Love Is An Open Door

Prayan is staring at Roop for a long time. He is trying to interpret her mind but he, as always is failing.

Roop's eyes are stucked into that thick file of pages which is grandly known as divorce paper throughout the world.

Yes, they are getting divorced. Enough of family pressure they have faced and enough they have thought about societal prestige. Now they are done, done with everything. 

But is everything over yet? What about those tiny irritating moments they had shared together throughout this entire six months. Haven't they become habituated with it?

Well, habits can be changed but not those habits which we embrace to our heart unknowingly.

While the lawyer was busy completing some legal formalities Prayan took his mind six months back .

Those days that changed his life and probably Roop's life as well. 

          ******

"Prayan, get up. It's already so late. Don't you have office or anything?" Pranay's mother Geeta has been trying to wake him up since an hour or two but in vain.

"Oh, mumma it's a sunday. Let me sleep for some more time." Saying so Prayan hugged his side pillow tightly and turned the other side. 

"Understood. You will not listen like this. Just wait and see what I do now." 

Geeta picked up the bottle from the side tool and let the water flow down right into Prayan's face. 

Prayan wrinkled his eyes and got up quickly. 

"What kind of ill treatment I am facing in my own house! This is so not done mumma." Prayan exclaimed in irritation.

"Go and get fresh fast. Sunday doesn't mean you will not do anything and lead a lazy day. Your father wants to have a conversation with you. Come fast." 

Geeta went away. 

An annoyed Prayan made his way towards the washroom. 

...........

Mr. Prantik , Prayan's father was reading the newspaper sitting on his daily couch. 

As soon as Geeta saw Prayan coming down she gave her husband a nudge. 

As usual Prayan came and sat on the sofa with a cup of tea. 

Prantik coughed and made his voice clear.

Then he took an initiative to start the conversation.

"So Prayan, is all going well?" 

Prayan looked up towards his father and said, "Yes papa, all is well."

- "How is your office going on?"

- "As usual papa. The boss is so rude, he makes us work till we are worn out completely."

- "This is what life is my son. You need to get along with all kinds of ill-bred person. But you need a refreshment amidst of this."

- "You are right papa. I really need a refreshment. But I have so many pending works left that I cannot apply for a vacation at this moment." 

- "Well if that's your problem is then why not bring refreshment to your home?"

- "What exactly are you talking about papa?" Prayan asked in queering voice.

- "I think you need to get married now. This is the perfect age." Finally Prantik revealed the real issue.

- "What? Papa again you have started all this things. You know very well that I don't want to get into any relationship. 

Who has put this thought in your brain? Definitely mumma , isn't it? 

Mumma, why don't you understand, I don't want to get married at this point." 

- "But we want to get you married as soon as possible." Said Geeta in a firm voice. 

"See, I have promised my friend Sunita that you will be marrying her daughter Roop. Moreover you aren't engaged with anyone else. So what's the problem?"

"But mumma...." 

Before Prayan could say anything Geeta added, "Her father is very sick. He can pass away anytime. The only thing he wants is to see his daughter getting married. Please don't say no. It's a matter of our family prestige."

Prayan looked at his mother with a touch of sigh.

"You will like her, trust me. She is beautiful, well educated, she earns well. She is the perfect match for you." 

"Do whatever you want." Saying so Prayan went into his room.

So days went by. Prayan tied his knot with Roop. Both of them still didn't know each other even a bit.

Prayan clearly remembers their first night. 

A confused Prayan entered the decorated room without knowing what to say or do exactly.

But Roop was well aware of what she wanted to do.

As soon as Prayan closed the door Roop got up and said, "Let me be very clear with you. This marriage and all is just a show. Whatever I have done is according to my family's will or may be I should say pressure. But I am sorry to say, I won't be able to lead a happy marriage life with you. I didn't even want to get married at this age. 

I know I am spoiling your life but I don't have any other option. But I promise I will divorce you after six months. Just wait till then. And once again I am sorry." 

Prayan took some time to realise her words. Then he smiled and said, "I was also not ready for this marriage. No problem, you stay here as long as you want. I guess divorce is the best thing we can opt for."

Thus their first night began with an aim to get separated. 

Roop and Prayan's days were filled with quarrels . They never felt anything for each other except tons of annoyance. 

Prayan remembers those days clearly. 

"Prayan, this is my side of the bed. Why are you sleeping here?"

"I think you have forgotten that this whole bed belongs to me Miss Roop." 

"Oh hello mister, it's not me. It is you who have forgotten that as long as I am your legally married wife I have share over your every possessions."

"Tough life!!" Prayan used to explain.

"Yeah, it is." Roop teased him.

But, was there no touch of affection in between of all this mess.

Roop had stayed awake all that night when Prayan was suffering from high fever. 

Prayan used to pack tiffin for Roop when she had early morning duties.

They call it responsibility but responsibility arises from a base called love.

They kept denying it and fought constantly with their mind which brings them at the present, in the court. 

Prayan is upset as hell. His heart doesn't want to get separated from Roop. He doesn't want this divorce. 

"Mr. Prayan Sinha, sign the divorce papers." The lawyer said.

Prayan took a look at Roop. Tears were clearly visible in her eyes. 

Does that mean Roop also feel the same for him?

No, this time Prayan won't make a mistake. He knows what he needs to do next.

Slowly he signed the papers and handed it to Roop. 

Tears blurred Roop's eyes. She can't leave her special habit like this.

But she was the one who wanted divorce. She can't move back now.

With trembling hands she signed the papers.

Together they thanked their lawyer and came outside.

Roop was going to make her way towards home when Prayan stopped him.

"Roop, will you come with me to a place, for the last time?" Prayan asked.

Roop looked at him coldly and said, "We are no longer husband and wife. What's the point of being together now?" 

"I won't force you. I am just requesting you, please come with me. Will you?" 

Pranay's voice had something which Roop couldn't refuse. She thought for a while and said, " Ok, let's go." 

Prayan took Roop near a river bank.

"Stand here for a while. I will be back within minutes." Prayan rushed away.

Roop stood their thinking what's wrong with Prayan brought her here and now where did he vanish?

Roop gazed at the beautiful sunset with a heavy heart. Had she not said those words at their first night they could have been together probably.

Tears rolled down from Roop's eyes. Yes, she is regretting of her decision. 

"Roop." A soothing voice called her from behind. 

She turned around. Prayan was standing with his hands folded back .

He came closer to Roop. Roop could smell the sweet fragrance of Prayan's perfume. 

Prayan began with a jerk in his shoulder.

"I know that when we got married we were not mentally prepared for it. New people, new life, we couldn't really relate ourselves to these factors. 

But guess what, now I realise that you have become a part of my regular life whom I don't want to leave. 

I will not say that come, let's marry again.

Let's began our love story with those silly, stupid things that are shown in movies. At first let's fall in love with each other, then we can think of celebrating our first night." 

Prayan slowly knelt down in front of Roop. Handing her the bouquet of roses he said, "Will you be my valentine?

Wait that sounds way to filmy. 

Let's change the words.

Wanna fight for capturing my bed again?" 

Roop laughed at Prayan's childish behaviour. At the same time she sobbed. Her happiness knew know bound. 

"Should I say yes or should I say no?" She asked Prayan. 

Prayan stared at her with his eyes widened. 

"Well, I am expecting a yes." Prayan said.

Roop giggled.

Then she said, "I want to explore that open door called love with you." 

"Does that mean our true new journey is going to begin?" 

"Yes, it is." 

The first night is going to get complete soon.

~The end~