Chapter 60 - Where was I?

|Innaya|

In life, one has to do things irrespective of what we want to do. It might seem like we are given choices, but the truth is bitter. We're given choices, yet what we need to choose has already been decided. Those choices are for namesake only. Just like the choice of getting married to Eshan. 

My family made it seems like, I had to decide about my marriage, but it wasn't the case. My destiny was already fixed by them. Otherwise, nothing could happen within a snap of a finger. Eshan's family came unannounced, we got engaged instantly, and then within two weeks a simple ceremony, and boom, I was married. 

Barely a month after being married, I had to leave my hometown, a place where my only family lived. In one day, my whole world migrated to a new, unfamiliar building. The building, which slowly became home because of the warmth its host provided and made me the hostess.

These past five months, I didn't realize how my world started revolving around Eshan, only. It amazed me how I, the person who disliked depending on anyone, who raised guard against the mere idea of including someone in her life, let him enter in my life, in my heart.

Where that left me? Allowing him in my life, turned out to be this painful, some beautiful, and memorable days of bliss, and later all remained was a pain.

I blinked my eyes as tears again started resurfacing in them. I bit my lip; my numb body fell backward as instead of my knees, I was now sitting on my buttocks in a very sorry state.

Arjun had not left, and I was quite aware of his piercing blue eyes trained upon me. 

"Leave," I said as I hardened my heart. It was over, all over. There was no use of holding him back when I knew he wasn't going to be of any help. 

When I heard no sound even after quite a time had passed, I raised my head to look at him. I expected to meet his cold and empty eyes, but I was surprised to see the same concern swirling in those blue eyes. Baffled, I watched him kneeling in front of me, offering me the white handkerchief. I stared at his outstretched hand, foolishly.

What was he trying to do? Shouldn't he leave after I granted him an easy escape?

"Stop crying. You look ugly."

What was that? Sarcasm? Joke? Truth? I failed to understand the sudden change in his behavior. The man who didn't care to speak more than a couple of words in the past two months was now crouching before me, holding me, comforting me. It was unexpected.

"Shh…" Arjun pulled me in a brotherly hug when I sat still, too stunned to react. "Silly girl," he helplessly said as he patted my head. And, that action of his had me weeping all over again. 

*

*

*

Have you ever been in a situation where you are blindfolded and have your ears covered with headphones so that you are unable to know about what's happening around you? 

Well, it was not some kidnapping saga of any television serial or plot of any novel, but the reality of my present situation. I had a blank cloth covering my eyes, tied around my head. Also, headphones were covering my ears, playing some old songs. If it had been any other day, I would have enjoyed listening to those old Hindi songs, but today was different.

The predicament I was in, might feel unnatural to many, but I was not the least bit affected. I knew for the fact, what was awaiting me at the end of this journey. For the destination ahead of this road, every struggle was worthwhile. 

Time passed, and as I had no idea what was happening around me, I could only wait for Arjun's further instructions. Since we sat in the car, after he made sure I fulfilled his demands of blindfold and headphones, Arjun had not for the once talked to me.

After what felt like an eternity, I felt the car coming to the stop. All this while, if not for some bumps on the road, and changing speed, I would have considered ourselves idling in the stationary car. 

The songs stopped, and I heaved a sigh of relief. Finally, we had arrived. The door of the driver's side opened, and it soon closed after Arjun left his seat. I waited patiently for him to open my side of the door, and take me out of this car to the place I was wishing to reach. 

Arjun didn't disappoint me. He covered the distance in long strides and swiftly took me out. He unfolded the cloth from my eyes but reminded me to keep them close.

"Be careful, and walk slowly," Arjun instructed as he held my hand and guided me on the path, only he could see.

The sweet and musky fragrance of the roses wafted in the air. I could do nothing but let my lungs take their fill. I had promised to keep my eyes closed, and I was going to keep it that way, following his every single command. His hand guided me, and trusting him, I kept my eyes shut.

"I don't want you to know the route. This will be the first, and the last time, I am taking you to him. Try sorting out everything, if you can."

The words of Arjun floated in my mind from last night. While I cried thinking I had lost everything, he had knelt before me taking me in his arms, being there for the girl he considered his sister. 

Arjun stopped walking after we covered a considerable distance. Beside him, my steps came to halt too.

"I will be waiting outside," Arjun whispered taking me out of my thoughts before I felt him moving away.

The sound of his footsteps faded away, and I could feel the loneliness and silence in the air.

Where was I?

*