You and I, plus 2 years of marriage!

BREAK THE RULES

{10}

Partha’s fingers were tightly wrapped around his phone. It was half past ten in the night and he was walking aimlessly on the terrace of his house. For the past one hour he had been pacing unable to make up his mind. He had been thinking about doing this for the past couple of days, but couldn’t really do it. Once again, it was giving him sleepless nights and this time he did not want it to continue. He had to find a closure. Today. Now! Instantly he made the call and waited impatiently. At last his call was received and there was silence for a moment. He could hear her breathing.

He [taking a deep breath]: Harini…

She [slowly]: Yes.

He: It is me, Partha.

She: I know. I still have your number saved on my phone.

He: Okay… I just… I wanted to…

She [swallowing hard]: What is it? Why have you called me now?

He: I am leaving on Saturday to Hyderabad for my training.

She: …

He: I wanted to tell you before leaving.

She: All the best for your future.

He: Thank you.

She: …

He: …

The silence prolongs for a few moments. Both of them are at loss for words but they didn’t want to disconnect the call either.

He: I miss you, Harini.

She [sniffs lightly]: I miss you too.

He: I want you back in my life…

She: There is no point in discussing this now. You have made a choice and I have made mine. Let us just leave it at that. I hope you find happiness and success in your life.

He: I love you sweetheart.

She [crying meekly]: Please don’t say it again. It’s hard enough to live without you… I can’t take this pain anymore. Please don’t get in touch with me again.

That instant, the call was disconnected and tears slipped out of his eyes. Her words tore him apart. Yet somewhere between those tears and heartbreak he had found the closure that he was pining for…

***

Arvind was checking his mails on the laptop when he heard a knock on his door. It was a hot afternoon and he was puzzled to have an unexpected visitor at that time. Yet, the moment he opened the door, he was in for a pleasant surprise. A bright smile lit up his face seeing the lovely visitor.

‘Rutva!’ he beamed.

‘Hey hero!’ she said reflecting his smile.

‘What a surprise! Why didn’t you tell me that you were coming?’

‘Are you going to ask me everything without letting me in?’

He shook his head and moved aside to let her in. Once he closed the door and turned around she flung her arms around him and he hugged her back. Although, it been a week since she had fallen in love with him, they had met only once after that. Moreover it was a brief meeting of just an hour at a restaurant. They kept in touch over phone, but she spoke to him just once a day. Their conversations lasted not more than 15 minutes and even messages were sparse. Arvind longed to spend time with her and hear her voice but she was nothing like a typical girl who was in love. He was important to her but she did not let go of her independence and individuality just to be with him. He never complained about it because he not only loved her but also respected her. The minimum interaction between them in fact deepened the intimacy between them.

They stood bound in each other’s arms for a few minutes. Neither of them wanted to let go. After sometime she freed herself and looked up at him.

‘I missed you so much,’ he said stroking her cheeks.

‘Me too,’ she said softly.

Holding her hand, Arvind led her to the sofa and they both sat down.

‘Did you eat your lunch?’

‘No. I am starving,’ she said shaking her head.

‘I’ll be right back.’

Arvind went into the kitchen and came back with a plate of rice and rasam. She took it and raised her eyebrows at him.

‘You cooked?’

‘I always do. Just simple rice and rasam… I don’t like eating out every day,’ he said shrugging. She ate a morsel of rice and flashed him a smile.

‘Not bad! In fact, it tastes really good.’

‘I am happy that you like it,’ he said pleased with himself. He watched her as she hungrily devoured the food. It was this childish streak hidden in the strong woman that he really adored.

I still cannot believe that you are mine. Love you, Rutva…

Just then he received a call from his office. He excused himself and went to the balcony to speak with his colleague. They had a discussion about a meeting and the call duration stretched to twenty minutes. When he came back into the living room he found her deep in thought. She had finished eating and did not notice his entry into the room. Quietly he sat beside her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

‘Hey, what happened?’ he whispered to her. Rutva simply shook her head.

‘Nothing. I am alright,’ she said flatly.

‘No, you are not. Tell me what is bothering you.’

‘I am fine, Arvind.’

‘What is there to hide from me? I can see that you are troubled. Tell me, what is it?’

Immediately Rutva stood up and walked away from him.

‘You are just over thinking. If I say I am fine, I really mean it. Why can’t you leave it at that? Just let me be who I am. In the name of love, I don’t need you to always keep bothering me!’ she said severely. Arvind was indeed taken aback by her sudden outburst. He did not say anything for some time. After a few minutes he went up to her and gently squeezed her shoulder.

‘It’s about Partha, isn’t it?’ he said softly. He could feel her body stiffen. Instantly she turned around and threw herself into his arms. He held her in a tight embrace and caressed her head. She began crying and her tears wet his shirt. Neither did he stop her nor did he speak a word.

‘I am so worried about him… I convinced him and his parents to make this decision but it is so dangerous… if anything happens to him, I will never forgive myself…’ she said sobbing ceaselessly.

‘Shhhh… love, please don’t cry. I can understand, it’s not been easy on you. But you have helped him realise his dream and that is where his happiness lies.’

‘I know… but I can’t… I don’t want to lose my best friend… he means a lot to me…’

Arvind let go of her and held her tear stricken face in his hands.

‘Look at me, Rutva,’ he said firmly. Slowly she lifted her face and locked eyes with him.

‘You know how hard he has strived to reach his goal. You have shared his dream and helped him achieve it. Now, no matter what, you have to stand by him. He needs you, dear. You believe in him, don’t you?’

‘Yes,’ she said meekly.

‘Then you have to trust him with his life. He will be safe, okay?’ he said intensely. His words sounded so confident that she had to agree with him. She nodded her head.

‘I am sorry. I should not have been so rude to you. It is just that I am not used to being treated with so much care,’ she said sheepishly. He smiled at her and wiped her tears.

‘Get used to it, love. This is how I am going to be for you. You don’t have to apologize for anything, I can understand.’

The warmth of his love filled her heart. He was indeed the man for her. She had fallen in love with him, all over again.

‘Kiss me,’ she said passionately. For a moment, he looked at her bewildered. He was not certain if she really meant it, but her eyes said it all. With a racing heart he slowly bent forward and kissed her.

***

‘Take care, Puttu. Don’t forget to call every day. Come back soon,’ said Mala choking on her last words.

‘Take care, amma’

Partha hugged his mother and she kissed his forehead. Surendra was standing right beside her.

‘Take care, son,’ he said with his voice thick with emotion. Partha nodded at him and hesitated for a moment. Then unexpectedly he hugged his father too. His father patted his back and caressed his head.

‘Thank you, dad,’ he said fighting back his tears. Then he went to Arvind and Rutva. He hugged Arvind.

‘I am glad that you are there for Ru. Take good care of her. She is too precious for me,’ he said swallowing hard.

‘I will do my best,’ promised Arvind.

Rutva’s eyes were already welled up. So many days she had been successful in not letting Partha know how worried she was for him, but today she could no longer hide it.

‘Try not to get into any mischief in my absence. By the way, until I come back, Kiran is yours. Take care of her. Don’t scare away, Arvind. I have tried really hard to find you the right guy,’ he said smiling with much effort. The restrained tears streamed down her face and he wrapped his arms around her in a bear hug.

‘Try not to get yourself killed. Promise me that you will be back safe and sound,’ she said hoarsely.

‘I promise. I am going to miss you, Ru.’

‘I will miss you too, Puttu.’

At last, he released her from his embrace and picked up his bag.

‘Don’t forget that I am always here for you,’ she said holding his hand.

‘I know, Ru. Nothing changes between us,’ he said smiling amidst tears and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. She smiled back at him and let him go. Partha boarded the train and waved at them with a heavy heart. They waved back at him and bid him farewell.

Once in a while, life pushes us into making some really tough decisions without giving any warning beforehand. We maybe unprepared and confused. Yet it is all about making choices that will change our life forever. If you have a dream and you really want to achieve it, then it is inevitable that you break some rules. It is not always wrong to break the rules, sometimes you should be brave enough to do it…

                                      The End