Renaming Destiny : Apsara To Myla

Her

Ashwin's POV

I sat in a hall filled with many people and still felt alone. I was with all the people I loved but I still felt out of place. I was happy for my brother but also sad for myself. But just the thought that I was in the same country as my Apsara ran chills down my spine and made me smile like an idiot. "So, Ashwin Bhaiyya, how was New York?", I saw Varun on the chair sit beside me and correct his beard. "When did you last go to the barber?", I asked him making him roll his eyes. "Seriously? It has been 5 years since you have seen me and this is all you have? Come on, man!", he slapped my arm and laughed. 

I smiled and said, "Nothing much, Varun. Now that I'm back, I don't think anything will be interesting anymore", he lifted his eyebrows and nodded. "So, I heard you will be shifting with Aniket Bhaiyya in Paris after they come back from their honeymoon. Is it true?", I had no intentions of talking to him but still answered him truthfully. "Yeah, I'll work with him for a while and then see if I can do it on my own", he nodded. My phone buzzed and I saw that there was another post from the fashion magazine about Apsara. I did not think twice before taking it out of my pocket and hitting play. 

In the video, Apsara walked with the Moretti family in from the airport to the cars and then from her car to the hotel she was staying at. She was at Mumbai. So close, but so far. I sighed and was about to put my phone away when I saw a new text from her. 

'Ashwin, I'm here. At Mumbai'

I sighed and hit send to my reply.

'Oh! That is great. How does it feel to be back after a long time?'

She texted back immediately.

'It actually feels nice to be back. I don't know what I was fearing all these years'

I smiled and sent a reply.

'I'm happy for you. I just hope you do this more often from now on'

'Ha ha! May be. Idk'

Just as I read the last text from her, someone snatched my phone and I looked at Varun who was laughing while looking at my phone and slowly his laughs died down and his expression turned sour. He stood up and I followed his every movement. He looked up at me and I could say he was not happy. In one sharp move, he threw my phone to the ground and grabbed my collar. "How could you? How could you still talk to her after everything that bitch did to our families??", I closed my eyes to control myself. 

"Varun, mind your language when you talk about her. Let me go!", he tightened his grip on me and shouted, "YOU TRAITOR!! HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN GOING ON FOR?? DIDN'T YOU SEE WHAT WE HAD TO GO THROUGH? DIDN'T YOU SEE WHAT YOUR OWN BROTHER HAD TO GO THROUGH? AFTER EVERYTHING SHE DID TO SPOIL OUR LIVES, YOU STILL TALK TO THAT HOMEWRECKER LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED???"

I grabbed his hands and pushed him away from me. I raised my hand to land a tight slap on his face. "ONE MORE WORD AGAINST HER AND YOU WILL HAVE TO SEE ANOTHER SIDE OF ME!", I saw everyone walk to us and pull us away from each other. He kept fighting and throwing hands.  "She almost destroyed us. She will do the same thing to you too!". I saw Aniket Bhaiyya walk to me and ask me what was wrong. "Apsara had texted me and he saw that", he looked surprised just like the others. I saw her parents walk up to their son and look at me as if accusing me of a murder. I also saw that asshole that I am forced to call my other brother walk with his wife to see what was wrong. Aniket Bhaiyya rubbed my shoulders and turned to Varun. "What is your problem in that?", he asked.

"My problem? MY PROBLEM?? Bhaiyya, you were the one who had to cover up the mess that bitch had made before running away like a coward", he argued.

"And? Wasn't that my responsibility? Just like when I covered up your dating rumors with a porn actor?", he was out of words but his parents took over. "We had all come to an understanding that her name would never ever be taken by anyone ever again. We expected the same from you, Ashwin", I laughed at their audacity to think they have any such compulsion on me. "I have been in touch with her from the day she left this country. I have been the only one she speaks to among all of you. And I am not guilty and I highly doubt I ever will be. I will continue to talk to her. I'll see how you'll stop me".