**
*Rejection is a common occurrence. Learning that early and often will help you build up the tolerance and resistance to keep going and keep trying.*
He ran a hand through his ruffled hair and bite his lower lip when Priyanka slammed the door. Karan was feeling frustrated at the moment.
He needed to go away from her before he do something stupid. Grandmother was not going to think twice before getting him married.
But what will he tell her when he gets home?
With this thought in place, Karan increased his speed, going at 263mph.
When he arrived home, his family was sitting in the living room discussing. Saraswati was watching a photo album with Alia.
Grandmother was the first time see him. Quickly, she told the rest and they looked towards the door.
"Are you okay?" Salem stood, behind him.
"My Lion, come here dear" Grandmother Ganga urged. She did not like the look on her grandson's face. It was clear that something crazy has happened. But what could it be?
"What happened to him? Saraswati dropped the album on the floor when she saw her son. His hair was messy and fickle. He did not button his shirt. It revealed his hot chest for all to see.
"I don't know, aunt. I was going out when he drove in as a lunatic" Salem spoke. "We almost ran into each other's car at the gate."
"Oh, mine..." Her heart skipped a beat. What made him so angry like this? "Come here, Karan. Let me attend to your wounds if you have any."
Karan licked his upper lips and nodded "Do not bother yourself, mother. I did not hurt myself this time."
"Do you fight with someone?" Aunt Jigyasa walked to where he was standing and asked. She wanted him to survive but he rejected her offer.
"I broke up with Priyanka," Karan said, waiting for their reaction.
They were surprised that it did not last long. Nobody spoke again. There was silence in the room. He was not expecting them to be this calm after hearing such news.
"I'm feeling hot right now" Aunt Jigyasa sat on the sofa. She felt dizzy.
"Take water to your aunt, Alia" Saraswati told Alia. The young girl took the cup from the table and gave it to her aunt "But why did you break up with her?"
"Well, she deemed it appropriate I don't want to talk about it" Karan shrugged.
"But this is a serious ma..."
"Let it, Saraswati. You heard my Lion, he does not want to discuss it" Grandmother Ganga Interrupted. "The girl who made my grandson to feel this kind of pain does not deserve to come into this home."
"It is not her fault, Grandmother" Karan said. "I will marry Aarti. Please get a priest to look at the horoscopes. Have a nice day."
Saraswati watched him go upstairs. She was surprised that he gave up so soon on the girl, he claimed to love "Grandmother, we should intervene as elders and talk to Priyanka. I'm worried."
"Don't be. I'm glad that their relationship came to an end" She declined. "A woman, who had such effect on our grandson is not good for his health. You can see how messy, he was earlier."
"But we can..."
"Please drop the topic. I don't like her again. Get Karan's horoscope."
Saraswati did not argue again. She did not know what happened and that they ended their relationship so quickly. If they were meant for each other, fate will bring them back together.
**
"I'm still in shock" Salem shut the door, after him. Karan narrated the whole story. "Priyanka rejected you just like that?"
"Yes, she did" He yelled. "Must you tell everyone about it?"
Salem laughed, clapping his hands. He stopped when he noticed that his cousin was angry "fine, I'm sorry but, this is the first time you have been rejected. It must have been difficult for you to accept it."
"Do you know how I felt? Like a fool in front of that little girl" He removed his shirt and threw it on the floor. "Priyanka told me no, to my face."
"Well, you can't buy her with money. I told you the plan will work but..." He took a step forward and added "Why did you have to tell her that money can buy anything? Your terms are already tough. You make it seem like she was entering a contract marriage with the devil."
"Who am I?" Karan tilted to his side.
Salem ignored the question and continued "well, it is too late now. From what you today me, she was very furious and there is no hope of seeing each other again."
"Yes, I'm traveling out of the country tomorrow. Kieran's graduation is this week. I don't want to miss it."
"I will come along too."
Karan rummaged through his wardrobe, looking for the perfect shirt to wear. The weather was cold. He found a turtlenecked long sleeve and wore it.
"Where are you going now?" Salem was afraid. Whenever he was angry, things did not turn out to be cool. It would be better if Karan stayed indoors for today.
"I am going to visit Ira" He put on a watch on his wrist and glared into the mirror.
"Oh, your rehabilitation center" He joked. Salem knew that Karan was going to be mad for saying that but it was the truth.
Ira works at their hospital as a psychiatrist. She was also a best friend of Karan's older sister, who was not in the country at the moment. Ira was a family friend to them. She was thirty years old, which means Karan was four years younger.
"Don't mess with me, Salem. I will call you when I get there" He took the car keys and hurried downstairs. When the women saw him, they were surprised that he was going out again.
Karan overhead them, arguing if he was going to see Priyanka. He shook his head and went to the car. They got a topic to discuss for the evening.
After driving for Forty-five minutes, the car skidded to a halt in front of a creamy building. There was a red Jeep parked in front. He knocked on the door and waited patiently.
It opened and an average height woman appeared. She looked like she was in her early twenties even though she was thirty years old. Her pink lips curled into a smile when she saw him.
"Ira," Karan called. "Can I come in?"
"Y-yes" The woman gave way for him to pass. She was not expecting him to show up anytime soon.
Ira locked the door after him. Before she could ask Karan what happened, he pulled her tiny waist into his strong arms and pressed his lips on hers.