The Logical (Wo)Man

Story of the Past

Shouryajit’s Point Of View

My mind was in a rebellious mode and my eyes were nagging my brain continuously for seeing her just for once. I think I need to drink it off as my senses are running wild right now. As we came back to our parents’ house ( I don’t live here anymore ), I got off from the car and went straight into my study. I could hear my little sis all chirpy about the lehenga she finally bought after 5 hours of trial. My parents were all ears about our shopping quest.

I don’t share a great bonding with them now as I used to before. I do love them but somehow the strength of our relationship got weakened due to a series of events that happened 5 years back.

I was all set to marry the girl of my dreams, even when my family disapproved of her. And to my great surprise and dismay, she left me on our wedding day, and flew off to B-town with my best friend to become an Actress. I stood all alone like a fool on the “Mandap”(Wedding Pavilion) where our wedding was to be completed abiding all Hindu rituals. 

My parents never approved of her due to her modelling career and several bold outdoor photoshoots. But I supported her with all my heart. My sister was always skeptical about her as she thought her to be a “Gold Digger” but I never paid heed to her words.

I recommended her portfolio to 3 of my Event Management Clients and funded her outdoor shooting trips. I even gave her my car, Audi A3 Sport which she sold off for funds. I still feel guilty for making my family go through such face loss and turbulence.

The only good thing that happened thereafter, was my promotion. I was heading the Corporate Law section for Asia Pacific in Singapore and was promoted to the position I hold now, with my office based in London, UK. I decided to move there permanently leaving all baggage behind. Unfortunately, the bond with my parents weakened as I distanced myself from them, mainly out of guilt. Now I have only one source of emotional support, that is my baby Sis. She had been my strongest pillar till date.

My mind got strayed in the past incidents when Shouranya opened the study door.

“Nice to meet you eh? “The mockery in her tone was making me mad.

“I never expected such courtesy from you Bhai! I mean you are usually cold and mean when it comes to unknown people and specially .. “ She continued

“Shouranya I would prefer no further discussions on this” I paused her before she could complete the sentence. My voice was calm yet cold.

“Okay cool! Did you get a chance to look at the guest list? Is there anyone you wanna invite?” she tried to change the topic

“No” I was annoyed.

I had to get Sia out of my system as early as possible, else it would have a detrimental effect on myself and my career. And I don’t like how my mind gets excited just by thinking about her. Her eyes, that innocence. No, I need to get it out badly.

Sho went out as she knew that further questions would make me burst like an active volcano. I started to have this strange feeling of knowing Sia’s background. After a bitter experience , I had learnt that one needs to do a lot of fact finding about strangers who are close to you or your loved ones.

I was aware about Joey who was Sho’s childhood friend ,  but I needed to know about Sia. Since my sister has termed her to be “a very good friend” of hers, I wanted to find out how actually good she was. I wanted to protect Sho from all odds.

“Yeah you definitely wanna know more about her” My mind smiled

“Shut up” I scolded it while picking up my iPhone.

“Hello David”

“Hi Boss! Long time.”

“David I need you to do a background check on someone. I should be updated with every details of this person. I am texting you the name. She is Shouranya’s friend “

“Okay Boss! Also send a picture of her please “

“I don’t have it”

“Then it will be tough Boss”

“David I pay you for this and I would prefer you to say a “YES” always” I gritted

“Okay okay Boss! No issues! I ll see what I can do. Maybe I can get something from your sister’s Social media profile”

“Do whatever you have to! I need the information in 2 days!” Because the wedding is next week so I have 4 more days at hand.

“Done Boss. I am on it!” .

I appointed David for keeping a check on my family’s social circle in order to avoid any further damages. Of course my family is unaware of it. I had to protect them even when I was not physically present here.

I cut the phone and started calling my secretary.

“Hello Sir! I was about to call you.” Stacy’s sweet voice calmed my mind.

Stacy is my 68 year old secretary with a mind of a 28 year old girl. She has been all supportive when I first came to London and helped me settle down. She took great care of me just like her son and cooked special cuisines for me on weekends. It was sad that her own son left her and she was all alone. Later that c*nt stopped paying for her expenses too. Hence she moved the court for justice as she didn’t have a single penny to support herself. Our Company decided to help her as a part of our Corporate Social Responsibility Program and I took her case in exchange of no fees. When the judgement came in her favor, she hugged me with tears rolling down her cheeks.

It was then I decided to offer her a job as my secretary as I had the option of recommending someone for that post. She took it with a wide smile on her wrinkled yet sweet face. She was as caring as my mom and I loved her. Yet I had to maintain a professional aura with her.

“I hope you’re doing fine Stacy.”

“I am fine Sir! What about you?”

“I m good. Stacy I wanted to know about the meeting confirmation for next week, at the Bruce and Williams’ Inc ”

“Certainly Sir! The meeting is scheduled on next Monday , 10:30 a.m onwards as per your schedule Sir.”

I quickly checked my mailbox calendar in my iPad.

“Thanks Stacy. Also kindly cancel all my meetings from Wednesday onwards for the whole week”

“Yes Sir. I have already rescheduled them to a week later! Oh Sir, I wanted to ask, how are all the wedding preparations going on? Also, did Shouranya like my gift?”

“Yes ! The preparations are in full swing! Ya she loved it and also thanked you. She will give you a call personally soon!”

“I am happy for her Sir. I wish her all the happiness and love!”

“Thank you Stacy”

After one or two sentences I disconnected the call with a smile. Stacy is family now.

******************************************************************************

The Wedding preparations were in full swing with a hell lot of people roaming around the villa. Last minute decorations, props, Mandap stuff, caterers, lights, flowers, relatives and all of that contributing to the unappealing noise that I always preferred staying away from. Also, there was this weird woman named Monia who wanted to hook her daughter to me since the time my wedding was called off. I didn’t want to meet any of them.

It was Sho’s D Day and everything had to be perfect. I personally couldn’t check it since I had to wrap up work. It was her “Haldi” ceremony in the morning and I could attend it only for 30 minutes.

Then I joined 4 back to back online meetings with my juniors, case study discussions , client meet ,and it was finally over by 6 pm. I decided to lay down on the comfortable couch in my study for half an hour, reading the complete file about Sia that David handed to me a day before.

I heard a soft knock on the door as I finished the last page of the report

“That was fast huh?” My mind chimed.

“Come in “

It was my mother. I was happy to see her after 2 days. Both of us kept busy and couldn’t catch up, rather I didn’t want to, since it would give a tough time to both of our souls.

“Shourya, are you busy?” my mom muttered

“No Ma! Esho (Come).” I made her sit on the couch.

“Monia was wondering if you could meet Smriti ?”

My mom and I had this ‘agenda only’ relationship right now. I know it s**ks big time but it’s the best for us both. Also, it is sort of same with my dad.

“Not possible. I am not interested in her” I retorted without a thought.

I sort of had this nauseated feeling about this Smriti character. She was Monia’s daughter and always tried to push herself om me whenever we saw each other. We met twice precisely , while she was doing her MBA in London. The First meeting was brief , and I was supposed to deliver some home made stuff( What am I a delivery man?) to her .

She dressed up like a s**t showing most parts of her breasts and cleavage and I started hating her from that moment. For the second and last meeting, she tried to force a kiss on my lips. She thought I would welcome it with an open mouth but I threw her off to the floor and jolted out. I hated making out with s*uts like her. And Yes, I preferred to make love, rather than having s*x with a nobody.

So No, she is not even an “Option” for me and will never be. “Besides our interest just got to the next level for Sia.” nowadays my mind starts doing this to me every time I think about my personal life.

“Okay I'll say a No to her.” my mother couldn’t finish when the disappointment of the Millennium just barged her way into my Study.

“Hi Babe!!” Smriti waived with a ghastly grin.

What the hell? What was she doing here? Is she even for real? Or am I dreaming?

“Oh I m sorry I did not know Aunty is here!” She acted as if she didn’t see my mom at first.

“That’s okay beta(dear), I need to be outside. Need to review some last minute preps” My mom left me with this witch and I was doomed. She is the worst possible nightmare that I ever had.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I shouted

“Oh My poor baby! Let me lessen that rage with a sweet kiss honey” the b*tch exclaimed

“Sh*t just got real” I thought

“Get the hell out of my…” I couldn’t finish

She jumped into my lap and took my face in between her palms. I turned it to the other side so that I didn’t face her. There was a huge window this side and it is then I saw her standing on our porch wearing a nice saree (Indian attire) that hugged her perfect curves. It was her indeed. I could never forget that divinity. Suddenly, a great idea struck my mind!