A Young Love Story...

Part 13 - Moving ahead in Love...

Ananya was on cloud nine because Vishu trusted her so much. Any other person in his place would have mistrusted her, after seeing her with the guy she was seriously considering. 

Rishi reached his house, and offered his father the juice. He was upset, the way Ananya had behaved throughout the evening. He felt as if Ananya had just come for the sake of it. But he thought, instead of assuming, he should talk to Ananya. He called her. Her mother received the call. She asked Ananya to pick up the parallel line, and hung up the main line. Ananya was very angry that Rishi had called so late, and also given his name to her mom. 

"Rishi? Why have you called this late? And you should have hung up when mom received the call. You will put me in trouble Rishi!" she spoke in one breath. 

"Ananya, relax. I know I should have hung up, but talking to you was important. Please calm down. I don't know how to say this, but your behavior this evening hurt me... I know I have no right on you, nor should I expect anything, but still I thought you were there with me physically but your mind was elsewhere!" He vented out. 

"Rishi! May be you are right. My mind was elsewhere! Actually, I am in a relationship with someone. I should have told you earlier about my feelings. But I did not. Because I myself was confused. Now I am clear. I am in love with a person, you know him. His name is Vishesh." She felt better after saying this. 

"Vishesh? Oh!! Wait wait.. Now it is all clear. You had called him there in evening too right? Wow. I know you did not have any feelings for me, but this was royal snubbing... Thanks, thanks a lot Ananya! I deserved this. You kept me hanging as if you were considering my proposal.. But all the while you were just playing with my feelings?" He was hurt, and angry too.

Ananya was hurt by his words too.. Did she make him feel so bad after all? He felt snubbed by her? She was clueless what to say... 

"Ananya, I loved you, may be I will always love you. But you need to learn, you should not take advantage of someone's feelings for you..." He was talking quite loudly, she literally had to put the earpiece away from her ear. 

"Rishi! Hang on! I have not taken any advantage of your feelings. You are just talking rubbish. You are a friend..." she was speaking still, when Rishi started talking again.

"Cut the crap Ananya... I told you not to play around with words.. Just friends, good friends.. no thank you.. I don't need it. I don't need you in my life. Thanks a lot. God bless you. Take care." He hung up. 

Ananya was hurt beyond measure. She could not believe a guy who claimed to love her could be so rude to her. She was shocked. She felt terrible. It was almost 10 pm, but she wanted to speak to Vishu immediately. She called him up. Vishesh himself received the phone, and Ananya blurted out everything that Rishi said. She mentioned all that he had told her on their coffee date too. She was not sad but hurt. Vishesh heard her out. All he said was, "Anu... it is okay. It happens. It's a part and parcel of relationships. I assure you with me you will never ever be hurt. And if you feel hurt, let me know, I will change any behavior of mine that causes you pain. Always be frank that's all. I promise you, I will be your friend first, any other relationship will come later." 

Ananya was very happy with what she heard. She thanked Vishesh profusely. They hung up, and Ananya smiled happily. Vishesh held the receiver close to his heart, shook his head, saying, "Anu.. you are my sweet angel..."and smiled. 

Ananya's mom walked in and asked who is Rishi and why he had called. Her mother had no issues with girls calling, but she was always suspicious about guys calling. Ananya thanked her stars that Vishesh was careful whenever he called. "Ma, Rishi... you know Piyush uncle's son... He and I are classmates. He had some doubts, so he had called." Her mother knew Mr. Piyush Jain, Rishi's father. She did not say anything further, because she knew their family. In fact, they were from the same community so they often met too. 

Ananya felt blessed that Vishesh was so caring. She did not feel like studying, she was lost in 'her' Vishu's thoughts. She was feeling stupid that she had been keeping him waiting. She remembered all the past events between Vishu and her, and smiled. She started imagining their future together, and slept smiling. She also dreamed about Vishu and her marriage that night! She saw herself in a Bengali attire. She was simply exhilarated.