Rejuvenating Love

2) Destiny's witticism ?

The clock struck 13'. Her secretary as well as bestie Miss Kavya Kumari entered her room to inform her that her parents called repeatedly to inform her to reach home. But she couldn't hear anything, her ears turned deaf to all noises except the echoing-

* I want to move a step ahead ........*will you marry me?* 

* I want to move a step ahead ........*will you marry me?* 

* I want to move a step ahead ........*will you marry me?*

Kavya was startled to see the sight on opening the door. Kuhu was lying on floor facing it, tears never stopped from her eyes, she seemed emotionless. Kavya rushed to her, drifted her up, made her sit on the chair and served a glass of water. She questioned, "What happened Kuhu and where is Mr. Malhotra?" Kuhu's hurtful eyes looked at Kavya to speak, "He proposed me! Rakesh proposed me!" and sobbed loudly. Only Kavya could understand her situation because she has seen her failed pasts..

Kuhu felt light on sharing the restless emotions with her bestie. She didn't speak anything to her. But just hugging her and keeping her head to Kavya's shoulder to cry, felt as if she made Kavya feel and understand the cause behind each and every drop of tear of hers. Lateron she felt she could pick herself up then; even after being broken into pieces. So she could go home. Sitting in her car she tried to think. Has she completely got over her past? She breathed out heavily to this question. Although a lot of time has passed but is the topic really over? Can she have the feeling of love for Rakesh with the same intensity that a true love demands? Does Rakesh really love her? Is it less of business and more of love from him? Have Rakesh's emotions evolved just now due to their proximity in business or It was right from the college; of which she was sometimes teased but lateron always warned? She trusted him to be just her friend. A close business friend. The questions of 'how' and 'when' about this situation today, are meaningless now. The situation just demands a Decision! An Answer! Rakesh wants an Answer!

A sudden brake by the driver brought Kuhu out of her volley of questions; back to the reality of dilemmata. She headed towards home now. Of course the best place to hide and escape from all difficulties of life for some time. She wanted to rest herself especially her heavy head,mind and swollen eyes. She had just entered her home when her mumma kissed her forehead and welcomed her cherishing a lot. Kuhu couldnot understand her mumma's overwhelming love and left for her room saying that she needed some rest. In her bedroom her eyes closed immediately due to the tiring efforts on it all day long.

After long hours of peaceful sleep she woke up at 9 and reached the dining to talk to her family. But her mind was still stuck at her office. She was just physically at home but mentally her mind wandered the office and the past life at college. She didn't realise what her mother asked so somehow to show that she was involved in the family discussion, with a brief smile she said," yeah you are right mumma, do whatever you feel right". Saying this she left the place because she couldn't act anymore and make them feel that, Yes she lives with them and listens to them.

That night was insomniac because she just recently woke up. She finished her office works checked the mails, read the files, signed them and dozed off to sleep without knowing when. May be early morning?

Mrs. Rathore's point of view

"Why is this girl not picking up her phone?" Work! Work!! Work!!! When will she understand? Its been one hour and umpteenth times have I called her. Let me call Kavya," Mrs. Rathore sighed out of anger.

'Hello Kavya?'

'Yes Aunty?'

'Where is Kuhu? Is she with you at office?'

'Yeah aunty she is at office and is talking to Mr. Malhotra'

'Please inform her to call me or tell her to reach home when she is free of her schedule.'

'Okay aunty. Is that all?'

'Yeah that's all. Bye beta.'

'Bye aunty'

"Calm down dear. We can also talk to her in the evening when she comes. You have become so restless now. Come serve us lunch now , my son and I am hungry." Mr. Rathore chuckled.

I feel so proud of my daughter. Following the steps of her father Kuhu has expanded our business opening the new construction wing 'Rathore Constructions'. I proudly declare before people that it's her own independent business. Hardly any girl of her age is as successful as her. My daughter is a rare jewel and I will give her hand to the best jeweller of this world who would value her specialities and further prolify them.

But I don't like the son of Malhotras with my daughter. Although Kuhu claims him to be her business friend only. But its simple I don't like him. That's all. These thoughts ran through my mind.

Later when Kuhu reached home..

Oh! Kuhu arrived. 'Kuhu beta'? I rushed to her and kissed her. 

"Mumma am a bit tired catch you later?" I saw her eyes too tired and red so I didn't bother her. I thought of talking to her when she would be fine.

At the dining...

"Kuhu appeared. I would ask her now" I whispered to Mr. Rathore.

"Don't irritate her or make her mood worse. She works all the day." Mr. Rathore cautioned me and meanwhile Kuhu reaching the dining sat between her papa and me.

'Hi mumma.' She looked better now.

"Beta how was your day?"

'Good. Why?'

"No you just seem very tired today." I was eager to know because however burdened the pressure of work be she never comes home so devastated. My hungry girl went on munching her food completely concentrating somewhere; may be her plate.

"Beta, you know these days its hard to find a good candidate. That too you're turning 28 this year. An excellent proposal has come for you. Even your father admires him a lot personally. What do you think dear? Please don't say 'no' like you did to the previous ones. Its not like them. Its just the best one in our point of view. Can we call them for a meet tomorrow?" I said it all in one go because I didn't want her to restrict me denying to it in the middle without lending ears to whole of my words.

"Beta are you listening?" Surprised by her silence till then I asked her again holding her arms.

'Yeah you are right mumma, do whatever you feel right.' Speaking this out she left.

I just gasped at her. Really does she agree for this marriage meet? Did I hear anything defective? No. No not at all. She said a yes. A clearcut 'YES'. Oh my god! Its a yes. I should inform them now. The excited me jumped off my seat to grab my mobile.

Next morning

Kuhu woke up. Finished her daily stuffs. And was leaving for the office when her mumma called-

'Kuhu? Where are you going? I had said you about the meet. Go get ready for it' Mrs Rathore yelled from the kitchen on watching Kuhu in her office formals.

"Meet? Which meet mumma?" Bewildered Kuhu asked while putting on her ankle leather boots sitting on the L-shaped sofa in the drawing.

'Oh god this girl. Does she even think and remember anything apart from her work?' She shouted again from the kitchen room.

'Rashi go and get her ready by 9.30. They would reach by that time.' She asked Rashi who was helping her aunt with the delicious receipes being cooked for the guests.

"What is happening? Will anyone tell me?" Without answering Kuhu, Rashi dragged her workaholic cousin to her dressing room upstairs back in her room. Did her makeup. Helped her drape an elegant biege coloured saree, a light necklace, matching bangles, golden earrings, nude lipstick.

'It's just a Bindi Kuhu' Rashi struggled to put it on Kuhu's forhead.

"No, I am not going to wear that. It's very girly. You have already decorated me like a tent house."

'Tent house? Really? All these efforts of mine seem a tent house to you, Kuhu. You just ruin moods. Not even a thanks did you utter. So mean.'

Kuhu looked very different today. She never wants anyone to see the girly part of hers. May be she feels people would assume her to be weak and without strength. She is mostly seen in office attires, brands, formals showing off her stronger version.

"Rashi everything is done. I am ready completely. There is still 10 minutes left to 9.30. Now just sit down. Can you explain me all this? I have a lot of work at office today. Why should I wait for guests? I could meet them after my office hours." Kuhu pulled her on the bed infront and made her sit when she didn't seem to respond to her doubts.

Rashi gave a deep sigh of relief after executing her work and finally spoke,"Well! There is a boy. He is coming to meet you today. Uncle and Aunty want this marriage a lot. Everything seems good about this proposal. So.." Joining her palms to support her chin she said explained everything like a lady.

Kuhu was taken aback. She exclaimed," What? How is this possible? I don't want all these now. What the hell! No one even asked me." Standing up from her stool near the dressing mirror Kuhu chided breathlessly.

"You only agreed for this yesterday at the dining. What are you saying now? Uncle and aunty never do anything without your consent", Rashi flared at her. She couldn't exactly understand why Kuhu behaved this way all of a sudden.

And Kuhu realised by now. She recalled her words- ''Yeah you are right mumma, do whatever you feel right." With wide awake eyes she just gulped the lump of saliva in fear of what she had done...