Chapter 6

Marybarton

@Marybarton

Part 5:

Aditya came down and ran into Rupi Didi with his son in her arms. He noticed the mehendi.

Aditya: A fun night, was it?

Rupi looked awkward: What do you mean?

Aditya, peevishly: I know you all went, Rupi Didi.

Rupi's eyes narrowed: Nehi jana chahiye tha? (We shouldn't have gone?)

Aditya: Nehi, jaiye jaiye, aap hi ke behen ki shaadi hai. (No, go, go, it is your sister's wedding). It has been so long in the making...

Rupi, sternly: Adi Bhai (brother), it has been a long time and you still insist on holding on to your misunderstandings. I have known Imlie this whole time and it wasn't like you insist on believing. You need to let it go now. Even your misunderstands, you need to let go of, it doesn't help anyone. Especially not you.

Aditya took the toddler from Rupi Di: Whatever. My family has always been more invested in her life than mine anyway. It's not like I can ever please with any of my actions. So I am not even going to try. I am taking the child out.

Rupi: Sure, go for a drive. It will do you good. These days, he's the only one who seems to not annoy you. So you spend time with him and clear your head. I have to get read for the haldi anyways.

Aditya bit back a retort and took his son with him.

At the mall...

Imlie put the alta (red paint to decorate bridal hands/feet) in the shopping bag.

Imlie: Ok, I think that was everything.

Aryan: Are you sure?

Imlie nodded.

Aryan: Didi?

Didi was furiously typing a text: We have the most beautiful outfits for tonight. Now let's head home. Lots of preparations left. The events manager is calling me non-stop.

Aryan: All right, let's head back then. Let's just grab some coffee first.

Rehan pointed at the mall and pulled at Aditya's shirt sleeve when he stopped at the red light.

Aditya: Cotton candy, again? Only if you promise not to tell anyone.

Rehan giggled a boyish, naughty giggle: Candy.

Aditya smiled: Fine, fine, we will go.

A little boy came up and hugged Aryan around his feet as he took a satisfying sip of the coffee.

Aryan looked down: What was that?

Aditya called out: Rehan, come back here. Don't bother uncle.

Aryan looked around and froze. Imlie dropped her coffee.

Aryan took her by the arm and pulled her away from the mess as the cleaning staff moved in. Didi was still paying at the counter and didn't seem to notice.

Aditya's eyes were boring into them both as he came and grabbed the child. He hoisted the kid up and scoffed.

Aditya, sarcastically: Well well...if it isn't the happy couple.

Arpita came forward right behind Aditya: Chale?

Aditya turned toward her and Arpita took a startled step back.

Aryan looked at Imlie's angry face and just said in a measured way: We will wait outside.

Imlie grabbed Aryan's hand.

Aryan just took the shopping bags from her hand and nodded. He took Didi by the arm and led her out as she hesitated.

Aditya, bitterly: Better late than never, I guess. Congratulations all the same, Mrs. Rathore-to-be.

It was years since she had last seen him at his wedding. Why of all days, did it have to be today? Why did luck play such cruel games and make the most unlikely things happen?

Imlie tried her best to level her voice: I don't have time to trade accusations today, so if you will excuse me (she tried to pass but Aditya blocked her path).

Aditya: What's the rush? Your husband-to-be told you he will wait outside patiently. Wah! What a man.

Imlie look at Babusaheb straight in the eyes: He is, in fact.

Aditya blinked back tears: I hope it was worth it, Imlie, throwing it all away for that man's wallet.

Imlie gritted her teeth to stop herself from lashing out. There was a child present. His child with Malini Didi.

Imlie shrugged: It wasn't a great sacrifice. I let go of an egotistical doubter who was procreating with my useless step-sister. It was a great weight off my shoulders. As you know, this is the first time I actually have a say and I am really happy with my choice.

Aditya: You had a choice then too.

Imlie: Not really. But I do now. And I chose the man who has stood by me these past three years without a word of judgment.

At the parking lot...

Aryan opened the trunk and placed the bags in as Arpita scolded him.

Arpita: Why did you leave her there with him!?

Aryan: I trust her.

Arpita: I trust her too, that's not the point. That man is belligerent, Arro.

Aryan: He won't hurt her. Besides, he has the child with him.

Aryan held the back door open for his Di.

Arpita caressed his cheek: But Arro...

Aryan sighed: You have taken this as far as you could. I know you did it for me. Don't deny it! You know I have noticed. But it all depends on what Imlie decides now.

Arpita sat back on the seat: You think she will back away!?

Aryan ignored the tremor in his voice: I was never her first choice, Di. You know she waited for him, despite it all. She waited for him right until the moment she said yes to you. If she doesn't want to go through with it, you won't compel her.

Arpita, soothingly: You have it wrong, Arro, she adores you. You two have the kind of chemistry that marriage takes... I have seen you two very closely these past few years. Yes, it may have taken her time to recover from the shock of the divorce, but she will not change her mind just because she ran into him...

Aryan: I know. But I am not her first choice, Di. So, if she hesitates...

Arpita interrupted sternly: She won't. You cannot give up just because you ran into him!

Aryan, quietly finished: If she hesitates, I will let her go. Whatever happens, will be her decision. I will ask her when we get home. Please don't say anything to her before then.

Arpita choked on a sob: Let her go for what? That married man with a child!? What good can that do?

Aryan: Being alone is a choice too. You know that better than anyone, Di. Please sit back.

He closed the door and stood leaning against the car, ignoring his rising pulse.

Imlie walked out of the mall at last and walked straight over to him. Aryan tried hard to appear nonplussed, while trying his best to read her. She looked at him with some kind of curiosity.

Imlie handed him a cup of coffee.

Imlie, calmly: You forgot this inside.

Aryan's eyes were stormy, but he didn't say anything or look like he had any questions. He looked so young and scared, suddenly. He took the cup and looked down at it like he was seeing a cup of coffee for the first time.

How had she not noticed this before? Aryan always looked down when he was uncertain.

She waited, but he didn't say anything. Little did she know he was quaking in his shoes when she walked over.

Imlie inclined her head to be on the same level as the coffee: Ghar chale? (Let's go home?)

Aryan looked up at her now: Are you...alright?

Imlie smiled: Haan, mujhe kya hona hai (Yes, what would befall me)? Mind if I drive?

Aryan looked at her with those stormy eyes again and gave her the keys without question.

Imlie was back as her cheerful self as she popped into the driving seat.

Imlie: Sorry, Di! Bohot late ho gayi (I ran late). I hope you are in the mood for a fast drive home.

Arpita, cautiously looked from Aryan to Imlie: Sure, Imlie. Just drive safe.

Imlie: No worries, Di! I feel free as a bird! Just want to enjoy this moment with a nice drive. You sit back and enjoy. We will be back home in 10 minutes!

That evening at Haldi...

Aryan was getting frustrated. He had looked out for a moment alone with Imlie since they got back, but she attacked the arrangements and preparations for the haldi with such a vengeance that it was hard to get a hold of her. He worried that she was overdoing it to stop any doubts from seeping into her head. First, she was all about showing off what they had shopped to their parents. Then, she didn't have time because the artist had to do her alta. Then, it was about finalizing some random things with Di and the events manager. An hour ago it was about getting ready for the haldi ceremony... And now, as the guests came in, she was running back and forth in her full garb playing hide and seek with the ashram kids in their cute haldi outfits.

Aryan approached Imlie as she snooped behind the pillar and then the side table.

Aryan: Imlie, I need to...

Imlie, concerned: Shhh...I am looking for someone. It's that little brown haired one, Sona.

Aryan, annoyed: I need to talk to you.

Imlie: Psst, bad mein (later).

She picked up the table cloth and looked under.

Imlie exclaimed: Gotcha!

The little toddler burst out in twinkling baby-giggles and made a run for it. Imlie was about the run after her when Aryan sudden grabbed her mid-flight by the waist and hauled her back behind the pillar.

Imlie: What are you doing!? Game kharab kardi meri (ruined my game)!

Aryan, seriously: Now. We need to talk now. Come with me.

He pushed the room open behind them and pulled her inside.

Write me your thoughts about this piece.

Index (thanks to SundariP)

Part 1

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/159734452

Part 2

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/159745711

Part 3

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/159754967

Part 4