Angie, who was standing alongside Dhruv and his friends, went pale with her jaw wide open. Mr. Shah went to her and handed her the keys with a big ear-to-ear grin on his face.
“Seems like we succeeded in surprising my princess, right Dhruv?” She gazed at Dhruv as Mr. Shah quipped.
“Fair point! Well made, Mr. Shah,” Dhruv nodded his head with affirmation.
Angie broke into tears and hugged Dhruv and his friends as soon as she learned what they had done for her.
She then turned to Dhruv, “You know Dhruv, today I was missing her more than ever. As I was thinking about her, you guys entered.” She said and hugged his best friend, Dhruv, who was also missing M.
Hope you’re somewhere around, M!
She then turned to Shilpan, Harsh and Aakash, “Thanks for everything guys,”
“Ah, that’s nothing. We could have never let you marry that bastard, you know that. By the way Angie, Ansh…” Shilpan stopped in between; he was unable to finish his line.
“I know, refused to come and he doesn’t want to see my face; I know that too.” She shook her head and wiped her tears. Mr. Shah heard her and put his hand on her head.
“Everything will be fine princess! Now boys, if you could help us with the luggage.” Mr. Shah relentlessly moved her attention.
After setting everything by evening and demobilising herself from the jewellery and traditional choli, Angie and her mom were placing their dishes on the table for dinner. There had been only a few occasions, out in restaurants where they had dinner together – never at home.
Angie was amused, sitting in her new house, considerably smaller than her old home but large enough to let them breathe freely.
“So princess, happy now?” Mr. Shah broke the ice.
“I’m running out of words to thank you dad!” She replied as firmly as she could.
“So why is our princess still sad?” Her mother was the first one to notice,
“Don’t tell me you wanted to marry Vishal,” Mr. Shah quipped, trying to move her thoughts from the disparity.
“Jeez…papa! I’m just thinking about…”
“Ansh, we know that.”
“Hmm.”
“He’ll come back, just give him some time.”
“I hope so papa!”
“Don’t tell me you’re going to die single if he doesn’t come back.”
Without any reservation, she replied, “You know papa, I will!”
After dinner, Mr. Shah was sitting cross-legged, watching news when someone knocked the door. He stood up but Angie was swift in reaching the door. She was feared and dumbstruck by whom she saw there – Rishi. Had he come to hurt them? No, she couldn’t let him do it. She stood firmly obstructing his way in.
“What are you doing here?” She snapped at him and to her surprise, he didn’t revert. Instead, he looked down and remained silent.
Mr. Shah came from behind and said, “Cool down Angie, I called him here.”
Surprised, Angie went aside, making way for him. He came inside, sat on the sofa and asked for a glass of water. After consuming two glasses of water, he looked at Mr. Shah and asked what he came for, “You said you had something related to my mother?”
Mr. Shah nodded, called out to his wife, and asked her to bring that letter. Neither Angie nor Rishi knew a thing about it. Whenever Angie asked her mother about what happened to Rishi’s mother, she changed the topic. All she had coaxed out in twenty-three years was that something terrible, really terrible happened to her, and Rishi was told – obviously by his father that her mother cheated on his father and committed suicide in guilt. But somewhere in his heart, he knew that his mother wasn’t like this. He was no more than five years old when she died and from those little memories he had of his mother – almost abruptly, though affectionate – he knew that she was a lovely woman.
He looked at his mother as an idol until his father told him the reason of her suicide – which he had to believe; and that commenced an immense hatred for his own mother in his mind and maybe, that’s why he hated Angel.
Angel was her sister and he protected her from everything which could harm her until she turned three, until his mother died and until his father deceived him about his mother’s death. He still remembered how he and Angie bonded together against all odds which were laid by his father and how his uncle helped them get out of it. When he first found out about her boyfriend, Anshul Bhatt, the first thing he did was a background check on Ansh. The reviews came good, and somewhere inside, he felt good for her. But then, he had to oppose her in obeisance to his father. He didn’t like abusing and insulting his uncle whom he saw as an inspiration while growing up; but then he had to. He was pleased to hear that his uncle was setting the date between Ansh and Angie; but then he wasn’t the only one who had heard his uncle’s conversation, his father too was standing behind him and at his behest he had to go with his friends with hockey sticks and bats just to show his father. He wasn’t going to harm both of them and luckily, Dhruv came there and gave him the excuse of returning. He never felt offended by Dhruv’s insults, neither had he hated him. In fact, had he been in Dhruv’s place, he would have done exactly what he did, and he admired Dhruv for that. He knew Dhruv was an irresponsible spoiled brat, but could go to any extent for his friends and he believed that’s the characteristic of a good person. He certainly didn’t like Vishal. In fact, he hated him for trying to kill his uncle. He didn’t like to fight Dhruv at the hospital, but then he had to. He knew this was going all wrong, but then he thought she deserved to suffer, as his father suffered because of his mother. He was somehow pleased to see Dhruv there on her engagement. He was watching them from a distance and was pleased when Mr. Shah was taking her away. He already knew what they were there for; while his uncle and auntie were packing their bags, he had gone home and had seen them. But instead of telling his father, he waited for them to take his sister away. He didn’t want to intervene and stop them while they were leaving, but when his father stared at him with fuming red eyes, he had to obey him. He didn’t charge back at Dhruv not that he couldn’t, but he thought being seen defeated would ensure freedom for his sister, a sister he loved secretly but couldn’t protect openly.
Mrs. Shah came with a white paper and handed it to Rishi. Angie was observing her brother as he was reading it. First his eyes went wide, astonished, then tears started falling from his eyes. By the end, he was growling and squeaking in pain.
“This is…” His voice chocked, leaving him unable to finish his words.
“Her suicide letter. She wasn’t the one who cheated; your father was shamelessly disregarding every single vow of their marriage. He was someone you can call a molester, abuser, beater, cheater - everything. She committed suicide just to get rid of him. She loved you, but perhaps her love for you was overshadowed by her sufferings. This letter was kept away from you because of your father and my father who was as helpless as he is now,” said Mr. Shah, putting his hand on his shoulder and within no time, he broke into his uncle’s arms.
Angie was still surprised to see everything. Rishi then turned towards her and held her hand.
“Please forgive me, truffle!” A single word, within no time, brought tears to her eyes. This is what he used to call her before he started hating her; when he used to take her out for walks, when he was her guardian angel and how could he forget that it was Rishi who gave her the name – Angel.
“It’s okay Rishi Bhai! I don’t blame you, especially after knowing all of this.” She caressed her brother’s hair and hugged him. She felt stronger now, and experienced the same feelings she had when she used to play with him, when she used to be a little princess of her brother.
“I promise you truffle, I promise you, I’ll get him back.” He offered firmly, but his voice was grouchy because of crying.
“No need of that Bhai. I have you now, which is a bigger reason to celebrate.”
She rubbed Rishi’s back; he was finding it hard to stop his sobs
. She then went to the kitchen and came back with a glass of water.
After an hour or two, Rishi stood up to leave, promising to come back the next day. He said it would be impossible for him to stay with his father anymore but Mr. Shah made him realise that he was now the only one who could run his family business and to keep his father away from destroying it. That he was the last ray of hope for their family and he had to stay there to look after his company.
On their convocation day, Ansh and Angie were finding it hard to face each other and were sitting far from each other, which brought a big gossip meat for their peers. However, at the time of lunch in the campus mess, Dhruv sitting beside Angie instead of Ansh was a bigger topic of gossip.
“You should probably be sitting with him. You’re catching more eyes than me, Dhruv!” Angie suggested.
“Since when did you start worrying about other people, my friend? Or maybe you don’t. You’re worried about him aren’t you?” He muzzled.
Angie shrugged off the words.
“You know, there’s no point lying to you! So, now you know why I’m telling you should be sitting with him. He looks quite angry about this.”
“I’m not giving him what he wants Angie. I’m giving him what he needs. Besides, he has Shilpan, Aakash and Harsh with him.”
Angie was playing hide-and-seek with Ansh’s eyes. Dhruv who had no intention to interrupt them was eating his meal when his phone beeped.
“Nirali?”
“Hmm…”
“So, finally, huh?”
“Nothing like that Angie, she’s just a friend.”
“I was told – of course by you – that you loved her, right?”
“I was fifteen then. Right now, I’m in love with your best friend only.”
“So if I want you to be in love with her, I might have to make her my best friend?” Quipped Angie who didn’t know then that every single word would come true afterwards.
Even after lunch, everyone was unable to leave the campus mess due to heavy rain. Ansh was standing at a distance with his eyes lingering on Angie. They were clearly missing their moments in rain, and Angie, for whom her entire future was shoved in absurdity, was standing alongside Dhruv who was looking after her just the way M had.
Had M been in her place, what would she have done? Just wait for him to come back to him?
No, she would have advised her otherwise. M had just made one mistake which had caused her a distance of seven months from Dhruv. After that, M told her many times not to wait for things to come back. If it doesn’t, then it never will. She tried to think what would it be like to have her around? What would she tell her?
And she had her answer. She was going to talk to him and finish it once and for all – either way. She walked up to Ansh and Dhruv followed her; she was standing before the person she loved and she wasn’t going to be weak. She knew what she had in her mind and she said it.
“So, having fun, Ansh? By beating around the bush? By insulting everything your friends and my dad did for us? I left my own engagement for you and I thought you’d be standing there instead of your friends to receive me! But you know what? You never wanted me in the first place. It was I who was after you madly. But now, it’s enough! If you don’t want to talk to me, then it’s fine! From now on, I’ll never cross your way; and I wish that makes you happy,” Angie cried out, leaving Ansh embarrassed before everyone who was gathered around.
She then handed her bag to Dhruv and said, “Dhruv I’m going, please keep my bag. I’ll take it from you later.”
She started walking in the rain, taking slow and attentive steps, her dress was soaked and her mascara was all over her cheeks, mainly because of her tears. She kept walking until she felt a force was holding her hand. She knew who he was; she could remember his touch even in the greatest oblivion. He possessed her hand, and she felt he was going to conquer her – again. The thought put an instant smile on her face.
“Excuse me ma’am, can you tell me the way to the examination hall please?” His voice came from behind her; she didn’t move, she wanted him to turn her around, with his hands on her shoulder and then…her back.
“Sorry, but I’m not going in that direction,” she answered playfully with a shy grin.
“How about a walk? To wherever you’re going!” Ansh was yet making no effort to move her and she felt mildly annoyed – as she badly wanted to see him.
“I don’t think you trust me enough to walk along with you, sir!” Within no time, his tongue was probing her mouth and as she was deprived of it, she made no attempt to hold back. He finally won her over and their love story was completed. The funny part was that she never thought that they would kiss in middle of their campus; but it didn’t matter now…they had their degrees with them.
“Angie?”
“Hmm?”
“Is it the rain or your boobs are getting softer?” He quipped.
Boys will be boys, whenever they kiss a girl, touching breasts is the next thing on their mind.
She punched him hard on his chest and a sound of applause moved their attention; they saw Dhruv standing there, the only eyewitness for all their ups and down – perhaps the only living one.
“Should I send you an invitation card to join us?” Ansh shouted out.
“No, I thought I might wait until you finish your Boobjob!” Dhruv retorted with a big grin and eventually ended up running, with both Ansh and Angie trailing him with a punch.
As Ansh was asked to press a horn while he reached Angie’s home, he did accordingly and Angie finished all the preparations for their welcome. She was running here and there to make everything perfect. Mr. Shah noticed her and warned, “Hold your exhilaration princess, no need for any hurry.” She knew he was right, but then, she was an Indian bride who was going to turn her love marriage into an arranged one. She had to look perfect.
Ansh entered along with his parents, they shook hands with Angie’s parents and Angie was in a dilemma whether to touch their feet or not, but in the end, she did, putting a smirk on Ansh and Mr. Shah’s face.
Greetings were done, welcome drinks and snacks were served and they were settled to discuss further course of action.
“So, when should we tie their knot?” Mr. Shah was the first one to break the ice.
“I think in their mid-internship will be better, they’ll have the chance to focus on their pre PG entrance,” Mr. Bhatt, Anshul’s dad replied.
“Exactly, and I think Angel needs it more than Ansh,” muzzled her mother. Angie sighed in disapproval.
“Sir, before we go any further, I want to clarify that we have a condition,” Ansh interrupted. Angie felt a crushing force nudged deep down in her heart. ‘What? A condition? Where did this come from?’ She thought.
“Son, I and her mom left my company, and our house to bring together you two. I don’t think I can give you anything more, but still, I’ll try to fulfil your demands, for my daughter’s sake. So tell me what is it?” Mr. Shah said in disappointment.
Angie had never seen her father helpless; perhaps hurt, angry, disappointed…but never helpless, that too because of her. She decided in her mind that if it was anything like dowry – even with its mere chances – she would call it off.
“My father will brief you about this. Over to you, dad!”
Ansh’s father picked up his bag and pulled out some papers and a brochure, placing it before Mr. Shah.
“As you know, our house is not adequate for two couples, so we were looking for a bigger home, and there is this four BHK bungalow we have planned to buy.” He explained, leaving Angie’s family stunned and somewhere inside furious.
“Four BHK? That must be a costly affair!” Mr. Shah said, trying his best to keep calm.
“That’s why we have come to you, Mr. Shah!”
Angie was about to burst, but Ansh through his eyes pleaded her to remain calm, which she did, hoping for all of this to be a nightmare and was waiting for someone to come at rescue and interrupt t
he conversation.
“What can I do in that, Mr. Bhatt?”
“Well, we’ve decided to move there before their marriage. Alone, I can’t afford that house so we want your help in that. We want both families to shift there, so we can plan better for their marriage. Here is the detail of home loans, we can share EMIs of that house and together, we can afford that house,” Ansh’s dad blasted.
Angie and her mom-dad had their jaw dropped open. This was beyond their wildest imagination.
“What???? You want both our families to live together?” Mr. Shah asked in disbelief.
“Yes, Mr. Shah. Ansh came up with this idea and like you, I too found it weird and illogical. But then, he left me with no choice. He proposed this condition to me before you and I could have agreed to it.” He explained and Mr. Shah turned to Ansh who was smiling.
“Ansh, I appreciate your affection, but you don’t have to do this for us,” Mr. Shah started and Ansh held his hand high to interrupt, poured himself some water and cleared his throat before he explained. “Sir, by this, I’m not returning any kind of favour to you. I know this looks mentally and practically irregular and in one word, crazy, but I was duty-bound to do this and the same condition I had put before my father when I told him about Angie. Now it’s up to you whether you accept me with this or not.”
Angie was ambivalently looking at Ansh and Mr. Shah simultaneously but unable to understand the uncanny condition her boyfriend had brought up.
Her father gazed at her and asked, “What do you think about this?”
Angie’s heart echoed, ‘I badly want this dad!’ but she remained silent. He then looked at his wife and as she knew her daughter’s wish better than anyone, she nodded with a smile.
“Okay then, if it’s your final decision, then let’s work on the finance.” He shrugged and picked up the papers. Angie, who had just witnessed a historical moment needed to go somewhere alone to celebrate it with herself and she stood up.
“Should I make some coffee for everyone?” She offered.
Keeping the Promises Page 16
