SIYA
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'Just let it be Siya!!!' Shilpa was busy avoiding talking to me. Naman had locked up himself in the room since the announcement. My family was upset with me. I was feeling terrible.
I don't know why I just gave that statement but I felt it was the right thing to do specifically because I was planning to ask Naman and Shilpa to give each other a chance ever since I saw them together on that night when Naman carried Shilpa back home after she drunk vomited upon him.
Naman was patient with Shilpa. He had genuine care for her in his eyes something that was missing when I asked him to date various girls and Shilpa looked safe with Naman. She vomited upon him but Naman didn't judge her. Shilpa was a bloody 70 kgs and Naman i guess is hardly 85 but he carried her like she was a flower. That night I didn't just see two old buddies together I saw hope. Hope to have them together for each other. Hope that these could give each other a second chance and the same day I spoke to Raghav about it. He thought I was crazy but when I explained him he smiled and said he would be more than happy if they came together.
The reason why I tried giving Naman and Shilpa more space to each other at Aditi-Keshav's bachelor's party. And indeed I could see they cared for each other. They found solace in each other's arms that night and I was determined to bring them together.
But then Naman screwed up everything with his posessive attitude, the way he behaved with Aditi was completely unexpected. I knew he wasn't over Aditi but his rebellious behaviour scared us all. Keshav clearly told he needs to continue with his anger management therapy. But media blew up everything out of proportion. Even yesterday when they asked me I don't know why I just said what I felt would stop that mess.
But I had crossed my lines with my bestie as well as my brother in law. I announced something so crucial without even consulting them. It was in the fit of the moment but since then neither Naman nor Shilpa wanted to see me.
I had tears in my eyes and I kept looking up in the sky...It was the month of July and Mangalore had some of the best rainy seasons ever... But tonight my eyes poured more...
Just then I felt two hands snake around my waist and I felt soft lips on my neck...I closed my eyes as I felt the warm and consoling hug...I knew this warmth...this was the only which could bring ease to me...to my mind... and I turned around and saw ...he was actually there...
'Ra... Raghav...you....are back?' I had a pool of tears in my eyes...
And he kissed my eyes one after other and said...
'I called Amma and got to know what happened...not your fault Jaan...sshhh please stop crying' he said and pecked my lips...and I burst out crying and circled my arms around his neck and digged my face into his neck...
'I swear Raghav...you know me Jaan...I....I... didn't have an intention to do that...You know how much I love Naman...I have never considered him as your brother...he was always my brother...' I said sobbing hard...
'Shhhh Jaan... please stop crying...see Aarav and Riya are sleeping...come...let's go to our room...but please stop crying before that...I can't see you like this please baby' he kissed my forehead...
He covered both our kids with the comforter and kissed their foreheads...He was home after after a business trip..we all missed him...business trips are important but family is most important...we went to our room and while on the way my eyes fell on Naman's room...The lights were still on. It was 2:00 am midnight. I swallowed the pain in my heart and looked at Raghav..he patted my back and said...
'Ill talk to him...you come along first...I want to talk to you' he said...
We reached our room and we both sat on the swing in our balcony... our favorite place forever..I leaned my head towards his shoulder...
'Im sorry Raghav..you know my intention wasn't wrong...it's just that'
'Its just that you hurried... nothing else darling...you are not wrong here...the time wasn't right...you must understand...it's never been easy for Naman...it's been 5 years to his divorce with Aditi but although he pretends to be fine... he's not !!! And we both know it!!! So how can you expect him to move on suddenly? Tell me' he asked...
'You are right Raghav...but how many years do we see him sulk like this...he has to learn to move on... Aditi finally moved on...I was so happy seeing her smiling last week you know...she didn't even want the engagement ceremony but Keshav finally convinced her. I am happy Aditi finally found someone who could understand her.' I said and Raghav tightened his arms around my shoulder...
'Exactly my point... Aditi took her own time... Keshav didn't happen overnight to her...he took slow steady steps to win her
..Siya you have to understand baby... breaking up of engagements, breaking up with boyfriend and divorce are different paradigms altogether!!! Divorce is never easy!!! They are tough!!! We can't even imagine how tough it must have been for Naman and Aditi. The reason why none of still know the concrete reason for their divorce. They respect each other even after the divorce. They have handled it with such grace and maturity Siya...but your expectations of Naman settling with Shilpa isn't easy although Shilpa is a gem of a person but sometimes wounds are so deep that they need time to heal' he said caressing my hair...
'I know Raghav...they both are wounded. They both are hurt...they both need love...one lost in love and other never found a genuine one...one felt the pinch of seperation other felt the heat of multiple rejections...this is why I feel they can heal each other.. understand each other..I and Amma aren't asking them to marry right away...but atleast give it a thought...
After all everyone needs a second chance...
Love can happen again...it's just you need to attempt it
..
I just need Naman and Shilpa to give it a try' I said and Raghav nodded...
'I will talk to Naman and Shilpa...you are not wrong Siya..it's just that they need time for this supplimentary relationship!!!' he said and I nodded
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'Bro just please...I need to be alone!' Naman was quick.
We four were sitting right now in my cafe Siya's. With a lot of difficulty I managed to get Shilpa here and Raghav managed to get Naman.
'Naman Shilpa... I am sorry!' I tried saying but Naman was quick...
'Not everything can be mended with a sorry Vanni... what were you even thinking! Yes I made that unforgivable mistake by gate crashing Aditi's wedding but why are you punishing Shilpa for it? She's.... she's a very good girl Vanni...you are dragging her into my mess. That's not fair. Not fair at all. She tried to help me... but she doesn't deserve this!!!'
Shilpa looked at Naman with those sad eyes.
'And Siya...Naman is heart broken, he was impulsive, our parents wanted you to find matches for us but that didn't give you any rights to announce this so blatantly. I mean engaged??? Seriously Siya??? You literally stamped all the news with a bloody brown rubber stamping!!! They are calling me a home wrecker!!!' Shilpa spoke up.
'But that doesn't make you one Shilpa and it also doesn't make the fact any less true that both your parents wanted to see you folks settled. And honestly let me be clear...it's not just Siya...even I think you both are in the same boat, sailing towards same destination...so why not sail in the same boat!!!' Raghav was quick.
And in unison we heard 'Whattttt' from both Shilpa and Naman and Raghav simply sipped his coffee and said...
'We want you both to give each other a chance. Shilpa you didn't find your right match and were rejected multiple times and Naman you found your perfect match and then seperated from her and you run away from every new woman we bring to you. You simply avoid meeting new people so here...we found you someone who's not just familiar to you is more friend... infact more like family!!!
It's clear guys...we want you both to date each other!!!' Raghav announced it loud and clear while both Shilpa and Naman were shocked.
'Bro this is crazy!!!'
'Raghav have you lost it???'
'She is my friend Bro!!!'
'We haven't even been in touch with each other!!!'
'This thought itself is so uncomfortable'
'I was the one who would give him ideas to woo Aditi...ts more like...it's embarassing!!!'
Both kept ranting nonstop!!! While Raghav stood up at once and said ..
'STOPPP!!! Enough!!! We haven't asked you both to kill each other! It's just a date we expect you both to go on!!! How tough is it guys??? Naman...you have to take up your therapy...why not give Shilpa and your relationship a chance alongside!!!
Shilpa!!! You date other men right? Siya has been finding you men from all ends and corners to match you up with... this time give this man ...my brother...your friend a chance! Date him! Just a casual date. Go out...talk to each other see if you like each other. Give yourself some time...if not go your seperate ways!!!' Raghav spoke with absolute ease while Naman and Shilpa kept looking at each other.
There was complete silence in the cafe.
I didn't hear a word from Naman while Shilpa however after a day called me up saying she needs sometime to think over this as it's not easy for her. Naman however packed his bags and simply left to Dubai.
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After a month I got a call from Keshav that Naman completed his therapy and it went fine and that Aditi and he were in Dubai and would be travelling back tomorrow night. But then suddenly Keshav told me that Naman wants to talk to me. I was curious. But what he said left me shocked
'Vanni...I am ok to give a chance to myself and Shilpa!
I....I am ok to date her!!!'
I was left speechless and my happiness was beyond boundaries however I didn't want to be too happy too soon. Shilpa hasn't said anything yet. She hadn't still got back and I was curious to hear back from her. So I decided to give her a call.
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'This can't be true! He.... he's definitely been pressurized by you folks! Look Siya that's not how people get married or even find a match! I mean...Naman and me...we are nowhere a match!' Shilpa was blabbering nonsense after eating the 4th plate of Panipuri with which I had bribed her to meet me.
Because knowing Shilpa, if anything could bring her to me it was food!!!
'Shilpa we didn't force Naman...it was his choice...he probably thought over it and found it a decent proposal maybe' I argued.
'Proposal??? Oh hello ..this is not some business deal! It's my life! And you are asking me to date my once upon good friend...I mean I don't even feel anything for him Siya...you know that 'shiver down the spine' when you see someone! Those butterflies in your tummy...I can never feel that for Naman...this is so odd!!! I mean arranged marriage atleast is a better choice...I mean it would be someone new but here...dating your own friend...oh come on...I dont have a hormonal switchboard! On...Feel hots for Naman...Off... friend mode on! Comeon...it doesn't work like that' she said dumping another puri in her mouth.
While I looked at her raising an eyebrow and asked...
'You like Panipuri right?'
'Ofcourse!' she said dumping another one in her mouth.
'Even then you eat it regularly! It's not like you know it's taste so you would want the Pani puri seller to add rasam in it instead of the special Pani in it and give it to you...so it's new to you!!!'
I asked and she raised her eyebrow
'Exactly the same way although you know Panipuri...you still eat it and like it more and more everyday you may also like Naman although he may be your same old friend and then who knows you may also explore his rasam version better!!! What say?' I asked and she was left in thoughts.
I didn't force her much. I wanted her to think over it so we went back home but at night the ping I received on my phone filled my heart with joy.
It was Shilpa and she said...
'I am ready to give a chance to Naman and me!!! I will try meeting him more. I don't know if it's dating but...I will...I will give us a chance!' and my smile never left my face.
My two favorites were gonna go dating!
#Shipissaling!!!