Chapter 45: Chapter 45
Armaan met Inder at the cafe. Inder had defeated look on his face.
"What is it?" Armaan asked
"I thought I was making some progress with her. After that accident, she had started opening up with me. I was so confident when I proposed her" Inder said with a sigh
"You proposed? When?" Armaan asked in surprise
"An hour ago" Inder said shrugging
"And she said?"
"She said No"
"Uh oh" Armaan didn't knew what to say to that.
"She panicked. I don't know what more I could do to show her that it is okay to love again. And I understand that a part of her will always love Dhruv. I am okay with all that. I fell in love with the Ananya who was so much in love with Dhruv. I will never want to replace him. Neither in her life nor in Aarav's. I don't know how to make her understand that" Inder said
Armaan felt his respect for his bestfriend increasing. He don't think he would be able to handle any part of Janani feeling anything for another man. He will never be able to accept that.
Well, call him a cave man. He will not be offended.
The whole of Janani is his and his only.
But Inder seems accepting of the fact that the woman he loves will probably be always in love with another man. Only a man capable of unconditional love will be able to accept such a thing.
Yes, he does love Janani with all his heart. But he is too much possessive to share her heart with anyone other than their family.
No! Not happening.
"Janani is talking to her right now. I am sure she will talk some sense into Ananya. Keep faith, Inder" Armaan said
"I am counting on that. I can't imagine a life without Ananya and Aarav" Inder said
"If you had told me this a year ago, or even six months ago, I would have found it difficult to believe that you are able to see another man's child as your own. I would have thought that you are saying it only for the benefit of it" Armaan said with a chuckle
"Well, love does change people" Inder said teasingly
Armaan laughed out loud
"It sure does. I was first shocked when Janani got very close to Ava. I couldn't even believe my eyes when I saw the bonding happening. That too at such a quick speed. Then when I realised she didn't give birth to Advi. Man! I was so out of my mind" Armaan said remembering that moment and shuddering.
"Only a special woman could love like that" Inder said
"My Janani is special. I am very thankful that I found her. I am even thankful to that lying cheating twin of hers. Without Saanvi, how would I have found my Janani" Armaan asked
"I am happy that you found love. You have always been against love. You were so busy having casual flings. I had given up hoping that you will find someone to love" Inder said
"For once, luck was on my side." Armaan said with a smile
Armaan's phone rang.
"It's Janani." Armaan said and picked up the call
"Janani? Is everything alright there?" Armaan asked and Inder looked on anxiously
"Yes. Is Inder bhaiyya with you?" Janani asked
"Yes. He is"
"Then come here with him. Now" Janani said and hung up the call
"She is asking us to go there" Armaan said
"Well, let's hurry then" Inder said, too eager to get back to Ananya
*****
As soon as they entered Ananya's cabin, they saw a stern Janani and a guilty Ananya in there.
"So?" Armaan asked trying to break the ice
"I am sorry Inder. I know I have been giving you a tough time for a long time" Ananya said guiltily and Inder nodded in acknowledgement
Ananya came and stood in front of Inder. Armaan slowly walked towards Janani and snaked an arm around her waist, pulling her more closer.
"Enjoying the show?" Armaan whispered in Janani's ears
"I always love a good love story" Janani said, her eyes still on Inder and Ananya
"Don't you think we should give them some privacy?" Armaan asked
"Well, I don't trust Ananya not to mess up again. Let's wait until she says yes. Then we can leave them to their world" Janani whispered back
"So?" Inder asked and to everyone's surprise, Ananya got on her knees in front of Inder
"Ananya. No" Inder started protesting, but Ananya shook her head
"Let me do this atleast for you" Ananya said and Inder simply nodded
"My life has been on autopilot for the last few years. I have been existing, not living. The only solace in my life was Aarav. I was living only for him. Then you came along. And my heart started beating again. I don't know when you became so important for me, Inder. But when you got into that accident, I realised that I couldn't live without you anymore. Maybe I realised earlier, but I wasn't ready to admit it to myself until then. I am so sorry, that I have been giving you mixed signals all these while. But I need you to know one thing. A part of me will always love Inder. He is my first love. That will remain so forever. But you, Inder, are the love of my life. Will you marry me. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife and a father to my little boy?" Ananya asked and Inder fell to his knees in front of her
"A hundred times yes" he said and pulled her into a tight hug.
"Thank you for being patient with me and loving me like this" Ananya said softly
"I have been dying to here this from your mouth for so long, Ananya. You made me the happiest man on earth" Inder said
"That is a lie. I am the happiest man on earth" Armaan whispered in Janani's ears
"Shut up" Janani chided as she wiped away the tears that escaped her eyes, seeing the emotional union of her new friend.
Armaan pulled Janani into a hug
"I love you" Armaan murmered against her hair and pressed a kiss on top of her head
"I love you more"