With you Forever

CHAPTER:- 12

Aahan's Pov

I kept gazing at the familiar street that will lead to Kashyap Mansion. The street was like a snake - too much long with too much curve. The car took a sudden turn and I included a little towards the window.

Well, I was habituated with the Kashyap Villa, Mumbai. Back in those days in RGIT, I visited the Kashyap's residence frequently.

Mr. Shasank Kashyap was a well-known business tycoon. While his wife Anuradha Kashyap was the country's leading cardiologist. Even both of them had got international certificatiton and recognition for excellence in their respective field.

Kamal was their only son, who inherited nothing from his parents' gene, except a good heart. Of courese that stupid i***t had a kind and soft persona inside him, whom he tried hard to hide from the world. Because according to him, if you will show your weak side to the world, it will make you weaker only.

Well, he was always so different from me and Ritik. In fact we met during our graduation only. In the freshers' day at RGIT, I was roaming around with Ritik, when we found Kamal smoking at the backside of the college building. That day, we stopped him and he forced his friendship upon us. Nor that we later regretted it. But at that time it felt weird. Nevertheless, later I forgot to ask him about this - why did he force to become our friends.

Infact when the first we three became friends, we considered Kamal among one of us. We knew that he belonged to a well-settled family, but we have no idea about their richness.

Flashback

First time we went to Kashyap mansion was Kamal's birthday. We had become best friends at that time. I still remembered, when the taxi driver left us infront of the huge Kashyap Villa. Ritik cross checked the address for nth time and then we decided to go back, because that was something out of our standard.

Being orphans, all we got from people was judgemental stares. And there was a fear in our heart, what if our friendship with Kamal will be questioned over and we will be again claimed as opportunist. Well that hurts.

There were such moments in both of ours life. I always fought being the brat I was. While Ritik stayed silent. But no matter whatever defence mechanism we both use, there was a similar thought running in our mind.

What if our parents would have alive today? They would have fight with others for humiliating us, for judging us, for labeling us as mannerless and opportunities. Or maybe, if they would have been with us, no body would have dared to initiate these game of accusations on us.

Then the next morning was a turning point for my view point over this society. Kamal came to our hostel and first beat both of us for a good ten minutes. He asked us why we didn't come?

Ritik was silent. But I had have enough.

"You are the only son of a famous business tycoon. You have completed your schooling from one of the best private school. All you have is rich friends. We didn't want to be blamed as opportunist there. Understand the situation, Kamal. We can't be friends. That's it." I shouted in frustration.

"Wow! Great. Just great. You guys are hurt when the society judge you because of your birth status, on which you have no control. Now what are you doing, Aahan?" I confusedly looked at him. What was he trying to say? Understanding my confused state, he added, "Just because my father is rich, that makes me incapable to befriend you? You have no fault that your parents are not with us. Similarly I have no fault that my parents are rich. The fault is of that person, who will judge us. And that person is no one dear to us. So why are you destroying our bond for such third persons?" He shouted. For the first time, I had noticed the anger of Kamal. He was always that jovial guy, who could make you smile in the worst situation of your life.

"Kamal! Aahan didn't mean like this. It's just that... I can't explain to you. You have a status. You have better friends and..." Ritik could not complete his sentence, as Kamal cut him off.

"Yes, Ritik. I do have rich friends. But they are not like you two. They are not true. They befriend with Kamal Kashyap, not Kamal. Please, don't break this friendship for their sake." He pleaded, making me guilty.

"I am really sorry, Kamal. It was my fault only. I am really sorry." I apologised. "While feeling people's judgmental stares on us, I don't know when we both become judgemental about you."

I hugged Kamal, while Ritik was still silent. I knew him. He was scared of getting humiliated. I pulled him towards us and we three hugged, promising a friendship of forever.

"But what if your parents..." Ritik was cut by Kamal.

"Come on. Let's go. My parents were asking yesterday about you two. Now we will clear this misunderstanding for good and forever." He forcefully dragged both of us towards his car.

"Kamal Yaar, at least let us change. We are looking like beggars from the street." I whined.

"Stop whining like a kid Aahan. You are not going to any fashion show." He mocked, before starting the car engine.

I made a grumpy face. "This is the first time we are meeting your parents. And you will make this our first impression."

"Oh, Come on! You are speaking as if you are his girlfriend, Aahan." Ritik said and both of them laughed at me.

Heartless persons!

That day, Kamal directly drove us to Kashyap mansion for the first time. We met Mr. and Mrs. Kashyap. Not even in our dreams, we imagined them to be so good.

Shasank Kashyap, the famous business tycoon was a complete family man. For the world, he was an arrogant business who never heard 'No' for anything, while in their home, he was not the kingmaker. He nodded at every sentence his queen said. He never argued over one line more, if Mrs. Kashyap said something.

While Mrs. Anuradha Kashyap was a lady of class and elegance. Her talks were more sweet than the actual sweets. Originally she belonged to a Bengali family and the prove was her big doe shaped eyes. Then she fell in love with Uncle Shasank at one of the medical camp, sponsored by the Kashyaps and left everything to marry her. Well, this was Uncle Shasank's version of story. In real, there was a twist. It was not Aunt Anuradha, actually Uncle Shasank was head over heals for her. He did every thing possible in his ways to marry her.

They were the best people I have ever seen. After hearing about me and Ritik being orphan, there was no sign of sympathy on their face. On the other hand, Aunt Anuradha asked both of us to call her 'Anu Maa'.

From that day, I never hesitated to visit Kashyap Villa. It had become a second home to me. With in few days, we came too close, as a family.

Flashback end.

I smiled, recalling the memories of past. Aren't they best, whom we kept recalling again and again! They provide such warmth only.

The driver took a left turn.

I had never seen any one as Uncle Shashank and Anu Maa. Both of them are made for each other.

They both belonged to different place, culture and state. Their professional life was poles apart. And about personality, Anu Maa was the sweetest. She was like the 'Rasogulla', the sweetest Bengali desert. While Uncle Shashank was a hot headed man, known for his arrogance.

But two of them clicked and made a best example of opposite attracts.

Sometimes I admired them and hope for such a partner, with whom I will create my forever.

I shook my head at my silly thoughts.

The car halted, giving a break to all my thoughts.

I descended and took my steps towards the Kashyap mansion.

It was dark.

Power cut and that too in Kashyap Mansion was a thing next to impossible. Then what was the problem?

Maybe some emergency. I decided to go inside and enquiry by myself.

As I walked towards the door step, I found the door half opened. I pushed it a little and it opened completely.

The hall was dark, I was about to pulled my phone from my pocket to turn on the flashlight, when I felt two heavy things fell on me.

What is this? Any thief!

"Surprise!!!" I heard yelling near both of my ears. And I better knew who these two are.

The lights were on and I saw Uncle Shashank and Anu Maa stood there smiling happily.

"Congratulations." Both of them said in unison.

"Thank you, Uncle. Thank you, Anu Maa." I said to Uncle Shashank and then hugged Anu Maa.

"Hey, you are hugging my wife in front of me. Daring, Huh!" Uncle Shashank playfully threatened me. While Anu Maa glared at him, and he immediately sealed his mouth. I laughed loudly.

Both of them are so cute.

"We are being ignored here." Kamal whined.

"Oh, really." I raised my eye brows at him and he chuckled.

I knew, it must be Kamal's idea. He planned everything in such a way that I won't get any hint about it.

"Let's cut the cake." Anu Maa said, pointing at the cake.

I noticed the chocolate cake. "Yeah, Yeah. Aahan, Cut the cake fast." Kamal cheered. Such a foodie he is!

We cut the cake and celebrated my success.

"Thank you, Anu Maa. But there was no need to arrange so much." I said.

The celebration had ended, and we were having ice-cream in the garden.

"Arey! My son has taken such a huge step in his professional life. I deserve to celebrate the day." She lovingly replied.

"Don't come in his talks, Mom. Ask Ritik, how he was whining as a kid, when he thought we were enjoying with out him." Kamal said and all of them laughed at me.

I rubbed my nape in embarrassment and threw a pillow at Kamal, to which he dodged off very easily.

"So, Aahan! What's next?" Uncle Shasank asked.

"Next! As in?" I asked being confused.

"Next... As in the next step. You have become twenty six. Isn't it perfect age to take the next step?" Anu Maa asked.

"Which step?" I asked, still being confused with her hints.

"Come on, Mom. Don't trouble my boy. He just started his career." Kamal replied.

"So what? I am not asking him to marry now. I just asked him about someone in his life." Anu Maa said, pouting slightly.

Oh, so she was asking about marriage. Happy realisation, Aahan.

"Trust me, Anu Maa. I don't have anyone in my life. You shouldn't be jealous. You are the only love of my life." I opened my arms, like Shahrukh Khan did for Kajol, in an iconic romantic Bollywood movie.

"Stupid boy. She is mine." Uncle Shashank said, wrapping his hand around Anu Maa's shoulder, who in turn became red in shyness.

"Love birds! Attention here." Kamal spoke out, earning glares from both his parents.

Soon we call it a night.

We decided to stay at Kashyap Mansion for night, as tomorrow was Sunday. From Monday, I will start my new journey.

Sitting on the balcony, I kept thinking about the way life was taking sudden turns.

Suddenly I recalled Anu Maa asking about the presence of someone in my life.

Yes, I was desperately waiting for that person, whom people call as soul mates.

I imagined my whole life with that girl, about whom I know nothing.

She will make my life colourful.

We will have kids, our own family. I could call them mine, solely mine.

And, I would love her forever.

There were too many dreams and I had the hope that, everything would turned out in my favour.

I was just waiting for the right time, when my heart will beat fast, awareing me about the presence of that someone special, with whom I will remain forever.

To be continued...