What?! Am I hearing right??? Or else am I hallucinating?
After a hectic official trip to Mumbai, I reached Hyderabad at midnight. As soon as I reached home, I slumped on my bed due to the tiredness. I had slept very late and hence woke up very late. That is in the afternoon. When I woke up, I searched for Mom and Annie. Both of them were nowhere to be seen. O god!! I had thought to speak to her. Now, she would be in the office right now. I cursed myself. I knew that something big had happened between them. But I don’t want to come in between them. This time, it’s better that I stay quiet. They should solve themselves. That would bring them even more closer. Though I knew that this pain is just a temporary one, Annie doesn’t realise that everything would be fine soon. I know that my brother too loves her. But the thing is, he doesn’t know to express it. I just hope that god puts in some sense into him so that he confesses soon to her.
“Ishaan!! What are you doing here early in the morning? Go Ishaan, sleep! I will wake you up later.” Mom’s mocking tone broke my trance.
“When should I laugh for this crappy joke?” I asked her annoyed.
“Look at the time, Ishaan! It’s gonna be 1:00p.m. I knew that you were tired. But you could have woke up at least by 11” Mom ended up sadly but beginning in an irritating tone.
“Mom, what’s the matter? Something has happened. Tell me now.” I said. Mom looked at me shocked.
“How did you know that I wanted to share something?” She asked me.
“O please! Even a small kid would have found out now by looking at your excited face. Tell me right now. I am damn sure that it’s about your lovely elder son.” I told her.
“Yes. You know what, Harsha has taken Ananya outside.” Mom said excitedly.
“Come on Mom! He would have taken her to the shooting spot. That doesn’t sound exciting as he even took Krishna bai once when she asked him to take her.” I snorted.
“Stupid!! This time, Harsha has taken her somewhere else. Because, I heard him saying that he is taking her to some special place!!” Mom chirped happily.
I was shocked to the core. Was it real? I couldn’t believe my ears. From mom’s excited voice, I could believe her. But, what if Harsha spoils the entire game? I know very well about my elder brother. He’s really bad in planning romantic things such as this. You guys would ask me,”Are you so perfect in those, then?” I am not that perfect. Coz, I never planned them for anyone. But, I try to implement something from movies or from some other people. My lovely brother Harsha, is a total nerd. He neither performs romance onscreen nor off screen. I sighed. I just hope Annie doesn’t get more hurt during all these fiasco.
“Mom, do you know where did he take her?” I asked her curiously.
“How do I know? Maybe for a candlelight dinner?” She asked me.
“O please! Your superstar son doesn’t even know about that candlelight dinner and stuff. He would hand over a candle to her and ask her to swallow that as a dinner. Moreover, who has candlelight dinner during afternoon?” I snapped.
“Gosh! Sorry… I forgot that!!” She said sheepishly. I looked at her angrily.
“Hey Ishaan!! When did you wake up man?” I heard Annie’s voice as she entered along with her husbandman. It wasn’t the same Annie, whom I saw here before my departure to Mumbai. Her face bore a little smile. So, her man has done something good. Hope he did.
“He woke up just now, Anu!” Mom complained.
Both of them laughed and I huffed.
“Ishaan, what’s the mystery about chemistry, huh?” She said as she winked and punched me lightly in the abdomen.
“Ouch!” I shrieked.
“Mystery… Chemistry? What sort of riddle is this?” I asked her confusedly.
“Don’t flaunt your acting skills!” She mocked me.
“What nonsense?!” I asked. I walked to the fridge and took a water bottle and was quenching my thirst.
“What is this Ishaan? Do you love any girl who’s working as a chemistry teacher?” Mom asked me.
As soon as I heard this, I felt the water gushing down in the wrong pipe. I choked as a result. Mom patted my back.
“What the hell?! I don’t love anyone!” I said angrily.
“Chill Ishaan! I knew it already. Your brother told me.” She said smiling.
My angry stare shifted from Mom to Harsha. He gulped looking at me.
“Okay, Ishaan. I’ll change and come down. Then we’ll talk.” She said as she went upstairs.
He too was about to follow her, when Mom called him. I sat on the sofa pretending to fiddle with my phone. I gestured mom to ask him where did he take her, through my eyes.
“Harsha… So did you guys enjoy?” She asked.
He nodded.
” So, Where did you guys go?” She asked him.
“I took her to my School.” He said happily.
The smile on my mom’s face vanished.
“What?!” She said, shocked.
“Yeah.” He said shortly.
For the first time, My heart said that Harsha did really good by taking her there.
“Are you mad? You could have took her somewhere else.” Mom said.
“Mom. Why are you over reacting? Harsha did really good. You know that Annie loves children. Moreover, they didn’t have much time to know about each other. By this, Harsha would have shared a major part of his life, that is, his childhood with her. These candlelight dinners, surprise arrangements aren’t required for proving his love. True love requires only understanding. Harsha did really a good thing. ” I said in a go not realising that Harsha was there too. God!! I just blurted everything.
I noticed both of them looking at me with astonishment.
Harsha gave me his signature smile. Though Harsha and I are not in good terms, like any other brother, I too want him to forget all the misunderstandings and start a new beginning. I might have shown my anger to him. But in my heart,I still do have the same affection for him. My anger is the result of my frustration that my brother is spoiling his health and life like dad. I don’t want him to become another Dad. That’s the reason.
I rushed to my room as I sensed their gaze on me.
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It has been a week since he took me for that outing. He has been behaving a little different now. He takes me out twice in a week. Not to that lavish dinners or some luxurious resorts. He took me to a riverside yesterday at midnight. That was so fantastic. I liked it so much.
Though I was reluctant at first, he managed to convince me by crook of course. What swept mg heart away was his simple manner. When many flaunt their status by taking their love to a resort, a dinner or any other surprise arrangements, HE made me feel happy by showing the real happiness. I am liking this changeover. He is slowly clearing the distance between us by this sudden change of his. I smiled as I thought about the previous day’s trip with him.
Here, I am, sitting on my bed, eagerly waiting for his arrival
Here, I am, sitting on my bed, eagerly waiting for his arrival. He is taking offs from shooting schedule often. He took me for a long drive yesterday just after he came from shooting. He would have been tired. That’s the reason, I denied. But this Harsha is more stubborn than he looks from outside. I am happy that we both spend some time together.
But, I feel insecured because I feel that he is doing all these to make me happy as he witnessed the outburst of mine. I think this insecurity will vanish only after his confession.
The door creaked open. I looked up. It was HIM. He flashed his charming smile at me as he entered, making my heart skip a beat.
But his eyes seemed so tired
But his eyes seemed so tired. I smiled at him back.
“Had dinner?” I asked him.
He nodded. “Did you have?” He asked me.
I nodded in yes. He jumped on the bed and he fell on the bed. He rested his head on my lap and closed his eyes. I was shocked at the sudden turn of events. But I didn’t push him away. I could sense that he was tired. I slowly passed my hands through his hairs and caressed it. I rubbed his head softly. I saw his body relaxing. I continued massaging his head. He was looking so cute with his eyes closed.
I was caressing his hair and enjoying the moment. This is what all I wanted. His presence around me. I took his hand and clasped it tightly. Suddenly, I felt my hand being pulled. Before I could realise what’s happening, I felt his lips over my hand. I gasped. He was awake!! Gosh!
He looked straight into my eyes. I lowered my head unable to meet his eyes. He kissed my hand again, making me look at him again, shocked. Smart! Blood rushed over my cheeks.
This time, I looked at his eyes. I could see the difference in his eyes. He looked at me lovingly. His head was still resting on my lap.
“I know Ananya, that you were neglected from the beginning of our marriage. But, trust me. It was not intentional. I was driven away by the passion towards my work that I failed to understand your position and your feelings. I apologize for that Ananya. I won’t do it again. And I know that you’re feeling insecurely due to the recent happenings. But… Those are not fake Ananya! Not at all. In this one week, I realised and experienced the true happiness. That’s you.
Hmmm… I don’t know how to say this… But, I can’t hide this for long.
I LOVE YOU MRS.HARSHA.
Will you give me another chance? Will you give me a chance to be with you always?” He asked me making me breathless.
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