17.

Long Chapter ahead.

Compromising for the Monday's update.

Hope you enjoy the chapter ❤️

Love ❤️

Srinidhi

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DHARA

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I started walking outside the auditorium and I was shivering. My hands are still trembling and my lips are quivering. It's like I've taken a dip into the Holy Bhagirathi river banks on a chilled morning while Kolkata is in its peak winters. I don't know where I gathered that confidence back there. I proposed to Parth. Wow!!! And I did it when I was actually going to get married to his brother. Of course the one who ran away. Well...for good!!! I must say. I didn't want to marry a coward like him.

It's not like I have feelings for Parth. Heck, I may not even have a normal family life with him although, I wouldn't lie when he told me that he's not gay I don't know what made my heart flutter. It felt like there was hope against hope. He hasn't even said a yes to this proposal and I don't know if he ever will but then I don't know why I have this strong feeling within me that says this is going to happen. Parth is going to say a yes. With that emotion I had a smile on my face.

✨

'Anika please...Pooh... tell her na' I looked at Pooja who still seems to be in a state of shock. Gosh!!! This was such a bad idea. Maybe I must have looked for a better place to tell them all of this. I am an idiot. I ran behind Anika and grabbed her hand saying 'Please Anu...Ik vaari sunle (listen to me once)' I slowly looked at her but she yanked my hand saying 'Do you even hear yourself Dhara? What are you saying? What are you doing? Why are you doing this in the first place?'

'But Anika...Parth is a good guy' I tried to explain when Pooja shouted 'But he is gay!!!' and I yelled 'He is not!!! He told me' when Anika shouted 'But he didn't say that he's straight either. What if he realises it later?' she asks and I gulp saying 'I wouldn't mind' when Pooja grabs me via my shoulders saying 'Why Dhara? Why this desperation? You'll find anyone...you are beautiful, intelligent, self made. Don't let your life been driven away due to these stupid men and their selfish decisions. And Parth...how can he agree to this!' Pooja argued when I shook my head saying 'He hasn't yet. But I hope he does-'

That's when Anika shouted 'Never!!! I don't know what is going on in your head but I'm never letting this happen. You cannot sacrifice your life due to a stupid rumour.' I shook my head saying 'Please Anu...Daarji won't be able to take it this time. You know his condition!!!' I argued when Pooja asked 'And tomorrow if he gets to know your life is turned into a disaster because apparently his daughter had chosen to give up the battle way before she fought it. Why Dhara? Why would you want to be tied into a marriage where you wouldn't be getting anything in the name of marriage. Forget about kids, with Parth you may never even have a normal marital relationship. Why are you doing this?' Anika yelled again.

I gulped and whispered with teary eyes saying 'Probably because I'm tired of these quintessential men who are so pretentious. They lie. They break your hearts and they leave you in the middle of nowhere. Atleast with Parth I'll never have those hopes. I'll always know that it's an incomplete marriage and not because he won't but because he just can't and that's fine with me. Impossible is better than rejection atleast!!!' I confess when Pooja held my hand saying

'This is not your heart...it's the fear inside your heart Dhara. You are scared of being rejected. You are scared of feeling unwanted. Please understand. It's not your fault. Both Sharath and Aniruddh were assholes. It's not your fault' and I smiled saying 'Maybe!!! But really I'm tired of this. I just want to have a life where I know my partner will always be there for me' and Anika yelled 'A partner who would never be able to share a bed with you will be there for you? Friendship in a marriage is good. Friendship alone in a marriage is not a marriage Dhara. That's it!!! I am not letting you do this. I'm going to tell everything to Daarji. Right now!!!'

'No...Anika please...No!!!' I pleaded when Pooja said 'Do it Anika! This girl will never listen otherwise' and I see Anika walking towards hospital corridor and I try to grab her hands but I see her drifting far far away when I almost shout 'Please Anika...Pooh...No!!! My Daarji won't be able to take it. Please No!!!' and I see everything vanishing in thin air when I suddenly feel someone shaking my shoulder 'Dhara!!! Dhara!!!' and I open my eyes only to see Tillu infront of me. He offered me a cup of tea 'Good morning Dhara. Do you feel better now?' and I realise I'm at my home.

After talking to Parth I had returned home. I see it is almost evening time now. 'Nightmares again?' he asks and I smile saying 'Nothing new!!!'. I grab onto the cup while he sits next to me saying 'You looked extremely tired. You were also disturbed. What was the dream all about? Also why were you murmuring Parth's name? Isn't he that Aniruddh's brother?' and I gulp. I recall the dream again. No!!! I cannot tell about all this to my siblings. They will never understand my perspective. Also what if Daarji gets to know this. No!!

'Dhara???' Tillu again calls out my name and I shake my head and drink the tea. Tillu looks at me suspiciously and keeps looking at me. He is this male version of Anika. Won't take no for an answer until he gets one. So I simply gulp saying what comes first into my mind 'I think I like Parth.' and his eyes widened but instead of his voice I hear another voice from behind that says 'No Shit Sherlock!!! I knew it' and I see Pooja standing at the door while Anika looked shocked.

What the hell? What are all these three doing here? 'Who is with Daarji if you all are here?' I ask when Pooja smirks saying 'As if you don't know...Your Paaaaaarth' she says in a seductive voice and I hit her forearm when Anika comes running towards me asking 'Oh my God!!! So that means you both...Oh my God!!! Were you both really inside that car and-' and I shake my head trying to explain when Pooja nudges me saying 'Hmmmm!!! So all that Parth Parth Parth wasn't so much of a friendship after all huhh... Interesting' she says and I try to explain further but Anika quips 'But wait a minute Dhara...weren't you saying that he's probably ga-' and before she completed that statement I said 'He is not!!!' and her eyes twinkled.

I don't know why I couldn't say it all. I couldn't tell them that although he's not gay...he doesn't feel he's straight either. But then if they'll know this, they'll never support my decision. My tongue didn't roll out those words when Anika asked 'Does Parth know?' and I gulped saying 'I have asked him a question and I hope his answer is a yes!!!' and Anika's eyes grows almost the size of tennis balls while Pooja almost yells 'Fuck!!! You proposed him? That fast??? Oh my god!!! This is crazy!!!' and I don't know why I blushed.

This was stupid. If they'll know neither I nor he is sure of his sexuality and I'm jumping into a dark well they'll kill me.

'Are you sure Dhara? I mean...I'm not judging you. Honestly I never liked Aniruddh's absence throughout this marriage drama but Parth...he came out of syllabus' she said and I smiled saying 'I never realised either but he's different Anika. He's fulfilled every responsibility of a good partner until now. I think that's what a woman wants in a marriage. Respect is the most beautiful bond between two people' I say when Tillu asks 'And what about love?'. I smile saying 'I wasn't in love with Aniruddh either but I said yes. Atleast here I like Parth.' while Tillu nods with a smile.

They all look so happy right now but if they know the truth they'll kill me.

✨

We reached hospital around 7 in the evening. Tillu parked the car when Pooja pointed towards the hospital reception where we noticed a few reporters standing with their mics. What was happening? Those cameras and those media people suddenly reminded me of my nightmare. What if they were here for the news gossip? Is that video out in media? Nivedita Didi said they'll do their best but what if it still got out? And then to our surprise we see the famous actress Ankita Mehtani walking out of the hospital. The media continued flashing lights and camera upon her. She avoided answering any questions while she got into the car.

'Wooow!!! Isn't she that famous Bollywood actress?' Tillu said and Pooja looked super excited. She was this big bollywood buff. Given a chance she would be ready to click a selfie with her. 'But what is such a A listed bollywood star doing at a small hospital like this in Kolkata?' Anika asked and suddenly it striked me. Wasn't she Aniruddh's ex? This looked so creepy and messed up.

We walked into the hospital when suddenly a reporter shoved a mic into my face asking 'Excuse me Madam!!! Aren't you Miss Dhara?' and before I could understand a hundred flashes fell on my face blinding me. What was happening? I pinched myself to wake myself up. This is a nightmare. It is a bad dream. Wake up Dhara. Wake up. And before I could understand anything I felt a hand grabbing me towards a strong yet lean chest. The sandalwood fragrance was familiar and I suddenly realised it's Parth.

Before they started asking anything Parth shouted 'I would be calling upon police if you don't stop harassing my family and friends please. I have already informed you all that Mister Aniruddh is out of town and all the rumours floating around are lies'. I wasn't understanding anything. What rumours? Did they get that video? Is everyone assuming Parth and I cheated upon Aniruddh. It's a lie. My Daarji won't be able to take this. No!!! Please No!!!

My head was spinning already when one of the reporters shouted 'Sir then why was Miss Mehtani here? Isn't that the proof already? Also how can your brother cheat this poor girl Dhara? Miss Dhara... How are you feeling right now? After all your fiance has cheated upon you with his ex impregnating his ex girlfriend' and my eyes almost pop out at the revelation and I look at Parth helplessly when his lips part and he blinks assuring to handle the situation while I'm still absorbing all that's been told.

Is this true?

'Miss Dhara...Did you know about their affair? Is it true that you asked Miss Mehtani to abort the child?' and I look at the reporter. I what???

That's when Parth shouted 'Will you all stop this right here, else I'll call upon the security. You guys are harrasing Dhara. Stop it. This is a hospital for heaven's sake. Just stop right now with your base less questions and Miss Dhara isn't Aniruddh's fiance, she is just a family friend' when another reporter says 'We are doing our duty Sir. Mister Aniruddh is an elected MP of the ruling party and these kind of cheap stunts shows how unsafe this place is for a popular actress like Miss Mehtani. How about all the commoners? How are they going to live under the rule of such a government that has men with such low morales!!!' he said when Parth screamed

'Has Miss Mehtani said anything? Has Aniruddh given any statement right now? On what basis are you making people's life a living hell right now? I request you all please... please give us some space. This is a hospital' and that's when another person from the media asks 'Miss Dhara!!! We heard that your father suffered a massive card arrest after he got to know that your wedding got cancelled due to Mister Aniruddh's cheating scandal? Is it true?' and I didn't know what to say when Parth yelled 'I am warning you all. I'm going to launch a police complaint. Have some humanity guys please'

He tries taking me with him while they try to ask Anika knowing she belonged to the famous business family of Nayaks but thankfully the moment she was tried to be attacked Shankar Jiju's security who always keeps an eye on Anika immediately rushed towards her covering her, Tillu and Pooja as we finally walked away from the media crowd.

We walked into the hospital to see the hospital management person talking to Arindam Uncle. We were all outside Daarji's room. Arindam Uncle looked worried. Parth said 'I have handled it right now but I don't think it's going to sustain any longer also Daadu it's not safe for you to walk out in that crowd alone' when Anika said 'Jack's men can help Arindam uncle leave. Don't worry. I just have to make a few calls' when Arindam Uncle almost collapsed on the chair. Parth almost ran towards him trying to hold him. Arindam Uncle looked tired and helpless right now.

'All my life...All my life I considered Oni to be my pride and you to be a shame in our household Partho!!! But today... Oni brought shame to our family and you...you protected us...You faced the media. Your father is hiding in his mansion and I'm stuck here. Your brother ran away like a coward leaving us in this mess. I will never forgive him. I can't believe he first impregnated her and then asked her to abort the child? How disgusting can one be?' Arindam Uncle broke down when Parth tried to console him. I was shocked upon the reveal. Anika, Tillu, Pooja and I looked at each other trying to absorb all this information.

When Parth said 'Daadu please...just because a girl says something about Oni in his absence we can't believe it. I'm not saying he is right or wrong. I'm saying he isn't here to keep his side.' when Tillu shouted 'Are you trying to say that all of this is a lie Mr Parth? He ran away from his own wedding. Must be a bigger reason right?' and Parth nodded 'Exactly!!! But that doesn't mean we accept any claims by anyone. I'm not saying she is lying but all I'm saying is my brother also needs a chance to give his justification' when Arindam Uncle cupped Parth's chin saying 'Pagol (crazy) Even in this situation you are standing by your brother?' and he shook his head saying 'All I'm saying is Oni also deserves a chance to keep his side'.

When Tillu laughs saying 'His side? Which his side? Your brother is a fraud, who cheated upon a girl with another. He left my sister at the altar, impregnated a woman, and asked her to abort a child and ran away. For rich men like you it must be a matter of argument and justification alone but for women who are abandoned by their partners helplessly it's a matter of life and death. Will your family take responsibility if something happens to these women? I don't know about that actress and her tears but I care about my sister. She says she likes you. She says you are a respectable man. Will you take her responsibility? Will you marry her?' Tillu asks leaving everyone shocked.

When Arindam Uncle looks at me asking 'Dhara...what is Veerabhadra saying? You ...you like my Parth?' and suddenly Parth's eyes falls on me. Our eyes meet for a split second when I don't know why and how I whisper 'I...I do...I really respect him a lot' when Arindam Uncle smiles but Parth simply walks out from there without saying much of a word.

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The news portal kept flashing debates and news articles about Ankita Mehtani and Aniruddh's alleged affair and pregnancy rumours although the hospital denied everything but because she refused to comment and Aniruddh was unavailable to comment on it, the wrath fell upon the Chakraborties. Their business was affected. Their share prices were falling and also there was a news that the board asked for Aniruddh's termination from the post.

No one was able to reach Aniruddh although Chakraborties kept trying to reach him out. It's like he vanished in thin air. It had been almost a week and I was asked not to step out of the house due to the media hounding me like dogs everywhere. I hadn't gone to meet Daarji. I couldn't even go to purchase daily goods and vegetables because there was one or the other person from the media with a camera and a mic ready with their questions. Last week had been extremely hectic but I was happy that today finally Daarji was coming home.

They were getting Daarji home in the midnight to avoid any stupid media troubles. Parth was personally accompanying him. He has been a constant source of support for all of us since a week. His grandfather has warmed up to him. Except for his father who has locked himself up in the mansion and his grandmother who is in the Chakraborty mansion everyone else now talks to Parth. This felt nice. Although Parth hasn't spoken a word to me since I confessed infront of his grandfather that I like him. He acts like I'm untouchable and non existent.

Even right now as Tillu and he are helping Daarji get onto the wheel chair, I'm just next to him but he assumes I'm invisible. Jerk!!!

Just when Tillu and he managed to lift the wheel chair and tried to get him into my apartment complex, out of nowhere a couple of media folks trespassed and started throwing random as questions towards Daarji. Daarji was feeling extremely uncomfortable and suffocated. Thankfully Shankar Jiju's security personnel covered Daarji and managed to take him into the apartment but Parth looked furious as he turned around angrily and shouted

'Are you all mad? How shameless can you all be to attack a old man who's had a life battling surgery a week ago? What news and what bytes do you need? What information are you craving for? We have told you already. Mister Aniruddh isn't in town. He is out of town and no wr don't know where he is!!! About Ankita Mehtani please ask questions to her or to Mister Aniruddh when he is back and not to us!!! Please!!!' and just when they tried shoving camera into my face saying

'Miss Dhara... aren't you feeling frustrated that your fiance left you for-' and this time before the reporter completed the question Parth yelled

'Stop!!! Just because she's keeping quiet doesn't mean you'll ask her anything. And who told you that Dhara was Mr Aniruddh's fiance? Did she or Did Aniruddh tell this to you all? On what basis are you dragging her and her family into this?' when a media reporter said 'Sir!!! We have this wedding card. Supposedly Miss Dhara and Mr Aniruddh were to be married but looks like Mr Aniruddh's and Miss Mehtani's pregnency scandal spoilt all the plans. Am I right?' saying the man smirked and this time Parth grit his teeth.

He menacingly approached the man asking 'And who gave this card to you? Why would we or anyone believe this card? Tomorrow I'll print a 30 Rupees postcard announcing your wedding with the famous actress Lavanya Khanna, would you be her husband?' he asked and the reporter was left speechless.

Parth took a deep breath and said 'Look everyone. Aniruddh is a ruling party minister with a lot of enemies because he's done very good work in his constituency and invited a lot of enemies who wanted him to work his ways. It could be anyone trying to malign his name. Also Miss Mehtani is a popular actress, this could also be some rival PR agency trying to malign her name. We are not saying Aniruddh is right or Miss Mehtani is wrong. All we request is give them time to come out in open and give their statements.

As of Aniruddh's political party has asked for his resignation and we have heard they have received one. He has also stepped down from the position of the CEO. Rest you cannot attack someone until you know the truth. Let the truth prevail. Please give everyone their own space. We are Chakraborties. We have been in this business for more than a hundred years now. Rest assured whoever would take over the CEO's position would only do good to the company and the people who have shown faith in the Chakraborty Group since ages. It's a humble request to please give us our space. It's a tough time for our family' he said folding his hands.

Most of the reporters were about to leave when one of them still shoved his mic into my face asking 'Miss Dhara...was Mister Aniruddh not your fiance? Because we heard you had a Haldi and Chooda ceremony in your house. There were lots of catering orders at your residence-' but before I could speak further Parth said 'Like I said...No questions please' he was looking mad right now. I swallowed and answered 'My Daarji... grandfather...runs an orphanage and we are a lot of kids. So I was just trying to treat my siblings'

When I was trying to cover it up the last smiled saying 'With a Haldi ceremony? Apparently there were exclusive designer Lehengas ordered by Chakraborties for you Miss Dhara. I'm sure that would need some good explanation'. She was going to the skin and bones now. I didn't know what to say when suddenly Parth said

'Fine!!! Yes...Yes we ordered it for Dhara. And yes there was a Haldi ceremony too but that doesn't mean Dhara was going to be married to Aniruddh.'. He took a deep breath and held my hand in his as he looked at me. Our eyes met and he blinked it as if silently asking me trust him and I don't know why my grip on his hand tightened and I blinked back.

Taking a few steps back Parth said

'We wanted this to be a surprise but let's say media has its way to spoil things. Anyways...here it is. Dhara and I are engaged. She is...my fiance' he announced as a shiver ran down my spine. I slowly looked at him as he had immense confidence in his eyes when one of the reporters asked 'Then why didn't you confirm it the very first time Mr Parth?' when Parth added 'Ever heard of privacy. Also we wanted to avoid unnecessary media drama but guess media loves to always have some extra drama... right?' and the man went silent.

'So when is the due date Sir?' asked another lady reporter when Parth said

'Her father suffered an unexpected cardiac arrest on the day of our Mehndi ceremony. He had a surgery and hopefully he'll feel better soon. Once he will feel better...you will get the news of bells ringing...soon!!!' he said as he slowly circled his arm around my waist and I froze.

Wouldn't lie...I had goosebumps.

Fuck...did he just announce to the world that we are getting married? Did he just say a yes or a YES???

I guess I'm going to faint.