Everything but her

Not just you, it's also my heart

'Mom, I am leaving for Mumbai for three days. I have some work to finish', Virat said with a grim face.

'Ok, take care of yourself', his mother replied. She had gotten used to him being away for months. This was just three days. Moreover, she trusted him with his life decisions. She knew he had grown up and thus she had given up most of her probing.

Virat was probably boarding the most difficult flight of his life. He did not even know if he wanted to be there. But his heart had won the hard fought battle against the brain; which simply told him that he needed to see her one last time. If that was the last time. He had not planned anything heroic like interrupting the engagement but he was hoping against hopes that destiny sides with him.

He reached Mumbai at around 3 and he had to be at the venue at around 7. So, he went to a hotel and took a room. He was feeling lonelier than ever. He switched on the television set but kept changing the channels as he could not find anything soothing enough for his situation. After having swapped through all the channels, he switched it off and threw the remote in disdain. His peace of mind had been disrupted. There was almost nothing that could calm him. He moved out of the room and hired a car. He drove it around and found that he finally felt relieved. He was driving at a permissible pace as those words of Aarushi had always reverberated in his brain while driving, 'Do not drive fast. I don't like breaking laws. I love being in that cushion of laws.'

He drove a long way from Worli to Vashi and did not realise the time. It had already been two hours. That meant two hours going back too. He gave a quick glance towards his watch and turned his car around.

It was 8 and Aarushi's eyes were searching her specially invited guest. She knew it was gonna break her heart but then she could not have lived without inviting him. She had her doubts though. She was beginning to think that he would not come. She needed him. She wanted him to see what he had left behind that night. Her heart. Stranded. Alone. Broken. He was the pain but he was also the only medication.

Virat had dropped the idea of going. He had come to Mumbai specially for this. He had no other work at least for that day but he thought it would be better to let things remain the way they were. He did not want to complicate the situation. His heart was baffled at the way he had ditched it. Aarushi, he finally reflected, was not his. While he was thinking all this, he heard a sound. He had received a message and he knew who it could have been.

Aarushi- So you didn't get a gift for me and decided to ditch me even here?

Virat was just heartbroken reading the message. He had ditched her once again? No, he answered. He wanted to tell her how badly he had stopped himself from going there. And yes, she was right he had no gift. What could he possibly have given her in order that she lived her life happily? Did he even want her to be happy with someone else? So many questions and she had just said that he had ditched her. Wow, life was in a mess.

He thought it was better not to reply anything. He did not want to direct her attention towards him. He knew his emotions needed an opening but for now he had to just keep them bottled up for the sake of both of them.

Aarushi knew her message had been delivered. She also knew that he had read it. What she could not understand was why he chose to remain silent? She had wielded a rock on her heart and called him. He had asked her if she would not invite him. Why wasn't he here? Why was she doing this? She could run away too. She wanted to escape all the prodding eyes and blossom into the heart of the man she loved, admired and adored.  What made it so difficult? Why couldn't she stand up and say that this was it? Why? Why was the question here. And surprisingly she knew the answer. It was simple. It was because Virat had left her once again alone. She had to do it because she loved her family but she wasn't sure what she would do when she got married. What motivation will it be which would make her love her husband when she clearly loved someone else?

'Aarushi, why have you brought along your mobile set?', her mother asked her.

'Mom, actually I can get a call anytime from work. They had a fashion show today. And I was to coordinate. I took a leave but if anything happens, they have to call me.'

'Even on the day of your engagement, you couldn't keep your work away?', her mother exclaimed in surprise and disappointment.

'Mom, it is something I love', Aarushi explained.

'I can never get you', she sighed.

Aarushi kept asking her cousin sister if there was any new message on the phone and ended up being disappointed at all times. The time had arrived to exchange the rings and Aarushi was more anxious than ever. She had a thousand questions running in her mind. She could see everyone from the Indian team there except Virat.

The ceremony had just started when Aarushi noticed him entering the hall. He had a bouquet in his hand but he was looking very grim as though he had come for a funeral. Aarushi beat the urge to go meet him and exchanged the rings. She lost herself then in the applause that followed. Abhimanyu looked at her and asked,
'Are you okay?'

'Yes, perfectly alright', she gave one of her fake smiles.

'Ok, then many people are waiting to get a photograph with one of the most beautiful ladies in the room. Shall we?', he asked her.

'Yeah, sure', she said keeping her smile intact.

Virat came up to them.
'Congratulations Abhimanyu and Aarushi', he said offering them the bouquet.

'Thank you so much. It is an absolute pleasure to meet you', Abhimanyu said offering a handshake.

Virat shook his hand and without even looking at Aarushi moved towards the crowd. The only reason he had come there was because he did not want to be all alone. He needed company. He wanted to just be around someone even if silently. He went and sat alongside Rohit and Raina.

Aarushi, meanwhile, was surprised by his behaviour. He had not even said proper pleasantries to her. Ruchika, Aarushi's cousin sister came to Aarushi and told her in her ear,
'There is a message'

'What is it?', she implored.

'It says, ''Yes, I have ditched but not just you, it is also my heart'' '

Aarushi heard her words and controlled her tears. She looked at Virat and saw that he was busy in conversation with Rohit. She could read his face. It was all a farce. That smile. He could fool everyone but not her. She knew exactly what he meant. She could see the same pain in his eyes. Maybe pain was all destiny had in store for them.