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Words choke in my throat.
“I am Aarav’s grandmother, Durga Raichand,” she introduces and that name really sounds familiar now. Though I hadn’t dug into Aarav’s family much, Rudra had told me how Aarav had once tried avenging his grandmother and had married Jhanvi to use her as a pawn in his revenge. “And she is your best friend, Jaya.”
Jaya? I turn to the woman who is of my age and she too has similar tears in her eyes.
“I.. I am sorry but.. I don’t..” I don’t know how to say this but I am not who they presume me to be and even if they are right to recognize me, I don’t recall any of them.
“It’s okay dear. We know this is not easy for you so don’t stress yourself. My grandson might be racing hard to get you back but it is of no use until you put your efforts too.”
I try not to argue. Jaya grips my hand.
“It’s my daughter’s birthday tomorrow. I have kept her name Amaya. Of course, you don’t remember this but this was your suggested name. You always wanted to be the godmother to my baby.”
Amaya? I heard this name from Aarvi’s mouth in yesterday’s phone call of Aarav. So, it is Jaya’s daughter’s birthday party Aarvi is going to?
“I wish you could attend that party tomorrow. I really want you to be there. Doesn't matter if you are Jhanvi or Khushi. If you can make it, I and Aman will be more than happy.”
Aman?
“You are Aman Mathur’s wife?” She nods happily.
Okay. I don’t know how to process this nor do I want to give them any hope.
“I have another party to attend tomorrow. I .. I don’t think I can make it but happy birthday to Amaya in advance and.. it’s indeed a nice name.. Jhanvi had a good choice.”
They both stare at me with hope and pain. It’s too much. So, I quickly step behind keeping the gift I was checking, back in the rack.
“I need to leave. Bye.”
And I walk out of the store without turning back. My life is in shambles. The more people consider me as Jhanvi and the more I keep getting evidence of being her, I am losing confidence in myself.. in my identity. Who am I?
CHAPTER 20
Aarav
“Daddy one more.” Aarvi rushes to me with a small balloon asking me to blow it. This is the 11thballoon she is making me blow which obviously makes Aman laugh seeing my expressions.
“Not funny, Aman,” I snap, taking the balloon from Aarvi and doing it for her. I tie the knot to the balloon and hand it over to my daughter who runs away to play with it.
Aman’s villa is crowded with kids of all ages. Some are from their neighboring houses, a few are from the relatives’ sides. Aarvi is enjoying her time with these children and that definitely gives me some time with my friend too, assisting him with some other birthday chores.
“You look exhausted blowing balloons, Aarav.” Aman mocks. “You need to regain your stamina. Last two years you have lost all that vigor you had once,” he winks.
“Damn you, Aman Mathur. Don’t challenge me. I still haven’t forgotten that day when Jaya was complaining to Jhanvi that you are the first one to sleep like a pig without paying attention to your wife’s needs.”
Aman rolls his eyes.
“That was just for one night. I had a jet lag, Aarav.”
“Not an excuse to give your wife when she has dressed in your favorite nightwear.”
I don’t want to get into the details of Aman-Jaya’s intimate life but Jhanvi had given me these bits of information when I found her laughing after Jaya left.
“You know what Aarav? Let me see how you perform when Jhanvi is back to you. I am sure, she’ll complain the same because you have lost the practice.”
“A hungry lion doesn't need the practice to pounce on his prey, Aman.”
Aman exhales at the metaphor I used to describe my present state and then we both laugh it out.
