Until We Meet Again - I

Chapter 17: Anaya's POV

AT THE ENGAGEMENT RESORT:

'HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME RANBIR? HOWW?' I shouted as tears streaked my face.

'Anaya, baby, all this is fake. It's not real, it's forged.' Ranbir said as he tried to pacify me.

'ENOUGH RANBIR! How low will you stoop? I should have listened to Dev, he was right all along. I was a fool to let my heart rule my mind. My mind asked me to believe Dev, but my heart didn't. You broke my trust Ranbir, you brok...you broke my hea...heart.' Saying so my voice cracked and I broke down.

'Anaya, control yourself.' Emma came beside me.

Mom was standing there shocked when she suddenly slapped Ranbir. His mother came by his side, glaring daggers at me, his parents hadn't uttered even a single word.

'YOU BASTRAD! HOW DARE YOU DO THIS TO MY DAUGHTER!' my mom shouted and slapped Ranbir.

Dev's mother put her hands of mom's shoulder, trying to calm her down.

'I am so sorry, I was drunk, I was high, I have no idea I said anything like that.' Ranbir said and fell to his knees with his hands folded.

'Enough now!' I said standing up, 'Fine, you were bloody drunk in that video, but what about that the girls you are treating like dogs, with a collar and leash around their necks and the audio, say that also happened while you were drunk. You, just get out. Never have I ever seen such a pathetic excuse of man in my life, I hope you get what you deserve, never forget karma is a bitch, it'll come to slap you across that stupid face of yours.' I said as I picked up Ranbir by his collars, and pushed him down the dais.

Dev's father looked at me and helped Ranbir get on his feet. 'You have done enough damage young man. Now you and your family better leave the premises, or you won't like what happens next.' Dev's father said in a stern and sharp voice, and looked at Ranbir's parents, whereas my father, he just stood there witnessing all this. He was never a much big part of my life, but to think he knew about Ranbir and still fixed my engagement with him. I was enraged, as Ranbir's parents quickly grabbed their son, and left running. I went and confronted my father.

'Are you happy now?' I said looking directly in his eyes.

'What are you talking about?' he asked, his face just as usual, expressionless.

'You, you are a shit example of a father and a more shit example of a husband. You, you are nothing less than Ranbir, you'd think I'd never get to know about all the affairs you had. Dad, I am your daughter, your blood. I know you better than anyone else. How could you agree to this alliance after knowing everything about Ranbir, huh? You torture mom, but she couldn't have done anything, she loves you. but you, you lost respect in my eyes when I came to knew about your affairs. And I had enough now, I won't tolerate you threatening mom anymore. It's better you leave our lives, and let us live peacefully, or I won't hesitate to go to police.' I said my monologue that I had been preparing since my teenage. Tears fell down my face as I confronted my father, 'I have proves dad, proves of all the extra-maritial affairs you had.'

He could have easily denied everything and scolded or beaten me, but he just glared at me, threw his drink on the floor and left, never looking back. That was the last I saw of him. He died a few months later in an terrorist encounter.

I felt weak and helpless after my out-burst on dad and Ranbir. I scanned the crowd for Dev, but I couldn't find him anywhere, the guests were going back to their rooms.

'Emma, where is Dev?' I asked Emma, who was standing beside me.

'I just read his message Anaya, he's leaving for Delhi, he'd probably be on his way to airport.' Emma said showing me the message.

'You were too hard on him Anaya, he just wanted the best for you. He, I guess, he loves you dearly. He, I don't know if it's my place to say anything or not, but I think he had fallen in love with you a long time ago, cause I never saw him look any other girl, with the love and care he showed for you.' Emma said and I realized how mean I was to him, when he was just trying to tell me the truth, I had an inkling of what storm was brewing, but I didn't knew I'd come with such a heavy price.

'I have to apolozige to him, I shou-' I was stopped midsentence, when we all heard a faint sound, like that of an explosion.

'What was that?' I looked around, everyone was standing where they were, the atmosphere was way too silent.

'I guess there has been an explosion. We should check the news.' One of my aunt said, as she and some other relatives went towards the reception.

'Dev! He's not here, he was on his way to the airport.' I thought as I quickly looked for my phone, I realised I had left it in my room. I borrowed my mom's phone and dialled Dev's number.

'The number you are trying to reach is currently unavailable.'

'Emma, please call Dev.' I said as I again tried his number, but got the same response, when one of my brother rushed out and called everyone.

'There's been a bomb blast. It's all in the news!' he said quickly and rushed inside.

'Oh no! DEV!' I thought as I shared a terrified look with Emma and we followed him in.

"There's been a terror attack in our state Goa. The attack is said to have happened on the highway that lead to the airport. It was the deed of a suicide bomber. The police is still trying to inspect the area, the number of causalities is still unknown. Everyone is requested to please stay in their homes, until further notice." The news reporter said and all the blood drained from my face.