Reflections

1K 77 16
                                    

"Maya you okay babe?" Nicki asks her friend. Though she knows what the answer is. Maya is quiet sitting in one corner still trying to recover from all what happened in the afternoon. Her mind recreating the scene bit by bit.
M: I'm okay. I just want to be alone for sometime. You guys, it's New Year's Eve and we're in Switzerland. You guys should step out for a party. I'll sleep over this and will be fine in the morning. Don't worry.

Maya pushes her friends to go out and locks herself in the room. Though Sahir knows where she is he's still not bothered to come and see her. "Why do I always end up making a fool out of myself when it comes to Sahir? He's cheating on me with that woman... or is he cheating on her with me?!! Ohh God.. what's all this.. I can't take this anymore?!!" She says to herself. She decides to go back home to London early morning.

Sahir drags Sonia to the room in all anger.
Sahir: What was that all about?
S: You're asking me? That girl was trying to come close to you. Trying to create that difference between us. I was just trying to show her her place.
Sahir: Sonia, I don't need your help and the woman that you're talking about is my wife. So mind your language.
S: I should mind my language Sahir? You told me this marriage was a sham and it's only a business deal. You flew me here to be with you by your side and suddenly you have grown interest in that woman? You slept with her last night didn't you? And she's better than me in bed?!! That's why you stay away from me these days!!
Sahir: Shut up Maya!!
S: The name is Sonia Sahir, Sonia. Not Maya.
Sahir: Sonia, we were never in a committed relationship. I never promised you anything. It was a relationship of convenience. You know that well. I've never tried to take advantage of you. I'm married now and I want to give my marriage a chance. It's not about you.
S: You don't need to say anything anymore. I had always heard it but I never believed it that you're called a ruthless selfish Bastard Businessman. Today I actually met that Sahir Choudhary. You'll rot in hell!! I'm leaving.

Sahir sits looking out of the window into the darkness. He knows Maya is under the same roof of this hotel, upset with him. He will bring her back by his side in his arms where she rightfully belongs! He fixes himself a stiff drink and thinks-
How do I get through all of this? What's my life like right now. The variables! The stories!

Sonia is my childhood friend. She's always been someone who's stood by me. I know she's liked me throughout while I haven't been able to exactly reciprocate her feelings. The pressure of always excelling in life hasn't been easy and then at 16 I set up Omega, my IT firm. The business suddenly grew beyond my imagination and in 7 years I had about a hundred thousand employees working for me across 40 countries. Dad's constant pressure to support him in his business and move to Stanford. Stanford wasn't easy either! Picking up the cut throat Oil and gas sector and then Mom's hotel kept me going forever. Amidst all this at times I felt I was about to breakdown. Failing was never an option for me. Sahir became a synonym to excelling at all costs. With all this, at times I felt sexually frustrated and in absence of a stable relationship I ended up hooking up with Sonia on a few instances. I've felt guilty about it! Fucking cursed myself for falling weak at these moments! But it had happened. I was 25 and I was working 120 hours a week across multiple business domains. Being spotted with me on these instances brought Sonia some good work and it helped her climb up the social ladder. My constant linkups with others died down and we saw this as a win-win between her and me. Winning had become a habit and I was loving it. Viren was the only competitor I saw. A few people know he was with me at Stanford and he kept me on my toes to excel academically. I owe most of success to him in a way. 4 years back in a bank software contract Viren defeated me. He'd never told me he was bidding against me and he used some of my ideas from a conference in his contract pitch. While he called it inspiration I called it stealing! This hit me hard in my chest and I learnt the lesson of keeping your armour and ammunition guarded at all times. Since then, we have been boys at war.
Amidst all this, came Maya. One fine day I realised I'm 31 and more than me, it hit my mom. She wanted me settled ASAP. I couldn't ever see myself married. If you told me 2 months back that I'll be a married man pining for my wife in another 60 days, I would've laughed my ass off! But this's happened. I am a married man today. I remember vividly how mom and dad were talking about the failing mall chains Of Singhanias. I'd heard about it but never bothered. I knew Maya's dad was in need for some large sum of money as banks and investors had begun refusing him any financial aid. Nitin Singhania and my Father Ajay Choudhary did some business in their early days and Mom was a friend of Maya's mom. Maya's mom passed away when Maya was 4 years old and somewhere my mom always felt that love for Maya. When it came to helping the Singhanias financially, my parents thought of it as their moral responsibility while I thought it was a poor business decision. Mom and Dad would frequently talk about Maya and how wonderful she was. Somewhere it struck my mom that she should become her daughter in law and my wife. Nitin Singhania was delighted at this idea since he saw his daughter getting married into a highly successful business family and I only saw this as another deal until I saw my mom with Maya's pictures. She would everyday try and push me to meet Maya and I would just brush it off. I told her that I'd anyhow have to marry Maya because Dad and she left me no choice and therefore I couldn't cut Sonia off my life either. One day my mom came in with some pictures to my place and was hell bent that I see them. I laughed it off. I simply asked her to get the wedding finalised. I wanted a court wedding against the traditional way the Singhanias were insisting to have. I always thought Maya was this ugly spoilt business house daughter who'd eventually become my life problem. In my head, I'd given the marriage 6 months post which I'd file for an annulment where the Singhanias could keep all the financial help to their business as the alimony. It'd be a win win for all. I'd never planned on touching Maya ever. While cleaning the house my domestic help came across her pictures and left it on the table asking if it needed to be thrown away. I didn't know whose pictures they were till I realised mom had left them. It was like love at first sight for me when I saw her. She was breathtakingly beautiful! I was to marry this girl in another 4 days. I couldn't wait to see her in person. I got her investigated and understood how nice a person she was. The PI investigating her too kind of fell for her charms. He'd written in his papers, and I quote, "She's a better human being than how she looks. If you are floored by her looks, which you will, you will fall in love with her when you get to know her as a person." I had a smile for the next 2 days in my face. Then came Viren Khanna into the picture. While I waited the marriage license, I got to know Viren was deeply interested in Maya. Does she remotely reciprocate to his feeling? I'm yet to establish that. Knowing Viren, he'd do anything to make her happy. He'd met her in a business deal and liked her instantly. He's challenged me to break her up with me and marry her. He claims he'll be able to keep her happier. That's another of my biggest fear. What if Maya actually will be happier with Viren?! I can never let that happen. Maya's mine. She'll always be mine. I'll do anything to make her smile and keep her happy. I know I've caused her pain, but I'll fix all of this!

Viren decides to meet Maya. He calls her on her phone which she doesn't answer. In his heart of hearts he knew she wouldn't answer. She needs this time by herself.
Maya I know the pain you're going through and believe me I'd do anything to make sure you're never hurt. Sahir's made some tough choices and he'll have to pay for pain he's caused you. I can't see you broken and I promise I will do everything in my capacity to keep you happy. I want to see that smile on your face when you presented the market plan to me, so eager to answer all my questions. The way your face lit up, your hair bounced, the twinkle in your eyes, the way you bit your lip, and there way you smiled. It is all edged in my mind. If my business wouldn't have had that impact and I didn't have the need to travel to US, you would've been mine. I will win you Maya. You will be mine.

Maya can't believe what happened with Sahir. I always felt you truly meant every minute that you spent with me. How's this Sonia between us Sahir? I thought you and I were meant to be! But what just happened? My perfect world came crashing down before it could settle. I'm leaving for home tomorrow, far from you. Maybe this will make you happy again.
Thinking this Maya packs the yellow saree she planned to wear and walk around Switzerland with Sahir. A piece of her heart just broke.
She turns on her phone app to let some music play and distract herself. She sits in the corner listening to each word of the songs playing. Suddenly with this song she bursts into tears...

Mannmarziyaan- Darya

Saara jagg chhad ke
Bas Tennu hi hai chuneya
Lakh keha dil nu
Par fer vi hai adeya...

Ho beh gaya hanjuaan da daryaa
Tere layi ki ki nai kareya
Vekh jeete jee main mareya
Ho beh gaya hanjuaan da daryaa
Ho ho...

Oho kyun maane nain na mere
Oho kyon hatt'te na dar se tere ye

Oho haan pyar sawaal kyu hoya ji
Oho ke haal behaal kyun hoya ji

Tennu Khuda manneya
Te tennu Rab manneya

Koi nahi bhullda yaara
Jivein tu hai bhulleya

Ho beh gaya hanjua da dariya
Tere layi ki ki nai kareya
Vekh jeete jee main mareya
Ho beh gaya hanjua da dariya

Maya promises herself to always love Sahir even if it is from far and he doesn't love her back........

Maya and SahirWhere stories live. Discover now