In The Past.
My parents had told me about Raj, but I was not sure what to make of it all. After all, marriage was a huge step. I wasn't sure if I was ready for it, but we did our engagement ceremony and saw the smile on Raj's face and his renewed confidence. He wore that dark blue suit like it was molded for him, and his shining bright smile could make anyone beam with happiness.
We had some really nice conversations after our engagement. Raj is calm, respectful, and very kind. He told me about his job and his family and we even discussed some of our favorite movies. With each passing conversation, I felt more comfortable and enthusiastic about the future. I started seeing Raj as somebody I could really trust and be okay with.
Before all this, there was Sohail. We dated for a year, and I thought it was something serious. But Sohail didn't seem to think so. For him, it was just fun. That hurt me a lot, and it took a long time to move on. But then, a year after we broke up, my parents told me about Raj's proposal.
Around the same time, I met Vicky at work. Vicky had a kind of fascination that was impossible to resist, and I enjoyed our daily greetings. We were not friends, but this familiarity was something that I always appeared looking forward to, and I began feeling something more for him. I wondered what it would be like to be more than colegue, friends maybe or even more. But on a second thought, I thought about that, my parents told me that my marriage with Raj was finally fixed. So all was said and done about everything, and I knew that I had to stay focused on my marriage and getting to know Raj better. So, I ended up not thinking about Vicky anymore and dedicated all my energy to my new future with Raj.
I learned that life is unpredictable at times, and trusting things to be as they are meant can make the difference. I'm now awaiting my wedding day eagerly and the life that will unfold with Raj.
After we became engaged, I would go to the office during the week and take weekends off on Saturday and Sunday. Raj and I spoke only on Sundays. He wished we could talk more frequently, every day, but I advised against it.
"Parents and family members always say that getting too friendly or over-sharing leads to trouble before marriage and after being engaged."
I explained to him and added.
"But I will try to call you whenever I miss you."
One day, ten days after our engagement, a social media friend request came my way. The username was "vicky998." Initially, I thought it was Vicky from the office, so I accepted it. But during our conversation, I began to have my doubts. Something felt different in the way he spoke. On Monday, I showed the profile to Vicky at work.
"Hey, Vicky," I said, holding up my phone. "Is that you?"
Vicky laughed and shook his head. "Nope, that's not me. There can be more than one Vicky, you know," he joked, showing me his actual profile.
I didn't mind much since the conversations had been normal. I had shared that I am engaged & where I work. "Vicky998" had shared that he is a divorcee & was only interested in an online friendship, not a real one.
"Why not a real friendship?" I asked out of curiosity.
He explained, "If it's confirmed to be only online, people can open up to each other with a free mindset, enabling them to explore more with open hearts and maybe even tap into each other's fantasies and desires."
That's when I wanted to confirm if it was the same Vicky. Now, I knew they were different people. I was in a dilemma about whether to continue the conversation so chose to ignore it. But, Later that night, I received a message:
"Niddhi, you are beautiful. You deserve to be happy every single day. All the best for your married life. Feel free to talk to me. I can be your BFF.
I looked at the message for hours, with a mix of emotions. There was something intriguing about this anonymous friend, though. Yet, it made me feel guilty to think about all the more continuing to chat. What would Raj think if he knew? I finally lay down to sleep it off, thinking that the morning would come clearer.
The next day at work, I could not think of anything but "vicky998." His words had haunted my mind. Curiosity overcame me by lunchtime. So, I opened up the chat and began to type.
"Thank you for the good words," I wrote. "I appreciate it. Maybe we can talk, but only as friends."
His reply came almost right away. "Of course, Niddhi. Just as friends."
We continued the discussions over the next few days. He was witty, listening, and seemed to genuinely care about my life. I would look forward to our chats even though a part of me might deem it dangerous terrain. We still talked on Sundays with Raj, but my mind used to be wondering of my online friend.
One Sunday, while chatting with Raj, he asked me, "You seem distant, Niddhi. Everything okay?"
"Yes, everything is fine," I told him, feeling a little guilty. "Just lots on my mind with work and the wedding."
He smiled and accepted my words. "I understand. Just remember, I'm here for you."
As days went by, my messages to "vicky998" became more frequent and deeper. Here's how our message exchange went over the course of one week:
Monday
Niddhi, how was your day? Vicky998 messaged.
"Busy as usual," I replied. "Work was hectic, but I managed. How about you?"
"My day was good. Just the usual office stuff. Any interesting projects at work?" he asked.
"Nothing too exciting," I typed back. "Just the usual paperwork and meetings. Sometimes it gets too repetitive."
"It's life, after all," he replied. "But there are little pockets of happiness in the routine."
Tuesday
"Good morning, Niddhi! How was your sleep?" Vicky998 asked.
"Good morning! Yes, I slept quite well. Thanks for asking. How about you?".
"I had a nice sleep," he said. "So, what's your favorite thing to do in your free time?"
"I love muscic" I told him.
"That sounds wonderful," he said. "Do you have a favorite song?"
"I have many," I replied. "But one of my favorites is 'Tadap Tadap Ke' From Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' What about you?"
"I like reading," he said. "But lately, I have developed an interest in self-help books. They give a fresh outlook on life."
Wednesday
"Do you ever feel like there's something more in life and you're just going with the flow?" Vicky998 asked me.
"Yes, sometimes," I admitted. "I feel like I'm caught in a rut and don't appreciate something greater."
"I understand that feeling," he said. "Sometimes, breaking the routine and doing something unexpected brings excitement."
"Like what?" I asked, curious.
"Maybe try something new, like a new hobby or go on an unplanned trip," he suggested. "Something to break the monotony."
"I'll think about it," I said. "But with this wedding coming up, it's hard to find the time."
"True," he agreed. "But don't forget to make time for yourself. It's important."
Thursday
"Niddhi, if you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?" Vicky998 asked.
"Hmm, that's a tough one," I replied. "I've always wanted to visit Manali. The Snow, The Mountains"
"Manali is beautiful," he said. "I have been there once. You'll like it."
"What about you?" I asked. "Where would you go?"
"I'd love to visit Japan," he said. "The culture, the food, and the technology. It's fascinating."
"That sounds interesting," I said. "Maybe one day we'll get to visit our dream destinations."
Friday
"Niddhi, do you ever feel you're not doing justice to your potential?" Vicky998 asked.
"Yes, sometimes," I said. "I just have so much more in store; I get pulled back by responsibilities."
"I understand that," he said. "But importantly, just remind yourself that you are doing your best. And that is enough."
"Thanks," I said. "Your words mean a lot."
"Anytime," he said. "Just remember, you're not alone. We all have our struggles."
Saturday
"Good morning, Niddhi! Any plans for the weekend?" Vicky998 asked.
"Not really," I replied. "Just the usual errands and spending time with family. You?"
"I'm planning to catch up on some reading and maybe watch a movie," he said. "Any recommendations?"
"You should watch 'Wanted'" I suggested.
"I'll check it out," he said. "Thanks for the recommendation."
Sunday
"Hey Niddhi, how's your Sunday?" Vicky998 had asked.
"Yeah, good," I replied. "Had a nice chat with Raj. He's really sweet."
"Good to know," he said. "He is indeed a lucky guy."
I smiled. "Thanks. How's your day?"
"It's been relaxing. Just enjoying the day off," he said.
"That sounds nice," I said. "I wish weekends lasted longer."
"Don't we all?" he said, laughing. "But we have to make the most of what we have."
By week's end, I was more open with "vicky998." Our conversations were deep and mature enough for friends, which really wasn't what I had expected. He was a confidant in a way; if I wanted to tell him anything without being judged, he would listen. But I knew better than that; the lines were becoming so blurred that I could either consider him a friend or something else entirely.
As I opened the chat with "vicky998" that night, a mix of anticipation and nervousness welled within me. Our conversations had grown personal by this time in the last week, and now I found myself sharing far more with him than I ever did with Raj. The anonymity of the online friendship made it easier for me to open up about my past, my desires, and my hidden feelings.
I settled into bed when my phone buzzed with a new message from "vicky998."
Vicky998: "Hey Niddhi, can I ask you something personal?"
I took a deep breath before typing my reply.
"Sure, what is it?"
There was a brief pause before his response came through.
Vicky998: "Has Raj started probing into your desires by discussing intimate topics?"
My heartbeat was fast. I hesitated, feeling shy and unsure about how to answer. I never had such a conversation with Raj, and the idea of such discussions with him made me vulnerable. However, something about "vicky998" was making me feel safe and understood.
"No, we haven't really talked about those things. It's been more about the wedding and our future."
Vicky998: "Ah. I see. It's very important to have those conversations, you know. To understand each other on all levels."
And I felt remorse because I'd never discussed with Raj the details of my previous relationship. And yet here was this virtual stranger whom I strangely felt comfort with.