2 days Back.....
Vikram
" What are you doing here! ", I asked Natasha, as she walked towards me.. In my cabin..
" Hey Vikki, nice to meet you too", she said.
Hey voice brought back memories, I was trying to forget...
" 3 years back, I was trying hard to bring my company to great heights.
I was so engrossed in work, that sometimes I forgot to eat.
My mom was very worried and she wanted me to marry a girl.
But I told her, marriage was out of the equation.. I don't believe in love or marriages.. I don't even like girls..
One night, during dinner my father arrived with his business partner.
Mr kapoor.
He spoke to me regarding my business and I entertained it.
I could talk hours about my business.
Then he had asked my hand for his daughter to my father.
My father agreed..
I was against it.
"I will not marry", I had shouted to my mom and dad.
" Vikram,..the girl is very good. Pretty,.. Well mannered.. Kapoor is my good friend. I'm not going to say no to him", my father had said.
I had stormed to my room..
My mom came to my room soon after..
"Vikram, I saw that girl's photo, you should marry her , she seems nice", my mom told
" Don't you people not understand.. Don't make me forcefully do something ", I shouted
I saw red marks on her arms..
" Ma, did dad.. Did he do this", I asked, my eyes fuming with rage.
My mom hesitated and she nodded,.
." Till you agree.. He is going to... ", she said
" How dare he... I've been silent all this long mom, but no more,.. I'm going to the police.. I'm going to get him arrested. ", I shouted getting up..
" No Vikram ,dont please don't", she shouted
"Mom it's because you are silent that he is doing this, he used to be with me like that too.. But I've got enough.. I'm going to the police, that's all", I shouted
And went out of the door... My mom followed me shouting my name..
I didn't turn... I got down the stairs.. She followed me and slipped and fell..
" Momm!!! ", I shouted... Seeing her fall down.
I ran to her.. Her head was hit and she was bleeding...
No! She just decently got heart attack she can't...
She couldn't breath.. Properly... And shook.. I was filled with fear.. I called the doctor..
Thankfully.. The doctor came soon and treated her..
" Keep her away from stress.. Her heart is weak", he had said.
I went to Ma, with tears in my eyes..
I held her hands...
"I'm sorry , if anything had happened... I would never have been able to forgive myself, I said
My mom smiled. " Marry her Vikram", she said
Why does she keep saying this...
"Mom, this is emotional blackmail" I said
"For me " She said.
I looked at her weak body..
"Ok.. I will do this for you", I had said
I met Natasha for the first time at a restaurant.
I wasn't interested in speaking to her..
She looked pretty, but had too much makeup on.. Other guys would totally be over her, but I wasn't other guys..
She had that rich girl look over her..
I spoke to her formally, but she kept talking the most..
She asked for my number..
I started working more so that I could escape from her.. Whenever she called I told I was busy..
I hoped she would cancel the wedding but she didn't..
We were to be engaged. When one day she came to my office..
She forced me to go out with her
"I can't love anyone Natasha and I don't know if I ever could, so it's better you cancel this wedding", I had said
She didn't agree
" It's ok, Vikram.. I don't mind.. We can be friends.. Starting from now, that's enough ", she had said
I had gone out only with Gautham for a long time and she took me to places like malls, restaurants where I had never been much..
She occasionally came to my office and forced me out. I was irritated in the beginning, but got used to it.
I started thinking of her as a friend.
One day she proposed her love to me, but I said I thought of her only as a friend
I felt really, bad that she likes me and i couldn't like her back..
She was my only other friend than Gautham, that kept contact with me..
I kept telling her to end this, to be marriage..
One day, before our engagement. I felt bad for her, I had kept on telling her to cancel it,
But I thought maybe, it would work out. Maybe.. I could try.. I never know if I could love.. But I was her friend.. I even started calling her Tasha..
So I went to her house to give her a surprise to tell her, I was ready to marry her and try..
I went carrying flowers,.. Her house was empty, I went to her room and..
Was shocked to see her on the bed with another man,.. Making love..
I felt nauseous , and the flowers in my hand fell down..
She heard the noise and turned..
"Vikki", she said, trying to cover herself..
" No no Vikki, I can explain ", she had said
" I don't think any explanation is needed, I can see", I had said
"Vikki, he seduced me, it was a mistake", she had said
" You said you loved me Tasha,... once again proved to you and everyone on the universe, that word is fake...
Yet you were my friend.. You betrayed me .. " I had said
She tried convincing me, but I left and ended the marriage...
I found out that she had been with that guy for long.. Then why use that word
"Love", when it meant nothing..
I didn't like her much, still it pained that I put my trust in someone after so long and they broke it, like always..
" I will never trust anyone in life", I had sworn..
She wanted to marry me, because of my money , looks,.. Just like many other people.. She had manipulated me to thinking she was my friend...
My old depression kicked in again after that, and my panic attacks came back...
I had to visit the doctor again after so long...
My mom was sad and apologized to me..
I didn't tell her about my panic attacks, that were back ,As I didn't want to worry her..
My father was unhappy... But he couldn't say anything.. I had a huge fight with him.. And he left to US for his business.
From then, .. I closed my emotions within me, and never let anyone see them., so that they could break them again..
"Hey Vikki", she said, breaking me out of my thoughts
" Get Out OF MY OFFICE! ", I shouted
" I can't do that Vikram", she said
"I'll call the security" I said
"Before you do that,... Remember.. Mr Pratik Sharma.. Your client for the Mumbai office.. He wants me to work with you, collaboration you see..
I'm a very good friend of his.. You send me out.. Your new project... Pooff", she said.
" I don't care, I'm calling him", I said
And dialed Sharma's number.
He however told that I could continue with the project only if I collaborate with her.
My mind raced. This project was very important and I wouldn't easily get another like this..
The earnings, we would get from this was huge, and it would help in the growth of the Mumbai branch a lot..
There were many factors involved
"What Vikki, weren't you the one who was always like professional separate, private life separate, so why are you afraid of me now" She said
"Why do you want to work with me Natasha, what's there for you" I asked
She shrugged. "Good project, same benefits as for you.. I'm a business woman too now", she said
I nodded.. Maybe I could think of this professionally forgetting about who she was..
It was still difficult, but for a few months, I had to handle her.. For this company..
" Ok.. Natasha.. Stay out of my way as much as possible ", I said
" Am afraid that's not possible Vikram, since we are a team, and ya behave professionally with me, I guess you know better", she said
I had to introduce her to the employees
I told myself to think of her as someone I didn't know.. I tried..
Till I saw Sree..
I realized what rumors' others must have told her,.. I had to talk to Sree about her..
Ria was talking well to Natasha and I joined their conversation. As long as it was about work.. It was fine..
Sree passed by, and I called her by mistake..
So I asked her to get coffee for Natasha..
I understood how it would have felt for her.. But I did the mistake..
Natasha rebuked Sree. For the sugar in the coffee..
I had to control .. Control.. I made myself think of anything else, so that I wouldn't show my anger on my face..
I went home that night, wondering when to speak to Sree.. I didn't want to tell this over call. And Natasha was there in office.. I didn't want to speak this in my cabin too.
The bell rang and it was Natasha..
"What are you doing here? ", I asked..
She had a wine bottle in her hand.. And she came inside.. And closed the door
She was drunk...
" Want some? ", she asked...
" Why are you drunk? Go home. .. ", I said looking at her..
" I love you Vikram ", she said..
I closed my eyes. .and scoffed
" Oh really, please Natasha.. Leave my house right now, weren't you the one who said strictly professional ", I said
" Yes Vikki, in office... , that was a mistake Vikki what I did, forgive me, I still love you", she said
"Do you even know what love is? ", I shouted
" Yes Vikki, love you, please marry me!", she said
"I have no mood for nonsense... Ill ask the driver to drop you home", I said..
Natasha came close and held my shoulders.. She came close to my face..
I pushed her away...
" I'm engaged to Sree!!! ", I shouted without thinking and showed my ring
Nobody knew this, how could I tell this to her..
" But... How... Vikki.. You can't love.. Why would she agree to this , not possible, you can't belong to anyone else... "she said and came near me.
I pushed her away from me and this time her wine splashed on me..
" What the hell!! Natasha, you know what, if you won't go,.. I'll drop you off.. I can't have you stay here..
Wait.. Let me change my dress and come" I said
I thought of sending the driver, but if she shouted her love for me, to him, ...
I shivered..
How was I going to handle her?
I took a bath as the wine was smelly..
The door rang.. And I noticed her opening it.
"Who is it Tasha? ", I asked..
And was horrified to see Sree.. Her eyes widened seeing me..
I knew what it looked like.. I called out and went after her.. I couldn't go out in a towel.. Shit..
It's ok.. I had to explain everything anyways.. Let her think bad about me for now..
I tried calling but she didn't pick..
The next day I was so busy, in my project and the preparations for the party at the resort.
I didn't pick Sree's call.. What do I tell her.. I had planned to talk to her after the party.
At the party, however, I found Natasha stay back as well.. She was drunk..
"I'll book you a room, stay there ", I said and took her to the room..
I was going to leave, but she pulled me in..
She had 2 bottles and she broke one, causing the glass pieces to shatter on the ground.
She held me by my collar.. "Tell me Vikki, that you are mine! ", she said
" Don't you understand when I tell you once ", I asked..
She leaned towards me.. And before I could stop.. She held my shirt and tore it open, a bit..
I held her arm.. " Go and sleep", I said..
She drunk more.. Her feet slipped on a glass piece and she fell on the ground..
I wanted to leave.. Could I leave her on the ground with glass shards all around..
I hated her, but I wasn't stone hearted..
"Get up, ", I said.. When she didn't budge.
She almost was unconscious.
I thought, I'd carry and place her on the bed and leave..
And that's when I carried her, Sree saw me..
I put Natasha on the bed and ran after Sree.
She however didn't want to listen to me.
When she threw the ring at me, my heart broke.. I remembered what I had thought before putting the ring on her fingers..
Then I realized she was leaving me.. I couldn't bear it... I pleaded to her..
It pained... A lot.. The thought of living without her...
I left her hand.. Maybe she deserved better than me...
But I couldn't control the words out of my mouth, she had to know before leaving me...
"I love you Sree", I cried out.. And called out again and again..
I hoped she would understand that and come back, but she left..
The memories with her flashed through my mind.. Making me hold my breath,
My father's face flashed in front of me and I recollected what he said.
"You do not deserve love", he had said to me.. People who you love would leave you ..like your mother left" .. He had said..
The panic struck me.. And I felt dizzy.. I couldn't breathe.. My surroundings became dark.. And I fell on the floor..