Words Count - 2228
Attached Song - If you love her
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Surfraaz

"I don't need these, thank you." I replied to the advocate as I denied to take the signed copy of divorce papers.

"You can send it to Ms. Neha Mehra." Spelling her name without my surname, felt gut-wrenching. Still, that was the truth now.

"Alright. The final hearing is on 11th of July. Be there." I nodded at his words. Though I had my motive clear to leave this country before that damned day comes but, fate had some other plans as the conference got postponed to August end.

Driving back to that secluded building, I had bought for us unnerved me, opposite to the peace, it once gave me.

"Life has become a chore now." I mumbled, trying to sleep on my bed which also smelt of her, taunting me of how unloved and lonely I've been left.

"Shay, you shouldn't have came back here three years ago. You were better far from here." I whispered to myself.

I sighed, closing my eyes, embracing her fading scent of the mattress, giving in to my restraints, tired of fighting each and every day.

Tired of fighting all of the battles alone...

A man could only hope to have someone to share life and all of his unknown battles with, or was he wrong?

My distressed mind was slowly starting to numb itself, when a phone call snatched its peace. Sighing, I sat on the mattress, looking at the clock ticking to 2:00.

"Hello," My own whisper perturbed the silence coveting the still room as a joyous tone hushed from the other line, quite contrary to my life's phase.

"Shay, come out of your building." I heard a swift rusty whisper, which I later realised to be Bhavna after the call declined.

"What is this girl upto?" I murmured, messing my hair with my fingers as I wore my grey t-shirt and descended down the stairs.

Rolling the rail gate of the bungalow, I ducked my head out of it to view out, only to see a girl in a white bike. Her legs barely reached the ground as she hopped out to handle her vehicle.

It was Bhavna in her night suit, maybe, straight out of her sleep.

As I stepped out of the gate, gesturing the watchman to lock it, I was welcomed with Bhavna's enthusiastic call.

"Let's go. Let's go. We are late." She shouted, settling on her two-wheeler again, indicating me to sit behind her.

"You sure, you can ride it?" I jested, carefully sitting behind her.

"Better than you." She scoffed at me as her bike came to life and her loose hair brushed my face.

It felt awkward. It should've been her, right?

The same fragrance of her hair further agitated me, which once deceived me to believe Bhavna as her.

"Bhavna, why don't you change your hair shampoo?" I spoke mindlessly to clear my head out. The silence was injuring me; further scaring my wincing heart of any more heartbreak that lay ahead.

"Uh, you don't like it?" She questioned, her eyes trained on the road as she drove us to an unknown destination.

"Hm, I don't." I mumbled.

Like it? I love it but, just on her.

"Sorry, I'll change it." She pouted, giving me a band to tie her hair to not bother my nose.

"You are such a sweet girl." I said smiling, tying her hair as she nodded.

"I know, I am the sweetest girl." She laughing, saying the same.

The fading darkness of the night haunted me less tonight as the zephyr soothed my soul, repairing it with utmost care.

After a silent yet soothing ride of an hour, she nudged me to get down on my feet. Moving my eyes, I saw nothing but, a vast-spread land with tall trees till my eyes could reach.

"Bhavna, don't tell me you are into black magic?" I nervously laughed as she wiggled her eyes at me.

"How do you know, huh? I made sure no one knew that I'm going to offer you to the ghosts tonight." She mumbled, making me gape at her.

"So funny!" I tried to laugh as she laughed at my puckered face.

"You are still scared of ghosts, aren't you?" She rested her back on the bike as her free laughter rippled through the night.

"Nah," I shrugged, taking a look at our surroundings.

"Let's go there." She pointed me a corner, which seemed even darker.

I walked along as she slipped her arm into the bag, she carried along with her.

"This is my favourite place in Mumbai." She gushed in excitement as she ran to the corner, she mentioned before.

The heralding dawn seemed to have a magical effect on this specific corner as the sky still preserved some stolen pink and purple tints from the  evening.

"It's beautiful."

"It has to be. It's Bhavna Point." She chuckled, surfing through her bag as she took out a big jar.

She winked at me, before a rush of neons scurried out in hurry, lightening the sombre yet artistic sky.

Fireflies!

Rampantly, the neons twinkled in the enigmatic cloudy canvas as I smiled a real one, seeing her gleeful eyes looking at the sky in pure, unadultered joy.

"It's beyond my words." I hesitated to frame words because of how special I felt.

"You have no idea how I feel right now." I uttered, crossing my arms around my chest, my eyes staring at glittering canvas rejoicing, because of her efforts.

For the first time, someone's efforts were starting to turn my sombre sky into a canvas of colour; luring my broken heart to believe in the beauty of emotions, of efforts, and being cared of...

"Thank you for making me happy, Bhavna."

I smiled at her, speaking my genuine emotions as she spread out her palm to me, making me confused.

"Huh?"

Her stretched palm gestured at my hand and I kept mine over her's.

Swiftly, I felt her passing something to my palm.

"Keep it in your pocket and open it after you reach your house." I nodded and slipped it into the folds of my trousers pocket.

"Let's get back to home?" She queried as I nodded, taking a last look at the surreal beauty of the night sky.

The drive back home was more soothing than ever, perhaps, her efforts were enough to make me feel at ease with her, even though how scared I've become of emotions and attachments.

With a silent goodbye, she left me at my doorstep. A tender smile playing on her lips. Shaking my head as I climbed up the stairs, my fingers tugged out the piece of folded paper out of my pocket to view a short, hand-written note from her.

"I wanted to make this day special for my childhood hero. I don't know why I couldn't ask you out the other day, but, my sudden spurt of zeal made me accomplish it in the midst of the night, at my favourite spot. Belated happy birthday, Shay."

I smiled at her efforts, yet again.

××

The ticking clock and my peaking anxiety went hand in hand as I awaited my mother's presence.

I had a feeling, it was going to be terrible. Nevermind, I've already faced the worst many a times.

Seeing her approaching my cabin, I braced myself to face the worst. Her graceful strides were undoubtedly grabbing attention, proving her reputation as a shrewd businesswomam in the patriarchal business world.

The whole world went by her dignified grace, but, I know her grace knows just how to ruin. People, emotions and bonds.

"Maa," I called out to her, closing the distance between her, to reach and guide her to my cabin.

"How could you, Raaz?" She looked at me, a hint of dissatisfaction, disappointment and anger hiding in her composed visage.

"I know, what I did, Maa." I replied, my tone not giving away an inch of whatever I have thought of.

"You won't lose anything even after Mehra's being the major shareholders of our hard-earned company. I checked the stats, it's already in ruins. A few years and then, they and that company is ruined. We can easily take it back." I answered her, playing with her greed, putting into play everything I've researched in the last few weeks.

"That sounds good. But, how are you so sure that it will be ruined?" I smiled as I saw that coming beforehand.

"Who do you think is an able person to take over their business? The ailing man, or his army son? Who do you think will bring their glory back? You already know about their daughter." I remarked as a strange bitterness crept into me, mentioning her.

"That's why I said, business runs in the Mehta's blood, Raaz. You were born to be here. Because you are my son." I nodded, somewhere agreeing with her.

If I were a businessman, maybe, I would've been her choice. Insanely rich and popular like her taste in men. Maybe, she would've been in love with me as my dotting wife, with our little kids...

Maybe...

"But, my son, never ever deem your opponent weak. That's the biggest blunder." She patted my shoulder as my eyes snapped into her eyes, swirling a new cunning idea, I never saw coming.

"What you don't know is Mr. Mehta has been visiting the Raisingh and the  Bhardwaj family too often, these days. For all you know, they might marry Neha off to one of their sons as both of your divorce is just around the corner. And, if it happens, Mehra's will be ruling the communication industry." She narrates her findings and suspicions as my face drains it's colour.

"You think, Neha will agree to this arrangement?" Unknown to me, the question spluttered out of me.

She laughed at my question as if it was the silliest one.

"Why do you think she won't? Did you forget that she didn't marry you out of love, Raaz? It was a business arrangement too." The harsh truth coming out of her mouth splashed a bucket of cold water on my warm heart.

"I didn't, Maa." I whispered, a gruelling pain getting its birth inside me.

"Not one. But, we have two challenges, Raaz. First, to stop their merger or to grow more powerful than them. Secondly, the divorce alimony. Half of your share of property will be gone to her." She reminded me, but, that I cared the least.

"Maa, my share of property doesn't matter. Let her live with it, I don't care." She shrugged at my words and got ready to leave after an incoming call from Neha made her to leave.

"Raaz, I have a solution." She stated, standing the glass door of my cabin.

"Yes?"

"I'll let you know soon, Raaz." I nodded, getting back to my duties.

Before I could reach my watch to leave for my pre-lunch patient rounds, I saw a folded piece of paper under my notepad.

"I've always admired men into medicine, even though I am into the same field. But, I was so wrong. What I admired wasn't just men into medicine, but, a certain cardiac surgeon who reminded me of my father through his kindness and compassion. Money doesn't make men rich or popular, Shay, it's their kind heart. And, yours' is too precious."
~ Owner of Bhavna Point.

With a teary smile, I folded it again and kept it in my wallet to treasure these words forever. Then, the duty calls followed.

××

I stormed out of Mehta's mansion in pure rage, reaching towards my car.

Yet again, she was determined to play with my life and my emotions. But, I won't let her do it this time. Not again!

I was yet to close the car door when I saw Viraj Bhai sliding into the passenger seat.

"We wish your goodness, Shay." He stated, making me glance at him, incredulously.

"Something is freaking wrong with you both. Get it checked." I grunted as I clipped my seat belt, waiting for him to get off my car.

"Let us repair it, Shay." He urged me as my redshot eyes snapped at his guilty ones.

"Repair? You both were too much help in the past. So, no need. I don't need it." I shouted, exasperated. Trying my best to getaway from here.

"I can't. Please don't. Don't play with my emotions, and feelings yet another time. I've had enough, Bhai." I pleaded, my fingers shaking at the flashes of the divorce paper on my hand and her, walking out of our house, wrecking my peace.

"Agree to whatever Maa says, Shay. Give your consent to marry Bhavna. It's for the best." He spelled out whatever Maa suggested inside. But, whatever he said next compelled me to agree.

I pray, it goes well.

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Hey lovely people,

I hope, you have nice plans for your weekend and are enjoying it to the fullest.

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A whirlwind of emotional drama coming soon...

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Love,
B❤