Finding my way back to you

1

"Will you marry me?"

Now, those were words Prathna Gujral never thought she would ever hear again. She'd been there and done that, and yet, the man sitting next to her in the car wanted to take the plunge with her. Ritwik Noon was a California-based businessman, who had laid eyes on her four years ago when she had been broken and alone in the city, which she had been trying to make her new home. He had charmed his way into her life and due to his influence, she was doing a lot better. After tonight, they were engaged to be married. He was perfect for her. The Golden State itself had been kind; she had bagged a book deal when her work was noticed and right now, it seemed as though some movie director wanted to make a film of it. It was a dream come true and yet, it all seemed very surreal. She had been very lucky and her life was back on track.

"We're home, darling," Ritwik broke her out of her reverie.

Home... Prathna looked up at their Beach apartment and briefly wondered what the notion of 'home' meant to her nowadays. Some building that held your stuff in it? A place made out of stone with tables, chairs, and window sills? For her, a home should be where you didn't feel alone. She had that right now. In her head, she felt like she had everything done just right. She had built a home for her and Ritwik. And yet, in her heart, the home was something different. She had been 'home' once, but it was taken from her all too soon. It had disappeared and turned to dust.

"Are you all right? You seem a bit quiet," Ritwik questioned once they had stepped inside their apartment.

Prathna threw her keys on the table and sighed. She didn't know what it was as she should be over the moon right now. She had been proposed to! Why was she thinking back on the past? The past was the past; it couldn't be altered, so it should be left alone. For some reason, she couldn't leave it alone tonight. Was it because she had accepted a marriage proposal? Was she thinking back on her previous, failed marriage, hoping to do it just right this time?

"I feel off," Prathna threw out there, as she plopped down on the couch.

Ritwik came to sit next to her and put his hand on her back.

"Are you having second thoughts?" he asked. "Was the proposal too soon?"

"I just... I don't know. I don't think that's it. I've been wanting to marry you for some time now. It's... it seems like the past is haunting me a bit tonight. Something is gnawing at the base of my skull."

Ritwik seemed to contemplate this.

"Okay, well, that's honest. Are you thinking back on your failed marriage? Cause it's not going to be like that this time. I'm not him, Prathna. I can promise you one thing; when the going gets tough, I won't walk away from you. Whatever happens in our marriage, I'll try to work through our issues with you and never let you go."

Prathna swallowed something.

"Look, I know something happened in that marriage that is hard for you to talk about, but I will be patient. I will listen when you want me to listen. I will do whatever is in my power to keep you safe and protect you."

Tears burned in Prathna's eyes and she leaned forward to hug Ritwik.

"This is exactly why I want to marry you. I don't have to worry about you and I know you will make me happy. I'm lucky to have you."

Ritwik leaned back and took her hand to kiss it gently. "No, Prathna. I'm lucky to have you. Now, let's try and get some sleep. It's been quite the day and we've got a lot of people to inform about our impending marriage. I can't wait to begin the rest of my life with you."

Prathna didn't sleep that night. There was still that feeling that refused to leave her alone. The face of her ex-husband swam in front of her eyes; his eyes were hard and ice-cold. Oh, how they had been different once...