LOVE, LIFE, SECRETS: Answers lie within – CHAPTER 68

CHAPTER 68: After a long time

Years….

Four years….

It had been four years since the time they had last met….

She was waiting impatiently…. Looking at the door of the café every other minute…. She was so excited and happy to meet her Maa after so many years…. Mishti checked her watch once again…. Meera had told her to meet her and from that time, Mishti was eagerly looking forward to the meeting….

She was sitting there thinking about the first time she had met Abir’s mother who within no time became her Maa….

It was their second year in college when Abir and Mishti were to do a project together and they had decided to work at Abir’s house…. Meera had welcomed her with great love and affection and pampered her a lot during that time, within those few days they had developed a special bond…. Mishti herself did not know when she started calling Meera as Maa instead of aunty, but since then Mishti knew she had found someone just like her mother who would be with her during all her times, good or bad…. Mishti and Meera had a special relation also because it was Meera who had made her realize her love for Abir…. And then her Maa had been there with her even when she had broken Abir’s trust and heart…. Mishti had always thought that after her break up with Abir, Meera would go away from her but nothing like that happened, instead their bond became stronger….

Mishti was lost in thinking about all those years of memories when she felt a hand on her shoulder…. She turned to look at the person and tears of happiness collected in her eyes…. Mishti stood up from her place and quickly hugged her Maa…. Meera too hugged her back and caressed her hair….

It was not only a daughter who was craving to meet her mother, but also a mother who was craving to see her daughter once again….

After a few moments they parted and Meera kissed Mishti’s forehead and caressed her face…. The two settled down on their chairs….

Mishti: I missed you so much Maa….

Meera: Ha, isiliye toh milne aati thi na mujhse (And that is why you used to come to meet me)

Mishti: Sorry Maa, but how could I…. After whatever I did with Abir, I could not….

Meera: Rishta Abir ke saath tut gaya tha, apni maa se kyu dur ho gayi (Relation was broken with Abir, why did you go away from your mother)

Mishti: Kaise dur na hoti, jo kuch bhi hua meri wajah se (How could I not go away, because of me)

Meera: It was not your fault Mishti; we know that it was his and only his fault….

Mishti: Either ways I only became the reason for everything….

Meera: Then it is my fault also, I should have stopped Kunal, I should have stopped you….

Mishti: No Maa, it was not your fault….

Meera: Then it was not your fault also, you did everything for keeping the relations between two brothers safe and secure….

Both of them got lost thinking about that unfaithful day that changed everything in Mishti and Abir’s lives….

*Flashback to four years ago*

It was Mishti and Abir’s last year in college…. Abir was very excited as he had decided to propose Mishti for marriage and make their relation official forever and tell the world that Mishti and he were going to be together always…. Abir was waiting for Mishti at the place they had decided to meet…. He was pacing around feeling nervous when he saw her walking towards him…. Abir took few deep breathes and composed himself…. There was nothing to worry about, it was his Mishti and they loved each other a lot….

Abir: Mishti….

Mishti: Abir, before you say anything, there is something very important that I have to tell you.

Abir: I’ll definitely listen to you Mishti but before that you have to hear me, please don’t deny.

Mishti who was not aware of what he was going to say agreed seeing his eyes that always melted her heart…. She could not say anything and just nodded…. She was hurting from inside as she was going to hurt her Abir a lot today…. She could at least hear what he had to say one last time….

Abir smiled at her and took her hands in his…. Mishti looked on not letting her eyes fill with tears….

Abir: Mishti, I know you were the one who proposed me first and confessed your love for me, but this time I decided that I have to do it first….

Mishti looked at him confused while he just smiled…. Abir continued….

Abir: Mishti, you and I, we both know how much we love each other and we are always going to be there with each other, and I know we have a lot of time together but still I wish to do this today….

Abir kneeled down in front of her and Mishti realized what he was going to do…. Abir took out the ring from his pocket…. He smiled and looked at Mishti…. She looked on shocked…. Abir was about to slid the ring in her finger when she pulled her hand out of his hold and moved back…. Abir looked at her shocked by her move…. He stood up and moved towards her but Mishti moved back, and he looked at her surprised….

Mishti: Abir, what are you doing, what is all this? Have you lost it, what is all this drama?

Abir: Mishti….

Mishti made her mind, this was her chance to do it, and she had to break his heart now…. She cursed herself for doing this but now that she had promised Kunal, she would not back out….

Mishti: Don’t look at me like that, as if I am saying something wrong. Don’t tell me, you really thought we were going to have a future together, like really Abir…. How could you even think all this, Abir, we have not even finished our graduation, we have to make our careers, our lives and I am definitely not going to get binded in this love and marriage right now…. I know I told you I love you and I really like you Abir, but then this is our college life, we get attracted to someone but that doesn’t mean we get married to that person, all this is a part of college life….

Abir looked at her even more shocked hearing her words….

Abir: What are you saying Mishti? All this….

Mishti: Yes Abir, all this happens, happens with everyone. Relations are made but they do not have to last forever, I thought you are smart to know this, but I guess I was wrong…. Just because we spent some time together and I said a few times that I love you that does not mean I’ll be with you for always….

Abir: Stop it Mishti, what are you saying? What is wrong with you, this is not you, what is wrong with you?

Mishti: Nothing is wrong with me but I guess you need to check yourself, because many things seem to be wrong with you. Anyways leave all that, I had just come to tell you that after exams I am leaving Rajkot and it is time we move on from whatever we had between us.

Abir looked at her shocked…. He did not know what to say, how to react…. Mishti could not stay there any longer….

Mishti: Abir, I really had a great time with you, but now it is time to move ahead in life. So, forget all this and move on.

She said so and turned to go…. Abir would hate her and she knew she deserved it now…. She was not worthy of his love, a love for which she could not even fight for…. She was about to walk away when Abir held her hand and with a force made her face him…. She looked at him shocked by the sudden pull….

Abir: Who do you think you are, what do you think of yourself? Who gave you the rights to decide all this? Jab tumhara maan kare tab pyaar hai, rishta hai aur jab naa kare tab naa pyaar hai aur naa hi rishta…. You know what you are right, we should forget all this and move on, because you, Mishti Agarwal are not worthy of my love, you do not deserve all this…. You don’t deserve anyone, you are selfish and…. I…. I hate you….

He could not say anything further and left her hand pushing her backwards…. Mishti stumbled a little but composed herself…. Abir looked at her once and walked away from there…. Mishti looked at him going away and fell on the ground…. Tears now flowing from her eyes….

Mishti: I am sorry Abir….

Mishti looked up when she felt a hand on her shoulder…. Meera sat down beside her and Mishti hugged her tightly…. Mishti cried her heart out while Meera caressed her back…. After sometime, they broke the hug and Meera wiped Mishti’s tears….

Meera: Why did you do this Mishti, you should have told Abir everything.

Mishti: No Maa, I could not tell him, if he is so hurt because of me, and the love that had been there only for two years, imagine what would be his condition if he would have known about Kunal, his brother whom he loves so much and has always been with.

*Flashback ends*

Their chain of thoughts broke as the waiter arrived at their table to take their order…. They quickly placed their order and the waiter moved away….

Mishti: Maa, you said you wanted to talk about something important, what has happened? Is everything fine?

Meera: Nothing is fine Mishti, but we have to make it fine.

Mishti: What do you mean Maa?

Meera: I mean, I have thought about it and I have decided it is time that Abir and you get married.

Mishti looked at her surprised by her sudden decision….

Mishti: But Kunal….

Meera: No Mishti, it is enough now, stop thinking about Kunal and his happiness. Think about Abir, yourself, and your happiness, don’t you want Abir to be happy?

Mishti: I want him to be happy Maa I always want Abir to be happy but….

Meera: Then don’t think much, you are his happiness, and he deserves his happiness.

Mishti: Maa, I know what you mean to say but….

Meera: Mishti, life does not give everybody a second chance to get back their love, but Abir and you have got it, think about it Mishti. Do you really want to let go of him once again, do you want to break his heart again?

Mishti: No Maa, I cannot do it again….

Mishti could not do it again…. She had done it once and she could never think of doing it again….

Meera: Then agree to get married to him.

Mishti: Maa, I’ll get married to Abir. You are right, it is time to think about Abir’s happiness now.

Meera smiled at her while Mishti smiled back….

Meera: But before that you also have to tell him the truth, tell him everything that happened in the past.

Mishti: Maa….

Meera: Yes Mishti, he deserves to know it. And Kunal has to face the consequences of his mistakes.

Mishti did not know what to say…. She could never tell Abir the truth…. He would be broken knowing that his brother, his Kunal was the reason Mishti had left him years ago….

*****

Hello everyone, I hope you all are doing well.
Here is the next chapter of the story, do share your views.

All of you were waiting for Mishti and Abir’s past to unfold, so here is the first part from the past, some more shocking revelations are yet to come, so stay tuned.
How will Abir react when he will learn that Kunal was the reason for their breakup? Why does Kunal want Mishti away from his brother’s life? Will Kunal again try to separate Mishti and Abir?

Keep reading and smiling!!!
Take care and stay safe!!!