Love Rekindled {Part Two}

'How's this one?' asked Amrita, pointing to a flashy red handbag hanging over their heads. 1

'Ugh, it's horribly gaudy,' said Naina making a face.2

'Or that one?' said Amrita, ignoring Naina. 3

Raj and Naina were helping Amrita decide on which purse to buy to match her new outfit. Amrita hardly noticed them though; she was much too engrossed in her shopping. Naina had come along to give Amrita company, and Raj to be with Naina.4

'This is boring,' said Naina. 'I'm getting really fed up waiting for her to decide. That's the worst of going shopping with her; she just can't make up her mind about what she wants.'5

'Let's slip off and get a drink then,' said Raj cheerfully. 'She won't even realize we're not there!'6

'All right,' said Naina, really annoyed with Amrita.7

They slipped out of the shop, and made straight for a little snack store across the street. Raj bought them drinks, and sipping them he made her follow him into a little park, running alongside the road. 8

'And why exactly are we here?' said Naina cynically.9

'Oh shut up!' said Raj wearily. 'You have no idea how much you bore me with your senseless snapping and biting.' 10

Naina glared at him, furious. 11

'And those looks don't have any effect on me either,' he added. 'Stop trying to make your face so ugly.'12

For once Naina was lost for words. No man had ever dared to speak like that to her. She turned away, her face hot, making for the exit. 13

'Hey Naina wait!' said Raj laughing, catching hold of her arm and pulled her towards him. Naina shook off his hand.14

'I'm sorry okay? Chill. Gosh you get angry so fast! It's unbelievable. Listen let's make a deal all right? You walk around the park with me, and I'll be on my best behavior, provided you are too, and you won't feel like strangling me.' 15

'All right,' she said ungraciously. He grinned at her and her heart started beating fast. That smile...it drove her crazy. Trying her utmost to keep control of the wild fancies that she hadn't had for over two years, she walked with him around the park. 16

Raj glanced at her once or twice. Naina looked extremely pretty even when she didn't smile. Her hair, naturally dark brown, when left loose, was one of her best physical assets. 17

'Stop staring at me,' said Naina, her almond shaped eyes dark and accusing.18

'Sorry,' said Raj. 'I was just wondering why anyone who looked good would want to spoil their beauty by frowning continually. Why would they?'19

'Maybe because that's how they feel,' said Naina, not realizing the question was about herself.20

'Why would they feel unhappy all the time?' persisted Raj innocently.21

'I don't know...maybe because they have a bad memory about something that happened and it still haunts them.' She stopped suddenly, her face clouded over.22

'I guess that would be it,' said Raj gently. 'But shouldn't they at least attempt to be happy for the sake of their loved ones? Shouldn't...you?'23

Naina stared hard down at the ground and looked around at Raj. He was gazing back at her, eyes full of understanding. She felt that she could trust him.24

'Do you realize that though you may not treat Jai the way you do strangers, he still feels far worse than what any other guy you've ever insulted has felt.'25

Naina's eyes widened in shock.26

'Because of your lifestyle. You're not living...you're just subsistent. You have no idea how bad he feels, because of that. Can't you alter your attitude towards life a little?' 27

'I suppose I can,' said Naina slowly, in deep thought. It had come as a great shock to know how much her lack of living affected her twin. She reminisced about all the times they'd spent together, enjoyed on outings, fought, kept each other company when it was lousy weather, talked about their crushes, played pranks on others, in short the endless fun they had whenever they were together. Her life seemed so empty now; she and Jai hardly ever spoke to each other though Jai tried his utmost to bring things back to how they'd been once upon a time. She really yearned for those days. She spoke her thoughts aloud to Raj, who listened quietly.28

'Then Naina,' added Raj softly. 'Try to alter not just for Jai but yourself too, and perhaps everything will be back to how it once was.'29

He gave her a reassuring smile, and to his surprise and pleasure, she smiled back.30

The door bell rang and Naina went to unlock the door. She opened it and was taken aback when she saw Raj standing in front of her.31

'Hi,' greeted Raj, smiling at her.32

'Jai's not here,' said Naina abruptly. 'He's gone out for some lunch party with Amrita.' 33

'No problem, I didn't come to see him anyway,' said Raj cheerfully. 'I was getting bored sitting alone at home, so I thought I'd ask my new friend if she'd like to have an ice cream with me.'34

Naina stared at him. She couldn't understand why he was still being so nice to her after she'd been so impolite to him for the past few days. She decided to go with him anyway, her curiosity getting the better of her.35

'Okay,' she said. 'Just let me get my jacket.'36

He drove her to the Chow patty beach and treated her to mango kulfi. Naina was sitting on the stone bench, her back to the sea. 37

'Tell me something,' said Raj, gazing at the waves crashing the rocks. 'Why do you hate men so much?'38

His question took Naina completely by surprise, but she tried not to show it.39

'Because they're selfish, cruel and heartless,' she replied, biting her lower lip.40

'Not all men are like that.'41

'What you're actually trying to say is that you're not like that.' 42

Raj chuckled. 'Well, I'm not like that then.'43

'Why are you so bothered about me?'44

'Hmm...Maybe because I don't like to see you unhappy.'45

'I'm not unhappy,' said Naina fiercely. 46

'You really think you're content like this? Always dour and attacking everyone?'47

'This is the way I am.'48

'You're lying and you know it. Look around you! There's so much beauty everywhere! What reason have you to frown 24/7?'49

'You call this beauty?' retorted Naina waving her arms in front of her. 'There's pollution everywhere! Dirt, poverty...'50

Raj laughed much to Naina's amazement. 51

'Naina, there is beauty all around you. You just have to know where to look.'52

He smiled at her. A lovely zephyr hit his face, playfully ruffling his wavy black hair. Naina watched him from the corner of her eye, with complete outward indifference.53

'Stand up and close your eyes,' he ordered suddenly. She obeyed him wondering what he was going to do, and actually anticipating it.54

'Keep them closed.' He caught her shoulders and turned her around; they were now facing the sea. 55

'Now slowly open them and keep your mind blank.'56

Naina opened her eyes and gasped. 57

As the sea engulfed the hazy sun, a tiny orange spot on the horizon, the pink clouds were tinged with the golden rays. It was one of the most glorious sunsets she'd ever seen. She couldn't even remember when she had last seen one.58

'Can you scowl at this?' he whispered. 59

'It's beautiful,' she responded in a low voice, not taking her eyes off the magnificent scene.60

A half hour later as Raj was driving her back home, he asked her how she felt after viewing the sunset.61

'I felt wonderful,' she reflected with such sincerity, that Raj knew it to be the truth and smiled secretly to himself.62

Four days later, they were lunching at Yokoz after Jai offered to treat them to steaks. They enjoyed it thoroughly. It was impossible not to enjoy at all, when you were with Raj. He lightened your mood and made you feel really happy. 63

After lunch, Jai and Amrita were planning on going for a movie, but Naina didn't feel like one. Raj offered to accompany her home and Naina reluctantly agreed.64

They sat beside each other in a rickshaw in silence, as Raj's car was in the garage.  He directed the driver to the complex in which Naina lived. They were stuck in the dreaded traffic of Mumbai on Linking Road. Presently a small boy dressed in faded out ragged clothes approached their vehicle begging for a few rupees.65

'Go away you dirty boy!' said Naina angrily in Hindi. 'Don't get your grimy hands inside!' The little boy went away to a car beside their auto, disheartened. 66

Raj stared at her in shock.67

'What?' said Naina belligerently.68

'You remember when you told me that you hate men because they're selfish, cruel and heartless?'69

'Yes...' she replied recalling the pleasant memory.70

'Till today I always thought there maybe some empathy in you...but I was so wrong...'71

'He was so dirty didn't you see him?' said Naina flaring up.72

'Shut up! That's not the point; the point is he was a small boy struck by poverty and he was asking you for help! And you turned him away so callously?'73

Naina was silent and turned her head away from him, staring outside the rickshaw, which was now turning left into another bumpy road, which had small huts huddled up together. She had a fleeting image of a little ragged girl skipping outside one, all by herself, her face alight with happiness.74

'Did you see that girl just now in front of her tumbledown hut? She probably has to fish for food from the garbage has no good clothing, no luxury in life, yet she was so happy! Probably more than you ever are.'75

'You have no idea what I've been through,' said Naina, till looking away from him, a tear trickling down her cheek, her voice full of emotion.76

'Yes I do,' said Raj quietly. 'But that is no reason to stop living. Okay so you had a bad experience...so what? Are you going to mope about it for the rest of your life? Be unhappy and make everyone around you miserable as well? Pray, tell me what you are lacking? You have a loving brother, a friend who has always stuck by you at your hour of need, beauty, brains, and on some occasions, strength of character.'77

Naina blinked back her tears. It had now started raining. 78

'But,' continued Raj. 'What's the use of having all that if you have no heart? You know something Naina? You have metamorphosed into the exact thing you hate. Selfish, cruel, heartless. I'm ashamed to say that I actually loved you.'79

'Memsaab, aapka ghar aagaya,' intervened the driver. 80

Naina got out of the rickshaw and unknowingly splashed right into a puddle. The rain drops fell onto her face and mingled with her tears. Instead of going inside the building, she walked towards the back slowly.81

Raj watched her leave and told the driver where to, little knowing how hard his harsh but well chosen words had hit her.82

Jai unlocked the door and went in. 'I'm home!' he announced, closing it. He was surprised at the darkness in the room. 'Naina!' he called, ruffling his wet hair and switching on the lights. No answer. He glanced at the clock in the living room, ticking away merrily. It was a quarter to ten and Naina wasn't home. He checked the messages on the answering machine and heard his own informing his sister he'd be late. So Naina hadn't come home all day. He called her on her mobile and was very worried when no one answered it. It was not at all like Naina to disappear like this. 83

'Where is she?' he wondered aloud. At that moment he heard the front door shut and a bedraggled figure walked into the room.84

'Naina!' exclaimed Jai, extremely relieved. 'Where were you? Oh God you're completely drenched!'85

'Jai,' she said shivering, in a soft voice that at once caught his attention. 'Just take me to my room.'86

'All right...' he said, anxiety returning to him in full fervor. 87

'No wait...Jai I'm sorry! Sorry for making you so miserable for so long...I'm really sorry...' She started weeping.88

After hearing Raj's severe speech, she had pondered over everything. She remembered each and every conversation she'd had with Raj, how he tried to reform her. Every fault in her now stood out blatantly. She thought back to how ruthlessly she had turned away that poor little boy earlier that day and her insides burned with shame. Had she truly transformed into the object of her hatred? Yes, she had. But not for long. Not a minute more was she going to stay that way. She then realized that Raj had not tried to reform her...he had reformed her.89

Next morning, Jai woke up early with a start after hearing a sudden crash, which had come from the kitchen. Heavy eyed and tousle haired he got out of bed to see what had happened. He got a shock when he reached there.90

'Sorry Jai, did that crash wake you up?' It was Naina crouching down on the floor picking up broken pieces of glass. 91

'What the hell are you doing up so early?' demanded Jai. Naina was a lie abed and usually slept the whole morning through. 92

'I got up for some water and couldn't go back to sleep. So I thought I'd make some breakfast while I'm at it and make some for you too.'93

'What?' said Jai flabbergasted. 94

Naina laughed. Jai had forgotten what Naina's laugh sounded like. It was low and sweet, making you want to laugh with her.95

After a lovely breakfast, the doorbell rang.96

'That must be Amrita,' said Jai. 'I called her over.'97

'Great!' exclaimed Naina in delight. 'She's just the person I wanted to see!' She rushed to open the door.98

'Hi Amrita!' said Naina smiling and hugging her friend, who was astonished at such a hearty welcome. She mouthed 'What the hell is going on?' to Jai, who was behind. He shrugged his shoulders, bewildered.99

The next few days Jai and Amrita were amazed at how differently Naina behaved. She laughed, was always smiling, took an interest in things around her, enjoyed outings, was pleasant to everyone. She became a joy to be around with. Her infectious laughter always lightened everyone up. And it didn't seem at all put on. Rather, Naina was behaving exactly how she felt. Extremely happy.100

Raj became a regular visitor and became exceedingly close to Naina. She felt a rush of gratitude towards him, for she now lived life as it was to be led and took everything as it came. 101

A few days later Jai announced that he had planned to throw a party at their apartment, but the reason for the party was still a secret. At the party, he banged on the table to get everyone's attention.102

'Here ye, everyone,' he said grinning around. 'I have an announcement to make, which will definitely be popular with you guys.'103

'What is it?' said Naina impatiently.104

'Well....' he chuckled in delight. 'Amrita and I are planning to get married.'105

There were loud exclamations on hearing this and Naina stood rooted to the ground, too stunned to speak. Initial shock was replaced with elation, and soon she too was hugging the bride-to-be and excitedly discussing the engagement ceremony with them.106

The engagement ceremony at the Taj Regency was an instant hit. Naina went from one guest to another, receiving them warmly. Dressed in a dark blue sequined short kurta that brought out her fair complexion, she was an object of admiration that evening, looking as beautiful as Jai's fiancé. Her face radiated the joy she felt, which increased whenever she glanced at Raj. He came over to her and asked her to dance to a catchy Punjabi song the DJ had switched to. She readily agreed and the two of them rocked to the song, their steps coordinating perfectly, bringing out numerous couples onto the floor.107

Naina stopped to catch her breath after the upbeat song got over. 'I'm going to get some water,' she yelled in Raj's ear trying to be heard over the loud music. He nodded winking at her mischievously.108

She forced her way to the far end of the room and was offered a drink by a waiter. She took it and sat down, sipping it contentedly, her thoughts occupied by Raj, his smile, his charm, and everything else about him that she now adored. She came out of trance as she heard someone behind her mention his name. She listened to their conversation without meaning to, her interest aroused.109

They were two middle aged women talking, and apparently one of them was friendly with Raj's mother. She told the other that Raj had returned a few months ago from England and was planning to open a hospital of his own. 110

'How nice,' said the other woman. Naina smiled. Raj did indeed dream of opening his own hospital. 111

'I suppose he's married?' No replied the first woman, but he was intending to propose to a girl he had fallen in love with. 112

Naina stood up suddenly in shock. Her head was swirling and she couldn't think straight. Could Raj have really fallen in love with some other girl? She loved him...she really did...and now...113

She had to tell someone, but whom? The closest people to her were having the time of their lives. Two were getting engaged and the third was the one it concerned. This was a special night for them all, and on no accounts could it be spoilt. It was unbearable to be in the crowded hall where the party was in full swing. She walked away quickly to the huge garden behind the hotel. It was dark and beautiful, and she made towards the pool and stood there, tears pouring out of her eyes. 114

'Naina!' called a voice from behind. She hurriedly wiped her tears away. Raj came up and stood beside her. They said nothing to each other for a few minutes, gazing at the pool shimmering in the pale moonlight.115

'Congrats,' said Naina not facing him. 'I heard you've fallen in love and are going to ask the girl for her hand.' 116

'Yea,' said Raj quietly. 'Thanks.' Not taking his eyes off her, he asked, 'Do you want to see her?'117

'Of course,' she replied, forcing a smile. She followed him along a path that led to a small wooden bridge, built over a stream.118

They stood on it at its centre and Raj looked down at the water. Naina followed his gaze.119

'That's the girl,' he said pointing to her reflection. Her heart almost skipped a beat. But wait a minute...she was the girl...he loved her...how could that be?120

'You now why I was so intent on giving you a personality makeover? Because under your unfriendly exterior, I kept seeing glimpses of an unhappy girl too frightened to come out, afraid that she might get hurt again. A girl who was kind, cheerful, and thoughtful. And that, Naina, is the girl I fell in love with.' 121

'So now,' he went on, looking straight into her eyes. 'My dearest Naina, will you marry me?'122

'Yes, I will,' she said with a smile.123