INEXPLICABLE - Phase 3: Colliding Worlds_Chapter 11

 

Phase 3: Colliding Worlds

Chapter 11

Her: Valedictorian

Ady was coming over and I needed to face the music now, literally. I kept a lot from him over the past month, in spite of talking to him every day. He must be extremely upset with me. All he texted was "See you in an hour." No 'xo' or endearments. I was going nuts. At that moment, he walked in, no expression on his face. I talked first to overcompensate for my fear.

Hi, Ady.

Yeah.

He sat across from me and folded his arms on top of his chest. A staring contest began. He looked at me and started talking.

Why did you do that, Adithya?

Wow! He just called me by my name for the first time ever. I got a whole lot tense. Thoughts ran amuck and I spoke very little.

I'm sorry. I didn't do it on purpose.

Then, why?

His decibel level rose and his body pushed away from the backrest of the chair. I was startled.

I didn't know what to do at that time.

Oh, please! You did A LOT. Don't give me that excuse.

I am not. I'm sorry. Don't hate me.

His face changed. Stern muscles loosened and confusion peeked in.

Hate you? F*ck!

He sprang from the chair and came to my couch. He nudged me on it and lay on top of me, his head on my chest. His weight was a welcome burden on me. I hugged him tight and kissed the top of his head. His entire body was shaking.

How could you do all that for me? How could you do THAT and ask me if I hated you?

That was the easiest thing to do. Keeping it from you was the hardest part. I'm sorry.

Just shut your mouth. Stop saying sorry.

I shut my mouth. I rubbed his back and ran my fingers on his scalp. His shaking slowed and his heart beat steadied eventually.

I wanted to say a lot of things but first, thank you. A million times,  thank you. You saved my 10 years worth of work and all that was about to come.

You are welcome.

Next, I am sorry beyond words can say that you had to quit your job. Dad told me you got banned from a lot of law firms. I cannot begin to understand your feelings.

I am not sad about that at all. My career is not over. I have always worked for clients, lost and gained. Your work is original, Ady and you should not lose it. It is intellectual property, your brainchild. Money can be earned, but art cannot be.

He lay silent. I was too. Seconds turned to minutes. I heard something feeble. It was like a whisper but not just words. He was singing. Little by little, his volume came up. I could listen...

I need some distraction

Oh a beautiful release

Memories seep from my veins..

Good god! He was singing a beautiful song I adore. Somehow we kept finding each other's favorite music.

Let me be empty

Oh and weightless and maybe

I'll find some peace tonight...

He paused for breath but it felt like my cue. It has been too long since I sang. I never did with Ady around because I was very conscious about my voice. But now, it felt right and I began where he left.

In the arms of the angel

His head rose up, eyes wide, shock on his face. I paused. He gestured not to stop. We sat up, hands in hands and I went on, with my eyes closed.

Fly away from here

From this dark cold hotel room

And the endlessness that you fear

You are pulled from the wreckage

Of your silent reverie

You're in the arms of the angel

May you find some comfort here.

I finished and we sat looking at each other. He whirred into me and hugged me fiercely, kissing me in every place his lips could find. It felt like a hundred puppies ran over me with love.

What did you just do?

I.. I sang?

Why have you never sung before to me?

I don't know. You are the singer, not me.

That is ridiculous. Do you know how well you sing?

No, I don't. Stop.

That's just bull. Why did you hide this from me?

I didn't hide. I just never told you.

Now, I know.  It is not stopping here.

What do you mean?

You have to sing with me.

You are mad, Ady.

I got up and ran into the kitchen. I started a kettle for tea. He followed me and gave a back hug. He rested his chin beside my neck.

I didn't mean to make you awkward. Your voice is honestly amazing. Can you sing something else for me?

When your rockstar musician boyfriend asks you to sing a song a for him, how can you deny? So, I did. One that was sort of a message to him.

Hit me like a ray of sun

Burning through my darkest night

You're the only one that I want

Think I'm addicted to your light

He joined in.

Everywhere I'm lookin' now

I'm surrounded by your embrace

Baby, I can see your halo

Pray it won't fade away.

We didn't need a next line. We had already graduated to become soulmates.

Him: All Strings Attached

Adithya had started working freelance and she got one client after trying  for more than three months. It was not easy being blacklisted. She never showed that stress to me even once. She banned me from talking to my circle about her situation so that she could get cases. She wanted to do it all on her own. I respected that. While her work suffered because of me, I had the biggest year ever in terms of hits, earnings and awards. Somehow, I didn't feel great about that as I should have. The past week, I have been having long periods of silence, thinking about my future and my direction in life. I decided to go on a drive to calm myself and ended up parking at Adithya's house. I knocked and waited.

Ady, what a surprise. Come in, kanna. Mohan, look who's here. Adithya is not home. She is with her client.

It was Adithya's mom. She always had that distinct way of calling me kanna. It had been that way from day one. Her entire household went nuts on the day I visited them first time. Each one was a fan but they had that unusual way of showing their love. They talked highly of my music, but they also criticized me for some of the songs that were too loud, singular and flashy. It was completely a new experience for me to receive criticism in person.  I usually only got that from media - newspapers and review videos. I liked her family from the get-go. They were grounded and Adithya's mom played a big part in that. I sat on the chair she pointed. Mohan uncle joined us.

I am not here for Adithya, aunty. I wanted to speak to you both.

Of course. What is it? Are you alright?

Yes, uncle. I'm good. Just lack of sleep for the past couple of days.

Oh. You make sure to rest over the weekend, kanna.

Yeah, definitely. So, Uncle, aunty. I am not going to go circles. I wish to marry Adithya.

They looked at each other and smiled at me.

Not right away. I have a relatively free month coming up in November. If you both agree, I'd like to plan a wedding then.

Of course, you have our blessing, Ady. We already see you as family.

Thank you, uncle. This means the world to me that you both have already accepted me in. I also need your help in something.

What is it, kanna?

There's still a full three months for November. I plan to propose to Adithya next week.

That's lovely. Do you need our help with anything?

Yes, but nothing logistical.

Then?

I hesitated.

You can ask us anything.

I'd like to have the permission of Mrs. and Mr. Pavan before I propose.

They looked at each other puzzled.

Samarth may be no more but Adithya still loves them dearly. She mentioned they were extremely happy that she was dating again. I wish to talk to them and  take their permission to marry their daughter-in-law.

We are so touched you feel that way, kanna. We can arrange for you to meet them. They would love to see you.

I met Sam's parents the next day and they gave me their blessings with a big hug. I felt a weight I have been carrying, leave me and my spirit had a clear sense of direction. Now, all that was left for me was to propose. That shot my blood pressure up for the next few days.

Where are we going, Ady?

There's a lakeside farmhouse about 50 kilometers from here. I loved the atmosphere when I once went there for a discussion. I have been wanting to take you there ever since.

I am so glad you planned this. I have been going crazy with lack of work and not being able to see you much.

We'll see plenty of each other this weekend, you will be bored of me.

Not possible.

She took one hand off the wheel and pinched my cheek.

Ouch. You will pay for that.

Oh, a threat! Feisty.

This was the woman I had been missing for the last few days. I constantly craved her sass and ribbing.

You love me feisty, don't you?

I love you anyway I can get.

What she said halted my brakes. It was things like these that made me fall deeper in love with her. I had arranged a whole lot of things at the farmhouse to propose to her but all that flew out of my window.

Can we stop the car?

What's wrong?

I opened my passenger side door and ran around the car to hers.

Ady, what's going on? We are in the middle of nowhere.

I know. Just come out.

I saw a sunflower field nearby and dragged her there. She looked around in wonder and admired the flowers, all the while facing away.

If you brought me here to have your way with me and tick off that outdoor kink on your list, you are so not getting that.

She kept talking and turned around to face my side. I was on one knee with a ring in my hand. Her hand closed her lips and that lawyer mouth struggled to open.

I live for moments like these.

Listen to "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan here:

Listen to "Halo" by Beyoncé here: