19 Dates

Chapter 44

Pinky's message read as follows: Dev I want to begin by telling you that I love you more than any other thing or person in this world. From the moment I parted from you there is this sense of incomplete feeling that I am sure you are dealing with as well. I have never felt like, had never imagined that coming to India I would find love hidden in my childhood friendship. For me it all started with this immense respect that I had & have for you as a person, right from the time that I got to know you. My apologies for getting late in connecting with you sweetheart but then things have not gone well. Dev what I am about to share with you will change everything for us but then with whatever courage I find in myself I want to tell you the truth.

Dev I told dad about us, he did not say a word for two days, in fact everyone at home stopped talking to me. I kept asking them what was wrong but no one spoke a word until finally mom spoke to me:

Pinky's mom, "I think I had made very clear to you always that we never had any problems with you dating or for that matter even having a fling but then deciding to get married to someone? Pinky this was or rather will never be a decision for you to make. Don't forget the respect we hold in our community & how important it is for your father to ensure that nothing happens against our beliefs & systems. You father has already decided to get you married to someone who hold an equal status & comes from a respectably family in our community just like ours. He won't talk to you unless you go & apologize and also assure him that you would marry the person who is suitable for you according to him. If not, then you are most welcome to leave us but then you will have no place among us ever. Now it is up to you to decide if you want to go with a relation you have had for a lifetime or this thing you call love which is just a month old."

Dev these are the exact words my mother has spoken to me. All the time that I spent with you made me forget what kind of a family background I come from. I tried Dev, with everything I had, I swear I have tried but I have failed miserably. I cannot explain any further why I am choosing to do this but I will be getting married to this person my father has already decided to get me married to. A sorry or nothing will ever be able to make up to this crime I am doing to hurt you Dev but I will not be able to see you anymore. I will have to break all connection with you. Shalini was right, I was never the right person for you. The love & respect I have for you will always remain, if you choose to hate me Dev, do so but don't lose your faith in love, for all that we had was real.

I hope you find love & I hope love never leaves your heart.