Never let me go Ever

08

It's not that he is angry with her for being committed to someone. It's just she didn't tell anything about him. It's been months since they became good friends for heaven sake and yet, Arjun never knows what her father does? And what's his name? Arjun almost shared everything with her thinking that she is his friend. But that's not the case for her. The thought made him so sad. It's been two days and he is avoiding her calls and texts. 

"Okay listen. I didn't tell because I thought it wouldn't work out and he would break up with me. But now he came with his family to set a date for engagement. Now my mom is very impressed with their family" from her words, Arjun can see that she is not interested in this engagement. But she is not like a girl who will marry just because their parents say so. He read the text again and again. Arjun threw his phone over the couch not wanting to reply to her.

"Maybe Sunday there will be our engagement" she again replied to him ignoring that little feeling that erupted behind the back of her head. Ishu just wanted him to reply to her. Just then, Arjun called her and her eyes glittered in happiness. 

"Am I the last one to get this invitation?" He asked with a disappointed tone. Arjun gets attention from all people around him but he never yearns for it. But with Ishu, he demands such attention from her and she is one type to ignore him easily. 

"You are the only person I am informing" her reply made him grin widely. At least there is something which he could be proud of. 

"Ask your mom and dad to relax. Arjun Rathore will make all arrangements" he replied and hung up the call. She gets happy that he is not angry with her anymore.

*********

"Arjun, she is talking to you" Gauri Singh Rathore whispered and yelled at him as he shifted his eyes from the screen to the girl who came there to visit him. 

"Hi, it's Ritcchitha" the girl forwarded her hands for a shake. Arjun gently took her hands and smiled at her. His grandfather had never done anything favourable to him till now. Even now, he is forcing Arjun to get engaged to a girl of his choice who will benefit their family business. It's normal in high society for people to get engaged for business profits. 

Arjun made up his mind to reject the girl politely so that his grandfather won't be mad at him. But seeing the girl in front of him, he is in a dilemma. Should he reject such a beautiful girl?

"Here is your coffee" Richitha spoke and Arjun is just flattered with the way her voice melted down in the atmosphere. She looks too beautiful and too innocent for this rich society which is very rare to get. Ved chose her not only for his business but also for his family. She was designed perfectly for a joint family. 

Everything about her was just classy and simple. She tried to impress everyone and that's not so like Ishu. 

Arjun gasped as the thoughts of Ishi came across just when he was thinking about Richitha. Why should he compare in the first place?

Arjun had many girlfriends and no one crossed his mind and occupied his heart as much as Ishu claimed her place in his soul. It wasn't something normal. Ishu has that power to handle his subconscious mind too. 

He likes Ishu and wanted to protect her till the end like a friend. But day by day, her activities and even a small gesture are attracting him way more than he can ever expect.

He looked at Richitha again and damn his mind which is now wanting to see Ishu at that place. He closed his mouth with his hands as realisation dawned upon him. 

"Arjun, she wants to talk to you. Where are you lost?" Gauri Rathore, his grandmother asked him as he smiled awkwardly and followed the girl to her room.

The room was full pink in colour and showed a lot of her nature. She must be a princess who is born with a gold spoon. All her pictures on the wall were so pleasant and no one can ignore such a smile. She looks too pure and naive.

"Do you like me?" Her words made him snap and turn to her side. He didn't expect her to ask him directly like that. 

"To be honest, I came here to reject this proposal. But you are extremely beautiful and I can't find any reason to reject this relation." Arjun confessed with a giggle but she looked serious and it seems that she could see the underlying meaning of it. She is beautiful but he is not interested in marrying her.

"I like you. If you don't want to marry me, please be honest and tell me now itself. I don't want to hope for a baseless future" she is too curt and honest and he smiled in response. 

"That's too honest. I like you too. But I don't want to be a puppet in my grandfather's hands. I don't want to marry anyone of his choice." He replied and she smiled, understanding his state. Whom is he kidding? The prime reason may be that one but right now, his mind is clouded with only one girl and he realised that she is the one for him. 

******

"Details of Harish Mehta" Arjun voiced out taking the file. He has appointed a person to collect information about Harish. 

"Big shot." He mumbled reading the report and was impressed by the resume itself. Ishu would be happy with him. He smiled curtly and got ready in a red suit. The white shirt which he wore inside shined through the red suit. Taking his wallet, he took a last glance over him to check his appearance. Every girl would die to even have a look at him for sure. 

He entered the green cruise restaurant where the guests had already come to attend the function. His gazes stopped at the stage where Ishu was seated. She wore a designer red bridal wear and his heart skipped a beat making him realise his feelings for her more.

He wanted to meet her before the function but it seems he can't do so. He doesn't want to lose her in his life. But is it too late?

"Auspicious time has come" a voice alerted everyone and Arjun felt his heart twist uncomfortably. He doesn't like Harish who was standing beside Ishu with a broad smile. Arjun wanted to smash his head and grab his Ishu for himself. But the timing is not right and he doesn't want to insult her family in front of all relatives. 

Harish slowly took Ishu's hands to slide the ring whereas Ishu was just smiling in response. Arjun walked fast towards them as if he was programmed to do that. His mind blocked the functioning mode as he couldn't see anything beyond Ishu. 

"You can't do this" Arjun mumbled as he stood tall between them and he slowly released Ishu's hand from Harish's clutches. Ishu stood there all confused.

"Arjun" Ishu exclaimed happily yet confusingly. Why did he come to the stage?

"Can you go to that side?" Harish asked in a polite manner where Arjun nodded negatively with his eyes fixed on Ishu. Harish didn't like this man from day 1. His blood always boils whenever he sees Ishu with Arjun. Now it's getting too much.

"I love you, Ishu" Arjun confessed as everyone paled with the scene unfolding. Ishu didn't react for some time as she fell into a shock.

"Don't kid Arjun. Everyone is watching us" Ishu tried to voice out confidently.

"Don't marry this man" he added as Ishu gasped loudly. She saw Arjun with such a serious face. Harish fisted his hand while holding the ring for Ishu. Ishu's mom and Dad gasped loudly and the relatives started gossiping as usual. 

****

2021

Neha opened her mouth wider as the popcorn fell from her mouth. 

"That was epic" Neha clapped her hands admiring Arjun's actions. 

"What did you do?" Neha asked as Ishu just smiled at her.

"I didn't think twice when I didn't even know him. Now, what do you think I would have done?" Ishu asked, lowering her eyelids. Neha gasped loudly and looked at Ishu all shocked.

"Slapped him?" She asked as Ishu nodded slowly making Neha close her mouth with her hands.