My phone chimed making me furious as I was in the middle of a meeting .I hate this , I don't like being disturbed .I put my phone on silent and continued the meeting . After the meeting, I looked at my phone,there was calls from Maa, Papa and Arya . I ringed Maa , as soon as the call got connected she happily announced that Akshara has agreed for the proposal. I felt happy , maybe genuinely happy after so long . I waited to get some more information but got nothing.  I don't even have her number.Should I ask Maa ? No, bad idea . Arya is never an option.  Athira bhabi , no, Dev will make it a big deal and will make a fool out of me.

Not agreeing to my thoughts, I focused on my work. I had a lot to handle , it's tiring too. I have a MBA in finance,  so I work as a finance manager at papa's company.  My interest has always been business so I opened and successfully running an automobile company. I'm struggling to balance both along with it my personal life too. But I like it this way , and from now onwards I'll have someone to discuss about myself. If this all is a dream then I don't want to ever wake up to reality .

Reaching home in the evening, I saw Maa indulged in phone calls , asking the maid for a cup of coffee I walked over to my room. I need to talk to Akshara but I see no way . And I'm not liking the idea to ask anyone . There'll come a chance , Arjun , wait for it. I reminded myself.

After completing my daily tasks and preparing tomorrow's schedule, I decided to join my family downstairs. Arya isn't here today . Finally peace. I saw Maa and walked over to her and laid down in the couch and put my head on her lap. She started caressing my hair . I love when Maa does this . It calms my nerves . “Ajju , now that both the family is okay , we'll have one more meeting, this Sunday we have decided to meet at their home for further discussions regarding your engagement. Will you be able to join us?” Maa explained something I really need to hear now . I hmmed without opening my eyes.

Okay , so this Sunday. I'll meet her again and ask her for her contact number. I will have to tell Maa to inform her everything. I walked to the balcony and leaned to see if Dev was there, he was but busy romancing with his wife , soon to be wife. Not wanting to be an ant in his heaven , I thought to watch some movies, I rarely get time for all this. 

Why is time slowing down too much ? There are four more days for Sunday. Well I shouldn't make any sand palaces without telling her everything.  I sighed and dropped myself on my bed. Clearly not able to sleep .

And it's a yes from their side as well. Turning off my panicking mode, I listened to everything clearly, absolutely not wanting Amma to high her already high bp . Arjun asked for my contact number which ofcourse I was not able to provide him. I tried by-hearting my number which I couldn't. Numbers and I were an enemy. I remember only Papa's,Amma's and Di's number. The fun fact is that  I received a phone three months back and till then I had no phone. So I found it not that necessary to give importance to the phone.

Sunday is four days away but my family is creating a havoc . Dramatic much . I'm told to do skin care routines and all. I'll go mad if this keeps on going. 

Let's wait what Sunday does …..

Suddenly a thought crossed my mind , an exemplary idea. I took my phone from the side table, opened my instagram account and searched for Akshara. After several unsuccessful attempts, I opened Athira bhabi's profile , send her a request and waited . Will I look as someone who's very desperate? But why do I want to contact Akshara? Maa agreed to explain her everything . Why ? I just want to know she's not compelled to agree for this marriage. What a foolish answer ?

Love can't happen this easily . I found her not so much attracting then why this desperation. I don't know I just want to talk to her . I want to ask her why do you look confused and shocked always . I'm turning into a mental person. I don't know for how long I waited for Bhabhi to accept my request. Finally after ages , I received a notification of follow back request from bhabhi . I accepted and dived into her account and stalked only to find out Bhabhi isn't following Akshara. Are they real siblings ? Did they fight and blocked each other ? I'm disheartened like hell. I go through her posts , most of them are related to work and stuffs , some are of friends and then finally got one . Its a family picture, there's no smile on Akshara's face and also she's looking too young probably fifteenish. I stalked highlights and found one too . Akshara is standing with a book in her hand . I screenshot that picture and cropped bhabhi out of it . Not clear but will work for now. 

I smiled like a creep and put the phone aside. Thinking about certain someone who once was my everything. Her laugh , talks and everything, I was a fan . I fell in love with her the moment my eyes set on her . Where are you, Shanaya ?How could you move on this easily ? I'm trying really hard but I couldn't.

Comparing? I probably am doing that. I have no right to compare Akshara with Shanaya , but I couldn't help . Shanaya was a perfect lady , be the way she carried herself elegantly or talked non stop ,her attitude, childish stuffs she would do, everything screamed perfection .Whereas Akshara is a quite hard to understand person. She'd go nodding at everything, I think is if I asked her to jump into the well she'd smiling jump into it. Naive , reserved and clearly clueless,  she is doubtful and whatnot . But then I had met her once , I shouldn't make any assumptions. 

I'm done being so helpless.  I don't know what the future holds, I just can't let go of my past , eventhough I tried everyway .How could this life separate us? How did our love fail? Where did we go wrong ? Will I be able to love Akshara like I  loved you ? Will she understand me like you did? I don't know. 

Life don't play with people but destiny does …..

Author's note :

Since it's my first story to be published in parts , I apologise for the mistakes and feel free to point out any. I know the word length is short but I'll try increasing the length of the chapters .

Signing off
Ashwani