CHAPTER-30
HEARTBREAK
Chapter Highlights...
“Hello Khushi, nice to meet you”, Akshat greeted her. He smiled widely and hugged her. I closed my fist, swallowed my tears, and survived the heavy thunderbolt of shock striking my delicate heart. Who was she?
“Oh!”, Akshat turned back and exclaimed to me. He had wrapped her shoulders in his left hand. “Naomi, meet my fiance, Khushi. My parents chose her over the matrimonial site. It's only after meeting her that I realized we are made for each other.”
Fiance?! The very word jumped from top to bottom and vice-versa, within my esophagus.
“What?!”, I exclaimed, with tears accumulating in my eyes.
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Naomi’s POV
“The exercise of the equidistance method of delimitation is not obligatory between the parties….”
It was a bright morning. We had Akshat’s class going on, at ten. I jotted down the key points as he explained, maintaining eye contact with every student in the classroom. He smiled at some who shook their heads to stop their eyes from shutting.
Akshat suddenly looked at me. He raised his eyebrows accompanied by a lovely smile; yes, the very good old smile when he used to pursue me despite my refusal. Wow! Are things finally back to normal? Great, if you say so, Akshat sir. Bravo! Glad this happened after such a long time. I blushed and chuckled to myself. I took a deep breath to put an end to Shashank’s battle.
“Yes sir, I understood everything”, said I, blushing and nodding at him.
“Impressive!”, he commented, continuing with his lecture.
“Dude, Akshat sir finally spoke to me normally. I hope there isn’t a misunderstanding anymore. I hope he is the sweet and considerate Kiku who struggled for my transfer here”, I whispered to Vyomi who winked at me and dashed my shoulder.
As soon as Akshat’s mobile beeped, he grabbed it from the desk behind him. He chuckled at the notification. I shrugged at Vyomi wondering what it could be.
“Ready for the surprise?”, she whispered. I blushed, moving my hair behind the ears and looking down at the floor. She dashed my shoulder once again. She teased me by citing that someone was feeling shy like a bride that day. I shook my head and looked away. I hid my lips with my palm to conceal my wide grin.
“Naomi!”, Akshat called me.
“Sir!”, I exclaimed, standing up. Karan and my other friends too shared peaceful grins with each other. I swallowed my tears at the fact that others felt happy for me; they were happy because I was happy with Akshat.
“Did you share those questions?”, he asked. I nodded.
“I printed out a copy for each of us. I also distributed the hard copy of those assignment questions. I received five submissions already this morning.”
“Sexy!”
The entire class laughed at his funny remark. I too looked around and burst into a round of laughter. I couldn’t recollect when I let out such a hearty laugh the last time. I bulged my eyes and blushed at Akshat, shrinking his eyes and laughing back at his students.
“Sir, you are damn cool”, Karan commented. He whistled along with a few guys from the back benches.
“Guys, chill”, began Akshat, “I meant to appreciate your efforts this semester. If you continue with the same level of enthusiasm, you can easily crack the exams with flying colors. Keep it up!”
The class cheered again. I too gestured a thumbs-up at him.
“So, we are done for today’s class. I offer the last ten minutes as a bonus. Relax!”, he announced. I chuckled at Karan dancing on the bench. Akshat placed a finger on the lip and gestured for the excited students to control themselves lest Rishabh would screw him.
“Naomi!”
“Sir!”
He came walking towards my seat. He stood right next to me.
“Come with me to the staffroom right now”, said he, pointing at the assignments hand-written on A4 sheets put together in a stick file. As I followed him, I was on cloud nine. I couldn’t stop myself from smiling and checking him out. Although he seemed normal, I wanted to apologize for screwing him last evening and clarify about Shashank as well. He somehow was in a good mood. Don’t delay, Naomi.
“Thanks”, said he, as I placed the files on his table.
“Sure, sir”, said I, with a wide smile. He chuckled. “Sir, how did your anger vanish overnight? I mean over the call…”
“Excuse me”, we heard a sweet female voice. We turned to look at a tall, slim, and fair lady of around twenty-five, smiling from the entrance. She looked beautiful in long straightened hair till the waist. She wore a yellow salwar.
“Hello Khushi, nice to meet you”, Akshat greeted her. He smiled widely and hugged her. I closed my fist, swallowed my tears, and survived the heavy thunderbolt of shock striking my delicate heart. Who was she?
“Oh!”, Akshat turned back and exclaimed to me. He had wrapped her shoulders in his left hand. “Naomi, meet my fiance, Khushi. My parents chose her over the matrimonial site. It's only after meeting her that I realized we are made for each other.”
Love is so blind that it just happens unexpectedly.
You may fall for anyone!
Would you let go of your policy if you fell for someone you shouldn't? What would you choose-your policy or your beloved?
Fiance?! The very word jumped from top to bottom and vice-versa, within my esophagus.
“What?!”, I exclaimed, with tears accumulating in my eyes.
“Yes yes, this was the surprise I discussed with you. You must attend our marriage. Haha!”, Akshat revealed. I forced my left palm through the nail protruding from his table. The pain was nothing in front of what I felt. Why am I unable to feel happy for my well-wisher getting married? I breathed hard at him complimenting her who smiled and nodded. Akshat introduced me as an ambitious and brilliant Law student to Khushi.
“Hello Naomi!”, Khushi extended her right hand to greet me formally. I couldn’t even fake a smile at which she wondered while Akshat frowned. But, I thought that he was no longer mad at me. I was curious to ask him how he lost his frustration so quickly but his response was unexpected. Does this mean that Akshat no longer loves me?
“I’m sorry. I need to leave for the next class. Bye!”, said I, rushing outside. I hid my bleeding left palm with the right palm.
“Sorry Khushi, she is a nerd. Haha! Will meet during our engagement…”
“No problem, your university’s campus is indeed a dream. I loved it…”
I heard traces of their conversation as I hurried downstairs. I sat on a bench on the lawn. I looked up at the sky. I closed my eyes and wept my heart out, bitterly.
Scenes of Akshat and Khushi standing together flashed in my mind, over and over. I sobbed recollecting how I had met Akshat for the first time on a local bus, followed by dropping papers at the staffroom, mistaking him to have been a clerk, his travel to Bangalore just for me-a complete stranger, our moments of celebrations through hugs, his proposal and all of our sweet memorable moments.
“I miss you, Kiku”, grumbled I, recollecting how he had nicknamed me Kiku. It was the first time someone had given me a nickname. It was the first time someone cared for me, more than my own family. Akshat entered my life when my own parents lost hope in me. He not only supported my studies but also gave me a lovely life. I had never been this close to a guy ever before.
My thoughts were interrupted by someone patting my shoulder. I turned back to face Vyomi. I hugged her firmly and drenched her T-shirt of jeans material, with tears.
“Dude, why are you crying? What happened?”
“Vyomi, I lost Akshat”, I trembled, kneeling down, in front of her. I told her everything. She bent to wipe my tears. She helped me sit back on the bench. I rested my head on her shoulders and wept. That's when I realized the pain of heartbreak. It was more painful than suffering from the dreadful carcinoma.
“Hey, come on. You are a strong independent woman. Don’t cry. Let him go if he wants to. He doesn’t deserve your love…”
“No, it's me who has never deserved love. As he too mentioned, I was perhaps destined to be lonely.”
“Dude, come on, he is overacting. What’s the use of loving someone who doesn’t understand your tough situation? Just drop the matter.”
I wiped my tears. My nose was blocked as if I was suffering from a heavy running nose. I spotted Tanvi, Diya, and an angry Karan too standing around us. I shook my head.
“I can’t love him, I repeat.”
“Enough”, Tanvi said, “You must admit the truth at least now, dude. He will leave your life once he gets married. Don’t you get it?”
Diya was busy meddling with the first-aid kit for my injured left palm. She nodded at Tanvi’s point. “Propose to Akshat sir. He is such a gem of a person. I’m sure your acceptance will clarify everything”, she highlighted.
“No guys”, said I.
“Then, why are you crying if his marriage doesn’t affect you? You don’t love him. What is he supposed to do, wait like Nisha of ‘Reunion’? Life isn’t cinematic. He needs a partner. You have two choices-either accept him or let go of him”, said Karan.
“Karan, stop!”, I interrupted him. “I’m anxious because Akshat has hastened his decision to get married. Don’t you think he needs time to think about us and then decide? Marriage isn’t a game. It's a big chapter of life…”
“Stop it, dude”, said he, “His marriage is his decision. He can handle himself. You leave it free.” I shook my head and broke down again. Diya sat beside me and patted me.
“Fine, I got you”, Tanvi observed. She nodded at Karan. I shrugged. I repeated, “Guys, that's why I feel guilty. I’m scared that our misunderstanding has forced him to somehow get married. But, that isn’t the case…”
“Yes, dude, we understand”, said Tanvi, massaging my shoulder. “I will leave for the class. We shall share the notes with you.”
“Take rest, Naomi. Return to class only after you feel better”, advised Karan. I requested Vyomi and Diya to leave too but they refused. I had never got such close friends who cared for me more than themselves. Aww! But, Akshat sir…how could you do this?
I gazed at a rabbit hopping around the silent corner far opposite where we sat. I thanked Diya for the bandage. I rested my head on her while Vyomi threw her mouth open and grew anxious; she always did it when I cried.
“Naomi”, I heard Akshat from behind me. I turned my weary pink face back at the angry young man.
“Sir?”, asked I, getting up from the seat. Vyomi and Diya too got up.
“What’s your damn problem in life? Neither will you love me nor will you let me move on with someone else and settle in life. What do you want?”, he raised his voice. I exchanged a puzzled face with my friends.
“Sir, what have I done?”
“Stop pretending to be innocent. How dare you mislead Khushi that both of us love each other?”
I shook my head. “No, sir. Not at all. I didn’t speak a word with her…Why would I?...”
“We did it. Don’t scold Naomi, sir”, said Karan, as he joined us with Tanvi offering a smile of success at me. I shook my head. I was blank.
“Wait, weren’t you attending the human rights law class?”, I asked, at which they shook their heads and apologized.
“We informed Khushi that her fiance is in love with another girl but due to a small misunderstanding, they are currently fighting. However, Akshat sir forced himself to get married…”, informed Tanvi.
“Why?”, I cut her, “Didn’t I tell you guys upfront that I would handle this? It's a matter between just the both of us. Didn’t I mention that I don’t need any help?...”
“Come on, dude. How do you think you will handle the situation? Just crying will do?”, Karan rebuked me.
“Stop it, guys”, Akshat interrupted us. He neared me, extended his right index finger, and warned, “Whatever, it's none of your business. You said ‘No’ and it's all over between us not because you turned me down, but instead, you irritated my pure heart with a foolish act ....”
I placed my hand on his chest and pushed him a little away. “Kiku, please stop this. Let me clarify once again, for the umpteenth time. I don’t love anyone. Shashank was behind me.” I gestured for him to stop when he was about to speak.
“I haven’t completed it. Wait!”, said I, “I being a lonely girl can never ever dream of hurting your emotions as you have been claiming. You have mistaken me, sir. Trust me, I haven’t done any foolish act, as you say, to mock your love."
"Why do you think I will? I have always specified and I repeat, none have ever loved me as much as you. You are very special to me, Akshat sir. How can I do something to hurt you? Think about it.” I caught his hand, emphasizing, “If I close my eyes and think about life, it's you who comes to my mind. None else taught me how to live a happy life. I had only met materialistic netizens before.” I shook him as he rolled his eyeballs hither and thither.
“Please don’t avoid me, sir. I can’t imagine how much I will break. I can hurt myself but never others, especially someone who has made me feel so special.” I hugged him firmly. My other friends smiled at each other. Akshat stood dumbstruck at me.
“Kiku, I don’t know if what I felt now, seeing you with Khushi, was love. But, at present, I have decided to give myself some time to think about your proposal. I don’t know if I love you. I feel our relationship is complicated. But, I can never lose you to someone else. I’m not sure about my emotions for you. Anyways, I will give it a deep thought from now on”, I concluded, blushing along.
I hugged him. He released himself and walked away. After walking for quite a few feet ahead, he stopped. He turned back, smiled, and nodded at me. Karan let out his whooping cough. I chuckled to myself, smiling at the fresh grass shining with the incidence of the morning beam.
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The next afternoon, I covered my face with the washbasin. I gobbled my mouth and washed my face. I opened the door to return to the sick room.
“Oh gosh! Did you vomit again?”, the doctor enquired. I nodded and sat beside Vyomi.
“I think I’m allergic to fig. I was unaware. I shared a dry fruit snack with Akshat sir. Look at what happened”, I complained. The nurse smiled reassuring me that I would be fine.
“It's until all the discomfort leaves your body that the food poisoning activities will continue. Avoid suspicious food items hereafter. Take off the second half for today. You need rest”, the doctor advised. I nodded. I closed my eyes and massaged my stomach as I felt it squashed inside. The nurse opened a green tablet strip and pushed a tiny tablet into my mouth. Vyomi helped me grab a glass of water.
“Dude, how can I skip Akshat sir’s class? Moreover, he said that he will be discussing an important topic today. Remember those principles?”, I whispered. Vyomi nodded.
“Health is wealth. Your health is more important right now, dude. I’m sure sir will understand. You never bunk though, even in the most boring dispute resolution class”, she consoled me, with a round of sarcastic laughter. I urged her to leave. I didn’t want her to miss classes once again because of me.
“Dude, shut up and attend the class. I need your notes to study”, said I.
“Oh, sure boss!”, she said, in her hurried tone. As soon as she left, I rested on the bed. It had a plain white spreadsheet and a white pillow. Yuck! I felt like a patient. I moved my legs restlessly and sometimes turned to my left and right. I just couldn’t bear the pain. I was left alone in the sick room.
The doctor and the nurse left for a cup of coffee. I underwent another vomiting sensation but struggled to vomit. I hissed to myself. I tried to divert myself by recollecting Akshat’s happy face when we blushed at each other as we had lunch together that afternoon. I smiled to myself but our special moments after long, didn’t promise to be my solution; neither could I sleep. I didn’t know how to divert myself to escape the pain.
“Naomi!”, I heard an anxious male voice, a while after my struggle.
I lifted my head to spot Akshat entering my room. He gestured for me to lie back comfortably. He sat beside me. I smiled reading the concern in his meek and hesitant eyes.
“Kiku, I’m feeling better”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know...Vyomi just told me everything…”
I grabbed his hand and kissed it. I blushed, highlighting, “Neither did I know! Don’t blame yourself, Kiku…” Yuck! I vomited a bit and dirtied his pants. I rushed to the attached bathroom. I puked and returned. As I coughed, he helped me rest on the bed.
“Sorry, I happened to dirty your dress. I’m very sorry, Kiku”, I apologized, to which he smiled, shaking his head. He cleaned his pants with tissue paper from the tray. Tears accumulated in my eyes as I noticed him feeling absolutely no disgust. Kiku, who am I to you? I remember my father screwing me for dirtying his pants back during my childhood; I had spilled a glass of milk accidentally.
“Aww, Akshat sir. You’re damn sweet. I’m glad our fates coincided”, I complimented him. He neared my forehead. He blushed as he leaned forward and kissed me. I breathed hard. During the entire moment, I forgot that my stomach was upset. We couldn’t take our eyes off each others’.
“How do you feel now, dear?”, asked an overacting male voice. Shashank rushed inside.
Oops! How will Akshat react now? Will he manage to handle Shashank?
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