Never let me go Ever

12

2005

Ishu stood there waiting for the rickshaw holding her umbrella. She wanted to accompany Arjun to his competition. She wanted to be his backbone on this special day. But this sudden rain has spoiled her plans.

She smiled, recalling her all-time with him. He is just magic that happened to her. Since childhood, she has been living a normal and boring life. But with Arjun, she started to live in actual terms. Books and libraries were her life till now. But she started believing in fairy tales and surprises in life. Her lips stretched into a lazy smile realising the changes in her life because of Arjun. 

Her badass attitude attracted many men and she has been affected to a larger extent because of that. Her parents always restricted her not to be like that. They have shifted their homes twice because of that. She despises such men who were running behind her even though she rejected them a thousand times. But when she rejected Arjun, he never chased her like those men and that's what attracted her. He never uses his money or status to woo her. He was just honest with her and always listened to her tantrums without any complaints.

Arjun was the first person in her life that she chose as a friend for herself. She felt proud that she chose the right person for herself. She feels so excited to see what would be his reaction when she proposes to him today. 

The rain didn't stop for quite some time making her worried to a larger extent. More than her proposal, she wanted to stay with him for the special day. 

****

Arjun rehearsed like hell for the event. His heart was racing fast like hell every second. He booked a cab already and was waiting for it. The time is moving slow today. He could get the gut feeling that everything will be amazing today. 

The cab reached the place as he stood up from his chair and walked towards the entrance. A loud sound echoed as he looked back and was shocked to see the scene. 

"What happened? Are you fine?" Ishu's mom, Priya asked her husband who fell over the couch with a thud. His face lost its colours as his lips wobbled to say anything. He was breathing fast. Arjun ran to him in no time and clutched his arms.

"Uncle, breathe." He instructed but he is not at all breathing in as he is breathing out heavily. Soon his eyes closed, startling both. Arjun was shocked as he lifted him at once. In his audition competition everything,g went blank as he took Ishu's father in the same cab he booked to go to the studio.

Ishu got the message as she stood shocked in that heavy rain. Her eyes teared up continuously as she started asking for rickshaws or cabs. Her heart started racing unusually, making her panic to another level. 

She reached the hospital exactly after one whole hour. Everything seemed to be scary for her. Arjun came running to her side and hugged her for support as she gulped her fear.

"Is he okay?" Ishu asked in a low voice.

"It's just a minor attack. They are taking further tests and he will be alright. Don't worry" Arjun made sure to sound so confident but failed miserably as she is too smart to fall for his lies. The condition must be critical. She is more than concerned about the situation as to how she will arrange for cash? What if she couldn't save her father? She will die out of this guilt for sure.

"Don't worry about bills. I am here for you" Arjun voiced out as if he could read her mind. She looked at him and was shocked. 

"I have asked my grandfather for help. He is not as evil as I thought. He said he will take care of it" he replied, reading the confusion in her eyes. Ishu didn't say anything. For her, she can't accept anything from his side. But can she afford to deny his help? The thought made her vulnerable that she didn't argue much. 

It's been a month since everything came back to normal. Her father underwent minor surgery and she forgot about Arjun's audition. She fell for his character so deeply that she couldn't think about anything other than Arjun. 

"Did your grandfather help you instantly?" Ishu asked as she is not sure if Ved is the kind of person.

"He has cut all ties with me. He just got a signature in a form that I don't claim my rights in his properties in the future. That's it" Arjun replied casually and shrugged it off instantly as it's not a big deal to him. Ishu felt too guilty to even look at his face. That's when she realised something more important.

"Arjun, that day, you were about to go for that audition?" Ishu asked, gasping loudly. How can she forget that and use him for her miseries? She stood up abruptly realising that he didn't go there and was present in the hospital full day for her father. 

He cupped her cheeks and tucked the strands of her hair behind her ears.

"Nothing is more important than your family and you". His words did that magic that Ishu felt caged in his heart forever. She looked deep into his eyes and without any second thought, she latched his lips over his startling surprise. She didn't back off for quite some time as tears rolled down her cheeks. She wanted to express all her words to him through this kiss. She wants him to know what he means to her? She wanted to confess her heart to him right at this special moment. She can't wait for another time. Arjun didn't even move an inch as he was taken to a surprise. He smiled through the kiss and grabbed her waist towards his side as he slowly broke every barrier between them.

"I love you" she mumbled and hugged him tightly. He can't even express what he is feeling right now? Ishu is too special for him. He can't let anything happen to her. He just can't accept those tears in her eyes. If there is any true love, he knew that it must be this. Ishu captured his heart in such a way that he sacrificed his long-awaited audition date too. He doesn't mind if he can't fulfil his mom's dream.

"I didn't say this as a thank you." She added as she doesn't want him to misjudge her intention. He just smiled at her.

"Don't I know about you?" He asked, surprising her. Of course, he knew about her in and out. 

Flashback ends

Neha wiped down her tears listening to their love story. It's an emotional proposal from Ishu's side. As much as she loved the way Arjun proposed, she was just in awe of Ishu's proposal. 

"Cute" Neha mumbled. She knew that Arjun struggled a lot to become an actor but even after he had that opportunity to get it easily, he sacrificed that for Ishu. He didn't love her just for companionship. He loved her for eternity. 

"Five years, we were dating and trust me Neha, there was no time that he made me cry. He pampered me a lot. He loved me which would be enough for a lifetime. Arjun is full of life. He taught me to smile. He taught me to live. He taught me to love and be loved. My parents are more than happy to have him beside me." Ishu explained with a constant smile on her lips. Neha admired how Ishu loves Arjun.

"Your parents," Neha asked doubtfully. She knew that they were no more. But Ishu is not ready to open up about them. She is brave but too sensitive to even talk about emotional parts.

"After some years, dad died of a heart attack. And mom has a habit of staying with dad former. She couldn't live for long after Dad's death." Ishu simply replied without even looking at Neha. At That time, Arjun was the only light in her life. He made sure to make her happy every second and he helped her come out from the shock. 

"Are you fine?" Neha hugged her friend while Ishu just gave her a painful smile.

"Then why did you guys decide to move on?" Neha asked Ishu sighed tiredly. Will she be able to explain the situation in a single line? Will she be okay telling me that? Will Neha judge her Arjun? Will she bash out at her? Ishu looks at Neha and tries to find answers. 

"Trust me, I won't give any opinion. I want to be your backbone the same way Arjun occupies in your life. I don't want you to have any secrets with me" Neha confessed as Ishu took a deep breath. She has to tell Neha to empty her heart and mind.