Wajah Tum Ho

21. Love Above All

Kis kaam ki rahi yeh dikhawe ki zindagi?
Waade kiye kisi se, guzaare kisi ke saath.

What do we do of this life full of show offs, where you make promises to someone and live them with the other.

Nandini followed Navya to her room where Navya crashed on the bed and Nandini locked the door, wanting some privacy. Nandini hurriedly went and sat beside Navya, caressing her hair gently, trying to stop her tears. She was scared as hell for her best friend, who was now visibly sobbing, or so by the look of her trembling body.

Nandini: Bunny!

As soon as Nandini's broken whisper left her mouth, Navya crashed herself upon Nandini's chest and broke down. As expected, Nandini immediately cocooned her in her warmth and caressed her hair, cajoling her, just like a mother would do to her sobbing child.

Navya: Why Nandini? Why does everything bad happens with us? Don't we deserve love? Are we not worthy of happiness?

Nandini nodded in a no, still crying and trying to cajole Navya, rocking her gently in her embrace. Navya, at once, broke the hug and held Nandini's arms.

Navya: Nandini, har baar, kyu humare apne hee hume dokha dete hain? Har baar kyu sirf humara dil toot-ta hai? Har baar sirf hume kyu rona padta hai? Kya koi humse pyaar nahi karta?

Nandini immediately cupped her cheeks, denying everything that Navya said. She wiped her tears and tamed her wild locks.

Nandini: I agree that every time, it's us, who have to suffer, struggle and cry but Navya, I strongly believe that someday, it'll all end on a happy note. We'll be at peace, in our happy place.

Navya once again hugged Nandini tightly, crying incoherently while Nandini rubbed her back to soothe her cries. When Navya finally felt better, she broke the hug while Nandini immediately passed a glass of water to her.

Nandini: Feeling better?

Navya nodded her head and gave the glass back to her, who kept it on the bed-side drawer. Nandini looked at Navya, who was looking at the floor, as if in some deep thought but then suddenly she started smiling and looked at Nandini, who had a weird expression on her face.

Nandini: Kya? Has kya rahi hai? Pagal wagal toh nahi ho gayi?

Navya giggled at her question and immediately sat on the bed, folding her legs.

Navya: Ek baat boloon? Tu gussa toh nahi hogi?

Nandini grinned and mirrored her actions before smirking at her.

Nandini: Try karke dekhle.

Navya smiled and held Nandini's hands.

Navya: Nandini... I finally feel free, liberated and happy today.

Nandini frowned in confusion but remained mum waiting for Navya to open up herself, who noticing Nandini's expression, immediately shifted closer to her.

Navya: Nandini, when Karan asked me to give him a chance, to give us a chance, I merely did it for two reasons. Number one, I didn't want any additional problems in your already fucked up married life and number two, I wanted to show myself that I CAN move on from Cabir, that I am not dependent on one man and I am strong enough to survive without him. I... I didn't feel anything for Karan. No attraction, no lust, not even a bit of happiness and satisfaction that I'll have a secure future if I marry him, toh love toh bohot dur ki baat hai.

Navya was now looking into vacuum as she started opening up about her side of the story and Nandini listened to each and every word of it carefully. She knew her best friend had gone through a lot and that she was the only one with whom she was comfortable enough to share her thoughts.