I'll be there!!

The truth

It's been 6 years and now Ayaan is a 29 year old handsome young man. From that lanky tall guy to a dwell built young man. He definitely changed a lot, now he works in a good company in the IT department, doing very well for himself. He lives alone in Manhattan but close to his sister. His sister has two kids first one 6 years old and the second one 4 and they are Ayaan's life.
Ayaan's family feels it's time he should settle down, get married have his own kids.
Back in India after Pooja got married moved to Delhi her father was transferred to Darjeeling and he retired two years back and stayed back there because he and wife loved it there.
Ayaan's parents still lives in that house and they do come to America to visit the kids and grandkids and they are happy in their world but little worried about their son.
Ayaan's brother in law Harsh, who is a lawyer in New York is a cool guy, loves Ananya to death and treats Ayaan as his own brother. He has tried to hook him up with many girls but somehow Ayaan showed no interest, he tried dating two three times but didn't last more than two weeks. They all wondered if everything was fine with him but somehow he just couldn't get over Pooja, no songs, no movies could help Ayaan this time.
One weekend when Ayaan went out for dinner with his sister's family.
Harsh:: Ayaan look nowadays you say a lot of Asian gay people here
A:: Jiju why you telling me this?
Harsh:: I mean look behind you I see two Indian guys so I'm just telling you. I mean we are open minded we just want you to have a partner so that you are not alone.
A::: like seriously Jiju? No I'm very much straight and I don't like men in any other way. It's just that I don't want anyone in my life. I want to be alone.
Ananya:: but Ayaan how long you are going to stay like this? I mean by now Pooja must be taking her kids to school or something
A:: NiaDi she can do whatever and I'm not saying in future I won't get married but right now I don't want to. Why is it always important to talk about this everytime we meet?
Harsh:: okay sorry let's not talk about all this let's enjoy dinner.
Ayaan excused himself to go to the restroom and ofcourse the gay couple was staring at him and he didn't feel comfortable being checked out by two men. Few days passed and he was going to work and as usual he took the subway, he was wearing a suit looking pretty hot carrying his coffee from Starbucks and his bag. Morning time subways can be busy so he was minding his own business and standing in a corner and suddenly someone just walked passed him brushing his shoulder. It's the same Asian gay couple he saw in the restaurant and one of the guys kept staring at him making him feel very awkward. Ayaan just felt weird to find the same couple within few days times. He has been taking the same train everyday but never saw them before, he thought must be tourists. That same day when he came back home he saw people moving in next door in his apartment building. He wondered who is coming here because last time the couple who lived here had two dogs which barked the whole day and night he only hoped they don't have dogs that barks 24/7. In the morning Ayaan heard some lady talking before he could peep through his peephole she left so he thought may be some husband wife moved in as he didn't hear any children or pets. As he is about to go to work and he opened the door he saw a man being all lovey dovey with another man and guess what it's the same gay couple. He just stood there little perplexed and one of the guy said hello
A:: hey!!
Hi I'm Raj and this is my partner Karan, we are your new neighbor
A:: oh hi, welcome to the neighborhood (Ayaan really didn't know what to say)
Raj:: actually we just moved to New York before this we were in Texas.
Karan:: hey I think I've seen you somewhere
A::: aaa.. ummm I think in The restaurant few days back and in the train yesterday
Raj:: oh yes that's right
Karan:: so you live alone?
A:: yea..... (pause) I mean I do have family here but I live alone
Raj:: oh okay anyway May be we can catch up later as I'm getting late to work
A:: yea sure. Have a good day.
Raj and Karan together:: you too see ya later.
Ayaan was waiting for the lift and Raj turned around and pecked on Karan's lips
Raj:: I'll see you later hun....
Karan:: I'll be late tonight I have a double
Raj:: yea I remember, bye...
By the time the lift came Raj was right there next to Ayaan, he just gave a tight lipped smile and waited for the lift to go down.
Ayaan went to work and texted his sis and brother in law about his neighbors and infact he wasn't upset about it at least they didn't have barking dogs, they seemed to be decent people.
When he came back from work he heard some sounds and he opened the door to check and Raj just came out and apologized saying that they are still getting their furniture and things so it might get lil noisy for another day or two.
Ayaan said it was okay not to worry.
Raj:: also I have some people too helping us out to settle things. You want some beer? You wanna come in?
A:: thanks... I'm good. I actually need to finish some office work, sometimes I work from home you know I'm the IT guy.
Raj:: oh ok have a goodnight
A:: you too...
Ayaan just thought to himself why did he say no, he wasn't actually working, he could go in and as Raj said there were other people too, he can hear women too not only men. His brother in law is right he needs to look around and make some friends. He told himself next time he won't say no.
Another day passed and same routine and Ayaan doing the same old thing no spice in life. Next day it's weekend but his sister has other plans so they won't be going for dinner, that means Ayaan has nothing to do, so he thought of going for dinner on his own also he didn't want to cook so he went to a nearby restaurant he sat in a booth and right behind him sat an Indian family who was already there before he reached, it seems they were almost done with their dinner and finishing off their dessert, as he waited for his food he could hear those people talk. The young couple sounded so familiar to him, the wife hardly spoke all he heard was "yes, mmmm, sure" from the wife but the elderly couple was doing all the talk, seems like they really like the daughter in law and the guy was calling them chacha and Chachi, towards the end the Chachi was asking the couple that it's been a while you guys are married and when you both know you can't have children why don't you think of adoption. It felt like an awkward conversation where the young couple didn't say much all they said was they are thinking about it. The Chachi said to the guy that you have to think of your wife I'm sure she wishes to have a child and it's your responsibility to keep her happy. By now Ayaan started enjoying the conversation and he felt it wasn't so bad to eavesdrop others conversation, he really need to spice up his life now. Ofcourse he kinda figured that it must be the guy who can't have kids that's why the daughter in law is getting all the love and praise. By now Ayaan's food came and he was enjoying his food and all the gossip behind him. He told himself it's not a bad evening rather quite an interesting one.
Ayaan was almost done eating but the family was still talking and then the chacha said let's just go home and we can sit and chit chat, he told his wife to cut it off now, let the kids decide what they want to do. They paid their bill and walked out, Ayaan couldn't see them as they were behind him, he was sitting next to the window and saw the Indian family pass by, the chacha and chachi was walking a head and then he saw the young couple.
Ayaan almost choked, his eyes popped out, he couldn't believe what he saw, the voice sounded so familiar even though he only heard few words from the daughter in law and to his surprise it was non other than Pooja. He couldn't believe he was seeing Pooja, after all these years he was sitting right there listening to the conversation and he didn't know it was her, he just didn't know how to feel and then thinking that Pooja cannot have a child because of her husband but still she is living with him, for sure she loves her husband. Before he could process all these confusing facts his eyes fell on the husband, and to add to the his horror he told himself "I know this guy" yes ofcourse he knows this guy, he is Raj his neighbor who lives next door with his boyfriend. He thought what the hell is Pooja doing with him, it was not too long and before he could do anything they sat in the car and left.
Ayaan felt like he had a nightmare, he was calling his sister his brother in law no one was answering, he just felt he needs to save Pooja he needs to tell her that her husband is gay and lives with his boyfriend. But how is he going to find her? Then he thought he is going to catch this Raj and Karan and make them confess everything in front of Pooja, how dare they do something like this to an innocent girl. She must love her husband that she is living with him even though they can't have a child. He was so mad that he went back to his apartment and started banging their door but no one opened the door. Ofcourse he remembered that they were going to the chacha Chachi's house for the weekend and that Karan is a nurse so he must be in the hospital.
He couldn't sleep the whole night, he cried so much for Pooja, he felt bad, he was hurt, the person he loved so much she is being deceived by her husband who she loves so much. That was a difficult night for Ayaan and next day he went to see his sister and Ananya was worried too, after the incident during her wedding Pooja started avoiding everyone and Ananya being in America lost connection and then even her parents moved so they lost connection completely. They had no clue Pooja was in America.
Ayaan came back and saw the apartment was still dark that means they still didn't come back.
Next day as he was coming back from work, he planned out everything, he was pretty sure the boys will be home tonight and he will catch them now. He sat in the train with his hand on his forehead as he was so stressed.
Ayaan? Oh my God is it Ayaan?
He just saw someone all excited in front of him almost jumping up and down. He rubbed his eyes to see clearly and there she is standing right in front of him.
A:: Pooja!!!!!??????? I mean Pooja are you real?
He just stood up and she hugged him so tightly. She was so excited to see him.
P:: oh my god I can't believe it's you. I'm so happy to see you
A:: you... are here?
P:: oh yea I moved to America five years back and to New York one month back.
(Ayaan is still shocked)
P:: I hope you are not angry with me anymore?
A:: oh no not at all, it was never your fault. And ofcourse it's been 6 years (and under his breath he said one month 12 days, but pooja only heard 6 years and not the rest of it)
P:: are you going anywhere now?
A:: no, just going home
P:: why don't we sit down some where for coffee. I really wanna catch up, oh god you can't imagine how much I missed you all. How's Ananya di? How's her daughter?
A:: she now has two kids she has a boy too. They are doing fine.
The train stop at their station and Ayaan noticed Pooja was carrying lot of bags so he said he'll help
P:: actually we just moved so I'm just buying things for the house and also I want to make use of my days off, I'll be back to work from next month so I better fix everything now.
They start walking and go to a coffee shop. Pooja was asking about everyone and so many other things, Ayaan could think of a way to tell her about her husband. Pooja was saying all the good things about her husband and it just made him more angry and he was feeling bad for Pooja. He didn't want to give her a shock by just saying it on her face but he felt her husband is cheating her and she needs to know he can't let him ruin her life. He never imagined that he will see her after so many years and he will have to open such a big secret in front of her that can ruin her life. He cursed his fate that why it's always him?
After chatting for sometime they exchanged numbers and said they should meet up soon. Ayaan asked where does she live in Manhattan he can help carry those bags and also he lives nearby so it's no big deal, at first she was hesitant but then she looked at the time and texted someone after that she said okay to him.
It was only a block away so they just walked and the more closer they came to her apartment the more Ayaan was getting terrified. They reached the building and it was non other than his own building. Ayaan was so shocked that he was almost in tears, he couldn't understand anything now, he is confused, he doesn't know what is happening. He just walked behind her and she pressed 7th floor in the lift, he is almost about to scream, he remembered hearing a woman and now he knows it was Pooja. She took out her key and opened the door.
P:: common in...
(Ayaan still carrying the bags)
Raj and Karan were sitting in the living room like good boys, like how friends sit and they were not being lovey dovey. Raj saw Pooja
Raj:: hey Pooja you are back, I thought you were bringing an old friend with you?
P:: Raj!!! There is someone right behind me and he is tall enough to be seen?
Raj:: you mean Ayaan our neighbor?
P:: yea Ayaan my neighbor?
Raj:: yea I know him we met few times already.
P:: what? You met my neighbor?
Raj:: Pooja what's wrong he is our neighbor why wouldn't I meet him? And why are you saying my neighbor? (Pause) holy f**k!!! Ayaan!!! Ayaan!!! Your neighbor!!!! You mean your neighbor in India!!! That's why I was wondering where have I seen him? Oh my god I've seen your picture with Pooja.
Ayaan is still shocked and by now Pooja realized that Ayaan knows the truth, she dropped everything from her hand looked at Ayaan, eyes full of tears and shame, she ran to her room and locked the door.
Ayaan ran behind her calling her name
A:: Pooja!! Pooja!! Talk to me... please talk to me.... Pooja what happened please don't do this....
On the other side Raj and Karan looked petrified as well. 
A:: Pooja why are you hiding? Why are you staying with Raj and calling him your husband? What are you hiding?
Raj:: Ayaan
A:: you stay away from me!!! I will not spare you.
Raj:: please Ayaan listen to me. It's complicated and Pooja doesn't have anything to do with it, she has no faults. Please don't question her.
A:: why is she living with you? Why is she hiding the truth? Why is she living like this?

To know all the answers to Ayaan's questions wait for the next update.
All I can say no matter how modern we become, how progressive we become somehow we women are conditioned to get scared. Society has become such that women chooses to live a low life just to be accepted.