Chapter 4
'What! You can't be serious. When did you get engaged?', asked Daya.
'It happened last month at a private ceremony in Pune', replied Tarika.
'And may I ask who the lucky guy is?'
'His name is Arvind. He's a mechanical engineer working in the US. It is an arranged marriage'.
'Tarika, this is shocking. You choose an unknown man in place of Abhijit, who loves you? Whom you know well for the last 4 years - a thorough gentleman? I can't think of a single reason why an intelligent girl like you would reject him'.
Daya saw that Tarika was in tears. He asked her to sit down.
'Tarika, you still love Abhijit, don't you?'
Tarika who was sobbing nodded her head.
'You love him, he loves you. Then what's the problem?'
'The problem is that Abhijit should have proposed to me much earlier. I ran out of time. I have a younger sister who has to get married. I was under pressure'.
Daya was silent.
'All these years I waited for him to propose, but he never did it. I heard you guys talking about how there was no place for love and marriage in CID officers' lives. I thought Abhijit never wanted to get married. But for me, marriage was important. I gave Abhijit enough time, but he never proposed. Finally I decided to marry Arvind. Abhijit proposed to me after I was committed. I can't do injustice to my fiancée now. It's not fair.'
Daya said, 'I am sorry about this. You are only engaged, not married. You can talk to Arvind and call this off even now'.
'No Daya. It's too late now. I am getting married next week. Preparations are on in full swing. I can't cause any embarrassment to either of our families now'.
'Please listen to me Tarika. I am sorry Abhijit delayed in proposing. It's because….we had decided that we would get married on the same day. I had no girl in my life, so Abhijit was waiting for me to find someone.'
Tarika suddenly became angry. 'So, it's all about you. Abhijit doesn't care about my feelings and wishes. I have to wait all my life, until his friend finds a girl. Fantastic! You know something Daya? Abhijit talked to Shreya a few days back about you. He had proposed to her on your behalf and found out her reply before he pushed you to propose to her. That's how much he cares. Couldn't you have done the same? You were happy with your friend waiting for you all his life without getting married.'
Daya was hurt by this. 'I didn't know the matter was so serious at your end. You could have told Abhijit or me about the pressure from your family'.
'What's the point? I wasn't sure if marriage was on his mind at all. I am a bit old-fashioned in these matters. I wanted him to take the first step and propose to me. When he didn't, I decided to part ways. I am happy I found a nice guy. I am leaving this place, so that the memories of Abhijit and CID don't haunt me'.
Daya was silent.
'Please Daya. This chapter is closed now. Abhijit is a nice guy. He'll find another girl. And this time, tell him not to delay in proposing. And by the way, congrats on your engagement Daya. Don't delay your marriage because Abhijit is now single. It's not fair on Shreya'.
Daya felt a lump rise in his throat. 'I just don't know what to say Tarika. I am shocked and speechless'.
'I have to leave now. It was nice working with you all. You were great friends.' She paused for a few seconds and said 'Do apologise to Abhijit on my behalf and take care of him'. She rushed to the washroom in tears.
Daya walked out of Tarika's house. He went to his car, sat in the driver's seat but didn't immediately start. He pondered over Tarika's words.