Chapter 7
The next day Samyak is trying to concentrate on his work but he is unable to do it. Somehow office hours got over and he comes out of the office with his backpack on his shoulders. He thought of taking a walk to his apartment instead of a bus which he usually takes. He is looking around and started walking. His phone starts vibrating. He kept it on silent during office hours.
He took it out from his pocket and looked at the screen. It was Niharika’s.
“Hi Samyak… are you still in office? I thought you will be free by now so I called you.” Niharika’s voice is sounding low.
“Yes, I just left the office. I was also thinking to call you.” Samyak told.
“Then why didn’t you call?” Niharika asked.
“I don’t know. I am sorry I had disconnected yesterday suddenly but I was feeling awkward and uncomfortable.” Samyak doesn’t have a clear answer. His mind is still occupied with all the ifs.
“I told you it was all past. Anyone can have a past.” Niharika reasoned.
“Yes but still I have some questions. I don’t know why but I am not able to accept it.”
“Ok… then ask what is all in your mind?” Niharika’s tone has also changed now.
“Are you really happy with our relationship? Are you 100% sure that nothing is there left in your heart for Jai? Are you…??”
“Ohh wait… so you are doubting me?” Niharika felt accused.
“No, I just want you to be sure…” Samyak tried to speak.
“You want me to be sure or yourself? Do you have doubts about me? I told you I broke up with him and if I would have feelings for him, I would have kept talking to him. But I told you I was not in touch with him since then. Still, you think…”
“Niharika, please don’t take me wrong. I was so restless after our conversation, all these things were coming into my mind. I felt you are doing all this under your family’s pressure.”
“Ahh, Samyak, do you remember, when you asked me what I expect from my life partner, I said only trust and understanding, nothing else matters. But today I feel both are missing.”
“No Niharika, please don’t say this. I am sorry if I have hurt you. My intentions were not that at all.”
“I don’t know Samyak what should I say now.” Niharika is disappointed and so is Samyak.
Niharika started crying and disconnected the call. Samyak called her back but she didn’t pick it. Samyak messaged her but she didn’t reply. Now he is getting restless again.
“Ahh… I should not have said all that to her. She misunderstood me. I just wanted everything to be sorted.” He thought.
Seema called Niharika for dinner but she didn’t come out of her room. So she went to her room. Niharika was sitting her hands folded around her knees and her eyes filled with tears.
“What happened? Why are you crying? Niharika tell me?” Seema rushed towards her.
Niharika hugged her mother.
“Tell me, please. What is it? Ok first relax. Wipe your tears.” She wiped her face and hold her hands.
“Mummy… Samyak…”
“What Samyak? Did you have a fight with him? Did he say something to you? Tell me beta.” Seema is getting worried now.
“Mummy he is having doubts about me.” NIharika tried to speak.
“What doubts? What did he say? Tell me everything.”
Niharika told everything to her mother.
“Ohh God Niharika… What was the need to tell him? It was all ended long before.”
“I just wanted to share it with him.” Niharika reasoned.
“Now you see the result. Just wanted to share.” Seema holds her head.
“But he doesn’t understand me. He thought I still have feelings for Jai. How can I marry someone who doesn’t trust me?”
Listening to this Seema’s face turned pale. She got worried about where the conversation is heading.
“What do you mean how can you marry? What is going in your mind? See it’s a small misunderstanding and he said sorry to you. Now you also forget everything and call him back.”
Seema tried to wrap up this matter here. She knew if Ajay got to know about all this he will be very angry. And what about Samyak’s parents? What if Samyak told them about Jai, what will they think? What if they break up this alliance? Everyone will make different kinds of talk about Niharika and us.
“He said sorry but he doubted me. This can happen again. If anything happens after marriage then how will I handle? He will just say sorry and I should let it go that’s what you expect me to do?” Niharika was furious this time.
“Listen, dear… don’t take any decision in haste. I understand you are hurt but it doesn’t mean you break up. You talk to him and I am sure he will understand. If he was dominating why he would have said sorry?” Seema understood the sensitivity of the matter so she tried to calm her down softly.
But Niharika was in no mood to talk to Samyak, “Mummy please I know you guys will never understand me. That time also you and Papa told me bluntly that Jai is not the right fit and now also both of you will pressurize me. I have to compromise always.” Niharika stood up and went outside.
Seema tried to stop her but she did not listen.
Vivek and Anita just finished their talk with Samyak.
“Today Samyak was sounding very low. I hope his health is good. I asked him so many times but he doesn’t tell us anything.” Anita told Vivek worriedly. Samyak has not told anything to his parents about the conversation he had with Niharika.
“Yes, I also felt there is something bothering him. Maybe there is something related to work. He works so hard all day and then he is also away from the house.” Vivek is also a little worried.
“Yes, sometimes I think we should not have let him go alone. We should have let him get married first, then wherever he wanted to go they could have gone together.” Anita said.
“Hmm… but this was a very good opportunity in his career and it will help him grow. It’s okay he will be back in a few months and get married also. After that, you will need not to worry about him. Your daughter-in-law will be here to take care of everything.” Vivek consoled Anita.
They have no idea what is going on and what will be going to happen next.
Samyak tried to call Niharika, he messaged her also but all in vain. He understood she is very upset and hurt but he is not having the slightest idea that she is thinking about breaking up this engagement.
The next day when he reached the office, his manager called and told him that the project is progressing very nicely and he can handle the rest of it from India. So he can travel back. Samyak is very happy thinking about going back. This long-distance relationship is getting very difficult. He planned that he will give a surprise to everyone and also he will get to talk to Niharika face to face and pacify her.
Chapter 8
After 2 days, Samyak landed at the Delhi Airport. He thought he will go to Jaipur first and meet Niharika and then go to Hyderabad. He called up Ajay thinking that it may look odd to them if he reaches his in law’s house without informing.
“Hello, Uncle… Samyak here. How are you?”
“Samyak beta… I am good. How are you? How is your work going?” Seema has not told anything to Ajay yet.
“I am fine. Actually, uncle, I am back. Just landed now. I want to surprise everyone so not told anyone that I am coming back.” Samyak replied.
“Ohh really… that’s a pleasant surprise.” Ajay said happily.
“Uncle if you don’t mind, can I come to Jaipur today and meet Niharika? I want to surprise her.” Samyak asked hesitatingly.
“Why not? This is your house beta. You can come whenever you want. Don’t worry, I will not tell anything to Niharika.” Ajay said happily.
“Thank you, uncle. I will reach in a few hours.” Samyak is very excited.
After that, he called Vedant and told him that he will be reaching Hyderabad by tomorrow’s early morning flight but not to tell his parents.
Ajay went to the kitchen and told Seema about Samyak’s plan.
“What is he coming today?” Seema got worried now.
“Yes, he will be here in a few hours. You ask Niharika to be at home but don’t tell her anything.” Ajay instructed.
“Ohh, God… What should I do now?” Seema murmured.
“Why are you panicking? What happened? Is something wrong?” Ajay sensed some issues.
“Look Ajay don’t get angry. First, you listen to me patiently.” Seema said hesitatingly.
“What is it, tell me clearly?” Ajay got tensed.
Seema told everything to Ajay. His face turned red.
“Why didn’t you tell me all this before? Where is Niharika? Let me talk to her. She is acting childish.” Ajay came outside the kitchen.
“Don’t say anything to her in haste. She is very vulnerable at this moment.” Seema stopped him.
“Seema it's not a game or something. It’s a matter of marriage. We can not just break it up anytime.” Ajay said.
“That’s what I am saying. It’s a very sensitive matter. It is about her whole life and when she is not happy what is the point?” Seema reasoned.
“I don’t understand why are you supporting her childish behavior.” Ajay looked at Seema.
“Ajay, we already forced our decision on her once. She accepted that with a heavy heart. I am afraid if we will do it again, how will she react? Ajay, she is our only daughter. I want her to be happy, don’t you?” Seema said with breaking voice. Her eyes filled with tears.
Ajay sadly sat on the chair and held his head. He doesn’t know what to do? His mind is reasoning. He got up and went to Niharika’s room. Seema followed him.
“Niharika… I want to talk to you.” Ajay said.
“Yes Papa… tell me. What happened?” Niharika looked at him questioningly.
They talked for some time and at the end, Ajay asked Niharika,
“Are you sure? Is this your final decision?”
“Yes, Papa.” Niharika replied. Her eyes are wet.
“Samyak will be here in some time. We need to tell him this.” Ajay looked at Seema.
“Papa, can I talk to him?” Niharika asked.
Ajay looked at her surprisingly and nodded.
The doorbell rang. Ajay and Seema went outside.
Ajay opened the door. It is Samyak.
“Namaste Uncle. How are you?” He touched Ajay’s feet.
“I am okay. How are you? Please come inside.” Ajay asked.
“I am also good.” Samyak entered the house and touched Seema’s feet. She couldn’t speak anything. Just touched his head. She is very nervous.
Ajay asked Samyak to sit. Seema went inside the kitchen. Ajay and Samyak talked for a while regarding his work. Seema got some tea and snacks.
“There is no need for all this Aunty.” Samyak said politely.
“You have come from a long journey. Have something.” Ajay and Seema told him.
While having tea, Samyak’s eyes are looking around to get a glimpse of Niharika.
Suddenly there is complete silence. Ajay and Seema are looking towards each other. Samyak is also feeling little awkwardness. He looked at their faces and couldn’t stop himself to ask, “What happened? You guys are looking tense.”
“We want to talk about something.” Ajay has to start an unwanted conversation.
Now Samyak is feeling nervous. His excitement is fading now. He looked around again but couldn’t find Niharika.
“Look Samyak, Niharika told us what is going on between you two for the last couple of days.” Ajay started.
Samyak is stunned as he is not expected this. He knows that Niharika is hurt and upset with him but her parents, also know about it, is a surprise for him.
“Uncle I know I hurt Niharika, but I am really sorry about it. I tried to talk to her but she is not answering my calls or messages. So I planned to come here first and talk to her.” Samyak told Ajay.
Ajay felt bad that Samyak is sorry but there is no point in it now. Niharika has made up her mind. So he called Niharika.
“You can talk to her.” Ajay pointed towards her. Niharika came outside. Samyak stood up from his place and felt relieved looking at her. Finally, he can talk and explain to her face to face.
“Hi Niharika” Samyak said with a little smile on his face.
“Hi Samyak” Niharika sat down.
“How are you? Are you still angry with me? I tried to call you so many times.” Whatever Samyak has expected, nothing is happening. Niharika is not at all looking happy or surprised by his visit. But he didn’t bring that up.
“Ya I know I was very angry and hurt that day and so I avoided all your calls and messages. But then I gave myself some time and sincerely thought about it. I think we are not meant to be together.” Niharika told Samyak calmly. Samyak’s face turned white. His throat got all dried up. He wasn’t expecting it coming.
“What are you saying Niharika? Are you breaking this engagement? Is that what you mean? Please don’t take any decision in haste.” Samyak tried to convince her.
“I have given it a thought and then only I decided.” Niharika explained.
“But I said I am sorry. Whatever I said was on the spur of that moment. I started falling for you the first time we met and I didn’t realize when it has turned into love. When you told me, I couldn’t take it, that to whom I love so much, can have or had feelings for someone else. I have never been in any relationship before, so understanding your past had become tough for me. But after some time, I realized it would have been more difficult for you to share it all with me but still, you did. And my reaction would have surely hurt you deeply. I am really feeling bad about it.” Samyak tried to explain his point.
“I understand your point Samyak and I also know you felt bad and I appreciate your apologies. But you know what, a misunderstanding is the greatest distance between two people. And this whole thing made us very far from each other. I don’t want our relationship to start with a distance that
I don’t know can be bridged or not. And even if we tried, I don’t how long it would survive.” Niharika is also feeling bad but she knows she is doing the right thing. Her heart is not anymore in this relationship.
“But Niharika, don’t you think we deserve one more chance.” Samyak is in shock.
“Samyak I don’t want to start this delicate thread of our relationship with already a knot in it.” Niharika replied.
Samyak realized that Niharika has already made up her mind. He looked at Ajay and Seema and their expressions said it all.
“I still think we can sort it out but I understand your point and I trust your decision. That’s, the least two things which I can do at this time.” Samyak said with a heavy heart. His eyes are wet.
He sighed and offered a handshake, “I wish you best for your life Niharika.”
“Wish you the same.” She shook hands.
Samyak came out of Niharika’s house hurriedly and sat in the cab. He couldn’t control himself and tears rolled down from his eyes.
