Behir: Love-Ship

6

Mahir is sitting in his room with Pari in his lap and showing her some old albums.

Pari: Papa ... Who is this?

Mahir: Your uncle, Varun.

Pari: Uncle? I never met him. Why didn't he come to see us?

Mahir: Because he is with God now. God took him away much before you were born.

Pari (shocked) : Hawww! God took him away?

Mahir: Yes Pari. He was a very good friend of your mother and my lovely brother. I wish he was there to see you and play with you.

Pari: But you never told me about him till now. Why?

Mahir: Because you were too small to understand all this. But now my girl is 5 years old. Right? So you should know many things.

Pari: You mean I have to go to office like you because I am big girl?

Mahir chuckles at her cuteness and says, " No my dear. You have to go to school. After that, college and after college, you will join work. That's how we all do. "

Pari: Oo... Ok papa.

Mahir makes Pari go to sleep and then Mahir picks out one album hidden in his cupboard starts seeing the it.

Mahir's POV

It has been years since I opened this album. I never had the courage to open it as I know the wounds of my heart will freshen up again. But today I truly feel like going through the pain filled with happiness which I experienced in the past. And here comes the picture when I knew my love will never be mine.

Flashback:

I was sitting in the study room with Dad and was discussing some company matters when I heard my little brother screaming for everyone in excitement: "Bhai! Maa! Papa! Where are you all? Come fast!"

We immediately went to the hall and looked at him who was drenched in mud and dirt after his football game.

Mahir: How many times do you want me to explain to you that you should clean yourself before leaving the stadium? Look at the dress and...

I was scolding my brother for his untidy appearance and he ran to me and hugged me in happiness.

Mahir: Uff! Now your mud is all over my dress as well. Idiot!

Varun kissed me on my cheek and said, " Come on bro. Its not a big deal. You know what is the big deal?"

Mahir: Of course I know. You won the match. Everyone cheered for you and...

Varun: No no... These are not the big deal I am talking about... The big deal is... BELA PROPOSED TO ME IN FRONT OF THE WHOLE STADIUM!!

Mahir: Wow! That is so nice. Congratulations!

Sumitra: Very good Varun. We are so happy for you.

Andy: When are you bringing her to home to make us meet?

Mahir: Yes Varun. When are you bringing my dear sister-in-law?

Varun: Actually... I...

Sumitra: She is outside?

Varun (winking): Waiting in my car.

Mahir: Idiot. You made her wait outside the home? You think she needs permission to enter the home? Come... Lets bring her inside.

I go outside and knock on the window of car. She slowly lowers the window revealing her face and surprising me. The girl I loved at first sight... The girl whose forehead got filled with my sindur... The girl whom I was searching like hell everywhere is in front of me... Finally... I smile widely and excitedly greet her.

Mahir: Hii! You here?

Varun comes from behind and says, " Bro... She is my love... My life... Bela. "

That moment... That one moment broke my heart into million pieces seeing Bela as Varun's love interest. I look at both shocked. Varun looks at me in confusion.

Varun: Bro... What happened?

Mahir: No... Nothing... She is beautiful.

Bela: Actually... We met before.

Varun: Really? Don't tell me that you love her, bro.

I hit on Varun's head playfully and says, " Shut up. Don't scare her with your stupid jokes. "

Varun takes Bela inside home while I looks at them with a strong pain in heart. Even before my life with her could start, everything got destroyed completely. Why did God made me meet her in the temple that day if she has to be with someone else? I have to become normal and be happy for them. So I compose myself and go inside. My parents bless her and everyone sit together gossiping. Varun starts telling about how they fell in love and how she proposed him.

Varun: And as I was lifted by my friends in happiness for winning the game with 5 goals, Bela comes running to the centre of the stadium with a bunch of roses. Seeing her, my friends made me stand and I walked towards her. And then... At that moment, she knelt on her knee and shouted " I Love You Varun " in front of everyone. That is the best moment of my life.

Mahir: Bela! That's worth appreciation. You are very daring.

Varun: Of course bro. She is awesome. I could have never thought she would surprise me like this.

Sumitra: Since Varun has chosen a girl, we should soon find a girl for our Mahir and get both the sons married to their partners.

Andy: By the way Mahir. Do you have anyone in your mind as such?

To be continued...