The Hardest Choice

Second Proposal

Note: The video clip that I have added is of Tu Hi Haqeeqat from Tum Mile. Enjoy reading the chapter and watching the video.

Nikhil's diary
26th May 2014(11:40 pm)
Dear Diary,

26th May 2014(11:40 pm)
Dear Diary,
The Crescent is over at last. And the good news is that we won the rolling trophy for the first time. I am on cloud nine, even though we were on second position in the group dance event. Well you'd be wondering how did I manage with Shreya, and that too in a partner dance. The answer is that I imagined as if I was dancing with Anukriti. So the things became easier for me. Well the best thing about the Crescent this year was the play put up by our school. It got the first prize, which it deserved. Also Satvik had got the best actor trophy which was the cherry on the cake. I really don't hate him. It's just that I couldn't trust him on the news.

I think I should now stop ranting about Crescent and rather tell you what I did today. After so many days of deliberations, I finally proposed her. I thought that it would be a blissful experience but rather I was puzzled by the way she was behaving.
When I went to her home, she was sleeping with her face covered. It was around 7 and she was still asleep. So I shook her for some time. She got up, startled, and was surprised to see me at that instant. One thing that I should admit, she looks adorable when she puts that confused look on her face. It is a look to die for.

"Hey Anu. How are you? "

"Oh hey Nikhil", she replied softly. "How come you be here?"

"Felt like paying you a visit. Also I had to say you something. "

" Okay. So how is everything going in school? How are my other idiots?"

"They are all good. "

"By the way, you said that you needed to say something. What is it? If it is some important information don't delay it."

She continued, "I also have something to convey to you."

I kept my fingers on her lips. Actually I was nervous, even though I had done that before. But this time the feelings were more intense. It was a feeling that I had never felt before.

"I love you my Anu. I want us to be together forever. Since the first time I had met, you have amazed me. When I felt weak, you have supported me. You have advised me the right thing when I was going on a wrong track. I don't want to lose you ever." I spoke. Actually I was real nervous.

Then I leaned closer to her and within no time we ended up kissing each other fervently. For me it was the most blissful experience. But then I saw tears streaming down her eyes. Even though she tried to stop them, but they flew like a river from a glacier. I wanted to ask her the reason for this when suddenly my phone rang. My mother was angry at me as I had not informed her of my whereabouts. So I had to go. She tried to stop me but I had to go.

There is something really fishy going on in her life which she is reluctant to share with me. The way that she cried today or the abrupt way in which she left the competition are some examples. I don't know why she is hiding things from me. When I try to ask her the reason, she just smiles and shrugs off.

Now let me tell you what happened at home. Mom was in a fit of rage. She gave me a look that told me that I am going to be screwed. But still I decided to tell her the truth, even though I knew that she'd be furious.

"Where were you? " she glared at me.

"I went to Anukriti's home."

"Didn't you know that I don't like her? Then why? "

"Mom, you are overreacting. It's my life and I will decide whom I should talk to. Do I interfere in your life? "

"Then do whatever you want to do. But don't talk to me. There is simply no respect for your parents' opinions. Now just get lost. I don't want to see your face and get more upset. "

I just went to my room, slammed the door and started to read the third chapter of Biology text book. Studying has always worked as a stress buster for me and it helps me become a recluse as well. And then I felt that I needed to write a diary and so I started off.

Bye
Nikhil Jain
*******

Meanwhile, Anukriti sobbed in her room. Her tears had made the whole of the pillow wet.

"I had detested the idea of being a burden to my parents, to my friends again. But after seeing these guys I feel that I was wrong in my decision of letting myself go. "

"I don't know how I should say this to you Nikhil and Satvik without hurting your feelings. Since the time I had known that my cancer had relapsed, I wanted to break free from all the ties, from all the sadness that my parents were experiencing because of me. But now I want to live. I want to live for them. God please grant me my wish. I promise that I would value my life. I know that this is not possible but still I need a miracle. "

"The pain I suffer reminds me of what am I carrying inside. But that pain is just nothing as compared to the pain that I saw today in Nikhil's eyes when I cried, when I hide things from him. I know that I can't hide my emotions from him. He is too smart to guess the cause. I cannot bear to see how Satvik would react when he realises that I would be snatched away from him soon. I love them (as friends) too much. Please God give them the strength to cope up. "

While she was thinking all this, Loveleen called her for the dinner. On reaching her room she saw her crying her heart out.

"Are you OK? " she asked, concerned.

"Ma, please let me alone for some time. "

She gently caressed her and then said," Is Nikhil the reason behind your tears? "

"No. I am just feeling the pain. And that made me sad. "

Loveleen had heard what all she had said earlier and could not help herself when she finally broke down.

"I love you my angel and I will always love you whether you live or die. What we have to go through is a sad truth but I want you to enjoy your life before you die. Death is inevitable but I don't want you to die many deaths before. "

"I love you mom. "

She came down for dinner and was surprised to see her sister Shaily waiting for her. She was a professional model and came for some days to enjoy with parents. On seeing Shaily she started cursing her in her mind. Shaily interrupted her and said," I feel the same for you idiot. So stop that and eat now. "

"Oh please. Why do you come to make me miserable? I hate everything about you. You are just a pompous and egomaniac person."

Stop that you two and eat now". Her mother said.

After eating she went to her room and sobbed continuously at the mess her life had become. She didn't realize when did she drift off to sleep.     

Note:
A big thank you to all the readers for voting, commenting and reading it till now. I would request you all to please continue to show your love by reads, comments and votes. I am really happy as it has started displaying in the #What's hot page of #Your Story India and #Indian.
Love,
Arpita Gupta