Samjhota [The Compromise]

5: The Hidden Truth II

The rays traversed into the room causing the glow to drop on Arya's attractive face, his eyes adored the exquisite skyline of Mumbai. Every moment that passed seemed to be the hardest spent in Vaani's wait. The thoughts break apart with a ringtone chiming into the room. Yanking it out of the pocket, his eyes glance at the caller and in an instant refusal is shoved to it followed by the phone being switched off and slipped back into the pocket. Only one single aspect surrounded his mind: Vaani's bursting questions that would strike him and at that instant, the responses should be prepared.

The door burst open with her eyes finding Arya standing close to the glass wall. The mere click of the door turns him towards her and the eyes lock but the love that is crammed in hers was consumed with hatred which he comprehended instantly. His steps advance towards her knowing the trail to calm the storm within her.

"What happened last night, Arya???" She demands in the furious tone he never witnessed. A smile crossed his lips and his hands touched down on her shoulders gently.

"Vaani, last night was very special. We became one. You and I!!"The words which would have been pleasure to her ears had they been married but at the instant they only poured fear interlaced with rage in her heart.

"Why don't I remember anything?" his touch loses the hold and the hands drop to the sides with the emergence of discontentment in him.

"What are you trying to say?"

"Just that I don't remember anything from last night, what happened or what didn't."

"Are you doubting me?" The question infuses a fear of losing him.

"No, I'm not doubting you."

"You were intoxicated!!! You came close to me, and now you're questioning me??? What happened last night was with your consent!!! I didn't do anything without your "yes"!!!!" he makes it clear but not even the flashes were in her mind which rose the irritation further except the last blurry sight that surfaced over her following which only the darkness akin to the black ink resides.

"But why would I do that??? And when did I drink alcohol???"

"Last night, you drank from that can, didn't you?" he yells. Those brows constricted reflecting scowl on his face.

"No, I took one sip and left it!!! I didn't know it had alcohol in it!!"

"I didn't expect this from you, Vaani!!! That night, which was so special for us, you've questioned it and tainted our love with your suspicions!!!" The blame cleverly pivoted towards her puts her in dire state, especially with the play he did with the emotions eventually will force Vaani to believe him.

"No, Arya!! How could I do something like that under the influence of alcohol... especially without being married?" vaani utters in disbelief, refusing to believe she would take such a step without being married to him.

"So what are you trying to say? That I forced myself on you??? That I raped you???" He questions, pointing his index finger towards him.The mere utterance of that word astonished her. His tone portrayed the rage that only hurled Vaani into guilt.

"No" her finger lands upon his lips and a tear rolls down her cheek.

"No, I didn't say that you forced me. I'm sorry, Arya. I should've read before drinking. I'm sorry, so sorry Arya." she cries, wrapping her arms around him. A feeling of victory comes at her reaction.

"You are only mine, Vaani." he thinks, embracing her.

"How could you even think that I would touch you without your consent?" Arya says defeatedly that drenched her in sorrow, piercing through the heart. Vaani pulls back instantly, meeting her glistening eyes with his. From 10th standard he has been her love and the mere turn of events not only lead her into blaming herself but also flooded her with guilt of wrongly accusing Arya. The blind trust she had in him, overpowered over every thinking capacity.

"I am sorry, Arya. How could I doubt you? You are my life! You are everything to me!" Vaani's apology was laced with the sole love the heart truly did.

"I am only yours!!! I spent last night with you, and I have no regrets about it." his thumb brushes against the tears streaming down her face. She embraces him, finding only solace in that hold.

"Forgive me, Vaani!!! But I had no other option. If you change your decision, there must be a thread that keeps you close to me. I have done everything to make you mine, Vaani; now you can never be apart from me. You are only mine, Vaani Sharma." The mere thoughts bring smile to his lips as the eyes admire their reflection in the mirror. Not even a single question escapes from her lips. Being naive, Vaani easily got into the clutches of the trap led bare.

꧁♔꧂

Those dangling chandeliers lowered momentarily for the mere purpose of decoration had their glow accentuating Karan's sharp features, upon whose instructions the flowers were set up but an interruption breaks in mid diverting his attention to the phone.

"Tell me, what happened?"

"I need to talk to Shaurya."

Looking around his eyes notice his mother, Rakhi, busy. Taking the opportunity, he slips into the embrace of the corridor to a corner.

"Why do you want to talk??? You've already ruined so much; how much more will you do?"

"Please."

"I know you're pregnant, Ahana. I picked up your phone last night. It wasn't Shaurya bhai." The phone slips from her hold tumbling to the floor and a tear breaks loose at the revelation.