Flashback
(SEVEN years ago)
28 December,
I was in a green suit and my long brown hair was curly and falling back behind. I was missing Mini, she was one of my best friends. I was away from my bestie, in Mumbai. I grabbed a black pin from my pink handbag and used it to hold my hair in place. On my last birthday, she gifted me all colors of hairpins and clips. She always did something different from me. Although I hadn't celebrated my birthday officially ever.
My family was having their brunch and I wasn't hungry. I took a walk at the seashore. Water was murky but it was splendid. After all, I was seeing the sea for the first time. I hadn't felt so happy before. I was spending the best time of my life here. It was freedom from my cage, my parent's house.
It was also my first time. When I saw him, Jagraj. He was in a white t-shirt, black trousers and a black cap. He had brown skin and dark black hair. He was taller than me, five feet eleven inches.
"He's been chasing you for two days. " My cousin, Mona whispered in my ear.
I crooked my head and looked at her with a slight smile, "I don't know, " I shrugged my shoulders.
"He likes you. He's still looking at you. " She nudged my shoulder. She wanted me to gaze at his direction, but when I saw, no one was looking at me.
I glanced at him again. It was his eyes that I noticed. It was weird but I found his eyes beautiful. I had seen such eyes before.
ARNAV! But he's not him.
He was walking at me with his friend. Strange! His friend was exactly dressed like him. I just stood my ground, Neither he nor I purchased this place. He stopped one long step away from me with a huge grin on his face. For me, he was so close that I could see the pores of his skin. He brought up his hand with a small note in his hand.
Genuinely speaking, I didn't know, what was happening? I never talked to a boy out of my family before. I didn't even know why he was giving it to me? I was so dumb. I shook my head in no.
"No! " He winced.
I was scared that my mother would come and beat the hell out of me. He went away. I was sad because he was sad. I liked his eyes. I smiled and turned away from him, adding this to my good memories.
PRESENT:
( A WEEK AGO:)
My bestie, Mini sent a wrapped gift for me. It wasn't my birthday. Indeed, I didn't celebrate my birthday or any special occasions of my life. But I attended the parties of the people in my life who loved me without any reason, who never judged me.
When I opened it, it was an air ticket for San Francisco California. My phone rang in my hand. I pressed my lips in a straight line. I instantly received it and I didn't allow her to say hello.
"Why did you send this to me? " I bluntly asked her. I didn't want to go out of my cage. I felt safe in it. Mostly, I was addicted to it.
"Wo! Wo! Break the chain of your anger, Angel. You need a change, so you are coming here. I thought time will heal your wounds. "I could feel her sadness and concern for me, "But I was wrong. It's Rita's wedding. You're coming here," she ordered.
' But I don't need it. I don't need anyone's pity. I chose to be like this, live like this, why can't they respect my decision. '
"I'm glad the way I'm. Time can't heal everything. You can congratulate her from my side. I can't come. " I replied to her.
I tried to keep my voice soft. I didn't mean to hurt her feelings but I just needed to be alone. I'm used to it. They should also get used to it.
"Suhana Kashyap! You are coming here, no matter what. Your parents have already approved this. Your luggage has been packed. You are coming with or without your desire. I don't wanna hear any more pathetic things from you." She scolded me. I could hear the laughter of Rita from behind.
"You can't force me, " I told her.
"Yes, I can. Now move your a** girl." I heard the double beep.
"Great! She hung up on me. " I kicked the wall slightly. I didn't want to break my nails in anger.
ARNAV'S POV My heart is beating fast. I rush ahead as I don't want to miss my flight. My cousin is getting married this weekend. After attending the wedding, I will trap for the next three months. You must be thinking! Where? I'm a merchant Navy guy. People think we spent a happy life there. It's quite difficult to keep yourself away from your parents, family and especially friends. But we make friends every day. I don't have time to flirt with a slim beauty who passes her best smile at my side. I wink at her, but I don't stop my feet. I'm exhausted. I want to relax in my seat for the next sixteen hours. My heart beats for only one girl, my girl, Suhana! I still remember her name and face. That's all I know about her. She's a beauty from heaven. I board in. I want to slip in my seat and want to take a nap. My eyes freeze when I glance, with whom I'm going to share this
I open my eyes. Automatically, the edge of my lips part in a small smile. I turn to see him. He's sleeping like a cute boy. The innocence of his eyes Is still there. I still regret the moment when I used harsh words for him. If it wouldn't he, I could not believe that I hadn't survived this take off. For a moment, I thought. It'd kill me. I mostly thought about him but I couldn't imagine him here, with me. Would that! He hadn't gone that day without saying me hello. The smile on his face is telling me that he remembers me. It took me years to leave my past back. My past still haunts me in my nightmares. He was a cute boy at that time. Now, he's looking hot as hell. "Hey! You awake." He smiled cheerfully. " Yes," I smiled back. "Well! I don't know anything about....... " His
I exit hurriedly. Mini is coming to pick me up from the airport. I look back. I don't want him to follow me. I feel a hand on my shoulder. I shiver, "Suhana! " She hugs me. "Mini! " Gosh! She scares me. I hug her back. There are only a few people in my life who I allow to touch me. My friends are one of them. "So good to see you! Did I scare you? " Mini pulls back and looks at me with a huge smile on her face. But it immediately turns into a worried look. My friends can read my face. "You just startled me. How are you? Is your husband treating you good?" I ask worriedly. I never can accept a man could treat his woman nicely as I haven't seen one. "All men are not the same. He cares for me, loves me and Vicky is a perfect husband. " Mini cups my cheeks. It irks me when I feel another
I was just looking at her. I had to struggle hard to look away from her. I cursed the time when my father sent his man eight years ago. If it wouldn't be important, she would be the mother of my kids now. Shaking my thoughts away, I rub the towel on my wet hair. I gaze at Vicky through the reflection of the mirror, "What are you thinking, bro? " I ask him. He's one year older than me. We've spent our childhood together in London. I'm born there. "My wife wants to spend this entire week with her friends. There are a lot of rooms. But they insist on sharing one room. " Vicky smirks. "It's just a week, man. Take her out for dinner. " I couldn't stop the chuckle. "Forget mine. She's my wife. I'll find the way to her. What's about you? Are you dating someone? Aunt wants you to get married. " Vicky draws himself up on his feet and stops behind me.
SEVEN YEARS AGO Flashback: I don't know his name. Ghosh! I didn't ask for his name. Sincerely, I didn't think there would be a number in it. I wasn't even expecting a comment about my look. It happened for the first time to me. So it was a great enthusiasm, what could be under a layer of this white sheet? I remembered, my cousin, got the same note from a boy. But there was written that ' You're cute." I eagerly opened it and found a phone number.' Okay! He gave me a phone number. But I'm a teenager. Mom will never allow me to keep a personal cell phone. But I can take the risk for him. I love his eyes andI don't know his name. ' Sam! I like this name for him. When I'll meet him next time. I'll ask him. But for now, Sam! After baptism, I was feeling hungry. So I had decided to go out with my cousin for lunch.&
He pulls the chair and gestures to me to sit. I stop the urge to roll my eyes. I could feel all eyes on me. I sit on it immediately. I'm not prepared for another unwanted questions round. My friends won't allow me to breathe easily if they get a hint of any stunt between us. I can see, there are worried faces after dropping the news of his wedding. I'm flawlessly fine with it. I have realised that he isn't essential to me anymore, the day he broke my heart, the day he laid his hand on someone else. I don't want anyone to hurt me. I don't wanna give them more uneasiness because of me. I want to end the dinner peacefully. My friends haven't come into the room yet. It is a matter of concern. They must be planning something. They are troublemakers. But I want some time for myself. My mind is occupied with Arnav. I don't know, how will I spend this entire week with him under the same roof? He pecked me on the plane. What
The door was already open. I push it to open, "Finally, you came." Rita smiles. Before I could reply to her, "Who's this Kaur? She's sending you messages. She has sent her wedding pictures with a big thank you note." Sippy gets on her feet and puts my phone in my hand. I take it from her and glance down at it, "She's Jagraj's Ex. I'm glad. Finally, she's happy. She got the right one for her." I smile, looking at her wedding pictures. She is looking so beautiful in her wedding red dress and in the second picture she is posing with her husband. They are a beautiful pair. I quickly replied to her, congratulating her. "That nasty piece of shit. How many girls' lives have he spoiled?" Rita snarls, her forehead creases. "More than we can count on our tips, bloody MF." Sippy plops on the mattress. My phone vibrates in my hand. I click on
She scared me. My heart is still beating rapidly in my chest. Vicky closed the door behind him. But I want to go back and wrap my arms around her. Her face was scrunched with pain and agony. She was looking so terrified and vulnerable. It is heart-wrenching to see her in such a condition. But I was ameliorated when she stopped screaming and panicking. I need to see her. I leave my room and walk toward the kitchen in the hope to see her. I sight around and It's only Vicky and Guri in the kitchen. Vicky looks up at me. "Thanks, Arnav." Vicky slaps his hand on my shoulder when I come into the kitchen. "Is she going through a worse time? What has happened to her? " I ask him. Her such condition unsettles me. "Nothing, " Vicky simply says. "Nothing! " It comes out louder with anger which I don't mean, "She was scre