Echoes of Past (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 25

The ride back home, it was me, Krish and Ishan. I was in the passenger seat and Krish drove the car. Ishan was sitting in the back seat.

"How could they do this to me yaar" Ishan said and put his head on the seat in front. "I'm literally still a kid"

"Shut up Ishan, you're 27. You're not a kid" Krish scolded him.

"I am. I am a kid. I am not ready for marriage. Okay fine, I mean I am ready to settle down but to someone I don't even know? I am not ready for that"He complained.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"Bhabhi" He started "My parents who claim to love me and do everything for MY good have fixed my marriage with my college professor's daughter" He said "He was a great teacher, my favourite. But I don't know his daughter and how could I get married without love?"

I was shocked upon hearing what he said.

"You've never even met her?" I asked him.

"I haven't! I'm supposed to though. On Friday at 4" He said.

"Look" Krish said "I'm not saying that you should get married but at least meet her. God knows if you would even date after what Meghna did to you"

"Uss bandi ka naam mat le. Uska naam sunne mai bhi zeher lagta hai" Ishan said and looked out of the window.

"Achha okay. But what I'm trying to say is don't be too quick to reject the proposal. Maybe she is nice and exactly what you deserve" Krish reasoned.

"Do you know her name?" I asked.

"Kaira"

"I think Krish is right. You should at least get to know her before saying no" I said.

"Bhabhi it's not about rejecting the proposal. My parents have given me and let me do everything I asked for. This is the first time they have asked me to do something. I can't just say no"

"This is your life" Krish said "These are the decisions you have a say in. Don't feel too obligated. Uncle aunty will understand"

Ishan didn't say anything to this and everyone went silent.

We drove in silence for a few hours and I fell asleep in between. When I woke up, the sun was about to rise.

We left Udaipur at around 12. Krish was driving from the last 5 hours.

I noticed that he was getting a bit sleepy.

"You should let me drive" I said to him.

He looked at me for a second then back at the road.
"It's fine"

"No Krish" Ishan said "I'll drive. You should sleep for some time"

Krish nodded then stopped the car. Krish went in the back seat and Ishan sat on the driver's seat.
Within seconds, he fell asleep. His grey jumper hugged him perfectly.

His arms were crossed on his chest and his head rested against the window.
The road was free of any bumps or speed breakers so his head didn't hit the window much.

I looked out of the window meanwhile.

"So, tell me about this Meghna" I asked Ishan.

His face saddened a little "There's not much to know" He said.

"It's okay if you're not comfortable discussing about it" I told him and gave him a small smile but he shook his head.

"No it's not that" He said "Its just- Its a little embarrassing"

"Why?"

"I was in love with her" He said and there was a stern look on his face "So much that I was ready to- i don't know, do anything she asked me to"