CROSS ROADS

I asked him, "Papa what's wrong? Why are you tensed?

He then replied, "Princess you need to know something and I don't know how you'll react. Just hear me out and then decide." I knew something serious was coming and I just nodded my head for him to continue.

He then continued, "Princess, just now I happened to overhear your mom's conversation with Nikhil. Nikhil warned Veer to go away from your life or else he wouldn't marry you and unfortunately your mom supported Nikhil on this. I think that's the reason behind this sudden trip to US because we all knew how important you are to him and he wouldn't leave you and go for some seminar. I know you must be feeling betrayed, but know that you'll always have me at your back. I'll support you in whatever decision you take." and I just hugged my Papa and started crying very badly. Right now I don't know what should I do. And I can't even tell what I'm feeling right now. The day which I thought would be the best day of my life, turned out to be a worst nightmare. I felt betrayed by my Mom. And Nikhil, I've explained him so many times about my relation with Veer. I've never questioned his relationship with anyone. Today I was ready to leave my house, my family back just for him, but he never respected my feelings, emotions and most importantly my relations. Will he be ok if I disrespect any of his friend? Even after knowing what Veer is to me, he warned him to go away from my life. I mean if I'm getting married to him, should I have to leave all my relations back and prioritize his wishes, his family. We are not even married and who gave him the right to take my decision. Now seeing my engagement ring, I'm feeling suffocated. And then I heard my father saying, "Princess you still have time, think about it and let me know your decision. Nothing matters to me other than your happiness, don't worry about my reputation. You don't have to do this, if you don't want to." My father patted my head lovingly and left the room to give me space to think.

Right now, if I had Veer beside me, I'd kill him. Rajveer Singh, my best friend since past 20 years. He knows me better than anyone. He has always been my support system. He'll bear all my tantrums and he's the one who clears the mess I create and bear the brunt. Even though he wouldn't say it, I always know that he would do anything for me. But then I didn't know that he would even leave me, for my happiness. But he's wrong about me this time, how on earth did he think that I would be happy with Nikhil, if he's not there. Did he not know that I wouldn't stay in any relation where he is not respected? Stupid let him come back, I'll teach him a good lesson. The issue is not about who is important Veer or Nikhil. It's just that I want Nikhil to respect my feelings and my relation with Veer. Just because I found Nikhil, I cannot leave Veer who's there in my life for past 20 years. He has always been my shadow; how could anyone turn away from their shadow.

I met Veer when I was five. I was playing in a park. Some boys were bullying me, I used wear two piggy tails. They were pulling my hair and making fun of me. Then out of nowhere he came as my savior, he pushed those boys away and stood before me. Given that he was so lean back then, he still stood there for me and fought with them. He even got hurt for me. Then I cried seeing him getting hurt for me. I took him to my home for first aid and asked my father to do it. Later I got to know that he was my new neighbor. I took very good care of him until his wounds cured. We always used to be together, either in my home or his. We were in the same class and we used to sit beside each other. Other students in our class felt jealous seeing our relation but we never cared anyone. Then when we were twelve, he lost his mother in an accident. After that he was so depressed, he used to stay in his room all day. He didn't even speak to me, but slowly I managed to bring him back. His father is also a businessman, he was always busy and couldn't get time for Veer. Not that he didn't care for Veer, but he knew I would take care of him. After that our bond became even more strong. He started seeing his mom in me. I'm very clumsy and he's reserved. I'm a Math student and he suck at Math. He wanted to be a doctor and I wanted to do MBA and look after my Father's Business. We are poles apart, but we got so well with each other. He became my lifeline, whenever I landed in trouble, he would save me. Whenever I felt low, he lent me his shoulder. Whenever I felt happy, he used to feel double the happiness. Whenever I won something, he celebrated my success. After finishing our school, we had to choose our field. Though he always wanted to be doctor, he didn't want to choose that field because I wouldn't be with him. Then I consoled him, fought him and then convinced him to choose Science. But then convincing his father was difficult. His father wanted him to do MBA and look after the business. At last, he gave in after all who doesn't what their children's happiness. Then both of us went to Harvard University. I did my graduation in Architecture and then did MBA. He joined the Harvard Medical School, completed his MBBS and continued to work there as intern until I finish My MBA. Since the time we met, we were always together. Now he left me for the sake of my happiness. We always wanted our partners to understand our relation and respect it. I knew Nikhil had some issues with Veer, I thought may be because of my divided attention. But I didn't know that he would go this far and send him away from my life. What hurts me more is that my mother supported Nikhil in this.

Then still I wanted to give chance to Nikhil and this relationship because relations aren't made in a day. I wanted to talk to him, convince him.

After a while, few girls came to take me to the Altar. As soon as I reached the Altar, I saw Nikhil dressed in his Maroon Sherwani and waiting for me on the Altar. My father's eyes were on me to know about my decision. He stood up and gave his hand to me, but I didn't take it. He looked at me questioningly I said, "I want to talk. What did you say to Veer?" He was shocked that how I got to know about this, but he masked it immediately and said, "Why would I say something to him?" Now that angered me more, because he wasn't even ready to accept his mistake. I lost my cool and said, "Did you not blackmail him saying you wouldn't marry me, even he is in my life. So, he has to go away from my life and never come back." He replied, "Yes, I did that. So, what now?" I felt disgusted of myself for falling in love with the man standing in front of my eyes. But still I calmed myself and said, "Nikhil you know how important is Veer to me. I just can't throw him away from my life since you entered my life. He's been with me like my shadow since past twenty years. Why don't you understand such a simple thing? Please don't put me in a situation to choose one of you. You both are important for me. He's a part of my life and I just want you to accept him. Am I expecting too much from you?"

But his reply surprised me, I didn't know he had so much hatred for Veer. Veer and I tried a lot to make a bond between them, but now I got to know that nothing worked and would never work. He replied, "Cut the crap. I've had enough listening about your relation. Now I'll make it clear for you. You'll either have me in your life or your so-called best friend. The ball is in your court and you've to take the call" and turned his face.