ᴇx-ʙᴏʏʀꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ, ɴᴇxᴛ ʜᴜꜱʙᴀɴᴅ

Chapter 19

Yuvaan

She irritates me. She annoys so much. I hate her.

As I drove away from her house, I was trying to think of any other way that I can avoid this awful marriage with her. I thought of everything, but it all came down to this marriage being the best or the only solution.

She never fails to annoy me. Her absurd demand of me staying away from her family, how did she even think of that?! Why did she think of this?! I had walked out of her room and told Aunty that I have an important meeting that just popped up and I have to take it. I hope she didn't doubt it.
Even if she did, Nishtha will handle it.

I made my way inside my home and saw Mom, Dad and everyone cheering and smiling. 
"What's going on?" I asked.
"You're back so soon?" Mom asked me.
"I can say the same for you."
"I met my friend. It was a flying visit but she was leaving India so I had to meet her. Why are you home so early?"
"Because your daughter-in-law can't stand my face and I can't stand her's." I stated.
Mom's face fell, "Well... you have to learn to."
"I won't. I don't plan to."
"She's your wife."
"Not yet, and no she won't ever be."
"What are you even saying Yuvaan?" Dad said.
"You both very clearly know the history between Nishtha and me, and you guys still decided to do this. Don't expect me to be cooperate more than I already am. In fact I don't even know how you can see her and not get angry. You know what she has done to us. To this family."
"And you very clearly know that I don't blame Nishtha and I know there's a bigger story behind it." Mom argued, "I know Nishtha. You don't."
"I don't?! Mom I dated her for 3 years."
"Yet you failed to understand your Nishu."
I stopped talking.
That sentence hit.
"Whatever. I'm not going back in that house."
"You're the son-in-law of that house."
"We're not married yet, and once we are, I will only go if need be." I said and left.

I walked into my room and banged the door.
I need my gym.
I worked out intensely for 3 hours and I finally managed to get physical peace. I was about to go for a shower when Mom walked in my room.
"What happened?" I asked.
"We are going out to the astrologer to pick your marriage date. We want you to come."
"I told you I don't want to see her."
"Please come. For Rupali and Alok."
I sighed. I can do anything for Uncle Aunty.
"Okay. I'll meet you down."
She left and I got changed in a simple blue kurta with white pants. I fixed my hair and went down.
"Let's go." I said, taking the car keys.

We were in front of the astrologer, inside our usual Sampoorna Bhagwan temple. I saw her standing behind her family, nervous she toyed with her finger and the hem of her kurta. Mom Dad Uncle and Aunty were busy listening.
"Do these two have history?" Pandit Ji asked.
What?!
What does that even matter?!
Mom cleared her throat, "Um, yes they do."
"Bad ending?"
What is wrong with this guy?
"Um, yes."
The Pandit Ji smiled, "Congratulations!"
Mom relaxed and asked, "How is it looking?"
"You need not worry Ma'am. All is looking very good. They have history, it was very evident in their planetary positions. They both are destined to marry someone from their past."
What nonsense.
"—are they old lovers?" 
"Yes." Dad added, "Why?"
"They both have a love marriage yog."
"Pandit Ji, how will the marriage be? Is it fine?"
"It is all fine. Currently a malefic planet is ruling so there might be issues, but soon it will go and their love will unmatched."
He has gone mad.
I saw Nishtha's face. She wasn't reacting.
"— 34 guns out of the 36 are matching. That is very auspicious, even more than the whole 36."
"How?" Mom asked.
"Well, we have a belief, Sri Ram and Sita Mata had all 36 guns matching, and while they were the ideal couple, they never got to stay together. There was a lot of trouble, and they constantly had to prove their marriage and love, so usually we avoid matches that have it all matching. 34 is very auspicious because there is no separation."
"I see. That's wonderful."
"Pandit Ji." Aunty said, "suggest good dates?"
"So as I can see, 2 weeks from now is a good date, otherwise 6 months. So either July 14 or otherwise December 24."
"Okay, what about engagement?"
"3 days from now, July 1st, or August 23rd."
"Thank you Pandit Ji."

We got up and headed to the cars. Everyone was busy talking while Nishtha and I walked behind. Silently.
"What do you think?" Mom asked Aunty.
"You tell us. We are fine with anything."
"I think July 14 is nice. We have time to get everything ready. Engagement doesn't take a lot of time to arrange. We can manage it?"
"I think so too." Uncle added.
"Let's stick to that."
"Congratulations then!" Dad hugged Uncle and Aunty hugged Mom.
"Congrats beta!" They came and hugged us.
We replied with a thanks and then they went to the car again. I was going to leave when I saw that Aunty and Uncle were booking a cab.
Where is Nishtha?
"Why are you booking a cab?" I asked Uncle.
"How else will we get home beta?"
"Your car?"
I saw Uncle's face fall, "Uh, beta. That has issues so we sold it."
I don't believe that.
"I see." I looked at Dad, "Dad, Mom, will you drop them as well?"
"Of course. Come!" They said.
"Go Uncle. Don't use cab." I said and he smiled.
All 4 of them sat down and were about to take off when I asked, "Where is Nishtha?"
"She has to meet her friend at their house today. She is having a sleepover." Aunty answered.
"She isn't around?" I asked.
"She must be looking for a cab there."
"Yuvaan. Drop her to her friend's house." Mom said, "it's late for her to take a cab."
I sighed, "Okay."

They took off. I left to find Nishtha on the road. She was trying to book a cab. I brought my car there and parked in front of her.
"Come in." I said.
"Why? So you'll leave me in the middle of the road again?" She scoffed, "I don't want to die."
I clenched my jaw, "Nishtha, just come."
"I said no, Yuvaan. Go." She said and was going to walk away but I got down and held her wrist.

I pushed her against the car and held her in place, "I'm asking you something. Don't push it."
"I didn't ask you to do this. Don't do it."
"I'm not doing it for you."
"I don't care who you are doing it for."
I pinned her closer to the car, "Nishtha. Don't."

I pulled her close. My hands fit on her waist so perfectly - they always did. Her eyes glared into mine - they always do when she's angry.
Her nose ring was adding a divine touch to her. Had she grown taller? Or was she in heels? But one thing hadn't changed - her scent.
It was still the same: roses and lavender.

"Leave me Yuvaan" She said, "I need to go."
"I don't want to hold you either, so just sit in the car so we can get this over with sooner."
"Fine." She said.
Her face was inches away from me.
Don't make your eyes go there, Yuvaan.
"Yuvaan! Leave!" She said and pushed me away.

She sat in the car and I also quickly sat. I started to drive, "where are we going?"
"We are not going anywhere. I am."
"Yes where are you going?" I rolled my eyes.
"Priya's house." She said, "It's in front of the—"
"Phoenix Mall." I completed.
She looked at me in shock, "you... remember?"
"I have dropped you there so much." I chuckled.
What are you thinking, Yuvaan?
"No one forgets their bad memories." I said.
She looked at me, "Right."
She looked out of the window.

It was a silent for the rest of the ride. I looked at her. The first time I picked her up was in this car. I don't know if she even remembered it.
Why do you still remember it?
I don't know.
When we reached, she got down and walked away before I could even speak. I rolled my eyes.

Next Day.

"It's your engagement in 2 days. Can you please go buy a ring with Nishtha?" Mom asked me.
"I don't want to. Just pick anything."
"You know her choice, Yuvaan. Please."
"Fine. Give me options and I'll pick."
"Ugh, okay." She brought her phone and showed me a range of pictures of rings, "Choose."

I saw the pictures. Suddenly a flashback hit me:

"Yuvi! Which ring would we have when we marry?" She asked me while sitting on my lap.
"Marriage already? Damn! You're fast Mrs Nanda." I winked and kissed her cheek.
"Soon to be Mrs Nanda." She said, "not yet!"
"Very soon?"
"We're just 20 and 21 Yuvi! We need at least 5 years."
"I'm not waiting till 26 to marry you. Once you get a job and I'm in my dad's firm, I'm marrying you."
"Acha tell na! Which ring?"
"You tell me which ring you like. I'll get you that."
"Hmm.... I want a simple ring, with a diamond in the middle, not too loud, and a very small border of diamonds, in pastel pink. I love pastel pink!"
"That's so specific!"
"Is it difficult to find?"
"Babe, I'll get it made if it's not found."

"Pick a simple ring with a small diamond in the middle, a small diamond not too loud, and a very small diamond border, pastel pink border."
Mom chuckled, "that's very specific?"
"I don't know then, Mom, get whatever you want." I said and stormed out.

Why do I still remember everything about her?

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