KEERTHANA

We were waiting for Vikram to come in the station. Atlast, the train came and stopped. All people were rushing to meet their loved ones. I lost my way. My in-laws were searching for me.

A woman was rushing like she was running in a marathon. She just gave me a big push. I was about to fall but I found myself supporting a huge figure. I held my hands on his arms. My head hit his stone-like chest.

I looked up slowly to see the Greek God. He was none other than Vikram. Atlast it was him. What if it was someone else?

"Sorry." I moved back. He was glaring at me. My in-laws came and saw us. We were talking there standing for some time and we headed home.

I sat next to Vikram in the car. He was so stiff. He was talking to others except me. We reached home and Vikram's grandma and Tyson was waiting for him. Tyson jumped on him and locked his face. Vikram patted him and went to his grandma.

They hugged each other. So lovely. We carried on with our work and I found Vikram glaring at a picture hanging on the wall. It was our picture. Our wedding picture. Us alone standing in an 'attention' position pretending to be smiling.

He sighed and went inside the room. Again he was standing outside and observing the room. I changed it completely.  It was so old-fashioned. "What is it you have done to my precious room?"

Same dialogue of my father. "Vikram please. Don't start your motor. It looks good now. It was so old before.  It looked like as if we are living in 50s." He was angry. He shut the door so hardly on my face.

Irritating, annoying and arrogant officer!! How can he do like that? What if he smashed my face? I went to parlour recently and spent Rs.5000!!!! For my face.

I came and sat on the sofa. My mother-in-law called for lunch. We had lunch and still Vikram did not come. We waited for him but he did not turn up. I finished my lunch and opened the door.

He was sitting on the bed and scrolling the phone. He was sitting with shock and amazement. He saw me and went to the restroom. He washed his face and went out for lunch. Never seen an awkward person in my life.

VIKRAM

Keerthana changed everything. Everything. Every single thing. In my house. She mingled with my family like her own. She made my family even more energetic.  You willbe thinking that I am praising her. But I am not.

She made everyone her side!! Very bad. I shared all my feelings to my mom. About the room. She supported her. Not fair. I did not like anyone touching my things. My mom knew it and she supported her.

This is kiddish but still... You know. But I diverted myself with another thought. My school reunion. Our batch. It's gonna happen next week. My friends knew that I am married and they told me to come along with Keerthana.

Oh man, how is it she charming everyone? I need to say this to her. I can make excuse but my friends told me that there is no need to come without her. They are married too and they are also bringing their spouses.

I went to my room. Keerthana was reading a book with her legs stretched. I cleated my throat. "Mm.."  She responded with her eyes still concentrating on the book.

"My friends invited us for school reunion. They told you to come."

"What am I supposed to do?"

"You should come with me."

"Why?"

"My friends told me to come with you and without you, they won't let me inside."

"Then you don't go." She said as she was closed the book and walked out casually.

I followed her and she sat on the hall sofa. She continued to read the book. I need to do something. Then I got an idea.

KEERTHANA

This Vikram is not letting me concentrate.  I was reading a thriller novel. Important part. I was about to reveal the twist but this Vikram came.

He told me about the reunion party. I won't go. Why should I? I just came to the hall. I sat and was about to read but he again came.

"Tell me Vikram. About reunion party? No Vikram. I can't." I finished it.

"Keerthana, mom knows about this. She told that you will come. Are you going to say a no to her?"

I was about to go and discuss with her but this stopped me. If I say no to her, she will feel bad. I said that one time and she was hurt. Even if I go now, I know the end result. I turned to him.

"When is the party?"
"Next Saturday. In a hotel." He said. 

I am going to the party. Yes. One week passed. The day came. I wore a red saree with a golden border. It was stylish. Stop Keerthana, don't praise yourself.

I saw Vikram. He wore a white shirt which was not a full hand and a black formal pant. I don't like to say this but I have to admit it. He looked handsome and manly.

We started from our house in the car. I looked at him. He was smiling for himself. Weird man.

VIKRAM

Old days flashed in my mind. Me and my friends, our atrocities.... I was so excited to meet everyone. We reached the destination. I came to my senses and looked Keerthana. She was gorgeous. The red colour was attractive. I was staring at her.

"Is it what you call reunion? Standing in the same place and looking me?" She glared at me.

We proceeded to a big party hall. I saw many familiar faces. "Hey Vicky boy!!" I heard someone call me. It was Shiva. "Hey man." We hugged each other. He was my close friend.

"How are you? Sorry for not attending your wedding. Is this your wife?" He asked looking at Keerthana.
"Yes." I pretended to be smiling. They introduced themselves.

"Keerthana, you must approach my wife. Name Vaishali. She is there." He pointed a lady with free hair and a dark blue kurti. "She is talking with our friends. She will give you company."

He called her and we introduced themselves. Keerthana left with her and we joined our friends. "Vicky you are the chocolate boy of our class man. Thought you will end up marrying one of our classmates." Told Karthik, my second close bestie.

I was famous at school as I was the topper in studies and sports and many girls had crush on me. I was the chocolate boy. I turned them down. It was so irritating actually.

"You know Aashika is coming to the party today? She got engaged last month." Dinesh told me. Aashika. My childhood crush.

You thought I was a decent fellow. Leave me guys. Even I am a human and disciplined people can also have crushes. I started to like her in 7th standard. My friends told her to propose me. I was reluctant.

But I was eager to know the end result by proposing her. The day I was about to propose her, she left the school. I was at 9th standard. I was so depressed for one month. When I think of it, I get laughter. I don't have any such feelings for her now.

Someone called her name. I turned immediately and saw her. She was the same. She wore a white kurti and a baby pink shawl. She was good. Her eyes looked at me. She waved me a 'hi'

We came closer and started to talk casually. She was the same. This was why I liked her.

KEERTHANA

I was talking to Vikram's classmates along with his friend's wife. They were all so close to Vikram. Good friends. I heard many things about him. Chocolate boy. Many girls had crush on him. Got many proposals. Paah...

Thought that every girl ran away from him. But it was opposite here.

Some people pretended to be jealous on me. It was fun with them. I looked around laughing and saw Vikram talking to a girl laughing so happily.

I saw Vikram's friend approaching his wife. I asked him, "Who is she anna (elder brother)?"
"Should I say that?" He asked me smiling.
"Why is it a suspense?"
"No but do not over react. Everyone will have one. She is Aashika, Vikram's childhood crush." He said. Childhood crush? So he knows how to love also?

But still I was feeling jealous. I did not know why. He did not talk with me like this for a single day. I heard that she was engaged. But still, this officer was getting into my nerves. He saw me for a moment and ignored me. Irritating. He made me feel so jealous. But why am I feeling like this?

No idea but I am so annoyed.

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Hey my dear readers, Keerthana is feeling jealous. Vikram was lost into his memories and he ignored Keerthana because of this. What is Keerthana going to do next and what will be Vikram's reaction?

Read this chapter until then and please do vote for me 😊