A Young Love Story...

Part 18 - More Troubles...

Despite various efforts at convincing her parents, Ananya could not do much about Vishesh and her love story. She could hardly even speak to Vishesh, as most times her parents would be around, and couple of times that she called, Vishesh wasn't home. He had told her he would not call her home, it may cause issues. Her parents did not know who the Bengali guy was, but they did not approve and it did not matter. They used to stay in regular touch with Rishi and his mother. And deep down, they hoped that their daughter will sooner or later agree to get married to Rishi. 

Rishi used to call Ananya now and then, and speak normally with her. Ananya kept her friendship with him intact. One day, she decided to take Rishi's help, because it had been almost a month since spoke with or met Vishesh. She called Rishi at his store. "Hi Rishi. Ananya here. How are you?" she causally asked. 

Rishi replied normally, that he was fine but kept busy these days. After some casual talks, she said, "Rishi, please do me a favor. I have not spoken to Vishu in more than a month. And he doesn't call fearing issues at my place. Can you ask him to meet me at 5 p.m today at the juice parlor near our college? Please?"

"Of course, Ananya, I will call him right now.  Don't worry. Have fun." Rishi was thoughtful. He knew love cannot be forced and that Ananya loved Vishesh, and he had gracefully accepted this by now. 

He called and spoke to Vishesh. He gave her the update about Ananya meeting him. Vishesh thanked Rishi, and they closed their talk after a while. 

Vishesh had started assisting his father in the meat-export business. As soon as Rishi informed him, he went and told his father that he may not be in office in the evening. His father did not object. In the evening, Vishesh went to the juice parlor near his college. Ananya was there shortly afterward. 

She saw Vishesh and immediately hugged him, and said, "Vishu, I have missed you! How are you?" 

"I am absolutely fine, Anu. I have been thinking of you too much, but I can't talk to you, and miss you too." They held hands and sat down. They ordered their juices, and spoke while they waited for their order. 

"Anu, why don't you get a mobile phone? I got one last week. This one!" He showed her a Samsung flip phone. It was small and handy. He told her this was the only way to stay in touch.

Ananya decided to speak to her father about it. Then she started talking to Vishesh. "Vishu.. my father is still adamant I consider Rishi for marriage. And he is not willing to listen to anything to do with "that Bengali guy". Even if I tell him it is you, he will not be impressed, because he likes you but when he heard of your dad's business, he was sickened. I didn't know what could I have said. Vishu, for my sake, can you leave all these and start some decent business? And live separately from your parents? That way, dad might get convinced."

"Anu, what are you saying? I am my parents' only son. I have responsibilities towards them. Just for us to be together, I can't torture my parents with all this. I am sorry! I love you, and you also should love only me. Don't go around changing everything about me! Please!" he said in a very straightforward way. Ananya was hurt, because she could not see how she would ever be able to convince her parents! 

"Vishu, does that mean I should forget our love?" she asked in an angry tone.

"Anu, if I remember right, you had told me you don't know what will happen in future but for now, you will just go with the flow, right? So, I am reminding you of that. Let us go with the flow, don't think too much about tomorrow! And I love you, no matter what happens!" he said reassuringly. Ananya pulled away her hand from his.

"Fine, Vishu! I got my answer. You only want to continue with this meeting up, and hanging around. You are not keen on any future with me! Thanks!" she said.