Ep14. Impatient Princess

~Alina~

I rose from the couch to check if Ammi needed any help in the kitchen when Aman seized my waist in his strong arms and pulled me towards him. “Where do you think you are going?” He whispered in my ear and I panicked, my eyes pinned on the kitchen door.

“What the hell are you doing, Aman? Aahil or mom may come out anytime. Leave me.” I gritted my teeth, but instead of leaving me, he pulled me closer and I shivered under his touch.

“Then let’s go to my room. Nobody will see us there.” He said, leaving sloppy kisses on my neck.

“I am not coming to your room. Leave me! Someone might see us like this, Aman!” I said, wiggling in his arms, but his hold was far too strong than my pleading.

“Fine then, just give me a kiss, and I’ll let you go,” He turned me to him with a mischievous smile on his face and I made an unsuccessful attempt to push him.

“You aren’t getting anything from me before our wedding. So control yourself, Mr Soon to be husband.” I smirked and Aman narrowed his eyes.

“Oh really, but last I remember, you were screaming my name under me. Do you remember the night we….” Before he could complete, I closed his mouth with my hand and my eyes widened in shock.

“Shut up, Aman! Are you crazy? Why are you bringing up that night again? We were drunk!!” I said, keeping the volume of my voice in check.

Aman smirked. He was about to say something from his nasty mouth, but his phone started ringing. He groaned while leaving me and retrieved his phone from his pocket. “It’s Vishal,” He said and looked up at me.

I slowly took a few steps back waving my hand at him, “Bye-bye.” I purred, and he rolled his eyes at me.

“You are cruel. I’ll definitely tell our kids that their mother is a serial romance killer.” He muttered while receiving the call. I laughed, sticking my tongue out, and left for the kitchen.

“Hey buddy, you are calling so late. Is everything fine?” Aman asked.

“I knew it! You guys forgot I am leaving for New York tomorrow.” Vishal shrieked on the other side.

“We remember! But you know everything happened so fast that we had no time to analyse the situation. Meera’s father wanted to meet Aahil, and we had to rush. You know it’s complicated dude, that’s why we had to leave you on your own, but I am still upset that you aren’t going to attend my wedding. Can’t you postpone your trip for a few days?” Aman said.


“I wish it was in my hand! I really want to be at your wedding but you know dad, he strictly ordered me to join his New York office this week but my good wishes are with you all. I wish you and Alina live a very happy married life, and I pray Aahil convinces Meera’s parents.” Vishal said and Aman smiled.

“Let’s face it, it’s not gonna be a walk in the park. We all understand the severity of the situation but let’s pray because that’s all we can do! Anyway, I am coming to New York next month for a conference and I am planning to take Alina as well. We’ll catch up or plan something.” Aman said.

 

“That’s awesome, dude! It’s a done deal then. We are meeting next month, and who knows, Meera and Aahil might also join you guys!” Vishal laughed.

“Fingers are crossed, buddy! Let’s hope for the best.” Aman said.

***
Meera was trying to call Aahil to show her the outfit that she planned to wear for Aman and Alina’s engagement, but his number was constantly busy. She groaned in irritation and sent him a message.

“This is my place in your life! You are ignoring my calls now! How could you?”

Meera tossed the phone on the bed, and the next second, it started ringing. She jumped on the bed, reaching out to her phone, hoping for Aahil, but it was Vishal.

“Hey!” She received the call.

“Hey! What’s up?” Vishal asked.

“Nothing, just trying to select a dress for tomorrow. You’re coming, right?” Meera asked.

“I’m leaving for New York tomorrow!” Vishal sighed and Meera raised her eyebrows.

“WH… what? Why so soon? I thought you’d attend the wedding!” She said. “Should I talk to your dad? He won’t turn down my request.”

“He won’t listen to anyone this time! He has ordered me to leave for New York and the deadline ends tomorrow,” Vishal sighed and Meera was saddened.

“I’ll miss you!!” She pouted and Vishal chuckled on the other side.  

“I’ll miss you too! Anyway, I called you so late for something important,” He said and Meera knitted her eyebrows, turning serious.

“What is it? Everything alright!” She asked, and Vishal took a deep breath before opening his mouth.

“If ever… and I mean it ever, if you need me, I’m just a call away,” He said in his deep voice, but Meera was too naïve to understand.

“What’s wrong?” She asked him.

“You are like my family and I pray nothing goes wrong, but if it does, I want to be the first you call, okay?” He said and goosebumps rose on Meera’s skin and she wondered why, as Vishal didn’t say anything horrifying to her.

“Okay!” She said instinctively and Vishal smiled on the other side.

“Okay, then! Bye, good night.” He said, and they ended the call. Meera stared straight, nothing in particular when her phone started ringing again. This time, it was Aahil.

***

Present Day,

“Aman, Vishal, Alina and even Aahil, everyone around Meera sensed the severity of their relationship, but why was she oblivious to everything?” Heena asked the ascetic.

“She wasn’t oblivious. If you remember the start of the story, she was actually the one who was worried more than anyone else. Ever since she entered into a relationship, there was hardly a day when the nightmare of the future didn’t haunt her.” Ascetic smiled.

“Why she didn’t break up with Aahil if she was so scared?” The other boy in the group asked. And the boy in the red hoodie sitting far away from them sighed.

“When you are in love, your heart makes you do crazy things! Meera loved Aahil more than any other thing in the world. Her love for Aahil was deeper than her fear!” The ascetic said, and the students pressed their lips in a straight line.

“I hope Aman and Alina had a happy life ahead?” Heena suddenly said and every set of eyes moved in her direction.

“It’s a story about Aahil Meera, and you’re worried about Aman and Alina!” The ascetic asked.

“Just I feel more connected to them!” Heena said and a lone tear escaped from her eyes and she quickly wiped it. Her friend, who was standing next to her, wrapped her hand around her shoulder to console her.

“Hey, why are you crying? It’s just a story!” She said to Heena.

“I am not cr-crying. I don’t know!” Heena said in a choked voice and took a deep breath. Her eyes slowly travelled back to the ascetic. “What happened next?”

***
“Please, bring my car tomorrow!” Aahil asked his friend to bring his car as it would be needed to run errands, as the house was slowly loading with guests. He looked at the mobile screen and found Meera’s call in waiting.

“You have the car keys, right?” He asked. “Make sure you reach here before the engagement party, okay?” He said and ended the call, and the next second, the screen lighten up with Meera’s message.

Aahil laughed, “Impatient princess!” He muttered, calling her, and she picked up his call on the first ring.

“Done talking to your other girlfriend?” She snapped, bringing a wide grin to Aahil’s face.

“The last time we talked after dinner, you said you want to sleep! What happened in the middle of the night?” He asked.

“Oh!! You wait for me to sleep so that you can to your other girlfriends without any disturbance. I get it now!” She gritted her teeth and Aahil facepalmed himself.

“What nonsense!” He said. “Tell me why were you calling?” Aahil yawned.

“I don’t want to talk to you now! Good night,” She snapped and ended the call before Aahil could say anything.

“Mad!”He shook his head, tossed the phone on the empty side of the bed, and slept peacefully.

***

The next evening, Alina’s house lit up with fairy lights and all were dressed in traditional attires leaving for the venue. Aahil buttoned his blue suit, spraying woody cologne at himself, and wore a wristwatch. His eyes travelled to his phone, and he called Meera again, but the latter disconnected the call.

He huffed, walking out of his room and bumped into Alina’s mother, but saved the boxes of sweets in her hand. “Watch where are you going!” She said.

“I am sorry!” Aahil apologised and Sabina’s expression softened.

“Are you leaving for the venue?” She asked.

“Yes,” Aahil nodded his head. Sabina handed her the boxes of sweets.

“Great! Take them with you,” She said.

“You aren’t coming? The ceremony is about to start!” He said. “We should leave now.”

“There is a lot of work left and no one to help me! I’ve got to pack some gifts.” She said.

“I’ll help you!” Aahil put the boxes of sweets on the side table. “Let’s do it together and leave.” He said and for the next half an hour he help Sabina. He glanced at his phone several times, but Meera didn’t call him for once. They wrapped up everything and walked out of the house. Aahil unlocked his car to put the gifts and sweet boxes inside.

“Let’s go!” He turned to Sabina, only to find her eyes pinned to his car.

“This is…” She opened her mouth, but Aahil completed her sentence.

“This is Aman’s old car. He planned to dump it to buy a new one, so I purchased from him.” He smiled. “I pay him in instalments every month!” He quickly clarified, and Sabina smiled.

“You don’t have to explain to me! You are a family now.” The word family that smoothly rolled out of Sabina’s mouth hit him hard, and Aahil realises he has no one in the name of family.

“Let's go!” Sabina smiled and Aahil opened the passenger door for her. He walked over to the other side, calling Meera, but her phone was switched off. Aahil grew worried about her and decide to check on her once dropping Sabina at the venue.