Love and Respect

Chap 40 - My Love

15 days later

Isha's POV

Today is Raksha Bandan festival (festival of brother and sister), I and Abhinav are invited to Oberoi Mansion by the Oberoi family. I am getting dressed up to go over there. When I was in an orphanage any festivals had no impact on me. But when I saw Abhi and Hetal first time celebrating Raksha Bandha at that time I envy them a lot. But later things changed and so did my and Hetal's relation.

I am always happy with Hetal. Though Hetal is Abhi's foster sister their bond is just amazing. I have always considered Hetal as my younger sister and best friend. It was because of Hetal today I and Abhi are together. I still remember that day of my college when...

Flashback

Today was Valentine's day I was very eager to propose Abhi today, so I bought a small dairy milk chocolate and a single rose for him as it could fit my budget. I and Abhi we both do part-time jobs so it was impossible to spend time after college and we could not spend money on expensive gifts. I was waiting for Abhi in the college canteen during lunch break. Abhi came and he was very happy today

"Hi, Isha I want you to meet someone special in my life. I love her the most." Abhi said and I became sad. Abhi stood up to get our order as we were in our college canteen and it had a system of self-service. Suddenly I saw a beautiful girl coming towards our table but a boy pull his leg in front and the girl was about to fall so I quickly hold her by her shoulders and helped her from falling. Soon Abhi came and hugged her. I was shocked by Abhi's reaction as he never does this kind of thing he is always a one-hand distance from girls. This was for the first time he hugged a girl.

"Isha I told you that I want you to meet someone special of my life. Here she is her name is Hetal." And I got jealous I was cursing myself for saving her from falling because I loved Abhi a lot and I was in my thoughts that I guess he will not love me as I am an orphan. But I came out of my thoughts when Hetal hugged me and said. "thank u so my bhabhi for saving me" and then broke the hug.

I was shocked would be an understatement. Because Abhi never confesses his love for me we were just friends till now. Though he used to care and respect me it was nothing more than friendship. And now suddenly Hetal calling me bhabhi.

Abhi waved his hand in front of my eyes and said, " Hetal is my sister." I took a sigh of relief and my heart was dancing inside me but I wanted Abhi to confess me. I saw Abhi glaring at Hetal and she was chuckling on it.

After that when my and Abhi's eyes meet we were in our dream world. I prayed that he propose to me or I will propose him today before going as we had only two months left to complete your college.

We heard someone fake coughing and we quickly look at that person. Hetal asked me, "Isha when did bhai propose you?" and I just nobbed my head saying no with a sad face.

"WHAT," as if she got her biggest shock of life. And everyone started looking towards us in the canteen. Then she said, "bhai did not propose you after loving you so much, and just talking about you all the time." and again I was shocked that he to love me the way I did then why he never told me.

She told us to finish your coffee fast so she could execute her plan. And we both look at her confused.

Abhi asked, "Hetal what plan?" but she told it is her idea which she can't revile now and we have to follow her. But Abhi said, "Hetal, I and Isha both have to go to the job so, please. Just say it."

"Bhai finish your coffee and follow me." that's what Hetal said. We quickly sipped our coffee down and followed her by bunking our lecture.

She took us to the college campus garden and choose the corner bench so that nobody could disturb us. Then she removed a dairy milk chocolate from her bag and told me to hold its edge from one side and the other edge she was still holding in her hand. then she went down on her knees and as we both were looking into each other eyes she said,

"I Abhinav would like you Miss Isha to be my girlfriend, then later my finance, then my wife and mother of my kids and finally growing old will you. Do you accept." And I just nobbed in yes. And she hit Abhi on his head lightly saying "bhai this is how you are supposed to propose her" and then Abhi repeated the same. And finally, my wish came true that Abhi proposes to me. I accepted his proposal and then Abhi stood up smiling I told him to sit on the bench and I went on my knees saying "I Isha would like you Mr. Abhinav to be my boyfriend, later my fiancée and then my husband and father of my kids and my companion through out my life and my half soul till my death. Do you accept it? And he just pulled me up and hugged me and kiss on my forehead saying "I will love it" I gave Abhi the chocolate and rose which I bought for him and then we left from there.

Flashback ends.

"Isha are you ready?" I heard Abhi's voice as he was leaning on my bedroom door.

Yes, I and Abhi stay in the same mansion but neither did Abhi entered my bedroom nor did I. It was Abhi's rule and I am very happy to find such a person in my life who stands on his principals firmly.

"Yes, I am ready," I said, and "the gifts are also ready I told driver uncle to put it in the car so please don't worry," and I started walking towards him.

He said " Isha you are looking beautiful today" and I smile at him. "Even you look handsome Abhi." and he smiled back saying "let's go we are getting late" and I nobbed. 

We got to settle in the car and the car started within half an hour we reached Oberoi Mansion. The guards open the gates for us and bow in front of us. It was for the first time I and Abhi were coming to Hetal's house. It was a feeling of nervousness for me as I was visiting my sister-in-law's house who is married now to Rudra Oberoi. As soon as the car stop Abhi got down first and open the door for me. I collected all the gifts in my hand and we started climbing the stairs of the mansion. 

********************

Chahat Hui Kisi Se Toh Fir Be-Inteha Hui,
Chaha Toh Chahaton Ki Hadd Se Gujar Gaye,
HumNe Khuda Se Kuchh Bhi Na Manga Magar Usey,
Manga Toh Siskiyon Ki Bhi Hadd Se Gujar Gaye.

*********************

इससे ज़्यादा तुझे और कितना करीब लाऊँ मैं,
कि तुझे दिल में रख कर भी मेरा दिल नहीं भरता।