The Stigma Called Love - Chapter 97
Aparna sat down on the bed and tried working through the knots in her wet hair but somehow they just kept twining and being impossible. Tired, she just gave up and put the comb down beside her.
What has she done?
She felt guilty of accusing him of everything that has gone wrong in her life.
Why?
What was his fault?
He had only loved her.
Loved her with all he had.
Suddenly her eyes fell on her left ring finger and she remembered the ring, which once he had proudly slipped in. Now, the finger was as empty as her life.
Aparna buried her face in her palms and tried to summon the much-wanted tears but her eyes refused to give in. Instead, the emptiness inside her started to squeeze her heart. All of a sudden she felt constricted and started to lose her breathing. She tried to drag in the air but nothing happened.
Panic rose inside her as she realised that something was definitely wrong.
Has something happened to him?
NO, her heart cried out. It can’t be.
She tried to reach her phone but couldn’t. The more she tried to breathe, the more pressured she felt. She was about to call out to Madhu when she felt an arm encircling her body.
“Shhhhh!”
Slowly as her breathing normalised, she slanted her head on his chest and closed her eyes.
“Where are you?” she asked as her body started to warm up against his.
“I am here.”
“Don’t let me go.”
“I haven’t.”
“I miss you,” she said helplessly.
“Then come back,” she heard him reply.
“I can’t.”
“Yes, you can.”
“You have moved on,” Aparna said as slowly the tears rolled down her eyes.
She felt him making her stand up. Slowly, he guided her towards the mirror. Then, he picked up the comb from the bed and started to brush her knotted hair.
“Open your eyes,” she heard him command.
As she opened them, she saw them together just the way they had stood together in front of the mirror in Tosh. His touch, his smile, his hands and most of all his eyes conveyed only one thing: his love.
“But…”
She stopped as he put a finger on her lips.
“Try, Aparna. Just for once, try.”
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It was evening when Nishant neared the curve of his guest house. Slowly, he closed the gate and walked towards the main door deep in thought.
He wanted peace.
He had hoped to find it here but this place reminded him more of her than usual.
Where should he go?
Where can he go?
Breathing hard, he opened the door.
“Surprise!”
For a minute, Nishant was blinded by the lights suddenly coming on in the room. He clutched the door frame and looked around.
The room was filled with his parents, his brother and sister-in-law, who were beaming ear to ear. And, right at the corner, two of best friends stood smiling with conspiracy.
Inwardly, he felt irritated but somehow controlled himself.
“What are you guys doing here?”
“Nishu, did you really think we will let you be all alone on your birthday?” his mother said coming towards him and engulfing him in a bear hug.
Reluctantly, he returned the hug and looked at Dhruv.
Although, Dhruv saw him smiling but knew that his eyes were saying something else.
Why?
After all the hugs and slaps on his back, they all settled down and Nishant stole that moment to rush upstairs. Angrily, he strode right out on the terrace and breathed in and out trying to appease the resentment rising inside.
“Happy?” Dhruv asked as he came and stood next to him followed by Sid.
“Why?”
“Because it’s your birthday. And coz you need some sanity in your life,” said Sid smiling.
“Did I tell you all this?” Nishant asked looking at him angrily.
“No, but we are your friends and whenever you are down in the drums we need to pull you back,” Dhruv replied placing his arm around Nishant.
Scowling, he shrugged his arm off and started to walk away.
“Nishant, you got to be kidding. You are not happy to see us?” Sid asked gesturing towards Dhruv.
When Nishant did not answer, Dhruv stopped him.
“Come on, Nishant, we are here to celebrate your birthday.”
Nishant gritted his teeth the moment he heard the word birthday.
“Dammit! I don’t want to celebrate it.”
“Why?” Sid asked.
“Sid, please. Leave this topic.”
“But why?” Sid implored knowing there was something wrong.
“Because it’s Prakriti’s birthday too,” Nishant said with an irritated tone.
Dhruv sighed and glanced at Sid, who looked stunned.
“Great! Have you wished her?”
Nishant shook his head and closed his eyes as the anguish in him started to rise again.
“Then do it,” Sid said offering his phone.
“Nope, he won’t. Although he has sent her a gift,” Dhruv supplied trying to gauge Nishant’s reaction.
But Nishant was completely lost in his thoughts. His brain had already started coursing down memory lane again. The birthday plans they had made, the future they had once sought together, their dreams; their love: everything flashed in front of his eyes.
Slowly, he moved away from the boundary wall and sat down on the recliner.
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Aparna and Madhu were discussing Prakriti’s birthday arrangements when suddenly they were interrupted by the doorbell. Panicking at first none of them got up but then Aparna stood up while Prakriti rushed past her inside the bedroom to Harish.
Breathing hard, Aparna opened the door and stood still for a minute.
“Hello, Aparna Ma’am, may I come in?”
Stumped she moved away allowing Siraj to enter. Prakriti came bounding happily out of the room as she heard his voice.
Taking her in his arms, Siraj showed her the box.
“What’s this?” Aparna asked.
“Bhaijaan has sent this for her.”
Prakriti circled the huge box and started dancing around in the room singing, “Nishant uncle has sent me a present, Nishant uncle has sent me a present.”
Aparna looked at Siraj who just did not know what to say next. He was about to exit when Aparna stopped him.
“Where is he?”
“Tosh!”
Copyright © Paromita Majumder. All Rights Reserved.
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