Stellar Affair Part 10 (Finale)

(Read from Part 1 :http://everything-atonce.blogspot.in/2013/12/stellar-affair-part-1.htmlh)

Heartbreak had become a usual affair in these past few months, so when I got kicked out this time, it didn't hurt at all. Who am I kidding? It shattered me completely. But I didn't fight. I didn't need an explanation. If he thought that breaking up was the solution then why not live with it. I packed my bags and immediately moved out. I should have felt worse because this time it was love for real. But why didn't I? Will he come back like last time? Another Ayan Kishore blow. I wonder how planets were aligned when we first met each other. I was trying to think but was unable to do so. I got onto the next flight back home and slept in my own apartment. I missed my bed, it felt so nice and comforting. Nobody except my parents knew I was back in town. I even switched off all my modes of communication. It was peaceful to live in my own world and not in a superstar's glittery life. It felt so soothing to be away from all kind of media attention.
Next morning my doorbell rang, I shouldn't have been surprised to see. It was as expected.

'Where the hell have you been!' Naina screamed as soon as I opened the door.

'Don't bother screaming', I said with such lack of enthusiasm.

'Look, I have no problem if you have an affair with India's leading superstar but I certainly DO have a problem when you don't answer my phone!'

'The affair has ended. I am all yours bitch'

'WHAT?'

***

'You know I am really not surprised' she said after I narrated the entire scene though I left the coming home  drunk and hurting me story. I wouldn't be able to stand Naina's cursing. One she starts, its all Punjabi Khoon boiling. 

'I can't believe that he thought I was cheating on him' I said in disbelief.
'I can't believe that he thought that you were cheating on him!' Naina replied.
'Naina, I think I said the same thing'
'No...I mean why would you leave him? And isn't the failure of film more disheartening and worrisome!'
Suddenly, my ears got alert. Failure of film? 'I' m sorry but what failure are you talking about?'
'Oh my god! You don't know! Ayan Kishore's latest release fell into legal trouble. Its so bad that they might not even release the film. You should have known this'
 'Oh shit! It was this' I thought. He wasn't mad at Gaurav, he wasn't insecure, the film had disturbed him and he put the blame on me. What an asshole! The thought made me so angry that I took my phone and dialled his number, my second mistake. 'What are you doing?' Naina asked dubiously as soon as she saw me dialling the number.
'Hello?'
'YOU SON OF A BITCH! How dare you hurt me! How dare you make me feel miserable! How dare you blame me for your failure! You know I thought I will make it up to you but now I don't see any point. So IT'S OVER AYAN KISHORE! DON'T YOU EVER COME IN MY LIFE AGAIN!' I shouted my lungs out.
'Madame?' said a not so familiar voice. I saw the number again, oh shit! I had misplaced a digit and cut the phone.
'WHAT WAS THAT?' Naina asked, all puzzled and troubled now.
'I dialled a wrong number' I said, half-ashamed and half-disappointed. Suddenly, Naina and I both burst out laughing. 'What an idiot I am!'  I said while tears sprang from my eyes from laughing. Naina who was still laughing caught her breath and said, 'I am getting married in 3 weeks!'
***
Those three weeks were the best post break-up days. Naina and I did the best bachelorette party with her cousins and friends from work. We had the best massage treatment and indulged in all wedding festivities. I did have my low points, moments when I just wanted to embrace Ayan and sleep in his arms. Though, Naina didn't let them last for more than five or ten minutes. All was good until my best friend's Big Day. Ayan texted me, after three silent weeks, one single text. He was in town and wanted to meet.  He even messaged an address. Absolute dilemma, one side my best friend's wedding and on the other; was the person I loved.

***

 I could only wait and see. I really hoped this wasn't a charade. What had I done? I just walked out of a wedding for a person who I barely knew for ten months or maybe ten years? What if I am being blinded by the illusion of romantic love, most of us discover the truth at the end of the love affair. The vodka didn't help me at all, it made me dizzier and the place was awfully secluded, you can only expect such a place from a film star. But I didn't want to meet the star, but the man behind that image.
I waited for long, his number wasn't reachable. At last when all hopes were dead, my phone rang. But the call was not from him, it was from Raunak, Naina's soon to be husband. I immediately answered.
'Shireen! Where are you?' Raunak sounded very hassled.
'I am reaching. What happened?' I replied
'Shireen come fast! Naina broke the wedding!' he cried.
'WHAT!'
***
I reached the wedding hall where I met Raunak, he looked really tensed. His Sherwani was drenched in sweat completely. 'What happened?'
'I don't know! She just texted me that she can't marry me. Shireen do something!' he cried.
We reached her room, I banged the room door. 'Naina open up, its me. Open now!'Naina opened after few minutes. She let me and Raunak inside only.
'What the hell is this? Why are you doing this?' I completely lost my cool at that moment.
Naina looked at me, she was looking beautiful, all dressed as a bride. 'Why didn't you tell me Shireen?'
'Tell you what Naina?'
'That Raunak liked you and he planned to propose you in school but he mistaked me for you' she had tears in her eyes.
'What? Where did you hear this?' I asked( Now, who the hell let this information out!)
'I read it' she coughed and said. Raunak was as clueless as ever, poor chap.
'Where?'
'Your diary Shireen' (Oops!)
'YOU WENT THROUGH MY DIARY?' I said in disbelief.
'NAINA KAPOOR! YOU'RE UNBELIEVABLE!'
'I am unbelievable Shireen? You're the one who never told me this, nor did this stupid man' she looked at Raunak. I looked at Raunak who stood by, what kind of a man is he? I wanted to shout but instead I took a deep breath.
'Naina' I said calmly.
'I assure you, this man is only yours. And he only loves YOU'. I looked at Raunak and I lost it, again
'YOU STUPID ASS! CAN'T YOU SAY SOMETHING!'
'I am thinking' he replied awkwardly.
'WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING!'
Suddenly, he bent down on his knees towards Naina.
'Naina I have always loved you! Yes, I did like Shireen in school but the day I proposed you to be my girlfriend was the best decision of my life. I love you a lot and want to get married to you only. Please don't break this marriage, I love you Naina and trust me I would have told you but I never thought about ever since I met you!' he cried. God, he was actually thinking.
Suddenly, Naina burst into tears laughing! She laughed and Raunak and I stood lost.
'Lets get married Raunak. You can kill me after the honeymoon Shireen' she blinked her eye. Had this woman not been my best friend, I would have certainly killed her. But what would I do without her.
The wedding went smoothly after that drama. Luckily nobody, not even the parents got to know about it.
Finally, they were together. As for Ayan, he didn't call. The next day, I received long text message from an unknown number. It was him.

Shireen, I know I was selfish and mean and I couldn't come. Sorry for all of it. I am not asking you for your forgiveness but will ask you to move on. It won't work between us. In fact I can't work with anyone. I owe you alot and I rememebered you even when we first met, from school. Had I not stole that costume of yours, I would'nt have been the actor that I am today. I owe you for life but I can't give you my love. You deserve better and I deserve a person who is not better than me. I will remember you but frankly I want to forget you. Move on. I won't ever bother you.
A.K.

***
Two months later...

'Shireen, you have a meeting with Mr Jadeja next week. Do thorough research' ordered Sahu. Life was normal again. Naina was leading a happy life with Raunak. I was back at my old job, though I wasn't given a promotion due to lack of professionalism. In fact, I was just glad that they took me back. I read Ayan's last message several times. Usually on days when I felt lonely. This was one of those days 'Move on' I sighed.
'Shireen?' someone called from behind. I looked back. Oh god! Olive skin, dark beady eyes and an infectious smile, weird nose though.
'Yes' I answered.
'Hi, I have been dying to ask you out for a coffee and I finally had the courage-' Before he could complete his sentence,
'Okay!' I said with enthusiasm. He definitely seemed startled.
'Great! Do you know my name?' he asked   skeptically 

'Does it matter? You know mine' I replied with some element of truth. Last time I got to know his name and all hell broke loose. The guy smiled. Seriously, kill me! That smile! What was wrong with me?
The guy went back to his cubicle and took his stuff . He met me near the lift. He looked nervous but I was in jolly good spirits.
'For the record, what is your name?' I asked, taking the necessary risk, he smiled again.

'Aayush'

The End.

Read from Part 1 :http://everything-atonce.blogspot.in/2013/12/stellar-affair-part-1.html