Pivotal Part Of The Plan

NOTE [This note is for non-Indian readers] =>

Bhai -> Brother

Bhabhi -> Sister-In-Law

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Namit

FLASHBACK ENDS

“Namit, here we are.” I heard my uncle's voice and looked at him.

“What? Don't tell me you forgot your own house.” He replied. I looked beyond him to find that we had indeed reached home.

In the endless thoughts of the past on how I was revealed to a significant part of the truth of my life and how I had convinced Aditi to help me in winning my love back, I had lost track of the way.

“No, uncle I didn't. Let's go.” I chuckled and stepped out of the car.

Samaira Kashyap, I have come back for you. I will protect you always and love you like no one ever loved anyone but for that, I will have to make you mine, willingly. We shall meet soon my love, yet again.

My eyes swept across the large house, while I fixed my tie once freeing it so that I could breathe given the oncoming onslaught. I was mentally prepared to be scolded by everyone, after all, everyone was hurt because of my selfish nature. I couldn’t tell them that I was acting that way not to hurt them as my real, broken self would have worried them, something I didn’t want.

I stepped into the living room to find Nitya, Riddhi and Rohit sprawled across a sofa comfortably, watching a movie. Rohit is Neeraj Uncle's son and my cousin. Riddhi is his better half or wife. Riddhi, Rohit, Dhruv, Arjun, and I are childhood friends. We shared the same school after which Riddhi and Rohit went to Germany for further studies. The rest of us went to New York where Arjun chose to study law while Dhruv and I chose business management. Kiaan, Hredhaan too was in our group but they both did their schooling in London, latern on joined us in New York for further studies.

Riddhi loved Rohit since they were teens but Rohit was unaware of her feelings until she got the guts and confessed to him. He took some time but gradually reciprocated her feelings. They got married seven months back in India which I didn't attend. I had my reason for not attending. Now that I was back, I planned to atone for my careless attitude back then. Uncle cleared his throat to gain their attention and they all turned towards us.

“Children look, whom I have brought,” Uncle said. I smiled at them sheepishly, but they directed annoyed looks at me. I hadn’t expected any less after my rather absence for the past few years.

“Uncle I can't see anyone. Whom are you talking about?” Nitya asked, looking around. I missed the opening of her fashion boutique held last year, the same day as Samaira’s birthday. I had promised to go to her opening but I couldn’t even make a call on her special day. I was drunk that day, drunk in pain and sadness.

“Your brother Namit!” Uncle exclaimed.

“Uncle looks like you forgot that my beloved brother lives in London and he will never come to India.” Nitya frowned.

“Yes dad, and did you forget that he only loves his work then why would he be here?” Riddhi added.

“Go on, ignore me. I deserve it. But I wanted to let you know that I’m sorry.” I exhaled loudly in the last part.

“It won't work on us Namit. You really have disappointed us. You detach yourself from us and didn't even care about anyone and now you are just asking for forgiveness. Do you think it's that easy?” Rohit asked, anger evident in his tone. At least he wasn’t ignoring me.

“Nitya, let's go to my room. I have to show you something.” Riddhi said ignoring me, before taking her hand and pulling her away, leaving the three of us alone.

“Well sorry son, I forgot to tell you that you have to face not only your parents' but everyone's wrath,” Uncle said while I sighed.

“You care to tell us why the hell you didn't come to India all these years? We agree that you have work there but you missed every important event as if you were trying to avoid us and when I tried to talk to you, you always ignored me and said you were busy.” Rohit said to me, disappointment evident on his face. He used to be the person I referred to for advice but because of my stupidity, I ruined everything.

“Yes Namit, Rohit is right. I also need to know the reason. I am very sure it's not only work but something else as well. And also I have some questions regarding what happened in my office a few hours back.” Uncle said. I could clearly see how curious and confused he was.

“What happened in the office Dad?” Rohit asked.

I couldn’t keep this any longer from them so before he could answer I replied, “I will not keep it to myself anymore. I will tell you guys why I was avoiding you all. You are right Rohit, I was avoiding you all. I was being selfish and cowardly. I will tell everything to everyone. You all gather in the study room, I will just freshen up and join you all.”

“Rohit can you ask mom and dad to be there as well?” I asked Rohit.

“They have gone out, will be back in an hour.” He replied.

“And also call Nitya and Riddhi. I know they are very angry and they will not listen if I will ask them.” I said looking at my uncle since they couldn’t deny him.

“I will call them as they will not deny me.” He replied, getting my indication.

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My room was still the same but clean. I knew mom made the maids clean it daily hoping someday I would arrive. I was glad she did. I smiled once looking around my room. After a nice long shower and changing into a pair of comfortable clothes, I went to the study. Uncle and Rohit were on chairs while Nidhi and Nitya were sitting on the couch. They were not looking at me. I knew that I would have to tell them as my plan had to start from the party tonight. I thought of telling mom and dad after they came back as I didn't want to waste any time now.

I took a seat on the chair in front of the table wondering where to start.

“Uncle if your guest is not going to say anything, then I am leaving with Riddhi Bhabhi as we have to get ready for tonight's party,” Nitya stated, staring at Uncle.

While Nitya was about to get up, I blurted out, “I love someone.” Everyone wore the same shocked expression after listening to my confession. I told them everything except for the fact of what happened to Samaira on the spring party night in college. They stared at me as if discovering a long-held secret, the silence around was deafening.

“Aren't you all gonna say anything?” I asked, agitated at their silence.

“Who is the girl Namit?” Uncle asked, to which I replied “Samaira Kashyap.”

“You mean the one who works in my company right?” Uncle asked and I nodded and again there was silence. Nitya, Riddhi, and Rohit were just staring at me as if I had told them a horror story.

“Guys please say anything, you all have to help me in winning her back,” I said. Nitya just got up from her seat and when I thought she was about to leave, she moved towards me and engulfed me in a hug. I felt her sobbing into the hug.

“Hey kiddo why are you crying? What happened?” Kiddo was the nickname I gave her when we were in school. I rubbed her back and pulled back from the hug to look at her face.

“I am sorry bhai. . . we didn't know you were going through all of this and we thought you don't love us anymore. I am really sorry.”She sobbed wiping her tears.

“You don't have to be sorry, it was my fault. I didn't tell anyone and just shut everyone out of my life. I am sorry.” I apologized.

“I am sorry too, despite being your friend I didn't understand your situation,” Riddhi said with a sad face and I knew she was about to cry.

“Hey, not you too Riddhi,” I said and hugged her.

“I am also here. What about me?” Rohit asked, making a sad face and I hugged him too.

“Namit you remember that you have to tell me about the morning event as well.” Uncle told me to which Riddhi asked “What morning event Dad?”

And then I told them what happened in the company and turned to my uncle to answer his unasked questions.

“Uncle I had actually worked with those Korean delegates so I knew beforehand a situation like that would occur. That's why I asked you to ask Samaira to handle the meeting as I knew that she knows Korean and will handle the situation very well.” I said, but I couldn't tell him the whole truth that it was a small step to bring my old confident and cheerful Sama back as I was not ready to tell anyone her dreadful past.

“So bhai you told us about your plan, then how will today's party be the start of your plan?” Nitya asked.

“I took the ownership of the party and made it more like a charity event than a business party and called every businessman, lawyer, doctor, journalist to join the event and contribute to the social cause. I know Samaira never attends business parties and also uncle is going to reveal that M.N.K Cosmetics is the subsidiary of N.K Cosmetics in today's party.” I said.

“Dad really you are going to reveal it today?” Rohit asked.

“Of course son, Namit wanted me to and I found this party a good opportunity to do that,” Uncle replied. When I took ownership of this party I wanted Uncle to reveal it so I asked him about it already when I was in London. He agreed as he was also waiting for a good opportunity.

“It means a double celebration. I will meet my sister-in-law and Dad is going to reveal the truth.” Riddhi clasped her hands in excitement.

“Guys but we still have a problem,” I said in a serious tone.

“What is that bhai?” Nitya asked.

“Mom and Dad. First of all, after seeing you all when I told you all this I have decided to not tell this truth to them. I will only tell them that I love Samaira and not anything else. They are unaware of my presence and I am sure they must be very angry with me and I am not even sure whether they will talk to me or not. They will only get hurt after knowing everything and this is not the right time.”

“Don't worry brother we will help you,” Rohit said

“And we too,” came two voices in joint unison. My gaze went towards the door to find Dhruv and Arjun standing there, smiling.

“Hey everyone. . . you all missed us?” Arjun asked.

“Of course,” Riddhi replied and went towards them. They greeted each other since they met after a long time and in all of it, my presence was ignored like I didn’t even exist.

“Are you all ignoring me?” I asked them.

“Guys, why do I think someone is getting jealous?” Dhruv asked, smirking at me while I just rolled my eyes and everyone laughed seeing our little exchange.

“Bhai I have forgiven you, but not completely. I still want a compensatory gift as you didn't attend the opening of my boutique.” Nitya pouted to which Riddhi replied saying, “Same here.”

“Okay I will keep that in my mind but right now you all have to help me first,” I said.

“Namit we forgot to tell you that we met uncle and aunty. They are in the living room.” Arjun said.

“Yes, you should go now as we have to attend the party as well in a few hours,” Dhruv said, checking his hand watch. I nodded and went downstairs.

Half the battle was won when I sought forgiveness from Rohit, Riddhi, and Nitya but the Pivotal Part Of The Plan which was to seek forgiveness from my parents was going to throw the light on my unforeseen future.