Heartbeats and Headaches

By Saranya Devaraj

“I just hate you”, said Riaan, a 25-year-old bachelor.

Vikram laughed, looking at grumpy Riaan. “Don’t even think about escaping.”

“I mean, why should I attend your relative’s wedding?” Riaan pulled the hood of his

jacket, hid to avoid the prying eyes of Vikram’s relatives. He snatched the phone

from Vikram and began scrolling.

“How long were you planning to hide inside your apartment?” Vikram watched his

friend with puzzled eyes.

“How long will it take? We have been standing here for an hour”, Riaan grumbled

while they were waiting for the bus to arrive. “Or should I call my driver?”

Vikram grinned. “Have some patience, dude. It will be fun travelling with many

people. You will never know unless you experience it, Riaan.”

Just then, a grand white decorated A/C bus stopped before them. The driver opened

the luggage racks and women began to stash their suitcases. Riaan was stunned at

the high-pitched voices of the relatives. The chaos made things awkward between

Vikram and Riaan.

Riaan glared at Vikram with the cold, hard glance. Vikram sensed the anger that

emanated from Riaan’s eyes. Vikram forced a laugh to ease the tension. “Why don’t

we go inside and take a seat?”

He gently grasped Riaan’s shoulders and guided him onto the bus. They sat in the

last seat that was sheltered from the scorching morning sun.

Riaan was drowned in the sea of thoughts. He leaned on the window and gazed at

the road. The vehicles were competing for the peak hour traffic. The children in their

perfectly ironed uniforms and black polished shoes held their parent’s hand while

waiting for the school bus. The world seemed to be in a rush except Riaan. Vikram

tried to break the silence.

Vikram turned to Riaan with a mischievous grin and said, “I heard the bride has

many friends. This is not just a wedding journey, but a quest to find you a girlfriend.”

Riaan looked at the cheerful Vikram with a blank stare. “There is no need for that.”

He continued, “You are using me as a pawn for your girlfriend quest, aren’t you?” His

lips curved, giving a plain, soft smile.

“Bro, Don’t accuse me like that. I am your loyal best friend who always thinks of your

wellbeing.” Vikram took Riaan’s hand in a reassuring gesture.

Riaan snatched his hands and wondered if anything was wrong with his friend’s

brain. “Creepy,” he muttered, holding his smile back. Vikram burst into laughter when

Riaan tried to avoid his eye contact. Just then, a loud, irritating ringtone interrupted

them. Vikram answered the call, “Yes, I am. You can…”

He turned to Riaan and mouthed, “Be right back,” before stepping away to continue

the conversation.

Riaan waved his hand at Vikram and shouted, “Never come back” and noticed that

Vikram paid no attention. He punched in the air, only to hit at the handle of the seat.

He winced in pain and let out a loud ‘OUCH!’ and gripped his fingers tightly to ease

the pain.

Riaan’s grip loosened, blood flow to the brain rose pooling with memories when he

saw a familiar silhouette. A girl dressed in red loose plaid shirt with faded blue denim

pants stood outside the bus. The curious Riaan stood and walked to watch her from

behind. Her hand movements, the way she tilted her head when she was talking to

Vikram reminded him of someone. His feet froze and failed to move even when his

heart was urging him to go near her.

The moment he took a step forward, she went away. She waved her hand in air

without looking back at Vikram. Vikram saw her with the eyes filled with admiration.

Riaan tasted the feeling of disappointment and went straight to his seat. He watched

her walk past his window with his keen interested eyes. But the view was obscured

by the heavy vehicle that paused the traffic.

Within a few minutes, everyone rushed inside the bus and the crowd made loud

noises when the journey began. Vikram came back to his seat and nudged his

friend. “Enjoy, bro.” He said when the music started playing.

Riaan gestured his friend to come near and asked, “Who was that girl?”

Vikram felt a deep pressure by that question. He tried to avoid that intriguing

question by dancing to the beat.

Riaan found the behaviour of Vikram suspicious. He pulled Vikram beside him, “Who

were you talking to?”

Vikram thought he can’t escape anymore. “J-Just the bride’s friend.”

“Why was she talking to you?” Riaan glared at Vikram with a raised eyebrow.

“Me? No, I talked to her. I was just simply asking her this… that… as I have never

met her before.” Vikram stuttered.

“This? That? Are you saying you have never met your cousin’s friend?” the prying

eyes of Riaan bothered Vikram.

“You know what I am sleepy. Why don’t you lend your shoulder for me to lean?”

Vikram asked a distracting question.

“You haven’t answered my question yet”, said Riaan with a frown. But lost patience

when he saw Vikram with eyes closed and pretended to yawn.

They reached the resort venue by four in the evening. Vikram stretched his body to

break the fatigue of the five hour journey. Riaan carried their luggage and checked in

their rooms.

“Why not separate rooms? I want to have some peace. That loud music crashed my

brain.”

“I afraid you might escape if I leave you alone” Vikram scoffed.

Riaan stared at Vikram as if arrows shooting from them.

“Fine. I will leave you alone. I will be back by six. Get ready. I kept your ironed suit in

the closet. Don’t be lazy” Vikram slammed the door behind leaving Riaan alone.

Riaan eyes was fixated on the ceiling watching the rotating fan with devoid of

emotion. His sight deviated to the silky, bright white curtains that overlooked the

balcony. His lids grew heavier as he watched the swaying curtains. His next thought

was that woman. Her hair danced in the air when the wind blown. He felt a deep

prick in his heart when the memories of the past flooded his mind. He squeezed his

eyes tight to forget everything and he was asleep before he knew it.

Vikram was dressed in his elite black tailored suit and wore a black man boots. He

looked mature with his hair all styled with wax. He rushed inside the room while

shouting. “Hurry, Riaan…” and froze when he saw Riaan still sleeping. He threw a

pillow at Riaan. It went straight Riaan’s head. Riaan grumbled looking at Vikram. He

rubbed his eyes and patted his face to clear his mind.

“I said be ready by six, but you are still in bed. “Vikram grabbed the suit from the

closet and laid it on the bed. He pulled Riaan by his hand forcefully. He pushed him

inside the washroom and closed the door behind him. Vikram smirked when he

heard Riaan screaming inside “WHY DON’T YOU LEAVE ME ALONE!”

Vikram sat on the couch while scrolling his phone. He didn’t seem to notice the

presence of frustrated Riaan who lost his patience when he was styling his unruly

hair.

To gain his attention, Riaan called Vikram. “I am here. Why are you calling…” he

paused looking at Riaan. Riaan looked gorgeous in his navy blue three-piece suit.

The crescent moon shaped brooch with the golden flower at the tip glimmered in the

room light. His dense bouncy hair was set neatly with the scented hair gel.

Vikram covered his mouth with his hand when he looked at his handsome friend.

“Enough. Stop staring.” Riaan dragged Vikram out and locked their room.

They walked downstairs to reach the reception hall at the resort they stayed in. They

entered the hall filled with hundreds of people. A complete chaos. The people were

shaking hands, hugging and laughing as if they have met after a long time. The

flowers hanging on the walls of the luxurious hall released a sweet scent that mixed

with the air elevated the wedding mood.

“Don’t leave me alone, Vikram. I’ll be completely lost. I don’t know anyone, and it’s all

so overwhelming.” Riaan felt his rising pulse when he held his wrist. He was

nervous.

“Come on, Riaan! My relatives are harmless... unless you’re afraid of aunties

pinching your cheeks and uncles asking about your marriage plans.”

Vikram teased Riaan. Riaan shot a daring glance, clenched his jaw and tightened his

fist implying the anger. Vikram’s eyes widened, and he nodded hastily, “Okay, okay,

I’ll behave!”

Amidst the argument, Riaan’s eyes fell on the person who was standing in opposite

corner of the room. He couldn’t believe his eyes. He rubbed his eyes again and

again. He turned to face Vikram.

Vikram who was puzzled by Riaan’s action, “What are you doing, silly?”

Riaan’s smile widened and his face bloomed with amusement. He pointed to the

corner.

“Charu…” Riaan said in soft, gentle, deep voice.

“I know that’s Charu. What is your problem?”

“I mean, how is she here?”

“I told you in the morning. Remember, the bride’s friend?

“That girl was CHARU…” Riaan yelled. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Riaan asked in a

stern voice.

Vikram wanted to mess with Riaan. “Why should I? I thought you hate her since you

rejected her confession four years before. I didn’t want to spoil your mood” he

shrugged his shoulders. 

Riaan would have definitely put his friend in headlock if they were not in the

reception hall.

He stared at Charu. Riaan’s heart thumped against his ribs, loud and clear. He was

intrigued by the glorious sight. His college friend Charu was in the same room as

him. She moved around like a swan when she was addressing the relatives.

She wore a dusty pink lehenga that shimmered in the evening light. Her big white

pearl earrings were peeking from her loose unbraided wavy hair. Her face beamed

like the bright full moon.

His unwavering admiring moment was interrupted when Vikram scoffed.

“She will never know unless you tell.” Vikram put his arm around Riaan’s shoulder.

“Do you think she will listen to me after what I have done to her?”

“If I were her, I would never want to see you face.” Riaan lost the tiny hope he had in

his mind when he heard that.

“But we don’t know about Charu. I think you should try.” Vikram patted Riaan’s

shoulder and left to catch up with his long-time childhood friends.

Riaan took careful steps and walked near her, his eyes fixed on her. When their

gazes locked, Charu’s lips curled into a soft smile. Riaan’s heart skipped a beat.

“Hi, long time no see.”

“Yeah” she said in a plain gentle tone and looked away from him.

Riaan sensed the awkwardness in the air. “Y-You are G-Gorgeous” the words caught

up in his mouth.

He expected her response. His heart clenched when she just smiled.

Riaan was determined not to spoil the second chance. Even though his mind was

filled with endless questions like ‘Will she forgive me?’ ‘Will she listen to me?’ ‘Will

she believe me if I say I regret rejecting her?’     

“I tried to contact you before” he said while looking at her, “but …heard you changed

your number. I thought I will never meet you again. He felt a deep prick in his voice

when he said that.

Charu looked at him with an empty stare. “That’s what you asked of, in case you

forgot.”

A sudden tinge of pain pierced his heart.

He tried to convince her. “Charu, I am sorry, I…” paused when a man called her

name.

He turned around to see. A man in his twenties approached her. His white shirt and

navy trousers turned many heads as he walked.

“Charu, here.” He handed her a brown paper bag. “And who is this?”

“Just a college mate, Riaan.” she said unbothered.

The word ‘Just’ carried many bitter memories and regrets.

The man extended his hand, “Hi, I am Rishi.” “And I am….Charu’s office colleague”

said flashing a shy smile. That smile made understood that Rishi has feelings for

Charu.

Riaan was consumed by a raging jealousy. Riaan wanted to convince her.

“Sorry, Riaan. I have to borrow you friend. Yet, it was nice to meet you. Catch you up

after sometime.” He grasped her by shoulders and went outside the hall.

 Riaan watched her as she walked away. Her face burned in jealousy when he held

her hand.

“Bad timing, right? May be you are late…” Vikram added oil to the fuming fire.

Riaan’s face looked gloomier than any day. He froze on the chair while everyone was

celebrating. He blamed himself for being stuck inside the maze that he created. His

head towards every direction Charu went. He didn’t even realise he was smiling like

a child who looks at the candy when he saw her. A quick change of expression in his

face the moment he found that Rishi following her around. She went up to the stage

for clicking a group photo. Rishi trailed behind her and stood very close to her. Riaan

stood up in anger but Vikram stopped him.

“Fool! Stop being grumpy. Open your eyes and see her face. She is uncomfortable.

That’s not her boyfriend. If you ask me, I will say, she doesn’t even like him as

friend.”

He stood calmly and watched her. “Vikram, Can I be honest?”

“You should always be” Vikram confronted in a deep voice.

“I love Charu.”

“Finally!” Vikram let out a big sigh.

“Do you think she will love me…Again…?” Riaan muttered slowly.

“Just talk to her with same guts you had when you rejected her. Simple” Vikram gave

a cool shrug.

Riaan realised his friend was smart enough to give advice but not enough to read the

room.

Riaan waited for her below the stage. When everyone on the stage dispersed, Charu

turned around to get down. But she froze when saw Riaan. She avoided eye contact

with Riaan and took long strides with Rishi following her.

Riaan rushed before and stopped her. “I have something to say”

“Well, I am not interested” she snapped at him.

“Please” he looked at her like a sad puppy.

A weird feeling wrapped her. She wanted to talk to him but she doesn’t want to get

hurt again. She could not able to handle those contradictory feelings.

While she was lost in thoughts and Riaan’s eyes filled with hope, they were

interrupted by the nosy meddler, Rishi.

“Charu, Shall we go?” he held her waist. A feeling disgust made her skin crawl. But

she never reacted because Riaan was still looking at her.

Riaan dragged Charu beside him and looked at Rishi with glaring stare. While there

was tension in the air, Vikram pulled Rishi near him. “Hi, I heard you are my cousin’s

colleague. I would like to know about you, bro and how things are….” Vikram turned

around and winked at Riaan and gestured a thumbs up.    

As she was annoyed by the drama, Charu tossed Riaan’s hand and rushed out.

Riaan ran behind her and found her resting by the pool.

“Are you mad? You chose to be with him just to annoy me?” Riaan yelled.

“Don’t flatter yourself.” She said as she continued to stare at the water.

Riaan grabbed her and puller her above. She winced in pain as his grip grew tighter.

“You are hurting me”

He loosened his grip and walked further from her. He stroked his hair in frustration.

He hushed close to her. His gaze fixed on her. She squeezed her eyes tightly. She

felt his breath on her face. Shivers ran down her spin and feet began to lose the

balance. He smirked when her cheeks turned red like a fresh apple. He was amused

as he saw her like this for the first time.

He sat down at the edge of the pool. Charu opened her eyes slowly only to see

laughing Riaan.

Charu was annoyed. But at same time she admired Riaan who smiling like a fool.

Her eyes traced his features. His face glowed in the bright blue pool light.

Riaan gestured her to sit beside him. Instead she asked an intimidating question.

“Shall I take revenge?”

Riaan was dumbfounded and looked at her with confused eyes.

“A revenge for making me cry, four years before”

Riaan stared deeply at the water and said, “I am sorry-

Before he could finish his sentence, he was pushed into the pool, splashing water

everywhere.

Charu laughed hysterically while looking at the drenched Riaan. “That’s your

punishment.”

Riaan’s melting gaze stopped her. “Are you happy?” he asked.

“Does that matter to you?” she raised her eyebrow.

“Yeah” he said softly.

“Aren’t you a ruthless person who said you never want to see me again?”

“I have never forgiven myself for saying those words”

“You wanted to talk to me just because you want me to forgive you?”

“Stop asking questions and listen to me.”

“Fine but stay in the water” she gave a mischievous grin. Charu sat near the edge

and listened to him.

“At first I was shocked when you confessed. I have never been in love before. I didn’t

know how to handle that situation. Because I have never thought of you more than a

good friend. I thought if we were in touch it might hurt you, seeing the person who

rejected you every day. But I didn’t know I will hurt too. I missed our fights, our hang

outs. I felt lonely even when I was in crowd. Suddenly the world seemed boring

without you. I tried to call you with your birthday as an excuse. That when I have

found that you changed your number. You cut off all our mutual connections. I was

completely lost. Before I could realise, I was not myself anymore.”

His eyes welled up in tears. He let out all the emotions that he had suppressed for

years. He looked above to see her. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She continued to

wipe looking down.

He swam near her. He cupped her face in his hands. She stared deeply into his

eyes.

“Before knowing I have already fell for you. I will not let go of you once again.” He

carefully stroked her hair back, tucking it behind her ears. Her face glowed with a

deep blush and he could feel the warmth in his fingertips.

He swam to the middle of the pool and shouted, “Miss Charu Chandrasekhar, listen

carefully.”

“I have never forgotten you since the moment you left me. I have loved you, longed

for you, and missed you every day. I am heads over heel for you, dear. Please,

forgive me and accept my love” he pleaded

Charu bursts into a joyful laughter. As she extended her hand to help him out of the

pool, her eyes travelled from his face to toe, and smiled at Riaan who was shivering

in cold, night breeze.

“You still haven’t said an answer” Riaan stuttered.

“Do you know you are dumb sometimes or may be every time…?”

A big splash. The next instant, both Riaan and Charu were submerged in the pool.

They resurfaced, wiping their faces and gasping for air. Riaan’s baffled expression

deepened when he saw Vikram and Rishi exchanging a victory high-five.

“YOU TWO!” Charu yelled with blazing eyes at Vikram and Rishi, “Why did you push

me?” Still confused Riaan frowned at Vikram, “What’s going on?” in a cold voice as

his patience dropped below.

“Congratulations on finally finding a girlfriend!” Vikram teased, grinning. “You owe

Rishi a big thank you – he played matchmaker extraordinaire.”

Riaan’s eyes narrowed. “Vikram, why are you teaming up with him?”

Vikram chuckled, ruffling Rishi’s hair. “He’s my cousin, and I laugh with him. What’s it

to you?”

Riaan tasted the feeling of betrayal. He looked at Charu with ‘explain me’ eyes.

“I saw Vikram in Chennai last month. He convinced me to give you a chance”, Riaan

gazed at Vikram with his soft eyes, “Even though I was hesitant, I wanted to you

meet for one last time. I had no idea they’d planned this until this morning.”

“Then, what can I do when being dumb and another running away? I have to take

steps. I don’t want my friends to die as bachelors.” Again he shrugged his shoulders.

Riaan hugged Charu, “Never run away again” and stroked her hair.

Charu hugged his even tighter, “You forgot, I still haven’t said my answer”, snuggled

her head inside his neck.

Vikram scoffed, and turned to Rishi, “You might have heard that people in love will

become mad. That is normal. Now witness, two mad people falling in love.”

Vikram grabbed Rishi’s hand and shouted, “Don’t blame me if you caught cold

tomorrow”, while walking away and smacked his head in disbelief as the love birds

are still in the water.

By Saranya Devaraj