Chapter 12

Arjun sat at the cafe, his mind swirling with thoughts on how to start the conversation with Alia. He watched the door, waiting anxiously. Finally, he heard footsteps approaching and looked up to see Alia entering, dressed in a black dress. He stood up, feeling a mix of emotions, and awkwardly hugged her.

"Hey... How are you?" Arjun asked, pulling out a chair for her.

"I've been good," Alia replied, smiling as she took her seat.

"So, how was the trip?" Arjun inquired, settling back into his chair.

As they began to talk, the conversation flowed smoothly, touching on various topics of interest to both of them.

An awkward silence settled between Arjun and Alia as they waited for their orders, tension palpable in the air. Sensing the need to break the silence, Alia took a deep breath and gathered her courage.

"I want to tell you something..." she began tentatively, her voice slightly shaky.

Arjun nodded, encouraging her to continue. "I wanna tell you something as well. You go first," he said, his tone gentle yet curious.

Alia nodded, her fingers fidgeting nervously as she searched for the right words. "So... while on the Europe trip, I met someone," she confessed, her gaze fixed on her intertwined fingers.

Arjun listened attentively, his expression unreadable as he waited for her to continue.

"His name is Kunal," Alia continued, her voice softening. "He's my dad's friend's son, and our families arranged for us to meet. But... it's not just because of our families. I feel a genuine connection with him. Conversations with him flow so naturally, and I could talk to Kunal endlessly," she explained, her words coming out in a rush.

Throughout her confession, Alia had been expecting Arjun to react with anger or disappointment. But when she finally looked up, she was surprised to find him smiling warmly at her.

Arjun's smile was genuine, filled with understanding and acceptance. "Alia, I'm glad you found someone who makes you happy," he said sincerely. "You deserve to be with someone who brings out the best in you."

Alia felt a wave of relief wash over her, grateful for Arjun's understanding. She returned his smile, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. Despite the awkwardness of the situation, she knew that their friendship would endure.

Alia's words brought a sense of relief to Arjun, and he chuckled along with her. "Yeah, we definitely were better off as friends," he agreed, nodding in agreement.

As Alia leaned in, her curiosity evident, Arjun took a deep breath, preparing himself to share his own news. "Well, what I wanted to say is... it's about my marriage," he began, his tone serious.

He recounted the unexpected turn of events during his medical camp in Bihar, how he had been forced into marrying Banishree to save her from an unwanted union with an older man. Alia's eyes widened in sympathy as she listened intently to his story, her expression reflecting the gravity of the situation.

Arjun felt a weight lift off his shoulders as he shared his secret with Alia, grateful for her understanding and support. Despite the complexities of their past relationship, he knew that Alia would always be there for him as a trusted friend.

“So, are you sure about making this marriage work?” Alia asked in a serious tone.

Arjun's expression softened as he thought about Banishree, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "Yes, I'm sure," he replied firmly to Alia's question. "I want to make this marriage work."

Alia observed him intently, her eyes searching for any sign of doubt. "You're in love, Arjun," she stated, her tone gentle yet probing. "You've fallen for your wife."

Arjun's smile widened at Alia's words, nodding in agreement. "Yes, I have," he admitted, his voice filled with warmth and affection. "Let me tell you about her."

As he spoke about Banishree, Arjun's eyes lit up with admiration and fondness. "Her name is Banishree," he began, his tone affectionate. "She recently turned nineteen, and she has big dreams of becoming an actress."

He continued to paint a vivid picture of Banishree, describing her as a person with a heart of gold. "She's kind, caring, and incredibly talented," he explained, a sense of pride evident in his voice. "But what truly sets her apart is her pure heart. She's clumsy yet endearing, homely yet independent, and she has strong convictions about what's right and wrong."

Arjun's words flowed freely as he spoke about Banishree, each description infused with genuine admiration and love. As he shared more about his wife with Alia, it became clear that Banishree had captured his heart in more ways than one.

As Alia prepared to leave, Arjun hugged her tightly, grateful for their renewed friendship. "Take care of yourself," he said sincerely.

They pulled back from the hug, and Alia smiled at him, her eyes shining with excitement. "I'm getting married next month," she announced, her voice filled with anticipation. "And I want you and your lovely wife to be there."

Arjun returned her smile, feeling genuinely happy for her. "Congratulations," he said warmly. "We'll definitely be there."

Alia's excitement was contagious, and Arjun couldn't help but chuckle at her enthusiasm. "I can't believe I'm getting married next month," she exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over.

As they said their goodbyes, Arjun couldn't help but feel grateful for the unexpected turn of events. Despite the challenges they had faced in the past, he was glad that the conversation with Alia went well.

As Arjun reminisced about the previous day, a sense of determination filled him. He was ready to take the next step in his relationship with Banishree. Without hesitation, he entered the room to find her standing on the balcony, bathed in the moonlight.

Summoning his courage, Arjun approached her slowly and wrapped his arms around her from behind. Banishree initially squirmed, but upon realising it was him, she relaxed into his embrace and offered a small smile. "Aap aa gaye, Doctor Babu? (You're here, Doctor Babu?)" she asked softly.

Arjun nodded, feeling his heart race with anticipation. He tightened his hold on her, his gaze fixed intently on her. Sensing his intent, Banishree found herself drawn into his eyes, feeling a connection she had never experienced before.

Leaning in closer, Arjun's voice was husky as he asked, "kya mai…? (May I...?)" Banishree nodded in response, her eyes closing in anticipation. And in that moment, their lips met in a tender and long-awaited kiss, sealing their new found love, attachment and commitment to each other.

******************************

How's the story moving ?

Target:- 110+ votes

Please Comment and Vote!

Hare Krishna