Everything but her

For you, my sister

Most of the people had started leaving. It was almost 11:30 and the party had reached its end. Abhimanyu came up to Aarushi and bid her a goodbye. His family left along with him. Virat had left an hour ago without even saying anything. He had come like a whirlwind and left in a similar manner. Aarushi was anxious to talk to him about his behaviour. She went to her room and closed the door. She wanted to call him up instantly but that seemed such an absurd idea to her right now. Absurd or not, she did exactly that.

However, she was left disappointed when she found out that his phone was switched off. A screaming desire captured her entire being and she was left with nothing but despair. No matter how badly she wanted it, she knew she couldn't get it. And that was what hurt so bad. She tried to sleep but it never came. Closing the eyes only made her dream about him more. Escaping, she discovered, was not a solution here. It was not long, however, that Aarushi slept like a baby. She was tired and that tiredness soon took over the grief.

It was around 5 in the morning when Aarushi woke up hearing the ringtone of her mobile. She tried to remember if she had put up any alarm and could not remember doing anything like that. She took the phone in her hand and saw what it was. Well, no surprises there. It was Virat.

'Hello', she said in a groggy voice.

'Still sleeping huh?', he asked her.

'Yes, this is no time to get up for someone who had slept at around 1'

'Ok, so why did you call me last night? And don't tell me that you did not. My phone was switched off but my app tells me the details.'

'Nothing just why didn't you tell me before leaving yesterday?'

'You called me to ask this?', he expressed his tone of surprise.

'Yes, that and your behaviour last night', she said.

'Well, I thought why not give you a taste of your own medicine.'

'What do you mean Virat? I do not mean to hurt you intentionally and you were the one who promised bro on my behalf that I would never meet you. You are responsible for all that happened yesterday. How can you blame me? You know what my fault is? That I came back and fell for your charm once again. I am so, so foolish', she said sounding so irritated.

'Exactly, it is all my fault. So, why do you bother about me anymore. Enjoy your life. Why did you call me? Why do you care how I behave. I behaved as cordially as I should while attending my friend's sister wedding.'

'Ok, then why did you call me today. You forgot I am just your friend's sister?', Aarushi said furiously.

'No I saw your missed call and called you', he said.

'Ok, then it was nice thing for you Mr. Virat Kohli', she said.

'Aarushi..', Virat said getting all tired by her blabber.

'Yes, we are to behave professionally now. Right?', she asked.

'No, you don't understand at all or do you? Why do you think it is easier for me? If you have loved me with all your heart, well I have too.'

'No, I don't doubt your intensity of love. You might even love me more but you assured me not to worry about anything. You talked me into going to bro. You told me that everything would be fine. This is fine according to you?'

'I know what I said. The problem is that I cannot go against Ajinkya and I cannot see him hating the both of us for the rest of our lives. Can you live with that?'

'Well, you made your choice. What about me? What choice do I get? Nothing? I am stuck between you and him. Why? Why did I ever choose to love?', Aarushi said philosophically.

'Aarushi, now listen to me. I know this is not what we wanted. But, all this will lead to a soured relation between you and Abhimanyu. And you tell me what is his fault in all of this? You have to be strong and you know learn to live life. You must stop brooding on me', Virat said half convinced about his words.

'I will be strong Virat, I promise. What about you? How long do you think you can escape from me and move on? You will have to face me. See, I am no love expert and I don't know how to handle all this. All I know is that I cannot love another man with the same intensity. Let's run away, Virat, please.'

'Don't act crazy, Aarushi. You were engaged last night.'

'Why can't I get what I want for once in my life?', she reflected her frustration.

'Aarushi, are you up?', Ajinkya called out.

'Bye, Virat I have to go. Sorry', she hung up the call and said, 'yes, just woke up.'

'Okay come out then', he said.

Aarushi joined him in the garden. They took a small walk.

'Aarushi, are you okay with all this?', Ajinkya asked her.

'Yeah, totally', she said without any enthusiasm.

'Well, I have to say something. I am really sorry for what I did but it was all in your best interests', he sighed.

'I know', she answered emotionless.

'Aarushi, do you want to call off this engagement?', Ajinkya asked her straight.

Aarushi stared at him for a while and did not know what to answer him.
Ajinkya asked her once again, 'what do you want to do? I cannot see you like this. I love you. And you think that I don't care? Well, why do you think I stopped you in the first place? Because I cared. But, I can't have my way by pressurising you. I saw you yesterday. Just tell me, I will talk to Abhimanyu.'

'You know what I want bro. I don't know right or wrongs. I know just about my heart. I am naive but I don't know what to do a about it. I cannot stop loving him', Aarushi almost blurted out her entire feelings.

Ajinkya stared at her. He knew all of this. But, he had thought it would subside. He now understood that he had never really got how much the two of them loved each other. He was ashamed of himself but he was also determined to amend all this. He had to do it. For his sister. He did not care what anyone would say now. He had made up his mind.