Endless Love

Alrighty loves! Think of this as a comeback for G- and also SoG! So I was thinking, how about some alternate universes? Review Please!

Endless Love

The numbness that had engulfed her in its folds was slowly but steadily giving way. Funny how the calm that had helped her make the worst decision of her life, almost breaking her in the process, now fled her as the time to act on that decision came nearer. But had it been her decision? No. Her heart told her, it hadn’t been hers. It had been her Father’s expectant smile and gleeful shining eyes, her Mother’s gushing praise of the life she would have, the life she would enable them to have as she followed their wishes, like the dutiful daughter that she was, that had made it for her. 

It had only been two days before that she had made her way to her Father’s office. Hesitantly, she had asked of him, her voice trembling- Could she have some more time before she got married? She was afraid she was making a mistake… And then she had come to an abrupt halt as her eyes had found his. She shuddered as she remembered the cold hazel that had scrutinized her. He was confident he’d chosen the best way of life for her. Would she dare cross him? Would she dare insinuate that he had been wrong? No. She was to follow through on their decision. The Rathores always kept their word after all. 

Even if it meant ruining her damn life, she thought bitterly, as gentle hands coaxed her to descend the winding stairs that would lead her to the Mandap. Her hands scrunched up the beautiful Cream and Crimson Lehenga that had captivated her so- ten months ago.  Now, it felt like a prisoner’s uniform. An almost hysterical laugh bubbled up her throat as she descended one step at a time. A black and white striped uniform would have been more appropriate right now, she thought, they were leading her into her cell, after all. With Ceremony!

The gold and diamonds adorning her wrists and fingers suddenly felt heavy… like cuffs. Her hands shook as she curled them tighter into her lehenga. The gold and crystal beads sprinkled all over it tinkling ominously, even as her cousin murmured at her to stop ruining her jora. What would Jijaji think? She almost snorted at that. What would he think indeed? That brute would be glaring over at her right now, annoyed that his wife to be was not behaving exactly like the lamb he expected her to be. The lamb that was being led to its slaughter.

The ruby encrusted Maang-tika on her forehead slipped aside as her head suddenly came up. Delicate lines curving above her brow as she felt like she had just been plunged into ice cold water. Her eyes found those curiously shallow black eyes that she had come to detest over the past so many months. His lips were curled into an expectant smug smile, as he watched her walk slowly towards him. A slight frown passing over his good looking but cold face, before he hastily shut it down. Her lips parted in a silent gasp as her as yet numbed heart suddenly jumped to life. Her nose stung, as her eyes slid from his and searched the elegantly decorated hall for those Mocha and Gold ones that had become her refuge for the past ten months. The ones which had beseeched her to come away with them even as they watched her walk away. She had broken his heart, mercilessly, and now- now she realized her folly. Oh! What had she done?

And then she found him. Standing still as marble, face pale, the golden depth of his eyes hollowed with pain. She had done that to him. That realization stunned the breath out of her, and in no time her brute of a Husband-to-be was whispering her name harshly, bringing her attention back to her predicament. She watched, her pulse quickening rapidly as he raised the garland of flowers, ready to claim her as his and again her eyes searched those Mocha depths.  

Would you take me if I came to you, still? Would you still love me? 

His head tilted slightly to the side, and a small dimple appeared just below his left cheekbone. 

Yes, My love. 

And that was when she knew. No one else would ever do. 

And in a flurry of Cream and Red, her jewelry tinkling, her arms shaking, hair flying- Payal Rathore ran to him. Leaving behind her, a surprised and annoyed ex-Husband to be and a stunned family. NK opened his arms as she threw herself into them, burrowing into his chest- diamonds, rubies and all. Neither of them paying any attention to the spectacle they were creating in the hall. Eyes blurry with tears, she leaned up and touched her nose to his, a tender smile lighting up her face. And he smiled down at her, his eyes sparkling a burnished gold, shining with equal amounts of tears and happiness. 

“What made you change your mind?” He whispered as he swept her in his arms and walked away from their still stunned audience. She wound her arm around his neck, one hand lovingly cupping his beloved face as she honesty confessed-

“Because I suddenly realized… No one else would ever do.”

And NK Singhania laughed out loud, the sound mixed with her tinkling giggle- as they stepped into a new life together- armed with their Endless Love.    

And I,

I want to share

All my love with you,

No one else will do…

And your eyes, they tell me how much you care,

Oh yes, you will always be,

My Endless Love.

NB: Endless Love by Lionel Ritchie