Fighting!

Chapter 5

Chapter 5:

Ananya's point of view:

Don’t say anything stupid!

Don’t say anything stupid!

Don’t say anything stupid!

I reminded myself again and again as both of us stood in my balcony. Our parents sent us here so that we could talk. Awkward.

I don’t want to spew nonsense and make a fool of myself in which trust me, I’m very good at. I looked at him who was standing beside me at a distance looking at the garden view with his hands on the railings. He looks like a model posing for i********: posts.

This silence is getting more awkward so I cleared my throat to get his attention. His posture went rigid and he turned towards me.

“Hi” I said awkwardly internally cringing at myself.

He looked at me studying me.

“I heard you work in an IT company. How is it going on?” I asked taking a lead.

“Good” was all he said. My mood soured, I was expecting something more from him.

But his voice was deep and husky, giving me slight Goosebumps. I have never flirted with any guy or imagined myself romantically with anyone so me having a slight crush on this guy is very new.

“Can I be honest?” he asked suddenly. He looked very uncomfortable.

I nodded.

Where is my quirkiness when I need it?

“I’m only here because of my daughter. You look like a nice girl who is career oriented. But if by any chance say yes to this proposal, it will only be about Diya. I’m sure you know my story so I’m really not looking for anything romantically. I don’t want to give you any false hope and ruin your life. This is what it is and this is what it will be. I’m very career oriented. My career comes first to me. If you say yes, don’t keep any expectations from me and if you say no, good for you” he completed and I totally didn’t like his tone.

All the shyness and awkwardness left my body.

“And what makes you think a young career oriented girl would say to you after knowing your story?” I asked him openly, if he was so sure that I would say no then why the hell is he here.

He looked a bit shocked by my outburst. Probably must have thought that I was a shy girl.

Ha! Jokes on him.

“I’m here because my mom forced me too” He answered with his full attention on me.

“What are you 5? I asked crossing my arms across my chest.

He looked at me as if I slapped him.

“Look-“

“No, you look mister. I’m was also not ecstatic about this proposal too but I said yes respecting Akshay’s words. I trust him and when he said good things about you, I believed him. But if you only want this marriage so that you can leave your daughter with me and wonder off to your precious little career then I’m not that girl. And the way you spoke to me, if you do the same with any girl, no one will agree to this stupid deal of yours. Your being honest, I appreciate that but no girl dreams of her future like that one you described. So, next time you go to see another girl because “your mom forced” be a little bit sensitive and polite and take interest in that girl. By god’s grace she might say yes to your ridiculous scenario” I said huffing, with my words filled with sarcasm and stormed off leaving him standing there with his mouth slightly open like a gold fish.

Idiot.

What does he think of himself?

Greek god?

Huh! He’s got to be kidding himself.

Sure, he looks like one but that’s the point.

I chided with my subconscious.

I rushed to my parents’ room and close the door to see my two friends sitting on the bed with the baby in their arms and playing with her.

Great.

Exactly! What I needed.

------------- ------------- -------------- ----------- --------------- ---------------- ----------- --------------- --------------- -------------- --------------

“So??” I heard Maya as I sat there staring at Diya, who by the way is the cutest thing ever I mean it’s kind of obvious, her father is a Greek god, duh!

I raised my head to see both Arshi and her staring at me expectantly.

I sighed.

“It was a disaster” I said shrugging.

Both sighed.

“Well, we kind of expected that” Arshi said wincing, holding Diya close to her.

“Guys, it’s not my fault. That baby’s father is an A-S-S” I said spelling those words not to curse in front of the baby.

“Anu, you really don’t like him?” Maya asked jingling keys in front of Diya who tried to catch it.

“He’s very attractive, I’m not gonna lie. I mean his looks are urgh!” I said rolling my eyes upwards.

Both of my friends grinned at me.

“But guys that guy, he has a lot of issues. He wants to marry me just for Diya’s sake. He wants someone to look after her and play mother role to her. That’s it. He doesn’t want anything to do with this relation” I explained to them briefly.

“That’s f****d up” Maya said grimacing.

I shrugged.

“But I think you guys make a really good pair” Arshi said smiling making me roll my eyes.

These are the kind of people who makes you take wrong decision and ruin your life.

“Yeah, so good that he didn’t even look at me twice” I said sulking.

It’s disheartening to see the guy you are interested in, not look at you the same way. It hurts my pride but I can’t do anything about it.

It’s what it is.

“Anu, you know your beautiful af. If he doesn’t see that then let him go f**k himself” Maya said getting enraged.

“Hey, there’s a kid here” Arshi scolded us.

I sighed and put my hands forward to hold Diya.

If the father is an ass, at least I can get some attention from the daughter. I pulled her into my arms.

Oh.my.god!

Her arms are so freaking soft. I’m scared that I would squeeze her too hard. I sat her on my lap and she cuddled up to me, placing her head on my boobs.

I’m in real trouble now.

How can someone be this cute?

I bent my head to look at her to see her playing with my hairs while babbling something in her baby language. I couldn’t help but smile at her innocence.

I don’t think anyone can stop themselves from falling in love with this cutie.

“So, you’ll say no?” Arshi asked smiling at Diya, both were.

“What more choice do I have? I don’t want to say yes to a guy who doesn’t want me or at least wants to get to know me” I holding Diya up in the air to see her do grabby hands at me.

Isn’t she a cutie?

“Hey baby” I cooed at her and got a response in her baby language.

“Gosh, she’s so cute and bubbly” Maya said gushing over Diya and I couldn’t agree more.

“Can’t you just marry for her?” Arshi asked keeping her hand on her heart.

“Arshi, baby I love her but not enough to spoil my life” I replied realistically.

I don’t want to sound like a b***h, this cute innocent baby is precious but I don’t think I can marry her father and spend the rest of my life sacrificing everything and living in a love-less marriage.

Sighing, I held her close to me kissing her chubby cheeks.

“Then you will never see this angel and him again?” Arshi asked pouting playing with Diya’s hairs.

“I think so” I said glumly staring at the tree outside the window.

I was so against this proposal then why am I sad that this ended badly?

--------- -------------- --------------- ----------------- ----------------- -------------- ------------ ----------- --------------- -------- ----------------

Ayush’s Point of View:

I sat in my balcony sipping bourbon looking at the night sky. Diya slept very early as she was tired, she was very loved by that family today. They adored her and she loves the attention. I couldn’t help but chuckle at my daughter’s antics.

She’s the light of my life. I don’t think I would be this sane if not for her. I never felt like she was a burden to me though. She is a blessing in my life actually.

I always said to myself that this is temporary and I would take my daughter back to Mumbai once she is old enough to walk or crawl but my mom thinks I’m getting detached from her and also that she needs a mother. Not just someone to take care of her, if that was the case I would have hired a nanny long back but she insists I marry someone who would give Diya motherly love.

Suddenly, that girl Ananya’s face flashing in front of my face. She was beautiful and so full of energy. I could tell she was nervous but she hid it so well. One thing I observed about her was that she was not fake. I meet so many girls in my company who try to flirt with me every chance they get but this girl was different.

She didn’t smile coy at me or tried to make a move on me.

She was simple and genuine and that’s what scared me.

I didn’t want to ruin her life when someone could give her the life she deserves. I don’t know much about her but the way she stood up for herself actually kind off impressed me.

Whenever some girl tried to flirt with me and ignore my annoyance, I get rude and you know what they do? They act like what I said was a joke or sometimes act like nothing happened and carry on like I didn’t just insult them.

But this girl! even though I didn’t insult her, she took a stand and showed me my place.

She’s very beautiful, don’t get me wrong but I did get a bit pig-headed when I was talking to her. My tone said it all. I didn’t want to be condescending but I have accomplished so much in our field. I’m a senior to her.

I wanted to make her realise that she has so much to accomplish in life then get married to me and ruin her life but my tone must have ticked her and misunderstood me.

She’s a spitfire, I give you that.

These last two years, have been a rollercoaster for me and the amount of baggage I carry is endless.

Maybe, she is exactly what I need. A free spirit to help me.

No, No, I can’t ruin her life.

I shook my head at my distress thoughts.

I heard a knock on my door, I got up and walked in side to open the door. Diya is sleeping and I don’t want to yell, she’s a very light sleeper.

“Mom?” I asked as I saw her on the other side.

“Can I come in? Were you asleep?” she asked looking at me calmly as always.

“No, I was not. Come in” I opened the door wider to let her in and closed it slowly.

I know why she is here so I led her towards the balcony.

She sat on the chair beside mine and I took my seat. I’m getting a little anxious about our talk though.

I know I’ll get good scolding for what I did.

“I’ll directly get to the point Ayush, how did it go? You were silent the whole ride back” She asked looking at me a little concerned.

I sighed and told her about my conversation with Ananya.

She was staring at the sky while I stared at her waiting for her to start yelling.

“You know Ayush, when you were young you would always focus on studies rather than other things. You were an ideal student and a son. You were always curious about computers and seeing you enthusiastic about it made me so feel so proud. I have always been proud of you. Even when you married that girl, I knew you were making a mistake but I never stopped you thinking she makes you happy and you were happy. Since, you never troubled me in your childhood, I didn’t want to create any issues in your adult life. Since, you started dating that girl, she kept you away from us. You were so into your work to even see it. We thought you were in love and let you be. When I came to your house to look after her when she was pregnant, I knew she didn’t behave like a pregnant woman should. She never smiled when she talked about the baby or at you either but you were so into having a baby that you missed all those signs-“

“Mom-“

“No, listen to me. When she did what she did, I could see her suck the life out of you but I was silent to see when you would realise she was not right for you but her cheating was the last straw for you and I was proud of you to leave her at least then unlike some people who try to make it work. I was proud of how you handled yourself after that, even though you threw yourself into your work and left Diya here, you didn’t turn towards Alcohol or other stupid things. But what you did today, this is the first time in your life that I’m disappointed in you” She said gulped and I felt really guilty. My mom has always been the best, she never stopped me and everything she said right now was true. My eyes filled with tears walking down this worst memory lane.

“You got so invested in your work that your daily calls became weekly. When I took Diya to the park, seeing other mothers there with their kids made my heart hurt looking at this little angel who would never witness a mother’s love. Just once, imagine your whole life without me and you will see your daughter’s future” She said harshly and I shook my head.

“Mom, don’t say that” I said gulping.

“I know you are not ready for a relationship, I get that but you need a companion to lead this life. There are so many single parents there but you are too invested in your work to give attention to your daughter Ayush” She said harshly and my heart churns knowing she is right.

“I know what will happen, you will take Diya to Mumbai. Hire a Nanny and pay her a hefty amount to take good care of your daughter and be off to work. While Diya will neither get father or mother’s love” her every word was true and it freaking hurts. I never knew I was such a cruel person.

“You know why I selected Ananya for you. I stayed in Akshay’s marriage for three days Ayush, which you were too busy in work to join. I have observed that girl for three days and all the while she was so full of life. Making everyone laugh at her cute humor or smiling sweetly at her uncle’s to get what she wants. She is energetic and enjoys her life. That’s the kind of girl who suits you. You have always been a bit boring. Always studies or work. You never enjoy life as you should. She is exactly what you need” she said the same words I thought earlier.

“If you hadn’t met that ex-wife of yours, I would have brought this kind of girl into this house as my daughter-in-law and as your wife” She stated confidently.

I sighed at her words.

“Mom, I don’t want to ruin her life. As you said, she is so full of life I don’t want to destroy it” I said running my fingers through my hairs.

“I don’t think she would ever let you do that. She would show you your place if you try. She is confident, independent and wild. Those are the qualities a girl must have”, She said smiling fondly remembering Ananya.

“But mom-“ I started, but she cut me off.

“You will spend your whole lifetime second guessing yourself. You have a year to take care of yourself emotionally and mentally. Now, have some trust in me and my judgement and go apologise to that girl and make this right. I could see she liked you” She said looking at me with her famous scolding look.

I sighed.

“After the way she lashed out on me, you really think she liked me?” I asked sarcastically.

“Then what did you expect after your outburst? If I was in her place, I would have smacked you in your face” She said showing me her hand in a slapping stance.

I nodded, knowing how crazy my mom is.

“But before you guys went to talk, she kept stealing glances at you. I could tell she was attracted to you but you ruin everything by opening your mouth” She said sarcastically and I closed my eyes.

Both are very similar.

“Now, what should I do?” I asked helplessly.

“Do you like her?” She asked looking at tentatively.

“Mom, I just met her once and that too we fought. How do I know if I like her or not?” I asked incredulously.

“No dummy, I meant her looks and her behaviour. You can’t like some without knowing them better, everyone knows that” She said in ‘duh’ tone.

“She is a beautiful mom and she seemed genuine to me” I said truthfully.

“Then, give this a try. I texted you her number. Talk to her, apologise to her, try to get to know her. And please don’t get blocked”, She said, giggling at the end.

I couldn’t help but chuckle at her antics.

“I’ll try mom, I’ll try” I said staring at the starry sky.

------------ ------------------ ------------ ------------- ------------ ---------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- -----------