Guilt Trip

The alarm starts ringing at three in the morning and Rishan is still slumbering, not wanting to break his dream in the middle and suddenly he gets calls from Aranya.

“Get up sweetheart, or we’ll be late.” said Aranya.

“Oh! You just broke my dream, I was just about to kiss her, and…” Rishan said in a sleepy voice.

“And?? And what?? I know you’re thinking about me, baby. Now get ready quickly and come to pick me up, I’ll wait for you at the society’s main gate and then we can continue with your dream” said Aranya in a coquette tone and hung up.

Rishan took his car and picked up Aranya, then they headed to pick Rishan’s friend-cum-colleagues Vishal, Karan and Anu.

The last to pick up was Anu. Karan called to inform her before they reached her place.

“Hey Anu, we’ll meet outside More-Store in the next ten minutes”

“My cousin, Diya, about whom I told you all, is also accompanying us. Hope you guys don’t have any problem,” said Anu.

“How does she look?” asked Karan in a playfully mischievous tone.

“Kamine, meri behen hai wo (Rascal!! She is my sister)” replied Anu showing anger.

“Teri hogi, hamari thodi! (Sis for you, not for us)” Karan laughed and hung up telling both of them to reach on time.

Anu and Diya also joined them soon and the car took its speed for a beautiful trip to Kashid Beach.

It was the first time Aranya was meeting Rishan’s friends, so they were all excited to know about their perennial love story of Aranya and Rishan.
Also, Diya was new, so all three boys were eager to get introduced to this hottie. From her looks & boldness. One can easily relate her to Art background and moreover, she was a Mumbaikar.

“So what is ‘Fine Arts’ all about, Diya?” Karan asked anxiously.

“Self-expression of feeling which gives self-satisfaction” Aranya replied confidently.

Karan burst out into a loud laugh and said, “like we get after masturbating”.

“Poor joke Karan!! At least raise your standard of humor!” said exasperated Vishal.
“Just shut up, you guys again started fighting” Anu interrupted to stop their useless argument before they make a mountain of a molehill.

“You’re from J.J. College of Arts, I heard it’s a great place. Is it?” Vishal intrigues, digressing Anu.

“J.J. is a place where you have the freedom to do anything and everything” Diya answered in a cool manner.

“Oh! Please stop grilling Diya, ask something to Aranya too,” said Anu.

“She is committed that’s why these guys are ignoring her,” Diya said, looking at Karan and Vishal.

“So it means you’re single?” Rishan doubtfully asked Diya.

“Hmm... Not exactly single, I’m committed to art, my love, this nature, beauty, what’s the need for a guy to enjoy your life?”  Diya replied.

“You artists really sound interesting, but maybe you’ve yet not met the right kinda guy, I guess”, said Rishan.

“All right guys are already committed to smart girls,” said Aranya, possessively holding Rishan’s hand.

“It’s not like that babe, all right boys are smartly captured by wrong girls. By the way, I am constantly thinking I’ve seen you somewhere before, but couldn’t remember exactly where?” said Rishan with a wicked expression.

Before Diya could respond, Aranya in a flirty tone says, “C’mon Rishan! This same line flattered me four years back and hence a right boy got captivated by a beautiful, innocent but not a wrong girl. ”

Anu intervened; “Stop all this bickering, you can continue this at home, now tell us about your love story. How this saga continued till now, such a long time & you still fight like children.”

“It’s the child inside Rishan that keeps us going together” Aranya blushed.

“Yeah, I know, he really acts like a naughty kid sometimes.” said Anu.

“I think Rishan will tell you our story better,” Aranya suggested.

“Let him drive, if he is lost in these thoughts, he may put our lives in danger” Anu smirked.

“Yeah! Aranya will explain you better. I barely remember what I did yesterday & she is much aware of my memory stuff. ” Rishan says sarcastically.

“There’s nothing like anything special in our love story like others, it’s just monotonous. Are you sure you want to spoil your time over it?” Aranya said it sidestepped.

“I have heard some instances of your story and I am sure Rishan’s story can never be boring. He is a lavish, spoiled brat, now please don’t make excuses and start with it,” compelled Anu.

“Ok, let’s stop at the next ‘chai tapri’ (tea-stall), we’ll have breakfast & there you start.” said Vishal.

They halted their journey for breakfast & then Aranya began to tell their story holding a cup of tea.

“It was the first day of our college, I saw Rishan, whom I’ve known since long, he was my cousin’s friend earlier so it’s not at all a ‘Love at first sight’. “He wasn’t that attractive at that time to catch my eyes,” said Aranya.

“What?? Anu exclaimed. The girls are dying for him now!” she continued.

“This transformation is brought by me, darling. He was a simple, innocent kind of guy “, said Aranya “I admired him for his pure heart and adorable nature”.

“So who approached first?” Anu asked eagerly.

“I approached him & took his contact & then we started chatting with each other. As time flew we got to know each other, started bunking classes together, strolling on the streets. Roamed almost all the beautiful spots which we discovered for ourselves.” Aranya narrated interestingly.

“I lived in a hostel, he used to pick me up and drop me back. We also loved to walk hand in hand and whenever got a chance, we used to go for long rides.”

Suddenly she was lost in thoughts while speaking and remembered everything that has happened. She went into a flashback of memories.

“Have you reached home safely?” Aranya texted Rishan.

“Oh! Girl, have you got some satellite that follows me? Daily I get your text exactly when I’m unlocking the door.” Rishan replied surprisingly.

“It’s the connection of my heart to yours that follows you up, my boy,” Aranya replies.

“Love you my doll, my angel!” said Rishan.

“Love you too, mon chéri,” Aranya texted back.

“Mon chéri,??” Rishan replies back earnestly.

“Yes mon chéri, Google it if you want to know” Aranya replied

“Are you abusing me in some other language?” Asked Rishan smiling, “Oh, I got its meaning. It is ‘My dear’, a French word. When did you start learning French, ma chérie?(my dear, which is said to a female)” Rishan continues.

Aranya was smiling in her thoughts and suddenly Diya wakes her up, “Where have you lost, baby?” she asked, pinching her arm.

“Oh, nothing, I’m so sorry, actually I dozed off as I did not complete my sleep last night”, Aranya lied to cover herself from embarrassment.

“We are awaiting to know who proposed first and how?” said Anu.

“You want to know everything, just now?” said Rishan irritatingly.

“Why not?” Anu replied angrily.

“We are about to reach our destination, so you can listen to our boring story later. First, enjoy for what we have come here”. Said Rishan

Rishan parked the car & all of them were bug-eyed with excitement. Aranya jumped into the waves & called Rishan to join her.

Diya took out her DSLR & started capturing the nature, her first love.

Rishan posed like a model to Diya & she started clicking his snaps, meanwhile, Anu, Aranya, Vishal and Karan went off for a banana boat ride.

Vishal and Anu went for Paragliding. Karan was afraid of heights so he took the camera and captured videos.

Diya asked Aranya and Rishan for Paragliding, as she dreaded to go alone.

Aranya was not willing to join her and she wished to enjoy it with Rishan.

But Rishan agreed to accompany Diya. “Let me first try with Diya and then I will permit you if I feel it safe,” said Rishan softly.

This anguished Aranya’s mood a bit, but however, she overlooked and refused to go for Paragliding, instead she sat on the shore to make sand castles.

Everyone became restless after enjoying so much. Hence, they all took showers and ordered lunch.

Anu then asked Aranya to continue with their story.

Amid lunch, Aranya continues, ” It was my birthday & as expected Rishan forgot that day. As usual, we were continuing with our late night chats and was eagerly waiting for his Birthday wish message. Finally, in the middle of texting, we both fell asleep. Since morning there has been no birthday wish text from his end. He came to pick me up to college, I thought he would surprise me, but all my hopes in vain. Even on the way to college, I remained silent and Rishan was blabbering all the way. Once and for all when I got off at college parking, he asked me why I was upset. Now this time it was heights and after looking all around when I found no one was around us, I blasted with a trickle in my eyes. “Rishaaaaaannn! It’s my birthday, how could you forget it. We were texting each other till one o’ clock last night and not even a single greeting message from you. This same you did last year!”. He again does the same, apologized and we both went off to our own lectures. Rishan texts me that today he won’t join me for lunch which again infuriated me and although reluctantly, I had to give my birthday treat to my friends. Albeit I was going through this crap and suddenly our chemistry professor informs us to stay back for three hours. I at once texted Rishan that I had to stay back to college till seven, he simply texted back saying “OK” with no other questions, this added fuel to the fire. Ultimately, we all were freed up at seven in the evening. Before I could text Rishan, I saw him waiting for me in the parking. He took me out for dinner for which I was least interested. After this, instead of dropping me back to my hostel room he took me at his place. It was almost my another worst birthday about to end.

Before I could resist, he locked me into a room. I was just guessing what the reason could be, sitting in the room with his old PC. As the clock struck twelve, he opened the door & blindfolded me. He took me out of the room holding my hands, and I could feel the rose petals beneath my feet.

I instantly said Rishan my birthday is over. The calendar dates have changed to which very beautifully he responded saying, “Ma chérie, it’s not the date that matters, but the moments that do!”

As we reached the living room, he opened my blindfold & it was a surprise cake he made for me. Then he proposed me bending on his knees & I could not stop myself from hugging him. I actually had tears in my eyes. A birthday card and a picture collage were kept on the sofa making me awestruck. It was the most special birthday, I ever had. While narrating all this, Aranya had tears in her eyes with a smile on her face.

“Hey, why are you telling such fake love story? Guys, don’t trust her. ” Said Rishan.

“Just shut up Rishan, her tears clearly speak whether the story is real or fake.” said Anu in Aranya’s favor.

“Hey, let’s take some more pictures before the sun sets” Karan solicited Diya to lighten up the environment.

Karan, Diya, and Rishan went to click pictures while Vishal, Anu and Aranya enjoyed relaxing on the hammocks and making Aranya’s mood lighter as she was still sobbing.

It was dusk, they got into the car to go back to Pune.

Aranya was feeling sleepy so she sat on the back seat and Diya tagged along with Rishan to keep him awake as he drives.

“So you enjoyed my company? I mean our company?” asked Rishan to break the ice.

“Yeah, a lot, waiting for my next trip to be planned with you guys.

“We will meet in Mumbai, whenever I will have a chance to visit.” said Rishan.

“Yeah, sure, you are always welcome to ‘Amchi Mumbai (Our Mumbai)’ replied Diya.

“By the way, do you have any plans for the next month?” Diya inquired. “Actually, there is an Art Exhibition Event in Goa and I am going to display my paintings over there.”

“I am having two extra passes if you and Aranya would like to join.” Diya proposed.

“Yeah why not, I am not sure about Aranya if she would be interested or not, but I am in.” replied Rishan showing interest.

It was about to strike ten in the clock. Rishan drops his friends to their respective places and heads towards his home dropping Aranya at the end.

The excursion finally ends in Pune.

Diya left for Mumbai after a day’s stay at Anu’s house.

Rishan and Diya kept in touch with each other.

 

One month later…

Rishan and Aranya visited Mumbai. Diya collated them at the airport and they all boarded the flight for their journey to Goa for “Qrious-The Event”

In the middle of the flight, Aranya woke up to go to the washroom. When she returned, she was too lazy to push her way into the middle seat. And with Rishan readily offering to shift seats, the seating arrangement changed. With 20 minutes still remaining for the flight to land, a sleep-starved Aranya took another power nap, this time holding Rishan’s right hand more firmly. Rishan’s other hand, though, nervously moved to touch Diya’s. Her heart skipped a beat. Diya pulled her hand away. But a defiant Rishan held her wrist again, this time firmly and more reassuringly. The changing behavioral dynamics between the three perhaps gave out a foreboding of what was to come in Goa.

When the flight landed at the Dabolim Airport, Rishan felt uncanny… His excitement seemed replaced by an unknown fear that he found very difficult to decipher.

“Qrious-The Event”
Diya, being busy in demonstrations with the chief guests, Aranya and Rishan were going through the artworks trying to understand, as they were not much acquainted with the art field.

“Beautiful! I’ve never ever experienced love for art before,” said Aranya, looking at some fine art pieces.

“I think Diya’s artwork is the finest here.” said Rishan going through the works with eyes opened wide and boasting about Diya’s work.

Diya came rushing for Rishan and Aranya and asked, “So what’s the plan for tonight?”

“Umm... I think we should take some rest for tonight and tomorrow we go around?” said Aranya jadedly.

“C’mon Aranyaaa, you are in GOA & the nightlife here is undoubtedly lively and most happening.” said Diya forcefully, “Don’t miss the fun, just eat, dance, sing, and booze”.

“Yeah, she’s right, ” said Rishan.

“Rishan! No alcohol, you promised me, remember.” Aranya objected promptly.

“Oh! C’mon Aranya, it’s Goa, if not here then where? Please don’t spoil my trip, “said Rishan irritatingly.

“Rishan am I spoiling your trip?” Aranya, getting angry.

“Don’t you remember you had been unwell past week and still you want to booze??” she continued with a dark look, “Rest as you wish, you can go if you want to, I’ll be in the hotel room waiting for you.” she ended.

In the evening they returned to hotel rooms and Rishan and Diya got ready for hanging out. Rishan tried to insist Aranya for going with them, but stubborn Aranya did what she had already decided. She stayed in the hotel room.

And now the night begins...

Diya planned to go for a party cruise & Rishan was on cloud nine.

Rishan with his charming personality was sanguine about impressing Diya; who has surprisingly started showing interest in him.

Holding the cocktail glasses, they seated, gazing at each other.

Rishan inquired “So, is it your first date?”

“Date?? Who said we are on a date?” she cackled with laughter, “Nope, I have dated a guy before.” she says averting the embarrassment.

“You are single, you told, right?” he asked awkwardly.

“Yeah, but I had a boyfriend in the past.” she answered.

“Oh! So the breakup story?” Rishan shows sympathy.

“Yeah, long story. Will discuss this some other time. Can we go to the dance floor now?” Diya said to duck out of the conversation.

“Yes, of course, I don’t want to ruin your night.” said Rishan.

“So make my night beautiful, you sexy!” said Diya with a devilish smile on her face.

Rishan bent on his knees and offered his hand to Diya for dance,” Can I have the pleasure to dance with you, ma’am?”

Diya said “Yes” and chuckled a little. She held Rishan’s hand & stood up.

As they walked towards the dance floor, the DJ turned on slow music

He hesitantly placed his hands on her waist and she wrapped her arms around his neck, they began to dance.

Aranya in her hotel room was eagerly waiting for the clock to show twelve.

With more drinks, Rishan and Diya were losing their consciousness. They left the dance floor and moved towards the deck to enjoy the fresh ocean breeze.

“It may sound weird to you, but, I want to try Titanic pose with you. Will you let me do that?” Rishan seeks permission.

“It’s so filmy, everyone does this, I don’t know why?” said Diya with a blank face.

“That’s what I want to know, ” said Rishan and made Diya stand with her hands open and Rishan holding her back.
They were taking pictures together and Aranya in the hotel room slept waiting for them to come. Suddenly, she gets a call from her best friend Yasha, “Hey sweetheart, wishing you a very happy birthday”.

“Thank you so much, dear, you never miss to wish me at exact twelve.” answered Aranya in delight.

“So this time Rishan remembered your birthday or again you would call him to remind?” asked Yasha fretfully.

“No dear, this time he had planned something big, you don’t have any idea, where I’m right now.” said Aranya.

“Where?”  Yasha asked astoundingly.

“I’m in Goa, maybe as I hang up, a cake, a bouquet, a gift with a bottle of champagne would be waiting for me at the hotel corridor.” said Aranya resolutely waiting for the doorbell to ring.

“Wow!, that’s great dear, OK, now I should not waste your more time, enjoy your birthday and come back soon for the party.” ended Yasha and hung up.

From the deck, the inebriated couple, taking each other, walked into a dimly lit room with only a couch placed in.

“So ma’am, are you feeling the night, beautiful?” asked Rishan. Holding Diya’s hand, he gently pushed her down on the couch.

Rishan was getting over Diya and he was about to kiss her on lips, but before he could make his move, Diya breaks in the middle saying “Yes, of course, it is, but don’t you think, you’re doing something wrong?” she said looking into his eyes.

“Why? What’s wrong with it? I’m in love with you, ” said Rishan in the flow.

“Stop talking bullshit, you are already committed to Aranya” she stood.

Rishan pushed Diya against the wall with his hands pinning her wrists above her head. “I never felt like this for Aranya, I’ve never met a girl like you,” he said, removing her brown curls, off her charming face with his fingertips: “and you know what, I fell in love with you the very first day I saw you.” he continued.

“But Rishan..!!” she said and tried to push him back to keep her at bay.

“But what?” He growled, leaning forward a little with more fervor than before and captured her mouth with his lips. He tasted of the whiskey he had been drinking and she of watermelon Smirnoff, an interesting combination.

It was three in the morning and Aranya was continuously trying to call Rishan, but his phone was out of coverage area. She was worried if something wrong has not happened to both of them. By and by she lost her patience and burst out into tears.

Diya pushed him back harder and reminded him, “Do you remember its Aranya’s birthday today?”

“Fuckk!” Rishan hissed and freed both of her hands, “I forgot her birthday again.”

“Don’t worry Rishan, anyways, you don’t love her.” she said with an evil smile on her face.

“Yeah, that’s true, but I’m guilty, I left her alone in the hotel on her birthday, ” said Rishan and searched for his phone to call her up, but to his dismay, there was no network on the phone.

“Forget about her, now you love me,” said Diya and snatched the phone from his hand, “Actually, you never had any feelings for her, right? You were just in the relationship because you didn’t have any options and now you’ve got me as ‘a better option’, she continued. “And you fool! You thought that I am too falling in love with you. What do you think of yourself Rishan?” she screamed.

“What has happened to you Diya? Why are you behaving so weirdly? Everything was going fine till now,” said Rishan staring at her with a bewildered look.

“Yes, Rishan! Everything was going fine until you provoked my boyfriend that he should not hang on with an average looking girl. Everything was going fine until you provoked him to spend a night and then break up with me. You were the one who used to give pro-tips to my boyfriend that he will get a far better girl than me. How could you judge a girl just based on her looks? And that too by just glancing at a photograph! And see now, you’re falling for the same girl? ” She said.

”What the hell are you talking about?” He yelled.

“Do you remember Daksh? Your best friend in the First year of college”

“Are you Daksh’s girlfriend??” Rishan gasped.

“Yes, I’m the one, Daksh left me just because of your stupid advice. And you know, Karma is a Bitch, Mr. Rishan You ruined my life and it’s my turn now. What would poor Aranya do after listening to this mobile recording? After looking the Titanic pose pictures with me? She is so innocent. Do you have any idea why are we here? Because Aranya wanted to spend her birthday with you in Goa.” Diya spoke in the same breath.

“What nonsense! It was your fucking exhibition for which we came here,” he bawled.

“I canceled my plan for this exhibition, but when we were in Kashid, Aranya told me that she wished you to plan for a Goa trip on her birthday, so I thought to help her get the biggest gift ‘The Truth’. When could I get a better chance to take revenge?”

“So you are here with me on this cruise” laughed Diya sarcastically, “By the way Congratulations for your break up!”

Now let me connect the dots, “During our Kashid trip, when I got to know your name I was stunned, but I ignored thinking you to be some other Rishan. My senses turned out to be true when I heard your love story as the day I felt dejected was your beloved’s birthday. I know, in your complete birthday planning Daksh was with you.”

“You bitch! You screwed up my relationship, I know Aranya will not trust you. It’s your jealousy that you’re doing all this shit.” he cried.

The cruise returned to the port at four in the morning. Soon they reached their hotel rooms.

Rishan knocks, the door & Aranya who cried herself to sleep, wake up & rushes to open the door. She hugged him tight & started crying so hard that she couldn’t utter a word.

Rishan stood with his downcast eyes and said, “I’m sorry Aranya, please forgive me”

“Is everything fine? What happened Rishan? Diya? Where were you both whole night? Diya, you said you will plan my birthday, where is my surprise?” quizzed Aranya fired questions at them.

Rishan’s heart seemed to stop, he wanted to wrap her in his arms, protect her but he was guilty. He paused, as if collecting his thoughts, or his courage, then took a deep breath. “I know, I have made a mistake, but there is still a chance for me to fix. I shouldn’t have walked out with her last night, or maybe I shouldn’t have walked out without you.” he continued with his quivering voice. His brow furrowed and strong guilt going through his eyes. "But you don’t deserve a boy like me, you deserve someone better, who cares for you and loves you and only you” and he left the room.

 

Diya left a note for Aranya that said, “ I’m sorry, it was my mistake.”