MINE

Chapter 13

Rajat walked into Janvi's house with his luggage... “What are you doing here?” Asked Janvi. “Mrs Janvi Rajat let me relax for a while” he said. Janvi stared at him, dumbstruck. Sitting on the couch in the living room he said “I have come all the way from Sydney just to see you”. Janvi was miffed. Rajat chuckled at her expression. His phone started ringing, he pulled it out of the pocket, it was Janvi's mother. “Namaste aunty, yes all fine I will come on video call” he said and ended the call. “It's your mom” said Rajat and called her and enthusiastically said “Hello aunty!!” “Rajat beta how are you? Janu said you went back to Sydney so called to check how you are doing?”. “Oh no aunty I am not in Sydney, I couldn't stay away from my wife so I came back to New Jersey” he replied with a wide smile on his face.

Janvi's mom laughed “what are you saying beta?”. Rajat replied “you don't trust me? just wait” he said and grabbed her around the shoulders and pulled her close to him so her mom could see, “here she is!” he exclaimed. “Janvi squirmed uncomfortably but managed to muster a smile. She grabbed the phone from Rajat's hand and said “mummy he just came I will talk to you later” and ended the call. “What do you think you’re doing??” Shouted Janvi. “Chill… I am only here to give you a good news. I spoke to the lawyer regarding our divorce he said we can proceed with it” Rajat noticed a little smile on Janvi's face. He continued “But… he said it is not even a month we’re married and that court will ask us to stay together 6 months. Soooo…We will have to be together for the said period in order to apply for divorce”.

The smile slowly disappeared from her face Janvi asked “how is that possible? we stay and work in different places”. “You don't have to worry, I have already moved here” replied Rajat. “What? how about your Job then?” asked Janvi “They’ve accepted my transfer request to New Jersey branch!” he said with a goofy smile. “I can't blindly accept whatever you say… Shilpa is staying here with me… how can we both stay together? I will check with another lawyer” said Janvi who was not convinced with Rajat's statement abouth the divorce. “Oh please go ahead… get a second opinion… nothing wrong in it. And yeah let Shilpa stay here, you and me can shift elsewhere. I have asked my friend to find a house for us” replied Rajat. 

“What??” Questioned Shilpa as she entered the house. “oh WOW! what a pleasant surprise” she said looking at Rajat, “when did you come back?” she asked. “Hey Shilpa, how you doing? I just came in” replied Rajat. “All good Rajat, I heard you guys talking about moving out? What's up?”. “You know what… I took a transfer just to help Janvi to get a divorce from me, we will have to stay together for at least 6 months to file for divorce and i have seen a house here with my friend's help so thought of moving in there with Janvi”. That will not be necessary Rajat, a colleague of mine moved around here, she is looking for a roommate, I will move in with her and you guys can stay here” suggested Shilpa. “No way Shilpa!! you cannot leave me!” shouted Janvi.

Shilpa leaned towards Janvi and whispered “do you wanna be Mrs Rajat forever? no right? Then just listen to what he’s saying, it's a rule, you have to stay together for a divorce. so stay together for now and split up later! that's it” shilpa did not get any reply from Janvi. “My head is pulsating! can I get a cup of coffee please!” requested Shilpa and Janvi walked into the kitchen. “and one for me too” asked Rajat. he then looked at Shilpa and she gave him a thumbs up. “thank you. But did you really find a place to stay?” asked Rajat, concerned for her wellbeing. “Of course I did! We had already discussed about you moving in here. so I had made all arrangements for me to shift” Rajat thanked her again. Janvi brought 2 cups of coffee and gave 1 to Rajat and other to Shilpa, while sipping the coffee Rajat said “fine then I will go book a hotel room and no hurry you take your time and shift slowly”. “Nothing much to pack Rajat, I’ll clear out day after tomorrow” replied Shilpa. “okay then! do let me know if you need any help” said Rajat. 

Rajat left and Janvi looked really disturbed. “How can you leave me and go like this?” she questioned.

”It's all for your own good, I want nothing other than for you to be happy” replied Shilpa. “How can I be happy if you leave?” questioned back Janvi. “It’s just 6 months Janu… you’ll survive, and then your life is going to be just as you’ve always wanted it to be.” replied Shilpa and walked into the washroom to stop further conversation. 

Two days passed. “I am just a call away Janu, don't worry!” said Shilpa and moved out. While lost in her thoughts, she heard the doorbell ring. Janvi knew it would be Rajat. she opened and there was no one at the door. As she was about to close the door she noticed on the floor, a bunch of roses. “Rajat I know you’re here… just come in!” she said. Rajat came in with a sheepish smile. he could see sadness in Janvi's face. he said “you remember the days we spent in your house and my house after our wedding? We are going to be the same here don't worry!” said Rajat and got just a nod from Janvi. 

A week passed. Rajat’s feelings towards her kept growing in leaps and bounds but he never attempted to express them to Janvi. She slowly started becoming friendly with him. They started talking more and eating together. Janvi cooked and Rajat was there to help her always. It was a weekend, Janvi asked Rajat “shall we go out for a movie?”. “Sure! let's go”. said Rajat, he booked tickets online for noon show. During interval time Rajat asked “what do you want to eat?” “Nachos and caramel popcorn” replied Janvi and she said “Rajat wait! I will join you too”. 

Rajat was in queue to get caramel popcorn and Janvi said “I will go get nachos”. Rajat picked caramel popcorn and went to Janvi. She was still in the queue someone tapped on Janvi's shoulder, she turned around to check who it was, she looked at that young man's face for a while. Rajat too looked at him wondering who it was. Janvi exclaimed “Michael?” He nodded his head with a broad smile and Janvi jumped with Joy hugged him “oh my god I can't believe my eyes”. “I am equally surprised to see you here” he replied. “When did you move to New Jersey?” asked Michael. “I am here 5 years ago” she replied. “Movie is gonna start” said Rajat with a stern voice. “you are?” Questioned Michael. “ah he...uh He is my friend” replied Janvi. “Yes, a very close friend of hers” said Rajat and shook his hand with Michael. “Will catch up with you later! he said and literally dragged Janvi from there.

Janvi and Rajat went back to their seats. Janvi was laughing her heart out. “why are you laughing now?” Questioned Rajat. “The way you behaved out there, oh my god jealousy was clearly visible! I think I saw your eyes turn Green for a second” Janvi replied breathlessly. “Why, are you not my close friend?” Questioned Rajat in a serious tone. “I am” replied Janvi. “Then I have more rights on you than anyone else here so, there’s nothing wrong in being possessive about you” he said. Janvi looked into Rajat's eyes and said “Wils used to say the same thing to me…” her eyes welled up with tears ready to fall off her cheeks. he wiped her tears and held her hand he said “I am there for you”.