ᴇx-ʙᴏʏʀꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ, ɴᴇxᴛ ʜᴜꜱʙᴀɴᴅ

Chapter 53

Yuvaan

"Get everything into my office right now. Today is the day. I can't sit anymore." I ordered and went into my cabin.

It's been almost a week since I've seen Nishu and I can't wait more. There's still 8 days for her to come back to India, and I know she's Birmingham right now. I'm aware of all her details without actually knowing how and where she is. I'm holding the urge to go, take a flight and see her, to just apologize to her, to beg on her knees and ask her to come back.

It's been a week since anyone has spoken to me.
Only Arush, Vamika and Rohan.
Mom and Dad haven't been talking to me properly. Dad hasn't spoken a word to me. Mom doesn't either, unless it's about Nishtha. Nishu's phone is still switched off. I don't know how she's managing to stay in touch with her family if she hasn't switched on her phone.
Her family.
Aai Baba.
They don't know about this. Do they?
I tried to call them 2 days ago and they spoke to me normally, I don't think they know.
Why wouldn't she tell them?

"Arush, I'm doing it today." I said on call, "I can't wait more and I want my wife back. Before she comes back, I want to make sure the house is cleared of any dirt and germs."
He knew what I meant.
Life is going to change when you come back, Nishu. Things are going to be different.
"We'll be at your house by 8pm." Arush replied, "Please don't screw this up."
"Why would I screw it up?"
"Because you have experience in screwing things up." Arush said, casually.
"Okay. I deserve it. Fine." I said.
At least he was talking to me.

I cut the call and drove home, to my house. On the way, I had to make a quick stop.
"Hello!" A voice beamed as the door opened. The same voice that took away my love from me, "I am so happy to see you Yuvi!"
I gave her a fake smile, "Bua. Hi. I wanted to ask you if you can come for dinner today."
"Where?"
"My house."
"Yuvaan, I'm sorry but I don't want to be around Nishtha. I don't respect or like her, and I don't want to be around her."
I chuckled, "Nishtha isn't here Bua."
I saw her face change, I can notice everything now. I saw her eyes slowly beam.
"I see. Where is she?"
"She's gone pretty far, Bua. It's just the original Nanda's for dinner today." I said.
"In that case, I'll be there."
"Amazing. See you in the evening." I said and walked away.

Driving back home, I felt confident about today. I had to expose her today. It had to be done. It's 6th September. Today was the day that I had left to the USA, 4 years ago. I left everything and everyone that I loved, because of her. I should have been going to the US with Nishu, but I had to go alone.... Because of her.

I entered and wasn't welcomed.
Of course.
Dad pretended I didn't walk in. Mom just gave me an acknowledging look, and Vamika wasn't around. I knew I couldn't fight it, so I went and touched their feet anyway.
"I really need your blessing today." I whispered to Mom and Dad, as I bent down.
I felt only one hand on my head.
I could tell whose hand that was. While my eyes were filling with tears, I deserved each and every one of them, because 4 years ago, Nishu had all the tears in her eyes.
I deserve to have all the tears that Nishu had.

I got up and looked at Mom Dad, "I've invited Bua for dinner today."
Now they looked at me.
They didn't know about Bua yet. I wanted them to find out with everyone.
No reply, so I continued, "I think this dinner is what we need right now. Please. Just trust me one last time. If I fail you today, I will leave the country and you won't have to hear from me again."
I didn't get a reply, so I started walking away, but I held my ground when Dad finally called me, after almost a week.
"Yuvaan." He said.
I turned instantly, "Dad? yes?"
"I am asking you for something."
"Dad. I'll do anything. Say it."
"Divorce Nishtha."

I'm sorry. What?

"W...What?" I stammered.
"What are you saying, Rajesh?" Mom said.
"You both heard me right." He said, "I don't want my daughter to be with you, Yuvaan. She is already going through a lot. She's been through a lot which you don't know about, and you have proven that you are someone who will constantly toss her aside when some third person comes. The first step for a relationship is trust and you don't have that for my daughter, so, set her free. Let her find love."
I felt my world spinning.
I looked at Mom, whose eyes were watering.
"D..Dad..." I tried to speak, "No."
"This isn't a request. It's an order." He said.
"Please." I folded my hands, "Don't do this Dad. Please... I know I messed up but, I beg you, don't take Nishu away from me."
"I didn't take Nishtha away from you. You pushed her away from yourself and it's high time that you suffer the consequences of your actions."
I couldn't believe this was my dad speaking.
I assumed my Dad would help me, but he has completely sided with Nishtha.
He's not wrong.
I firmed myself, "Dad. I'm sorry, I can't give you what you want. She's my wife. I know I messed up but I promise that after tonight, your view will change, at least a little. I'm not asking you to forgive me Dad, I'm asking you to please give me a chance. Please just don't cut me off, watch me make amends and then make a decision."
He looked at me, then walked away.
I felt my heart crushing, but I held myself together and then looked at Mom.
"I hope you know what you're doing, Yuvaan." She said and walked off.

~•~

Seated at the dining table was Dad, Mom, Vami, Arush, Rohan, Bua, Me and Bua's family friend's daughter.... Shreya.  

The dinner felt fabricated but it had to be this way. As expected, Bua was chirping on and on about Shreya and her achievements in the US. I stayed quiet, listening to whatever nonsense she was saying, while Arush and Rohan sat quietly.
Feeling awkward, mostly.
Dad and Mom were talking, to everyone except me.

"Guys." I said, looking at everyone, "I say we take this conversation to the hall?"
"Of course Beta." Bua said.
We all got up and I looked at Rohan and Arush, who nodded in response.

Once everyone was settled, I added, "I wanted to share the progress of YuBM and YUVA to all of you and wanted you to be the first to know about the new things I've been working on."
"Go ahead." Mom said.
I switched on the TV, which projected a few slides regarding YUVA, "So, we've gotten way more deals recently, and now with the new cash, I'd like to invest more into the YuBM project."
"Why?" Meenakshi asked.
"Well, what do you suggest I do with the money?"
"I would recommend you invest with Shreya. She is into the stock market, let her guide you on where to invest your money and make sure you get the most profit out of it. What say?"
"Yeah, Yuvaan." Shreya said, clearly seductively, "I can help you many ways." 
"That's an amazing idea. Infact, Bua, I know you've been through a lot recently and I was thinking that you should lead this investment of mine."
"Yuvaan! Really?"
"Of course. You've opened my eyes multiple times, you deserve a reward for it."
"I don't want a reward sweaty, I was just doing my job as your family."
Sure, Bua.
"I'd still want to help you." I said, "Infact, I know just the person who can help us with this. I have invited him anyway, he is very good with money. Ah here he is." I pointed to the door.
I saw Bua's face change once the man entered.
As expected.
Because the man in front of her, was none other than Mukesh, the gambler.
"W..who is he?" Bua asked.
"Well Bua, since the money is going to be yours, we need to make sure you get as much as you can, so I've asked Mr Manoj Kumar, a stock market specialist, to lead this. He has the experience needed to guide us in this."
"No! He.... I don't think he can." She said.
"Why not? You can check his CV."
"B...But... I don't think... I don't think that you should trust him, Yuvaan."
"Bua, give me a reason."
"He..."
"Didi," Mom said, "Yuvaan has his CV, you can check it. He must have double checked the CV and the person before hiring them. I'm sure. Trust him."
"Exactly Bua. Trust me. So now that that's sorted—"
"NO I WON'T LET MY MONEY DROWN. I KNOW HE ISN'T A STOCK MARKET PROFESSIONAL, HE IS A GAMBLER. I HAVE WORKED WITH HIM, HE CAN'T—"
She froze.

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