On Sunday evening around 5:00 PM I received a call from Radha's father. My heart was skipping beats to answer the call. I reluctantly answered my phone. My hands were shaking.
"Hi Tarun beta! Radha reached here this morning. Is there something wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing uncle. We just had a little fight." I replied with a bit of stutter.
"Okay! I know these things are common with couples. You need to make up for yourselves. Take care and remember to talk to her." he said assuredly.
I couldn't sleep. It was a Monday morning. I took a sick leave for 2 days and decided to travel to Hyderabad, but couldn't get courage to face her. Around 30 minutes later Pooja and Ashwin came home. I closed the door on their faces. Ashwin kept banging the door and Pooja kept shouting to open the door. Minutes later next door neighbours showed up asking what's wrong. I opened the door in the intention of not embarrassing ourselves in front of the neighbours.
"What happened? We are sorry." Said Pooja while coming in.
"We couldn't hide forever. One day or another she has to know, doesn't she?" said Ashwin while closing the door behind him.
I sat on the couch and started crying. Both of them sat on either side of me and started hugging me. Pooja wiped my tears off my face. Ashwin just took my hand in his hands.
"Let me go talk to Radha. I will convince her and bring her home." said Pooja.
"Don't bother please. That will only make things worse." I said.
"Shut up and listen to me. You don't know anything." she replied.
"I am sorry. I don't know anything? So do you guys know everything?" I asked.
Next thing I knew, I received a slap from Pooja and she said, "Don't act like a kid. Shut up and listen to me. I am going to Hyderabad and convincing Radha. Is that clear?"
"Yes!" I answered with tears rolling down my cheek.
"Good," she responded and looked at Ashwin while saying "Ashwin, book me a ticket to Hyderabad. Pack your stuff and stay here with him."
"Okay!" said Ashwin, obeying her orders.
Within the next few minutes Pooja made me have breakfast and leave to pack her luggage. They left a few minutes later. All the while Pooja was too bossy. Me and Ashwin just followed her orders. I grew too close to Pooja in the last few months. I had faith in her. For all I know she can be manipulating and bossy. I think there is a higher chance of Radha getting convinced by Pooja.
By evening Ashwin reached my home after dropping Pooja at the bus stop. He brought dinner for me as well. 2 days went by and neither of the girls were answering our phones. I and Ashwin even thought of booking tickets to see what was going on. And then the third morning my doorbell rang. I couldn't believe my eyes. It was Radha. She jumped on me and kissed me on my lips. I responded. Both of us started crying. I fell on my knees and held her waist begging for forgiveness.
"I am sorry! I will never do it again please." I cried.
"I know, baby. I love you too." she said while holding my head closer to her waist.
My pain has eased. My mental struggle has ended. The relief is like nothing else. I was lost in the moment. At that particular moment I sank into the happiness of my life and promised myself to devote my life to Radha.
"Can I come in?" said Pooja. I almost forgot about her. Ashwin on the other hand hugged Pooja.
"Yes please! I can never repay you. I owe you a big time." I said.
"Me too. Thanks for talking me into this." said Radha.
"But how did you convince her? What did you tell her?" I asked.