Everything but her

Walk with me

The next day when the two of them met, Virat asked Aarushi,
'Aarushi, are you hiding something from me? What was the reason behind all that happened yesterday?'

Aarushi was surprised at the question itself. She had thought it was done and dusted. She replied, 'What reason? You were the reason as I said yesterday too.', Aarushi said repeating the words Virat knew she would speak.

'Yeah, well it was my fault but there was something else to it which I could not understand. Have I done something?'

'No, and you are just imagining things. I was just tired.'

'I know you better than you think Aarushi. Will you tell me the truth? Something happened at your show?'

'No', Aarushi answered seeming detached.

'So you won't tell me?', he kept pushing.

'There is nothing to tell Virat. What do you want to know? You cannot always be right about your intuitions, you know. It is not like if you feel something has happened, then it must have happened. Get that? Now, I have to go', she almost shouted.

'Okay, I am sorry but let's not fight.'

'I'm sorry too. You know, it is just the workload that is talking. I am acting all silly and I am really sorry about it. I hope you understand', she said making up for her rude behaviour.

They hugged each other before Aarushi left for her office and Virat for the ad shoot. All the while, however, he kept thinking of the entire episode. He knew she was lying to her. It was not about the workload. She was not telling him something. And he was determined on finding it out.

They met again in the evening after they had completed their jobs.
'So, where should we go?', Aarushi asked Virat.

'Let's go to your house', Virat answered surprising Aarushi.

'Why? You want something? I can bring you. Virat, why do we have to go to my house?', she looked all scared.

'I want to tell Jinx about us', Virat said coolly.

'What? No, Virat. You said we could wait. It has just been 1 day. We can't. It will shock him.'

'I have to because you don't confide in me anymore. Maybe I'll ask Jinx what is bothering you.'

'Virat, I don't understand why you can't believe what I told you. It will become very difficult if you do so', Aarushi warned him.

'Well, it isn't easy right now.'

'You know what Virat. You want to know the truth? You will get to know it but I can guarantee that you will not be able to handle it.'

'You won't know it until you tell me. And this means that there really is something', he said.

Aarushi didn't need second invitation. She burst out, 'Mom wants me to get married. After all this episode, she does not want any further drama. She wants me to atleast get engaged right now and get married within two years', Aarushi told him with tears streaming in her eyes.

'Here, have some water and calm down', Virat said handing her a glass of water.

'But, I don't want to get married right now. Not to him, not to anyone. Just because a video was released, does not mean that I should give away my identity and become someone's wife', she said refusing to drink water.

'Aarushi, see first of all no one can lose their identities by getting married. It totally depends on the person you are with. And I told you, I will talk to your mom and Jinx.'

'Virat, they will never understand. And I cannot go through all that once again. I am broken and tired. I want my figments to be picked up and adored and I have lost the power to spill them once more just because the society demands me to.'

'Aaru, believe me no society can propel you to do anything if you do not wish to. We were kids back then. We did not know the consequences. We were not sure of our futures. Today, we are both independent and can support each other. I will come to talk to your family as and when you say. Now, wipe those tears and erase your fears.'

'Virat, I love you and I am so scared to lose you all over again. I am sorry but I did not know how to tell you all this. Mom has called a guy's family next week. She thinks I am just afraid to get married and that is the reason why I am refusing. And you know bro, after dad he has done so much for the family, I would not even dream of breaking their belief. I can't go against them too. Now, tell me one thing if we are unable to convince our parents and I am married to someone else, this time we would move on', Aarushi said closing her eyes not believing what she had said.

'I can't believe you just said that Aarushi. You forgot our promise, right? Come right away, I want to talk to Jinx at least, right now', Virat said getting a little irritated by Aarushi's inability to understand him.

'Virat, don't take the decision in haste. Just sleep over it', Aarushi pulled him back.

'So that I can hear all the crap you are saying. Aarushi, this is not just about you. How can you not think of me while talking about 'us'? I want to talk to Jinx right now and we will look what happens from there. Come with me', Virat dragged her.

Virat took the wheel this time and drove in silence. A storm was rising in his head and heart simultaneously. He knew he had to face this situation but he was feeling the same emotions he had felt when he had recklessly walked into her house years ago. This time, however, the fear was more than ever. He knew if this time he lost her, this would be it. He had convinced her but who was to convince him that everything would fall into place. How he wished he could have that dream of him walking together with her fulfilled for the rest of his life. Through sorrows and happiness. Through downfalls and achievements. Through everything that life had on its platter. Cause he knew she was that spice that made his platter. Without her, he was left eating convalescent meals. Without her, he was just a person. With her, he became a lover. A single line thus crept his mind throughout the route, 'Please walk with me.'