Forever Together......???✔

Dinner

We were sitting in a restaurant for the dinner. Meera was looking upset. I saw her this upset for the first time after her interview. After the awkward silence of 5 minutes, Meera finally spoke,

"I know Ashok, you have many questions in your mind. I will start from the beginning."

"If you are comfortable of course.", I replied.

"Yes. I am. It's like now or never.", Meera said.

"Okay. Then."

"I was born in the middleclass family, in Meerut. I did my high school education from there. My mom was housewife and my father were investment advisor. He didn't used to earn much, but we were happy in what we had.

Once in a meeting my father met Mr. Suru Riaz. He is a big businessman in Meerut. He has strong connections in politics due to his business. He started meeting my father very often. He was being vey generous with him, we didn't know why at that time. He used to visit our house often. After few days he said that he wanted my dad to invest his money. My dad happily agreed to it. My mother tried to convince my father about not accepting his offer as he also had some illegal businesses. I hope you are understanding what I am saying. But, my dad didn't listen to her.

So, my dad has invested Mr. Riaz's around Rs. 50 to 60 lakhs rupees. Due to some crisis in the market his investments crashed. Almost all of his investment value was wiped up. When Mr. Riaz came to know that he became furious and started cursing my dad for it. My dad promised him that he will return his money. Mr. Riaz said he wants the money back with return. My dad agreed to this also. But, even then also Mr. Riaz used to send his goons almost every day, asking for his money.

So, my dad took decision for shifting to Pune. After coming to Pune also, I swear my dad was trying to recover his money as fast as possible. We don't know how he came to know about our where about, but soon after shifting to Pune the same thing started happening. So, for keeping me out of this my Mom insisted my father for keeping me in hostel. My father was against this as he was orthodox, but my mother didn't listen to him and sent me to V.K.M.G. That's why I took admission in Mid-Term. My father didn't like this and he stopped talking with me and my mother. Every night my mother used to call me and she used to cry a lot. Many times, there was a situation when I was almost on the verge of returning back to Pune. Nut, my mother used to stop me.

After few days Riaz came to our house and told my father that he knows that my father will not be able to return his money. So, he gave my father an option. He said he is ready to forget about his money if my father agrees for the marriage of his son with me. My father agreed this, but again my mother opposed it a lot. But he was of the opinion that, I have to marry someone one day then why not? So, he started forcing me for marriage. Do you remember that one day in CCD I got one call and I said, 'Fine? If you want me to do this then I will do it.' That was my consent for that marriage. After that my mother tried to suicide opposing the marriage. Dad was shocked due to this. So, he met Mr. Riaz and asked for some time for returning money. Mr. Riaz agreed to it on one condition, that my father will work with him unless he return his money and if he is not able to return it then he will agree for the marriage.

So, my father started working at his. He was facing much difficulties but he never let us know. During that period, we came close. I don't know how but Mr. Riaz came to know about this and he accused my father that he has cheated on him. He started torturing my father. Mr. Riaz started forcing my father for my marriage. He said he don't want to take risk. So, my father convinced him again. Mr. Riaz agreed to this on one condition. That I will dropped out from my college and I will not keep any contact with you. That's why I left V.K.M.G. without saying a word to you. Sorry, Ashok."

I was shocked after hearing this. I didn't say anything for 5 minutes. She again started talking.

"After I returned to Pune I came to know that Mr. Riaz was sending us to New York. He didn't want to take any 'Risk' regarding me. So, we came to New York. While reading Forbes I saw you. You don't know how much happy I became! I started reading about you. I really wanted to know everything about you. I missed you more than you missed me Ashok. But, there was no option left in front of me. After visiting your Company's website, I came to know about vacancy in your office. I knew you will remember me. So, I came for interview. I was not sure how you will react after seeing me after almost 10 years. So, I didn't say anything. But after being with you I understood that you remember me, So I wanted to talk with you, so I called you that other night, but didn't get courage to say all of this over phone, then I tried at Welcome Party then now at V.K.M.G. also, but some things came up every time."

I saw a tear rolling over her cheek. I wanted to console her, I wanted to hug her but I don't know why I was not feeling the bond that we used to share. I kept my hand over hers and said,

"It's okay Meera. I didn't even imagine that this much was going in your life. But, why didn't you tell me? We could have done something."

"I didn't want to trouble you Ashok. You already did so much for me plus I didn't want you to get disturbed or lose focus from your studies."

"Meera....", I stopped, to change the subject I said, "It's late now. You should take rest, don't take tension. Let's go to our rooms now and I will tell Milanda to arrange money, don't worry dear."

"No Ashok. I didn't tell you this because I wanted money. I told you this because I didn't want you to think anything wrong about me. Don't force me on this please.", said Meera. This was her quality that I loved most. Her 'Self Respect'. Being in so much of trouble also she was not ready to compromise on her values.

After dropping her in her room, I called Samantha. After hearing so much I wanted to talk with someone. I don't know how Meera kept everything inside her for so much of time. I called Samantha and after hearing everything she asked me two questions,

"Do you think she still loves you?"

"I don't know. I didn't gather courage to ask her that.", I replied.

"Do you still love her?"

"I guess so."

"Great then. When are you guys coming back?"

"I got one meeting tomorrow. So, immediately after that."

"Great then. We three have dinner together. Bring her home."

"What's on your mind Sammy?", I asked her.

"You will come to know soon." Was her reply.