The trickle of warm water felt so good on her skin. She always loved to take long baths. A much needed outlet. She could spend hours… humming, talking, playing… But today she had to hurry. Vivek had already called her twice. They had to attend a function, an engagement ceremony of his friend.
Diksha stepped out of the shower and looked at the pale blue sari she had laid out on the bed. It was her favorite color. She was sure that Vivek would love it. He liked whatever she liked. He never commented on her style or choice. He would always say, “Dikshu, everything looks so good on you, yaar… Why do you force me to pick colors?” In short, he absolutely adored her.
Their wedding was a typical arranged one. Their parents did all the preliminary screening before she met him. She wasn't very picky. All she wanted was an understanding man. All he wanted was a caring woman. Looks didn't matter to either of them. But Vivek couldn't help but feel happy about how fortunate he was to find someone like her. Educated, modern, beautiful and from a very loving family… What more can anyone ask for!
In their first meeting, neither of them could deny the compatibility. He was exactly what she wanted and she was his dream. It had been two years since they had tied the knot and they were still enjoying every moment of it. Sometimes she was a little scared of how happy they were together.
The ringing of the phone reminded her that he had reached the house and was waiting outside. She checked her reflection in the mirror for the last time, grabbed the gift and headed downstairs. Vivek couldn't take his eyes off her. She still gave him the tingle, even after two years. She gave a purpose to his life.
“So, who are these people?” She was playing with the folds in her sari as she spoke to him.
“A friend. Actually, she is a friend of mine… Ashini. We worked together for a few years.”
They stopped at the traffic light. Diksha was gazing at the trees from her window. It was so pretty. The fall colors, the leaves… it was enticing.
“What's the name of her fiancé'?” She needed to fill out the names on the gift card. She was getting ready with a pen and hoped she could make it before the signal turned green.
“Rahul.”
Her heart skipped a beat. Rahul… that name was always special to her.
“Where is he from?” She casually tried to extend the conversation as she wrote the names.
“Pune.”
She couldn't believe it. It could be the same Rahul. Her Rahul?
They pulled into the parking lot and walked towards the building. It was almost packed, and she found herself staring at a zillion strange faces. A few people greeted them and Vivek instantly started a conversation with someone. He always did that. He was at ease with strangers. She couldn't be the same way. She needed introductions and someone to break the ice before uttering a syllable. She turned her attention to where the couple was sitting. Rahul.
Yes, it was him! She suddenly felt breathless. It had been ages since she had seen him last.
She still remembered how sad he looked the last time they met. She was so afraid for him, but had to say goodbye. He was really head-over-heels for her. For four years, he would always try and strike a conversation to confess his love for her, but she always evaded it. Because… she knew the answer.
She never believed in love. She couldn't rate it the same way as he did. She thought it was all a crush. Phrases like 'love at first sight' didn't make sense to her. She trusted in love that sprung from commitment, responsibility, acceptance and compromise. But Rahul couldn't agree with her. He asked her not to deny the attraction they shared. He always urged her to take the time and think about them. But she was afraid to do so. Deep down, she knew she was captivated by him, but wasn't confident if she could label that emotion as love. Finally, after taking the long road down the turmoil, she bid him goodbye. He was very upset that day… And she never heard from him again.
“Diksha… This is Ashini,” Vivek was nudging her to shake her out of the pensive thoughts.
She was standing next to him… A very pleasant face, pretty eyes, long hair, pale complexion… face lighting up with a strange glow every time she smiled. She was beautiful.
A perfect choice for her Rahul. Her Rahul. She liked to remember him that way. He was special. He always invoked warm feelings in her. The kind that didn't seem to have subsided even after two years of marriage to Vivek. But was he still 'her Rahul'? No. He was willing to take a deep plunge into life with her by his side… But she couldn't do the same. She had no right to call him hers. All she did was disappoint him.
“Come on… Let's meet Rahul,” Ashini was guiding them through the crowd. Suddenly Diksha felt like her knees were giving away. Her throat was turning dry. God, please don't make me or him say anything stupid… She was praying silently. There he was. Standing handsome in a black suit, clean-shaven and charming. As he turned around, she could catch a glimpse of surprise in his eyes and then a twinkle. He acted as if he was meeting her for the first time. Diksha just played along.
All through the ceremony, she was trying to catch another glance of him and he was obviously doing the same; for their eyes met one too many times. Each time she turned red in the face. God, he still made her blush! But somehow she desperately wished all this would end, so that she could run back home and forget about him. Just like the last time… She was never able to evaluate her feelings towards him. She always felt confused, from day one.
That night she was still thinking about him. It felt so wrong. It has been three years. She should have gotten over him by now. But all she could think of was the times they spent together. Back then, she always looked forward to meeting him. He made her happy, showering her with his attention. He made her feel special. Just the way Vivek does. She turned around to take a look at Vivek. He seemed so peaceful. He looked cute when he was asleep. Like a child…
Nothing in the world mattered to him as long as he could have his hand around her. She should shed these thoughts of Rahul. She isn't doing justice to Vivek… She slowly coaxed herself to sleep.
The whole of next morning was spent trying to drive Rahul out of her head. She was leaving for the library when she got the call. It was Rahul. “It's me,” was all he said for her to identify him in a split second. “How are you?” was the next question. The same way as she expected. He still cared for her. But she never asked how he was. As always, she acted as if she didn't care. “When is the marriage?” was all she could ask. He remained silent for a long time before he said, “Diksha, that day… you left me to myself, shaking my roots of belief in love. It took me two long years to get over you. Finally, I asked my parents to set me up with some girl. I didn't care who it was. I just needed to put this behind me and move on with my life. And of all people, you had to walk into the ceremony and that too with your husband. God! You still look so beautiful and… very happy! I was up all night thinking about you. Maybe what we did was right. Because you seem happy and not regretful. Maybe what I did will also be right. Maybe what we shared was just an infatuation… an illusion… Just like you said. I know it is not true, but I desperately want to believe it. Other than that, I don't see how I can do justice to Ashini. She is a nice girl. I don't want to ruin it again… I need to tell this to someone. Sorry for bothering you… I desperately want to say that I still love you… but that won't be right. You are not mine anymore. You are taken. So am I… I shouldn't be calling you in the first place. Sorry.” Diksha didn't know what to say. She kept staring at the phone long after he hung up.
Was she wrong about her decision three years ago? Was she really in love with Rahul? If not, why was it so hard for her to stop thinking about him? If after all these years, he could still say that he loved her, for once why couldn't she admit her love? That night she slipped back into thoughts. She didn't mention any of this to Vivek. She didn't see the need for it because she felt there was really nothing in it. All she needed to do was forget that she had met Rahul again. She kept convincing herself with the same logic, but felt so restless. Should she tell Vivek? Was she being unfair by not letting him know about this?
“Honey, what's bothering you?”
She was startled by Vivek's question. She wanted to say there was nothing, but he always read her like a book. She stayed quiet and looked into his eyes. Vivek pulled her close, kissed her forehead and whispered, “I love you.”
And then out of nowhere she uttered the words “I Love you too.” Never in these two years, she had replied him back. She would always smile in reciprocation. But today, she did it involuntarily. She could see the sudden gleam of joy in his eyes. It felt so right to say them. Maybe this is what love actually is. She is in love. Suddenly everything seemed quite clear. She was never in love with Rahul… because with him, she always hesitated to say these words. But today, she wasn't uncertain… there was nothing awkward about it.
Yes. She is in love.
With her Vivek… She was his. 'Her Vivek' sounded so right! She hugged him tight as she whispered in his ear “I Love you, Vivek. I Love you…” He couldn't understand the reason for this sudden wave of affection, but whatever it was, it made him very happy. He just held her close. Finally she was his.
Diksha stepped out of the shower and looked at the pale blue sari she had laid out on the bed. It was her favorite color. She was sure that Vivek would love it. He liked whatever she liked. He never commented on her style or choice. He would always say, “Dikshu, everything looks so good on you, yaar… Why do you force me to pick colors?” In short, he absolutely adored her.
Their wedding was a typical arranged one. Their parents did all the preliminary screening before she met him. She wasn't very picky. All she wanted was an understanding man. All he wanted was a caring woman. Looks didn't matter to either of them. But Vivek couldn't help but feel happy about how fortunate he was to find someone like her. Educated, modern, beautiful and from a very loving family… What more can anyone ask for!
In their first meeting, neither of them could deny the compatibility. He was exactly what she wanted and she was his dream. It had been two years since they had tied the knot and they were still enjoying every moment of it. Sometimes she was a little scared of how happy they were together.
The ringing of the phone reminded her that he had reached the house and was waiting outside. She checked her reflection in the mirror for the last time, grabbed the gift and headed downstairs. Vivek couldn't take his eyes off her. She still gave him the tingle, even after two years. She gave a purpose to his life.
“So, who are these people?” She was playing with the folds in her sari as she spoke to him.
“A friend. Actually, she is a friend of mine… Ashini. We worked together for a few years.”
They stopped at the traffic light. Diksha was gazing at the trees from her window. It was so pretty. The fall colors, the leaves… it was enticing.
“What's the name of her fiancé'?” She needed to fill out the names on the gift card. She was getting ready with a pen and hoped she could make it before the signal turned green.
“Rahul.”
Her heart skipped a beat. Rahul… that name was always special to her.
“Where is he from?” She casually tried to extend the conversation as she wrote the names.
“Pune.”
She couldn't believe it. It could be the same Rahul. Her Rahul?
They pulled into the parking lot and walked towards the building. It was almost packed, and she found herself staring at a zillion strange faces. A few people greeted them and Vivek instantly started a conversation with someone. He always did that. He was at ease with strangers. She couldn't be the same way. She needed introductions and someone to break the ice before uttering a syllable. She turned her attention to where the couple was sitting. Rahul.
Yes, it was him! She suddenly felt breathless. It had been ages since she had seen him last.
She still remembered how sad he looked the last time they met. She was so afraid for him, but had to say goodbye. He was really head-over-heels for her. For four years, he would always try and strike a conversation to confess his love for her, but she always evaded it. Because… she knew the answer.
She never believed in love. She couldn't rate it the same way as he did. She thought it was all a crush. Phrases like 'love at first sight' didn't make sense to her. She trusted in love that sprung from commitment, responsibility, acceptance and compromise. But Rahul couldn't agree with her. He asked her not to deny the attraction they shared. He always urged her to take the time and think about them. But she was afraid to do so. Deep down, she knew she was captivated by him, but wasn't confident if she could label that emotion as love. Finally, after taking the long road down the turmoil, she bid him goodbye. He was very upset that day… And she never heard from him again.
“Diksha… This is Ashini,” Vivek was nudging her to shake her out of the pensive thoughts.
She was standing next to him… A very pleasant face, pretty eyes, long hair, pale complexion… face lighting up with a strange glow every time she smiled. She was beautiful.
A perfect choice for her Rahul. Her Rahul. She liked to remember him that way. He was special. He always invoked warm feelings in her. The kind that didn't seem to have subsided even after two years of marriage to Vivek. But was he still 'her Rahul'? No. He was willing to take a deep plunge into life with her by his side… But she couldn't do the same. She had no right to call him hers. All she did was disappoint him.
“Come on… Let's meet Rahul,” Ashini was guiding them through the crowd. Suddenly Diksha felt like her knees were giving away. Her throat was turning dry. God, please don't make me or him say anything stupid… She was praying silently. There he was. Standing handsome in a black suit, clean-shaven and charming. As he turned around, she could catch a glimpse of surprise in his eyes and then a twinkle. He acted as if he was meeting her for the first time. Diksha just played along.
All through the ceremony, she was trying to catch another glance of him and he was obviously doing the same; for their eyes met one too many times. Each time she turned red in the face. God, he still made her blush! But somehow she desperately wished all this would end, so that she could run back home and forget about him. Just like the last time… She was never able to evaluate her feelings towards him. She always felt confused, from day one.
That night she was still thinking about him. It felt so wrong. It has been three years. She should have gotten over him by now. But all she could think of was the times they spent together. Back then, she always looked forward to meeting him. He made her happy, showering her with his attention. He made her feel special. Just the way Vivek does. She turned around to take a look at Vivek. He seemed so peaceful. He looked cute when he was asleep. Like a child…
Nothing in the world mattered to him as long as he could have his hand around her. She should shed these thoughts of Rahul. She isn't doing justice to Vivek… She slowly coaxed herself to sleep.
The whole of next morning was spent trying to drive Rahul out of her head. She was leaving for the library when she got the call. It was Rahul. “It's me,” was all he said for her to identify him in a split second. “How are you?” was the next question. The same way as she expected. He still cared for her. But she never asked how he was. As always, she acted as if she didn't care. “When is the marriage?” was all she could ask. He remained silent for a long time before he said, “Diksha, that day… you left me to myself, shaking my roots of belief in love. It took me two long years to get over you. Finally, I asked my parents to set me up with some girl. I didn't care who it was. I just needed to put this behind me and move on with my life. And of all people, you had to walk into the ceremony and that too with your husband. God! You still look so beautiful and… very happy! I was up all night thinking about you. Maybe what we did was right. Because you seem happy and not regretful. Maybe what I did will also be right. Maybe what we shared was just an infatuation… an illusion… Just like you said. I know it is not true, but I desperately want to believe it. Other than that, I don't see how I can do justice to Ashini. She is a nice girl. I don't want to ruin it again… I need to tell this to someone. Sorry for bothering you… I desperately want to say that I still love you… but that won't be right. You are not mine anymore. You are taken. So am I… I shouldn't be calling you in the first place. Sorry.” Diksha didn't know what to say. She kept staring at the phone long after he hung up.
Was she wrong about her decision three years ago? Was she really in love with Rahul? If not, why was it so hard for her to stop thinking about him? If after all these years, he could still say that he loved her, for once why couldn't she admit her love? That night she slipped back into thoughts. She didn't mention any of this to Vivek. She didn't see the need for it because she felt there was really nothing in it. All she needed to do was forget that she had met Rahul again. She kept convincing herself with the same logic, but felt so restless. Should she tell Vivek? Was she being unfair by not letting him know about this?
“Honey, what's bothering you?”
She was startled by Vivek's question. She wanted to say there was nothing, but he always read her like a book. She stayed quiet and looked into his eyes. Vivek pulled her close, kissed her forehead and whispered, “I love you.”
And then out of nowhere she uttered the words “I Love you too.” Never in these two years, she had replied him back. She would always smile in reciprocation. But today, she did it involuntarily. She could see the sudden gleam of joy in his eyes. It felt so right to say them. Maybe this is what love actually is. She is in love. Suddenly everything seemed quite clear. She was never in love with Rahul… because with him, she always hesitated to say these words. But today, she wasn't uncertain… there was nothing awkward about it.
Yes. She is in love.
With her Vivek… She was his. 'Her Vivek' sounded so right! She hugged him tight as she whispered in his ear “I Love you, Vivek. I Love you…” He couldn't understand the reason for this sudden wave of affection, but whatever it was, it made him very happy. He just held her close. Finally she was his.
