Bitter Reality

Going To Canada!

NAINA'S POV

Why is this so hard to let someone go? How can we be this much selfish? Why not for once do we think about their happiness instead of thinking about ourselves?

Ride towards my home was silent. I know I was acting a little weird but right now I don't have it in me to think about anyone else except one person Kiara. How can she not meet me when I was saying goodbye to everybody? This thought has been disturbing me from the past 4 days. She didn’t even call the next day to my surprise! I knew something was not right when I looked at her at my wedding day, she looked lost but now she has to tell me exactly what is going, she cannot keep it from me anymore!

"Hey is everything okay right?" I jumped out of my thoughts when Kabir’s voice boomed into my ears. He looked concerned and I wanted to tell him that no, everything is not okay. My only best friend is hiding something from me and it is driving me nuts. We have been friends ever since I can remember and every time if something used to happen in her life or in mine, we used to share it instantly.

I held myself back from sharing my thoughts with him for which my conscience chided me for being so childish. Internally I was feeling bad for him as for no reason I was not giving him the attention he needed. But surely not right now.

"Yeah I am okay Kabir" I replied a little too frustrated. It felt as if I have punched him in his stomach. The way he grasped the steering wheel tightly, I knew he was confused, angry seeing me like this. He might have been blaming himself or wondering what the hell happened to me but I just wasn’t able to express myself to him or I didn’t know how to do it or how well he would take this.

After this, he didn't try to make any conversation with me sensing my foul mood and I felt glad for this noninterference. The moment we reached my home I immediately stepped out of the car without even waiting for Kabir which I know was kind of rude but that’s me. When I am upset or brooding over something I hardly give a thought about someone else. But Kabir being Kabir was quick enough to catch my speed.

Now we both were standing at the entrance of my house and when my mother opened the door she immediately engulfed me in her arms and said, “Finally you both are here. It's been only two days Naina but it seems like years. Why didn't you let Aditya come and pick you guys up?"

I didn't even get a chance to respond to her question as Kabir interrupted and said," it's okay aunty we didn't want Aditya bhai to get worried". His tone was utterly soft. I couldn't help but feel a little guilty but now was not the time. I need to figure out what is going on with Kia first.

"Don't be formal Kabir call me mom beta " my mom said smiling at Kabir and signaled us to come inside.

I gave my brother a bear hug which he returned with equal zeal and at this point, everything that was going on in my mind, temporarily I put it aside just to feel the feeling of home in the arms of my brother. Kabir smiled heartily seeing me so relaxed and relieved.

"Hey how are you baby sister?” he asked holding me by my shoulders.

"I am more than fine Bhai don't worry. How about you? Missing me??" I asked him playfully raising an eyebrow at him.

"Ooh come on at least now I know that there is no one who is going to disturb me and invade my privacy! " he said sarcastically and I just rolled my eyes at his remark but before I could even reply we both heard our names being called and then I realized I left Kabir with them!

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The moment dinner was over; I got up and cleared the table. My mother got a little emotional seeing me like this as if before marriage I didn’t use to do this! After loading all the dishes in the dishwasher, I was all set to go to Kia’s house.

“Are you happy with Kabir?” My mom said all of a sudden.

“Mummy, I just got married to him. I am fine. He does care about me I guess.” I said looking down. I mean I just got married, how I can say surely that I am happy with him or not.

“Naina, he is a man. Don’t expect him to be soft with you. It won’t last for too long you know it so don’t get yourself accustomed to seeing his soft side.” My mother said as a matter of fact.

“Mummy, can we please not talk about this! I am going to Kia’s house, will come in an hour or so.” I said and made my way towards the door.

“What is the point of going there at this point of time Naina. You cannot leave your husband like this. You need to start thinking that it is not about you only. He is also a part of your life.” She said.

“Mom, I am going to Kiara’s house, not to mars for which I have to think about Kabir. Anyway, he is with Bhai, so he won’t even notice my absence.” I said nonchalantly and left before she could say anything else.

Walk towards Kia's house is just four-five minutes distance and thank goodness that she is at home otherwise I wouldn't be able to know what exactly is going on.

"Hi, aunty where is Kia?" I asked Kia's mom the moment she opened the door and she told me that she is in her room.

"Kiara" I knocked her door but no answer so decided to enter without permission.

"Kia, what is it that you are hiding from me? Is everything okay between you and Vedh?" I asked all this in just one breath without beating around the bush.

"Can we go outside?” she asked me a little unsurely. I nodded and within minutes we both were in the park where we always meet.

"Naina you know that I never want to spend my life in India and have always wanted to go to one place." She asked as if reassuring herself.

"What is it, Kia? Just spill it out. You know I am there for you! “I told her by giving her a reassuring smile.

"Well, the thing is I am going to Canada for the next five years to do law and I wasn't there at your wedding day because of the time difference. They wanted me to give one interview before joining there officially!" She told me this very gently. My mind stopped working for a moment when her words registered in my mind. I gulped hard and said nothing.

"Naina I wanted to tell you but there was already so much going on in your life that I just couldn't bring myself to tell you," she said as if she is telling all this to a five-year-old child.

"It is okay Kia. When are you leaving?" I asked her not recognizing my own voice. Of course, I was happy for her but I was also sad knowing she won’t be here.

"Tomorrow,” she said and I was shocked to listen to this. So without showing any emotion I just stood up.

"So this is for the last time we are meeting. What about Vedh?" I asked her because I know that they are pretty serious about each other.

"Well as of now he is not coming with me. But in some months maybe he will also come to Canada after receiving his degree" she told me.

"Let's go to my house," I asked her unsure of her answer. To my surprise, she nodded and we both headed towards my house.

"So how are things between you and Kabir?" She asked me smiling.

"Things are pretty good I guess but Kia nothing happened so you can now put a full stop to your wild thoughts," I told her hitting her arm playfully.

We both were back to being our old selves and I couldn't be more grateful because honestly, I don't like this all serious side of Kia. I like stupid and funny Kia more.

"Hey, I am going to miss you a lot. Don't think that just because I am going to Canada I am not going to bother you. So what if there is a time difference still we will talk the way we use to talk" by saying this she hugged me.

I also hugged her back and said," I am also going to miss you a lot and of course you are absolutely right you are definitely not going to stop bothering me. Just take care of my Kia" I said giggling but my last sentence was filled with concern for her.

"Yes, Mom. I will" she said sarcastically to which I just rolled my eyes.

Now I know it is going to hurt a lot but I guess this is what life is all about. But I am glad that at least she is doing what she had always wanted to do in her life and couldn't be more proud of her………