Love that lasts

Chapter 5

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"Why do we have to marry so suddenly? I just turned 18, we have so much time ahead of us. I have to speak to my parents and get their blessings too remember? I was just, you know.... kidding about the car. Forget about it. We both can buy it on our own or I can withdraw from my savings. There's a lot of time for all that. Generally, it's us girls who hurry boys into tying the knot. Yahan to Ulta ho raha hai! Chakkar Kya hai? (it is opposite here, what's going on?)" Chandni chuckled softly, and rubbed her nose against his.

"Nothing is going on. You know I am a penniless Engineer right now, but I have got placement offers from my University in couple of Companies. There's a small company called Synergy, back in Mumbai, where I am really interested to start my career. But instead of pursuing my career, I came here and fell in love with you. I live with my Nani in Mumbai, so we have a roof over our head. But still, your parents will never agree for our marriage right now, because they want their only daughter to go to a rich household similar to theirs. I still have to find my mark in the world, get a job, and settle down blah blah... It might take 6 or 7 years. Why do we have to wait so long to be together? And there's something else too... I will come to that later. Your parents will not give their approval, trust me Chandni. I will get a job and do all that but I want you to be with me in my struggles too. Or you are saying no, because you can't adjust to my middle-class way of living?" Aryan asked, his face crestfallen, as if he suddenly realised where the problem was.

"Shut up Aryan!! Don't you dare insult me like that ever! When did I ever make you feel that I am a rich family kid who can only live in a certain way of life? We never had much money when I was younger, and this recent growth in our wealth never meant anything to me. My tastes and my way of living have always been simple. Why don't you trust me when I say that I love you and want to marry you no matter what your status is?" Chandni looked hurtful, and walked away from him in the deserted lane.

"Chandni!! Stop! Of course, I trust you. My only worry is, do you trust me? If you do, then why are you hesitating to marry me?" Aryan ran and stood in front of her, effectively blocking her.

Chandni shook her head, and tried to explain again but Aryan stopped her.

"Who knows what is in store for us tomorrow? I have had a rough time growing up, but it never turned me bitter. Instead, I have learnt to live in the present, savour every day, every moment as if there is no tomorrow; and if you are with me, every moment of our life will be a memorable one." He cupped her face in his hands as his eyes searched eagerly for a response.

A slow and shy smile spread on Chandni's face, as the warm street lights cast a mystic glow on her face.

"I trust you completely Aryan! Why would I come here with you all alone if I didn't? It doesn't matter how we live, where we live, today - tomorrow or after ten years, I will always be with you, as your wife, as your life partner, sharing every moment of my life with you, no matter what! No one can separate us."

Her declaration in that deserted lane sounded like music to his ears.

Aryan's heart leapt with joy.

He lifted and twirled her around, till she screamed and begged to be put back on the ground.

He stopped twirling and slid her down, gradually, his arms still locked tightly around her back, his eyes boring into hers. They could hear nothing but the chirping of the crickets and buzz of the traffic from far away.

It was as if the whole world around them disappeared and at that moment, they felt as if they were tied together in the bond of love, togetherness, forever.

Aryan left a trail of feathery kisses along Chandni’s cheeks and forehead before reaching her lips. And waited… till Chandni opened her half-closed eyes and looked at him with a mixture of shyness and anticipation.

As his warm mouth touched her soft lips, an inevitable moan escaped from her and he pulled her closer.

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Aryan's phone began to beep its 11pm alarm which brought him out of his memories. Hmm… so much for empty words, Aryan thought bitterly, as he recalled Chandni's promise to stay with him forever no matter what!

Aryan checked his phone and noticed that there were several missed calls and worried texts from Namrata and few from Raj Singh as well.

He texted Namrata, reassuring her that he was fine, and then began to call Raj Singh.

But he didn’t have to, as the man himself was at his door ringing the bell at that very moment.

"Why don't you answer your b****y phone? I was worried sick after Namrata told me you stormed out of office, looking distressed. What happened?" Raj Singh looked worriedly at Aryan.

"Nothing happened, please come and have a seat first.” Aryan let Raj Singh inside.  “When did you arrive? Would you like to have your favourite Adrak Wali Chai (Ginger tea)?" Aryan tried to look cheerful, in vain.

"I will sit if you sit next to me, and tell me what the hell happened. Don't even try to bluff because you suck at telling lies." Raj Singh mocked.

Aryan smiled ruefully and went inside, to bring the wedding card he was checking out previously.

He threw the card at Raj Singh who looked at him and the card in confusion.

Raj Singh put his reading glasses on and looked at the card properly this time, and as he realised what it was, his brows furrowed.

"You told me, all those years ago that Chandni was getting married to this Rahul guy and showed this card to me. How did she end up being Vikram Mathur's wife and now the CEO of our company?" Aryan hissed.

"If this was your idea of a funny joke at my expense, let me tell you I am least amused." Aryan could barely control his temper.

"First, stop taking that tone with me." Raj Singh warned him.

"Do you really think I would pull such a cheap trick on you, after knowing everything that happened?" Raj Singh asked furiously.

Aryan looked away, slightly ashamed of his behaviour.

"I came to know that Vikram bought the company under his wife's name only after I looked at the Sale documents. I knew her name was Chandni but there are millions of women with that name. And then he told me that she will be an acting CEO till they finish their talent search to select a permanent CEO. How would I even dream that it will be your Chandni of all the people?"

"She is not my Chandni. Don't ever say that again." Aryan hissed.

"How did she behave? Did she know that you were going to be here?" Raj Singh asked curiously.

Much as he would like to believe otherwise, Aryan had to admit to Raj Singh grudgingly that, Chandni looked genuinely surprised, just like him.

"Hmm… interesting. I don't think Vikram knows about you two. Women generally are bound to be very secretive about their pasts with their husbands." Raj Singh said decisively.

"What do you know about wives? You were never married!!"Aryan mocked at his mentor and father like figure.

Raj Singh had an Idea, the moment he sensed Aryan mocking at him. Perhaps it would be a better tactic to play the offensive against Aryan. “I am gladder than ever for remaining a bachelor. At least I am not the one looking like Devdas here and moaning about my past love. Here's what we do. Vikram texted me earlier and hinted that he wants both of us to meet him sometime this week for a briefing. We will ask him directly what is going on. What do you say?" He asked aggressively.

"Are you crazy? What if Vikram doesn't know anything about us? Are you going to ruin her life by blurting out all these things to him? GawwwD!! No wonder no woman ever tried to marry you. And I am not going anywhere near their house, thank you very much." Aryan added furiously.

Raj Singh smiled inwardly. He knew Aryan still cared and respected Chandni very much in spite of giving the impression to the contrary. That's the way he had been brought up, period.

"So, what do you want to do now? Sit at home and mope about it? Aryan! I have already told you, this is your company now, and I don't want to see it ruined because of your personal vendetta. You have put your blood and soul into this company and you can't let it go down, even if it means, things get very awkward and stressful at a personal level. Remember she is only here temporarily." Raj Singh tried his best to put some sense into Aryan.

Raj Singh's heart melted the moment he entered the house, as he noticed how distraught Aryan was, but he also knew that if he doesn't behave strongly now, Aryan would descend further into his sorrows, just like before.

"You are almost like my son and I don't want to see you unhappy, least of all on a lost cause like this. Please don't do this to yourself. Just think that whatever happened, happened for the best and move on. I know how hurtful it must have been today for you, but I thought, after all these years, you are over her and her memories. Was I wrong to assume that?" He asked sternly.

"She means nothing to me. It was just the shock of meeting her after all these years... that's all. Don't worry, I am not the one who runs away from a situation. That is HER, not me. I promise you; I will fulfil all my responsibilities toward Synergy." Aryan said Solemnly.

Raj Singh still looked unconvinced.

"Now, stop fussing and bossing me around. I have enough of that from you at office anyway." Aryan's face broke into genuine smile, for the first time that day.

"I boss you around is it? Hahaha what a joke!! If I knew how to do that, you wouldn't behave like such an arrogant bastard all the time!" Raj Singh retorted in mock anger, glad to see the change in Aryan's mood finally.

 As Raj Singh, got up to leave, Aryan stopped him.

"There's no need to go back to your home at this hour. Nothing doing! You just flew back from Dubai and if you don't rest properly tonight, you will be cranky as hell tomorrow and make my life more miserable. Now, go and sleep in the spare bedroom."

"Please." Aryan added as an afterthought, worried that Raj Singh would again start to lecture him about his rudeness. 

After he made sure that Raj Singh settled into the bedroom for sleep, Aryan bid him goodnight and retired to bed.

Once they were back in the solitude of their thoughts, the forced cheerfulness evaporated as quickly as it surfaced, and both began to think about best ways to face the stormy future that lay ahead of them.

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