Chapter 5

Sometime later in the night, once she had put Atharv to bed after reading his favourite story, Chandni finally managed to sit with Vikram and explain what happened at Synergy Inc. that morning.

She tried very hard not to sound accusatory but she couldn't stop herself from asking.

"Did you...Did you know that Aryan was part of this company before? " Her face was full of anguish.

Vikram looked at her sharply.

Chandni became flustered. “How stupid of me? I know you would have never sent me there if you knew.... It's just that..."

Vikram cut her short.

"Chandni, thanks for your confidence in me, But I am really sorry for all the hurt and anguish you had to go through today. Was he rude to you or misbehaved with you?" There was a hint of anger in Vikram's eyes. His keen gaze was locked on her face, as if he wanted to observe every subtle reaction on it.

"He tried to be rude initially, but I gave it back to him fair and square." Chandni hissed.

Vikram's face relaxed and he laughed gently.

"That's my girl. I am so proud of you."

Chandni smiled back at him.

"I bombarded him with every question I could think of about their products, but he answered them all faithfully." She paused, and looked down at her hands, as she played with her wedding ring, out of habit.

"But then I caught him crying in the car." Chandni blurted out, as if talking to herself.

Vikram's sharp intake of breath brought her back to her senses.

"It... It was an accident." She gulped nervously.

"He has got exactly same car as mine, I never expected him to still remember our stupid...... Anyway, I was in a rush, and I mistakenly went and sat inside his car and there he was... crying. I was stunned, didn't know what to do. But then he began to blame me and my family for torturing or punishing him. As if..." Chandni's face slowly turned red with suppressed anger and hurt.

Vikram could understand that meeting Aryan after so long, invoked some bitter sweet memories in Chandni, but he wasn't keen to know about any of those. Much as his heart went out to her, he decided that it was better to make her see the bigger picture, instead of just offering his sympathy and support.

"Chandni, I have been asking you to take more active part in looking after the family business for a long time now, but you kept putting it off, as you said you were not ready. And I understood your point of view, because Atharv was still very young and he needed mother's care more than anything. I completely respected your decision. When you were finally ready, I gave you a choice between the two companies we bought around the same time, Synergy and Mohit Enterprises. And you chose Synergy because you were more interested in the kind of niche products they were making."

Chandni nodded her head slowly, as she tried to compose herself.

"I can easily arrange for you to go to Mohit enterprises, but there's already an existing CEO there, who was chosen after an extensive talent hunt. But that's the least part of the problem. If you run away from your job, wouldn't Aryan think you are the guilty party here, and take it as a moral victory for him?" Vikram's baritone voice echoed in that silent room.

Chandni looked away, unable to face his piercing gaze. She knew that every word Vikram spoke was nothing but simple truth, but still...

"I would be insulting you by asking questions like, do you still have any tender feelings towards Aryan etc. because I know you don't. And how do I know this? You assured me long time ago that he had no place in your heart and I completely trust you.  I don't understand what is the problem here? He is just another employee for you, to take care of in the company. Actually, I am wrong. He is not just an employee there but he is also kind of a Protégé of the previous owner and is a shareholder in the company. So, we can't sack him either. I can totally understand that, initially there will be a lot of awkwardness and the whole scenario probably be even painful. But even if you are not working there, there might be times you might meet him. Like when I invite them over to our home for any meetings or I take you along for any major events there.

As you know, I am planning to invite employees of both the new companies for the upcoming housewarming party. I know it would be less torturous than seeing him daily at work, but it is entirely up to you how you want to deal with this. And whatever your decision is, I will support you completely." Vikram assured her.

Chandni couldn't help but thank her husband inwardly, as his complete trust in her and the respect he had for her decisions soothed her nervous heart, and even emboldened her self-belief.

"Let me sleep on it and I will tell you my decision tomorrow." She finally declared after a long pause.

"Great! Take as much time as you need." He sighed in relief. He knew that once Chandni gets over the initial indecisiveness, she can be as tough as necessary.

"By the way, you still haven't told me what such an urgent business was, that you had to go away so suddenly?" She asked him accusingly.

"Now it is your turn to take leap of faith and trust me whenever I go away on these trips. I don't have a hidden wife or girlfriend." He mocked at her.

"Ha-ha!! very funny!!" She rolled her eyes at him.

"That's why I always say. We husbands can never win. You don't trust us whether we tell the truth or lies. I give up." He raised his hands in mock surrender and started making himself a drink.

"Listen! Please don't drink too much. Have you taken your medicines?" She asked him, her eyes full of concern.

"Yes Chandni, I got so used to your punctual reminders that I take them the first thing, right after dinner. But why don't you go and sleep now? You must have had a hectic day, travelling all the way to the office in the heavy traffic. I am afraid, this is something you have to get used to. I still have some files to sign that Pramod gave me." He pointed at the bundle of documents on his desk with a sad face.

"Yes, I am feeling rather tired. But please don't stay up too late. You too have travelled a lot today, remember? Good night." She turned to look at him one last time, before retiring to bed.

Vikram sat down and drew the bundle of files towards him with a heavy sigh. He pulled out the drawer, took some capsules and gulped them down as he began to read the first file.

****

Aryan did not know how long he sat there on the floor of his bedroom, the opened and rummaged boxes and contents lying around him, with Chandni's wedding card on top of the pile. 

It should have been their wedding card, their supposed happily ever after. He still remembered the day he proposed to Chandni as if it was yesterday.

~~~~

"Why do we have to marry so suddenly Aryan? I just turned 18, we have so much time ahead of us. I have to speak to my parents and get their blessings too remember? I was just, you know.... kidding about the car. Forget about it. We both can buy it on our own or I can withdraw from my savings. There's a lot of time for all that. Generally, it's us girls who hurry boys into tying the knot. Yahan to Ulta ho raha hai! Chakkar Kya hai? (it is opposite here, what's going on?)" Chandni chuckled softly, and rubbed her nose against his.

"Nothing is going on. You know I am a penniless Engineer right now, but I have got placement offers from my University in couple of Companies. There's a small company called Synergy, back in Mumbai, where I am really interested to start my career. But instead of pursuing my career, I came here and fell in love with you. I live with my Nani in Mumbai, so we have a roof over our head. But still, your parents will never agree for our marriage right now, because they want their only daughter to go to a rich household similar to theirs. I still have to find my mark in the world, get a job, and settle down blah blah... It might take 6 or 7 years. Why do we have to wait so long to be together? And there's something else too... I will come to that later. Your parents will not give their approval, trust me Chandni. I will get a job and do all that but I want you to be with me in my struggles too. Or you are saying no, because you can't adjust to my middle-class way of living?" Aryan asked, his face crestfallen, as if he suddenly realised where the problem was.

"Shut up Aryan!! Don't you dare insult me like that ever! When did I ever make you feel that I am a rich family kid who can only live in a certain way of life? We never had much money when I was younger, and this recent growth in our wealth never meant anything to me. My tastes and my way of living have always been simple. Why don't you trust me when I say that I love you and want to marry you no matter what your status is?" Chandni looked hurtful, and walked away from him in the deserted lane.

"Chandni!! Stop! Of course, I trust you. My only worry is, do you trust me? If you do, then why are you hesitating to marry me?" Aryan ran and stood in front of her, effectively blocking her.

Chandni shook her head, and tried to explain again but Aryan stopped her.

"Who knows what is in store for us tomorrow? I have had a rough time growing up, but it never turned me bitter. Instead, I have learnt to live in the present, savour every day, every moment as if there is no tomorrow; and if you are with me, every moment of our life will be a memorable one." He cupped her face in his hands as his eyes searched eagerly for a response.

A slow and shy smile spread on Chandni's face, as the warm street lights cast a mystic glow on her face.

"I trust you completely Aryan! Why would I come here with you all alone if I didn't? It doesn't matter how we live, where we live, today - tomorrow or after ten years, I will always be with you, as your wife, as your life partner, sharing every moment of my life with you, no matter what! No one can separate us."

Her declaration in that deserted lane sounded like music to his ears.

Aryan's heart leapt with joy.

He lifted and twirled her around, till she screamed and begged to be put back on the ground.

He stopped twirling and slid her down, gradually, his arms still locked tightly around her back, his eyes boring into hers. They could hear nothing but the chirping of the crickets and buzz of the traffic from far away.

It was as if the whole world around them disappeared and at that moment, they felt as if they were tied together in the bond of love, togetherness, forever.

Aryan left a trail of feathery kisses along Chandni’s cheeks and forehead before reaching her lips. And waited… till Chandni opened her half-closed eyes and looked at him with a mixture of shyness and anticipation.

As his warm mouth touched her soft lips, an inevitable moan escaped from her and he pulled her closer.

~~~~

Aryan's phone began to beep its 11pm alarm which brought him out of his memories. Hmm… so much for empty words, Aryan thought bitterly, as he recalled Chandni's promise to stay with him forever no matter what!

****

A/N

Hello all,

So, what do you think of Vikram and Chandni's relationship and conversation? Was Vikram correct in encouraging Chandni not to run away from working with Aryan?

On the other hand Aryan continues to be tormented by his memories of Chandni. Did they get married as they planned to?

Please don't forget to vote and add comments for this book. Your ratings will give this book the recognition and visibility so that it can be read by more fabulous readers like you.