Rashi got ready wearing a simple red suit and minimal makeup. Sakshi was also back by now. She had taken a half day from work. The companies in which Pranati and Sakshi worked were business partners.
The guests were here and Rashi was getting nervous. Pranati reassured her and they went to the living room where everyone was sitting. Pranati was a bit shocked to see two of her current and retired bosses sitting there. They were also a bit startled but smiled at them.
Vaibhav was an altogether different case. He seemed to be in a trance. His only thought after seeing Rashi was 'beautiful'. Rashi sat beside her grandparents. His family asked some questions about her and her family about him. Both of them answered them truthfully. The elders then decided to let the children talk in private.
Rashi took him to the balcony. They stood there in silence for some time. Vaibhav was the first one to break the silence.
"Waise toh bahar sab kuch puchh hi liya but phir bhi if there's anything you want to ask toh puchh skti ho."
"Nhi abhi toh kuch nhi. Jo puchhna tha wo bahar puchh chuke."
"Hmm. So what do you think? I mean would you give me a chance?"
Vaibhav asked slightly nervous about her answer. He didn't want to rush her but there was something about her that makes him want to hide her in his arms. She had been smiling since they were here, not a big smile but a small pleasant smile. But something in her eyes showed that she was either not happy or scared about something.
"I don't know. Mai abhi aapko dhang se jaanti bhi nhi. How can i answer that?"
"Well... I can answer. I know its weird. Hume ek dusre se mile abhi 3 ghante bhi nhi huye and mai ye sab keh rha hu. But i am sure that you are the one for me. Mat puchhna mujhe kaise pta. I just do. There is something that makes me want to spend my whole life with you. Makes me want to stay young with you."
He said with utmost sincerity and Rashi was stunned. But she knew better to trust someone so easily. She chuckled and said.
"If you got to know that i have had anxiety and depression, would you still want to spend your life with me?"
She asked mockingly. She didn't care how rude she sounded right now but all the hurt that she had hid in her heart resurfaced. Her eyes started to get glassy. Vaibhav was stunned for a moment but then composed himself and said firmly.
"Yes. I still would want to spend my life with you. Only you Rashi."
He said looking into her eyes intensely. They looked into each other's eyes for some time. Her glassy eyes to his determined ones.
"I know my answer Rashi. Tumhe jitna time chahiye le skti ho. I know there is something bothering you. Jabse hum yaha aaye hai you are smiling but that smile never reached your eyes even once. Itna dard hai inn aankhon mai."
Rashi looked at him wide-eyed. She was very good at hiding her emotions. When she had first told Pranati about everything she had cried saying ' Why did you hide it from me? Hume pta bhi nhi chala bro that you are going through all this.' These were her exact words. And here he got to know just in three hours and that too by looking into her eyes.
She looked away and a few tears escaped her eyes. She quickly wiped them off.
"I need some time. Main aapko sab sach bataye bina iss relationship mai aage nhi badh skti."
"Take as much time as you want. I am all yours."
Her breath hitched. She nodded without looking at him. He changed the topic and they started talking about their work and family. They exchanged their numbers. After soon time Pranati came there and told them that everyone was calling them.
They went back and Vaibhav told everyone that they would like to get to know each other before giving any answer. Everyone agreed and they had their dinner and guests left for their home. Shweta asked Pranati to stay the night as it was not safe to go alone at night. She agreed and called her mother to inform the same.
They were sitting in the living room. Everyone was asleep except for Rashi, Sakshi and Pranati. Sakshi knew about Rashi's depression and their reasons. One of them was she herself and when she had got to know about all this she had cried hours saying sorry to Rashi. But it was years ago and everything was fine between them now.
"He got to know my emotions just by looking into my eyes. Kehte hai ki meri smile meri aankhon tak nhi pahuchti. How can i be so transparent to him. He says that he would wait and that he is all mine. I want to believe him but darr lagta hai what if- what if wo bhi ek din mujhe chhod kar chle jaaye. What if he-"
(He says my smile doesn't reach my eyes. How can i be so transparent to him. He says that he would wait and that he is all mine. I want to believe him but inam scared what if- what if he also leaves me one day. What if he-)
She couldn't complete and started to cry. Sakshi and Pranati rushed to her and hugged her trying to calm her down.
"Har koi chhod kar nhi jaata. Warna hum kyu hote tere paas. Stop crying Rashi. Agar tujhe lagta hai that he is worth your trust toh ek chance de kar dekh. I know he won't disappoint you. Main jaanti hu unhe. He is my boss. I know him Rashi. He is a very nice man."
(Not everyone leaves. Otherwise we would not be here with you. Stop crying Rashi. If you think that he is worth your trust then give him a chance. I know he won't disappoint you. I know him. He is my boss. I know him Rashi. He is a very nice man.)
Rashi looked at her with tears. She nodded and said that she will give it a thought. They talked for some time and then went to sleep.
Rashi thought about everything that happened. She knew that Vaibhav was genuine but was scared. But this time she wanted to take a chance with him and so she decided that she will talk to him soon. ************************************** How did you find this?
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