Always on my Mind
Chapter 1
It was 12 am and Miami Club was buzzing with activity. The music was deafening.
'Ayesha you look hot! Lucky you, Daya. I really envy you man!' said his friend.
Ayesha beamed and moved closer to Daya.
Daya didn't say anything. He merely smiled.
'So when are you guys planning to get engaged?' asked their friend.
'Whoa wait a minute! Engaged? Where did that come from? You know I have a 'Commitment Phobia', don't you? And for that matter Daya too! We are happy the way we are. I am loving this Live- in - Relationship thingy! I mean you get to live with the person you love yet the other way round you don't have any responsibilities. I get nervous just by the spelling the word 'Commitment' and trust me this is fun. Unfortuantely, there are some nutters who just don't understand!' said Ayesha.
Daya looked at her sharply. They shared a brief eye lock and Ayesha sensed his anger. They both knew whom she was referring to.
'What do you mean?' asked Daya coldly.
'Oh nothing. Shall we dance?' she asked, smiling sweetly at him.
Without waiting for his reply, she led him on the dance floor.
Ayesha put her hands around his neck and they swayed slowly with the music.
'Kya hua Daya? Tum itne upset kyu ho? Jab se hum yaha aaye hai tab se notice jar rahi hu tumhe' said Ayesha.
'Aaj mood nahi hai mera Ayesha. Aur ye music bohot irritate ho raha hai. Kya hum kahi aur chale jaha ye awaj na ho? Somewhere quiet where we can sit in peace?' asked Daya.
'Hmmm, I have an idea. Hum mere ghar chalte hai. Aur Daya aaj mujhe kuch chahiye.' said Ayesha with a naughty smile.
'Kya?' asked Daya.
He was not paying attention to her at all. His thoughts were somewhere far.
'Oh god! Ab wo bhi main hi batau? Okay chalo guess karo. Main hint deti hu' she said her eyes twinkling.
She moved closer to kiss him. Her hand moved over his back. Daya realised her intentions and much to her surprise he pushed her away.
'Daya ye kya kar rahe ho?' she asked angrily.
'Kya tum sirf yahi sochti rehti ho Ayesha?' he said heatedly.
'Daya tum pagal ho gaye ho kya? Aisa kyu behave kar rahe ho? Aur kya galat socha maine? Tumhe to abhi abhi kaha na mujhe kahi aise jaga jaana hai jaha shanti se baith sakte hai hum? Isliye maine kaha ki ghar chalte hai.' said Ayesha.
'Accha wo thik hai. Par ye tum abhi kya kar rahi thi?' asked Daya.
'Daya we are in a relationship! What's wrong if I want to get a bit cozy?' she asked.
'Kya hum baithke sirf baat nahi kar sakte? Ye tum hamesha sirf ek hi cheez chahti ho!' said Daya.
'Dekho mujhe weekend ko ghar baithke baatein karna pasand nahi. Tumhare liye main jaane ke liye tayar ho gayi. Aur tum mujhpar chilla rahe ho?' said Ayesha.
Daya closed his eyes in disbelief.
Her charming face flashed before his eyes. Her radiant smile, her beautiful eyes, everything was just perfect.
He opened his eyes and saw Ayesha glaring at him.
'Listen I might sound a bit rude but I can't be with you any more.' said Daya.
'What? What did you just say?' yelled Ayesha.
The couples dancing next to them gave them weird looks.
But Daya didn't bother. He wanted to get everything clear.
'Let's call it quits. This live in relationship thing' said Daya.
'You are suggesting that we should get engaged or something?' asked Ayesha softly.
'No, you are mistaken. I think we should take some time off and rethink about our relationship' said Daya.
'I get it. You are doing it for her, aren't you?' asked Ayesha her eyes flashing dangerously.
'See it's just that - ' began Daya.
'Just shut up! Just tell me the truth you are doing this because of that b***h right? You are going back to her, aren't you? She asked.
'Just shut your filthy mouth Ayesha! Don't you dare call her that! And you know what? I must certainly thank her. I got to see your true colours. You never loved me you know. You were only after my money. And for you relationship means sex. That's it. I am glad that we are not together any more. And whether I am going back to her or not, that's none of your business!' said Daya.
'Yeah you guessed right! And don't blame me. I never committed you anything. And I really don't care you know. Just leave' said Ayesha.
'Great. I hope we never meet again' he said left the dance floor.
When he reached the exit he saw Ayesha flirting with another guy with a drink in her hand.
Daya felt elated. He had just taken a wise decision and he felt happy. But now he had an important job to do. He sat in his car and sped off into the night.
O-o-o-o
The shiny black Volvo screeched to a halt below the dark and silent apartment. Daya got out and took the staircase taking two stairs at a time. Block number four came into view and seeing it unlocked he let out a sigh of relief. He wiped his sweaty face and hoped he looked okay. He tried to flatten his messy hair but to no avail.
'You are fighting a lost battle there' her voice rang out clearly.
He whipped around only to find an empty staircase behind. He nodded his head smiling slightly and pressed the doorbell.
The door opened and Katherine came into view.
Her eyes widened in surprise as she surveyed Daya.
'I need to see her. It's very urgent' said Daya.
'I am sorry you can't see her' said Katherine.
'Try to understand. I am not here to hurt her any more. I cannot afford to waste any more time' said Daya now getting slightly impatient.
'Why are you here?' asked Katherine angrily.
'I am not here to answer your stupid questions. Just let me see her' said Daya banging the door.
'Stop it! This is my property. Stop creating a scene here! Are you drunk?' she demanded.
'You know I don't drink! Look I am really sorry. Just let me in. I will answer all your questions. But I must meet her. Please. It's a request.' said Daya.
'I am telling you for the second time that you can't meet her. Because she has left.' said Katherine calmly.
'What? She left? But where?' he asked.
'She left two hours ago. And she is not coming back Daya. She's gone for good. Don't ask me where because I don't know.' she said.
'Why didn't you stop her?' asked Daya outraged.
'What for? So that you can hurt her again and again?' asked Katherine.
'But I love her!' said Daya.
'Ha! Look who's talking! You think I am going to believe you? To how many girls have you told that?' she asked.
'I am speaking the truth. I love her. I came to apologise and to win her back. Please tell me if you know where she is' said Daya.
'Sorry I can't help you. Are you done? I have much more important things to do' said Katherine with an air of disinterest.
'I want to check your house' said Daya.
'I am not lying! Still if you want go ahead. But I want you out of this house within next five minutes' said Katherine gritting her teeth.
'Without a word to her Daya entered the house. He searched the entire house hoping he would see her somewhere but deep down somewhere he knew Katherine was not lying. She had really left. Daya finally came out and glanced at Katherine.
'Done? Now just get out!' she said.
'I know you don't trust me anymore. But if she ever comes back please tell her that I had come. That I really care for her. I -'
'Enough!' said Katherine.
They glared at each other.
'She is not coming back. And I do not wish to see you again Daya. Ever. You have betrayed my best friend. And I tell you I am really happy that she left. She deserves someone better than you. Just leave. And don't expect me to help you in this matter' said Katherine.
Dejected, Daya turned to leave. He paused at the doorstep and said, 'Katherine sorry for everything. Even we were best friends some time ago. Sorry for everything I did' said Daya softly.
'It's too late Daya for all this.' said Katherine.
Daya smiled sadly and shut the door behind him.
'Where the hell was she? He needed to find her. But how?' he wondered.
'Daya?' came Katherine's voice.
The door had opened again.
'I don't know why I am doing this. She left something for you before leaving.' said Katherine.
'What?' asked Daya his heart racing.
'This book' said Katherine holding a handmade paper book.
Daya took it. It was the same book he had given her on her birthday. It was her first birthday gift from him. He remembered how excited she was when she had opened her gift. She had not written anything in that book as far as he knew. But now when he opened the book he saw to his surprise that the pages had been filled.
'She told me to give this to you if you ever came back looking for her. I don't know what she has written in it. I never read it. Coz I know it wouldn't be anything happy' said Katherine.
Daya opened the book and he saw ' 7 Things ' written in a familiar handwriting.
'Thanks Katie' said Daya.
Daya had not said that to her in past one year. She missed the old Daya. He used to be her best friend. But after all that happened dislike and hatred towards him became stronger and stronger.
'You can stay if you like' said Katie.
Daya gave her a surprised look.
'Are you sure?' he asked.
She merely nodded.
'Thanks. I promise Kate I will make everything right.' he said with a smile.
She hated herself for giving Daya the diary. What if he was lying this time too?' she wondered.
'I am not lying. I won't hurt her' he said voicing her thoughts correctly.
'I am going off to sleep. I suppose you won't be sleeping anytime soon?' she asked eyeing the book in his hand.
'Nope' said Daya smiling.
She bid him good night and went back to her room.
Daya settled in his favourite chair in her living room near the window and began reading...
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