He was sincere, hardworking and dumb. She was beautiful, street smart and stupid. They met. They fell in Love. They got married. And they lived happily ever after. The End?
No. Not so fast.
Rajesh and Priya were classmates. Priya joined the engineering course unwillingly. She would rather be in the hep Seven Hills College. But her father wanted his daughter fulfill his unrealized dream of becoming an engineer. He paid a hefty donation and used all his contacts to get her an engineering seat in the local college. Rajesh was an unwilling student of this college too. He was eligible for a much better college in another city, but his father could not afford the hostel expense. So here he was, by far the highest scorer to take admission in this college.
An unusual incident occurred in Rajesh's life in the first week of the college. Rajesh was sitting in a corner trying to make heads or tails of a newly acquired book, when a beautiful girl arrived from nowhere introduced herself as Priya asked his name and disappeared. He reveled in it for next couple of months. Talking to a stranger, that too not a very attractive stranger was not usual for Priya either. She was forced to do this by a senior who was interested in seeing the bambling expression of a geeky fresher. Ragging was still in vogue those days and Priya complied with the order. She went over to the individual, introduced herself and asked him his name. It took three attempts before she could understand he was mumbling ‘Rajesh’. When she returned the seniors were not interested in his name anymore and Priya herself forgot the name and the face associated with it soon.
Rajesh spent most of the next two months trying not to stare at Priya in the class while Priya was not even aware that a person called Rajesh existed in her class. She was more interested in Amit. He was the only person who had scored less than her in the qualifying exam and had paid more donation than Priya. In addition he was the only person who owned a car in the class. Rajesh rode his father's bicycle.
It took two months for Rajesh to finally find guts to speak to Priya again. She was sitting in the library, her assignment open and deep in thought. He had been at loss on what the conversation starter he should use. But the assignment resolved his doubt. “ I can help you with the assignment, its very easy” he said. She looked at him with a startled expression, but them smiled at him and accepted his help. Priya was deep in the thoughts not about the problems in the assignment (which she had not even read once) but rather about the party Amit was throwing. She was disturbed from her thoughts by the offer for help with the assignment. She had the quick wit to realise that any help with the assignment will allow her to concentrate on more urgent matters, she accepted the offer. Rajesh almost dictated most of the assignment line by line. Soon afterwards, Rajesh had even accepted the responsibility of submission of the assignment while Priya left to attend her first party.
Few weeks passed by. Priya had almost ignored Rajesh. Their interactions were limited to few smiles exchanged in the college corridor. Priya had even ignored his existence a couple of times when she was talking to Amit but Rajesh did not mind. And so everyone except Rajesh was surprised when Priya invited Rajesh for a coffee. They ordered coffee, had small talk. Even before the coffee glass was half empty, Rajesh had agreed to help Priya for the next assignment. Priya thanked him and left the shop when some of her other classmates arrived. Rajesh paid for the coffee, ofcourse.
Even the coffee before assignments became soon unnecessary as Rajesh took to helping her with assignments without asking. This arrangement suited her well. She got rid of the responsibility of studying for the assignments, freeing up her time for more fruitful activities. While Rajesh thought of this arrangement as… Actually Rajesh never thought. He was so smitten with Priya.
While Rajesh was busy preparing for exams, Priya was utilising her new found freedom to full extent. The semester exams were held and results announced in due time. Priya considered the results a success as she had managed to pass most subjects and failed only in 2 of them. Priya's father was shocked. He blamed it on her association with wrong set of friends. This caused a bitter argument between Priya and her father. During the argument he asked 'Why cant you have friends with people like Rajesh?"
Meanwhile Rajesh was the toast of the college, having topped not only the college but also the in the university.
Priya's father had been unduly strict in the days after her results. Trying to know every minute of her schedule. Priya soon realized that getting more of Rajesh's help was a win-win situation for her. On one hand the burden of assignment would get lighter while her father would stop worrying being satisfied that she had a sincere friend. Rajesh had eased her dilemma by requesting Priya to be her lab mate in the computer lab. She showed as if she is doing Rajesh a favour by accepting his offer. But infact she was overjoyed as Priya had no intention of spending any time to learn coding. He was seen many times now carrying Priya' books and equipments while Priya walked ahead chatting excitingly with a female friend. This strange sight was talk of the college for days to come.
Rajesh was happy with this situation. He was often seen in company of a beautiful girl which made many people green with envy. Although it did not take long for most friends to realise the on-way direction of their friendship and they sniggered behind his back. Rajesh was completely oblivious to this and thought Priya was a very good friend.
Priya had not lost any of the 'non-academic' interests inspite of the results. She knew that Rajesh did not care what she did most of the times, although he was a bit edgy when she mentioned Amit. This did not prevent her from harmlessly flirting with Amit. Soon Priya realized how valuable catch she had made when an offhanded remark about likely questions in an exam from Rajesh caused her to score the highest marks ever. By the third semester she promoted Rajesh as her official guide. Although she studied the week before the exam, she managed to pass comfortably and was in the middle of the class. Her other catch, Amit, allowed her to enjoy movies and good food free of cost.
Life was idyllic for both. Rajesh was enjoying the cool friendship while did not mind spending so much time doing Priya's assignments, coaching her for exams
A couple of weeks into the next year Rajesh wanted a book which Priya had borrowed, he tried calling her. The mobile phone rang full length but Priya did not answer. When he tried again few minutes later, the phone was switched off. Then, through an ‘unauthorised’ source, Rajesh came to know that Priya was planning for a 2 day picnic to Goa, with Amit. Rajesh was furious that Priya did not even inform him and was worried as Amit was not the kind of guy to be trusted. When Priya returned, Rajesh confronted her for going with Amit and his friends. He did not trust Amit, he said. She tried to argue unconvincingly that she knew what was good for her. But it was argument seemed unconvincing even for herself. She could not hold back her tears. Priya had enjoyed the first 2 days of the trip. They had visited churches, bathed in the sea and enjoyed good food. But on the last night, Amit had got drunk on the cheap beer and as 'incident' had occurred. To make matters worse, he was also unapologetic the next day. Priya was shocked. Upon coming back, when Rajesh started scolding her, she saw the truth in what he was saying. She was sorry for what she had done. And she cried.
Damsel in Distress is a difficult idea to resist even for a normal person. Rajesh was a hopeless case already. He forgave her almost immediately. This was a turning point in their friendship. The final year saw Priya and Rajesh together more often than before. It is a matter of debate what caused the change: That she needed a partner for the final year project. Or that Rajesh had secured a good job during the placements. The salary he had been offered impressed everybody including Priya. Whatever the reason, Rajesh was her partner for the final year project and he single-handedly won the best project prize for that year. Of course, Priya was on the stage enjoying the spotlight to receive the award.
After their final year, Rajesh joined the job immediately and moved to Bangalore. He had an education loan to repay while Priya was still searching for a job. Priya convinced her father that Bangalore was the place to be to search for a job. Rajesh helped Priya search for a PG, buy the necessities, even took her out for dinner. Now that Rajesh could afford taking Priya to more expensive restaurants. During the weekend he took her to malls and coached her for upcoming interviews. Priya received a job offer after a couple of hitches, which Priya credited to Rajesh's coaching.
He took her out to a posh restaurant to celebrate her success with a candle night dinner. This was not the best restaurant in the town but the best Priya had ever been to. She was delighted. They laughed. Then Rajesh did the unthinkable. He proposed. Priya was shocked. She said she was not ready for commitment yet.
The world was not same for them any more. Rajesh was disappointed. Some people take to drinking to drown the disappointment. Rajesh took to work. He started working late nights and over the weekends. They met for coffee or for dinner, but they never could connect any more. It took another year before any semblance of normalcy appeared between them.
Priya was excited. The money meant unlimited opportunities. She shopped at malls, she ate at expensive restaurants, she partied at pubs and watched numerous movies. Before she knew 2 years of Bangalore life had passed. So the matter stood. Life was perfect for Priya, and work was life for Rajesh.
One of the weekends Rajesh called and asked to meet. They met for dinner. Priya was fed up with her father pestering her to get married. She complained a lot about this and offhandedly asked Rajesh "What about your parents? Are they pestering you too?"
"No not yet, but..." Rajesh said. Then Rajesh narrated an incident. It had so happened that while working late in office one night Rajesh felt sleepy. It was past mid night. He got a cup of coffee from the vending machine from the terrace. He liked the cool breeze blowing against his face. Emily was there on the terrace too. Their eyes met. And..
"It was the first time I noticed her eyes. But the full moon is intoxicating. And her blue eyes seemed like deep ocean."
Priya got excited, she wanted more information. Rajesh obliged. She was french, here on a long term assignment. They had known each other professionally for some time. But that night something clicked. Priya felt that Rajesh was too optimistic. There are many a slip between cup and lip, she thought.
That night Priya felt strangely sad. She could not locate the source of her feeling. She was the one who had rejected Rajesh's proposal. Now that he had moved on, why should she feel jealous? She could not understand. Next few days, she seemed normal to her friends and colleagues. But a keener observer would have noticed sadness flickering through her eyes once in a while.The next weekend, Priya called Rajesh. They had idle chit chat for around 15 minutes. After the call Rajesh smiled to himself. This was the first time Priya had called him without asking for a favour. Smiling to himself, he picked up his phone, called Emily and setup an appointment.
It was another couple of months before Priya met Rajesh again. They were invited to a party of a common friend. After every body else departed, Priya wanted to eat icecream. Rajesh agreed to accompany her. The moment they were seated Priya asked Rajesh about Emily. Rajesh was reluctant to talk about Emily. Emily made a point to meet him for coffee break everyday. They also had been out a couple of times, once to a museum, another for a movie. It seemed to Priya that it was only a matter of time before Rajesh and Emily would be committed.
That night Priya lay awake. She was sad and depressed. She was thoughful. Just then reason dawned on her. And her hopes rose. Obviously Rajesh was playing a prank. There was no Emily. She knew Rajesh more than Rajesh knew about himself. Rajesh was not the kind of guy who could play pranks. But Rajesh being able to impress a girl bwas even more unthinkable. That too a French girl, it was too good to be true. Of course Rajesh was playing a prank.
Her spirits rose. She decided to play a counter move. Rajesh was trying to beat Priya in her own game. Priya was confident that she will prevail.
Next day Priya called up Rajesh and asked him if she could meet Emily. She was arranging a party, only for three of them. Priya was confident that Rajesh will refuse and be exposed. But rajesh seemed adamant. He agreed, on the condition that Emily had no problems. It seems that Emily agreed readily and the plan to meet was set. Rajesh had raised the stake significantly.
Now it was Priya's turn to get anxious. She kept hoping that Rajesh would call and cancel the plan. She was not yet ready to meet Rajesh's 'would-be-girl-friend'. Priya had booked a table for three in a restaurant. She reached there before hand. On one hand she was trying to cool her nerves while hoping that Emily was just a figment of imagination.
Rajesh and Emily arrived almost simultaneously. He was wearing his usual casual. but Emily was wearing a stunning red saree. Priya had never imagined that somebody could wear a saree so well. She was truly and deeply jealous now. The evening went well, thanks to Rajesh who kept the table entertained. Emily was charming and it looked like she already knew quite a bit about India and culture. 'Quite ready to trap an Indian boy' Priya thought.
They parted. Rajesh offered Emily to drop her home. Priya reached home alone. She opened the refrigerator, opened a wine bottle. That was the last thing she remembered for that night. Next morning, she woke up in her own bed. Her father was there. So was Rajesh!
Once Priya woke up Rajesh asked her how she was feeling. After she replied fine, he told her to take care. 'I will be back in the evening', Rajesh told Priya. Priya was confused, but happy. The moment Rajesh left, Priya asked her father why was he there? And Rajesh?.
Her father explained. Priya had made 3 phone calls to Rajesh. The first one was abusive. Priya screamed, cursed and spoke incoherently about Emily being a french W****. The second one was apologetic. She apologized about her previous behavior, wished Rajesh a good life. The third one was suicidal. Priya said she was ready to sacrifice her life so that Rajesh would be happy. 'But I wanted you to know how much I love you, and that's why I am calling'. This third phone call worried Rajesh. He called Priya's father and they arrived at Priya's home. She opened the door, both father and Rajesh relieved that she had not acted on the threat. She had hugged Rajesh before falling unconcious. They found 3 empty bottles of various spirits rolling on the ground.
Things were smooth after that night. Rajesh took care of Priya as she recovered from her binge drinking. It seemed like a barrier between them had broken, and they were good friends again. Priya's father was happy too. He took the initiative and before the end of that year, Priya and Rajesh were engaged to be married. To each other! Of course Emily was part of the ceremony.
A couple of weeks after the engagement, it was time for Emily to go back home. Both Priya and Rajesh went to the airport to see her off. When Priya was out of ear shot, Rajesh spoke softly to Emily "That was a beautiful night. Full moon was in the sky, wind was blowing in the face. We should have met before. But atleast it was not too late. Thanks for bringing me back from the brink. You gave me my life back, literally and metaphorically".
Emily smiled 'I met you at the right time. If you were not so desperate, you would never have agreed for my plan. Even after succeeding, you still don't believe that in the matters of heart, Jealousy never fails. '
No. Not so fast.
Rajesh and Priya were classmates. Priya joined the engineering course unwillingly. She would rather be in the hep Seven Hills College. But her father wanted his daughter fulfill his unrealized dream of becoming an engineer. He paid a hefty donation and used all his contacts to get her an engineering seat in the local college. Rajesh was an unwilling student of this college too. He was eligible for a much better college in another city, but his father could not afford the hostel expense. So here he was, by far the highest scorer to take admission in this college.
An unusual incident occurred in Rajesh's life in the first week of the college. Rajesh was sitting in a corner trying to make heads or tails of a newly acquired book, when a beautiful girl arrived from nowhere introduced herself as Priya asked his name and disappeared. He reveled in it for next couple of months. Talking to a stranger, that too not a very attractive stranger was not usual for Priya either. She was forced to do this by a senior who was interested in seeing the bambling expression of a geeky fresher. Ragging was still in vogue those days and Priya complied with the order. She went over to the individual, introduced herself and asked him his name. It took three attempts before she could understand he was mumbling ‘Rajesh’. When she returned the seniors were not interested in his name anymore and Priya herself forgot the name and the face associated with it soon.
Rajesh spent most of the next two months trying not to stare at Priya in the class while Priya was not even aware that a person called Rajesh existed in her class. She was more interested in Amit. He was the only person who had scored less than her in the qualifying exam and had paid more donation than Priya. In addition he was the only person who owned a car in the class. Rajesh rode his father's bicycle.
It took two months for Rajesh to finally find guts to speak to Priya again. She was sitting in the library, her assignment open and deep in thought. He had been at loss on what the conversation starter he should use. But the assignment resolved his doubt. “ I can help you with the assignment, its very easy” he said. She looked at him with a startled expression, but them smiled at him and accepted his help. Priya was deep in the thoughts not about the problems in the assignment (which she had not even read once) but rather about the party Amit was throwing. She was disturbed from her thoughts by the offer for help with the assignment. She had the quick wit to realise that any help with the assignment will allow her to concentrate on more urgent matters, she accepted the offer. Rajesh almost dictated most of the assignment line by line. Soon afterwards, Rajesh had even accepted the responsibility of submission of the assignment while Priya left to attend her first party.
Few weeks passed by. Priya had almost ignored Rajesh. Their interactions were limited to few smiles exchanged in the college corridor. Priya had even ignored his existence a couple of times when she was talking to Amit but Rajesh did not mind. And so everyone except Rajesh was surprised when Priya invited Rajesh for a coffee. They ordered coffee, had small talk. Even before the coffee glass was half empty, Rajesh had agreed to help Priya for the next assignment. Priya thanked him and left the shop when some of her other classmates arrived. Rajesh paid for the coffee, ofcourse.
Even the coffee before assignments became soon unnecessary as Rajesh took to helping her with assignments without asking. This arrangement suited her well. She got rid of the responsibility of studying for the assignments, freeing up her time for more fruitful activities. While Rajesh thought of this arrangement as… Actually Rajesh never thought. He was so smitten with Priya.
While Rajesh was busy preparing for exams, Priya was utilising her new found freedom to full extent. The semester exams were held and results announced in due time. Priya considered the results a success as she had managed to pass most subjects and failed only in 2 of them. Priya's father was shocked. He blamed it on her association with wrong set of friends. This caused a bitter argument between Priya and her father. During the argument he asked 'Why cant you have friends with people like Rajesh?"
Meanwhile Rajesh was the toast of the college, having topped not only the college but also the in the university.
Priya's father had been unduly strict in the days after her results. Trying to know every minute of her schedule. Priya soon realized that getting more of Rajesh's help was a win-win situation for her. On one hand the burden of assignment would get lighter while her father would stop worrying being satisfied that she had a sincere friend. Rajesh had eased her dilemma by requesting Priya to be her lab mate in the computer lab. She showed as if she is doing Rajesh a favour by accepting his offer. But infact she was overjoyed as Priya had no intention of spending any time to learn coding. He was seen many times now carrying Priya' books and equipments while Priya walked ahead chatting excitingly with a female friend. This strange sight was talk of the college for days to come.
Rajesh was happy with this situation. He was often seen in company of a beautiful girl which made many people green with envy. Although it did not take long for most friends to realise the on-way direction of their friendship and they sniggered behind his back. Rajesh was completely oblivious to this and thought Priya was a very good friend.
Priya had not lost any of the 'non-academic' interests inspite of the results. She knew that Rajesh did not care what she did most of the times, although he was a bit edgy when she mentioned Amit. This did not prevent her from harmlessly flirting with Amit. Soon Priya realized how valuable catch she had made when an offhanded remark about likely questions in an exam from Rajesh caused her to score the highest marks ever. By the third semester she promoted Rajesh as her official guide. Although she studied the week before the exam, she managed to pass comfortably and was in the middle of the class. Her other catch, Amit, allowed her to enjoy movies and good food free of cost.
Life was idyllic for both. Rajesh was enjoying the cool friendship while did not mind spending so much time doing Priya's assignments, coaching her for exams
A couple of weeks into the next year Rajesh wanted a book which Priya had borrowed, he tried calling her. The mobile phone rang full length but Priya did not answer. When he tried again few minutes later, the phone was switched off. Then, through an ‘unauthorised’ source, Rajesh came to know that Priya was planning for a 2 day picnic to Goa, with Amit. Rajesh was furious that Priya did not even inform him and was worried as Amit was not the kind of guy to be trusted. When Priya returned, Rajesh confronted her for going with Amit and his friends. He did not trust Amit, he said. She tried to argue unconvincingly that she knew what was good for her. But it was argument seemed unconvincing even for herself. She could not hold back her tears. Priya had enjoyed the first 2 days of the trip. They had visited churches, bathed in the sea and enjoyed good food. But on the last night, Amit had got drunk on the cheap beer and as 'incident' had occurred. To make matters worse, he was also unapologetic the next day. Priya was shocked. Upon coming back, when Rajesh started scolding her, she saw the truth in what he was saying. She was sorry for what she had done. And she cried.
Damsel in Distress is a difficult idea to resist even for a normal person. Rajesh was a hopeless case already. He forgave her almost immediately. This was a turning point in their friendship. The final year saw Priya and Rajesh together more often than before. It is a matter of debate what caused the change: That she needed a partner for the final year project. Or that Rajesh had secured a good job during the placements. The salary he had been offered impressed everybody including Priya. Whatever the reason, Rajesh was her partner for the final year project and he single-handedly won the best project prize for that year. Of course, Priya was on the stage enjoying the spotlight to receive the award.
After their final year, Rajesh joined the job immediately and moved to Bangalore. He had an education loan to repay while Priya was still searching for a job. Priya convinced her father that Bangalore was the place to be to search for a job. Rajesh helped Priya search for a PG, buy the necessities, even took her out for dinner. Now that Rajesh could afford taking Priya to more expensive restaurants. During the weekend he took her to malls and coached her for upcoming interviews. Priya received a job offer after a couple of hitches, which Priya credited to Rajesh's coaching.
He took her out to a posh restaurant to celebrate her success with a candle night dinner. This was not the best restaurant in the town but the best Priya had ever been to. She was delighted. They laughed. Then Rajesh did the unthinkable. He proposed. Priya was shocked. She said she was not ready for commitment yet.
The world was not same for them any more. Rajesh was disappointed. Some people take to drinking to drown the disappointment. Rajesh took to work. He started working late nights and over the weekends. They met for coffee or for dinner, but they never could connect any more. It took another year before any semblance of normalcy appeared between them.
Priya was excited. The money meant unlimited opportunities. She shopped at malls, she ate at expensive restaurants, she partied at pubs and watched numerous movies. Before she knew 2 years of Bangalore life had passed. So the matter stood. Life was perfect for Priya, and work was life for Rajesh.
One of the weekends Rajesh called and asked to meet. They met for dinner. Priya was fed up with her father pestering her to get married. She complained a lot about this and offhandedly asked Rajesh "What about your parents? Are they pestering you too?"
"No not yet, but..." Rajesh said. Then Rajesh narrated an incident. It had so happened that while working late in office one night Rajesh felt sleepy. It was past mid night. He got a cup of coffee from the vending machine from the terrace. He liked the cool breeze blowing against his face. Emily was there on the terrace too. Their eyes met. And..
"It was the first time I noticed her eyes. But the full moon is intoxicating. And her blue eyes seemed like deep ocean."
Priya got excited, she wanted more information. Rajesh obliged. She was french, here on a long term assignment. They had known each other professionally for some time. But that night something clicked. Priya felt that Rajesh was too optimistic. There are many a slip between cup and lip, she thought.
That night Priya felt strangely sad. She could not locate the source of her feeling. She was the one who had rejected Rajesh's proposal. Now that he had moved on, why should she feel jealous? She could not understand. Next few days, she seemed normal to her friends and colleagues. But a keener observer would have noticed sadness flickering through her eyes once in a while.The next weekend, Priya called Rajesh. They had idle chit chat for around 15 minutes. After the call Rajesh smiled to himself. This was the first time Priya had called him without asking for a favour. Smiling to himself, he picked up his phone, called Emily and setup an appointment.
It was another couple of months before Priya met Rajesh again. They were invited to a party of a common friend. After every body else departed, Priya wanted to eat icecream. Rajesh agreed to accompany her. The moment they were seated Priya asked Rajesh about Emily. Rajesh was reluctant to talk about Emily. Emily made a point to meet him for coffee break everyday. They also had been out a couple of times, once to a museum, another for a movie. It seemed to Priya that it was only a matter of time before Rajesh and Emily would be committed.
That night Priya lay awake. She was sad and depressed. She was thoughful. Just then reason dawned on her. And her hopes rose. Obviously Rajesh was playing a prank. There was no Emily. She knew Rajesh more than Rajesh knew about himself. Rajesh was not the kind of guy who could play pranks. But Rajesh being able to impress a girl bwas even more unthinkable. That too a French girl, it was too good to be true. Of course Rajesh was playing a prank.
Her spirits rose. She decided to play a counter move. Rajesh was trying to beat Priya in her own game. Priya was confident that she will prevail.
Next day Priya called up Rajesh and asked him if she could meet Emily. She was arranging a party, only for three of them. Priya was confident that Rajesh will refuse and be exposed. But rajesh seemed adamant. He agreed, on the condition that Emily had no problems. It seems that Emily agreed readily and the plan to meet was set. Rajesh had raised the stake significantly.
Now it was Priya's turn to get anxious. She kept hoping that Rajesh would call and cancel the plan. She was not yet ready to meet Rajesh's 'would-be-girl-friend'. Priya had booked a table for three in a restaurant. She reached there before hand. On one hand she was trying to cool her nerves while hoping that Emily was just a figment of imagination.
Rajesh and Emily arrived almost simultaneously. He was wearing his usual casual. but Emily was wearing a stunning red saree. Priya had never imagined that somebody could wear a saree so well. She was truly and deeply jealous now. The evening went well, thanks to Rajesh who kept the table entertained. Emily was charming and it looked like she already knew quite a bit about India and culture. 'Quite ready to trap an Indian boy' Priya thought.
They parted. Rajesh offered Emily to drop her home. Priya reached home alone. She opened the refrigerator, opened a wine bottle. That was the last thing she remembered for that night. Next morning, she woke up in her own bed. Her father was there. So was Rajesh!
Once Priya woke up Rajesh asked her how she was feeling. After she replied fine, he told her to take care. 'I will be back in the evening', Rajesh told Priya. Priya was confused, but happy. The moment Rajesh left, Priya asked her father why was he there? And Rajesh?.
Her father explained. Priya had made 3 phone calls to Rajesh. The first one was abusive. Priya screamed, cursed and spoke incoherently about Emily being a french W****. The second one was apologetic. She apologized about her previous behavior, wished Rajesh a good life. The third one was suicidal. Priya said she was ready to sacrifice her life so that Rajesh would be happy. 'But I wanted you to know how much I love you, and that's why I am calling'. This third phone call worried Rajesh. He called Priya's father and they arrived at Priya's home. She opened the door, both father and Rajesh relieved that she had not acted on the threat. She had hugged Rajesh before falling unconcious. They found 3 empty bottles of various spirits rolling on the ground.
Things were smooth after that night. Rajesh took care of Priya as she recovered from her binge drinking. It seemed like a barrier between them had broken, and they were good friends again. Priya's father was happy too. He took the initiative and before the end of that year, Priya and Rajesh were engaged to be married. To each other! Of course Emily was part of the ceremony.
A couple of weeks after the engagement, it was time for Emily to go back home. Both Priya and Rajesh went to the airport to see her off. When Priya was out of ear shot, Rajesh spoke softly to Emily "That was a beautiful night. Full moon was in the sky, wind was blowing in the face. We should have met before. But atleast it was not too late. Thanks for bringing me back from the brink. You gave me my life back, literally and metaphorically".
Emily smiled 'I met you at the right time. If you were not so desperate, you would never have agreed for my plan. Even after succeeding, you still don't believe that in the matters of heart, Jealousy never fails. '
