You and I, plus 2 years of marriage!

BREAK THE RULES

{6}

Arvind: Why?

Rutva [frowning]: Sorry?

Arvind: Why are you still single?

Rutva: Why shouldn’t I be?

Arvind: I mean… you are beautiful, smart, intelligent and brave! Then, why are you still single?

Rutva [laughing]: Are you complimenting me or complaining?

Arvind: Of course, I am complimenting you. It’s just that I am intrigued by the fact that you are not in a relationship. I assume you have never been in one.

She stayed quiet for a few moments and sipped her coffee.

Rutva: Never.

Arvind: Do you like being alone?

Rutva: Just the opposite. I am not going to lie that I am happy being single. The truth is I never came across a man who could understand me and love me for who I am. Being single has its own advantages, but it cannot beat the feeling of being loved and the sense of belonging that accompany it.

Arvind: Quite true…

Rutva [smiling]: Looks like you are empathising with me. I presume that even you are not in a relationship.

Arvind [smiling]: You are absolutely right. Up to some point it’s alright, but after that loneliness really gets to you.

She simply nodded her head in reply. They both finished drinking their respective drink and sat in silence for a few minutes. More than their conversation, he liked the silence between them. His mind picturised the beautiful image of spending a lazy afternoon on the couch, with her sitting beside him. At that moment, he wanted to just pull her into his arms and whisper his love into her ears. The cognizance that she was sitting barely two feet away from him was too tempting. He picked up her coffee mug and went into the kitchen as an excuse to give himself a few minutes of privacy to gain control over his raging hormones. When he returned, he was sober.

Arvind: By the way, have you been to the art exhibition at the Museum?

Rutva [shook her head]: Nope… I hardly find time and moreover I didn’t want to go alone. Puttu was feeling so low these days that I could not ask him to accompany me. He is not a big fan of art and I did not want to depress him further by taking him there [winking at him].

Arvind: Would you want to come with me? Only if you… don’t mind.

Rutva [narrowing her eyes]: Is this a casual visit? Or are you asking me out on a date?

Arvind: Will you refuse if I call it a date?

Rutva: Yes, indeed.

Arvind: Then I swear it is just a casual visit [dramatically placing a hand on his chest].

She laughed at his gesture and shook her head.

Rutva: Alright! Let’s go on Saturday.

Arvind [beaming]: Done! Thank you.

Rutva: My pleasure.

He flashed her a charming smile and picked up the television remote. After surfing through the channels they mutually decided to watch Troy on Star Movies. She adored Brad Pitt as Achilles and he was a huge fan of the war movie. They spoke less during the movie and Arvind spent most of the three hours gazing at her. She was engrossed in the movie and was more interested in Brad Pitt rather than him. At 6.50pm the movie ended and he had to reluctantly tear his eyes away from her. After a few minutes, Partha walked into the living room. He had washed his face and all the traces of sleep had been removed.

‘Slept well?’ asked Rutva in a cheerful tone.

‘You sedated me, didn’t you Ru?’ he asked smiling meekly.

‘I had to. You have not been sleeping lately,’ she said shrugging.

‘Hmmm… you are right.’

‘Now, let’s get to the point. Why did you go to the market?’ she asked affectionately.

Partha let out a long drawn breath and looked at them with dull eyes. He was feeling better after the deep sleep. He could not remember when was the last time he had slept so well without tossing around on the bed.

‘After you left, I spoke to Harini for less than an hour. It did not take us long to figure out that our priorities in life were different. I had made a huge mistake by not sharing my dreams with her. If I had disclosed it to her earlier, maybe we might have understood that we were poles apart. I chose my career over love and she chose her parents. But I’m feeling pathetic, Ru. Even now, I hope that somehow she will change her mind and come back… I am scared that I might give up my dream to get her back in my life… the very thought of having to live without her is killing me,’ he said dropping his head into his hands. She gently rubbed his shoulder.

‘I did not know where to go after leaving the restaurant. I kept aimlessly riding Kiran until I reached the market. The crowded, noisy market was the place where I stopped. It was easier to lose myself in that crowd. I sat down on a secluded spot and watched the people bustling around. The noise outside helped me shut out the turmoil in my mind. It numbed my pain…’

‘Puttu, I can understand. This is not going to be easy for you, but will you be able to forgive yourself if you let go of this opportunity? Certainly not. When you begin to regret it, you are not only going to blame yourself but also Harini. Some day you will start hating her for that and neither of you will be happy. It is better that you choose your dream over her. Trust me, you will continue loving her for this decision,’ she said intensely. Partha turned and looked into her eyes. Even after two decades, those eyes were still the same, filled with warmth and affection. A shadow of a smile crossed their faces.

‘I trust you, Ru. You know me better,’ he said nodding his head. Rutva grinned at him and hugged him. He returned her warm embrace. Arvind had witnessed their entire conversation and a smile appeared on his face too. She had a way with words and the way she framed her advice was impressive. Partha had to be convinced because no man could refute such a strong yet touching argument.

‘I will go and make some juice for us. Later we will go out for dinner. Treat is on me today. Arvind, suggest a good restaurant,’ she said looking at him. He was dazzled for a moment when she called out his name. His mind went blank.

‘Wait, Ru! This is not over yet. There is one more hurdle that we have to cross…’ said Partha distraught. She frowned at him.

‘What do you mean?’

‘My parents…’ he said letting out a sigh.

‘Hmmm… you are right. So what is the situation at home?’

‘Mom starts crying the moment I speak about joining Air Force and dad doesn’t believe that I can get accustomed to the life in Armed forces. In short, they are emotionally blackmailing me,’ he said letting out a defeated sigh. Rutva chuckled at his reply.

‘How can you even laugh in this situation? This is a damn serious problem,’ said Partha throwing up his hands.

‘I laughed at how easy the solution for your problem is,’ she said shrugging.

‘What?!’ blurted out Arvind. He was as surprised as Partha by her words.

‘Emotional blackmail is a very dangerous weapon that every parent uses. It helps them as long as we don’t take it in our hands. Therefore, the very cause of your problem is your solution.’

‘I can’t understand what you are trying to say,’ said Partha shaking his head. She ruffled his hair playfully.

‘Tomorrow, you will see. By the way, you have made our work easier by staying unreachable last night. Even tonight, you will stay here with Arvind. I will take you home with me tomorrow. Keep your tension aside, Puttu. Everything will be fine.’

‘I hope you know what you are doing,’ said Partha raising an eyebrow.

‘You have already broken the rules as a boyfriend. Tomorrow you will have to break some as a son,’ she said winking at him.

                          To be continued...