Everything but her

Hope is not crazy

It had been four weeks since Virat had left Ajinkya's house in the manner that he had. Leaving Aarushi there crying, asking several questions. He had no answers. He had switched off his phone and had tried to avoid any connection. Only his heart knew how difficult it was. Staying away from the one person he had thought he had got a second chance to be with. Life seemed so unfair. Destiny seemed so uncouth. Well, who said it was a walk on roses? But the stupid heart wanted just that.

Raina had bought a new house and had invited everyone over for a house warming party. Each member had arrived and everyone seemed to be in a great mood except of course Virat and Ajinkya. Ajinkya was still better, however, because at the end of the day he had had his way. But, Virat was all filled with fake smiles and gestures.

'Great food', Rohit exclaimed.

'Yeah, and I love the place. The architecture is beautiful', Bhuvneshvar added.

'Raina, tell me one thing, all these small antiques were chosen by you or Priyanka?', Jadeja asked.

'Actually, both of us. But mostly her', he replied.

'That is why they are so beautiful', Jadeja said giving a wink to Rohit.

'Let's have lunch guys. I am too hungry', Raina said inviting them to the table after they had taken a tour of the house.

Everybody jumped at the offer. They were no longer strangers who would initiate with formalities. They all had stayed together too long for that. Moreover, homemade food was something they craved all the time when on tours.

'Aunty, this food is really delicious. Buy some more houses. Give us some more parties, man', Rohit joked.

'Why don't you help me out with the finance, eh?', Raina questioned him.

'See, always wanting more. Never satisfied. Money will not go with you to hell cause that's where you're gonna go', Rohit said explaining him the philosophy.

'And you will accompany me?', Raina carried on the fun.

'Well, I am too good a man to be joining you in hell. I am sorry but I can always accompany Priyanka to heaven', he winked.

'And what makes you think that she would go to the heaven? The way she treats me...no way that she is going to heaven', Raina teased his wife.

Dhoni gave a SHUT UP sign to everyone and indicated them to eat.
'What? You guys wanna bring trouble in their household?', he remarked lightly.

'What is the conversation all about?', Priyanka asked as she had just come from the kitchen.

'Nothing, just normal, you know', Raina explained.

'Virat, you don't seem to be eating. You didn't like the food? Want something else? Some fruits or something?', she asked with concern.

'No, I loved the food. Actually, I had a bit of a cold. So, I have lost my appetite', he said coughing in order to make his story appear true.

'Ok, want some tea or coffee?', she further implored.

'No, I am fine', he answered her with a smile.

'Ok, then please enjoy the meal and don't hesitate to ask for anything that you want', she told everyone.

They finished the meal and everyone moved to the garden of the house. Ajinkya, meanwhile, called everyone and motioned that he was going to make an announcement.

'Ok, guys, my sister Aarushi is getting married two weeks from now. I have already send you the card. You all should be there.'

Virat watched at him in surprise. He had received no such card. He could not believe how Ajinkya had taken no time whatsoever and taken this decision for Aarushi. He could not fathom that he had not even considered him to be a guest at her engagement. He was angry but somehow he had just known that this was meant to happen. It seemed like it was only yesterday that she had come to the hotel and told him that she loved him. Time had flown since then. The pain and etching was so much that Virat could not take it anymore. He silently went inside the house and taking his leave from the inmates, he left.

He reached his car and connected his mobile phone to the car's speaker. It was time. He could wait no more. He had to talk to Aarushi even if that meant it was the last time he would do so. The bell rang continuously for about 30 seconds and no one picked up. Virat was about to give up when a similar voice said,
'Hello. Who is it?'
Virat had forgotten that he had changed his number after the entire incident and had not given it to Aarushi.
'Hello, it's me Aarushi', Virat said replied.

'I request you to not waste your time here. Please cut the call. I don't want to talk to you. I can't do it', she spoke softly.

'I just wanted to congratulate you', he said hiding the note of sarcasm.

'Thank you so much', she said emotionless.

'So, I am not even invited?', he asked.

'You are most welcome. And this time bring a parting gift so that I know for sure that I am not gonna meet you again. I am done with you', she said sternly.

Virat was taken aback by her choice of words. DONE WITH HIM? Well he wasn't. And didn't he get a say?
'Yeah, sure. Any preferences? What should I bring you?', he asked feeling broken.

'Anything except a pool of tears. I have had enough of those, you know. Those gifts of yours have taken my patience and peace of mind. So, yeah bring anything except that', she said concluding.

'Ok', he said being reduced to those two letters.

'So, goodbye. Is it? Or you want to say something else?', she said.

He noticed that she had mellowed down a bit.
'No, nothing. Thank you.'

'Ok, I will send you an invite', she said and put down the call.

Virat was still surprised at how the intensity between them had reduced to just sharing pleasantries. He knew he was at fault. He should never have left her alone to fight the battle. He had literally withdrawn himself from it all. But, he knew it was wrong to make her be with him leaving all her family behind. She had told him that she would never go against them. And he had failed at convincing her brother. But, somehow he knew she felt that he had failed her too. And that was why she was so angry. He couldn't say goodbye though as of yet. Somehow, anyhow...he just wanted to change the things from where they stood right now. Everything was falling apart but hope, he knew, was not crazy.