Destiny's Fusion

A Ray of Hope

When I woke up the next morning, my eyes were red and tender from the excessive crying.

The cold water from the spout gushed over me in the shower.

I stood there deep in thought, thinking about Preeti di's words. It made me restless. Sighing, I closed the tap and left the bathroom.

I changed into my comfiest cotton salwar-kameez and began drying my wet hair with a towel.

My phone began ringing and I looked at the screen with the intention of rejecting the call.

I was in no mood to talk to anyone. The caller identity revealed it to be Raj.

I picked up my phone and moved to the doorway to check for any unwanted visitors. With nobody in sight, I quickly locked the door and moved to the far end of my room.

Goosebumps formed on my arms and my stomach seemed to be filled with butterflies as I clutched the ringing phone. I pressed the receive call button and waited to hear his voice.

"Raj..." I said desperately.

"You got too busy with your family, didn't you?!" his voice sounded harsh, but at that moment it was all the comfort I needed.

I tried to defend myself, "It’s not like that! I was about to call you and..."

He laughed,"Hey! I'm just kidding! It's alright, sweetheart. I understand." he carried on in a softer tone of voice, "So how are you? I miss you more than you can imagine!"

"I miss you too, Raj." My voice sounded helpless and weak as I thought about what had transpired since I had arrived home.

"Is everything okay, jaan? Why do you sound so... sad?" he enquired worriedly.

After hearing his voice, I couldn’t hold back the tears that had been threatening to spill. They began falling down my cheeks. I had to tell him.

"Everything is going wrong Raj... Everything! Mom and Dad have arranged for my marriage with their friend's son. I don't even know him Raj! What am I gonna do?" I let out a hiccup and continued, "I just don't understand. I need you here... You have to come here Raj!"

"Roop! Listen to me! Calm down, okay? Did you tell them that you...?”

"No! They won't listen, Raj. I know them! I'm just so scared Raj. I don't know what to do anymore!" I cried as I clung onto my phone - my only link to him.

"Everything will be alright, you'll see! You won't marry him. I won't let it happen. This is a promise, your Raj's promise." he assured me.

That was all I needed to hear at that moment.

He carried on, "You just relax, alright? I'll call you back in some time. I have some... work to complete." then he whispered hurriedly, "IloveyouRoop"

"I love you too... Call me once you're done. Bye!!" I completed before ending the call.

I heard a knock and mom's voice from the other side of the bolted door.

"Roopinder! Roopinder! Open the door this instant! Why have you locked it?" came her muffled cry from the other side.

I quickly brushed away my tears and screamed, "Coming mom!"

I opened the door to find her carrying a tray of breakfast. She looked as if she wanted to say something but I quickly cut her off.

"Mom I'm not hungry," I said uninterestedly and I turned away and picked up my towel to complete drying my damp hair.

She barged into my room and made me sit on the bed.

"You skipped dinner last night but I won't let you skip breakfast! That's why I brought it myself so I can feed you. I know you won't eat otherwise!!"

"Mom! I'm not a kid!" I cried, but she shook her head.

"I know, but sometimes you act like one!" she sighed as she broke off a piece of the parantha and steered it towards my mouth. "Now eat up without a word!"

The aroma was too delicious to ignore and I relished the food she fed me. My lovable, caring mom.

When she was done, I decided to ask her about the marriage.

"Mom isn't this marriage happening too soon?" I said as she stood up. My mother sat down on the bed again and cupped my cheeks.

"Are you nervous, my little princess?"She asked as regarded me with one of her serene smiles.

"A little... It’s just too sudden!" I replied to her.

She sighed, "I know, beta... Preet told me about it and I told your dad that we should take things slowly. That way you and Kawal can get to know each other!" she brushed away a lock of hair from my face and continued, "Roop, he is a very good boy and I know that he'll keep you happy forever. That's all your father and I want... For you to be happy beta"

"But mom! What if my happiness isn't with him?" I asked her.

"Roop, what are you talking about?" mom looked at me confusedly.

"Mom... What if I... I like someone else...."

"Roop," my mom said worriedly and put her hand on my shoulder, "Do you even know what you're saying? Don't tell me there is someone else..."

"Mom what if there is someone? Would this marriage stop?" I asked angrily.

Just then, I heard dad's voice calling mom from downstairs.

"Aiyii, jee!" (I'll be there soon, honey) she screamed and turned back to me.

"Roop, you know your dad very well and this is the son of his very good friend we're talking about here. So even if there is someone, you should forget about him if you care about this family and its reputation."

She gave me a sad look and went downstairs.

I knew this would happen and now it would be impossible to stop the marriage arrangements.

My head began throbbing with pain and it felt like there was a shortage of oxygen in my room.

I fell on my bed and closed my eyes to drift into darkness... I remained in that position on bed without moving for hours. I could hear the noises from downstairs as everyone was busy making arrangements for the marriage.

A marriage which I disapproved of.

My mom, my sister and my whole family wanted my happiness but my I could only find happiness with Raj. I couldn't make them understand this.

My phone rang again. It was Raj.

"I'm back! How are you feeling now?" Raj asked.

"It’s useless Raj" I said in a voice that didn't sound like my own, "I tried but it’s useless!"

"I know baby... That’s why I have a plan!

A plan that can bring us together and put a stop to this marriage."

"A plan?" I liked the sound of it already and asked curiously, "What's the plan?"

"Run away with me, Roop"

I thought I had heard it wrong or maybe I was dreaming. His words left me speechless.

"Roop! Are you still there?" He said and it snapped me back to reality.

"This isn't funny Raj!" I said angrily. While I was crying, he thought of it as a big joke!

"I know Roop and I'm not joking either... I thought about this for long and I feel it is the only solution that will work." he sighed, "You know I can't be without you and I know you feel the same... Come away with me, my love!"

"That's impossible Raj... You know I can't! This is crazy!" I cried.

It was as if he was asking me to stand in fire, but not get burned by it.

"I know you Roop. You can make anything and everything possible... It would hurt,

But it won't last forever... Eventually your parents would understand as they'll have no choice! They'll know that we can't live without each other if we sacrifice this much. I'll be coming to Delhi airport to catch my flight to New York."

New York? Thoughts raced through my mind instantly. Where would we get the money? Where would we live? What if we got caught?

He responded, as if he had read my mind, "I have got a job there and will stay at my relatives house... I'll message you the details once I book the tickets... I know you'll come... I'll wait for you, baby, no matter how long it takes. This is our only chance Roop... Think about it. I'll talk to you later" and he hung up.

Raj was right, but I still felt guilty and uneasy thinking about his insane plan.

What if my parents disowned me? What would society say? My family would be disgraced!

...But I also couldn't take being separated from Raj. He is the only person that matters to me right now and I couldn't imagine spending the rest of my life without him by my side.

I have to do this or else this marriage will ruin everything. If this is my only chance to be happy, I'm prepared to take it.

I felt relieved, and smiled as I walked down the stairs to join my family.