, she isn't rich but orphan, in care of a sister, she said. But her heart n soul is so wealthy that it can buy everything n everyone on the earth.
We play, roam n laugh around together, only study during classes n before exams. But still, she managed to get topped every time. Whenever I asked her it's secret, she'd say, 'I'm a born genius'.
Pagal!
We had got so close in the period of two years of college; we used to sneak around together leaving our rest friends to spend time together. We used to visit sea beaches, parks, temples, churches, dine street food at cheap cost, have ice-creams while sitting on other's parked cars.
Even we used to sit together in one backbench while others on another bench. We held hands, hugged n embrace many times. Even though we never said in words, but our care, trust, jealousy, friendship n protectiveness speaks volume.
Our eyes speak volumes.
I was planning to propose her after the final exams in college n the best day was Valentine's night. A party was held by our batch as a farewell on that night n I was hell excited n nervous too. Even though I knew she felt the same as I, but then also that nervousness was justified.
I was walking in the corridor rubbing my palm to reduce the nervousness when I called her asking her whereabouts. She didn't pick up when she had said that she'll be in 15 minutes, half an hour before. I got worried n concerned for her. What might be taking her so much time? If she's fine or not?
I was walking worriedly when my ears hit a confession.
Well, it was Valentines' night, so it's common. But I stopped hearing a familiar voice n got curious to hear it, who knows, it might help in my confession.
So I walked towards them while hearing him.
"I don't know how to start, because I'm afraid it might be the end of our good relationship or, if I'm lucky, it could be the realization of my dreams, which is for you to love me as I love you.
I told myself, I might as well take the risk because it's the only remedy I know of that could let loose this feeling I've been keeping inside me all this time.
I love you.
I know you'll find it hard to believe me if I tell you how much you mean to me. I hardly understand what I feel for you, and don't know how these long, sleepless nights, thinking only of you can go one. I've never felt like this before.
I don't know how to pour out my feelings for you now. I wanted to find the perfect words to make you realize how much I need you and love you, but words continue to elude me; what could they be? Something poetic? I'm sure it should be heartfelt and out of the ordinary. I'm afraid it's no use.
Every time I look at you, the words come out the same:-
I love you!"
By the end of his heart-touching confession, I got to see his face; Siddhart! that's why his voice seemed familiar. The confession really was something.
I haven't prepared like this n I felt an instant-thought that maybe I won't be able to skip my lover's heart with my confession.
"I... I'm speechless" This feminine voice brought out of my turmoil.
Why did it felt that this voice soothes my soul?
I moved a step ahead to get a clear picture of the girl to whom he confessed his heart.
My heart sank. it's...
A/N: Here I am with a new short story! If you like it and wanted me to continue... then don't forget to vote n comment.
I'll be back with the next update sooner!!!
Thank you a lot!!!
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