Chapter 94
Ever since she came to her parents house, she had interacted with him on very few occasions, mainly when he came over to see her or called to check in on her. She never took the initiative to get in touch with him, suppressing the urge to see him or hear his voice. Even though there shouldn't have been any question or doubt about it, she was still surprised when he had told her he would be going to India with Keerti. She didn't know why, but it broke her heart even more, if that was even possible. Maybe somewhere deep down in her heart, she had secretly wished that something happened, something...anything, that would make him come to her. She didn't wish for it consciously though, she was genuinely happy for him. But one couldn't be blamed for being hopeful. She didn't mean any harm, she was just hopeful.
She was doing pretty well, she thought. Being at home kind of helped a lot. Her parents kept her engaged in all kinds of activities...and more importantly, kept her under close watch ever since she was attacked again. She was often found sitting by the window, wondering where her life was taking her. The past several months had been tough for her...right from day one of the year. She was beginning to truly believe that the start of the year really dictated how the rest of it followed.
Lying on the hospital bed she had almost given up hope..hope for love, hope for a peaceful life...and hope for a bright future. But then she had stolen a few glances towards her worried parents who had spent nights innumerable in making sure she was comforted. She had remembered all the times they had spent sleepless nights when she had fellen sick...and of the times when she had walked on them to have a little fun. She thought she had grown up...and they thought she had grown up.
But these days at home made her realize, babies will always be babies to their parents, no matter how old they became. There was something about that bond that had comfort to offer. There was some comfort in knowing she could always turn to them when the sun hid behind the dark clouds and the day turned into night.
Being graduated and of the eligible age, obviously the next step was marriage. Well, not for her, but for her parents. She had resisted initially, that too very firmly. But they had been persistent as well. They didn't force her, they simply made her understand the importance of having a companion in one's life. She understood what they meant and she even wanted the same as they wished, but she couldn't possibly tell them the only person she saw as a companion was beyond her reach. And she didn't want to bring it up, lest they get more worried than what they were already.
After spending hours innumerable trying to talk them out of it unsuccessfully, she finally gave in and agreed to meet guys. It was a half-hearted attempt at keeping them happy, only to stop their constant nagging. The whole idea of an arranged marriage didn't sit well with her, but then she had lost all hopes of falling in love with someone else too, so there wasn't any point in waiting.
She met 2 guys in the same week. The idea was to meet and see them, and then to get to know them over phone conversations or repeat meetings and see where things went - typical arranged marriage setting. Both of them were good looking, and chivalrous - a quality she thought often vanished in thin air as soon as the girl was possessed. Even though things went well and seemed positive from their sides, she turned them both down, for reasons that were silly enough to make anyone go ballistic. That was enough indication for her parents to know she was not ready yet. And thence they stopped getting proposals for marriage for her.
It was one of the nights that she was working on her laptop later than usual, writing one of the letters to her Immortal Beloved about how she missed him, and wished he could fly and come to her right that minute, that she heard some sound. When she tried to hear closely, she realized it was her mother sniffing. She had been tremendously worried about Naina. She top-toed towards their room and stood there for a few moments listening to their worried conversation. She realized they knew that she had not been serious about the whole matrimony thing...while she had happily assumed there was a sudden drought of good guys that they had not proposed to meet anyone. She felt contrite...for lying to them, and making them worry like this. If her recent past had been normal without any attacks from a maniac or without any abuses, she wouldn't have to deal with all this. She realized that in a sense her parents were right, she would be more secure and protected with her husband.
She didn't realize tears had been flowing down her cheeks until she sniffed suddenly, the noise of it alarming her parents. In the next instant, they came out and saw her standing there, her head fallen down in shame and tears flowing incessantly.
"I'm sorry Mom. Sorry Dad." she told them in her broken voice as they took her in a hug. She promised them to agree to whatever they wished. After making sure they went to bed without giving another thought to her, she went back to her room with a new determination...to forget him and to move on. For her sake, for her parents sake. That was the best thing to do...Edited by --dolphin-- - 12 years ago
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