Mr Viraj Sehgal

Situ's POV:

"It's a yes from our side too" I heard dad's voice while we are going down the stairs.

I sat beside Sisira akka. She seems to be lost. There is no happiness on her face. Her eyes held tears.

"Are you happy with this marriage?" I whispered. She nodded.

"Don't lie! you are crying" I said narrowing my eyes.

"It's because I've to leave you people within 20 days," she said. I hugged her tightly.

"It's okay, we can meet frequently. And congratulations akka(sis)" I said.

''Thank you" she said pulling back.

"BTW who is the groom?" I asked. Everyone looked at me as if am an alien.
Com'on I came just now, how would I know?

"You don't know?" asked Kyathi vadhina(sil), Ved Anna's wife. I shook my head in no.

"He is your brother in law, Situ," said Navya Vadhina, Sid Anna's wife pointing to a man in a black suit with a maroon tie. He seems to be around 6 inches, with neatly gelled hair, a classic full beard with fair skin.
Seems like he directly came from the office!!

(Abhi's outfit)

I smiled at him to which he gave a curt nod with a poker face.
Rude much!!

"Come let's have dinner," I said to Aarya's family and looked at my grandparents to check whether they are agreeing with me or not. They nodded smiling.
Well, I need to overact for some time to escape from my grandfather's wrath.

I arranged the table along with mom and aunts. Everyone took their seat except mom, aunts and Siru akka and I.

"Sitaara, you too join them," said mommy.

"Let Siru akka sit with her soon to be inlaws' family, I'll serve," I said.

"If Sisira joins them it will be disrespectful" whispered mom making me roll my eyes.

"But akka(sis) will be eating alone" I whispered.

"It's okay Situ. Mommy and aunts will be accompanying me, you join them. You have to sleep early" she said.

"Or else tomorrow we have to wage a third world war against you for waking up late" she added chuckling.

"Akka(sis)" I whined pouting making everyone laugh.

"Where shall I sit?" I asked no one in particular.

"Situ, come sit here," said Aarya patting the seat right to her and left to Abhimanyu.
I don't know why, I am not comfortable addressing him as bil.

I nodded and sat between them. I served food to myself and started eating like a hungry woman who is starving for ages. I was eating gulab jamun, I felt a pair of eyes. It's Vikram.

"I know it's your favourite sweet, Vikram but I am not giving mine from my plate," I said chuckling.

"Even I don't want to have it from your plate," he said in a harsh tone making me frown.

"Are you okay, Vikram? Why are you being harsh at Situ? She was just pulling your leg" said Arjun.

"Maybe girlfriend problem," said Druv, Abhimanyu's brother. I, Aarya and Arjun looked at each other and burst out laughing.

"What happened? Why are you three laughing?" Asked Naman, Abhimanyu's brother.

"He and girlfriend? Oh my god, it's a joke of the year" I said between my laugh.

"He doesn't spare at any girl other than me and Situ," said Aarya.

"Is it true, Vikram?" Asked Ved anna.

"Yes, anna. He is allergic to girls. He neither even talks about any girl nor listen about any girl" said Arjun chuckling.

"Come on man!! You are handsome and never had a girlfriend. It's hard to digest" said Vikranth.

"Once he lashed out on a girl who proposed him on valentine's day"  I said.

''Why?" Asked Disha, Abhimanyu's sister.

''Because he feels that it's cheating on his future wife" said Aarya giggling.

"The girl who get married to you gonna be lucky one, Vikram" said Sid anna smiling. Vikram smiled back at him.

Like this every one indulged themselves in talking, laughing, pulling eachother's legs except Abimanyu. I tried to make him talk but he only gave curt nods with a emotion less face. I didn't see him even smiling.

In amidst of all these my heart pained remembering mine and his bickering during our lunch. My heart is crying for him. It's really painful to pretend everything fine when you are not and it is the most worst thing one could experience.

Understanding my thoughts Aarya kept her hand on mine squeezing it. I looked at her giving a small smile with tears.

After sometime a lot of talks between elders, pulling legs between youngsters, they decided to leave. I and Siru akka stood behind every one. Abhimanyu's mom and aunt came towards us. I thought they are coming for Sisira akka but surprisingly they both hugged me.

"To be frank untill you came everything seemed bored but you turned whole atmosphere into jovial with your presence. Spread happiness like this, God bless you beta" said Anjali aunty (Abhimanyu's Aunt). I smiled at her pulling back and nodded my head. Sakshi aunty(Abhimanyu's mom) kissed my forehead pulling back. Everyone smiled at us. Then, they both went to Sisira akka.

They hugged her and left home waving at us. I thought Abhimanyu would atleast glance at Akka before going but he maintained same blank face and rode away in jet speed.

I went back to my room and ringed to Ishaan to know about their whereabouts. After making sure that they are fine, I slept not before recording my day in the recorder.

Abhi's POV:

It's been 3 days after that meet.I avoided everyone going early to office and coming back home late. I observed Aarya yelling at someone through phone. Tomorrow it's my pappu annam/ roka ceremony.

Next day we all went to Shetty's mansion. I didn't spare a glance at Sisira, 'not even once'. Unknowingly my eyes searched for Sitaara but there is no trace of her. At the end of the ceremony I came to know that Sitaara went on a solo trip without informing anyone.

"That girl has so much courage to do it" I said to Rishi and Anish. We 3 are sitting in backyard as am feeling suffocated inside. Not because of people but the atmosphere which is screaming my marriage every where.

Rishi let out humourless chuckle shaking his head. "She is different girl, Abhi. Trust me when I say this, she is definitely not like other girls. She is unpredictable and solo trips like this aren't new for her. She goes on solo trips atleast once in two weeks. Sometimes she won't come home even for nearly 10 days" said Rishi.

"Where does she go?" Asked Anish which I wanted to ask.

"Don't know. She won't be telling where she goes. She just leave a note behind that she is leaving and she make sure no one could trace her location by leaving all her things behind" said Rishi.

"Why does she do it?" I asked.

"Don't know. She won't be telling even if you threaten her with her life. She is so difficult to understand" said Rishi.

"What's Shetty's reactions to her acts?" Asked Anish.

"A tight slap when she comes back" said Rishi chuckling. We too chuckled.

"They are tired of her acts, Ani. They are tried to find out the reason behind her stunts like these but no avail. During her stay away from home whole house will be shady. Sid and Ved will pull their hair out of their scalp in frustration. Now, they are planning to get her married after Sisira's wedding so that she could stop pulling these stunts" added Rishi.

"Then, is she ready to get married?" Asked Anish.

"No, she made it clear that she isn't gonna marry and lead her life as single. But Sid already found matches but he is gonna have tough time to make her agree. He is adamant to get her married exactly within a month after Sisira's wedding" said Rishi. We fell in silence.

"But you know, she is the most humble, cheerful girl I have ever seen. That beautiful smile never leave her face neither she let other's smile drop. I have never seen her crying not even when Adhira got married to me. Among all the Shetty siblings Adhira and Sitaara are pretty close still Sitaara never share her problems" Said Rishi with a smile.

Unknowingly I smiled again. Rishi and Anish looked at me as if I stood naked infront of them. They were opening their mouth to say something but closing again. I rolled my eyes at their over action and left from there.

*

We all were sitting in living area at my mansion. I came to know that my engagement gonna held a week away from now and wedding 5 days away from engagement day.

"Thatha, Why are you people rushing off things?" I asked.

(Thatha:- grandfather)

"According to your horoscope you should get married on these dates or else you have to marry after 5 years i.e. when you turn 33" said my grandfather.

"You guys still belive all these? Ridiculous!!" I said and came back to my room.

I laid on my bed thinking about him. If he would be here with us he would never miss a chance to tease me, he would jump like a kid all around my mansion in happiness, may be if he would be with me today, I would have agreed to marry whole heartedly, I would dream about my new life, wife and kids.*sigh* if he would be with us I would have a child like anish and Rishi by now. His disappearance from our lives made a great impact on our lives, especially mine afterall he was my best friend.

Remembering about us I closed my eyes.

Abhi, come on man have some drink.

Abhi, am sorry. I couldn't stand for you.

Abhi, my life got ruined.

*

I love you, Abhi

Abhi, you are gonna become father.

*
Abhi, your bestfriend too gonna become father.

*
You stole crores of rupees, Abhi.

I never expected this from you, Abhi.

Get out of my house, you bastard.

*
I woke up with a jerk panting. I tried search for my medicines but all I could see blood stains every where. I immediately ringed to Rishi and Anish with difficulty. They lifted the calls. I tried to speak but I couldn't form my words as I felt like someone choking my neck. Am not able to hear Rishi and Anish words all I could hear is their cries and all I could is see the blood pooling on my floor.

I smashed my phone on wall in frustration. Trembling I walked to bathroom but everything is filled with red colour. I turned on shower and stood under it. Tears started flowing down my eyes. I cried under shower till my tears went dry.

**

Days rolled , tomorrow it's my engagement. Mom passed strict orders not to go to office even today. So, currently am working from home sitting in living room. I heard Aarya yelling again through call whilst descending the stairs.

"Girl!! You didn't even select dress till now? This is ridiculous, Situ" she yelled.
Oh...she is talking to Sitaara. So, she is back from her trip.

"But, Situ be serious, girl. This is your sister's engagement" she shouted sitting in couch.

"Situ, I can't come now. Please understand, don't whin now. You are always like this, even vir-" she stopped in middle closing her eyes.

"Am sorry I didn't mean it. It just rolled out of my tongue. Am coming, get ready in 30 minutes" she said and hung the call.

Aarya palmed her face sniffing. "Aaru, are you okay?" I Asked.

"Yes, anna(bro) am fine" she said wiping her face. Before I could ask her something her phone rang. She lifted it.

"Hello, arjun. I screwed up again, man" she said in broken voice and went to her room talking.

After some time arjun and Vikram came.

"Hey!" I greeted them. They smiled at me.

"Come sit" I said. They nodded. Mom served them juice. We were talking about business related matter, Aarya came down in her black sweat shirt and black pants. Seeing her Arjun enraged to her with blood shed eyes.

"Why can't shut your mouth for once, Aarya. For godsake she came back home after 5days and you pushed her into pain again" he yelled with tears.

"Arjun!!" I warned dangerously. He looked at me apologitically and turned to Aarya.

"Am sorry, Jun. I was frustrated and it came out if my mouth automatically" said Aarya with tears.
What's going on? Are they talking about sitaara?

"You know her Aarya, she may run away again" said Arjun calmly while Vikram wiped his tears.

"Come, lets go before she run away again" said Vikram. They nodded. Waving at me they went away.

These friends are really crazy and among them sitaara is most craziest girl as am hearing about her a lot nowadays from mom. My mom is so excited for meeting sitaara after years and she is filling our ears about her.

Situ's POV:

After that Aarya's family went away, I got a call in mid night from his brother, Ishaan. I lifted the call.

"Hello" I said in my hoarse voice as I slipped into slumber and he called at 3:00 AM. He wasn't speaking anything. He was sobbing loudly. I sat up with a jerk.

"Hello, Ishaan. Kya hua? Aunty tho theek hai na?" I asked.

(Hello, Ishaan. What happened? Aunty is fine right?)

"Di... Ma's he..alt..h is deteriorating. W..e nee..d to do sur..gery as s..oo..n as pos..sib..le" he cried hicupping.

"Don't worry Ishaan. I'll take care of money and we will get her operated. When is the date?" I asked trying hard not to break down.

"No ne..ed di. I just ri.ng.ed you as we  ha..ve no one to s..hare our gr..ief" he said and sobbed loudly. Tears started flowing down my eyes.

"You are like my brother Ishaan and aunty is my mom. Please never say that you people don't have anyone. Am there with you people. Anyways tell me the by which date we should get aunty operated?" I asked wiping my tears.

"They told that they will give date if we make payment and as for now, her condition is bad. Doctors informed us to arrange money within a week" said Ishaan.

"Amount?" I asked. He went silent.

"Ishaan, tell me the amount" I said.

"45 lakhs" he said. I gasped and closed my eyes.

"Ishaan give some time I'll arrange money. Please stay strong" I said and hung the call without hearing to his reply.

I immediately cupped my mouth crying. I don't have single penny now. I spent all my saving on hospital bills and his siblings college fees. How shall I get money.

I walked to balcony and leaned on to glass door, I slid down and sat on cold floor

Why Raj? Why did you leave us? How should I save your mother now? You promised me to walk in my every step I take but you left me alone. Please I want you here now. You have kept me in a situation where I can't even come to you. I love you Raj. Please, help me out. I cried looking at stars in dark sky. Cool breeze hitting my wet cheeks which reminded me my beautiful moments with him.

Flash back

I, Aarya, Arjun, Vikram, My other bestie, Kabir bhaiyya and Viraj went on a trip to Manali. After a tireful day everyone slept in our tents like dead people. I came out to enjoy the cold breeze. I sat on ground. Stream of water sound is making my heart in solace. Beetle were making sound.

Due to cool weather I curled myself in a ball hugging my knees. I felt a thick blanket around me and a hand wrapped around my waist which is giving me warmness more than the blanket could. I know who it is. I leaned on his shoulder hugging his torso.

''I love you, Raj' I said.

''I love you too, Taara" he said kissing my temples.

''Why are you here at this time? It's dangerous. It isn't safe at all, Taara" he said with concern lacing his voice. I smiled.

"I know it's not safe but you are here to protect me" I said. "So cheesy" he said chuckling. I hit on his chest.

''It's not cheesy, it's true. Tell me isn't it?" I asked snuggling more to him.

"It's true for now. What if I leave you one day?" He asked. I raised my head and slapped him hardly.

"I will kill you if you talk about leaving me. In case that happens, it will be last day of Sitaara Dev Shetty" I said with tears.

"I am sorry. Please don't cry and Madam, same warning applies to you too. Don't ever talk about ending your life" he said pulling me closer. I remained silent turning my face away.

"Acha am extremely sorry. I promise I'll never leave by your side and hamesha tumhari har ek kadam mein saath doonga" he said.

(I'll always be with you in each and every step you take.)

"Even, I won't take my any step without you, Raj and one more thing mister, you are struck up with me life time from the day you proposed me. So, even in your dreams never think of leaving me" I said sternly.

"Ok mam" he said chuckling. "Good boy" I said ruffling his hair making him pout.

"Hmm.. don't you think you boss around me alot?" He asked.

"Don't you think girlfriends are meant for that?" I asked smirking.

"But you are different from my friend's girlfriends. My girlfriend rather I must say my soon to be wife isn't like others girlfriends. Infact I love it when you boss around me" he said. I blushed hearing word 'wife'.

"Blushing? Huh? Even in dark I could see your blush which is adorable" he said caressing my cheeks. I blushed more. He lifted and made me sit between his legs wrapping his arms around my waist and placing his chin on my shoulder.

"You know, am the most luckiest man" he said nuzzling his nose in crook of my neck. I giggled as his stubble was tickling me and my breathe turned uneven as his touch always makes wonders.

"Why?" I asked which came out huskily and mentally facepalmed.

''Because am getting most beautiful and understanding woman as my life partner which every man carves" he whispered in my ears as his lips touch my earlobe. I blushed leaning on his chest.

"Woh toh sahi baat hai, Mr.Viraj sehgal" I said giggling.

(That's true, Mr. Viraj Sehgal)

He too chuckled hugging me tightly from behind.

Flask back ends.

I cried looking at his picture. You broke the promise Viraj. How shall I take such a biggest step without you? I need you. Now. Right beside me. I said to stars which were twinkling as if laughing at my plight.

Then I went inside and packed my stuff. Leaving a note, credit card, my usual phone behind I left to railway station and spent a night in