ADHOORI DASTAAN

Chapter 17 - Encounter With The Past

Abhimanyu Birla was probably the last person Aarohi wanted to meet again in her life let alone this trip. A hundred questions and haunting memories of her past flooded her mind as she stood rooted at the spot seeing him.

Abhimanyu was equally shocked to see her at the function, all decked up. "What the hell are you doing here?" he questioned. "Oh God! Don't tell me, you started stalking me... How desperate can you be.. I told you, I am not interested in you, in fact hate you and still you are following me... Unbelievable"

Aarohi felt a shooting pain in her heart, his words bruised her soul. But no, she won't let him again to hurt her this time. "Shut up!" she roared.

"Come out of your I, me, myself bubble, Dr. Abhimanyu Birla. Even in my worst dream, I won't stalk you... I guess you forgot what I said on our wedding day, 'You are not worthy of me.. I reject you..' and I am not a fool to to go back to someone I myself rejected"

"Then what are you doing here?"

"Have come here to buy vegetables... Heard its cheaper here" Aarohi said rolleing her eyes, "There is wedding happening, so obviously I am here to attend it... and just for your information, I am here with my boyfriend"

Abhimanyu sarcastically laughed, "My goodness!! And where is your imaginary boyfriend... How much lie will you tell Aarohi.. No guy will fall for you..."

Just then Kabir came with Randheer at the cafeteria and was shocked to see Aarohi with Abhimanyu. "Abhimanyu Birla?" he said.

Randheer - "You know him? He is my childhood friend... And the girl with him, is she your girl friend?"

Kabir could sense tension brewing in the atmosphere and every fibre of his being screamed to protect Aarohi, rushing towards her, "Aarohi!!" he said, holding her shoulders, "Everything is fine na baba?" He knew the question was futile. Aarohi wasn't okay. He could feel. it. She was on the verge of crying.

But controlling herself, she looked at Abhimanyu, "He is Kabir Raghuvanshi, my boyfriend and Kabir, he is Dr. Abhimanyu Birla, my sister's boyfriend." Abhimanyu was shocked beyond words. He hadn't imagined in his wildest dreams that Aarohi would have a boyfriend and that too Kabir Raghuvanshi, the famous singer, 'but how' his mind was filled with questions. In all this he didn't even bother to greet Kabir and neither was he any interested. He was constantly looking at Aarohi and hoping everything would be okay.

"Aarohi, I need your help in something, could you please come with me" Kabir lied to take her away.

"Just two minutes, I will come with you..." Aarohi replied and Kabir nodded and left but still stood at a distance from where he could clearly see them.

"So did you meet my not imaginary but real boyfriend?... I have moved on from you Abhimanyu... and have found someone way better than you... I have found my true love... And please be happy with my sister rather than hating me..." she said with the little strength she had gathered and walked away. 

Kabir followed her and soon she went into a ladies restroom. He was in a dilemma as to enter the restroom or not, he looked on his either side, there was no one. Having made the decision, he went inside.

Aarohi looked at him, "He is right.. I am a very bad person... Nobody loves me... I don't deserve love... I lied to him... I don't have any one in my life" she cried

Kabir was shocked to see her in this state. He went and hugged her tightly. "It's okay... Calm Down... You deserve everything in this world.. You deserve love Aarohi and I am sure you will get your true love one day... You will find someone who will madly, irrevocably love you... Who will cherish you as the most important person in his life... Who will give you all the happiness in this world.... You haven't lied anyone... Don't feel sad ..."

His words gave her an uncanny peace as she hugged him back. She wanted time to stop at that moment, his words being the only truth, she wanted to hear. But soon the reality dawned upon her that she was just here to act as his girlfriend. She left the embrace and took a step back. And now even Kabir started feeling awkward at his entering restroom and hugging her.

"Umm, There is still time for the mehendi function... I am going somewhere.. Will you join me"

It was no doubt a weird proposal. But Aarohi wanted to escape from the place at the moment so without thinking twice she accepted. They sat in the car and he started driving. After ten minutes they reached a place, which looked like a farmhouse. Getting down from the car, "Whose farmhouse is this?"

"My Dadaji's" Kabir replied as he opened the gate. A man in his 50s came smiling, "Arre Kabir baba, kese hai aap? (How are you?)"

"Main badiya Hoon... Parso meri behen ki shaadi hai.. Aapko pure parivar ke sath aana hai.. Aur haan gaadi mein maine kuch fruits and sweets rakhe hai, aap logon ke liye... Main jaate waqt deta jaunga (I am good, Day after tomorrow, my sister's wedding is there... You have to come with your family.. And I have some fruits and sweets in the car, will give you while going back..."

He introduced Aarohi to him, "He is Shyam Kaka, caretaker of this place... He has known me since I was a kid..." Aarohi did namaste while Kabir took her inside the farm house. It was a beautiful place with huge garden filled with different trees. He took her near a tree and asked her to close her eyes. She did and when she opened there was nothing. "Where exactly is the surprise?"

"Look up" he instructed and when she did she was surprised to see a cute treehouse. "Oh my God!! Such a beautiful tree house!!" She exclaimed like a kid.

"Come, let's go up.." he said holding her hand.

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Author's Note - Hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Do vote and share your thoughts in the comments. And for more such interesting stories don't forget to follow me... Happy reading!!