You are mine only

5. Questions

Virat's stress and emotional turmoil would often drive him straight to his home, where he sought solace in a room filled with alcohol. In his moments of unconsciousness, only one word would escape his lips, a poignant reminder of the person who held a profound place in his heart: "Ranju..."

The next morning…

"Good morning, sir."

Virat was roused from his sleep by a familiar voice, and he instinctively rubbed his temples, feeling the aftermath of his excessive drinking. As he looked up, he recognized Manish approaching with a glass of lemonade. Virat knew that Manish would not hold back in reprimanding him for his behavior the previous day.

"Manish... you were in France. When did you get back?" Virat inquired, his voice groggy from the effects of his heavy drinking. Manish took a seat next to him and handed him the glass of lemonade.

"Just when you were sprawled on the ground, completely wasted," Manish replied indignantly. Virat downed the lemonade in one gulp, feeling its refreshing coolness soothe his parched throat.

"Why do you keep drinking so much?" Manish asked, taking the empty glass from him. Virat simply nodded, unable to find the words to respond.

"How long will you hold on to the past? Ranjana is married now, she can't be with you. Look at yourself, Virat. You've come so far! Every company in the world would kill to have you. What more do you want?" Manish said, his frustration evident in his tone.

"Ranjana..." Virat said, his voice filled with longing and pain, as he looked at Manish.

Manish let out a sigh, knowing exactly where this conversation was headed.

"Have you forgotten about Anjali?" Virat asked abruptly, causing Manish to relax slightly.

"No, I haven't forgotten Anjali. But I'm trying to love my wife now. Anjali is the mother of my son Anant. Every time I see Anant, it reminds me that Anjali is no longer with us. Rekha has forgiven me, and I'm making an effort to move on with my life. But you, Virat, you're destroying your own life," Manish said, his voice filled with a mixture of concern and frustration. He fell silent, waiting for Virat's response.

"Ranjana is right here, in Germany," Virat said slowly. Manish immediately looked at him.

"She has been working in my office for a month, but I still know nothing about her past. Yesterday, after eight long years, we stood face to face. Ranjana hasn't changed a bit, but she has lost her spark. However, as I looked at her in silence, I couldn't help but remember that she is someone's wife now," Virat said, his voice heavy with emotion. He took a deep breath, trying to compose himself.

"Manish, I need to tell her that... I haven't forgotten her after all these years. I'm still waiting for her, even though I know she can't come to me," Virat continued, his voice filled with longing. He reached for a box of cigarettes on the side desk, pulled one out, and placed it between his lips.

"What do you mean? Drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes..." Manish trailed off, his voice filled with concern and disapproval.

"Just shut up and give me a lighter," Virat interrupted him.

Manish had tried countless times to explain to Virat the importance of overcoming his addiction and letting go of his memories of Ranjana. As Virat's childhood friend and classmate, Manish knew every aspect of his life.

While Manish had joined his father's small business after completing his studies, Virat went on to establish his own company.

Despite his own struggles, Manish had succumbed to his parents' insistence and married Rekha, locking away his love for Anjali deep within his heart. However, fate had other plans, as Anjali unexpectedly crossed paths with Manish in Singapore after his marriage. Their love story reignited, but tragedy struck when Anjali passed away while giving birth to Manish's child. Over time, Rekha, moved by the child's cries and innocence, accepted the child and forgave Manish for his past.

Manish was well aware that Virat's attachment to Ranjana ran deep, ingrained in every fiber of his being. No matter how much time passed, Virat's heart remained entangled in her memories. Whenever Virat struggled and lost his balance under the weight of stress, Manish would step in to offer guidance and support, attempting to steer him away from his addiction. However, as the years went by, Manish found his own resolve weakening. The task of helping Virat let go of his vices seemed increasingly daunting, and Manish began to question his own ability to make a difference in his friend's life.

…

Virat reached the office today with a sense of unease, hoping to avoid any encounter with Ranjana. However, fate had other plans as their paths unexpectedly crossed in the elevator when he was leaving the company. As Ranjana stepped into the confined space, her gaze met Virat's, and a moment of hesitation passed between them.

Ever since their meeting yesterday, Ranjana had been in a state of emotional turmoil. After eight long years of longing and searching for Virat, she had forgotten some of the questions that once plagued her mind. But yesterday, Virat's words, addressing her as 'Mrs. Ranjana,' brought back a flood of unanswered inquiries, stirring her thoughts once again.

Ranjana's mind was filled with questions about Virat's current situation and his life over the past eight years. She had heard rumors from her colleagues that Virat had kept his personal life hidden from the world, leaving her uncertain about whether he had a wife or a girlfriend. To find the answers she sought, Ranjana realized that the easiest solution would be to ask him directly. She longed to have a conversation with Virat and express her feelings, hoping that he would accept her into his life. However, she couldn't be certain of Virat's readiness to accept her, as she knew nothing about his experiences and circumstances during their time apart.

The elevator doors opened, and Virat turned to leave.

“Virat…”