"I am not sure Akka...But I am assuming he is Your Ajnabi"

Did she just say that!?

The grip on my phone loosens and it falls with a thud on the floor shattered into pieces, just like my heart that has broken into pieces after listening to Mihika.

What cruel game are you playing with me God?

I look up hoping to get answers.

I am such a fool to expect answers from Him.

He hears us but does not answer My heart mocked.

He has his own ways of answering sweetheart and THIS is how he has answered to the pleas you did an hour ago My brain instructed.

Realisation dawned upon me and I took a deep breath composing myself and bent down to pick up the shattered parts of my phone putting it back in place, simultaneously putting the pieces of my broken heart together.

The decision was made and I am going to stick onto it, come what may, even if it means turning him down on his

This had to happen someday, then why not today.

God is definitely testing me to see how strong is my resolve.

So here I come to face the hardest test of my life.

I grabbed my car keys and my purse and strode towards my car.

As I drove towards the venue I replayed the roller-coaster of emotions I went through in the last hour.

As soon as Mihika left the room, I put myself on Silent mode.

This is happening a lot nowadays.

#Miss Non Stop Chatter Box Iyer is replaced by#Miss Non Stop Silent Mode Iyer

"Ennachu Ishu? Tum Mihika ke sath party me kyun nahi gayi?"

The Iyer Warrior oops The Iyer Worrier entered my room with a heap of folded clothes.

I did not reply, nor moved an inch. I am on Silent Mode, Remember?

"Tum abhi tak ready bhi nahi hui. Itni der to tum kabhi lagati nahi ready hone me" She said placing the clothes neatly in the closet.

Getting no response must have made her restless, she abandoned the task at hand and turned towards me. I gave a weak smile.

She came closer, sat beside me, took my hand in hers and asked"Nervous?"

"Hmmm" I nodded.

She slightly pressed my hand and said "I understand"

No, you don't Amma!

She gathered me in a side-hug, i rested my head on her arm.

"Patha hai Ishu, mujhe hamesha is baat ki chinta lagi rehti thi ki jab tumhari shadi hogi to kya hoga"

Why is that Amma?

"The world thinks that you are a rough and tough person, but I know that behind this rough exterior lies an emotional and vulnerable girl who cannot make decisions"

You are so right Amma!

"Tum ek Independent Working Woman to ho, par kuch mamlon me tum itni dependant ho ke mujhe tumhari fikr lagi rehti thi. Tum itni bholi ho ke kisiki bhi baton me ajati ho. Logon par asani se bahrosa kar leti ho. Tum behave to aise karti ho ke you are a tough not to crack. Par bas koi ek baar koi tumhari taraf muskura de, to samajti ho ke wo duniya ka sabse achha insan hai aur use dil se laga leti ho"

How do you know me so well Amma?

"Ek raaz ki baat bataun? Mai bhi bilkul tumhari jaisi thi" she whispered.

Really Amma?

"Pagal si thi mai, bilkul tumhari tarah. Tough situations ko handle karna mere bas ki baat nahi thi. Thodi si pareshani ajaye to ro deti hai ya phir khamosh usi me ghut thi rehti thi"

How did you change Amma?

"Lekin jab se meri life me Vishwa aya, my life changed. He changed me into a strong and self-dependant person. Meri nadani par wo gussa nahi hote the, mujhe samjhate the. Meri galtiyon par chillate nahi, unhe maaf karte the. Mai jab pareshan hoti to mera sath dethe aur har takleef me mera sahara bante. Isiliye mai aaj itni strong hogayi hun ke life ke bade bade decisions khud akele le sakti hun"

You are so lucky Amma!

"Isiliye mai hamesha pray karti rehti thi ke tumhe bhi Vishwa jaisa supporting and understanding husband mile. Par chinta to hothi hi thi kyunki har prayer answer to nahi hoti na. Lekin ab mujhe tumhari koi chinta nahi"

Why is that Amma?

"Kyunki ab tumhari life me Raman hai. Raman jaisa sathi naseebwalon ko milta hai. Mai samajti thi ke duniya ka best husband mere paas hai, par ab mai ye kahoongi ke duniya ka second best husband mere paas hai. Kyunki world ka best husband meri beti meri Ishu ka honewala hai"

How can you be so confident Amma?

"Raman ek aisa ladka hai jo apnon keliye jaan bhi de sakta hai. Wo tumse bahut pyar karta hai. Mujhe poora yaqeeen hai ke har gham me, har mushkil me wo tumhara sath dega. Tumhari har pasand aur har khushi ko apni choices aur khushi ke aage rakhega. Ab mujhe tumhari koi chinta nahi kyuni He is the one for you"

Are you sure Amma?

I hadn't spoken a word to her, although I had my words were playing on my mind.

But I somehow felt that the last thought on my mind should be put into words, may be that could help me make a decision.

I was about to say that when "Madhu, kahan ho tum. Mera chashma kahin nahi mil raha" Appa's voice was heard from the living room.

"Tumhare Appa bhi na, mere bina unka ek kaam nahi hota. Mujhe to independent bana diya, khud mere bhi dependant hogaye" Amma said slapping her forehead.

That's cute Amma!

"Madhuuu"

"Aayi Vishwa" Amma screamed "Kanna, mai jathi hun, mujhe aur bhi bahut kaam hai. Tum jaldi se ready ho jana. Raman tumhara wait kar raha hoga na"

She then cupped my cheeks a pecked my forehead, i smiled fondly at the display of affection.

She halted near the door and turned back saying "Jaldi ready ho jao ok"

I nodded and she left closing the door behind her.

I stood up to get ready.

Getting ready here does not imply the physical appearance but my mental state.

I was getting ready for a decision, a final one.

I reflected upon her words.

(Note: The lines in italics are Amma's dialogues, bold ones Raman's and bold+italics Toshi's)

Raman ek aisa ladka hai jo apnon keliye jaan bhi de sakta hai

Keemat jagah ki nahi, lamhon ki hoti hai. Tumhare jaise anmol sathi ke sath waqt bitana kisi keemti khazane se kam nahi. In lamhon ko jeene keliye agar mujhe khud ko bechna bhi pade to mai peeche nahi hatunga

Wo tumse bahut pyar karta hai

Tu dekh na Ishita is mehendi ka rang khoob chadhega. Mai apne puttar ke ankh dekh kar bata sakti hun ki wo tujhse kitna pyar karta hai

Mujhe poora yaqeeen hai ke har gham me, har mushkil me wo tumhara sath dega.

Mai tumhe ye batana chahta tha ke jab kabhi tumhe meri zarurat mehsoos ho, to you know where to find me. You must know ke I will always be there for you

Mujhe laga tumhe bata dun ke mai hamesha tumhare liye available rahunga. Koi bhi pareshani ho kuch bhi you can always come to me

Tumhari har pasand aur har khushi ko apni choices aur khushi ke aage rakhega.

Mai chahta tha ke tumhe aisi jagah le jaun jahan tum poori tarah enjoy kar sako

Zaroori ye bhi nahi ke hum meri pasand ka khana khayein.

He is the one for you

My mind had decided to play these words and scenarios in loop.

This often happens with me.

When I am troubled and try to reflect upon the situation,my mind acts crazy playing them in loop.

In such crazy moment i had discovered a crazy source of relief.

Advance Warning: Make sure the floor is clean before you read what my crazy source of relief is!

Because I am sure you are going to roll on the floor laughing.

My crazy source of relief is SRK SONGS on my playlists.

Yes! You heard it right!

Wonder why I did not remember about my crazy habit in the last few days, when I was going through so much.

I guess I was so disturbed that I totally forgot about my crazy discovery.

Thankfully, this time I remembered.

I grabbed my phone, opened the playlist and tapped on a song without looking at the screen. That's what I do always.

The song that plays, somehow, relates to my situation and gives me some solace. That's how it works.

Sounds crazy, but it works! You may try this too!

I closed my eyes and waited for the song to begin.

The music played imitating my thumping heart

I placed my hand on my heart and leaned against the headrest, letting the lyrics sink in.

Har Gadi Badal Rahi Hai Roop Zindagi

So true!

Chaanv Hai Kabhi, Kabhi Hai Dhoop Zidnagi

Perfect definition of life!

Har Pal Yahan Jee Bhar Jiyo

Wish I could do that!

Jo Hai Sama Kal Ho Naa Ho

You are right!

Palko Ke Leke Saaye

Paas Koi Jo Aaye

I could visualise Ajnabi holding his hand out for me

Lakh Sambhalo Paagal Dil Ko

Dil Dhadke Hi Jaaye

Our almost kiss moment played on my mind

Par Sochlo Is Pal Hai Jo

Woh Dastan Kal Ho Naa Ho

Huh! Indeed it is just a dastaan!

Chaahe Jo Tumhe Poore Dil Se

Milta Hai Woh Mushkil Se

Raman's face appeared in my eyes

Aisa Jo Koi Kahin Hai

Bas Vohi Sabse Hasin Hai

He is the one for you Amma's words echoed

Us Haath Ko Tum Thaam Lo

Woh Maherbaan Kal Ho Naa Ho

Did he just say that!?