A Young Love Story...

Part 21 - Moving On..

Ananya was deeply hurt and angry with the way things panned at Vishesh's place. She expected him to stand by her, but realized that he would not go against his father. May be he was scared, and lacked the guts. But she felt terrible. She had been crying all along and looking down and walking, taking slow steps. Out of the blue, she just heard a bike come to a sudden halt with a screeching sound. She looked up. It was Rishi. 

"Ananya.. what happened? You are crying! Is everything okay?" he asked out of concern. 

"I am okay.. Err, I am.." she broke down. 

Rishi put his hand on her shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze. "Stop crying, first. Talk to me..." It took her a few minutes to regain her composure. There was a small cafe around, Rishi took Ananya there. They were both seated in silence for a while. Then he asked. "Ananya, what happened to you? Family issues? Missing Vishesh? What? Tell me... I can't see a bubbly girl like you crying like this. And with this pretty dress on, you should wear a nice smile, not tears!" 

Ananya spoke softly. "My life itself is an issue Rishi. My parents wanted me to get married to you, but I was not ready. I wanted to marry Vishu, and dad was not ready. Now Vishesh wants to marry me, and his father is not ready! So, you see it is all so messed up! What else can I do if not cry?" 

"I don't know what I can say in this situation! Who told you about Vishesh's father not ready to accept you?" Rishi asked. 

"Rishi" said Ananya, and broke down. She narrated the entire event to him. 

Rishi found that quite rude too. He said as much to her. "Can I drop you home? We can talk on the way! I can't see you cry here publicly. Please!" he requested. 

Ananya thought for a while, but she finally agreed. They rode, speaking general things. On the way, she told him she had lied at home about going for a colleague's engagement ceremony. He laughed to that. "Ananya, you are a pro at lying or what??"That made her smile. 

"Ananya... What now? What is your next move? Did you speak with Vishesh?" He asked genuinely. 

"I don't know Rishi. I hate to even think of that man, his father!! There is no way I can ever marry Vishesh!! It just won't happen!" She started crying again. In her grief, she did not realize she was leaning on Rishi's shoulder. He was riding his bike, but Ananya's tears were wetting his shoulder, and melting his heart. 

He stopped the bike. He turned to look at her. "Ananya, don't love me, it is okay. Don't marry me, I'll take that as well. But never cry in front me! Never! I may be strong enough to take any other blow, but your tears are my weakness! Please don't torture me with your tears!" 

Ananya was touched by his concern. They looked at each other for a long time. Suddenly, Ananya realized they were in the middle of the road, so she made a sound by clearing her throat. Rishi excused his behavior and started the ride again. The rest of the ride home was rather silent. 

As soon as he dropped her, he was about to leave, but Ram came out. "Arre, Rishi! Come in. Why are you leaving from outside? Come in, have juice with us." He pulled him in. 

As they all sat down, suddenly Ram asked Ananya.. "You had gone for a colleague's engagement right? Where did you meet Rishi?" 

"Papa, we met by accident! I was returning, and he was passing from there. So he offered to drop me!"she said plainly. 

She spoke again, "I want to tell you something, dad!"Her father nodded his agreement and she continued. "I have understood there is no future of my relationship. I love him dearly, but it is never going to be easy marrying and settling down with him. So, I am frankly telling you, you all in fact, I am ready to get married as per your choice. If that means Rishi, I am willing to accept that too!"

Ram and Rekha were obviously elated. Their happiness knew no bounds as they hugged each other and then Ananya. Rishi was shocked. He hadn't expected this! He actually did not know whether he was happy that Ananya would finally walk in to his life, or be sad that she was clearly choosing him as a replacement in the absence of her love! He was numb. Ananya looked at him, and said, "Can I talk to you for a short while?" He nodded. They went inside the room to talk.

"Rishi, I know there is no excitement in your heart..! But trust me, I am not choosing you as a replacement. You are special because you have always stood by me. I was blind to not see it. I definitely love Vishu, but I will never find my happiness with him. So, today, I entrust my happiness to you. Will you keep me happy? Forever?"she asked most innocently.

Rishi could not hold himself back, he literally threw himself around Ananya and hugged her fiercely. "Yes Ananya, of course! I love you! I will always love you, and give you the best! I promise! Thank you, thank you Ananya. For everything!" They hugged each other warmly. They parted after a while, and Rishi took leave from them. He wanted to go home and quickly tell his mom of the happy event in their lives. 

Ananya's parents once again hugged her, and thanked her profusely for not letting them down.

Meanwhile, Vishesh had called a dozen times on Ananya's mobile phone, but she had chosen to let it pass, till she was fine enough to talk to him. She was going through a lot of emotions at the moment - She was angryabout his dad's behavior, she was sad he did not stand by her. She was hurt that she would never be able to build a future with the man she loved. She was unsure of her own words if she chose to speak to him, now! So she let the rings go by, without answering. 

Finally, after a lot of missed calls, she called him back. It was 9 p.m. "Vishu! Oh sorry! Vishesh." she said and stopped, letting her sarcasm set in. 

"Stop it Anu! Vishu and Anu it is! Right?" he was asking, like a little child.

"No! You are special even to me. That is why Vishesh!! Oh Vishu! Anyways, I won't waste your time or mine, anymore! We are madly in love with each other, yes! But there is no way we will ever make it in each others' lives! So, let us part with beautiful memories, and cut out whatever happened today! Okay?"

Vishesh was shattered! He was shocked! "Anu! Are you mad? No! It is difficult but not impossible. Okay? We will convince..."

"I have given up Vishu! I have agreed to marry Rishi!" she said blankly. 

"Anu??? No!! Tell me you are lying.. You are angry right? So you are just pricking me, to hurt me! Right? You can't marry Rishi! You don't love him." said Vishesh.

"No, I don't! I love you. But trust me, I am not strong enough. I cannot go on fighting with my parents and yours. Plus, practically, whatever happened today is going to repeat. And I don't have the courage to face that either. I promise you, I love you. I always will. But Rishi is my future! I have to move ahead. So should you. Love you Vishu!" she said, and she hung up. 

Vishu held his mobile close to his ear for a long time, and cried like a baby. He did not know when he cried to sleep. 

Meanwhile, Rishi hugged his mother and gave her the biggest news of happiness, and that night he cried tears of happiness, and slept. 

Ananya, stared blankly at the wall, recollecting each of the wonderful memories she had made with her Vishu, and sobbed at intervals. She was strong enough to decide to move on, but she was not strong enough to actually move on. Her pillow was testimony!