Ritika’s Answer

The phone rang. Ritika attended to it though she is busy checking the important business mails coming from different customers. Within a year her business has flourished a lot more than she had dreamt of and now she is quite confident that her talent has taken the right path. “Hello, Ritika Mukherjee speaking. How can I help you?” she responded in her professional tone. But the voice which answered back wasn’t the voice she was least expecting! Rahul was on the other side of the phone. She once thought of disconnecting the call but then she said to herself why she should always back out when there’s no fault on her side. She continued with her professional tone “Yes Sir how I may help you?” “Hey why are you speaking to me in this tone my dear? I’m your friend, Rahul”

“Well I don’t feel we still are friends after that afternoon”

“I apologize for that incident but still I wish to meet you. I’ve a lot to share with you”

Ritika thought for a while then said “Let me think for a while then I’ll answer to your request”

“I’m eagerly waiting for your answer” She ends the call with a simple “Bye” and thought for a while. After a moment she picked up the phone and dialled a number. The caller tune went on singing a beautiful note but the person on the other side did not receive the call.

Ritika could understand Vidya’s dilemma and felt sorry for her. How will she accept everything now? Ritika found herself in a tight spot too. Was it her fault? She couldn’t get the picture. Should she be regretful?

In split of a second she went back to the evening when she first received friend request from an unknown person in her social networking account. She has just finished her course in fashion and textile designing and had planned to set up her own business rather working for any company. As a result she remains busy for the whole day working on dream project i.e. setting up her own boutique ‘Riti’s Apparel.’ But in the evening she always opened her social networking account to publicize about her boutique and the products available there. She even created a page so that interested persons could contact her easily and place orders. So when she saw a new request she thought maybe he is a significant person in the fashion field.

 She opened the profile to see the details of the person. Name Rahul Singh works as civil engineer in one of the reputed company lives in Lucknow and status single. Ritika was disappointed that he wasn’t that what she thought him to be but was much attracted at the profile picture and the quotes and poems he wrote or shared in his timeline. She accepted his request.

From then onwards they messaged each other good morning wishes or sometimes how are you or what are you doing right now types of question. After few days went the chat session elongated. Ritika felt he is a bit interested towards her. One day Rahul messaged – Ritika can I ask for your number? I wish to talk to you”

Ritika did not mind and shared her number. In the next moment a call came from an unknown number. She said “Hello”

“Hi dear. It’s Rahul” the voice was very husky. “I wished to talk with you from past few days but felt you may not accept my request. So are you annoyed that I asked for your number and called you immediately?”

“Not at all”

“So what are you doing right now?”

“Creating some designs for dresses. What about you?”

“Returning home. At the moment I’m standing on the footpath waiting for any cab to come. I must confess your voice is much sweeter than I ever thought”

“Really? Thanks” and she broke down in laughter. “Oh your laugh can match to chiming bells”

“I feel this comparison is too much for me”

“No I’m not lying, it’s true”

“Ok I believe you. Bye and good night for today”

“Good night and goodbye dear. Have a sweet dream”

The number of phone calls increased day by day. Ritika eagerly waited for the evenings to come when both will have some time to talk with each other. They even chatted through Skype but she longed to meet Rahul in person. So she thought of inviting him in her birthday party but Rahul declined by saying “Don’t take it otherwise Sweet heart. My mom is ill and I’ve to go to my ancestral home. When I return I’ll surely meet you” Ritika was sad but agreed to his words. Parents are surely the first priority than girlfriend.

At the same time her parents were preparing to open Ritika’s account in matrimonial site. The reason is a few days before her parents asked her “Did you find your better half dear?” Ritika couldn’t answer their question. What will she say? She didn’t meet Rahul in person still then. So she just answered “Why are you so worried about my marriage Mom? At the moment I’m busy with my boutique and nothing else” Her parents started going through grooms’ column in newspapers but at the same time went through matrimonial sites too. In between her birthday arrived. She did not enjoy her twenty fourth birthday though her parents arranged a grand party as usual. All her friends were invited but still she felt something is missing and that was Rahul’s presence. In between their phone calls too lessened at bit but she did not mind. His mother was improving in health bit by bit. She just waited for him impatiently.

One morning Rahul messaged her – Good morning sweetheart. I’m inviting you to dine with me tonight sharp at eight. I’ve booked our dinner table in one of the best restaurants of our city. So don’t say no. I’ll be waiting to meet you.

Ritika was delighted. She replied – I’ll reach in time.

That morning seemed very colourful to her. She couldn’t concentrate on her work and looked at the watch quite often. The day must have extended by hours as evening seemed to arrive very slowly.

In the evening she dressed in bright red chiffon saree with matching accessories and shoes. She left in her car. She was over the moon; she is going to meet her love. She reached the restaurant in time. Rahul was waiting for her at the doorsteps. He escorted her to the table. In between he whispered “You’re looking gorgeous dear” Ritika blushed. They sat to eat. The waiter served a lovely chocolate cake. She was surprised. Is Rahul’s birthday today? She complained “Why didn’t you say today is your birthday? I couldn’t buy a gift for you”

He smiled “Today isn’t my birthday dear. I’m celebrating yours. Belated Happy Birthday Dear” and he gifted her bunch of red roses and a beautiful chain with a heart pendant. She was over cloud nine. She thanked him. He said “Just thanks! No I wish something more from you”

“What?”

“A kiss”

She reddened but agreed. After dinner they locked lips in the cosy backseat of Rahul’s car. They met quite often during lunch or dinner and Ritika thought maybe Rahul will ask for her hand on the coming days. But Rahul didn’t mention a word on it. Ritika tried to bring up the issue by revealing the discussion between her parents.

That day Ritika went to one of the famous restaurants of the city. She has invited some clients from different parts of the state to discuss about some new business proposals. After the meeting when the guests left she was about to leave too but she saw someone! Vidya Sinha; her classmate during school days. She advanced to talk to her. When she reached her table to say “Hi Vidya!”;she was shocked to find Rahul sitting with her and having lunch. Vidya said “Hey Ritika! How are you? After so many years” But Ritika wasn’t in a position to answer back, she just stared at Rahul. Vidya said “Oh let me introduce him to you. He’s my husband, Rahul Singh”

Ritika just smiled then said “I’m a bit busy so just leaving. Enjoy your lunch dear. We will talk later”

She broke down. How could Rahul do this to her? She took a lot time to come out of this heart break. Now Rahul wishes to patch up the love bond. But how can she bring an end to her friend’s married life? She messaged to Rahul – Never try to meet me in future.