Some Relationships have to be named !!

Some Relationships have to be named !!(Raji) “I have been standing here for the past half an hour and a single bike has not passed by without staring !! What the hell have you been doing so far ??!!!” Aarthi shouted furiously…
“Aarthi, the stares are because of what you are wearing and not that you have been standing here for how many ever hours. I mean, what are you wearing Aarthi.? I do not understand how gals can screw up even a normal salwar !!” Rahul spoke more than he could, but just enough to change the topic.
“Oh really!! You make me stand on a road and now you shout at what I am wearing !!”
“yes, I do !! What now ?? Are we going or not ?? “
“Whatever !!“
“Whaattteverrrrrrrrr!!! Man, I will kill this person who found out this word!!“

Yes, Rahul and Aarthi were best friends for the past 7 years. Friends meaning, just best friends. Aarthi was dating a classmate from college and Rahul was seeing a co-worker. They knew their lives and love but did not think about what would happen to their friendship in future.

Aarthi was happy in her love life with Ameer, who was currently working as a Software Engineer in California. A Long distance relationship. Ameer was aspiring and ambitious but Aarthi called him Husband material.

Rahul and Preetha were in love with each other, head over heels, for a year now. They shared an awesome wavelength which took Aarthi by surprise most of the time. Preetha was a nice gal but she had a life excluding Rahul. Her family was everything to her.

Irrespective of all this, Rahul was Aarthi’s first priority. She would give up her gym dance classes to have a coffee with him and listen to his disputes with his manager, whereas Aarthi was like a mother to Rahul. He would find a gist of every important woman of his life, in her. When Aarthi used to complain about Ameer to her other gal friends, they all would say in unison, “Why don't you marry Rahul ya? Doesn’t he understand and love you better than Ameer?” Aarthi would laugh at it and ignore their ignorance about the relationship she shared with Rahul.

Whenever Rahul left early from office to meet Aarthi after a bad day at work, all his friends used to sigh, “We don't have a friend like you!!” Rahul used to smirk at them and feel proud of Aarthi. Yes, she is not a possession everyone could have.

Everything was fine when one day, suddenly, Preetha announced that she is forced to marry a person chosen by her parents. Rahul understood that it was absolutely no fault on her side. He needed more time to settle in his life but her age-old parents and two younger sisters would not wait.

Preetha left Rahul’s life overnight, with teary eyes and a heavy heart.
Early morning 4 AM, Aarthi’s phone beeped. It was Rahul. He had sent a blank message. Aarthi knew him well enough by now. He was a no-nonsense guy and would never do things without a reason. She messaged back asking if there was any problem. Rahul replied telling that it was nothing and he had sent the message by mistake.

Though Rahul had agreed to Preetha’s decision, he felt devastated inside. He knew he would never feel the same with any gal other than Preetha. He felt blank and missed his mom. Aarthi was the person who could fill up the blank now. He sent her a message asking if they could meet for breakfast. Aarthi was astonished because she did not understand what could not wait until lunch or dinner. But she kept her thoughts to herself and agreed to meet him. But the meeting did not get over with breakfast. The topic went on endlessly and they met again for lunch and dinner. Aarthi dropped him as usual at his house after dinner but wished to stay with him for some more time. She went with him inside and found his house dirty as ever. He had not allowed any servants inside the house for the past 2 days and Aarthi could not leave him to stay in such a place. She started cleaning and wiping and it was 11 pm when she stood up to leave. Rahul asked if he should accompany her till her house but she refused and walked till the door when she suddenly felt something. She turned to see that Rahul was holding her dupatta.

“What ?? What happened ??“
“You are going to leave me alone like this now ??”
“Hey, I understand. But I need to go home as well. We will catch up again tomorrow. I will message you as soon as I reach home. Ok ??”
“Hmmm“
“Say bye no ??”
“I don't know. There is no one who can be with me throughout. My mom left me when I was 10, Preetha now, and You tomorrow. I know this!!“
“Rahul, you are supposed to know what you are talking about also. I have never left you alone irrespective of where I am, so far.” She was angry and sorry for him at the same time.

She removed her slippers and moved to the sofa inside. He came and sat next to her.
“What Rahul ? You knew all this would happen. You knew you needed time, whereas Preetha wouldn't wait. It was all bound to happen and you should get over this!!”

Rahul did not reply but hugged her. He has hugged her several times before but this was different. It meant something like, I can never ever allow you to go away from my life. Aarthi could very well sense this and she tried to move away when he hugged her more tightly and intensely for one whole minute. He then suddenly removed his arms around her and retreated. There was silence in the house for another minute. She stood up, kissed him on the forehead and left without uttering a word. She reached home and messaged, “I am there for you and with you always”.

2 days later, Ameer called Aarthi to tell her about the problems happening at his home. Ameer’s parents were conservative and did not want a Hindu Daughter-in-law. They were very strong about the decision and Ameer was in total dilemma. He did not know whose stand to take and called up Aarthi to explain his situation. Aarthi knew that Ameer was so attached to his family and she herself would not prefer him walking out of them. She very well knew that he will not be happy if he came out for her. She spoke convincingly to Ameer, explaining how life would be better if he listened to his parents. Ameer was left with no choice. He gave in to his parents’ compulsion and Aarthi’s advice.

Aarthi met Rahul for dinner as usual but did not mention about Ameer. Rahul sensed the emotion in her eyes as soon as he saw her and asked her the reason. Aarthi cried on his shoulders bitterly. She showed him all the mails Ameer sent and the decision they took. Rahul was pissed off with Ameer for being so backbone-less and not standing up for his love. He tried to tell Aarthi that may be things will change soon and Ameer will change his parents’s mind, but both of them knew the truth. Ameer was not going to come back.

Aarthi and Rahul were upset in their own ways for the next few months. The only happiness they had was being with each other every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They would go out for shopping and eat outside or come back home early and watch a movie together in the laptop. She would cook and feed him when he stayed up with work. He would take her to the hospital when she fell sick and miss meetings in office. All that Rahul knew was Aarthi and Rahul was Aarthi’s world. The Happiness as well as physical intimacy started growing day by day. He slept on her lap almost every day and she found it impossible to walk without holding his hands. They still fought a lot, she used to nag and make him feel miserable. He used to ignore her and attend a booze party. Still they felt very close at heart, more than ever. Things were smooth again, a year passed by, until Rahul met Preetha in a Friend’s wedding.

“Hi, How are you ??” She started.
“Good, how are you. When is the wedding ?? No news at all ??“ Rahul came to the point.
“Well, we called it off. They were too demanding and my parents were hurt more than once by their attitude. I did not want to tell you this until you came to know by yourself. I did not dare entering your life once again.” Her eyes clouded with tears.
“Hmm. I don't know what to say. Just take care. Bye” Rahul decided to leave the place.

He left and reached Aarthi’s place in another 5 minutes. He couldn't wait to tell her this.
Aarthi, for the first time in her life, felt insecure and scared about Rahul. She felt that Preetha is back to steal him away from her. She did not know how to react and did not tell anything to Rahul. She just said, “Let’s see.”

Rahul was happy in a way that Preetha was back, but did not want to make any decision about their relationship, whether it should be revived or not. Both of them kept their thoughts to themselves.

The next day, Preetha met Rahul in the workplace and they decided to go out for dinner. Aarthi did not know why, but she felt jealous. She couldn’t tell Rahul not to go out but she was not able to digest the fact that they were going out also. She cried within and sent him with her.
Rahul’s mind was completely filled with Aarthi’s face. He could sense even the slightest or mildest emotion in her. He was in no mood to make patch-up conversation with Preetha and wanted to leave the place as soon as he could. He dropped her in her hostel and reached Aarthi’s place when he found her on call.
“Ameer had called” She said.
“Tujhe yaad na meri aayi, khisi se abh kyaa kehna !! “ KKHH in the TV.
“Oh, really ?? How come?? What's the news??”
“His parents said ok.”
“Eh??? What ok ?? I mean, ok for what??“
“For our marriage.“

It struck Rahul like a thunder. Aarthi is going to be married. She is going to be someone else’s. He can't take her out for a midnight coffee, he can't command her to cook the food of his choice, he can't meet or may be even talk to her, considering her conservative-to-be-in-laws. Yes, she is going away from him. She will stand like the other gal friends he had, 2 yards away from him and say a Hi or Hello.

“Aarthi ???”

“Aren't you happy for me Rahul?? Ameer has fought a lot for me at home. They have agreed after a lot of convincing and will want us to be married in another 2 months.”

She showed false excitement. He knew that. But he did not know what to say. He said “Congrats” finally and left the place. Alone at his place, after a long time, he felt lonely at heart too. His phone beeped. It was Preetha. She had messaged asking how did he feel catching up after a long time. Obviously, she was so elated that he was back with her. She also had a strong point now to convince her parents about Rahul. Rahul did not even feel like replying. He dozed off thinking about Aarthi.

Aarthi’s parents were so happy about the news from Ameer. They considered Ameer the best son-in-law and wanted to speed up the marriage process more than his parents. It was all happening fast and Aarthi had nothing to say to them. She had feelings for Rahul but what could she tell them when Rahul himself was with another gal. She kept herself busy settling things with Ameer, his parents and her parents.

After a week or so, she received a message from Rahul. It said, “U forgot me no ??”

“What?? Rahul, I have just been busy. Btw, Hows it between you and Preetha?? Hope you guys are doing great!! Ameer will be here in 2 days. Let's catch up for dinner then!!”

“Hmmmm”

Silence from Aarthi’s side. Aarthi knew that Rahul loved her more than any other person in the world right now and she too loved him. But he will never open up and say it. According to him, after all this time together, they were just friends. Whenever Aarthi had tried to bring up the topic before, he had cleverly ignored it. He did not want a commitment with her. She was his own. He did not want to call it by a relationship.

Rahul was haunted with the thoughts of Aarthi leaving to California with Ameer. The hands that held his hands till date, would only hold Ameer’s hands hereafter. The eyes that met his and showed all expressions would greet him a formal good bye in the airport. The lips he had kissed so passionately will only smile at him like a third person. She can never be his own again. Rahul felt desperate. He did not know what to do. He needed Aarthi more than Ameer or his parents or whomever in the whole world. He knew she would be happy and herself only with him. He wanted her and he knew that she wanted him that desperately too. But why was she acting so distant now? What had changed her mind?? Was she really excited about the fact that Ameer is back and he is going to marry her??
He was confused and upset. Where was she when he needed her the most?? He decided to message her.

“Hey, how about breakfast tomorrow at Sunny’s??”
“Eh?? Any problem with Preetha again??”
Wrong timing for sarcasm. How much he hated her that second and loved her the same amount the next second. He was almost in tears when he punched the reply.
“Please, do not tell anything more and hurt me. Do come. We need to talk.”
“Rahul, I am sorry man. I should have told you before. We have Sumangali Pooja at home tomorrow for my wedding. I wanted to invite you to click pics. Will you be available??”

Rahul could not reply. He knew she was playing a plot. He sat there staring at the ceiling, wondering what would life be without Aarthi.
However, he went to the Pooja next day with his Digital SLR. Aarthi had worn a pink silk saree and she looked more gorgeous than ever. He had never told her before how she looked because friends do not do that. Today he felt like telling her but could not. He sat on a chair and felt so out of place.

The Groom and his parents arrived in a Ford Ikon and received all respect from Aarthi’s parents. Ameer directly came to Aarthi, put his arms around her and whispered something in her ear. She looked at Rahul for a second and smiled mildly at the comment. Rahul’s ears went red. No, he could not let this happen. He had to stop it. He can’t see someone taking Aarthi away from him.
He went directly to Aarthi, looked at Ameer for a moment and then faced Aarthi.
“Aarthi, you know what's happening??”
“Sumangali Pooja for my wedding with Ameer” She said wryly and looked down.
He lifted her face and made her look at him.
“Tell the truth Aarthi. Are you happy??”
“Rahul, What are you saying? By the way, why haven’t you brought Preetha along??”
“Aarthi, stop being sarcastic. I love you and only you. I love you more than anyone else really can!!” Rahul was shouting at the top of his voice and it made all the elders turn towards them.
“Oh really ?? So ?? You love me as a friend. It's different Rahul. I need to marry Ameer only. He’s my man, like you said” She reminded him the words he had told her before.
“No, He is not. I am your man!! I need you in my life!! Please Aarthi, I don’t have anyone other than you.”
He bent down on his knees, “Will you marry me ???” He asked her.

Aarthi felt joyous beyond limits. She let tears flow down her cheeks and hugged him with an YES.
Everyone, including Ameer, was awestruck. They did not understand and it did not matter also to Aarthi and Rahul. She was sure that her parents would be on her side and that was more than enough.
Rahul finally had Aarthi all for himself and Aarthi had won her love against all the odds !!