The Journey Ahead

32. The partners for the grandchildren

After hearing the wish of their grandmother Aryan, Ayaan and Atifa was dumbstruck.

"Dadi. But all these all of a sudden." Aryan exclaimed calmly. "Not all of a sudden beta. This topic had to arrise one day. And the day has come. Now it's all your decision. I have just told you my last wish." grandmother said.

"But dadi. You know about Tanisha. So why all this things you are asking." Ayaan asked. "Yeah. I know about her. So tell her to come here. And you all can settle your lives in Mumbai only." Dadi said. "But now. At this moment it's impossible for her to come. She has built her career over there. And I can't tell her to leave her job and come settle over here." Ayaan reasoned.

"So then what are you planning. Look Ayaan if it's now or never. I don't think you will leave your job here and stay with her after the marriage. And I don't want the daughter in law of our house staying away from the in laws house. Look Ayaan her father is a good man. But honestly I don't like the girl. She can go to any extent for her career. I don't disrespect her profession or her love for job. But you know your passion and love for your job is not good if it hurts your closed ones. I didn't say anything when you cancelled your engagement with her just for her career. You have always supported her all decisions. But did she came to meet you once after she went to New York. Don't think bad of me son just because I said these. I just wanted to make you understand the truth. But after all if you are happy with her then who am I to stop you both. But I have one condition you can't leave your family after the marriage. You have to stay with your family and your wife. It's our family tradition dear. And if she can't come and stay here then we need to find a bride for you." Dadi said calmly making Ayaan understand the situation.

Ayaan wanted to argue. But he couldn't because of two reasons. First it was his grandmother and secondly he understood all she meant. It did hurt him when Tanisha broke their engagement within a notice of few hours just because she got a call from New York. No one supported her at the situation but he did. He did it because he felt that her dream is more important than this engagement. He got hurt but he never told anyone about it. He kept all it in himself.

Tanisha's thought always bothered him. But did his thought did her. All these days when Tanisha was out of the country Ayaan was the one to call her to check up on her. She never did. But he never realised it until now. He understands that it is also hard for her to leave her career over their to come settle a family with Ayaan at India. But nothing would cost to ger career to make a mere phone call to check up on him.

But the thought of Tanisha cheating on him over some other guy never crossed his mind. Ayaan always trusted Tanisha and always will. He understands her job where she may have to get physically closer to some other guy just for the camera. But never in his nightmare also he would think of Tanisha cheating on her.  He had this trust on her. He very well knew that Tanisha loves him and he also love her back. And he would go to any extent of it meant for Tanisha. But only if he knew that destiny has other plans.

"And Aryan. What about you?" Dadi asked. "Dadi. Honestly I don't have anyone right now. And I look forward to the betterment of our company. And already our company has faced a lot of trouble for the past few weeks. Now if I start focusing on our personal life. I don't know what else it will bring to our company." Aryan said.

"But you can't avoid this with you excuse. Atleast get engaged. We can proceed with the wedding rituals after few months. And Atifa. I am really fade up with you." Dadi directed to Atifa who is sucking the frooti from the straw and looking at all the happenings.

"What. Why are you looking at me. I am just a little kid of 26. Who gets married at this age?" Atifa said as it is an obvious thing. "Just shut up. I got married at athe age of 19. And now you are 26." Dadi said scolding Atifa. "No way I'm getting married. And anyways I'm married also to Rudra. And you know what Kajal told me she will let me meet Rudra. They are friends na." Atifa said daydreaming.

"First of all stop Kajal to show you false hopes and secondly you are not going to meet anybody." The possessive elder brother Ayaan spoke up. "What do you mean? He will come to my city and will probably stay at one of my friend's house and I will not visit him. Never. Stop saying something that I will never do." Atifa said glaring.

"You idiot." Ayaan said and threw a pillow at Atifa which hit her head. She winced and complained her grandmother "Daadii".

"Okay. Now you both stop. And yes. Think about what I said." Grandmother said. All three of them was about to leave the room whe she called "Aryan. You please stay here for a while." Aryan nodded and again entered the room. "Yes dadi. Do you have something to say." Aryan asked. "Sit here" She moved aside so Aryan could sit beside her on the bed.

"Aryan. I know you more than than you do. I understood all that you said there was a lie. I know that you still like the girl from your school." Aryan tried to interrupt but dadi stopped him and said, "You can lie to me but you cannot lie to yourself Aryan. I saw the girl that day in the hospital. She was very kind and humble. She didn't think twice to come and check up on you when she heard about your accident. You couldn't meet her but she came and meet me. She was just like your mother. Maybe you don't know but your mom used to say 'Namaste'  as she was taught as per their custom.  And on that day she did the same thing and it reminded me of your mother. I saw that spark in her eyes when I said about you on that day. I know that she hasn't left your thought from that day. Maybe you are denying your feelings but I know that you still feel for her. And I believe that you will stay happy with her. I don't know that if she has someone in her life or not. But I want you to go and talk to her once. And now as she became friend with Atifa I'll tell her to invite them to our house once. So it will be easier for you to talk with her." She finished

"Dadi. I surely believe that I have no one in my thought except my family and work. But I don't know how will I initiate a talk with her about this matter but if you say so I will surely do." Aryan said with a emotionless face and bid farewell to his grandmother.

Next morning

Aryan was as usual in his office sipping his coffee and typing something furiously on his laptop. He was still bothered of what happened yesterday. What his grandmother told him about the marriage. He was obviously not ready for it and for him he will never be ready. He grew up alone. He was alone all these years. Addition of someone would not create any change to it only burden and responsibility. 

And more to it his grandmother has mentioned the name of Naina. He remembered  going to therapy after his school. For many days he was still not over her. But her thought never left her mind.

On the night of the event after confessing to Naina he was left heartbroken. But he was a prefect then and had some prefect duties. So he went to the dressing room where to see if everyone has left from there or not. And there on the dressing table he found the pair of jhumkas. It belonged to Naina. He had seen her picture wearing that. He didn't know what came to his mind but he picked those up and kept it securly in his pockets. He still has that in his drawer. Sometimes he took them out just to stare at it.

While he was thinking all these he heard a knock on his door. Immediately the reply came "Come in." It was his PA Gaurav. "Sir I yesterday mailed Mr. Malhotra as per your order. He is intending to talk with you personally. And then he will make his decision." Gaurav said.

"Ask for his suitable time and make an appointment. I will go to his office to talk him." the reply came.

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~Shanshmita