Well Known Strangers

She was tossing and turning in her bed with restlessness, it’s his birthday, and Yes It’s him, Sekhar!! Sekhar ruled her life for the past 5 years, and now she is nothing for him, just a someone, her mind was in a chaos, she wanted to wish him, how can she forget him and the things related him, he was her everything, he was there for her in all her hurdles, he helped her in every aspect of her life, he was there for her, but now what has happened , everything turned to be the other way , It’s been exactly an year they spoke with each other , that was the day she exactly told him , “I’m afraid what will be our position next year” He replied “Even I’m Afraid of that Anu” and exactly after an year on the same day, they turned out to be “WELL KNOWN STRANGERS”

She has tried to contact him in many ways, but he was strong enough to avoid her, but she was strong in all aspects, and her only weakness is HIM!! She herself tried to avoid him in many ways , deleted his contact , deleted from facebook , deleted from Watsapp , involved herself in many other things , but even though she kept herself busy , at the back of her mind , his thoughts and his memories do run !! He was her life , whatever she does to avoid him , she cannot avoid his memories at all , she even tried killing herself , but the thought of her parents , is what stopped her from committing suicide, the agony they will go through coz of her , so she backed off from that idea of suicide , she is living in his memories , in her past with him , her soul was with him , only her body is present here , how can she move on? Can she move on without him? She backed off from the idea off suicide but literally dying to live everyday without him!

She wanted to talk with him, but she knew well that it won’t work out, coz he was stubborn enough to avoid her. She is still in a dilemma whether to call or message.. What if he again avoids her? Can she bear that pain? She is already under agony, can she bear more pain.

She deleted his number long back from her mobile but she cannot erase it from her mind and heart, it has been inscribed with golden letters in her mind, not only his number, his every detail. She typed his number in her mobile , time was 11:55 P.M , 5 more minutes to go , her heart was racing , her finger went on to the dialing button , she disconnected the call , she was afraid , how will he react ?

“Will he talk or cut the call?” she was thinking

With all the courage she mustered, she saved his number “My Life” then opened her Watsapp, refreshed the contacts. There appeared his contact number, she saw his picture, memories came back, and her tears started rolling down, she typed a message in Watsapp

“Many Many happy returns of the day”

There came only a single tick , which means it hasn’t been delivered to him , she thought , his last seen was some 10:30pm ‘what happened , why did my message didn’t get delivered?’ she cried herself to bed , “Why jaanu , why are you doing this to me?

She woke up with the incessant ringing of her alarm, her hands were searching for her mobile with closed eyes to turn off the alarm, but she couldn’t find, finally she opened her eyes and found her mobile, there were a few notifications on face book and few messages, she opened her Watsapp again to check whether her message has been delivered or not, Yes!! It has been delivered, and for her surprise he even replied to her message, her eyes fluttered wide open, all that sleep has vanished in to thin air, there was no bound for her happiness on reading his message it read “Thank you very much, so many things to say but not able to express…” on seeing his reply she sat upright in her bed, ‘what, he replied to me!!’, she kissed her mobile in happiness:-P

She was happy , it was short but it conveyed a lot of message  , she was simply jumping with joy , his reply gave her an instant energy , she again replied to his message “Have a nice day ahead” , she wanted to pour out all her feelings , she wanted to call him immediately , But again many ‘what if’  questions has raised in her mind ‘what if he just put a reply out of courtesy’ ‘what if he thinks that I’m just over reacting’ so she decided to put a simple message and leave it ‘What a great start’ she thought happily and started her routine daily work , today she was something different , a smile has been plastered on her face , after a very long time….

She came from her usual morning walk and was getting ready for her office, time was 8:30 AM, she was in a dilemma, and she wanted to wish him exactly at 9:10 AM, thinking about this, she has gone back into the past when he himself asked her to wish at that time.

It was some 4 years back, it was his first birthday after their love life has begun, she wished him at 12 exactly, it was then he asked her

“I want you to wish me exactly at 9:10 AM Anu, Will you?”

“I will, Can I know the reason?”

“It was the exact time I’ve come into this world; I want my jaanu to wish me exactly on that time”

“Definitely, I will, anything for you sire!” she said dramatically, every year after that it has become a ritual for her to wish him at that time.

She took her mobile and typed a message

“Happy Birthday Sekhar , Its 9:10 AM , what to do , November 7^th has become a part of my life , it’s a big day for me , sorry to disturb you, will not disturb you again!” she pressed the send button and closed her eyes , she was afraid , what would be his reaction , will he reply or ignore ?

There came an instant reply from him and from there begins their conversation, it continued like this:

Sekhar – “Did I tell you that you are disturbing me?”

Anu – “No not like that, but…”

Sekhar – “You know what, even I forgot about this 9:10 AML”

Anu – “How can I forget? You know I’m a psycho:-D”

Sekhar – “Everyone knew who that is”

Anu – “Nope, it’s me” there was no reply from him again, she sent him a message

Anu – “Thank you so much for replying, it really meant a lot to me!” this was her message

Sekhar – “I posted a status on facebook, that was for you only :-)” she hurriedly opened her facebook and searched for his profile, she has un-friend him so she cannot see any of his updates, she got his profile and the status read

“Thankful to those who remembered EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING about me!”

Tears started rolling down her cheeks seeing his status, memories started flooding her, she doesn’t want this day to end especially the chat which is going between them, maybe she will not have another chance to talk with him, she was afraid he might again ignore her, she wanted the time to pause, here at this moment to stop forever and ever! :-(  :-(

She is trying to control all her emotions that are engulfing her, It is hard to suppress the emotions that have been bottled up inside us, the same has happened with her , she couldn’t control her tears anymore , in between her sobs she replied him

Anu – “How can I forget anything about you?”

Sekhar – “How can I?” it was his instant reply, there was no way that she could stop her tears anymore, she has gone back to the time when they first met.

Everything was still as fresh as a dew drop; it was on her birthday, some few years back , it was her friend who called her to wish on her birthday , when she received the call , it was someone else , “Who is this?” was her question

“You need to say thank you my dear” he said, she understood they were high on alcohol, so she disconnected the call.

Early next day there was a message on her mobile, “Sorry Anu” from an unknown number.

She replied “who is this?”

“You’re FriendJ”

“Your name?”

“Sekhar”

“I don’t know you”

“But why can’t we be friends now?”

“Sorry I don’t entertain strangers”

A smile has been plastered on her face thinking about how funny their first talk was. She came into this world, saw her mobile, there were few messages, she opened, they were from him. He sent a picture of the watch she has given him some few years back, and asked her

Sekhar – “Do you remember this?”

Anu – “How can I forget that?”

Sekhar – “:)”

Anu – “I thought you have completely ignored me”

Sekhar – I have not deliberately left you, situations were like that”

Anu – “Yes I know, that’s what, I thought at least to forget me…… I thought …..You would have …..”

He sent her all the pic’s she has uploaded in watsapp and facebook in this one year and selected a pic and told; “You are looking beautiful in this” She was shocked on seeing all this “What?” there was an happiness in her that he didn’t forget her , but again the reality has dawned upon her that he can never be her’s not now , at least not in this life , and now her heart was weeping silently for the love , which has been long lost in the battle.

Her mobile blinked again, she opened, it was him again it read

“You were my life for some 4+years, now these will be my sweet nothing’s for the rest of my life”

She thought to herself  ‘I want to be your life’ but she didn’t express any of her feelings to him , which she wanted to do with all her heart , pour out all her feelings , leaving behind everything and get back to him , the love of her life , ‘why life was so unfair with me , God why us!!’

Everyone used to envy their couple not that they are beautiful or gorgeous, but they are happy in their own imperfections, a perfect couple, who defined true love!!

LOVE!! It’s the reason for happiness, as well as unhappiness, we never knew whether that gonna be the reason for our happiness or sadness, unless and until life plays its cards on us!!! It’s a bitter fact to digest in our life , As the most prominent saying goes “Love comes to us when less desired , and leaves us when desired the most” , She needs him the most in her life now ,and the same goes with him, but then god has something else in store for them!

She could remember every minute and every second they have spent with each other, those memories, those words. She could still remember every moment with all details. She was lost in the reverie of the olden moments.

“Anu… Anu” it was her mom calling, she quickly wiped away her tears and shouted “Ha coming ma!” and went into the kitchen to find her mom

“Here, take your breakfast , See the time baby , it’s getting late” her mom told and got busy with her household chores , her mother hasn’t seen her face , one look at her face anyone can say that she was crying , her puffy eyes and swollen cheeks indicates them easily.

She came back to her room with her breakfast, to find few messages from him, she opened them

Sekhar – “So how’s life Anu”

Anu –“A really tough question Sekhar”

Sekhar-“:)”

Anu-“You know what, I have deleted you from Facebook, Whatsapp everything, but you have been inscribed in my <3 , nothing can be deleted from my heart”

Sekhar- “What!! What kind of logic is that Anu? If we are not friends in Facebook, can we move on? ”

Anu-“ It’s not a logic to move on , I have done all that to avoid you , the mere thought of you , causes a turbulence in my heart , I don’t have the courage to see you like that , sorry Sekhar , if I have hurt you”

Sekhar-“you have never hurted me to till date, I am the one hurting you”

“Baby, it’s getting late for you, are you done with your breakfast?” her mom came in to check her

“Yeah mom, I’m leaving” she put her breakfast aside, kept her things in her handbag and was about to start, her mom called her back

“What’s this Ananya??? You haven’t eaten anything?” she pulled her back and fed her.

“Ok Mom, Enough, it’s getting late, got to go, See you” she placed a peck on her cheek and left for office.

Only her body was present but her thoughts were in her past, when the last time they have met each other, they never knew that would be their last time to see each other. She has gotten into her bus and was lost in her dreamland.

“It was a friend’s wedding , As Sekhar was working , he lives in Chennai and Anu at her home town along with her parents , it was a two day’s trip to Hyderabad, they both were meeting each other after a long gap , both were excited to see each other. They couldn’t stand any long to see each other , Sekhar was waiting for her train to arrive , her train arrived and the look in their eyes after seeing each other , their eyes spoke a lot , the longing to see each other , to spend the quality time with each other , he took her hand and squeezed tightly, they looked into each other’s eyes. And their began the wonderful trip which left her with many nostalgic memories, After getting freshen up at their friend’s place, first they started their shopping for her oncoming birthday, Anu was busily bargaining with the vendor for a pair of slippers, its girly thing you know:p , Sekhar was calling her “Anu Anu” , the way he was calling her , she didn’t respond to him , she wanted him to call her for some more time. He came near her and called “Anu.. “ she turned towards him forgetting about her bargaining and totally mesmerized in him, there was a kind of magic in his voice in which she gets lost in a trance. He took her hand and pulled her from the oncoming crowd, “Buy whatever you want, I’m there for you, and don’t bargain dear” he told

“Sekhar it’s a girly thing, you can never understand it” she winked at him

He was smiling at her childish behavior, and caressed her hair gently, “Idiot” he scolded her with all love and affection, she smiled at him broadly.

“Come lets go , it’s getting late” it was almost 6 in the evening , she has been shopping for everyone from morning , and Sekhar took her to all the places she wanted , she felt blessed to have a guy like him in her life , there are very few guys who can understand a girl like him. Time flew by waiting for none; they both were having the time of their life, now it was time to bid bye for the day , he dropped her at her friend’s hostel , and he was trying to leave , but his heart was not letting him to go, he parked his bike aside which he bought from a friend for the day , took her hand walked along with her for some distance , she placed her head on his shoulder and were walking , gulping in every second they are spending with each other. It was the time of her life, most memorable moment ever, images captured in their mind for a lifetime J . Finally he left the place with incessant calls from her brother to reach his room.

Next day, went by swiftly at the wedding , later in the afternoon , Anu discreetly slipped out and shopped a shirt for him , after the marriage has been done ,they both started to railway station to catch up with their trains. She has given him the shirt at the railway station , and to her surprise , he presented her with a collection of all her favorite author books , she loves books , he has given her many books , but now he has given her , her favorite authors books , she was jumping with joy ,”Thanks Sekhar” she thought of surprising him , but in turn he surprised her.

Sekhar’s train was already on the platform , he found his berth , kept the luggage inside and came out , they both were talking , and their came an announcement of the arrival of her train , they both looked at each other , he doesn’t want to leave and the same with her , there came another announcement that his train was ready for departure , No one spoke anything , they were looking at each other , with heavy hearts ,waving bye , Anu stood there on the platform looking at his train disappear and becoming tinier and tinier , she walked back to her platform towards her train , wiped away the oncoming tears. They never thought that would be their last meet, if at all they would have known, they would have never left each other on that day. She still remembers the look in his eyes on that day. She wiped away the tears thinking that this departure is just for some time, and again they will meet not leaving each other for a second ,she opened the book he has given  and started reading.”

She wiped away those tears that escaped from her eyes, and got down the bus walking towards her office.

She was walking towards her office, her mind was in chaos ‘Will he fight for me now or will he leave me again like in the past. Shall I stop talking with him? Am I getting attached to him again. No I cannot do that, I will continue talking with him , whatever happens , I cannot leave him now. What if, the same happens again, can you bear the pain again?’ One part of her is saying to continue and the other part was saying to forget him and move on, she took out her mobile and dialed her best buddy Ashu. She didn’t receive the call. She swiped her card went inside, trying to concentrate on her work, but couldn’t , she wanted to find an answer for the questions that is running in her mind , then came into her mind , her once upon a time best friend Divya, Yes! She was her once upon a time best friend cause she didn’t like the decision of Anu Loving Sekhar; she was against her on that issue from the beginning.

To the past-

“Sekhar and Anu became close with each other in a very less span of time, Sekhar always used to ask her indirectly in many ways, whether she loves him or not, finally one day he asked her directly, “Do you love me Anu?” It has taken her 6 months of time to accept him into her life, and the main reason behind that being FAMILY! She knew well about her family, she was not against love but she couldn’t go against her family, as well as she cannot say no to him! One day Sekhar finally asked her “Please give me some answer, Anu , I’m dying to know the answer , please Anu” she looked away from him , ‘God , how can I tell him’

“What happened Anu? Am I not the right one for you? Please say something, your silence is killing me!! Whatever it is I will take it!” he told firmly

“Sekhar just give me 1 day time, I will tell you”

Next day early in the morning, she woke up , went to temple for some peace of mind , but still she couldn’t find any peace there ,how can she find peace anywhere when she needs to find peace from within , from there she went to her best buddy Divya’s place ,

“Hi Darling” Divya hugged her, she found that something was wrong , Anu poured her heart out in front of her

“Then forget him Anu” she told her in simple words , she never thought Divya would simply say like that , but she believed in her and finally decided to say no to him ,she left to her home after spending some time with her.

With all the courage she had, she dialed his number

“Hello” he answered her call in the first ring

“Sekhar” her voice was coarse

“Tell Anu , I’m waiting” She closed her eyes and thought for a second

“I LOVE YOU Sekhar” she never knew what happened to her at that moment , but she understood , she loves him from the core of her heart , that is what  made her to accept him leaving behind everything.

She hasn’t disclosed her decision to Divya , later on after a few months when Anu disclosed , Divya couldn’t digest it and stopped talking with her , she thought one day Divya will understand her , but never did she understood her and her feelings.

To the present –

Now she felt like asking her once again, but her heart said no! , her mobile was flashing, she opened to see who it was, it was Sekhar

Sekhar- “Always be happy Anu”

Anu –  “Happiness??”

Sekhar- “Please jaanu , atleast for me”

Anu – “I’m happy outwardly but I’m dying inside daily :-).

Sekhar – :-(

Anu – “Don’t worry , its not because of you , My Life is like that!”

Sekhar-“I know the reason , no need of saying anything”

Anu-“ No Sekhar not at all, Can I tell you one thing”

Sekhar – “Yes jaanu”

Anu-“ Give me one chance Sekhar , I will show you what life is”

Sekhar-“Anuu…”

Anu-“ Yeah  yeah I know that it can never happen, now you don’t worry”

Sekhar-“I Love You Anu, No one can ever replace you in my life , You are my everything, For me you are the only girl who can understand me . I fell in love with you when we were together, then fell deeper in love with you in the years we were apart. You know what I need you more in my life than you! ”

She felt like something was crushing from inside, she wanted him now , she wanted to wipe away his tears, but again , they cannot be together , not in this life!! She looked at their photograph, feeling utterly empty. ‘I didn’t know what I was supposed to say to him. My life is over there , beside him , getting wrapped up in his shoulders , My happiness , My Life is there with him , Why can’t you let me stay there God!! Why? Why are you punishing us?!’

“We are often insane with happiness. We are also very unhappy for reasons neither of us can do anything about. Like being separated.”

She took the photograph into her hands and stroking it gently, it was their first photograph together. She was in her worst attire possible, but that was the best memory she had in her life!

“She was in her final year of college; she’s been missing him from very long time as they both live in different places coz Sekhar has left for his job in Chennai, they made it a point that they should meet atleast once a month, but then from the last few months she’s been very busy with her final year project and placements, he didn’t want to disturb her at that time, coz it was very important in her life and a very crucial step in her life. There was an interview scheduled in the coming week with a prestigious firm, after that she would be free, so they have planned to meet after her interview gets done, but due to some unknown reason her interview has been postponed and their meeting has been cancelled because it has been scheduled on the very next day of their meet, she has been disturbed a lot with all those happenings. Sekhar cancelled his trip and asked her to concentrate on her interview, and told her that if she does well in that he is going to surprise her. She was excited to the zenith. With the help of her buddies, who have already done with their placements, she’s deeply engrossed in her preparation and waiting for the surprise he’s gonna give her! On the day before her interview, there came crashing news that the company has postponed their interview to a later date. She was totally depressed and frustrated, she couldn’t do well in the previous companies, and when she was ready for the interview, everything went like this; she dialed his number and told him everything.

“Shall I start today?” he asked her to make her feel better

“NO Sekhar, I want to enjoy the surprise you wanted to give me after getting placed, I don’t want to miss that”

“Not like that Jaanu, that surprise will always be there for you. I wanted to change your mood. I want you to be happy now, I cannot do that from here, and I want to be at your side now”

“Sekhar…” she was out of words, she felt blessed to have such a person in her life

“So I am starting today. And will be there by tomorrow.”

“No Sekhar, Don’t take that pain of coming now, let us meet after my interview. I’m happy Sekhar, your words are enough for me Jaan, they make me smile, and that’s enough for me.”

“Please Anu, I want to see you, it’s been a very long time” he asked her with ardency, she could imagine him making a puppy face, on the other side. , she smiled to herself.

“Now my dear jaanu, get back to your work and let’s meet after my interview and have a blast. You know even I planned a surprise for you :).”

“Jaaaaaaaaaaan…..” he was shouting into the receiver

“shhhh… calm down” she was laughing at his behavior.

Later , after some time one of her friend Ashu called her and asked Anu to get ready for a movie tomorrow

“Arey Ashu , have you gone mad? I have an interview, I need to prepare”

“Yaa , I know , it will be an relaxation for you also , it’s just an 2 hours , you can spare them I think”

“No dear, you know Sekhar planned a surprise, I need to get through this somehow please, I will not turn up”

“There is no other way, you need to come, and that’s it!!” she disconnected the call without hearing to what she has to say , she kept a message saying that she will not come. There was no reply from her, Anu ignored her,till late night she prodded over on all the topics and slept early in the morning. She was in deep slumber, when someone was pulling her legs, she turned to the other side and dozed off, but the same continued, with a deep annoyance, she opened her eyes to find Ashu there!!!

“Ashu , what are you doing here?” she asked her in surprise

“What? Don’t I have the right to be here?”

“Nothing like that dear, but you haven’t told me that you are coming?”

“Ok babes, chill, get ready”

“Where?”

“I have told you yesterday”

“NO I need to have some sleep, I’m dead tired Ashu please” and slumped back into her bed. Ashu pulled her bed sheet with which she was covering her head completely

“Ashu…” she made a crying face

“No ways please go freshen up”

“Psycho” she shouted with fury on her and left, she was ready in 20 min and they left the place. “You should have worn something else” Ashu was staring at her attire, “No Probs it’s just a movie” she stated back with still anger booming in her voice.

They were waiting near the bus stop, it’s been 20 min already, waiting for their friends, but none has turned up, “why are we waiting here? Ask them to come there directly Ashu”

“No Please wait” Anu gave her an arrogant look , Ashu looked away to avoid her looks ,she was in a frustration because Ashu was spoiling everything , she needs sleep , she needs to study , and then this girl bought her here and wasting her precious time. She was carelessly looking towards the road for any signs of their friends but none turned up. She looked at her watch and was seeing in Ashu’s direction who was standing a bit far from her :p she’s being careful enough to avoid from Anu ;), Anu turned her face away from Ashu and looked in the opposite direction , she saw a familiar person coming towards her , “WHAT!!!!! SEKHAR!!!!” there was a complete amazement in her face. She turned towards Ashu , who was grinning at her wickedly. ;)

“You planned all this?” she asked her.

“No it was his plan, I implemented: p” she replied still grinning, pointing towards Sekhar

Someone came from back and placed a hand around her, she turned to see who it was , the proud owner of the hand turned out to be Mani :), her friend , “Hey what are you guys up to?” she was bewildered seeing all of them here.

All three of them surrounded her smiling; Sekhar took out a Silk Chocolate from his pocket and handed it over to her. It was a routine for him to give her favorite chocolate every time they meet, she was out of words!”<3<3<3<3

“Life is so full of unpredictable beauty and strange surprises. Sometimes that beauty is too much for us to handle. Do you know that feeling? When something is just too beautiful? When someone says something or writes something or plays something that moves you to the point of tears, maybe even changes you.”

She wanted to go back to those wonderful days, where her whole world was her family, friends and Sekhar, but now in her today’s world office, tears and frustration is her only world!! <3

She was still looking at the photograph, not only that, reminding the best memories she had on that day, which was the best and the most memorable in her life, in every aspect!!

“Anu was excited and went hyper on seeing her best buddies and the person she wanted to spend the rest of her life, in his arms and will never stop loving no matter what comes your way. She can’t imagine life without him. He took her hand and led his way out.

“Where are we going Sekhar?” she asked him, he put a finger on his lips and asked her to follow him , she looked into eyes , they depicted the love he has on her , she put her around his waist and hugged him slightly.

“Ahem ahem…” hinted Ashu trying to get them back into this world, “Please check your surroundings my dears” she told , they were the awesome foursome gang!!!

“NO problem, Love birds you carry on, I love ‘love stories’” said Mani, winking at Ashu

Anu slightly hit him on his hand, “So what have you guys planned” she asked him

“We don’t even have the slightest idea, it’s all in your Janu’s hand” he told making a crying face

“Oh fine  … Then you will be having the best day” she said winking at Sekhar

They started their journey and he took to the Hill point view, the best place in whole city. As they were walking inside, Anu took Sekhar’s hand into his, she took his hand, took his palm

“You know Sekhar, these spaces” she said pointing towards the gaps in between his fingers , and continued “exist for my fingers to complete you” and placed her fingers in between them , holding them tightly , Sekhar gently caressed her fingers and place a slight kiss on her hand.

They walked till the end point, it was so chilly, as it was winter and the cool breeze was freezing them, Anu and Ashu were walking together now,   Anu was rubbing her hands to make herself warm, but the wind was blowing hard, her hair was blowing and her duppatta was going out of her control, she was trying to get that into place, Sekhar got hold of her duppatta and rolled her in it, Anu lost her balance, and her hands were tied up inside her duppatta , Sekhar caught hold of her and hugged her from back , she smelled the cologne that was coming from him , closed her eyes and took a deep breath , she was enjoying the moment when , when Mani shouted , “It’s Picture Perfect” and took a snap of them together , she was completely rolled up in her duppatta , and Sekhar holding her in his hands from back , “Perfect Moment” she thought , she was at bliss , and heaven was there right in front of her at that moment.  They all sat down and were chatting on some topics, Anu sat besides Sekhar leaned her head on his shoulder, and thought ‘what else she needs in her life, the best of her friends and her love!! Perfect moment, she clicked the image in her mind; it cannot be erased from her memory, never!! They spent some time there and from there went to have lunch in the nearby resorts. Sekhar was ordering all her favorite chicken dishes

“Yummy” she shouted, he put his hand around her shoulder, and told “I know what my Jannu” likes he said , they had a splendid lunch , Sekhar cleared the check and they came out , and next headed towards their next destination, their next destination was Beach , Beach and lovers always go together and a very special combination. !! Ashu and Mani bid them bye after having lunch and left the love birds alone, They sat facing towards the beach and she leaning on him , he put his hand around her , no words were spoken , they both were enjoying each and every moment . After some time Anu told “Sekhar I want to walk along the beachside”

“Do you have energy to do that?”

“With you besides me I can do anything.” She told and they started walking alongside the waves touching their feet and at some time allowing the waves to touch their feet, and sometimes playing with it not allowing them to touch their feet, They were completely indulged in it, forgetting time and forgetting how far they have come!

Sekhar’s mobile rang, It was Mani “it’s getting late” he continued “where are you people? Anu needs to leave Sekhar.” Mani was like a brother to her , who took care of her in every aspect and helped her in times of need , scolded her in times when she has done wrong , He was like a big brother who took care of her.

“Yeah yeah will be coming to Paradise , You both come there too , ok Mani , sorry for the late”

“No Probs Sekhar , Ok we will be waiting””

“They were about to start, Sekhar caught hold of her hand and asked her to sit for few minutes, they sat down, and Sekhar took out a envelope from his backpack and handed it over to her. She was shocked on seeing that, it was an offer letter from an MNC to work abroad as a Design Engineer.

“Wow super Sekhar!!! Congratulations!” she placed a small peck on his cheek

“Thanks Anu” he was smiling at her adorably, all of a sudden her expression changed into gloomy, Sekhar observed and asked her “What happened?”

“This means you will be leaving abroad!!”

“Yes Anu”

“Ohh….” She couldn’t speak out her words, but Sekhar sensed that something went wrong, he asked her, “Why? Is something wrong?”

“No nothing” she tried to conceal her emotions, he took her face into his and asked, “Tell me Jaanu, I can understand something is wrong!” he asked her gently, embracing her.

Tears started rolling down her cheeks, “this means we cannot see each other at all” she asked him like a kid, who needs to stay in a hostel for a few years leaving her parents. He laughed at her childish behavior and told her “Jaanu, we are separated by distance, I will never be out of your reach, Now smile jaanu, I have come here to make you smile but not to see you like this” he said wiping away the tears and pulling her cheeks, she hugged him hard getting hold of his collor and continued “I Miss You Sekhar” she placed her head on his chest, no one spoke anything, he broke the silence, “I’m always with you till my last breath” he told her softly and kissed gently on her forehead. She smiled at him wiping away her tears. They started from there to meet him Mani and Ashu who are waiting for them.

They met Mani and Ashu at Paradise ,Mani looked at her face and asked him “Did she cry ,Sekhar?” and bursted into peals of laughter , she hit him hard and said “Shut up Mani” , Sekhar also joined in his laughter , “Be careful man” he told to Mani and winked at him. They had their dinner and went to drop him at the bus station.

Anu and Sekhar were looking at each other, he was seated inside the bus , he wanted to stay with her , but he cannot , she stood there watching as the bus was going far and far from her , her heart was heavy that he left but was content and full with the memories he left with her. Her mobile blinked and it was a message from him “I’m not going anywhere Anu, I’m staying in India only and you know what, we shall fly together after our marriage :) :) :). Keep smiling; I cannot see tears in your eyes anytime. Please jaanu don’t cry. Love You”

“Love you Sekhar” she replied instantly, she was feeling blessed to have him in her life, what else she needs in her life, a guy who completely understands her , a guy who does anything for her. A guy who cares for her, like her father. Life was at bliss!!!

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