Appalled Heart

When Akash and Varsha reached the car, she let go of his arm and reached her side of the car door and sat in the car by herself. Akash could feel some radical change in her mood suddenly.

He then opened the door and sat on driving seat. He looked on the other seat and found her calmly looking outside. He sighed and started the car.

Both people are silent in the car. He wanted to ask her what happened but it felt like pushing her. Suddenly he felt like it would have been better if the party lasted for a few more hours. He thought of ways to make her speak and then sighed and spoke in a calm voice "Party ended. But if you feel like it, you can call your friend at our home and have a get together sometime."

Varsha is feeling sad because she remembered the words of Arushi. She felt that she might not be his ideal type of girl and it made her feel sad. She got startled when she heard his voice and she could not suppress her excitement and ask "Really? Can I really invite her to our home?"

'Our Home.' When Akash heard it, it made him feel a sense of intimacy. He felt happy and has an urge to hold her hand. But remembering her previous expression, he felt discouraged to do any such action. He just smiled while looking ahead and said "Of course. That is your home. Your friend is welcome to visit there."

Varsha looked at his facial expression. She is looking for anything unusual when he is talking but she did not find anything. She could only say "Thank you" and turned silent again.

They reached home around 11:00 PM at night. This time Akash did not miss his chance to open the door for her and giving a laugh at her startled expression. Varsha opened the door of the house and ran away inside. Akash smiled and after seeing her go inside, he drove the car to the parking.

Next day, at the breakfast table Grandpa and Grandma questioned Akash and Varsha about the party. Akash has become his usual indifferent one and most of the questions are answered by Varsha but she is excited to share her experience.

Varsha is also happy telling everyone everything because she did not make any mistake in the party and have also made a friend. Akash has only answered questions in 'Yes', 'No' and 'Good' making the heart of Varsha feel more appalled and sure about her own imaginary deductions. She is thinking that he is really uninterested in talking about his experience along with her in a party. She feels sad in the heart but she can't affect the atmosphere of the family due to that.

Opposite to Varsha's thoughts, Akash is thinking "It was so good in the party. I could care for her and her smile was all because of me. I can not be that caring and she can also not be so close to me in front of others. It is such a disappointment. Hope some other party comes soon." He is also sceptical about her mood change after the party, so he can't be sure whether he will make her unhappy by talking in detail.

Next day after-party, Ira asked her in college "Sister-in-law! What happened? You feel to be having a dejected look on your face."

Varsha who was in her own thoughts smiled halfheartedly and said "Of course, I am feeling a bit down. When I went to the party, I suddenly realized that there are a lot of things I have yet to learn."

It has been already two days since the party and gloomy mood of Varsha has not reduced much. She feels that because of her, Akash could not marry his own lover. Now his playful scoldings feel like real scolding and not the one of care. Previously she used to smile when Akash scolded her but now tears come easily. His attention feels like he is trying to find fault in her and not caring for her.

Seeing the sensitive nature of Varsha, Akash also tries to not comment much on her actions. He is afraid he might make her feel bad more. She thinks his attention toward her is decreasing and it makes her cry and feel down more when she is by herself.

It has been three days already since the party. Varsha and Ira came back from college and after changing, Varsha is waiting for Ira in the garden. Varsha is sitting beside the stream and is again lost in her own thoughts.

Akash came and stood beside her but she did not realize it making Akash feel a bit disappointed. His expression is calm and he said in a low voice "When we went to the party, you were enjoying and also were in a cheery mood. But after coming from the party, you have changed."

Here he stopped. He wanted to ask "Why have you changed? Can't you be that cheery girl you were at the party?" But he found himself hesitating.

Varsha wanted to ask him whether he has forgotten his first love. She wanted to ask whether he blames her for coming in his life and ending any chance of reconciling with the girl he loved. She is very uncertain and that is why she also wanted to ask whether she will have any chance to get his love in this life. The more she thought, the more she felt like crying.

After waiting for a few minutes but not hearing any response from her, Akash sighed and then walked away toward the house and Varsha lowered her head to hide her tears.

After few minutes of Akash leaving, Ira said from behind "Sister-in-law! What happened?" She has seen Akash going back and she came beside Varsha and asked in a concerned voice "Did brother say something to make you sad?"

Hearing the concerned voice of Ira, Varsha could not hold back and let the tears fall unceasingly and iterated the event of the party to her. She wanted to share that with someone and now when Ira has caught her crying, she did not wish to hide anymore.

After hearing everything, Ira also felt surprised because no one in the family knows about Arushi. After knowing about Arushi being engaged, Ira said "The way you are saying, I can tell that girl is so proud and arrogant. And that is why she and brother could not be together. And you are already the wife of my brother and that girl is already engaged to someone. I can say with full surety that my brother only cares for you."

"Really? Do you think he does not blame me, instead he will let me have a place in his life?" Varsha wiped her tears and asked with a look of longing at her face.

Ira looks at the expectant expression of Varsha and says with a smile "My brother cares a lot about family and don't forget you are his wife and a part of his family. I have never known my brother to act irresponsibly. He will understand your care and learn to care for you as well."

The determined words of Ira made Varsha a bit calmer. She suddenly felt like sharing with someone is really a good idea and she said "Thank you, Ira. It was really so suffocating to hold it all in."

Ira laughed and said "Of course. Sister-in-law! You are such a fool. You have also said that you made a friend at the party. Tomorrow is Saturday and also college is off. Invite her and let us have a girl's outing."

Varsha was already thinking of calling Swati and hearing the outing Idea of Ira, she instantly liked it. She also agreed "That is a good idea" and picked her phone from the side and started dialing the number of Swati.