Chapter 22: chapter 22

Rakesh and Sachin picked Shreya from airport. Sachin literally stuffed her at the back seat and sat beside Rakesh in the passenger seat at front. When he heard about Shreya's arrival, the only thing that hit Sachin's mind was, nothing should complicate Rakesh's life. And at the same time, Shreya shouldn't get hurt because she was there for them right from their childhood. But if she trigger Rakesh or Rakshita surely, she would be hurt by Rakesh's action, as he is in very much in love with Rakshita and he won't allow even the air to bother his lovable wife. So inorder to reduce the chaos and maintain peace in family Sachin had put himself in the middle. Rakesh suggested they have breakfast outside. Shreya told she can wait until they reach home, as it's been years since she had eaten Sheela auntie's cooking. But Sachin insisted, due to traffic it might take past their breakfast time and he is already hungry. Shreya nodded at his childish behaviour and agreed to eat outside, declaring anyway from now on she is gonna eat only Sheela auntie's cooking. Both the brothers rolled their eyes at the comment. Rakesh parked the vehicle in front of a good diner and everyone got down. As it was before working hours, only few people were there, so they got to sit at a secluded table. Each one gave their orders. Shreya started talking about her vacation that she took for the last three months, exploring different European countries. She told how exciting it was and at the same time how nostalgic she felt. She told only during her vacation she understood how much she missed Rakesh and how much she felt the need to settle down. That's why she has come back to India as soon as she returned from her vacation. Sachin's mind voice thought, if she hasn't been on vacation, surely she would have got the news about Rakesh's wedding. Then she would  have appeared exactly at the wedding to stop it. Thank heaven for her timely vacation. But Rakesh tried to contact her to invite her for the wedding and make her understand that he isn't her type and they aren't meant to be a couple. Since no one knew which country she was in, it became hard to reach her and eventually they missed out. Waiter served them the dishes. Rakesh passed the bowls and Shreya noticed the ring on his hand and held it. Rakesh suddenly drew away his hand at her touch. He himself couldn't fathom why he reacted that way. But it had surely hurt her. She squinted her eyes and said what's wrong in looking that and teased not to behave as if it's engagement ring. Both the brothers looked down. Understanding their expression she realised something is off. She looked at Rakesh and said, "Don't tell me you are engaged with someone?", Sachin said a loud no. Shreya and Rakesh turned towards him, he said, "Rakesh is not engaged. He is married.", Tears formed in Shreya's eyes, she asked Rakesh to stop Sachin from joking around. But Rakesh declared what Sachin said was true. Shreya was holding a glass of water to support her shivering hands. But hearing Rakesh say that, she broke the glass, the pieces piercing her palm. Blood gushed, both Rakesh and Sachin tried to hold her, but she held up her hand, gesturing them to stop and stood up and went out. Rakesh looked at Sachin, who too was equally stunned at her reaction. Both followed her out immediately and tried to talk to her, but she just turned around and slapped Rakesh on his face, imprinting her bloody fingers on his cheeks and left and sat on the rock in the lawn in front of the diner. Another waitress came running with a first aid kit, witnessing the scene and tried to treat her palm. She cried endlessly. Sachin went and sat near her, at first she pushed him away but then she leaned on his shoulders and wept for a very long time. He asked the waitress to bring her food outside and he fed her . Rakesh just stood away from them and watched everything. Once she was a little composed, Sachin told her what happened and how Rakesh had already met Rakshita years ago and how unfortunate to that she was the bride and how they tried to contact her for the wedding. Whole time she listened with her eyes glued on the grass in front of her. Finally, she looked up straight at Sachin's eyes and asked, "you mean that he got the love of his life. Then what about me,what about my love, were I am fooling myself all these years. ", Sachin had no answer for this. Rakesh came in front of her, she looked at him with furious eyes. Rakesh knelt before her, she turned away, Sachin left them alone, Rakesh took her hands in his and spoke softly. "I had never known your hands held so much power until now", he smiled sadly at her, "but these same hands never meant to bleed that too because of me, I am not worth your love Shreya. You know that. I left you alone thinking that you will realise that we aren't meant for eachother, once I am not in the picture. To be honest, I had never felt anything romantic towards you. You are like Nikita to me, that's how I treated you, cared for you. Since you have never allowed any other guy in your life other than me, you thought my care as love. But it's not love. Please understand. Don't waste your tears for me. "She sniffed and looked up at him and asked, "Is she more beautiful than me?", Rakesh laughed at her question and said "Come and see for yourself and then tell me". Rakesh took her hand, held her and brought her back to their car. Sachin settled the bills and thanked the waitress who helped in treating Shreya and came out and waited in the car. They got in and started to move. Shreya is apprehensive to meet Rakshita but she held herself in control, like the one perfect woman, so fierce and perfect, confidence oozing from her persona though her heart is broken in to thousand pieces.