Happily Ever After- 2

-Society-

In the past 4 years, this is the first time I am visiting India. It's Diwali and so I was granted leave.

So, I boarded my flight and was off to Delhi. I was gonna stay at Vivaan's for the first day. I reached Delhi and Vivaan came to pick me up. On the dinner table earlier, we were talking about work and how is life is and then eventually, it shifted to marriage. Uncle and aunty want him to get married now and start his own family. He is 31 and well settled and all that. I saw reluctance in Vivaan's behaviour. He's still not over. I can't believe that it's been more than a decade, yet he can't get over Sia.

We are in his room now, sitting and talking.

"Viv, listen."

"No, Arjun. I know what's this about. Don't."

"Vivaan, 10 years bro! I understand your feelings brother, but..."

"No more discussion over this, please." With that, he left the room and went out into the balcony. Flashes of the past surrounded me.

It was during our college days when he fell for Sia. But it was more complicated than one could think.

Sia and Vivaan were neighbours since they were four. They were the best friends. They'd play together, go to school together, study together. One fine day, Vivaan and Sia's friendship turned into a relationship.

No, no, no. Not a "relationship". They wanted to be more than just "friends". So, they mutually decided it and Sia tied a rakhi onto Vivaan's wrist.

They didn't realise it when they were still kids. In 11th grade, Vivaan joined the boarding school so, they somehow lost touch. But this distance gave birth to his feelings for Sia. He didn't know when he fell for her but he couldn't confess to her. How could he? If Sia's parents got to know, it won't be good for her. So he kept this feelings inside himself, till now. He has been in love with her for around 12 years now. Uncle and aunty are tired of asking him to get married but he won't.

He has never dated anyone ever since he realised about his feelings. It feels sad to see my brother this way. He is helpless and vulnerable.

After 10 minutes, I go out into the balcony. Vivaan is standing there, leaning on the wall, looking at the sky. He is crying.

"Vivaan, my boy, please come in."

"Arjun, please go. I don't wanna talk right now."

I go to him, take his hand and pull him into the room.

"Vivaan, I understand what you might be feeling. I do man. But you can't spend your whole life alone, right?"

"Why can't I?"

"Because we are humans. We have needs. We need people people to survive. You cannot survive alone, bhai."

"Let me not, then. I love her but I can't even confess. Why? Because of this fucking society and it's crappy rules.

You said you understand, right? What do you understand? Do you understand my pain? I want to tell her but I can't. She is so near to me, yet so far away. Honestly Arjun, nobody can understand my feelings because this is not a normal situation!

We entered into the rakhi bond. But back then, we were kids. We were too naive and we didn't know if it could ever turn into something else. And I couldn't tell her because I didn't want to get her in trouble and upset her parents. My life is meaningless now. Yes, I do feel alone. I'm fucking alone. And the only person who can bring light into my life is Sia. Can you bring her back to me? Can you? No.

Arjun, I saw her getting married in front of my eyes. I took her to the Mandap. I danceed on her Sangeet because 'Arey, the bride's brother will have to dance!'

While I wanted to be with her on the stage, posing for the wedding album, I was actually busy handling her in-laws because 'Dulhan ka Bhai'.

I mean, what the fuck? You know what? I saw her Instagram. She got VS tattoed in her hand. But what should have been Vivaan and Sia, is actually Vrushank and Sia. It hurts man.

Yesterday, her mom came home. She was saying that Sia might be expecting a baby. Are you kidding me? And on top of that, she asked me to suggest her names cause I am the frickin' hone wale bacche ka mama.

Arjun I.."

He bursted out. I couldn't see him like this. I hugged him. He was sobbing. I put him down on bed and cover him with blanket. I walk out into the balcony.

Vivaan has been struggling with this for the past 12 years. I've tried to set him up several times, tried to convince him but he wouldn't. How would he? I'm still not over Ishaan. A part of me still wants to know why he left. But my case isn't as painful as Vivaan's. Watching your love getting married in front of you is deadly.

And do you know who is at fault? Our society. Our fucking society and its fucked up norms. Anything which doesn't fit into the portfolio is regarded as a mistake or unappropriate or like in my case, a disease. Love is not a disease or a mistake. Love is love. Love doesn't happen with rules and regulations, neither it is bound by it. Love is like a river. When it flows endlessly, it is safe and natural. But when dams are built on them, the water stops flowing. It is just stable. Similarly, when restrictions are put on love, it stops growing.

Can we not let everyone love the way they want to? Can't we just let love be?

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So, Arjun is back in India now. What do you think the future has to offer?
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© Anshul Maheshwari
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