'''Why aren't you letting me go alone?'' Kajal asked her chin on Tarun's shoulder, blinking her eyes like a doll. Tarun made sure that all friends were being picked up by family before walking Kajal to his car. As he took the wheel, she leaned on to him.

''You are drunk!''

''No, I am not...I know who I am and I know who are you!'' She replied all confident making him smile, Kajal caressed his cheek with her finger, ''You look handsome when you smile.'' He now chuckled, ''You are seriously drunk, now let me drive.''

''And you are blushing!'' She said watching his cheek turned pink. Tarun didn't say a word but could feel her eyes on him, it made him conscious around her. His heart felt nervous yet happy at the same time.

''You know what Tarun, you have a golden chance to take me home. I am drunk and won't protest!'' She offered. Tarun looked at her surprised, and couldn't remove his eyes from her face. Her lose strands danced around her face making her look like a moon playing hide and seek with clouds. The tough expression she carried all the time was now replaced by a soft carefree one. He smiled, ''I will , on the day you are not drunk.''

''Just tell me straight Tarun, do you want me in your life?'' Her question shocked him, he quickly moved off the road. Tarun turned the engine off and looked at her for a minute, ''Why did you say that?''

''because I know I am not your choice. You are hanging on just because that silly marriage thing. It hurts Tarun, it hurts bad. Have you ever faced rejection? I have, you won't know how deep it hurts your self esteem.''

''No one can reject you Kajal.''

''Really? You did, didn't you? You married me because it was your mother's wish. You had no intention to marry me but you went ahead ....I don't know why.'' She turned silent. Tarun understood the reason of outburst was the drinks he decided to let her talk today, ''The Kajal you see today is the result of lot of hard work, million rejections and being shamed for looks. Even today , when I am successful I get suggestion about how to lighten up my skin because my husband is fair. But how would you know? You always got praised for good...for being best...you are an idol for your friends because of your choices until I came along and became a dent in your perfect world.'' She wiped her cheeks, ''Tell me something Tarun, do you loath my looks? Is this the reason you never tried to be closer to me. Or may be you thought, if I touch her I might turn like her or what would my friends think. Right??''

''I am sorry!''

''Hell with your sorry! Just give me a final answer and get done with it.'' This time her voice came loud.

Tarun stared at her for long, ''Fine, I will do whatever you ask me to but in morning.'' He moved the vehicle off the road and drove in silence towards her house. Kajal kept staring out of the window, not being able to look into his eyes and scared that the wetness in her eyes would give all. She didn't wanted to be rude but everything till date and his confusing gestures resulted in the outburst. She feared he might just let her go, on the other side she thought it would be good for both.

She pushed open the door as he pulled up his car outside her house. With wobbly steps she walked to the front door and slipped. Tarun caught her before she could touch the earth, ''Don't touch me!'' She retorted

''Shut UP! Let me drop you inside safely and I won't show you my face again.'' His voice came angry. She stared at him as her lips trembled. He shut his eyes, ''Sorry, I shouldn't have raised my voice.''

''I don't like you!''

''I know!''

''You don't a thing Tarun Mehra...and you won't ever know it.'' She challenged as he walked her to the door. Tarun pressed the door bell to be answered.

Arun sighed hearing the door bell, he had been waiting for Kajal to be home before he hit the bed. Sheela warned him against staying up late but the father wanted to see his girl in before he calls a day.

Arun blinked the moment he unlocked the door, Kajal stood leaning in to Tarun.

''I just came to drop her back!'' Tarun spoke as soon as Arun's eyes fell on him. Arun nodded, moving out of the way. Tarun walked in and made Kajal sit on the couch, ''I will leave now!''

''Leave forever and don't come back!'' She screamed half conscious. Tarun said nothing, he just walked off without turning back. He feared that Arun would see his wet eyes. But he had concluded something, his indecisiveness had put Kajal through a lot and he decided to end her pain. She was right, he had no right to make her go through all this just because he wasn't sorted in head.

As he drove to his apartment, his eyes kept pouring recalling the moments and then her out bursts.

'Robin is better than you , at least he loves her for what she is. Had he got a chance, she would have been happy now. What he did was for love and what you did was just to escape an unwanted proposal. You used her Tarun, and now you expect her to forgive you. You aren't a man enough for her...let her go'

Screamed his mind, he loathed himself for all his weakness. Lost in his thoughts, Tarun missed the signal. A sudden honk made him shocked him and the front lights from the opposite vehicle blinded him, the vehicle lost control and crashed near a old deserted building. Few passerby came to rescue, ''Are you fine?''

Tarun nodded, holding his head. The people made him sit as his body had gone into shock. They informed the cops and drove him to near-by medics to get the first-aid done. Tarun after completing the required formalities took a cab home. His body and mind felt tired and drained.

***

Kajal felt being thrown into a dark valley, she woke with a jerk. She looked around a little delusional and then threw her body back on the pillow as realization dawned in. She remembered all she had said to Tarun, she never wanted to but the alcohol gave made her melodramatic. She cursed, threw off the comforter to freshen up.

Kajal greeted her parents with a smile as if nothing happened. They stayed quiet till she finished her breakfast.

''What's wrong Mom-dad?''

''You should be telling that! For now, this will answer all your questions.'' Sheela extended andenvelope

Kajal pulled out the contents, it had a cheque quoting half the price of her and Tarun's apartment with a note, 'you will receive the papers soon. I am sorry for holding you this long.'

Kajal felt her heart crashing into million pieces, she couldn't complain now as she asked for it. She pretended being in control , pushing the paper aside she lifted her cup of tea to her lips but it crashed on the floor as her hands trembled, ''I am sorry mom, I will clean it.''

Sheela got up , pulled her daughter into a hug, ''Its fine sweety, don't hold it anymore.'' Kajal broke down, her sobs were violent. She never had comprehend that pain would be this deep even when their bond was a forced one, at least for him.

The day went in silence for Kajal, she didn't step out nor she spoke to anyone. Her parents tried coaxing her to take her meals but she refused to unlock the door. Her parents too decided to let her be, she had faced worst before and knew how to jump back.

''Tarun met with an accident!'' Arun exclaimed, his daughter's pain had pushed him to intervene and when he couldn't reach Tarun, he dialed Jatin, the latter narrated how Tarun lost the control on his vehicle and was now under shock.

''What's wrong?'' Sheela asked the moment her husband disconnected

''These 2 dummies are wrong!'' He replied irritated, after a minute he added, '' Tarun met with an accident, I am sure it happened after what Kajal did to him.''

''These kids will drive me crazy. What now? Should we go and visit him?'''

''No, not him. We will see his parents, it's time for us to intervene.'' Sheela nodded

That day same evening the parents decided to meet at a restaurant, ''Tarun decided to divorce, and he didn't tell us.'' Devyani exclaimed

''No point, lets just think how to get them back.'' Sheela suggested

''Our motive should be to pull them to a conclusion, whether or not they want to be with each other. '' Jatin said earning an acceptance from Arun.

''What should be the first step?'' Devyani asked

''We pull them apart, they want to go separate lets speedup the process. Though they are hell bent on going separate ways, they aren't able to take the first step. Meanwhile, lets talk nonsense about their spouse, just call names for my daughter in presence of Tarun and I will do the same.'' Arun completed the thought

''Why all this has to be so complicated?'' Sheela looked miffed

''Its my fault, I should have given time for them to get along first before pushing them into this relationship. I had turned so greedy after meeting Kajal, I am sorry Sheela!''

''What's done is done, lets focus on what to do next. Marriages are not broken like this.'' They went back to their respective houses after promising to keep each other posted.

***

''Mom- Dad, where were you? I have been trying to reach you for so long.'' Kajal asked the moment her parents stepped in

''We went to see Mehras, we have decided to speed up your divorce process and got to know Tarun met with an accident. I tell you, this is all his drama...he must be drunk yesterday night...'' Kajal clutched her dress but didn't express she quietly moved away from her parents locking herself again in the room. She was guilty of hurting him, he was trying but she had turned restless. Disturbed she contemplated about calling or to see him personally. Making a decision, she picked her keys and walked out, making sure that her parents don't see her.

She was at his apartment in half an hour, Kajal stood outside not sure if it was a good idea. She couldn't bring her finger to press the door bell. ''What are you doing here?'' She jumped hearing Tarun from behind.

He stood watching her with a bandaged wrapped on his forehead, and a swollen eye. She didn't know what answer to give him, ''I heard you met with an accident.'' He unlocked the door letting her in

''I am alive, and don't worry you will receive the papers soon.''

''I wasn't here for papers.'' She replied softly

''I know. Kajal, lets just not meet any further. I don't want to hurt you in anyway but my presence hurts you directly on in directly. I know, your stuff is still in this apartment. Don't worry, I will send back all before I leave.''

''Where are you going?'' He didn't answer but locked his eyes with her. She lowered hers knowing the answer, she knew it was a mistake coming here, ''I should leave.'' He nodded. He eyes went to the blue bruise on his arm, she wanted to caresses it but now it was over. ''I am sorry for yesterday's behavior Tarun. I was drunk.''

''It was the truth, its just that I am incapable of accepting it. You were right, I never deserved someone strong like you. Sorry again, for spoiling some precious days of your life.'' She decided to reply with silence.

When she stepped, she had a urge to turn and hug him. She turned and found him on phone, his back to her. She took a step but halted over hearing his conversation on phone, ''I am ready for the next onsite project. Would prefer a long term one.'' That made her retreat, holding all in her heart she left with a promise of never to return.

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