His Hated Bride | √

11 | A Broken Past

Vikrant :

I sat back in the car feeling a gush of joy. Everything about her was so beautiful. Every single aspect, from her smile to her hugs.

I sniffed the edge of my sleeve which had picked her fragrance.
A feeling of joy coursed through me.

What was this feeling at all?
I didn't care.
I just did not want to.

I drew in a deep breath - trying to calm my excited senses.
"Simran..", I whispered sitting back.

...

Simran :

I could feel my heart beat pace.
I instantly called up Manav.

"What..", my mouth had gone dry, I chocked.
"You lied.", he said simply.
I took a sip of water from the glass before me.
"No.. Listen.", I said, struggling to catch my breath.

It was a panic attack.

"You listen!", he shouted, "How could you even lie to me?! I saw that interview of Prithvi and of course your husband — Suyyash Mehta — he messaged me.", he said.

"No! Listen.", I said trying to hold it all together somehow.

"Manav..", I said trying to calm down, "It's all a lie. Its a scam. Suyyash.. He's just been doing this for a long time."

Manav drew in a deep breath.

"And you want me to trust you?", Manav asked calming down.
"Please. I need you to.", Simran said, I knew Manav was different. He was not anything close to Prithvi or Suyyash.

"And what about Prithvi's interview? He called you a liar.", Manav said.
"I will go and deal with Prithvi myself. Please.", I begged.
"Fine. I trust you. Also there's a contract.. ", he was about to mention something but hung up the call.

I was too worked up.

I sat back on the recliner trying to regain composure.
I shut my eyes and old bitter memories seemed to suddenly pop up.

"I can't marry you!", I said.
Suyyash Mehta, a hotelier and my then fiancée looked at me irritably.
"You are rejecting me?", he asked softly.
"You have trust issues with me! What's even the point of having this relationship?!", I shouted.

I suddenly sat up.
Tears of frustration were running down my cheeks.
My past had been haunting me for the last three years.

Manav was someone I had fallen for much later, there was already a scandalous past that I had to deal with.

Prithvi Gupta was a model and actor, who I had dated.

Probably the world's judging me for having three past relationships, Vikrant will too surely, but that's how it is.
I can't judge it - I was ready for the classic "What kind of a woman are you?!" - dialogues from the society.

It's sad - but people can't deal with a woman having more than one relationship, while men can go around doing whatever they wanna and are still glorified.

I stood up and rubbed off my tears.

I had to fight this crap.

....

Vikrant :

I was in my office cabin, looking through my Google feed when I noticed the news piece.

"Ankita Chavan, Actor Ronit Chavan's wife pregnant! Posts pictures with hubby." — I drew in a sharp breath.

"No! Ankita please —"

"There's nothing left to say Vikrant. Its over..", she said in a trembling voice as she picked up her suitcase to leave.

"I'll make it all okay!", I said trying to do damage control.
"It will never be."

I could feel the moisture in my eyes.

It could never be fine.

I smiled as I looked at her happy photograph with her current husband. Of course she was in a way better place.

Our marriage had been on the cards, everything had been booked, but then of course I messed it all up.
As usual.

I sat back looking at the photograph and drew in a deep breath.

"Stay happy girl..", I said with a smile as I kept the phone.

It stung somewhere but then, somethings are meant to be.

____

It was around two at night when I reached home.

I had gone to the gym after work and worked out for almost three hours. I did that when I was emotionally worked up. Courtesy to that now my left shoulder, which already had screws because I got it dislocated in an accident, ached.

My hand was in a sling now, as I walked up the stairs to my room.
I noticed all the lights of Simran's room were turned off.

Just then Rizwan walked down to me.

"Sir, Simran madam has not come home.", he said.
"What?", I asked, a little startled.

I immediately pulled out my phone and called up Simran.

The phone started ringing, it was a while until she picked it up.

"Where—"

"I'm at the Marine Drive. Mind coming here?", she asked.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes.", she paused and added the please.
Her voice was quivering slightly, something was wrong.

"Fine.", I said as I hung up.
"Her pets.. Are they okay?", I asked, realising their Mumma was not there the whole day.
"Yes sir. Absolutely fine.", Rizwan said as I nodded and left the house towards Marine Drive in my car.

It was around two thirty when I reached the spot. Simran was still in her white suit, sitting on the one of those rocks by the sea beach.

I got off my car and asked the driver to leave.

"Simran?", I called softly.

Marine drive was deserted, only the sound of the waves hitting the shore was audible.
It was a full moon night, lighting it all in a silvery glow.

Simran turned towards me with a smile.

"Mind a seat beside me?", she asked with a smile.

This was a little different but I liked it.

....

Raat akeli hai..