Hopeful Streaks

Chapter 17

It's been five and a half months, Since Mitha moved in; Since their wedding. All through these days, things haven't been the same. Ajay, was slowly falling for her. She had already lost herself to him.

He started working more harder and due to his late-night arrivals, she was pissed off.

One day, When Mitha was sitting on the couch alone, flipping through the pages of a magazine, she found Ajay coming back home from office. She stood up, beaming at him. He smiled back at her, and went into his room.

When he came out of the room, she broke the silence,"Someone is an early bird today!", she chuckled.

"Had lesser errands!", he replied in a nut shell and smiled.

"So, what're you going to do now?", she asked, being struck with an idea of learning guitar, from him.

He rolled his eyes thoughtfully, and sighed,"Nothing, actually!"

"Can I ask for a favor?", she asked daintily.

He chortled, and nodded yes to her.

"Teach me to play Guitar! Please?", Mitha pleased looking at him, downright neighborly.

He shook his head in amusement and agreed.

"Go, bring my guitar!", he ordered; as he was standing at the porch of Mitha's room.

She stomped towards his guitar place, and schlepped his guitar, back to him.

"Now,hold it like this!", he said, proffering her how to hold the stringed instrument; and gave it to her.

She got it, leaning to the compound wall; wrapped her arm around the guitar in downwards. She, then placed her other hand on those strings, and looked at him to declare if she was right.

"No! Not in this way.", he said and came forward to her, and corrected her hand that rested on the guitar.

"This way?", she asked adjusting her fingers on the strings.

"No, Mitha! You don't have to hold it that tight. Just, hold!", he said and demonstrating how to hold the guitar.

"No! Not like that. Wait, let me tell you.", he said and paraded to her. And on inserting himself behind her; holding the guitar and her hands from the back; and placing another hand on her other hand, he wanted to say her that it was the correct method to handle a guitar, but unfortunately being smitten completely by her embrace, he couldn't open his mouth to talk.

The posture, was more or less like hugging her from back. She stood, leaning on his well-hewed chest. They were glued together, that  Mitha could even hear Ajay's heartbeat, loud; and feel his abdomen ballooning up and shrinking down due to his random breathe rate. His stubble was brushing her roly-poly cheeks, that enchanted her. Her lips gyrated into a smile on envisaging that they were standing close together. While, he was caged spellbound, due to his embrace on his damsel. He didn't want to let her go.

He took her right hand, and stroked the strings; while his left hand was holding her's and the respective strings to bring forth music. When they moved their hands on the guitar, he had totally forgotten about what he was doing. The redolent smell of her hair  was suffusing into him. Being an expert, Ajay didn't want to see the strings to tickle them, his hands played on them while his eyes were staring at her happy face.

As he made her fingers move swiftly, on the strings, he whispered,"Perfect!", into her ears; making her all red.

All of her adrenaline pumping up to her face, she flushed crimson; smiling. She didn't expect that it could just happen like this. Ajay, didn't get back his senses; even after Mitha had stopped playing the guitar. He didn't seem to let her go; or even she didn't want to get out of his snuggle, that made her feel heavenly.

He released her, by moving away the guitar; with his left hand; after which Mitha moved a little forward from him. She turned towards him, chinned up at him; and on leering at his eyes that were longing for something, she then saw him with a smile shining on her lips; rolled to the other side, and ambled smiling to her room.

Ajay, was standing there with his feet cemented to ground. He looked at her guise walking away from him, smiling. He couldn't help but sigh in amazement. It was really something else, to hold her in his arms. He really felt that he shouldn't let her go. He wanted more of her love and care.

Once again, on letting out some air; he took his hands and ran his fingers through his hair and the smile on his lips didn't convey the impressions of leaving them. What was happening to him? Why couldn't he help but feel her when she was nearby? Was he falling for her?

Questions were margining him, like a carousel. He couldn't wriggle out of the questions. He declared that he was obsessed on her. With these thoughts, skirting him round like a pointer stuck inside a time-piece,he went to his room and jumped into his bed.

The next day, when Ajay was at office, Mitha was busy watering her potted plants at the porch, she heard some noise from her room. On rushing back to her area, she apprehended that Siddharth had come.

"Hey!", she cackled with a small spray bottle in her hands.

"Yes! Here,I am!", he announced as he climbed in. She was all happy to see Siddharth, after a horde of days.

"First of all, give me your contact number. It's just disappointing to have no ways to contact you.", she said as she took her phone to her hands.

"You know? I am too busy!!", He faked a boast.

"Come on!", she asked as she picked her phone up to her hands.

"On one condition?", he raised his brows, beaming at her.

"You've so much to demand! Okay, what's that?", she asked wondering what would he ask for.

"I want to take her out!", he said simply; pinpointing Divya.

"Whaatt!", Mitha yelled at him.

"I. Want. To. Take. My. Girlfriend. Out!", he emphasized each and every word.

"I can't allow that. What will I say, if Ajay comes?", Mitha panicked.

"But he will not come now. Please! Let me take her out for a walk.", Siddharth obliged making a kiddish reaction on his face.

"I am sorry Siddarth. I really can't allow that. I don't know what my husband will do, if he comes to know about me allowing you to see her. I really can't do this!", she justified her side, in a strict tone.

"Okay! Forget it. I want to talk to her. Will you please?", he asked pointing out the door.

She sighed, and exited the room.

While she came back to the room, after an hour; Siddharth was no where found. All she found was a small paper, lying behind the bed, that carried his contact number. She took the chit smiling; and saved his contact in her phone.

That evening, when Mitha was going through Divya's case history; she noticed that Divya's birthday was coming up.

Mitha, quickly constructed a plan, to execute on Divya's birthday. She decided to let Ajay meet Siddharth,on that day. Because, she felt that it was not fair anymore to allow Siddharth meet her like in the unrecognized way.

Immediately, she called Siddharth and invited him, home on Divya's birthday that was about to fall in two days. Initially, Siddharth refused that he didn't want to meet Ajay and it would actually become an issue, if they met. Somehow, she convinced him and assured him that there'll not be any issues. He made excuses initially, but at last when he had to think that confronting Ajay is going to happen one day, he agreed.

That night, when Ajay came back home; Mitha decided talk to him about Divya's birthday.

"Jay! It's Divya's birthday in two days.", she said, chewing down a spoonful of mint rice.

"I know.", he smiled at her, fleetingly.

"Why don't we invite Deb and Math, for that night's dinner. I will cook for us. Please ?", she requested, with a little hesitation.

He looked up at her. His swarthy black orbs were riffling through her,"Why not? Let us!", he agreed in a go.

"Thanks!", she smiled. As she had decided as of now, she didn't let any words about Siddharth.

The day arrived. Mitha, was making everything right and tight, about the dinner. She was profoundly worried, about making a confrontation happen between Ajay and Siddharth. She definitely had an idea of how would her husband react for this. She was praying for the strength to make him understand the situation, and make him authorize their love. She had already informed Deborah,about what she had planned.

Deborah, decided to stay with Mitha from that morning, to boost up her confidence. The clock struck, seven in the evening. Ajay, clocked in and noticed that Deborah and Mathews, had already come.

He was informed that only Deborah and Mathews will be accompanying them for that night's dinner. When Ajay, came back to the living room on changing his formal clothes, Mitha was strung out. She was scared in a nerve racking way. Her heart beats weren't steady. She was keyed up. She didn't want to spoil the whole arrangement. She wanted their secret meeting, to end there.

She had already, insisted Siddharth asking him to come in a proper manner by the entrance on that day, and not by climbing up the aqueduct, like a housebreaker. Conjointly, she had informed the security guard, to allow Siddharth in, when he came.

When, all the four were sitting on the couch sipping in their welcome drink, Mitha's phone buzzed on getting a text from Siddharth.

Reached your home. But should I really make my appearance there? -Sid

Mitha, read the text silently and replied him immediately.

Shut up and make your way upstairs. Otherwise, i will not really let you see Divya when you come here again! -Mitha

She hit the send button, as the air around them was filled with nothing but anxiety. She stood panting, peeping at the door way. In the point of fact, She wondered how did Ajay, flopped to pick up on that she wasn't normal.

In few minutes, She felt someone coming close towards them. When, Siddharth's whole frame came into their sight, she turned towards Ajay, on the dot to get an eyeful of his reaction. The distortion of his smiling face, gave her a high sign. His face totally lost the cheer, and turned out to be like a volcano that's about to gush forth. She stood up, from the couch to give an introductory talk, between Ajay and Siddharth without knowing that they didn't need it. Within Mitha could open her mouth, Ajay sprang up from the couch in a jump, and leapt forward to Siddharth; ejecting blustery glare; that scared the s**t out of Mitha. Her whole body started to vibrate, in his monstrosity.

"Hey! You bastard!! Why did you come here?", Ajay's voice clamored the whole manor. By that time, Mathews had already started to soothe Ajay, by clasping his shoulders. Mitha's body throbbed, seeing his anxious eyes. He immediately, clutched Siddharth's neatly worn polo shirt, by collar.

"Leave me! Please!! Let me talk.", Siddharth pleaded. He remained patient at that moment, because this was what he had expected.

"Jay! Leave him. I invited him here! Just leave him!", Mitha pleaded shaking his arms, with a drop tear cracking out.

Ajay, turned and glared at Mitha that made her shut her mouth. He instantly, oscillated to Siddharth and yelled in his topmost timbre,"I have told you not to face me. Right? Why are you still hitting our lives! Just get the heck out of here!!"

Siddharth's face flamed like he was on fire. Ajay had just slaughtered Sid's patience.

"Just take your hands off me!", Siddharth shouted back, trying to make Ajay take his hands off him. It remained as just a try to make him take his hands. But nothing worked.

Mitha couldn't withstand what was happening around. She was the reason for this whole mess, and Sid being shouted by Jay.

"Jay! Take your hands!! Just leave him and come back. Please.",she solicited him in her lowest tone. But he didn't look like he was listening to what Mitha,blabbed out.

"You're the reason of Divya being in slumber. It is purely because of you and your irresponsible behavior.",Siddharth fed the fire. This time Mitha felt, what Siddharth talked was too much. She shouldn't let someone nag her husband.

"Siddharth! Shut up! He is Divya's brother and my husband. You've to give him some respect.", Mitha outcried facing Siddharth.

"But he is the one who did this! Divya's frustration was because of him! Due to which she started drinking. None of us could control her. It is just because of this self-centered man!!", Siddharth shouted pinpointing Ajay.

While, Mathews was holding Ajay back from clutching Siddharth's shirt again,the words that were just uttered by Siddharth went unswerving into Ajay's heart! What he said was true!! Out of all, Mitha couldn't apprehend why Ajay jumped in anxiety even before she could introduce Siddharth to him.  May be, he was already aware of their relationship.

"Please! Seal your mouth. I will talk to him!!", Mitha uttered to Siddharth, who was standing there in distemper!

Mitha,moved to Ajay swiftly! "Ajay!", she whispered.

"Just take him away! I don't want to see his stupid face all again. Just ask him to get the f**k out of the house!", he shouted all again.

"Think twice before you spit out filthy words, Ajay! Do you think he is just messing up? He really loves her!", Mitha said holding his hand, to calm him. Ajay, didn't have the aspects of letting anything hit his brain.

"Do you really think someone would wait for his girlfriend to come out of the slumber? He does! Do you think someone else would do this for your sister? No way!", she made everything clearcut. This time, he felt that what Mitha said was all right.

Siddharth, let out an exhale; came forward to Ajay ,"We love each other; I want to marry her, and she wants to do the same! let us marry!", he obliged with his face brimming with love and care.

Ajay, sighed.

"You've got to decide, Jay! !", Mitha said, expecting his reply.

Ajay, ambled to Siddharth and brought his collar in line, and mumbled out a quick sorry.

"Sorry that i spoke a little much.", he sighed

"I am sorry too!  I shouldn't have shouted at you! After all, you're her brother!!", Siddharth confessed.

"Will you wait for her?", Ajay, asked with a huge question mark on his face.

"Of course, yes! I just want her back.", Siddharth, humbled himself.

Ajay, nodded his head acknowledging; what Siddharth had just confessed. Without any delay, Siddharth pulled out a small, satin box from his blazer's pocket. He was all nervous and happy at that jiffy,"Present.. Divya.. Can I?", he stuttered in an adorable manner, pointing out Divya's room.

Everyone actually, chuckled by seeing Siddharth stammering in front of them. He had to remind himself, that he was not supposed to blush.

He scratched his neck in embarrassment. "Can i go, see Divya?", Siddharth asked.

Ajay, nodded curtly. He was still in the humiliation that was rubbed on his face. He was ashamed to see someone else being so affectionate on his sister, while he himself hadn't been good enough to her, all these days.

Siddharth, went straight to Divya! He knelt down, beside her bed; opened the box, and slid in the ring into her finger and kissed her knuckles. He, then whispered,"Happy birthday, sweetheart!"

While all these happened, Deborah was sitting all quiet being held by a strong doubt. Once, Ajay settled down at the couch with Math; Deborah escorted Mitha to the kitchen! She was seriously puzzled by something.

"Bon-bon! That guy!!", She muttered.

"Yes! Siddharth!", Mitha chortled.

"Don't you feel like you've seen him somewhere else?", Deb rolled her eyes in bound and determined suspicion.

"What're you saying, Deb? I've seen him here, when he came to meet Divya! Where have you seen him before? But wait, have you seen him before?", She queried!

"Bon-bon! Yes. But I don't remember only. I am two hundred percent sure that I've seen him somewhere! Trust me!!", Deborah swore!

"So what? You could've seen him anywhere just like that. Just screw it! Come let's go. Guys are waiting there!", she said and tugged Deb's arm, and came back to the living room.

Even then, it was still whirling inside Deborah's brain. She just couldn't forget the thing! When everyone settled down, at the dining table, Mitha smiled at Ajay; but he being angry on her, left out a real rampageous glare, and turned away. Mitha scowled. She somehow managed to be smiling in front of Deborah, Mathews and Siddharth. She also knew that there was something waiting for her, the moment all others leave the house. They had their dinner, and Siddharth first took a hike.

When Mitha had to understand the information that Siddharth was a billionaire's son, she couldn't believe herself. He had been behaving  nothing like a billionaire! He just used to come climbing through the aqueduct, like a small school boy.

In sometime, Siddharth said that he was leaving. Soon, Math and Deb emigrated. Once, they hit the road; Ajay silently strode to his room, and changed into his trousers and tee. Mitha, now had a highly-regarded contract of consoling him. She herself, had a shower to gather some strength to face him. And on slipping into a tank top, and a pair of night pants; she marched to talk to Ajay.

He was standing, at a corner of his porch. The balcony was half-lit, actively exhibiting Ajay's tall silhouette. She stood there, watching him. He was just standing, aimless; facing the road. She marched forwards, while he oscillated to her on hearing her footsteps.

"Jay!", she called out softly.

"You don't have to talk to me. What you've done is not just fair!", He sighed in frustration; he felt betrayed.

"I know..but! I am sorry!!", she said, stomping a few steps forward.

" You've broken my trust! I just can't trust you anymore.", He said, looking at the vehicles, buzzing furiously in the road.

She ambled to the other side, and on looking at his eyes," Give me one more chance!", she muttered.

"I am just.. i am just fed up of giving second chances, Mitha! I thought you'd really inform me, before doing anything!", He said. He didn't shout out, or yell at her; because he was sick and tired.

"But Jay! I couldn't do it anymore. That's why i asked Siddharth to meet you today. It was really horrible to hide things...."

He cut her off in the middle, "Then why the heck you hid it from me?"

Heart thumped; tears cracked out. She had no answers for what he had just shot.

" Please, Forgive me! I just want to sort out things between you and Siddharth!"

"Who the hell are you to do that?", this time; he thundered. She was shaken up, by his bursting soreness.

Words jammed  her throat. Nothing but the sobs escaped her lips. She wanted to remind him that she was his wife, but she decided not to blabber out! Because she knew well that she couldn't bare, if he hurts her furthermore; by saying that she meant nothing to him.

She sprinted, wiping off her flowing tears. She jumped to her bed. Water works, didn't have an idea of stopping. Of course, what she had done was wrong; but he could actually forgive her for what she did.