15: Always and forever
Raghav, Ritwik, Ahana, Yash and Dhriti's life a year before.

(flashback)

(continued from the previous part)

a/n: the chapter is divided into four parts: the first part is continued from the last chapter, the second part takes place some time after the first part and the third part takes place sometime after the second part. The fourth part is a continuation of the third part.

It was lunchtime.

Vani stared at the food in her tiffin- aloo paratha.

Great, now everything reminds me of Sharmila.

'Aloo paratha' was one of the first things Vani had learnt to cook. One day when her mother was feeling a little under the weather, Vani prepared aloo parathe for her lunch and went to school. Sharmila had loved the aloo parathas. Since then, Vani used to often make those for her best friend, who used to hype her culinary skills.

Sharmila and she had simply drifted apart. After tenth grade, Vani had taken the humanities stream while Sharmila had taken science. The two had entirely different schedules and stopped meeting each other, calling on each others' landlines and talking for hours. And the once-close friendship had slowly just...died.

It wasn't just schedule conflicts though, Sharmila had changed in eleventh grade. Vani still remembered how she'd talk to her, with a sense of superiority. How she'd dismiss Vani's assignments and work when they would plan to meet. There was this particular incident, which stung and perhaps was the cause of the deceased friendship.

It was 2014. Diwali. The biggest festival of India.

Like every year, Vani had gone to visit Sharmila after Laxmi Poojan. Sharmila didn't live in the same society but lived in a nearby bungalow. It was a three-four minute walk. Vani had worn a saree for Diwali this year. She was pretty excited to see Sharmila's reaction to her outfit. An indigo blue saree with a golden blouse. She had braided her hair for two consecutive days due to which her straight hair looked slightly wavy.

That was when she met Sharmila's college friends. They were all snide, rude and had a superiority complex. They had been passed way too many 'in all good fun' jokes on the humanities stream. Vani didn't have a problem with the jokes, but they seemed to pop up every minute, and directed to her.

"You know it's not fair, my mother keeps on comparing my marks to my cousin's marks. Like she's in Arts, what do they even have to write in their exams- nursery rhymes?" A girl had complained, "No offence Vani, but I mean...we all know the truth,"

Already in a state of overwhelming emotions, a sixteen year old Vani had run away to never look back at Sharmila.

Or maybe, she did turn but it was too late.

Not wanting to contemplate more about her 'teenage angst', Vani got up, deciding that she should walk around a little after sitting down for a long time. She went to the coffee machine, and poured herself some coffee. With her coffee mug, she went to the receptionist's desk for some work.

"Raghav?"

"Vaaaani!" He answered, smiling widely.

"Ithe kaay kartoy?" (What are you doing here?) she asked in surprise, while he proceeded to hug her.

"God, I was so nervous. Seeing you has comforted me a little," he said.

"That does not answer my question," she pointed out, breaking the hug.

"I'm here to take your colleague Samaira on a date," he said, rolling his eyes. "I swear to God, I don't know why I have to listen to my parents," he added.

"Whaaat?" She asked, in shock.

"Samaira is my boss, you idiot. Not my colleague!" She added, slightly hitting his shoulder.

"Does that make a difference?" He asked, visibly confused at Vani's reaction. She nodded her head.

"...Yes, of course you bonehead!"

"Hey hey hey, is this good language? I'll complain to Shanta Aaji" the words slipped out of Raghav's tongue easily and he instantly regretted. He inhaled sharply and sighed.

"I...I, fuck I don't know man. I'm sorry," he said.

"It's okay Raghav," she said softly.

"How are you holding up?" Vani asked carefully.

"Yeah, I'm  fine. I just lost a woman who was a motherly figure to me when I was a child, Vani." He snapped.

"No what I meant,"

"I know what you mean," he breathed out. "I'm sorry, I just...they don't understand Vani, they never would" he said and Vani looked at him sympathetically.

"But I do, we all understand Raghav. We're here with you," she said and he nodded.

Just then, Samaira Shah walked in front of the scene.

"Raghav," she said curtly while he nodded slightly, acknowledging her.

"Samaira, hello" he answered and the two shook hands. The entire interaction was eerily cold which instantly made Vani feel uncomfortable. Is that how two people who are on a date behave?

"Uh...you two know each other?" Samaira Shah asked, looking pointedly at Vani, who couldn't help but feel intimidated by her. Samaira towered over her, with her long luscious hair, glowy skin and scary eyes. She had a persona which screamed, 'Piss me, and YOU die'. A very teenage goth girl persona in all honesty, yet effectively scary.

"Yeah, she's a close friend of mine, we've grown up together,"

"Childhood friends, how sweet!" Samaira remarked and Vani's stomach churned with nervousness.

"Yeah, he has to spend a lot on Rakshabandhan because of me!" Vani replied, uneasily laughing while Raghav looked at her, bewildered. When has she ever tied me a rakhi? What in the world?

Samaira nodded, understanding what Vani wanted to say.

"Anyway, I have work so I will get going, have a good day ahead" Vani smiled and Samaira softly smiled at her.

"Good day,"

While Vani was leaving she heard Samaira talk to an uninterested Raghav.

"What's her name? Should I promote her?"

Vani stopped in her tracks, and turned around. Samaira's back was facing her, but Ragahv could see her. She intensely nodded her head, indicating Raghav to say 'yes'.

"No, I'm sure she can get promoted without my meddling." Raghav answered and Vani groaned, turning on her heels and making her way back to her cubicle.

Raghav and Samaira left for the restaurant they were going to for lunch. The car ride was silent, and neither bothered to have a conversation. They had nothing to talk about. Since they met six months ago, the two had successfully started on the wrong foot and still managed to get on the other person's nerves. And yet, they were on a 'date' due to their parents' wishes for them to get married.

The two were having lunch at a TCF near Samaira's office. Ritwik had reluctantly agreed to shut the place down for an hour or so on their parents' insistence so that Raghav and Samaira could comfortably converse. Having an empty restaurant somehow felt more awkward to the two, as if the 'romance' was shoved on their faces forcefully.

"What is our plan?" Raghav asked while Samaira had a spoonful of rice with dal.

"What plan?" She asked, rolling her eyes. I don't even want to listen to his stupid voice. Idiot. I feel like creating more cuss words just to say to him.

"To get out of this idiocy," he replied. Is she stupid? Does she want to get married to me? God save me.

"I don't know,"

"What did I even expect you to say? Something helpful, impossible." He mumbled to himself.

"What did you say?" She asked.

"Nothing, we need to do something which will convince our parents that we should not get married," he said and she nodded. "Or you should get ready to start feeling romantic with me on romantic songs like these," he added further, annoyed at the violin rendition of Main agar kahoon.

"What is more romantic than a forced marriage?" She replied, agreeing with him and he sighed. "Anyway, you're right, we need a plan of action. You should take some other girl to meet your parents and free me from this, once and for all"

"Are you stupid? They want me to marry because I haven't dated anyone for a long time," he earned an eye roll at his response to her.

"Then what do we do?" She asked, feeling helpless.

"Wait, your plan could work out," Raghav started and Sharmila looked at him with hopeful eyes. "Let's switch roles- you take a boy back home," he said, flashing a victory smile.

"Are you crazy? I'll get kicked out of the house,"

"Then get ready to be Mrs. Dixit," Raghav said, annoyed at her non co-operation.

"Ew that sounds so bad!" Samaira said, making a weird face.

"Are you a kid to make faces like that?"

"Don't tell me what to do!"

"Well I need to tell you do something otherwise we'll end up getting married!"

"You know what, you seem pretty keen on this idea, Raghav. Now you'll listen to me," Samaira said, first pointing her finger at him and then at her.

"Yeah, I'll listen to you and my life will be ruined," he said and she glared at him.

"Don't interrupt me, I'll make a plan and get us out of this pickle!"

Raghav raised his eyebrow as he stuffed a bite of paratha with aachar.

—

Ahana sat up on her bed as the bell rung. She, who was the epitome of beauty, elegance and perfection had shabby hair, a sullen face. She had dressed up herself in an oversized hoody and shorts. You could say that Ahana engaged in the emotion of sorrow, confusion, anger like a movie character.

She knew who was at her door. It was her fiancé. The same guy who was supposed to be her life partner had hid a huge truth of his life from her. His secret didn't bother her but the sense of betrayal she felt was overwhelming. She had told him the most insane minute and mundane things about her life but he had spent all this time without sharing something so big with her. How could she trust him again?

On the other hand, she couldn't help but shake the feeling of concern she felt for him. What made him not tell her about this? Was there something wrong in the family? Is Yash's family not the picture-perfect business family she has always seen them as? Why would he hide that he's adopted?

Yet the only thing she knew at the moment was that she didn't want to listen to his explanations or even see his face. All the photos of them in her vibrant room had been turned over by her. The curtains had been shut close, not letting sunlight enter the room, a couple of dim lights were on as she didn't fancy complete darkness.

ding dong.

The bell rung again and Ahana took felt a wave of frustration hit her. She buried her face in the pillow, trying to tune out the sound of the doorbell. She pulled out her phone from the pocket of her hoodie and played a Bollywood dance party song to distract herself from the thoughts of Yash.

He stood on the other side of the door with shaky hands as he held the spare key to the house. He had been standing at the door for almost fifteen minutes. He had rung the bell four times but Ahana had not opened the door yet. In all honesty he knew she wouldn't open the door. And it was all his fault. His actions had led to the door getting closed and he was scared that it won't ever open again. He inhaled sharply, looking down at the keys in his right hand and his silhouette (plus his shadow, obviously) on the shiny marble floor.

Go to her Yash, just go to her. She's everything.

Nervously, he put in the key in the safety door and opened it. Ahana felt like she heard something, so she quickly paused the song which was playing at a low volume. She heard a sound from the door again, and got up, feeling slightly scared for a moment. She walked out of her room, taking slow and cautious steps. As he opened the main door, Ahana heard the sound of the lock being opened and rushed out, scared and confused- yet a part of her was still sure that Yash was opening the door. Without waiting for a second, she opened the door from her side and a scared Yash comically jumped back, producing a shrill shout.

"Yash?" Ahana questioned softly, a wave of relief and anxiousness hitting her simultaneously.

"Yash" he replied, trying to sound firm. Ahana gulped, and nodded. The floor beside him had a huge bag. She glanced at it quizzically and Yash decided to use the opportunity to lighten up the room (the doorstep).

"Christmas came early, eh? It's Santa's bag of gifts!" He said and nervously chuckled while she stared blankly at him. Yash sighed looking at her. "They're apology gifts. You would call it bribery," he said and she looked at him, no emotion on her face whatsoever. She didn't want to break down in front of him. She couldn't. She couldn't run back into his arms after everything. The moment he let her in on his secret she really didn't think it was that big of a deal. But in the past week, she had developed all these overwhelming thoughts and conflicted feelings about the entire situation. She wanted to avoid him, she didn't want to look at his handsome face or listen to his sweet voice. No, it was just not the time.

Yash looked at her hopefully, wanting to wrap her in a bone-crushing hug to never let go. The past week had been a torture for him with the absence of Ahana. Her calls started his day and ended his day. He slept and night to see her in dreams and woke up to fall in love with her all over again. It shocked him, how a person's existence had become everything for him. But he had screwed up, screwed up with that one thing he had always hated about him. His familial situation. Why is this one thing such a pain in the ass?

"I don't want to hear it, heck I don't want to see your face. Go away," she said but by the end of the sentence a sob broke free from her. Yash looked at her, his hopes crumbling as he felt his heart sink. How could he do this to her? Guilt had hit him like a truck to see her. Perhaps, I should have given her more space right now.

"I'll go," he said, disappointed.

"Okay,"

"Uhm, I'll just keep this bag here," he muttered in a low voice and Ahana thought for a moment before nodding and stepping aside, letting him in. Yash walked in as Ahana stood silent.

"Kopryat thevun de," (Just keep it in the corner) Ahana said in a low voice and Yash nodded. As he kept the bag beside the beige coloured sofa, his phone rung.

Mummy?

Ahana noticed how he suddenly tensed up and hesitantly received the call. Whose call must it be?

"Ha mummy" (Yes mom,)

"Ji," (Yes,)

"Theeke" (OK)

"Ahana bhi theek hai," (Ahana is also okay)

"Milte hai" (I'll see you soon)

"Bye,"

Ahana kept looking at her fiancé whose stiff shoulders immediately relaxed as he hung up the call and kept his phone in his pocket.

Has it always been like this? Have I been blind towards him all this time?

Yash didn't want to displease Ahana more so he started walking out without saying anything else. Ahana breathed in before stopping him at the threshold.

"Yash wait, let's talk" she said and he looked at her, surprised.

"Really? You mean it?" He asked and she nodded. A soft smile appeared on Ahana's face as she looked at him twinkling eyes, but the smile disappeared in a second, much to Yash's chagrin.

Ahana sat on the sofa, Yash opened the curtains to let sunlight in, brightening the dull room up.

"Have you eaten?" Ahana stayed silent and the silence answered him.

"Thought so. I got you poli bhaji" he said with a smile.

As Ahana had the first bite of food, she felt much better. The two sat silently opposite each other, the tension and awkwardness in the air palpable.

"Why would you hide it?" Ahana finally asked after five minutes leaving Yash speechless at her first question.

"Uh...well that's pretty direct," he said softly. He inhaled deeply before giving his answer.

"It's...there's no particular reason to be honest," he started and Ahana clicked her tongue.

"That just makes it worse, Yash," she said.

"I'm sorry, but that's just how it is," he said. "Me and my parents, Ahana- we're complicated. I can't explain it and it's, I mean it's not important yeah? I'm adopted, that's it. It's not life changing," He said, getting uncomfortable due to the topic of discussion.

"If it was not life changing, I would have know already, don't you think so? How can someone just...just hide something so big? I blabber to you about every little thing of my life and you went on all these days without sharing something so significant about you? How could you just not say it? We're going to be a family, Yash. A family. You proposed to me, remember?" She said, pointing to her ring.

"I feel like the person I'm going to live the rest of my life with is a liar and wants to keep secrets from me. I mean, come on Yash don't you think this is wrong?"

Ahana kept on talking but Yash had completely blanked out. He felt his heart palpate, his hands started sweating and breath rising. He gripped the edge of the couch but his movements went unnoticed by Ahana.

"Yash? Yash?" Ahana asked, annoyed. "Say something,"

"I'm sorry," he breathed out and she looked at him, a sigh leaving her lips.

"I'm just really conflicted right now baby, I just...I don't know how I feel,"

"But...but this'll pass right? It'll get better?" He managed to speak pausing in words, fear gripping his anxious heart.

Ahana thought for a minute, as she continued to look at him. Yes, it has to because I love you, Yash.

"Yes love, it's us," she said with a soft smile.

-

Ritwik was bored as he waited for Dhriti in his car in front of the airport. He tapped on the steering wheel as gentle breeze came in through the open window. It had been a rough time for him since Shanta aaji had died. The loss was huge and he had to see his best friend completely shatter. But it was not just Karan, his brother and his friends were also struggling one way or the other and he felt helpless. The fact that everything around him was connected to Shanta aaji in some or the way didn't help either.

"Ritwik, I landed. I'll be out in five minutes," Dhriti said as she called him.

"Okay, I'm al." She hung up hastily even before he could complete his sentence and Ritwik rolled his eyes. Does she get paid in dollars for every second?

True to her word, Dhriti was in front of the car in five minutes. She kept her bag on the backseat and the two drove off, wanting to reach their respective houses soon as it was already midnight.

"Thanks for picking me up, you didn't have to though," Dhriti initiated the conversation.

"I mean, I wanted to meet you anyway so yeah...not a big deal. I'll come to pick you up if your flight is going to land at such weird timings, just call me yeah?"

"Look at you, acting like a gentleman and all" she remarked with a smile "No, but that's really sweet of you, Ritwik."

"Yeah, I'm amazing," he replied dryly and Dhriti felt bad. Everyone in the group had lost the spark for the past three months.

"When was the last time you met Karan?" She asked, in a soft voice. Ritwik breathed in before he answered.

"A week ago, took him to therapy," he said and she nodded.

"I'm glad he agreed. Good thing we asked Tara to convince him,"

"Yeah she did good,"

In the next twenty minutes, they had reached Dhriti's house. She got out of the car as Ritwik stopped the car. It was a silent, chilly night. She stood there, in front of the society, taking in the sight of the dark sky and the pretty moon. She rubbed her shoulders, taking a deep breath in. Ritwik took out her bag and came and stood beside her.

"I hope Shanta aaji is looking at us from the sky," Dhriti said and Ritwik hummed.

"She is, I am sure of it. Anyway, I gotta rush, Jiya's waiting for me," he said.

"You're going for a date right now? How romantic," she said, smiling.

"I'm not going for a date, she's waiting for me back home," Dhriti audibly gasped as he uttered the words.

"You guys moved in together?" She asked, shocked. "You didn't even tell me man. But hasn't it been just six months?"

"Calm down, we haven't moved in together. Her house had a plumbing problem so she has come over for a week,"

"Ohh, how has it been so far?"

"It's actually been amazing till now. Her and I, we just...there's something so special between us in all honesty. I can't really describe it, but yeah man, she is just...perfect"

-

It had been a long day for Ritwik when he returned home. He cautiously opened the door, not wanting to wake his girlfriend up. But to his surprise, she was wide awake, watching television.

"Hey babe, I thought you must be fast asleep," he said as he pecked her forehead.

"I can't sleep a wink knowing you're not home, in all honesty. I'm shit scared to sleep in a house alone,"

"Understandable." He replied as he went in the room to change his clothes.

"Are you hungry?" She asked, as she got up from the sofa.

"Kinda," he replied as he came out of the room.

"Knew it. I made waran bhaat for you,"

"Wow, thank you so much Jiya" he said, pulling her into a hug while she served the rice in his plate.

"You're welcome, sweetheart" she said with a smile. Ritwik's heart skipped a beat as he wondered how he'd gotten so lucky.

"Though I would say Desai, I thought of you as a late night ramen woman," he commented and she chuckled.

"I'm both, Dixit" she said giggling, sitting beside him. "Khaa aata" (Eat now) Ritwik wrapped his arm around her as he began eating with his other hand. He was done in five minutes and Jiya commented that he was super speedy.

"I don't think anyone has ever made me late night food since I left home for college," he said. "Not to sound too sappy, but thanks again. I'm grateful for you, Jiya. You've really become like a prism in my life- showing me vibrancy in all monotony," he said and Jiya smiled back at him, eyes full of adoration.

"I'm grateful for you too, Ritwik. The time spent with you is one of the most beautiful times of my life," she said.

"I'm also grateful for the pipe that burst. I got a lot of my time with my beautiful girlfriend because of it," he said- his voice a husky whisper, knowing that she liked when he talked like that.

"Mhmm mhmm, the pipe is a good pipe," she murmured as Ritwik leaned in for a kiss.

4000 words🥹