A Young Love Story...

Part 24 - Misery for One, Victory for two?

Slowly, the married life was coming into a routine. Ananya was obedient most of the times, but she was quite individualistic and had it her way, as and when she felt like something was not right according to her. At the same time, Sukanya was a mature woman too. She knew when to hold on, and when to let go. So, the domestic cart of their married life, moved almost smoothly. Rishi never had to intervene between his mother and wife, because they handled it fairly well. As for Rishi and Ananya, they were functioning well as friends. Neither did Rishi try to impose any of his thoughts, nor did he expect intimacy from Ananya. He knew she was a mature and understanding girl. She would come out of her shelf and break her inhibitions when she was ready for it. He was ready to wait it out. 

As for Ananya, she was almost living her life with no regrets. She woke up and helped her mother-in-law. She finished the morning chores and left for work. She worked well. She used to return by 7 or a little later, and handle the household chores and dinner preparations. She did not give any chance for anyone to complain. As for her feelings about Vishesh, she knew she still loved him. They messaged everyday, spoke only few times, because she could barely manage to find herself all alone, be it in office or at home. Vishesh understood that, and did not disturb her by calling. He was crazy about her, even more than he was earlier. He had become obsessed with her. He had also become very weak. He would often cry, and keep asking Ananya when they would be together again. She always deviated from that topic, but she knew this was a sad ending to her love story with her Vishu. But neither was she willing to let him go, nor did she think she would ever be with him again. 

As for Ananya's thoughts about Rishi, she had never really given it even a thought as to when she would accept him as her husband finally. 

This went on for almost 2 years. One fine day, Rishi's mother was talking to Ananya's mother. She said, "Rekha, I wanted to talk to you about these children. I understand today's kids are very smart and educated, well-informed. But somehow, I long to hear a baby crying in my household now. I am telling you because I can't bring this up with Rishi. He may be embarrassed. And I can't bring this up with Ananya either. She may not like it if I spoke to her. It is better you speak to her. As a mother, she will be more free and frank with you. Its been 2 years now. Last week, on their anniversary, I suggested them to go someplace, a hill station or something. But Ananya flatly refused saying, she would not get a long holiday, and short holidays get tiresome. She mentioned she was coming over there for few days. So, see if you can talk to her when she comes to your place tomorrow. Will you?" she was most soft-spoken and sober in her tone. Rekha immediately said, "Yes, of course Sukanya. I will speak with her." 

The next evening, Ananya returned from office, finished her work and then went to her room. She asked Rishi if he would drop her over to her mom's place. He did not respond. She called out to him again, "Rishi, I asked you something!" He immediately looked up and said, "Now can I ask you something Ananya?" She looked stunned, Rishi's tone was quite unlike him. She nodded. He showed her some message she had sent to Vishesh. At the end, it said "LOVE YOU FOREVER". She was almost not prepared for this, and she got worked up. "How dare you touch my phone Rishi?" she furiously asked. 

"Ananya, I am your husband. I never thought I would need to remind you this. I don't have high expectations from you. I have never asked you for anything. But I always lived under the impression that you were trying to move on and come out of your past. I was okay you haven't yet accepted me. But I am not okay with this! If you have not yet come out of your past, how the hell will you ever be happy in present and build a future with me? Answer me!" he asked. 

Ananya looked at him defiantly. "Rishi, Vishesh and I love each other even now. I somehow just can't let go of him. Please leave me. I want a divorce. I will get married to Vishesh. That is the only solution to this. Because neither of us can live without each other. It has been almost 3 years since we had separated, but looks like time is not a healer after all..." she said it all so easily, that it stumped Rishi. 

"What?? Divorce? Ananya, have you lost your mind? Time is a healer if you allow time to take its course without meddling with it yourself. If you break free from your past, automatically you will get over Vishesh. You haven't let gone at all. Then how can time heal? And what do you mean by grant me a divorce? Do you know the repercussions? My mom, your parents, I mean think of them!" he said almost pleading. 

"I thought of them , which is why I am stuck today. I should have been bold enough then.. Today I would have been happy with the love of my life. Anyways, better late than never. I am leaving now to go to mom's place. I will be back by next Sunday. In between, I will try and meet a good lawyer and get the papers. You sign them, and it will be over mutually, smoothly. Please, don't make it difficult. I never loved you, and I can't get myself to. I hope you understand. Sorry for all the pain I gave you in the past, and even now. But I can't pretend more than this." She said this, walked over to Rishi, took her phone from him. She took her packed bag. She went to the hall, where her mother-in-law was. She touched her feet, and said she will be back next week, and bid her bye. "Ananya, take Rishi along..." she said. "No, Ma, I don't need him." she said, and left. 

Sukanya felt bad about the way Ananya said she doesn't need Rishi, but again she let it go. She did not want to interfere in their personal matter. 

Rishi shut the door, and wept like a baby. He had not felt this hopeless even when Ananya had rejected him in the past. This time, it hurt all the more because somewhere deep down he was hopeful everything will be fine one day. But this, what happened today, tore him apart. He felt dejected. It hurt a lot, and more than himself, he was worried about all other people involved. If Ananya did leave him and marry Vishesh, what will people talk about her? How will their parents take the entire issue? What will happen to his own life? He had a million questions, but no answers. He felt terribly lost. He wept all evening, and skipped dinner, and wept all night too. 

As soon as Ananya left home, she called Vishesh, "Vishu, Rishi read our messages! He was bitter about it." 

"Oops. But Anu, you should not pretend or hide anymore. Tell him, I can't let you go, and you also won't be happy without me! Tell him, we tried but we have both failed. We love each other and..." 

"I did, Vishu. I have already told him I want a divorce. Vishu, please work around something because I don't just want separation from Rishi, but also want to get married to you. Your father will stand against us, but we need to win over people this time. If my parents don't understand, I don't think it would affect me much now. Because, they have already married me off. I don't stay with them. So, whether I stay with Rishi or you, should not matter to them right?" she asked Vishesh about it. 

"Anu.. I guess if my mother stands with us, I am more than happy. I don't care for dad's approval either. I have worked and made myself enough money to sustain without dad's support. I will rent a house for us. It won't be long before you and I will be together Anu. No one can come in between our love now.. No one!" he sounded triumphant. 

Both of them cried tears of happiness, and hung up as Ananya reached her parents place.