love is not enough (part 3)

   He saw her and his face brightened up. She was the only girl in his life who had made him so crazy. He had been in relations earlier too but it was different with Renuka. He had never seen anyone so selfless. She could bear all the hurt and problems life hurled at her but never see her family facing any problem. He wanted a girl with such strong family values to be his life partner. He was convinced she didn't love Arun but was obliged to be in the relation because her parents wanted her to. He could wait for her as long as she wanted. Jai was confident that she was his true love and she would too realise it someday.
   He got up and gave her a quick hug when she reached the table. She sat down and her expression was more serious this time. He would tell her today everything. She was low and he could always make her smile. Today was a special day for him. Even though he had confessed his love for her several times, today he would ask her for marriage. He smiled to himself before he said," Renu, I want to ask you something very important."
   Renu sighed. She didn't want him to have a chance to pop the question. She said grimly," Jai, I want you to listen to me first." This time he noted that she was sad about something. He let her speak.
  "Jai you are very special to me and I like you a lot. But my family is very orthodox and they have been introduced to Arun already. They would never accept my decision to spend my life with anyone else. They have no financial support other than me. I have sisters who are soon going to be of marriagable age. I can't spoil the family reputation for my happiness. My sisters would have to pay for it and my parents would outcast me.What would they do without me? I can't ditch my family for my happiness." She had tears welled up in her eyes.
  Jai would never get to know that she had not once corresponded with her family in so many years. Her sisters were not lucky enough to escape the village and had all been married long back. She didn't have to think about anyone but herself.
  Jai had a look of dejection on his face. How could he hurt a girl like that? How could he leave her parents helpless because he wanted to marry her? His dreams were shattered now and the good news he recieved in the morning now seemed useless. He wanted to give her all the comforts but this girl wanted only the happiness of her family. How could he ever give her that? He knew that even if she married him she would repent it sooner or later. Her family meant everything to her. His respect for her had increased many folds now.
  "Renu ,I understand what you feel. I never had a family like you do and thought that a girl like you would complete my family. But for that, I can't let you sacrifice everything. I finally got the court case cleared and in a few days I will get my share of the estate. I wanted you to marry me. Now it seems all materialistic. I have the money but I don't have you. I don't want to be in this place any longer because it would remind me everyday what I lack in life. I am leaving for Assam today itself and will settle there to look after the estate. I wish you to be happy always. " He couldn't meet her eye and quietly made his exit.
    She was too stunned. What had she done? Not only did she lose a fortune but also the love of a person who had made her happy. She was foolish not to let him talk first. Love is not enough but this time it really was enough....

love is not enough (part-2)

Read Part1
REa

 This was the third time she had resolved to break all relations with Jai. The earlier two attempts didn't work because of her own indecision. There was something about Jai that made him so special to her. He brought her happiness, something which no one else could do before.
   She is Renuka Agrawal. She was destiny's child she believed. She had hardened herself after all that life had shown her. If she hadn't fought back, she would have been married at the tender age of 15 like all other girls in her small village of Rajasthan. She had grasped the opportunity of working as a help in her own Aunt's house in Pune. Her aunt was a childless widow who managed her husband's shop after his death. Her aunt was a practical woman and she thought it wise for Renuka to continue her studies so that she could help with the shop accounts. Renuka could see a door of new opportunities open up for her.
    After her schooling , she left her aunt's house without informing of her decision to live in working women's hostel while she worked in the nearby departmental stores. She studied at the night college to complete her graduation in commerce. Her struggle to make ends meet had taught her to use people and chances very well to her advantage.
     She understood quite early the art of handling men. She was amused thinking how men never really grow up. There is always a switch in their personality. They either want to be around protecting their women or they want to be pampered like a child. The trick was to never acknowledge it and always to know what mode they were in. She was an ordinary looking girl. She wasn't there to understand men and be their companion as they often thought. She was there to put to use what she knew and that' what she had been doing ever since she was on her own.
    Arun was the stable guy in her life who was blind to all her faults. He was what she could always go back to when others let her down, which was never.
     She had befriended Jai as he was a close friend of her former boss. It was due to his reference that she got promoted and transfered to the central branch of their company. Jai was always fun to be with and she would never admit it but she really loved being pampered by him. Their weekend trips were always thrilling.
     Once when they were together Jai had mentioned that his grandfather once owned a Tea Estate which was now under dispute. If he were to get his share in the estate he would turn very rich overnight. But the court case had dragged too long and now it was all a distant dream.
      Months had gone by and now this relation was like an added burden. Each meeting had to be meticulously planned. Now there was no benefit. She had to be practical and let him go. She meant no good to him but she didn't want to hurt him more.

love is not enough (part 1)

     She knew she had to do it today. This had stretched too far. If she didn't stop it now it would destroy everything she had worked and planned for. She would not let him influence her anymore.
     Her phone beeped once again. His name flashed on the screen. She pressed "READ". "wer r u? m w8ing. come soon" She didn't reply him back. She was anyway going to severe all ties with him today.
     She looked next to her. Arun was driving too slow. It was obvious that he wanted to prolong the drive. But she was in  no mood to talk today. She thought of getting down and hailing a cab but that would appear too rude. She dropped the idea. She needed to reach CCD in 10 minutes. Reluctantly she requested,"Arun will you drive faster? Sheetal is already waiting" He  increased the speed.
     Arun looked at her. He knew she was lying but he didn't dare to confront her. The last time he expressed his objection to her platonic friendship with Jay,she had threatened to leave him.She knew he could not lose her at any cost. He was just delaying their meeting hoping that Jay would walk out in fury. But if was futile to think of anything like that because Jay was too lovelorn to do that. They reached the outlet and he dropped her at the entrance. She was relieved he didn't insist on coming in.
    She promised to call him later that night and entered CCD. She saw him seated at the regular table at the far end. It reminded her of the days when they used to meet daily during their lunch hour. After lunch they would visit CCD and then would proceed to their office.She was his junior then. Now she had come a long way. She no longer needed him or did she? Ofcourse not. She had to let go of this relation..

(to be coninued)