Log into Love
“Suhaas, your girlfriend will catch another one, if you lose the job. Still 30 minutes to leave.” Riti sounded strict rather rude. She had earned popularity in the office within two months of joining for her punctual and workaholic nature. Usually, she is sympathetic to her colleagues’ needs but from last few days, she sounded cranky. In fact, her late arrival surprised all. Dhruv, the Managing Director of the Global Tech Solutions, was so impressed with her that mostly during weekends Riti was offered to have romantic dinner with him. Riti was polite enough to show up different unavoidable family matters.
Not every time she had been lying, being a single mother is never easy, especially, if you are residing in India. Here people are so friendly that they keep searching for your bio-data as if it is your eligibility to enter society. Only in two situations, you can be ‘so good’ more than KFC. Either you keep nodding your head positively to every demand with a smile on face or just die of cancer or some pathetic accident. The story was same for Riti. Her neighbors kept gossiping about her character, her job, her daughter and most importantly her unique sensuality that attracted the men in the community. In short, she was spoiling the atmosphere because leaving their own wives’ bags, men were ready to hold her luggage.
Riti never cared of what people say since she was in teen age. However, her family taught her all the regulations for being a girl in society. She always had more guy friends than the ‘mushy’ girls and owned a title of ‘Desperate’. Her elder sister was the ideal girl of the family with all the moral values and the girlie qualities. The only thing Riti bothered in life was her dream to be independent and make a worthy position in the men’s world. And now she was on her way of fulfillment. But from last few days she was being distracted. Arnav had suddenly started messaging her and he is making daring attempts to meet her. His urges were knocking hard in her mind. Two years have been passed in between and now she was a little afraid to face Arnav again.
Yes, she was feeling nervous to read his messages and after ignoring them for a long time, she replied to one of his messages. “I have always loved you and you misunderstood me.”
This typical ‘nonsense’ statement made her furious and Riti replied, “Are you sure that you are not a bastard?” She was ready to burst out at once. But an unexpected silence remained for long.
“I want to meet my daughter. We can give one more chance to our relation, Riti. Parents are planning my marriage. Please, forgive me.” This reply was enough to shake her off.
Actually, it could be very good news that the person, whom she loved, was coming back. But Riti was not happy. She never wanted to lose her daughter. Once she escaped abortion and stepped out of the relation, but being an ‘Unmarried mother’ was too tough for her. Society gave her an image of a slut and her daughter was a ‘result of sin’. Her family denied accepting her after she left home for Arnav. He was so happy and ready to marry her after the news of her pregnancy. Nevertheless, the sweet moment turned sour. It was her ‘crime’ to carry a female feticide in her womb. With a complete planning, she escaped from the hospital and since then, she didn’t stop.
In fact, Riti didn’t want Arnav to know that she had given birth to their daughter. So, how could that desperate girl became more daring to survive in the cruel world and the name she will never forget is Kabir, the best ‘guy’ friend since her college days. He was Arnav’s childhood friend but miraculously, came out as a ‘responsible’ person. Riti thought of leaving his house. But her health forced her to be there. Whether it was love or simply true friendship for Kabir, she never knew and no more, she wanted to increase the complications. A new rented apartment she had already arranged and after three months of Tridha’s birth, she relocated. Rumors regarding their relation knew no end. To some extent, Riti had to fight with herself to stay away from Kabir. She had started to trust him. His maturity, caring nature and sense of responsibility worked as an irresistible appeal for her. That mentality of being a single mother was getting a downward feeling. She found herself lonely in the new accommodation. She couldn’t distinguish whether it was love or mere attraction, and maintained a safe distance from her. Even Kabir’s family problems were increasing for her. They were planning for his marriage and Riti didn’t want to stop him. For first three months, he kept visiting Riti’s place very often after his office. She knew that no one could be a better father for her daughter. But, reality was different. So, Riti the relation became distant with time and was limited within phone calls and messages. Gradually, she made herself busy in her job and her little angel.
Still, twice a month Kabir came up to meet Tridha and the frequent words she kept uttering were, ‘Mumma’ and ‘Kabil’. In strange gestures, they talked to each other. Whenever anyone called up, and Tridha was around, she was the first person to pick up the phone and ask, “Haloo, Kabil?” Riti tried a lot to teach her calling ‘uncle’, but she was too happy with her ‘Kabil’.
Arnav was sending gifts for her and Tridha. He was trying to make her realize that he was ashamed of what he did through his long messages. Riti was losing her peace of mind and day by day, the situation was being more difficult.
But the only question was disturbing her repeatedly, ‘How did Arnav come to know about Tridha?’
The possible name was, Kabir and her suspect turned out to be true when Kabir requested her earnestly to meet Arnav for once. He claimed that Arnav was guilty of what he did and wanted to take up the responsibilities of his daughter. For about a week, Kabir kept requesting her.
Finally, Riti agreed to meet him and she kept the condition that Kabir would be there too.
Today he was going to meet Arnav. She knew her answer but deep down her heart, she was feeling a little nervous. It was going to be the first marriage proposal of her life. This was the sole reason, why she was getting angry with Suhaas.
After long time, she was going to meet Arnav and so dressed up a little more than usual. She received her daughter from the day care centre and headed towards café. On reaching CCD, she was feeling a chilling perspiration all over her body, even in the air-conditioned atmosphere. Arnav surprisingly chose her favorite table near the sofa. Kabir was sitting at a distance. Tridha suddenly called out for Kabir. Though, Riti tried to make her seat with Arnav, she ran towards Kabir’s table. As always, they were busy with each other.
Arnav ordered two coffees and started with formal introduction rather apology. For about fifteen minutes, Riti kept listening and eventually, the marriage proposal came.
“Please allow me to take all the responsibilities, Riti. I want my daughter back in my life.” Arnav was on his knees and the other visitors were watching them. Riti put him back to his place and handed him an envelope.
“What’s this? I am waiting for your answer….” Arnav couldn’t complete his words.
“It’s the answer, dear. Please have a look.” Riti was smiling.
Now it was Arnav’s turn to get fainted. “Are you kidding, Riti? How is it possible?” He cried out suddenly. In not more than a second, Arnav’s former self was out.
“You bastard, how could you do this?” He was grasping Kabir’s collar. Riti tried to stop him but she had to take care of Tridha. She got frightened seeing this and started crying. The waiters came in for help and pulled Arnav apart. Kabir seemed to be quite surprised.
“Thanks, Arnav. You proved it once more who you are. Kabir is her father and if you ask me how, better you explain it as you wish.” Riti held out the envelope to Kabir now. It was Tridha’s birth certificate, where he filled up father’s name with Kabir Bedi.
“I could change it Kabir. But I failed to control my feelings. I love you and want you to be her father forever.” Riti’s voice was trembling now and before she could say anything more, Kabir asked for some time to think over it. That evening left its essence with an undecided question, ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
Riti kept waiting and her life was going on as usual. Kabir didn’t contact after that evening. In her mind, Riti was losing hope and making up her mind for a severe ‘heartbreak’. Instead of being a matured lady of twenty-six, the thought of heartbreak was hurting her constantly. She even skipped her office for two days. Tridha was sleeping and she was standing near the window.
She willed herself to not check her phone to see if he had replied. It had been about three days now. She hated that she was constantly checking his 'last seen at' status and yes, he had logged in just five minutes ago. Yet she couldn't stop herself. This sinking feeling to find absolutely no communication from him was becoming unbearable, almost torturous.
And then, just as she sat down in her chair, her phone vibrated. With her heart thudding in her ear, she unlocked her phone and stared at the screen. Finally! It was his message.
But when she opened it and read it, she nearly stopped breathing. She didn't know if he was joking or not. What was this?
“What do you think that certificate will force me to get married to you? Do you want to take advantage of my name for her? Make it clear first.” Riti was so angry that she threw her phone on the bed and started crying silently.
Another message received just within few seconds. “Have you decided? I think you are confused. Look, if you want to take advantage of it, open the door. It’s damn hot outside. If you want to be a great human being, keep crying Sweetheart. But my little angel looks better while crying.”
The doorbell rang before she could complete reading the message and got a tight hug at once. “So you took my advantage, poor me.” Kabir was laughing while cuddling her. “Go to hell…” Riti wanted to free herself and got that magical reply, “I love you, wifey.” He wiped Riti’s tears, kissed her forehead and put a diamond ring on her finger.
“Kabil!” Tridha was awake and as soon as she saw him, came running. Kabir held both the ladies with firmly and made the family complete.
“Papa, say Papa, come on, P-a-p-a.” Now father was taking up the responsibility to teach his daughter.
“Riti, didn’t you teach her calling ‘Papa’? How selfish you are…” Kabir was pulling her leg again rather trying to be a perfect husband.