Chapter 8: -The Proposaal and the Call of the Heart
The coffee was almost finished when a young man approached and joined their table. It was Karan, their fellow college student. Radha offered a warm smile, happy to see a familiar face.
Chanchal nudged Radha playfully, whispering, "Look at you, Radha! Your face lit up the moment you saw Karan."
"Be quiet, Chanchal," Radha whispered back, blushing. "He's just a good friend, nothing more."
Karan looked at them, a shy grin on his face. "What are you two whispering about? Share the joke with me too."
"Oh, ignore her. Chanchal has just lost her mind," Radha joked, and they all burst into laughter. They ordered food and began catching up. Radha teased Karan, "I'm not speaking to you! You're supposed to be my friend, yet you planned to meet Chanchal without even telling me."
"It's not like that, Radha," Karan explained. "I ran into Chanchal at the mall yesterday while shopping. She told me how much you missed our group and suggested we all meet today."
Radha glanced at Chanchal, whispering, "You'll never change, will you? Always with the pranks." Despite the laughter, there was a visible tension in Karan's eyes, as if a heavy secret was weighing on his mind.
The Unexpected Proposal
Once lunch was over, Karan's demeanor changed. He looked at Radha, his voice trembling. "Radha, I need to tell you something... if you don't mind."
"Of course, Karan. Go ahead. We're friends, you don't need to be hesitant," Radha replied encouragingly.
Karan took a deep breath and suddenly reached across the table, taking Radha's hand in his. A sudden silence fell over the table.
"Radha... we've been in college together for so long. We are great friends, but the truth is, I fell in love with you the very first moment I saw you," Karan confessed, his voice low. "I've wanted to say this since our first year, but I never had the courage. Radha... I really, really love you. Will you be my life partner?"
Tears instantly welled up in Radha's eyes—not of joy, but of hurt and flashes of anger. She jerked her hand away and stood up. Without uttering a single word, she turned and hurried out of the restaurant.
"Radha, wait! Listen to me!" Karan called out, desaperate. "I'm sorry if I offended you!"
Chanchal stood up, her face flushed with anger. "Karan! Why did you have to do that? You know she lives for someone else. You know about her past, so how could you even think of saying that?" With that, Chanchal followed Radha out.
The Harsh Reality
Outside, Radha had already taken the car and left for home. Karan walked out and found Chanchal waiting. "Come, let me drop you home," he offered quietly.
They sat in the car in a heavy silence. Finally, Karan spoke, his voice tinged with logic. "Look, Chanchal, you need to talk to your friend. It's been five years since she and Amar were separated. No one even knows where he is or what state he's in. Besides, there was a significant age gap—Amar was five years younger than her! Even if they met, do you think anyone would accept their marriage? You're her best friend; you should guide her to move on."
Chanchal remained silent, pondering his words. Slowly, she began to feel that Karan might be right. "Maybe you're right, Karan. I'm sorry I snapped at you. I'll try to talk to her."
The Decision to Return
Back at their room, Chanchal found Radha weeping. She hugged her tightly, trying to comfort her.
"Chanchal, where is he? When will we meet?" Radha sobbed.
Chanchal handed her a glass of water. "Drink this and calm down. Radha, listen... Karan is a good guy. Maybe you should consider his proposal."
Radha looked at her in disbelief. "Even you are saying this? You know that not a single moment has passed in five years where I haven't thought of Amar. How can you say this?"
Chanchal realized then that Radha's heart was unshakeable. She changed her approach. "Radha, why don't you go back to Mumbai for a few days? From there, make an excuse and go to Bangalore. Who knows? Just as you are lost in his memories, maybe he is still there, waiting for you."
Hope flickered in Radha's eyes. "You're right, Chanchal. It's time I fulfilled the promise I made when I left. I'm calling Papa right now."
Radha dialed her father's number in Mumbai. Trying to mask her shaky voice, she said, "Hello, Papa... how are you?"
"I'm fine, Radha beti. How are you?" Mr. Khanna replied warmly.
"Papa, ji I miss you so much. Can I come back to Mumbai? It's been so long since we saw each other." Please paapa
Mr. Khanna's voice filled with joy. "Of course, beta! My eyes have been yea rning to see you. Come home."
What will happen when Radha returns to Bangalore? How does Amar look after five years? Is he still living for Radha, or has someone else entered his life?