Chapter 5

Around the same time, Aryan was deeply immersed in his task, with his tongue stuck between his lips, as he kept searching through some boxes at his home.

The moment he reached home, he hurried to his bedroom and pulled out a stack of boxes stowed away under his bed, where he kept all the information he stored over many years.

For the next half an hour or so, he impatiently went through the contents.

He finally found what he was looking for.... Chandni's wedding card.

He was grateful he didn't burn it or chuck it in the bin back then, considering how traumatised he was, when he found out that she was getting married. He eagerly opened it and checked the groom's name. It said Rahul Singh Ahluwalia. He chucked the card back into the box, and started pacing around the room restlessly... wondering what happened to Chandni's arranged wedding, and how did she end up being married to the business magnate Vikram Mathur.

He was still unable to process all the frustration and anger he had felt ever since he saw her in the morning. And in that presentation room, she was so spiteful in the beginning, but as he began to explain more and more, he could notice that she genuinely began to show more interest in their products. He was quite impressed as to how much research she had done about Sigma and their products too. Arrgh!! Why can't he just shut his bloody mind and heart from her thoughts!! He began to curse himself as soon as the presentation ended.

And he ran, literally, from the office.

Just when he thought he had finally escaped from her tormenting eyes, and sought his refuge in the car, she was there again, catching him at his worst moment. He promised himself that he would NEVER EVER let her watch him cry again. She was not worthy of any more tears; he had shed them enough.

That card

~~~~

"Why do we have to marry so suddenly? I just turned 18, we have so much time ahead of us. I have to speak to my parents and get their blessings too remember? I was just, you know.... kidding about the car. Forget about it. We both can buy it on our own or I can withdraw from my savings. There's a lot of time for all that. Generally, it's us girls who hurry boys into tying the knot. Yahan to Ulta ho raha hai! Chakkar Kya hai? (it is opposite here, what's going on?)" Chandni chuckled softly, and rubbed her nose against his.

"Nothing is going on. You know I am a penniless Engineer right now, but I have got placement offers from my University in couple of Companies. There's a small company called Synergy, back in Mumbai, where I am really interested to start my career. But instead of pursuing my career, I came here and fell in love with you. I live with my Nani in Mumbai, so we have a roof over our head. But still, your parents will never agree for our marriage right now, because they want their only daughter to go to a rich household similar to theirs. I still have to find my mark in the world, get a job, and settle down blah blah... It might take 6 or 7 years. Why do we have to wait so long to be together? And there's something else too... I will come to that later. Your parents will not give their approval, trust me Chandni. I will get a job and do all that but I want you to be with me in my struggles too. Or you are saying no, because you can't adjust to my middle-class way of living?" Aryan asked, his face crestfallen, as if he suddenly realised where the problem was.

"Shut up Aryan!! Don't you dare insult me like that ever! When did I ever make you feel that I am a rich family kid who can only live in a certain way of life? We never had much money when I was younger, and this recent growth in our wealth never meant anything to me. My tastes and my way of living have always been simple. Why don't you trust me when I say that I love you and want to marry you no matter what your status is?" Chandni looked hurtful, and walked away from him in the deserted lane.

"Chandni!! Stop! Of course, I trust you. My only worry is, do you trust me? If you do, then why are you hesitating to marry me?" Aryan ran and stood in front of her, effectively blocking her.

Chandni shook her head, and tried to explain again but Aryan stopped her.

"Who knows what is in store for us tomorrow? I have had a rough time growing up, but it never turned me bitter. Instead, I have learnt to live in the present, savour every day, every moment as if there is no tomorrow; and if you are with me, every moment of our life will be a memorable one." He cupped her face in his hands as his eyes searched eagerly for a response.

A slow and shy smile spread on Chandni's face, as the warm street lights cast a mystic glow on her face.

"I trust you completely Aryan! Why would I come here with you all alone if I didn't? It doesn't matter how we live, where we live, today - tomorrow or after ten years, I will always be with you, as your wife, as your life partner, sharing every moment of my life with you, no matter what! No one can separate us."

Her declaration in that deserted lane sounded like music to his ears.

Aryan's heart leapt with joy.

He lifted and twirled her around, till she screamed and begged to be put back on the ground.

He stopped twirling and slid her down, gradually, his arms still locked tightly around her back, his eyes boring into hers. They could hear nothing but the chirping of the crickets and buzz of the traffic from far away.

It was as if the whole world around them disappeared and at that moment, they felt as if they were tied together in the bond of love, togetherness, forever.

Aryan left a trail of feathery kisses along Chandni’s cheeks and forehead before reaching her lips. And waited… till Chandni opened her half-closed eyes and looked at him with a mixture of shyness and anticipation.

As his warm mouth touched her soft lips, an inevitable moan escaped from her and he pulled her closer.

~~~~

Aryan's phone began to beep its 11pm alarm which brought him out of his memories. Hmm… so much for empty words, Aryan thought bitterly, as he recalled Chandni's promise to stay with him forever no matter what!

Aryan checked his phone and noticed that there were several missed calls and worried texts from Namrata and few from Raj Singh as well.

He texted Namrata, reassuring her that he was fine, and then began to call Raj Singh.

But he didn’t have to, as the man himself was at his door ringing the bell at that very moment.

"Why don't you answer your bloody phone? I was worried sick after Namrata told me you stormed out of office, looking distressed. What happened?" Raj Singh looked worriedly at Aryan.

"Nothing happened, please come and have a seat first.” Aryan let Raj Singh inside. “When did you arrive? Would you like to have your favourite Adrak Wali Chai (Ginger tea)?" Aryan tried to look cheerful, in vain.

"I will sit if you sit next to me, and tell me what the hell happened. Don't even try to bluff because you suck at telling lies." Raj Singh mocked.

Aryan smiled ruefully and went inside, to bring the wedding card he was checking out previously.

He threw the card at Raj Singh who looked at him and the card in confusion.

Raj Singh put his reading glasses on and looked at the card properly this time, and as he realised what it was, his brows furrowed.

"You told me, all those years ago that Chandni was getting married to this Rahul guy and showed this card to me. How did she end up being Vikram Mathur's wife and now the CEO of our company?" Aryan hissed.