THE SECRET OF HAPPINESS

8

'David, drive the car slowly. Are you listening to me?' screamed Esther.

David glared at her and sped down the ten blocks. He parked the car in a disorganised manner and jumped outside. He walked angrily and pushed the door open. He did not have this much rage. He paced back and forth in the living room, muttering to himself. Esther walked in quietly and sat down the sofa.

Looking at him, 'Did you think you could plan your little trip to Vegas without telling me? And top of that, you lied to me' she remarked mockingly.

'Do you have any idea how many times I tried in your phone? I was so scared. Thirteenth time, I hear that you were drunk and unconscious at Isha's house! Seriously, what are they going to think about me? Drunk husband at some girl's house and the wife does not know about it' she shouted.

'Do not shout! I lied to you because you can be over reactive at times. Besides, I hit a person because he hit me first. I did not drink in Vegas. I only drank a little after we crossed the place. You stuck with her idea to play a prank on me. What about that? When did my wife become the better actor?' said David.

'That is it. One more word, David... I swear things would be different' warned Esther.

'Shut up!' he cried.

Next thing he saw her take a scissor from the kitchen. She cut the telephone wire. She searched for his phone, took it, and threw it in the pool. David looked at her speechless. Next move he did, he regretted it. He held her hands tight until she cried in pain and pushed her away to the sofa.

'God, how did I ever love you?' she asked after a few minutes.

She rubbed her arms and went to her room weeping. David rubbed his head and went out. He was going crazy. He took a few minutes to compose himself. He went back inside. Esther was still crying.

'I am so sorry, I did that. I got so caught up in the emotion that I... he choked.

'Promise me, that you would never meet them ever again. And maybe, I would forgive you?' she sobbed.

'Yes, I promise' he said meekly and wiped her tears. He sat beside her in the bed rubbing her arms slowly. He decided to take a break from everything. No calls, no work and definitely no friends and family.

'Well, that did not end well. They are not coming to the wedding, I guess' said Simran calmly.

'You drive. I am thinking too much' said Aarav parking the car.

Aarav let Simran take the wheel while he sat next to her. Aarav felt bad for David. They were best friends before Isha came to the picture. If they did not come, the wedding seemed boring.

'I want them to come for our wedding. They will come back. They always did!' said Aarav sounding optimistic.

Reaching Santa Clara, Simran parked the car near the children's park. Fresh air would be nice. They went to a café to drink a coffee. The breakfast did not end well. She ordered two espresso and an éclair. While waiting for the food, she decided to talk to him.

'Three of you are friends right? Now the situation looks as if the other two would not get back soon. I think it is okay that they could not come to the wedding. In the end, they are not like you and me. Let us leave the way as it is. I think it is a great idea.' she explained slowly.

'What do you mean?' he asked baffled.

'I meant that the two of them could be trouble for us. Look at Isha; she is eight months pregnant with her husband who has no control over her mind. What about Bhaiya? He ended up drunk and his wife, Esther who has no idea about it. Wow! How can you be friends with people like that? They can cause us a lot of trouble in the future' she explained cautiously.