The Truth

Rhea's chain of thoughts were broken by Ranbir's voice.

"Rhea, please listen to me. Today I am going to confess the truth, a truth that is going to be harsh but truth all the same. Yes, I had agreed to the condition you had put in front of me in return for agreeing to be my girlfriend. But I didn't know then that the lie I had begun will become the biggest truth of my life. I didn't know that while trying to make Prachi fall in love with me, I will fall for her myself. I couldn't stop myself, you know. I tried. I tried really hard to deny what was happening to me. But ultimately I could not deny it. Her sweet and affable nature, her care for others before herself, her mesmerizing smile and simple, unaffected manners made me fall head over heels in love with her. I don't know when it happened, just that it had happened. I know Rhea that I am probably hurting you but it is necessary that you know the truth. I apologize to you from the depth of my heart. It was my fault that without being sure of my feelings I led you to think that we can be together. I feel so guilty whenever I think about it. I will completely understand if you can't forgive me. But I needed to let it all out. The biggest truth of my life is that I can't love anyone other than Prachi. I am more sorry than you can ever imagine." There was deep sadness in Ranbir's voice and also a ring of truth in his every word.

A strange kind of hopelessness filled Rhea. She felt as if everything she had done, every torture she had inflicted upon Prachi just to get Ranbir back was utterly futile. She had sensed instinctively a few days back that she was losing Ranbir to Prachi. She had realized that Ranbir was falling for Prachi without being aware of it. She had, therefore, tried to stir trouble in the girl's life. But every single time, Ranbir emerged as her saviour and protected her with a determination that astonished Rhea with its strength and intensity. Hence, in utter desperation, she had made this last ditch attempt to get the man she wanted for herself back. She had instructed Dimpy and Saina to keep an eye out for Prachi and alert her to Prachi's arrival beforehand so that she could execute her plan of making Ranbir blurt out the truth about the bet within Prachi's earshot. She had probably succeeded in driving a wedge between Ranbir and Prachi but had lost the man who was the sole reason behind all her efforts.

For the first time in life, Rhea had tasted defeat when she had lost Ranbir to Prachi. And tonight she finally accepted that there was no other option left to her except letting go. And that's what she did. She quietly turned on her heels and strode away, leaving in her wake a man whose conscience was berating him. 

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"I am sorry Prachi. I really am. I shouldn't have agreed to that wretched bet with Rhea. But trust me, Prachi, I didn't realize the ramification of the bet. I didn't fully realize what Rhea was asking me to do. For me it was like impressing someone and later break up with them. A very casual affair. I never realized that I had signed up for breaking your heart, your dreams and your trust. Won't you forgive me after hearing my confession Prachi? Because I am going to confess my unintentional misdeed to you tomorrow, at my dad's birthday party. I don't know whether you will decide to forgive me or punish me. Believe me, Prachi, I am hell scared of admitting everything to you as I don't ever want to lose you. But the burden of the truth is quickly becoming unbearable and suffocating me. No, I have decided. I will confess everything to you in front of everyone and then confess my true love for you. Whether you will accept it and forgive me or reject it and punish me is up to you." There was a strange determination in Ranbir's eyes as he looked up to the starlit sky painted with the ink blue hue of the night.

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"Tomorrow. Tomorrow will be the day, Ranbir kohli, when I will expose you in front of your loved ones. Tomorrow will be the day when you will fall from the pedestal and your image will be spoiled in front of your friends and family. Tomorrow will be the day when I will avenge my humiliation, my broken heart and trust by making your humiliation and degradation very public. You just wait and watch. Sleep peacefully tonight, Ranbir Kohli, because tomorrow I will snatch your peace of mind and happiness away." A vindictive fury was swirling in the depth of Prachi's eyes as she glared at the same starlit night sky.

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A festive aura was prevailing over the entire Mehra Mansion. It was decorated tastefully with lights, flowers and colourful draperies. In the center of the hall, an electric globe was revolving in the ceiling, emitting multifarious hues of light and giving the place the aura of a disco while the other lights were dimmed to magnify its effect.

While the members of both the Mehra and Kohli families were engrossed in welcoming and conversing with the guests, Ranbir's restless eyes were searching for just one person among the throng of people.

As he glanced towards the entrance for the umpteenth time, a sigh of relief escaped him as his eyes met the object of their quest.

Dressed in a very pretty white Anarkali suit with beautiful works on it, Prachi had an ethereal aura about her. However, what caught Ranbir's eyes were her eyes. They were hard, determined and opaque. It was as if a shutter had come down over them.

Her eyes gave him jitters. But shaking off the sense of foreboding, he made his way towards her through the crowd with determined steps.

As he reached her, he took her hands in his and looked up. She was staring at him strangely and it unnerved him. However, he was determined not to lose courage today to speak the truth.

"Prachi, I need to say something to you. Please come with me." Ranbir looked at her beseechingly even as perspiration beaded on his forehead.

"Even I have to say something about you. So, do lead the way." Prachi gave a curt nod.

In his own nervousness, Prachi's curt tone didn't register in Ranbir's mind. He led her towards the center of the hall.

"Everyone, may I have your attention please. I have a confession to make." Ranbir announced.

The room slowly went silent and everyone looked at each other with confusion mixed with curiosity. Even Prachi frowned, bemused. Vikram was about to say something but Abhishek stopped him and gestured Ranbir to continue. Colour drained from Rhea's face as she experienced a sense of foreboding.

"Prachi, please listen to what I have to say and then decide what you want to do. Prachi, I used to think that you are a very boring person who always gives lectures in anything and everything and also a quarrelsome person who always fights with me. At that time I did not have any intention to befriend you. In fact, at that time, I had a crush on Riya. Yes, Riya Mehra. And then one day I confessed my feelings to her. It all began from that very night. She placed a condition in front of me. She said that I had to make you fall in love with me and then break your heart. I was dumb enough to accept the challenge. In my ignorance, I thought it meant just to impress you and then break up with you. Even then I didn't act on it. Rhea had to remind me and just to placate her, I used to say that I am trying. Probably even then I felt somewhere in my heart that it was wrong. We used to fight, then we became friends and then good friends. Slowly, I began to realize what sweet, caring and loving person you are. The ideal daughter, the ideal sister, the ideal student and the ideal friend. An ideal person. I don't know when it started but I began to fall in love with you. Slowly, I realized that I am in love with you. The once in a lifetime true love. Then last night when Rhea came to me and began to talk about the bet, I clarified everything with her. Prachi, I love you with my every last breath. I won't be able to love anyone else in this life. Now it's in your hands whether to forgive me and accept my love or punish me by rejecting my love. You have the power to confine me to a solitary life, a loveless life for good by just walking away from me. Whatever fate you will decide for me I will accept." Ranbir bowed his head and droplets of tears fall down near Prachi's feet.

An absolute silence prevailed over the room. Everyone was stunned at the revelation. Every pair of eyes turned to look at Prachi.

1563 words

What happens next? What will be Prachi's decision?
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