Right love, Wrong person!
“LOVE always happens unexpectedly, with an unexpected person, that’s why it is LOVE.”
Priya was a typical Indian girl who grew up adoring Shahrukh Khan and his movies, reading Mills and Boons and most importantly fantasizing about her prince charming, who would come on a horse back. She honestly had no idea what love was or how it feels to be in love. Movies, again, were her only source of inspiration. She expected the regular background music, flower petals to fall on her and oh what not. But then, movies always show something very different from reality.
Well, that day was like any other regular day for Priya until he came. The meeting had already begun and she was trying hard to concentrate on her team leader's presentation when she heard him at the cabin's entrance. Involuntarily her eyes turned to the entrance door and then, she saw him for the first time ever. Her heart stopped for a moment. She didn’t know what she had fallen for, at first. His voice, his smile, or his deep brown eyes? She could never find an answer for this. The Team leader allowed him in and he walked to the chair opposite to hers. Her eyes followed him until he sat down. He then glanced towards her side. Suddenly back to her conscious state, she realized that she has been staring at him without blinking even once! She looked down immediately.
He looked so perfect, with his tall and well toned frame, swarthy complexion, deep brown eyes that spread warmth and that killer smile which always sent a tingling feeling in her stomach. He was the one who perfectly fit in the descriptions of a girl's "Dream man."
After the presentation was done, their Team leader Mohan introduced them to her prince (yes, in her mind he was already hers). “He is Aarav, the new member of our team” said Mohan. They all greeted him in unison with a “Welcome Aarav” and then each one proceeded to introduce themselves. Priya was slightly nervous and also excited when she went forward and shook hands with him.
“Hi Aarav, Priya here" she said with one of her brightest smiles.
“Hey! I like the name Priya" he said. It was enough to make her go all red, blushing. She could feel an instant connection with him, a kind of very happy feeling. Being in the same team meant, working together and spending a lot more time with each other, and she was more than happy with her job and daily routine from that day. She secretly thanked her dad for forcing her to take up this job. She had gotten through the campus placements in her college, but didn't want to take it up because she was to be posted at Bangalore, which meant she'd have to leave her city, Hyderabad, which she was not very keen about. But since her dad wanted her to have some exposure and working experience, he convinced her on how wonderful the job was and she must be grateful for her luck and all that stuff. But today, just because Priya could chance upon meeting Aarav, she was the happiest about it.
This was the beginning of the wonderful bond Aarav and Priya began to share. Apart from their conventional work life, they used to make it a point to hang out, meet up for coffees, and catch up with the latest movies and also their never ending talks. They also got familiarized with each other's personal lives. His family included his parents and his elder sister who was married. His dad worked in Dubai and his mom stayed in India until he finished with his education. Once he got his job, she left to Dubai. His sister's home was at Delhi, and his job was in Bangalore, so he stayed in a rented flat here along with two more guys. Priya tried giving Aarav company when he missed his family, and also introduced him to her folks! Since her parents weren't the conservative type, she took him along to Hyderabad whenever she visited home. He was immensely liked by her parents and it gave her a huge satisfaction that her choice of a partner was liked by her parents too. It was never like Priya met Aarav only two or three months back. She felt like she knew him since her childhood. On one such visit home, when Aarav couldn't accompany her as he had to visit his sister at Delhi; Priya’s parents asked her if she was in love with Aarav? She blushed at their question.
“Her facial expression says it all” Priya’s mom said to her dad, smiling.
“Yes, but I want a confirmed reply from her” said her dad.
“Yeah papa, I fell for him at first sight" Priya confessed to her dad.
“Our little angel has grown up, she has even chosen a partner for herself" her dad told her mom in a happy tone.
Listening to this, Priya hugged her dad and said, “But papa, I'll always be your little angel, do you and mom like him too?" she asked her dad.
Her mom and dad looked at each other smiling and her dad said, “After all he is your choice Priya. We can understand how deserving he must be to be loved by you."
Priya was exhilarated on hearing her parents’ approval and jumped with joy in her heart. She wanted to get back to Bangalore and propose to him as soon as possible. She just couldn't wait to confess her love for him. She was nervous, tensed, excited and above all very happy with the course of her life after his arrival. Somewhere in her heart she knew he loved her too.
Once back to Bangalore, finally after much turmoil of ideas in her mind, Priya decided to propose to him after a formal dinner date. It would be the best way, she thought. It was a lovely day, not too sunny or windy, and in the lunch time, she asked Aarav out for a dinner date.
“But tomorrow's the weekend, why today?” asked Aarav.
“Just wanted to have some talks with you, it’s been a long time" she replied.
“Oh, sounds cool to me. It’s your treat then" He said with a wink.
She laughed and said, “Yes of course. Will meet you at Little Italy by 8".
“Yeah sure, will be there" he said with a smile.
Priya’s restlessness was back to her. She was just a bag of mixed feelings. After the day's work she went back home and had a nice warm shower, to calm her already nervous self. She took time in dressing up that evening. After an hour long searching and thinking, she decided to wear a full sleeved black evening dress with silver linings, with a pair of Diamond studs and her silhouettes with minimal makeup. She only highlighted her eyes with kajal and liner, and had a touch of some lip-gloss. She brushed her hair to curls, which completed her look for the evening. She was extremely pleased with her reflection in the mirror. She wished that if only her inner self could be as calm as her outer appearance, it would be perfect.
Priya reached Little Italy by 8.10 and was surprised and also delighted to find Aarav waiting for her. He had worn a Crisp white shirt with faded blue jeans, hair set back into small spikes with some hair gel and his wonderful smile that made him look more handsome than ever.
“Wow Priya, you look absolutely stunning" said Aarav.
She blushed at his compliment and replied “Thank you, Aarav. You look good too"
He smiled and asked her playfully “Is it your birthday today by any chance and did I forget it?”
“Oh no Aarav, it’s nothing like that. I just wanted to talk to you" she replied.
“Oh ok, let’s go in" he said and opened the door for her. She was charmed by this sweet gesture.
After placing the orders, Priya asked Aarav about his Delhi trip and about many other things. He noticed her restlessness and asked her if everything was ok? She replied "Yes, all fine." He didn’t seem convinced and pressed her to open up. Finally she gathered her courage and said, "Yes Aarav, I want to confess something to you today".
"Yeah, go on, I’m all ears" he said.
"Aarav, right from the moment I saw you, I have had this strong feelings towards you. I didn't know what it was, but it was wonderful. I loved and still love and will continue to love spending time with you. Your name makes me smile and your smile sends butterflies in my stomach. Whenever I am with you, I feel secured and happy. You give me positive vibes. It is from you I realized what love at first sight means. I fell for you the moment I saw you and wish to stay with you for the rest of my life." She paused to see if he would react, and then decided to continue and confess it. "I love you, Aarav".
He looked at her shell shocked, with no expression on his face. He didn't give her any hint on what he felt at the moment. It made Priya nervous. “Was I too early or too open about it? Did I presume his feelings? Did he or didn't he reciprocate my feelings?” she thought to herself. She had no clue and his silence made it worst. She requested him to say something.
Finally he said, "I have some important work, will meet you later. Sorry"
And he left. He just left. Priya sat there dumbfound. “What went wrong? Why did he leave so abruptly? Even if he didn't love me, we could have talked and sorted it out. But he just turned his back on me and went away” she thought. She felt so sick. She paid the bill and went home. Once home she broke down completely. She had no idea what to do. She called him innumerable times that night, left him hundreds of texts, but he just ignored them all. She didn't give up till the next morning but with no response. She decided to talk to him at office but he had taken a leave. It totally miffed her, and she decided not to call or text him anymore till he responds. Priya knew it would kill her, but she waited for him to make the first move now.
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? It was rather a long message and she began reading it excitedly, but her cheeks lost color eventually and she couldn't believe what she read. His text went like this
"Hello Priya. Firstly, I am extremely sorry that I walked away like that, that night. But I was shocked, and perplexed with your confession. I always loved and adored you as my best friend and never more than that. But I was scared to talk to you right then. What reason could I give to reject you? How could I bear to be a reason for tears in my best friend’s eyes Priya? Please don’t misunderstand me or my reasons to tell you a NO. I wanted some time away myself, and didn't have any contact with anyone from three days. I wanted to think, and finally I came to the conclusion that I must tell you the truth so that it won’t affect our friendship in anyway. You may call me selfish Priya, but yes, to have you in my life forever, I am selfish. The truth is that, "I am a Homosexual". In simpler words, I am gay. I never told it to people because, you know right how we are mocked and mistreated in society. I didn’t want to confess it to you, in the fear of losing you as my friend. But now I guess it was mandatory for me to confess it. I am really sorry to have hurt you, Priya. Will always love you and will be there for you, and even after knowing this if you'd continue to be friends with me, I'd consider myself blessed. Bye, Take care :) "
What the Hell on earth was that? Aarav, a homosexual? It was too much for her to digest. She didn't know if she should laugh or cry, she was in mixed emotions. She herself was a supporter of the LGTB community, and now had fallen in love with one of them. The truth was hard to sink in for her. She texted him and asked him to meet her at a coffee shop near her place. She was so damn confused. But she was sure she didn’t want to lose him in life. “So what if he was a gay? We can still be friends” she thought. He agreed to meet her. When they met, it was all awkward for them.
Finally Priya broke the ice between them and said, "Aarav, I really appreciate your courage to honestly confess your truth to me. It has made my respect for you grow higher. And definitely we'll remain as best friends forever. Let’s just forget the past few days and go on with life as usual."
He just held her hand and squeezed it hard. He was so happy that she understood him and still accepted him. He was sure that Priya would find the best guy for herself and she just laughed on it. “I don’t want to fantasize for my `Dream man’, instead wanted to work on fulfilling my dreams” she told Aarav. That day, she made a real best friend for life, and also realized the true essence of Love.
This was Priya’s story of her first love, which was the "Right love with the wrong person."