Must Read: The Silent Lover - Season 1 - Episode 28

Episode 7 years ago

Must Read: The Silent Lover - Season 1 - Episode 28

“Engaged?”

At first, he couldn’t believe his ears but then a wave of involuntary shock hit him. For a moment he stood there dry-mouthed, rooted to the spot.

What was she talking about?

“Come on Komal.” He murmured
breathlessly. “Tell me this is some kind of sick joke.”

“This is not some sick joke. It’s a healthy reality which makes me sick.” She sobbed.

“My mind just doesn’t accept you being engaged.” He still didn’t want to believe.

“Well….well not really.” She stammered thickly.

“What do you mean by ‘not really’?”
Aariz shrugged his shoulders, his hearts drowning. “I’m sorry, I don’t have any idea what you are talking about!”

“I…..I can explain.” She gathered her nerves and began to say…

“There was no tradition, no celebration. But it’s my parents’ decision. Just one day my father announced that he’s seen some good guy for me, and we’d be suitable for each other, that’s all.”

“That’s all?”He laughed emptily.

“Listen Aariz. It’s not appropriate to talk about this in front of my house and when it’s already…..”

She paused to glance at her watch. “Oh my God, it’s almost three a.m.”

Without saying a word, he turned. Taking slow, tired steps, he walked to his car.

“Aariz, I’d call you tomorrow. We’ll meet.” As he ignited the engine, he heard Komal’s voice.

But he didn’t answer.

There was not much to say now, was there?
*****************

Next day, the first thing she did was to dail Aariz’s number.

“Yes?” The same pure masculine voice came from the other side and her heart started to beat faster.

“Aariz, it’s me.” She murmured slowly.
From the other side, she heard a long, tired breath.

“I’m leaving for London tomorrow.” She announced.

“Good bye, have a nice trip.” He said in a very formal voice, without much expression.

“Aariz….”She sobbed. “Don’t do this to me. You know very well that I can’t live without you.”

“Then what can I do about that?” He asked.

“If my parents have seen some guy for me it doesn’t necassarily mean that I agreed too.” She said firmly. “He’s not my ideal, and I don’t like him an inch.”

“So?”

“So, my feelings are the same, and I’m the same Komal for you. But…..”

“But?” He repeated.

“Aariz…..”

“Hmmmm?”

“I…..I’m scared.”

“Of what?”

“What if my parents objected?” She asked
fearfully.

“We’d revolt.” He said firmly and seriously. “We belong to this new millennium, and we’re bold and courageous enough to take our future in our own hands.”

“So…..” He wisphered romantically. “What therefore God has joined together, let no man seperate.”

“But do you really think God had joined us together?” She shook her head, a mass of nut-brown hair brushing her shoulders.

“He will, as soon as we get married.” He smiled soberly.

“Do you believe marriages are arranged in heaven but are celebrated on earth, like they say?” Komal asked, curious to know his opinion.

“Umm. Yes.” He said thoughtfully. “I do believe that if God has made your match with someone, you’d get him somehow, no matter how much obstacles come into your way.”

“But Komal,” His voice suddenly acquired an angry tone. “I have some objection.”


“What’s that?”

“Why didn’t you tell me about your
engagement before?” He asked.

“I was not sure of myself.” Komal said breathlessly. “I didn’t trust my feelings then.”

He was silent at her comment. Absently, he pulled a plate of biscuits in front of him, holding the reciever with the other hand.

“What about my engagement?” Komal asked after a short interval.

“What about it?” He asked casually.

“What do I do about it now?” Konal asked in a low voice.

He put a biscuit halfway between his teeth and then ‘cracked’ it forcefully.

“Break it!”

Her eyes widened to their extremes.

“But how?”

“Bring me in the picture. Present me as a substitute to your parents.” He swallowed the biscuit and took a fine sip of his tea. “That’ll do it.”

“You make it all seem so easy.” She smiled sadly.

“That’s simple.” As he spoke, she could feel his voice smiling decently. “When one door closes, a better and bigger one opens!”

There was a short pause, and then he asked.

“Do you think you can convince your parents?”

“Yes,” She said immediately. “They trust me, and I trust them. They would never want to do something against my will. They’ve always respected my happiness and wishes. But….”

“But?”

“I can see the real problem would probably arise from your side Aariz.”

“What do you mean?” He asked sharply.

“I still can’t see myself being welcomed with open arms.” Komal said. “I’m from a different ‘sect’.”

“Dont be silly Komal.” He muttered in frustration. “My father is not like that. He accepts people for who they are, and you’re intelligent, ambitious and top in your field.”

“And what about your mother?” She asked skeptically.

“Mother.” He whispered thoughtfully. “She
loves me more than anything else in this world.
Moreover, she’s an open minded and modern lady. She doesn’t believe in forcing her opinions on others.”

“Well.” She said after breathing a short
sigh. “Let’s see.”

“So?” Aariz asked in a low tone. “Who’s this guy?”

“Who?” She asked back.

“The guy your parents have choosen for you.”

“Well.” Komal said with pure disinterest.

“He is my father’s assistant. He is his second in command in our company.”

“I see.” Aariz said dryly.

“His brilliant skills and marvelous business tactics have given him more success than he expected. My father’s company is now one of the most successful and powerful companies in England.”

“What’s his name by the way?” Aariz finally asked.

“Sikander…….” She breathed. “Sikander Riza.”