MINE

Chapter 6

Janvi glowered at Rajat. He repeated “why do you want to wear it? Nobody is going question you”. “True… no one can question me now…” replied Janvi and smiled broadly she quickly removed her mangal sutra and placed it in Rajat's hand. She noticed him sighing in relief and looking down at it smiling. 

On one thing they both were very particular about was never to take advantage of each other. They never had even the most common conversations in fear of the relationship taking a different path. 

They reached New Jersey. Rahul and Shilpa were eagerly waiting to welcome their best friends. As Rajat and Janvi walked towards them Shilpa kept staring at them without batting an eye. She leaned towards her boyfriend and said “you were right Rahul , they do make a good pair”. “perfect Jodi; but… no use” replied Rahul. 

Shilpa squealed in joy and hugged Janvi tight. “Hey buddy!!” said Rajat looking at Rahul. Rahul eyeballed Rajat up and down and pointed at their partners “Look at how happy they are to see each other…. They are hugging bro..... why aren’t you this excited to see me? But of course, They are meeting after a lot time and I met you like 10 days ago… but still… oh what the heck…forget it. Let’s just go” Rahul sighed and walked towards his GF. “This is shilpa” Rahul introduced his Gf to his friend. Rajat responded with a hi and they all went to the hotel room where Rahul stayed. After relaxing for a while Janvi got up “fine… I will make a move then!”. “where to?” Questioned Rahul. “Uhh…To my place” she replied... Rajat waved janvi goodbye but Rahul protested “no… wait, we have already booked another room for you and shilpa. Why don't you stay here?”. “But my office is quite far away!” replied Janvi. “But Janu you have another 9 days off… let's stay here until you have to report back to work” said shilpa. Janvi thought for a while…. looked down at shilpa, smiled and nodded yes. The couples spent most of the time loitering around and shopping. They had already spent 5 days together, as they were all chatting, Rajat received a call and walked away to attend it… once he hung up the call he said “Janvi…. my tickets are booked I will be leaving in another 3 days” smiling ear to ear. “Great!!” exclaimed Janvi returning the smile... Shilpa looked at Rahul in disbelief. Later that night when Janvi and Shilpa were in their room shilpa asked “are you actually happy that Rajat is leaving? Do you really want to break off this relationship?”. “There isn't any kind of relationship between us Shilpa, we are just doing each other a favour….. and you out of everybody should know about what happened…. About "Wils"… how could you ask me this question?”. “He is not part of your life anymore Janvi. There’s no point in bringing him up anymore!” Shilpa snapped back at her. “But my heart belongs only to him” replied Janvi and hit the bed. “Janu…. Get up…. I am not done talking to you!!” shouted Shilpa and pulled Janvi by her hand. Janvi sat up “There’s nothing to talk about!”. “Rajat is a nice guy. god has brought you guys together… accept him Janu, start a new life with him” shilpa begged. “Shilpa! Please! Rajat is no one to me and I don’t mean anything to him. our marriage wasn't decided by God; it was decided by us and its upto to us to make it or break it!. You talking to me about making this relationship work is like blowing a trumpet into a deaf man’s ears. Not of any use! come on, it’s getting late. Let's sleep. said Janvi and hit the bed again. Shilpa, fuming with anger turned off the light and plopped beside Janvi. 

Next day was like any other day, in the evening Rahul had ordered for some hot drinks for Rajat and himself. Shilpa and Janvi accompanied Rajat and Rahul with some soft drinks

“Shilpa and I have planned for a movie, night show”. Said Rahul. “You guys carry on” he said and walked away grabbing his girlfriend’s hand. Janvi was uncomfortable. As she was trying to go back to her room Rajat started a conversation. He started asking her about her work, when she moved to New Jersey? Blabbering away in a drunken state. Rajat's phone started ringing. Janvi peeped at the phone. It was his Mom and it was a video call. He was tipsy! his mom asked him “are you alright? Why do you look so tired? Where is my daughter in law? Did you fight with her or something?? You guys getting along with each other? Rajat was visibly irritated at the barrage of questions. He pulled Janvi close to him, put his arms around her shoulders and held her tight! Squishing his face against hers to fit into the screen. “look maa!!! we are absolutely, positively fine!! I am going to sleep now! will call you in the morning!” he said and hung the phone. 

The minute Rajat disconnected the call Janvi removed Rajat's hand from her shoulders and swiftly stood up. “I am sorry” said Rajat, took the bottle and gulped down the drink! he took another bottle and started voraciously downing it. “calm down!” said Janvi. “Don't you dare utter a word!! all you girls are cheaters. every girl is a curse to a man! Janvi began to understand the reason behind his hatred towards marriage. she presumed he was ditched by a girl. “I think you need some sleep…” she said and started walking away. “hey…you …. don't you * hiccup* run away*hiccup* wait” screamed Rajat. Janvi stopped and turned to look at him… but decided to walk out of the room anyway.