Prem Vivah

• Wrong Number •

Naina had been on a drive with Abhinav, and she felt today was the right time to confront him and talk to him with patience and calmness.

"Abhinav." She took his name in a soft voice.

"Yes?" Abhinav replied to her while rotating the wheel with his left hand.

"Can we talk?" Naina asked him in a meek tone, and he hummed, driving toward a sequestered place. He pulled the brake and turned to look at her with a gentle smile.

"Abhinav, look...I don't know how to say this but it's important." She moistened her upper lip while gulping down in fear, and Abhinav asked her gently - "What happened, Naina?"

"Umm bahar chal ke baat karte hai, mujhe car me thoda uncomfortable feel ho raha hain," Naina suggested, coming out of the car once Abhinav unlocked it via remote. They both began to walk on the secluded road with silence between them, and he serenely glanced at his friend who was trying to take a normal breath.

"Promise me, you won't say No to me?" Naina asked him with a desperate look, and Abhinav happily placed his palm above hers, saying - "I Promise You, ab bolo?"

"Dekho Abhinav, I genuinely respect our friendship. Tum bahut acche ho...bahut caring ho, aur main lucky hoon ki mujhe tum jaisa friend mila." Naina started to speak with a soft smile, making him feel special.

"As a good friend, I want the best for you." She added, her voice becoming thin with sheer anguish.

"Aur best ke liye thodi hard work karni padegi, haina?" Naina asked him in a gentle voice, and Abhinav was bewildered as to what she wanted to say.

"Kya baat hai?" He looked at her in confusion.

"Kya tum mere liye apni meditation aur psychotherapy shuru karoge phir se?" She stared at him with full of hope in her eyes, and Abhinav was rendered speechless by her unexpected question.

"Tumhe kisne bataya?" Abhinav asked her in a stern voice, his eyes forming with the blood of abhor.

"It doesn't matter, kya tum maine jo kaha hai woh karoge?" Naina looked at him pleadingly, and when he gave no response to her words. She softened her tone and said - "I know, it's difficult for you but...I want you to get well soon Abhinav, tum acche ho bas thoda sa dhyan do khud pe. You'll be all good."

"Shut up!" Abhinav yelled at her in a strident voice, and Naina shivered visibly because of his scathing expression.

"Tumne itne din mere saath accha banne ka dhong kar rahi thi?" He asked her in a low voice, and added while tightening his jaw - "I thought you are doing this because you like me too, but tumhara toh kuch aur hi motive nikla."

"Tumhare acche ke liye hi toh kar rahi thi sab kuch," Naina spoke in a weak tone as she felt feeble under his bleeding eyes which shed drops of pain and resentment.

"Nahi chahiye hai mujhe yeh acchai." Abhinav bellowed at her, his loud voice resonating around the calm place.

"Kyun?" She asked him with confusion.

"It's my wish, and you listen. Now you are gone...you cheated me, you played a facade of being my good friend. Ab tum dekhna kaise tumhari life hell bana ke rakh dunga main." Abhinav threatened her ferociously, however, there was sorrow and guilt in his voice.

"Do whatever you want to do with me, but don't be ignorant about your health," Naina said with stubbornness in her voice, and he was amazed at how she was showing sheer concern for him despite loving someone else.