The Journey from Ms. Sharma to Mrs. Who [✓]

Chapter 28-Edited

Chinmayi's POV:

Tears poured from my soul as I sat rooted to my spot. His words were irrelevantly unbelievable. My head buzzed with questions but there was one thing which I could not comprehend at all.

I mean, what was my fault? 

I couldn't understand even the tiniest bit of it.

How will I even break it to my parents and family?

How will Lakshmi aunty and Venkat uncle react?

No, this is not right! I couldn't get into it, nor could I get out of it. I could feel my cheeks flare in the hotness of my tears and emotions. Yes, I almost lost it.

How could he ' it's not you, it's me' me without even knowing who I am?

Am I not good enough for him?

His next words were rendered with no tinge of emotion.

"Calm down, will you? I can see Ma and Papa standing there. Don't cry now."

I silently wiped my tears. I could agree with him though. Now is not the time to talk about all of this.

Is it?

As soon as we got down from the car, I almost felt like I'd faint due to dehydration. Being a doctor, Lakshmi Aunty observed this and immediately gave me some water and asked me to sit under the tree near to the beautiful and magnificently ancient temple.

Once I felt I could stand on my feet, Lakshmi Aunty exclaimed that this could be because we had eaten poorly since morning.

How could I tell her that it was actually because of the butt load of information thrown onto me by her very own son?

"Deepak, stay with her beta... We'll finish the rituals. You join us during the arathi..."

"Nahi nahi Aunty Ji-"

"Bahu-"

The world stopped around me.

"You are going to be this house's daughter in law some day. Let Deepak take care of you. It's Megha birthday na, so, I have given a special pooja in her name as well.You stay here. Deepak get her loads of fluids okay?"

He nodded and it looked like it was more on his fate of being stuck with me rather than listening to his mother's words. As they disappeared behind those amazingly architectured walls, I felt Deepak's glare hitting straight at me.

"I told you not to create a scene right?"

"It wasn't my fault, none of this is. Can you stop pinning it on me Deepak?"

"Now, get inside the car, let me take you to a juice stall..."

"No, I am not coming with you. So stop acting as if you really care!"

"Dude, can you stop with this childish behaviour?I have to deal with my mother and it's sometimes better to go in her way, okay?Yes I don't really care and I am not that kind of person.

But me being sensible is causing you so much of pain and overloading emotions. I just can't understand you girls!"

"Let's just go, okay?"

I slowly stood up and sat in the car. He quickly trailed along and sat in the driver's seat.

"What do you want, tender coconut or juice?"

"Nothing!"

"Can you stop doing that for once?

Just ask!"

"Fine, tender coconut, happy?"

Our whole ride was silent. I just didn't want to think of anything except the fact that I don't want to rip his head apart.

He calls me childish?

He would never ever understand me then! Good that he is not interested in this alliance. Neither am I! I never was too!

I mean you know that right? I wa sad and gloomy the whole night remember? I just kept chanting that it's all for the good.

After a cool sip of tender coconut juice, none of the drama mattered. I could just smile, genuinely!

Probably I was hungry!

Deepak stared weirdly at me and his beard and dimples just kept me away from being mad at him. I smiled at him now, a beaming and broad smile.

"Did you finish drinking? Is there alcohol in it? Are you high?"

I just burst out laughing at his cluelessness.

Ouch, my tummy hurts and I was laughing so hard that I almost lost balance. He swooped in and held me by my waist.

Oh My God.

We were on the road and yet our eyes locked as his firm grip just wrapped around my waist.

It was SURREAL! I wouldn't lie!

If this were a serial or a movie, it is at this moment that even on a bright sunny day, it would start raining!
His beard almost touched my chin and well, this was quite a scene except I was still holding the tender coconut.

"Bhaiyya, it is ₹35/_ for the coconut..."

I forgot for a for moments that we were actually on the road and well, this man doesn't even want to get married to me. The magic just disappeared in thin air as Deepak helped me stand back.He took out his wallet and gave the money.

He still doesn't like you, my mental voice just mapped my fantasy thoughts to the hyperplane of pragmatism.

Well that's true.

I finished the drink and awkwardly gave the coconut to the vendor. He gave me this weird look of whether do I even have road sense?

Well, it was quite a show. Two people who almost loathe eachother over a car ride and destiny, this was great!
Deepak received a call while I munched on the coconut. It's time to break it to the family and I shall do it myself.

Let me be brave!

"Are you done? That call's from Ma."

"Do we really have to go?"

"Didn't I just say stop being childish?", he scolded.

I didn't speak more and just hopped back into the car. Well, the return ride I did receive an earful.

"Look, please calm down. I am not the right guy for you Chinmayi. You are a wonderful girl, who is beautiful and charming and you have such beautiful lips that I might just start kissing you right away!

But I am not a man who can be tied by commitment and you are a girl who needs and infact deserves that. I am not enough for a girl as precious as you.

If you were anyone else, I would have definitely dated and left you. But you are you and this is your life too! I am arrogant and what not, that's who I am, but I can't do that to a girl like you.

You don't have to talk to our families. Let me do the work and take all the blame. Frankly I wouldn't care. But I can't take you down along with me...

You deserve happiness..."

With those words, I saw myself again at the same spot where the beautiful architecture of the temple revealed itself.

We were here. But what next?

***