Chapter 22

One month passed by but nothing changed between Rishi and Aadhi except he would return home early and all his attempts to even initiate conversation turned futile. Aadhi did nothing but cook, sleep and watch movie in her laptop. She never listen to music or even switched on the TV in the penthouse.

Rishi would wake up every day with lot of expectations that something change between them but nothing happened. He wished to wake up to the blasting music every morning but was welcomed to the eerie silence, he wanted her to wish him a good morning with a milk coffee but his mornings were more bitter with the bitter black tea. He was welcomed by a deadly silence in the evenings and some times it scared him to check if Aadhi was really home and fine. With each day he was losing his sanity. He was no more the smart businessman, he looked more rugged with the over grown beard and hair. His sleeves were always rolled and his hair was a mess from running his fingers through frequently out of frustration. At some point he stopped screaming at anyone and started bottling up his emotions.

Sudhir who knew the problem started giving some hints on ways to convince Aadhi but all those were in a indirect way.

Just like any other day Rishi was working in his laptop when Sudhir entered his room with a file and placed it before him.

Rishi: You are late Sudhir. Don’t you think you were suppose to be in office before my arrival ?

Sudhir: Ofcourse sir but something happened on my way to office and I couldn’t reach on time. A guy blocked the road and started dancing and giving flowers to his girlfriend. He gave sweets to everyone on the road and I tried to know the reason. He said his girl friend had passed some tough exam and he was celebrating to make the day special for her.

Rishi: How did the girl react ?

Sudhir: She immediately hugged him and later she couldn’t stop blushing and finally the traffic got cleared when they left from the place.

Rishi hummed and Sudhir noticed Rishi lost in thought. He hoped that Rishi who get the hint and do something to convince Aadhi somehow. Once Sudhir left the room Rishi called the principal of the college and got to know that Aadhi’s results will be the next day.

Rishi: Sure she will pass all the papers. She really did work hard for her exams so she definitely deserve a party but how do I arrange with her present at home ?

He smiled knowing that she would definitely leave for college to meet her friends and decided to use the time to prepare a surprise for her but once again slumped on the couch rubbing his palms over his face.

Rishi: I still haven’t found about her likes and dislikes. I wanted to know that from her but I m so lucky to have wasted all the months of chances I had with her and now she is not ready to share the same space with me but I will find out soon. May be she will give a chance and I will propose her to be my friend first.

The next morning Aadhi was so nervous about her results and Rishi watched her pacing in the kitchen. On seeing Rishi she stopped pacing and carried on with her works. Rishi left as usual and later Aadhi arrived at her college. Malini and Chaitra hugged her and the three chatted for a while to relax.

Rishi who was waiting at the corner of the street returned penthouse after watching Aadhi’s car leave the premises. He started decorating the living and hearing the door bell he opened it and received the cake and flowers he ordered for her.

He was also tensed about the result and when his mobile rang with the call from the principal he answered it immediately. He was in a complete shocked state on hearing the results from the principal. He plopped on the couch and opened the website of the college and saw Aadhi’s photo with wishes for achieving gold medal.

Rishi: Aadhira has ranked top in the university.

He raised his fist and smiled feeling happy for her achievement. Hearing the sound of the door bell he composed himself and opened the door. Back at the college Aadhi received wishes from the principal, staffs and the students. Malini and Chaitra were truly happy for her after everything she was going through her life.

Aadhi, Malini and Chaitra arrived at a bakery and cut cake to celebrate Aadhi’s acheivement. Finally after all the celebrations Aadhi bade bye to Malini and Chaitra and informed the driver to take her back to penthouse. All the way she wanted to call Vimal and inform him about her results but decided against the idea and called her father to let him know but the call was unanswered. She tried her mother’s number but her number was not reachable so she decided to call them later.

Upon arriving penthouse Aadhi opened the door and heard a blast. She held her chest but soon smiled on seeing her parents, Vimal, Manjari, Rishi’s parents and grandpa welcoming her.

Hari: Congratulations Aadhi, I m so proud of you.

One by one wished her and Vimal hugged her feeling so excited and proud for his baby sister. Aadhi felt emotional and hugged him, tears brimmed in her eyes but soon after seeing Manjari throwing daggers she pulled back from the hug.

Rishi came forward with a huge bouquet in his hand and gave it to her.

Rishi: Congrats Aadhira. I m so proud of you

Aadhi felt all the eyes on them so with a smile received the bouquet from him.

Aadhi: Thank you Rishi, the flowers are beautiful.

Everyone settled in the living and Rishi placed the cake on the teapoy. Aadhi looked at Rishi who passed a knife to her with a smile. Unable to react or deny before the family she cut the cake and Rishi immediately picked a piece to feed her. Aadhi hesitated but looking at the family she couldn’t deny and opened her mouth for him to feed her.

Grandpa: What have you decided further Aadhi ? Highers studies or job ?

Aadhi: I want to work grandpa. I want to stand on my own.

Vimal smiled hearing her words and Rishi too smiled though he knew the reason she wanted to work rather than studying further.

Grandpa: No Aadhi, I think you should complete your masters. Not everyone are good in studies like you so complete your masters first. Your grandpa will sponsor your studies and I want you to bring me another gold medal. Will you do that ?

Aadhi really wanted to do her masters but she didn’t want to be a burden anymore to anyone.

Aadhi: Grandpa, thank you but I think I wanted to work.

The old man being wise knew the reason behind her wanting to work so he shook his head denying her.

Grandpa: One day you will regret for choosing to work instead of doing masters so listen to me and I will take care of everything for your studies.

Aadhi: Thank you grandpa.

Vani: Father, I think she should focus on family now. Let them plan for a baby first.

Aadhi’s face turned pale and Rishi mentally slapped himself for inviting their parents. A simple party with grandpa would have been better he thought before turning his attention to his mother.

Rishi: Mom, Aadhira will continue her studies. Let her focus on her studies and then career.

Vani: And what will you do until then ? Rishi you are in the right age to start your family.

Rishi: Mom, please. This is our personal choice and let us decide it.

Manjari: Bro, mom is right. You should think over the decision of her higher studies.

Rishi: I don’t like our personal life being a matter of discussion and not everyone are good in studies and ambitious to achieve something in their life. Aadhira has all rights to decide for her.

Together they had the lunch and once everyone left from there Aadhi rushed to her room leaving the flower in the living. Rishi sat on the couch looking at the flower and gently touched the petals of the rose.

Rishi: Don’t worry atleast you got to be in her hands for a little while.

The next morning Rishi woke up and was welcomed by the dead silence obce again that irritated him. He was going mad and throwing the duvet he rushed to the living and turned on the music system. Closing his eyes he sat on the couch and waited for any response from Aadhi but nothing happened.

He finished his chores and sat for breakfast. Aadhi placed his plate and Rishi smiled at her.

Rishi: Good morning Aadhira.

Aadhi bobed her head in return and was about leave after placing his black tea but Rishi’s voice stopped her.

Rishi: Aadhira, can I have milk coffee please ?

Without replying to him Aadhi made him milk coffee. Rishi sipped it and closed his eyes to its taste. Aadhi was about to leave once again but Rishi too stopped her.

Rishi: Who taught you cooking Aadhira ?

Aadhi Mv: Adhira ? What is with him ?

Aadhi: My mom and brother.

Before he could stop her she scurried away from there. Rishi felt content on having the milk coffee and drove to his office. The whole day he was thinking of talking to her and when he returned home in the evening the first thing he did was turning on the music system but Aadhi retired to her room immediately after placing his dinner so Rishi couldn’t talk to her.

Three days passed by with the same routine and Rishi lost his cool. He threw away the duvet and made his way to the kitchen. He turned off the burner and holding Aadhi’s elbow he turned her to face him.

Rishi: Aadhira, I m so sorry. I really regret pushing you away from me. I have been a stupid, fool and not in senses to say those cruel words to you. I deeply regret Aadhira, I m going insane with the silence around me, I m scared of this silence. Its too scary to wake up to this deadly silence, Its too scary enter this silent surrounding, your silence… your silence is killing me Aadhira. I couldn’t take this anymore.

Aadhi wiggled to get her hand out of his hold and Rishi let go of her hand immediately.

Rishi: I m sorry, I m sorry..I didn’t mean to touch you without your permission. Please forgive me.

Rishi knelt before her and Aadhira stood shocked to see him pleading with his hands folded.

Rishi: Aadhira, please punish me, hit me, lash out on me, break something over my head but please talk to me. Please give me a chance to fix everything. I m losing my sanity, I couldn’t take this anymore. I swear I did not hate you, I was jealous of you. Just like Manjari, I was jealous too that you are carefree, you were able to enjoy everything in your life. I was jealous that you were everything that I wanted to be in my life. I started pushing you more when you started influencing me and I was scared that you would change me completely. I was coward to accept my jealousy, I was coward to accept that you were not fake, I was coward to accept that I really liked you. I was coward to accept that I wanted to enjoy everything with you. Now I don’t want to be a coward anymore, I like you.. I really like you. You won Aadhira, you succeeded in shattering the wall I built around my heart and I also realized long back that I killed your real self. Please give me a chance to fix everything between us, please give me chance me to heal you. Just one chance Aadhira. Please…Please Aadhira..

Aadhira: Rishi..

Rishi shook his head quickly interrupting her and wiped the tears from with the back of his palm.

Rishi: Rishu… please call me Rishu.. I want to be your Rishu. I miss hearing you call me Rishu. I hate the name Rishi now.

Aadhi: Rishi, I really forgave you. You are talking all this because you are drowning yourself in guilt.

Rishi: no no no, its not guilt. I mean I do feel guilty for forcing you on that night but that was not intentional. I m not trying to justify my act. The man before you right now is the real Rishi, you brought me out of the illusion I was living in. Actually it was me who was fake, I was jealous that I couldn’t live like you. What I spoke now is not out of guilt Aadhira. I really like you.

Aadhi: Whatever reason you say would not justify the way you treated me and I really don’t want to talk about it and it is guilt and you only feel pity for me and nothing else. Don’t confuse yourself. You don’t like me and that is the reality.

Rishi: What should I do to prove that this not my guilt but I really like you and wanted us to give a chance to us ?