The Forced Commitment

Chapter-6

"She left me. She agreed to marry someone else, in front of me. I can't let her go. I need her."

I told them everything.

Vipin and Advik arrived at the airport in an hour. They drove me back home and sat me down on the couch with them.

Advik brought me water. I calmed down a little after drinking.

We all sat in silence for a while.

Then Advik spoke, "Why don't you move on? I can hook you up with some new girl."

I glared at him. Move on?! From her ?!

"Ok ok, calm down. I won't say anything." Advik swiped his lips with his index finger and thumb, zipping his lips.

Well, can't blame him. He was like that - jumping from fling to fling and not settling down to one. Vipin and I have tried talking him into it, since we were both happy with our girlfriends, but gave up soon after.

"Who is she marrying?" Vipin asked.

"I don't know. " Suddenly, an idea struck me, "but I can find out. " I stood up with newfound determination "Advik, get me all the information you can on this fucker. I will show him who he has messed with. "

Advik, switched into his work mode and immediately left to get the job done.

Vipin stared at me, his brows furrowed.

"What ?"

"What are you planning?" He asked.

"Just wait and watch."

He stared at me for a few seconds. Then he left my shoulders and sighed, "Just - Just don't hurt her. Don't do what I did. Bhavya was tough, she was able to handle me, my career."

I understood what he was saying. Ishu - My Ishu is soft-hearted. She might not be able to handle my truth. That's why I refuse to tell her the whole truth.

For her, I will be that cute and clumsy Kabir like I was in college.

Cause I could never hurt her. Her pain is my pain, her joy is my joy.

I can grant her anything, but the only thing I can't give her is breakup. 

(One week later)

It was five in the evening.

Ipshita was waiting at the central park, wearing a yellow knee length kurti with red leggings. She paired the outfit with golden jhumkas and a pearl bracelet.

Today was the day she was to meet Ashwin Chaudhary, the one who came with the marriage proposal. He was from Prayagraj and worked in the web development department of the Nexsite Technologies at the Delhi branch.

He arrived ten minutes later, "Hello...Ipshita Kumari?" He offered a handshake.

"You must be Ashwin." Ipshita shaked his hand.

They took a walk around the park, talking about their interests and hobbies.

Ashwin was a nice guy with tan skin, curly black hair and hazel eyes - earned well, was humble, kind, quiet poetic and could even cook.

"They sure put a lot of thought before choosing him." Ipshita thought. She had once mentioned in a passing conversation, that she wanted her partner to cook as she hated cooking, it was a tedious process for her. What she did not expect was her mumma to remember that while choosing a partner for her.

The sun was starting to set, so they got some ice-cream and sat down at a nearby bench.

Suddenly the chiming of bells filled the air.

"I didn't know they had a temple nearby." Ipshita commented, turning towards Ashwin.

Ashwin's face looked pale. He did not respond to her. Instead he was staring straight ahead.

Ipshita shook his shoulder, "Ashwin? You okay?"

Ashwin immediately grabbed her wrist and pushed her on the bench, the ice cream falling off her hand.

She got scared. She pushed him off of her and stood up, "What was that for?!"

Ashwin again showed no response. His eyes were staring blankly at her. The emptiness behind them worried her, something was not right and she could not figure out what. All that she could focus on right now was getting back home safely.

She looked around - the park was empty by now. The sun had also set and the street lights flooded the area with a golden glow.

Ashwin stepped forward, not taking his eyes off her even for a second. He was not even blinking. Ipshita stepped back, continuously calling out to him.

"Ashwin? Ashwin, listen. Whatever it is, snap out of it!" her voice becoming more shaky , "What happened? You, you were fine a minute ago. You're scaring me!"

He lunged at her. 

(1103 words)

(Double update!)

(Ashwin seems to be in a trance. Will he be able to snap out of it? Will Ipshita be safe?)