Seasons of Love by Jaismita Alexander

Seasons of Love Part 10

Part Ten:

I returned home at 12:30 pm and went straight into my room, to avoid mom's queries. I shut the door that day and broke a vase in anger. VK called immediately after he reached home from shopping with Romita.

VK: Are you alright? I apologise on Rudra's behalf. Whatever he said is absolutely wrong.

I replied: I'm sorry VK. I am not attending your engagement.

VK: Listen Shehnaya, you are not that stupid right? You can't step back from something just because of false allegations. Meet me in the evening. Please.

I was disturbed. I didn't like the allegations put against me. VK was someone I looked upto, but I never thought him to be anything more than a mentor and a very good friend.

I replied: VK, I can't meet you. I can't face you. I feel ashamed. I know there is nothing between us. Nor do I have anything for you but what happened today, is something I could never imagine of.

VK: I know. This was too bad but Shehnaya, please...can we talk once? I don't want you to remain upset. Come to Rehan's cafe at 5.

I thought for a few seconds and then replied: Okay. I shall.

He disconnected the call. I was very very frustrated. I felt like breaking something...ruining something...destroying things around me. I went to the washroom and turned on the shower. I stood there and thought about life. The goals I have set for myself. I recalled every bad, people did to me. Everything made me stronger each time. The cold water gushing out of the shower washed away my negativity and made me feel confident once again.

I reached Rehan's cafe at 5. VK was on the way. The cafe was empty when I entered. I ordered for a cold coffee and started fiddling with my phone. A couple entered the cafe and sat on the table just opposite to mine. The girl was holding the guy's hand. I was used to see couples displaying their extreme love and affection in public places and I quite hated it. But today instead of taking my eyes off them, my eyes were fixed on them. When I realised it, I tried to not look at them, but unconsciously I noticed a few things.

The girl was very simple. The boy too matched perfectly with her. They looked good together. The girl unlike other teenagers, took out her phone to click a selfie with her lover. The boy very sweetly, kept his head on her shoulder. She shrugged away giving him an annoyed look. He teased her by photo bombing her selfies. She slapped his arm and pulled his nose. With my cold coffee, arrived their food too. I sipped my cold coffee and they started eating their food. The boy help her to unwrap the roll and she smiled. They ate, they talked...I heard everything they said to each other. They were talking about life. She was speaking about the future and he was adding his plans to her plans. Like this they, together planned so many things. I overheard them quietly. A smile came to my lips. I looked away and smiled at the ground. Their togetherness made me feel good. I knew, I lacked the same in my life, but I wished I had it too. A fairytale like love story, a caring lover, someone more than just a friend. But I had given up hope. Love was not for me. I could trust no one. I was thinking all this when suddenly I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned back and saw VK standing there. He smiled and said, "Whatsup pretty lady?".

I was surprised and hoped he didn't catch me in my secret act. I said,"Come sit, I just ordered for a cold coffee. What would you like to order?"

He sat on the chair opposite to mine. He said,"The same." I called the waiter and ordered for another cold coffee. He cleared his throat and said, "So, you had some lone time I see." I was embarrassed. VK had caught me staring at the couple.

"Hmm. I was just watching their nonsense. How cheesy.", I replied making faces.

"Oh so you were just watching the drama?", he said and winked. VK had the habit of winking when he said something sarcastically or when he intended a pun.

"Yeah. Anyway, how is everything going that side?", I said changing the topic.

VK said, "Nothing can be possible without your help dear. Come tomorrow morning. Please. The engagement is in the evening and so much is still left to do."

I looked at him and said calmly, "I can't come. I hate Rudra and if this time he messes with me, I'll make sure I mess his face into something he has never seen."

VK laughed aloud hearing this. His laughter drew attention of the couple. He realised it and stopped laughing. Trying hard to control, he then said, "Okay fine. You do that...but please come. I want you to be there. And your absence might make Rudra think that he was right. And I too may get you wrong."

"How can you?", I asked VK. "How can you think like that, VK? You know everything, right?", I said.

"Yes. I do. But Rudra doesn't. So to prove him wrong... be there. For the sake of me at least.", VK requested.

I couldn't help but agree to join his engagement ceremony tomorrow. We talked about the pending works to be done. There were many things to do in the morning. We left before 6:30 pm.

I reached home and messaged Tania. She was happy to know that I was attending VK's engagement. We decided to leave early the next morning.

To be continued...

Jaismita Alexander.