chapter 11

IN PRESENT TIME Suddenly, the train came to a halt at a station, jolting Aashi out of her reverie. She realized that she had been lost in her past memories, suddenly from the window her eyes fell on an old couple who were in their late 60s sitting on a bench of the platform, holding each other tightly like a newly couple. Two luggage bags were placed beside them, indicating that they were waiting for their train to arrive. A smile appeared on Aashi's face as she saw the old couple. she started to hear their conversations. The old Lady: Uff, the train has not yet arrived. The old man: Why are you getting so much worried? The TC has already informed us about the train being delayed for almost 90 minutes due to some unforeseen circumstances. The old lady: But I am so bored by sitting here. The old man: How can you be bored when your dearest husband is sitting along with you? (he replied playfully) The old lady: Oh God, you started your flirtings again ha...why do you keep forgetting that we are no longer the young people we used to be years back...we are old now...such flirting suits only young couples...not old people like us. The old man: Oh my dearest wife, it doesn't matter how old we grow...the romance between us will always sustain as we are still young from our hearts. In fact, that's the reason we are now going for our second honeymoon. The old lady: Shhh! ...please don't talk so loudly...what will the people think if they hear you? The old man: Oh, I don't really care what other people think. And by the way...if I ever cared about other people's opinion, then do you think that we would be able to spend so many years together? The old lady: Absolutely, I still remember years back...when our families were against our relationship due to us being from different castes...how you took the guts...took me away from everyone and married me fearsly. The old man: yes, and the day we married, we promised each other that we shall love each other like this forever for the rest of our life, and now here we are...it's been 45 years of our marriage and we are still together...loving each other madly as much as we loved each other back than. Aashi was stunned seeing the old couple and their love and affection for each other. She got up from the train and went towards them. Aashi: Hello Uncle, Hello Aunty. (Aashi said to them with a smile) They looked at Aashi with curiosity as they didn't know her. The old man: Yes beta, do we know you? Aashi: Not at all uncle, neither do I know you guys...but I have been listening to your talks by sitting in the train...I really loved your talks. I still can't believe that how can someone, after so many years of togetherness, can keep the romance in their relationship still alive. The old man: Beta, if love is true, then no matter how many years pass...the love and romance between two people can never die...in fact, with time...it increases more. Aashi: I hope God gives you many more years together. Hearing Aashi's reply, the couple smiled. The old lady: Our time in this world is almost over now, but you are a young girl...we hope that you find a person you desire to be with. Hearing the lady's reply, Aashi's face became sad. Aashi: That's not possible Aunty...because the person whom I love...he has gone very far from my life...I can't get him ever...God has done injustice when it comes to my love story. The couple saw that Aashi had become sad. The old man: Don't you ever say like that beta (The old man tried to consoled her) If your love is true, it will find its way back to you. Sometimes, life takes unexpected turns, but true love never fades away. Have faith and keep your heart open. you will surely get the person whom you want to be with. "now how do I tell them...that the guy whom I loved the most...doesn't exist in this world anymore" said Aashi to herself in her mind. The couple realised that Aashi had lost in some deep thoughts. The old lady: Beta? ...Beta are you ok ? ...in what thoughts did you get lost in? hearing the lady's voice, Aashi came back to her senses. Aashi: nothing aunty, by the way, where you guys are heading to? The old man: since you already heard our conversations, then it's of no use of hiding anything from you. we are actually going to Ooty for a vacation. The old lady: actually we have been planning this trip from last 2 years...but we were worried about our Son... from past few years, he has gone through a lot of things in his life...we didn't wanted to leave him alone there. but since he is much better now, we finally decided to go, though we were not fully ready to go on this trip...but it was our Son itself, who insisted us to fulfil our wish of going on a trip, and spending our time alone together with eachother and not to worry about him. Aashi: it seems you guys have got a very caring son. and the way you guys delayed your trip for him for almost 2 years, it clearly shows your love towards him. he is lucky to have parents like you. The old man: no beta, actually we are lucky to have a son like him...if he didn't exist in our life then our life would have been.....ah...anyways, let's leave all this talk. by the way, what's your name Beta? and where are you going? Aashi: my name is Aashi and am going to Chawanpur uncle. it's my hometown. The old man: so were you out from your town? Aashi: well I have not visited my hometown from last 4 years...some really bad things happened in my life that compelled me to leave Chawanpur...like as I said earlier...God has done injustice with my love story...and Chawanpur was a place that took away the person from me whom I loved the most. after him going away from my life, I was just not able to live there. (saying this, Aashi's eyes were filled with tears) The old lady: please don't cry like this beta...Aashi: these tears are the only thing that I have got in my life aunty...there is nothing else left. The old man: Beta we might have met you just few minutes back, but looking at you I can tell in full confidence that you are a person with a pure heart and soul. and when it comes to injustice, well God can never does injustice with the people who carry pure soul and heart. I may not be aware about the bad things that have happened in your life, but trust me...you will get your lost love back...you shall be happy once again. Suddenly Aashi heard the horn sound of the train in which she was travelling...making her realise that the train was about to leave. Aashi: I...I need to go now...my train is about to leave...it was really nice meeting you both uncle and aunty. The old man: it was really nice meeting you too beta...The old lady: May God grant you all the happiness you deserve in your life...and have a safe journey. Aashi: you both too have a safe journey as well (saying this, Aashi went back inside the train) as the train started move, Aashi again got lost with her past memories with Aditya. AASHI'S POV Just like this old couple, I too had imagined a life with Aaditya, a life where we will be facing all the challenges and joys that life had to offer us. I had imagined us growing old together, holding eachothers hands, and facing the world as a team. FLASH BACK CONTINUES As time passed, Aditya and Aashi's love for each other only grew stronger. They would often go out, enjoying lunches and dinners together. Their love was pure and genuine, and they couldn't imagine their lives without one another.One day, as Aashi went to meet Aditya at his home, she noticed a crowd of people from the neighborhood gathered around. Curiosity piqued, she made her way through the crowd and saw an old lady arguing with Aditya. It was Mrs. Bhatya, Aditya's landlord.Aditya: Aunty, please try to understand. I don't have enough money to pay your rent (Aditya pleaded) Mrs. Bhatya: No, I don't want to hear anything. Either you pay me the two months' pending rent, or leave the house.(Mrs Dutta replied angrily) Aditya: aunty I have gone through a lot from past few months...I had to leave my job at the cafe due to some circumstances. you know me very well, am not the kind of a person who will stay here for free without paying the rent. so please I request you to give me another month. I'll pay all the pending amount next month. Mrs Bhatya: look, I have given you enough time, now not anymore. either you pay my rent now or leave this house...the choice is yours. Aditya: but aunty...if you put me out of the house like this...I'll...I'll come on the footpath. where...where will I go aunty? (Aditya questioned with a depressing face) Mrs Bhatya: I don't really care if you come on the footpath. you are responsible for it, not me. I did a big mistake by giving a place to live for a begger like you. Aashi was no more able to bear to see Aditya being insulted infront of so many people. her anger had reached at its peak. she walked towards the landlord. Aashi: how dare you to insult someome like this infront of everyone? Mrs Bhatya was taken aback by Aashi's audacity. Mrs Bhatya: who are you to talk to me like this? haven't you been thought to respect your elders? Aashi: I know exactly how to respect my elders, but when they loose their manners...I won't remain quiet. Aditya tried to interrupt them...Aditya: Aashi please...you don't fall in this matter...Aashi: no Aditya, anything related to you is my matter now. she is going on insulting you and you expect me to remain quiet? no Aditya, I won't. Mrs Bhatya: oh hello girl...are you trying to scare me? hearing Mrs Bhatya's question, Aashi turned her face of anger back towards her. Aashi: am not scaring you ...but warning you infront of all this people. if you say one more ill word against Aditya, I won't spare you. Mrs Bhatya: why are you going on arguing with me for this begger? what relation does you hold with him? Aashi: Aditya is my love, my life, my everything. if someone tries to show him down then that person won't be able to escape from the rage of my anger. and now, let me also give you some brief info about myself. am Aashi Triparty...the daughter of this towns richest person Mr Amitabh Triparty. Mrs Bhatya was visibly shaken upon learning who Aashi was. she looked scared and nervous. Mrs Bhatya: ah....I...I...ah...I...(words were not coming out from Mrs Dutta's mouth, she was stammering due to nervousness) Aashi: what happened now aunty? the moment you came to know who I am, why are you stammering now? Mrs Bhatya: am...am sorry...am sorry. from...from now on...I...I won't say anything to Aditya. he...he can stay in here Aashi: no need! from now on, Aditya doesn't have to stay in such small place. am taking him along with me. (Saying this, Aashi turned her face towards Aditya and took her hand forward) come Aditya...come with me... Aditya had become all emotional. he thought for a while, and then finally holded Aashi's hand. Aashi smiled at him and then turned her face again towards Mrs Bhatya in anger. Aashi: don't worry about your pending rent. I'll pay it to you soon with some extra amount. (Saying this Aashi took Aditya with her) they set inside Aashi's car...Aditya: I have never seen you in such anger Aashi...Aashi: it's not my anger Aditya...it's my love towards you. if someome insults you...I won't bare it. I literally felt like killing that lady. (Aashi replied by holding tears and anger in her eyes) Aditya: so...now that I have left that house...I don't have a place to stay...am homeless Aashi: don't worry Aditya...I have a deserving place for you. (Saying this, Aashi turned the car on) she took him to an apartment. as they entered in, Aditya was stunned seeing the apartment...it was huge. Aditya: Aashi....this...this place? Aashi: it belongs to me Aditya...sometimes I come up here with my friends to do party...otherwise, it's closed most of the time. but from now on, this apartment belongs to you. hearing Aashi's reply, Aditya was surprised and speechless, unable to comprehend the extent of her love for him. his eyes were filled with tears. Aditya: what are you saying Aashi...you are letting me to live in such a huge place just like that? Aashi: I want your life to be the best...I don't want to see you going back again into depression Aditya. Aditya: your favours on me are going on increasing Aashi...you are doing so much for me...and here I am, who has not done anything special for you. hearing Adityas reply, Aashi comes closer and plants a kiss on his lips. Aashi: coming of yours in my life is the most special thing I can get from you...I don't expect anything more then that...just stay with me forever...that's all what I want from you. Aditya: am always there with you Aashi...am always there with you. to be continued in next chapter