Wrecking Ball | 𝒎𝒂𝒂𝒏

chapter 16

Vanraj sat back on his seat in his cabin. He looked at the engagement ring, drawing in a sharp breath.
He instantly looked away. 

"Raj.. Can I come in?", He heard Malvika. He nodded as he forced a smile.
"You're fine?", She asked softly as she sat opposite him on the seat.
"Yeah-yeah. Absolutely fine.", Vanraj lied standing up, adjusting his suit which was perfectly fine. 
"Where is your brother? I didn't see him after the engagement.", He said sitting back down.

"I need to tell you something very important.", Malvika said sighing.
"Okay. Go on.", Vanraj said.
"See I need you to not overreact or anything. Just sit calmly and listen.", She said as she looked down at the desk.
"Okay."

"Bhai is in love with your fiancee.", Malvika said drawing in a deep breath.
There was silence for a few moments.

"Excuse me?", He asked, hoping this was one of Mukku's classic jokes.
She looked up, looking almost guilty, he realised icily that it wasn't a joke.
"It is true.", She said, "Raj, I understand that Anu is your fiancee but-"

"You are telling me Anuj is in love with Anupamaa, who is engaged to me?", His voice dropped to a cold whisper.
Mukku instantly regretted telling him the truth, but there was no other option. Her brother had given up, Anu wouldn't do anything. She might have been angry with Anuj but when she could help him, she wanted to.

"Ye-yes.", She mumbled.
Vanraj looked like he had been shot at the heart. An expression of anguish made way to his face, she could see his sharp jawline stiffen.
"Is this a joke?", He asked finally.
Mukku could feel her heart pace wildly.

"No-no it is not. They really like each other.. but.. you know.. your family and.."
"You are telling me that Anuj, who I trust, had been going around with my own fiancee behind my back?", He asked coldly.
"It's not like that-"

"I DON'T CARE WHAT IT IS!", Vanraj shouted. 
She was not expecting this reaction.
"I need to talk to him right now!", Vanraj said as he got out of his seat and walked down to the door. Mukku instantly held his arm.

"Please listen to the whole thing-"
"I don't need to-"
"He gave up on her for your sake-"
"I trusted him! And he did what Kavya did, what every other person casually does! I need to talk to him-"
"Vanraj!", Mukku said sighing, "Why are you overreacting at all?! Both of us know you don't like Anu-"
"But she is my fiancee-"
"So what?!", Mukku shouted at him.

"You don't love her, she doesn't love you! What's the problem if bhai does love her?!", Mukku shouted.
Vanraj looked at her, an inner anguish coursed through him. He drew in a sharp breath.
"You should have told me before the engagement.", He said curtly.
"Now it's too late. My reputation is at stake now Malvika. Your brother should have known.", He said coldly.
"Fine.", Malvika said sighing, "Just don't react. Do nothing. I know bhai will not do anything, he's never going to do anything, he'll just watch you marry her from afar. Please, don't do anything."

Vanraj left the door knob and stepped back. 
He walked down to his desk and sat on his seat.

"Vanraj, I am sorry to let you know you are ruining two lives for your reputation. I told you the truth because I thought you'd understand.", Malvika said coldly.
She felt a little broken, she thought he would agree and let Anu be with Anuj for the sake of friendship or maybe simple humanitarian reasons.

He looked at her, in a deep anguish.
"Ah sure. Ruining lives? Yes. I love it.", He said with a devilish smirk.
Malvika sighed.
"Reputation is not everything-"
"It is.", He said in a cold whisper. "And right now my reputation is attached to Anupamaa Joshi and I will do everything to keep her with myself."

"And what after the marriage? Treat her like a doormat?", Malvika said, she suddenly felt a surge of loath. She loved this man, yet at this moment she hated him.
He looked at him briefly, he saw the hate.
He smiled to himself.
"Why don't you leave Malvika? Leave like everyone else.", He said simply.

"People leave you because of your faults, Vanraj.", She said sharply as she opened the door and walked out. 

Vanraj sat back drawing in a deep breath.
His gaze fell on the gift Malvika had given him a few days ago. 
He remembered a similar gift he had been given by someone, and how years later that someone left.

I cannot stay with you! I cannot cannot spend my life with a man who has no reputation, so imperfect! I DESERVE BETTER, MUCH BETTER THAN YOU! First go make a name for yourself and then come to me!

The words never left him.

Far away Anuj sat back in his office cabin. He had a tempest of emotions. He kept looking at Anupamaa's name saved in his favourite contacts list.
But his fingers wouldn't press the phone button and call her.
The pain of losing someone he loved was known to him.

But to lose Anu felt like hell.
He drew in a deep breath and called her.

Anu sat back in the guest room. Anuj was calling her. She looked at the screen of her ringing phone. A part of her said, "PICK UP!" the other part refused.
What was the point of leading him on?
Had he not suffered enough? Why should I hurt him too?

She had never felt this tempest within her before. She had seen the silence in the storm, always, but as this storm rose within her, she had a hundred voices telling her things.
But she knew, her destiny was to be with Vanraj.

An irrevocable destiny.
How much ever it hurt her.. She would have to let Anuj go. 

The phone rang and rang and then hung up.
Anuj drew in a cold breath.

Good thing at least she's not leading me on. Such a lovely person. 
He thought to himself bitterly.

He looked at the idol of Lord Krishna on his desk, his mother would often say if you want something with all your heart, truthfully, Kanha ji will definitely give that to you.
He wiped a tear, I really wish for her with all my heart God.. I really do
He said in his mind, looking at the idol hopefully.

Anu wiped her tear, she looked at the small photograph of her Kanha ji. She didn't say anything but she knew her God knew she wanted to be with Anuj. To live happily ever after.. with her true prince charming.

...

Love = Pain, isn't it =))