The Scars ✓

Four

All this time Arjun forgot to keep a track of time. When he came out of the bank and looked at his watch, he realised that time had passed so quickly that it was already ten.

He was late for his office. So, he thought of ditching his office that day and going to a peaceful place to relax for some time. For him, peaceful meant only one place, the Central garden that had a pond in the centre. It was an almost secluded park and not many people liked to visit or stay there for long. This made it Arjun's favourite place to think and work his problems out.

He went to the park, just two blocks away from Vrinda's bank.

He entered the park and almost involuntarily sat in front of the small pond where there were only a few people. He found that place very quiet and serine. A place that was his personal resolve. A place that he always came to when he had to think, when he was sad, when he wanted to be alone...

He had taken out the small emergency picnic spread from his bike and spread it down, on the grass, then laid down on the soft sheet, looking at the clear sky above his head.

The only thing in his mind was the conversation between him and Vrinda. It was as if his whole brain was focussing only on their conversation. The more he recalled the event, the wider his smile became. There was nothing that could distract him or take his mind off of the 'girl at the bank.' All the people that crossed him probably thought that he was a lunatic because he was smiling for no reason. Little did they know of the scenes playing in his mind.

Even when he closed his eyes, all he could think of was about 'Vrinda.' Her eyes, lips, nose and most of all her smile... oh! He just couldn't think of anything else except her.

However hard he tried to distract himself, he couldn't do it. His thoughts kept wavering to Vrinda again and again.

Time passed very quickly. Soon it started getting dark so Arjun got up and started walking away from both the park's serenity and the thoughts of Vrinda...

He drove back home in a very cheerful mood. The whole ride went life a shot of movie, in complete slow motion with all the violins playing in the background. He shook his head and spoke to himself,

"If this is the way you'll behave around her, then you better be prepared to be called a joker instead of anything else." He laughed at his own goofiness and continued,

"But, I really hope that he is single and not seeing anyone. I just know her name. I know nothing else about her. If I have impress this girl, I need to go a little over the top. I will, she's worth a shot, isn't she?"

The next ten minutes went by him thinking of the various ways in which he will convince Vrinda to come with him for one date.

Arjun entered his house with a huge grin on his face but that was quickly replaced by just a simple smile. His mother's stern face reminded him of his duties towards his family as he was the only son, after his father in his family of five sisters.

His father was a government officer and a very strict personality. He was a man of virtues. Arjun, even though very close to his father, never spoke very freely with him, out of respect for him. He was loved by his mother the most because he was the only son of the family. His childhood was spent in being pampered by all his sisters and mother. They loved him very dearly and he was never stopped from doing anything that he wished for. He was given anything that he put a finger on.

His father, on the other hand believed that whatever he buys should be from his own hard earned money so that he knows the judicious use of it and not spend it unnecessarily on any item that was not of absolute requirement.

Arjun along with all his sisters also used to contribute in the house financially so as to ease the burden of their parents as they were a very big family with five girls that were to be married.

After thinking about the pressure of his home that was majorly on his shoulders, Arjun decided to bury all his feelings under the sheets of his responsibilities. He thought that it was best if he forgot about all this and focus on the tasks at hand. He went into complete denial and tried to give his entire attention towards work and home.

For the next few days Arjun tried to take his mind off Vrinda but failed to do so every single time. He did whatever he could to get her out of his mind.

"Suck it up dude? What is wrong with you? Just focus."

"I am." Said a voice inside his head.

"I mean on the work and home. Prioritise."

"I am." Said the voice again.

Finally he gave in to his feelings and decided to let whatever was inside his heart to her, even though he knew this was not possible. He was never one of the people to have serious relationships or feelings for anyone but then again he convinced himself by saying,

"There's always a first time, isn't it?" He tried to persuade himself to muster some strength.

"Only when I tell her will I be content and at peace." He continued to think. Arjun wasn't afraid to talk to her though, rather he was terrified.

"Maybe it's just a little crush. It'll fade away." He thought again, unable to gather his courage to speak to her.

"You like her. Accept it. You're a man!" The voice spoke inside his head again.

Arjun was an expert in the subject of girls and it wasn't difficult for him to talk to any girl, but Vrinda, oh no no no, Vrinda was way different. He couldn't even go and talk to her, let alone ask her out!

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