Chapter 49

On Friday evening Vimal and Manjari got in the car and he smiled at her before he started driving to the cottage where he had reserved for their stay. His mobile started ringing and he saw it was from Rishi so he answered it immediately.

Rishi: Vimal, hope you aren’t busy, can we talk ?

Vimal: I doubt Rishi. Is everything ok ?

Rishi: Everything is cool, I just thought of inviting you and Manjari to join us for dinner tomorrow. Will that be ok for you ?

Vimal: I m so sorry, me and Manjari have plans for the weekend and we just started from home. We will back on Monday so how about we meet some day next week ? I will talk to Manjari and let you know.

Rishi: Cool man, have a great time and let me know once you are back.

Vimal hummed ok and cut the call. He saw Manjari curious to know the call details so he informed about Rishi’s call to her.

Manjari: Why does he want to meet us now ?

Vimal: Just dinner Manjari and its cool to meet siblings once in a while and didn’t you want to fix your relationship with your parents and brother so when he is the one calling us, why not use the chance and talk to him ? He is really good and would sure forgive you.

Manjari: He hurt your sister so much and still you were able to forgive him ?

Vimal: He did hurt her, gave her all the pain he could possibly give but he did regret and repent  everything. Finally it was Aadhi’s decision to give him a chance and forgive him but that was not easy for both of them. The six months could have changed both their lives, Rishi might have felt Aadhi wasn’t the right person for him and moved on his life and Aadhi too might have felt Rishi was the worst thing happened in her life and she could used the six months as a reason and filed for divorce but deep down they had loved truly. When you love some from the bottom of your heart, you will always find a way to get back with that person rather than giving thousands of reasons to fall apart. They came stronger and proved to themselves and they got a self realization how much they meant to each other. End of the day its their personal choice and I m really happy everything worked out for them.

Manjari: You are right but what would have happened to us if we were in their situation ?

Vimal: Don’t feel bad on hearing my answer. There would have been 50-50 chances for us to get back together and falling apart. Definitely I m not Rishi and you are not Aadhira, everybody are different and unique on their own. Despite everything happened in their life they wanted to give a chance in first place, they tried and that is what matters. I m not puting us down Manjari, even we are trying in our life so we are different in our own way. Now lets stop here and focus only about us. Lets talk about us.

Manjari bobed her head and leaned over his shoulder. Vimal felt nostalgic and gulped the tears as he too missed their moments. He gave a gentle kiss on her crown while continuing his drive.

At penthouse Rishi and Aadhi got ready in a twining jean and shirt. Aadhi braided her hair and Rishi tied the lace of her sneakers and together they arrived at the parking. Rishi started his enfield and Aadhi hopped behind him wearing the helmet.

Rishi roared the engine to life and they drove of the building. Two hours later they arrived at a multiplex and hand in hand they entered the theatre where Rishi had booked tickets to watch a movie together. They held pop corn and soft drinks and settled in the corner seat.

Aadhi: When was the last time you watched a movie ?

Rishi: Would you be surprised and scold me if I say I had never been to a theatre in years ?

Aadhi gasped and her mouth hug open with the popcorn stuffed in her mouth. Rishi chuckled and opened the soft drink for him.

Rishi: I never lied when I said that I hated everything that was denied to me which includes watching movies in theatre. My father was always busy in business and my mother would never leave home so grandpa used to take me and Manjari to watch movies once in a while and that stopped when I was in class 8. My father wanted me to focus on my studies and reach heights so he never let me watch movies. I was frustrated and at a point I stopped watching TV too.

Aadhi: Lets have a home theatre in our new home and let us movie every time we are early home and on weekends too. Also we shall not stop our kids from watching TV  and we shall watch movie on all weekends as family.

Rishi: Sure love  so when do we have the baby.

Aadhi: I thought someone wanted to wait until I m done with my studies.

Rishi: Please don’t remind me that baby. You know I don’t regret the decision but frequent cold showers are terrible love. At time its hurts so bad that I m scared of our future generation.

Aadhi burst out laughing on hearing his words and people from the front seat turned their heads to look at Aadhi. Rishi closed her mouth with his palms though he was muffling his own laughter. Aadhi removed his hand and kissed his palm before she leaned on his shoulder and held his arm.

Aadhi: My poor Rishi, don’t worry we shall reconsider our decision.

Rishi: Nope, don’t try to change my mind.

The movies started and they watched passing comments while Rishi as usual played with her fingers, hair. As soon as the movie ended Rishi drove back from the multiplex and stopped at a restaurant to have dinner and placed their orders.

Aadhi: You think everything is fine between my bro and Manjari ?

Rishi: May be, may not be. I don’t think she would have decided to work in the first place if everything was fine between them or I might be wrong too. I m not ready to judge their life with my assumptions.

Aadhi: You are right, I too thought the same but again they wouldn’t have gone on this short trip if there was something wrong between them or may be they are working to fix their issue too. Whatever it is, I wish they fix and find peace in their relationship.

Rishi: I know that company, I did check about the guy Harish, nothing seem to be odd and he has a good reputation among his employees so we don’t need to worry still lets try to convince her to join our business.

Aadhi hummed to his words and in the meanwhile their order was served. Once they were done they walked out of the restaurant and Rishi passed the key to her. Aadhi looked at him in shock but Rishi only smiled at her gestured her to start the bullet.

Aadhi: Rishi stop joking, this is huge for me and I don’t think I could drive this.

Rishi: Come on Aadhu, I would be behind you so don’t worry, lets get back and I will take over after a while. Its almost midnight and the road will be deserted so lets have some fun.

Aadhi hoped on the bike with Rishi behind her. He removed the stand and held the accelerator holding her hand from behind. Aadhi started the engine and roared it to life slowly. She quealed in excitement when she felt the cool air hit her face as she accelerated the bike. Rishi held her safe and helped her drive to some distance. Later he stopped off the road and Aadhi turned over and hugged him.

Aadhi: Thank you so much Rishu, I loved this ride.

Rishi: you are gonna love it more Aadhu.

He removed the helmet and started kissing her for a while until they heard the sound a vehicle approaching.

Rishi: Alright now lets get back home.

They changed their positions and Aadhi hugged him while Rishi drove back home.

On the other hand Vimal and Manjari changed into their night dress and settled on the bed. Vimal played a movie and passed a bowl of popcorns to Manjari.

Manjari: I missed watching movies with you, infact I missed you a lot Vimal.

Vimal: I missed you too but lets get back to our old self slowly.

Manjari hummed and kissed his cheek before she leaned over his chest to watch the movie. Half way through the movie Vimal saw Manjari playing with the button of his shirt and slowly unbuttoning it. He placed his palm over her hand to stop and Manjari felt his nervousness. She moved away from him and sat leaning on the headboard. Vimal raked his fingers through his hair and looked at her with a smile holding her hand.

Manjari: Are you still angry over me ? I see clearly that you are avoiding me though you say that you have forgiven me.

Vimal: I forgave you Manjari.

Manjari: So why do you avoid me ? Shall we be open Vimal.

Vimal bobed his head and switched off the TV to have the conversation with her.

Manjari: Do you remember the last time you said I love you ? You never kiss me Vimal, I tried to ignore that I m just hallucinating and that you are not avoiding me but you do and it hurts a lot.

Vimal: Manjari..

Manjari: Why don’t you call me Manju ?

Vimal got down from the bed and entered the closet. He returned in a minute and placed a card before Manjari.

Vimal: I really tried and I m still trying to be normal with you Manju but it feels like I m still trapped to the day we lost our baby. Not only that, I trusted you a lot.. a lot Manju, I really did but every time you not only broke my trust but a part of me too. When I try to gather myself from the first breakdown you do something that breaks me again. This went on and on until a point where I lost myself completely.

Manjari: Vimal, you could have talked to me.

Vimal: Didn’t I Manju ? I did and I felt tired and gave up trying. I did have some hope that things could be fixed between us even when we lost our baby but that shattered a little when you blamed Aadhi for it. Once again, I tried for us but I felt there was nothing holding between us when I knew you didn’t trust me to reveal that you fell in the mall. You could have told me and god knows we could have had the chance to save our child but you never thought of that.

Manjari: Vimal, I thought we are over that

Vimal: Yes we are over that, but something is stopping me. I wanted to leave the city, everyone around me and find peace somewhere away but Aadhi stopped me. She spoke to me, she wanted me to fight for my love and I did, I really did. That is the reason I was able to forgive you and today we are here.

Manjari: I don’t understand Vimal, you are really confusing me.

Vimal: I have forgiven you but I want us to start fresh, I mean fresh just like how we started from the moment we met for the first time. Lets take it slow and I thought it would be better to have some counselling sessions too. The card before you, he is the best psychiatrist in the city and we shall meet him.

Manjari: I don’t see a valid point in meeting him. If you have really forgiven me then what is the point in avoiding me, this trip all these ?

Vimal: I arranged for this stay because I felt it would be good to spend some time together. to have this conversation, to have a better understanding about our future. Lets not think of having a baby anytime soon, I m not ready for that. I really need time both mentally and physically. I feel you need too. Otherwise we shall go on dates, movies and vacations. A little steps before the major one. Please understand.

Manjari: Ok, but I don’t think visiting this person would be necessary. You need time so we shall wait until you are ready. You could have spoke this back at home before you drove me here. I thought we were getting back and had lot of dreams.

Vimal: We are getting back Manjari, I planned this so that we could talk in peace and understand with each other. We shall do everything you wish, just not sex. I want that to happen spontaneously and nothing else. I want you to understand that I need time.

Manjari: Ok… I understand.

Vimal: Thank You… Just remember that I m not giving upon us.

Manjari bobed her head and Vimal hugged her feeling relieved that he poured his heart out to her.