Emma's POV:

"What are you thinking about yourself, Vanathi? Do we look like mads to you?" I shouted.

"Em, try to understand. I am fed up with all these things. Don't you want me to live in peace? Don't you know I have my own life to live?" Vani snapped.

"Exactly Vani, that's what I'm telling you. You have your own life. I'm just telling you to share that life of yours with someone dear." I said to her calmly.

I can understand her pain and distraught. But this useless friend of mine will never share what is going on in her dump yard or you can say her mind. It has been two freaking years since she got divorced. Since then, we are searching for her groom, her man, her everything. For the past 2 years, there was not even a single Indian, especially South Indian matrimonial site that I had not visited. What will she do if her previous marriage doesn't work? It is not her problem.

"I am sorry Vani. I'm responsible for our current state. I should have waited. I should have tried still. I should have...I'm sorry", suddenly Vandhit spoke out of the blue once again.

I looked up at him. Only to see those eyes which showed extreme guilt and pain with tears brimming in them.

"No Vandhit. It's not your fault. See, we both were together for 2 years. We travelled around. We enjoyed it greatly as friends. But our fate, we were not bonded as friends. We were in a sacred bond of MARRIAGE at that time. What is your fault if you can't love me as your partner? I know how much you tried. We both knew your efforts right? But nothing is there in our hands dear. Destiny will play its role. So come out of your stupidity", said Vanathi, smiling wide and opening her arms for him to hug her.

Vandhit hugged her tightly, letting out his pent up emotions and unshed tears. These two are adorable. In those two years of married life, they both loved each other's company and created beautiful memories together. But they couldn't find their soul mate in each other and that was the problem.

With that, we three went back to our homes. I called my dad and, informed him about my whereabouts and laid down on my bed.

It is as fresh as yesterday. I remembered the day when Vanathi and Vandhit were summoned to the family court in Charlotte, North Carolina. Both the families were sad cause their kids were there to get divorced. Every eye expressed the same emotion. Except those of Vanathi and Vandhit. Their eyes spoke of the pain of separation, the pain of hopelessness.

I ran and hugged them. A look at their faces would have made anyone realize that both were not happy with this divorce. Everyone could see the pain in their eyes. And would have thought that if they love each other why get divorced?! But it was the love of Friendship. The formalities started and then came the time for signing the divorce papers and both were a crying mess.

I even asked their families to let them go. But they were very stubborn to get them divorced. But yeah, their parents were right at their point of view. This kinda relationship will not last till eternity. So they were hell-bent to get them divorced. The formalities were done and the next moment both were crying as if no tomorrow and I tried hard to control myself.

After that, they took them to their respective places. She hugged me and, cried "Emma, we never wanted this divorce. We were really happy but not in the way our parents wanted us to be. We enjoyed each other's company. We cared for each other. Isn't that love enough to live our lives? Then why did our parents do this? I can't take this Em. No, I can't", I rubbed her back to comfort her.

The next day I visited Vandhit and, he cried the same as Vanathi. They locked themselves up for three days thinking the same but understood the reality. Slowly things came back to normal. Both the families started to seek alliance for these two. That was when these stupids, Vanathi and Vandhit started to throw tantrums at their families. But with time, Vandhit somehow accepted to get married again.

But Vani, she was not ready. She was not even listening to what we were trying to say to her. Her parents were really worried about her. So I and Vandhit tried to convince her and finally, she agreed to get married. From then we were trying to find the better halves for Vanathi and Vandhit.

My memories came to halt and, I opened my eyes to see Rosy waiting at the door with my dinner. I thanked her and ate my food. Rosy is my nanny. She was the one who was with me from the time my mom passed away. No one can tell that she is my nanny. She took care of me as her daughter. People who know my mom personally would say to me that I got my eyes and lips from my mom.

Those compliments bring both good and bad memories in me. Again, I laid down and the flashes of our lives came. How beautiful were our lives! How much we enjoyed those days! I, Vanathi and Vandhit. Until that day, until we got the news of my mother's death. From that moment I lost everything. I closed my eyes.

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"Emma put these words into your empty brain. You have no family. You have only friends. Friends can never become family and family can never become friends. You can never have a family. You unlucky girl. Get this into your head you, bloody dog!! Your Mumma will never come to you. She is gone forever. She is DEAD."

----------------------------------------------------

"Mumma", I woke up shouting and sat on my bed. I looked around. Shit! bloody dream again. But am I an ORPHAN? Can't all our sorrows vanish? Can't we live in peace? Can't we?

Hey guys!  So here is my next chapter of Down in my memory lane. Do read the story and let me know ur views. All critics are welcomed with a wide smile and open heart.

With loads of love,

Writer, Harshini.