A/N - I have no idea why I'm writing a Christmas story in March!
A Christmas Love Story.
Chapter 1
It was Christmas Eve. Shouts of laughter and pop music could be heard as the pub door opened and closed. Shreya heard a Christmas Carol start up somewhere inside the Church. She drove along the vibrant, South Goan village. This part of Goa was least populated.
A scroll of paper lay on the seat next to her. It read -
It's hard to believe that it has been 10 years!
Life goes on but memories never fade!
We invite you to join the reunion of the class of 2007, Saddle Brook College, Goa.
On Thursday, 24th December 2015.
Roberto's Restaurant,
71 mall road,
Goa.
Hope to See You Soon!
Caroline Webber, Raveena Kapoor and Tony Houston.
She passed several shops and houses. Christmas trees decorated the streets. People were celebrating. She could see their happy faces illuminated by street lamps. Her car turned left and she drove along the darker stretch of the road.
A few minutes later, suddenly her car bumped into something. She accelerated but it was of no use. She got out and checked the car. The front two wheels were caught in a ditch.
'Damn! I am going to get late!' she muttered scowling. She got inside the car again and tried accelerating. The engine growled for few minutes and then fell silent. A few metres ahead, she noticed a small house.
'Hope someone's home', she said and got out of the car slamming the door behind her.
Shreya was looking extremely pretty with shoulder length wavy hair. She adjusted her shimmering saree as she walked along the dust trodden path towards the strange house.
It looked very comfy with a little garden of its own which was well tended to. A dusty old convertible stood in the garage beside the house.
There was absolutely no sign of activity. Curtains were closely drawn over the French windows. The doorbell was missing. She knocked her knuckles on the heavy wooden door and waited.
There was no response from the inside. She let out an exasperated sigh and knocked again, a little louder. And then after what seemed like ages, there was a slight movement somewhere inside. The door opened and a pretty girl peered at her.
'Yes?' asked the girl.
'Uh...Actually meri gadi phas gayi hai road par. Kya yaha koi Mechanic hai aas paas?'
'Jee nahi. Yaha paas me toh nahi hai', said the girl.
'Oh no! Ab kya karu?' thought Shreya.
'Kya main aapki kuch help kar sakti hu?' asked the girl.
'Mujhe Mall Road pe Roberto Restaurant jaana tha.' said Shreya.
'Oh, if you don't mind main chod dungi aapko. I know the way. Aur mujhe waise bhi Mall road pe kaam hai. Aap please andar aayein na. Main abhi aayi', said the girl smiling.
'Thank you', said Shreya gratefully and stepped inside the house.
She sat on a chair in the living room.
As Shreya surveyed the house, she couldn't help noticing that it was very unorganised. And Shreya, who liked everyrhing neat and tidy, didn't like tje feel of this house at all. A huge Christmas tree lay in the corner which was beautifully decorated with glowing lights and miniature Santa Clause figures. The rest of the house was in total mess. Clothes were lying on the couch. Shoes and socks were thrown haphazardly in the corner. Newspapers and magazines were strewn across the floor.
The girl arrived with the car keys. 'Sorry aapko pani bhi nahi pucha maine. Aur ghar bhi kuch jyada hi messy hai', she said.
'No no it's fine.' said Shreya smiling.
'Okay toh chale?' she asked.
Shreya nodded. The girl was locking the door when Shreya noticed the name plate 'Shetty's'.
That name triggered a memory into her brain. She tried to stem the thoughts but they kept coming to her mind. Suddenly she felt that he was very close. Quite nearby. It was indeed strange. She ignored the thoughts.
They sat into the convertible and drove off. Both were silent for a few minutes. Shreya was lost in her own trail of thoughts.
'Aap rukne kaha wali hai aaj raat?' asked the girl.
'Hotel ka booking kiya hai maine. Roberto hotel ke paas me hi hai', said Shreya.
'Toh kal Mall Road pe mechanic mil jayega aapko. Wo gadi thik kar dega.', said the girl.
'Thank you once again. Bohot help hui aapki. Waise aapka naam kya hai?' asked Shreya.
'You are welcome. Mera naam Priya hai. Aur mujhe 'aap' mat kaho. Ab hum dost toh ban hi sakte hai na', said Priya.
'Haan. I am Shreya', she said smiling.
'Lo aa gaya Roberto Hotel. Kal subah time ho toh ghar aa jana. Christmas celebrate karenge aur dher saari baatein bhi', said Priya.
'Ha jaroor ayungi! Bye! And thanks once again!' said Shreya.
Hotel Roberto stood facing the mesmerising beach. It was high tide and the waves crashed with force on the grey boulders. The moon shined brightly in the sky. The wind was perfect. Not too gusty. It seemed many people had already arrived. The celebrations seemed to be in full swing.
A huge fountain stood at the entrance. Christmas decorations were seen throughout the hotel. Shreya went inside looking for her past classmates. Though she wasn't in touch with most of the people, the prospect of reliving old times with old friends made her nostalgic. She scanned the crowd for any sign of recognition but she spotted no one.
A man stood with his back to her apparently checking his cell phone.
'Oh my God! Shreya!' somebody called.
Hearing her name, the man turned around to look at her.
Both pair of eyes widened in shock. Shreya had stopped breathing. He stared at her transfixed, apparently at loss for words. 'Tum yaha?' said Daya.
Before Shreya could say something, a girl came running and flung her arms around her. 'Oh my god Shreya kitne saalo baad! Tum toh bhool hi gayi ho mujhe!' said the girl.
Shreya came back from a shock. She tore her eyes away from him to look at the girl. 'Aarti! Kaisi hai? Main tujhe hi dhoond rahi thi!' she said.
'Main acchi hu. Accha chal tu Ragini se to mili hi nai. Tujhe dekhke bohot khush ho jayega wo', said Aarti dragging her along.
'Haan chal', said Shreya and went along with her glancing at Daya who was still staring at her.
She didn't know what she felt. Her heart beat wildly. She was full of emotion. Since that day she had been trying to accept the harsh fact that he would never become hers. She had vowed not to let emotions gain strength over her. But today, looking at him after four years made her eyes wet.
'Hell! Why did I come here in first place? And what is he doing here?' she thought.
'Hey Shreya! Kaha kho gayi?' said Aarti.
'Kahi nahi', said Shreya scanning the crowd.
'Lagta hai ise hume milkar khushi nahi hui. Are kise dhoond rahi ho?' said Ragini.
'Sorry! Main bohot ajeeb behave kar rahi hu. I am really sorry. Ragini kaisi hai tu?', said Shreya.
'It's okay dear. Hum bas majak kar rahe the. Aur main bohot acchi hu. Accha chal sab ke saath baithte hai.' said Ragini.
The threesome went and stood nearby a round table.
Daya spotted Shreya. He couldn't keep his eyes off her. She wore a sequined gold saree with least makeup. Her wavy curls bounced along her shoulder as she laughed and talked with her friends.
She looked stunning. Like a brightest star in the black sky. He stood there watching her.
Just then the reunion organizer Raveena came with a mic.
'Mere pyare doston! A very good evening to you all. Sabko ek saath dekh kar bohot khushi hui. Kitne saalo baad sab log ek saath mile hai. I am sure ye sham ha ek ke liye bohot special hogi! Aap sab log pehle music ke saath saath starters' aur drinks enjoy kariye. Baki ka programme dinner ke baad!' said Raveena.
Songs started playing in the background as they all were served with starters and soft drinks.
Shreya was enjoying the evening. She casually glanced around when she saw him staring. She looked away. Throughout the song they kept stealing glances at one another.
Daya spotted a 5 year old kid roaming around. He quickly scribbled something on a piece of paper and gave it to the kid. He whispered something in his ear and handed him a chocolate. The kid ran up to Shreya and handed over the chit to her. 'Didi ye chit apko uss uncle ne di hai jo waha baithe the. Aur unhone kaha hai ki unke paas philhal apko dene ke liye koi flowers nahi hai toh aap gussa mat hona', he said and ran away.
Shreya looked towards Daya but he was nowhere to be seen.
'Hmmmm. Toh uss handsome secret admirer ki wajah se tum khoyi khoyi si ho kyu? Notice kiya maine tum dono jabse aaye ho sirf ek dusre ko hi dekh rahe ho', said Aarti smiling naughtily at Shreya.
'Nahi yaar. Aisa kuch bhi nahi hai. Main bas aabhi aayi.', said Shreya.
She went aside and read the chit which read -
Meet me at the entrance to the restaurant pool after dinner. I will be waiting.
Yours Daya
She went back and managed to eat something. She stood waiting for him by the pool. She didn't know why but she felt very happy. She was nervous as well. It felt as if something very huge was trying to get out of her stomach.
She was standing under a tree decorated with mistletoes. She saw him coming. His features were handsome as ever. He flashed his charming smile at her and she couldn't help blushing.
The next moment his arm was around her waist and the other hand at the back of her neck. He kissed her passionately fully on mouth.
She was taken aback. She was definitely not expecting this. She tried to move but his strong arms wouldn't let her. Finally after five minutes, he pulled his lips away from hers and stared into her eyes. He did not leave her from his grasp.
She was totally speechless still absorbing the shock of what had just happened between them.
'Daya ye kya batamazee hai?! Mujhe aapka aise kiss karna bilkul pasand nahi', said Shreya angrily.
'To phir kis tarah pasand hai?' added Daya naughtily.
'Kisi bhi tarah nahi!' she said.
'Mujhe pura haq hai. Tumhe pata hai kyu? Jara dekho tum kiske neeche khadi ho. A man can kiss a girl when she is standing under the mistletoe.' he said winking at her.
Shreya ignored him.
'Kyu bulaya hai mujhe yaha?' she asked.
'Kyuki mujhe tumhe kiss karna tha', he said and attacked her lips again.
She pushed him away.
'Daya stop this nonsense! Samajhte kya hai aap apne aap ko? Majak lagta hai aapko ye sab? Kiss karne ka itna shaukh tha toh phir shaadi kyu nahi ki mujhse? Kyu kaha ki aap mujhse pyar nahi karte? Main kisi aur ki patni hoon aap bhool rahe hai! Aur aaj achanak mere saamne aakar ye karne ka haq diya kisne aapko haan?' said shreya towering with rage.
Daya stood there silently. He was at loss of words. He had been unfair to her...
That day was much clearer in his mind now -
**FLASHBACK**
Two Days before Shreya's Wedding -
'Daya kaha the tum? Kabse dhoond rahi hu tumhe. Shreya tumse kuch baat karna chahti hai abhi isi waqt. Wo room me wait kar rahi hai tumhara', said Tarika
'Kya? Room me? Lekin kyun? Tarika do din baad uski shaadi hai. Hame kisine dekh liya toh problem ho jayegi', said Daya.
'Daya sacchai pata chal bhi gayi toh kya problem hogi? Mujhe pata hai tum Shreya se bohot pyar karte ho. Par pata nahi tumhe sach bolne se kya problem hai', said Tarika.
'Tarika please. Mujhe iss bare me koi baat nahi karni hai. Aur waise bhi ab bohot late ho chuka hai', said Daya.
'Late hua nahi hai Daya par late ho jayega. Kal uski shaadi ho jayegi Daya. Bata do use aabhi tumhare dil me kya hai', said Tarika.
'Nahi Tarika. Main aisa kuch nahi karunga. Uske gharwale, rishteydar un sabko main sharminda nahi kar sakta. Milke aata hu usse', he said and left.
As soon as Daya entered Shreya's room, she held his shirt collar tightly.
'Daya aap kyu chup hai? Boliye na. Meri shaadi ho rahi hai kal. Aap kuch kijiye na Daya.', she said.
'Shreya ye kya bol rahi ho tum? Tumhe khush hona chahiye', he said.
'Aap pyar karte hai na mujse. Batayiye na. Main kaise kisi aur ke saath jee paungi? Shaadi ke baad wo mere kareeb aayega. Main nahi bardaasht kar paungi wo sab. Aap ki jagah koi aur - Main wo haq nahi de sakti kisi aur ko. Ek baar keh dijiye ki aap ke dil me kya hai. Nahi karni mujhe ye shaadi', she said crying.
'Shreya', he said cupping her face with both hands.
She closed her eyes and relaxed a bit.
'Shreya rona band karo. Siddharth bohot accha ladka hai. Shaadi ke baad ye sab bhool jaogi tum. Waise bhi tum dono USA jaa rahe ho na shaadi ke dusre hi din?' he said.
'Mere liye ye kabhi bhi mumkin nahi Daya. Main aapko kabhi nahi bhul paungi.' she said.
Mujhe chalna chahiye Shreya. Hame kisi ne dekh liya to problem ho jayegi. Main nahi karta tumse pyar samjhi tum', he shouted suddenly.
'Jhooth bol rahe hai aap.' she said.
'Shreya main jaa raha hoon', he said and turned to leave.
She caught his wrist.
'Daya, Mat karo mere saath aisa... Please', she begged.
He pinned her to the wall and moved close to her. She was breathing hard. She thought he was going to kiss her. She closed her eyes tightly. With a heavy heart heart, he said 'Shreya bhool jao mujhe. Pata hai ye aasan nahi hai. Par ab kuch nahi ho sakta. Baat bohot aage badh gayi hai'
She tried to interrupt but he silenced her by keeping his finger on her lips.
'Meri baat suno. Sab thik ho jayega. Wo khush rakhega tumhe', he said.
He wiped her tears and gently kissed her forehead.
'Khush raho Shreya', he said.
She jerked his hands away.
'Khush rahu? Kabhi nahi reh paungi main! Aapne cheen li meri khushi hamesha ke liye. Jayiye Daya aap yaha se.', she said angrily.
'Shreya aisa kyu keh rahi ho?' he said.
'Daya sir please. Chale jaiye yaha se.' she said.
'I am sorry Shreya.' he said and left the room.
Shreya slammed the door shut behind him and curled up on her bed crying.
** FLASHBACK OVER **
'Ab kyu chup hai aap?' asked Shreya.
'Shreya chalo mere saath. Mujhe baat karni hai tumse', he said.
'Main kahi nahi aa rahi', said Shreya.
He held her shoulders tightly. 'Dekho yaha tamasha mat karo samjhi. Chup chap chalo warna...' he said in a warning tone.
'Warna kya?' she said.
'Zabardasti le jaunga tumhe. Aur tumhe pata hai main ye kar sakta hoon', he said.
He held her hand and dragged her along with him. They rode back in his car silently to his house.
When Shreya got out of the car, she saw it was the same house she had went in asking for help.
'Ye aapka ghar hai?' she asked.
'Haan. Kyu? Kya hua?' he said.
'Nahi. Kuch nahi.' she said.
'Iska matlab Priya Daya ki wife hai', she thought burning with pain.
They went inside.
'Daya kya baat karni hai aapko? Main yaha jyada time nahi ruk sakti' said Shreya.
'Aao andar baithte hai', he said and led her to his bedroom.
She sat in his bed and looked at him.
'Baitho. Main abhi aaya', he said and went into the kitchen.
His bedroom reminded Shreya of his home in Mumbai. The same rosewood furniture. Messy bed and unwashed clothes scattered around. The sweet moments she had shared with him came back to her.
'Daya aap bilkul nahi badle', she thought a smile creeping on her lips.
** FLASHBACK **
Shreya was in Daya's kitchen making coffee.
'Shreya kitna time coffee banane me? Kya kar rahi ho?' said Daya coming into the kitchen.
'Mujhe ek cheez bhi nahi mil rahi yaha par. Time toh lagega hi na!' said Shreya.
'Kyu? Sab cheeze apni jagah par hi to hai', said Daya.
'Accha?! Iss ghar ki halat dekho Daya. Saari rooms me saaman bikhra pada hai. Shaadi ke baad apki wife pagal ho jayegi aapka ghar dekhke', said Shreya.
'Main help karunga tumhe Shreya. Don't worry', said Daya.
She was surprised to hear those words. Her heart fluttered wildly. She turned around to look at him and her face fell. He was staring somewhere else. His mind was somewhere else. He was not looking at her. He didn't love her.
'Sir Coffee ready ho gayi', she said and he came out of his senses. He sipped the coffee.
'Wow Shreya! Itni acchi coffee koi nahi bana sakta! I just love you for this.' he said.
They both looked at each other as he said those words and blushed.
'Uh, wo mera matlab hai. Itni acchi Coffee ke liye thanks.', he said awkwardly and went out.
** FLASHBACK OVER **
Her eyes fell on a photo frame kept on his bedside table. It was a photo of a Priya with a baby boy.
She felt weird. She couldn't bear to see him with anybody else. But time had slipped away. But even today her heart beat for him. It was wrong what she felt for him. She knew the fact but her heart couldn't accept it. She tried hard not to cry.
He came back with two cups of coffee and handed one to her. Their eyes met once again. She was watching him intently. The flickering bonfire from the mantelpiece in front of his bed was reflected in her eyes. He could still feel the taste of her lips. 'What the hell am I thinking? She is married to someone else', he thought sadly.
'Siddharth aur tum abhi bhi saath ho na?' he asked wishing she would say no.
'Kya matlab?' she asked wide eyed.
'Kuch nahi. Sorry. Kaisa hai wo?' he said.
'Accha hai.' she said.
'Sorry Shreya wo maine tumhe kiss kiya- ' he said
'Chodo wo sab Daya. Kya baat karna chahte hai aap?' she asked again picturing Daya and Priya together in her mind's eye.
'Bohot kuch badal gaya Shreya uss din ke baad. Aaj achanak tum saamne aa gayi. Aur wo yaadein taaza ho gayi.' said Daya.
'Waise aap hamari college reunion party me kya kar rahe the?' she asked.
'Roberto hotel ke maalik ka beta mere saath school me padhta tha. Bachpan ke dost the hum. Ek din uski achanak accident me maut hi gayi. Tab se wo akele hi rehte hai. Wo kai saalo se US me the. Ek hafte pehle wapis aaye the India. Unse milne gaya tha. Nikalte samay tum mere saamne aa gayi aur main tumhari party me ruk gaya.' said Daya
'Aap kaise hai?' asked Shreya.
'Sach batayu Shreya? Thik nahi hu main. Tumse kuch share karna chahta hu aaj. Uss din se maano meri zindagi badal gayi. Tumhari shaadi kisi aur se hi rahi thi. Wo bardaasht nahi ho paya shaadi ke do din pehle hum dono ke beech jo baatein hui thi uske baad maine decide kar liya tha mujhe Mumbai chodke jaana hai. Main bohot dur chala gaya sabse. Abhijeet se. Aisa dost jisne meri har mushkil me hamesha mera saath diya. Kisi ki parwah kiye bina. ACP sir jinhone mujhe bete ka pyar diya. Aur tumse bhi. Agar maine uss raat mere pyar ka izhar kiya hota to aaj hum dono ki zindagi kuch aur hoti. Jab main Abhijeet se akhri baar mila yaha aane se pehle tab.
** FLASHBACK **
Night before Shreya's Wedding -
They were in Shimla. Siddharth's family had planned a destination wedding for Siddharth and Shreya. Daya was packing his bag in a hurry. The door to his room was slightly ajar. Abhijeet was passing by and saw Daya packing his bag. 'Daya?Kaha jaa rahe ho?' asked Abhijeet.
'Main jaa raha hu Abhijeet. Main shaadi ke liye nahi ruk sakta. Aur haan main CID ki naukri chod raha hu.' said Daya
'Daya ye kya majak hai? Mujhe pata hai tum par kya beet rahi hai par CID ki job chodna. Shreya yaha nahi hogi Daya. Wo USA jaa rahi hai 2 saal ke liye', said Abhijeet.
'Abhijeet please. Iske aage Shreya ka topic mere saamne mat nikalo. Shreya ki shaadi aur mera CID chodne ka decision ye alag baatein hai. In dono chizo ka aapas me koi connection nahi' shouted Daya.
'Tum pagal samajhte ho mujhe Daya? Kitne saalon se jaanta hu main tumhe? Mujhse jhooth bolne ki koshish mat karo. Tum apni duty ke bare me kitne passionate ho mujhse behtar koi nahi jaanta. Aur aaj wahi Daya ye sab chodne ki baat kar raha hai' said Abhijeet.
'Abhijeet please tum mujhe emotional blackmail mat karo... Kisi bhi haal me mera decision badalne nahi wala. Koi wajah nahi hai mere paas yaha rukne ki' said Daya.
'ACP sir se kya kahu main Daya? Aur rahi baat rukne ke wajah ki. To tum mere liye bhi nahi ruk sakte. Tumare bhai ke liye? Ye wajah kaafi nahi hai? Tumhe aise dekhte huye kitni takleef hoti hai hum sab ko. Aur tumhare ye decision se tum hum sab ki insult kar rahe ho aisa nahi lagta tumhe? Sab tumhare liye pareshan hai. Aur tum kisi ko bina bataye jaa rahe ho?' said Abhijeet
'Nahi Abhijeet. Main chahkar bhi nahi ruk sakta. Ho sake to mujhe maaf kardo' said Daya.
'Thik hai Daya. Main tumhe force nahi karunga. Par afsoos sirf ek baat ka hai ki ek ladki ki wajah se tum hamare saalo ke rishtey ko tod rahe ho' said Abhijeet.
'Abhijeet Shreya sirf ek ladki nahi hai. Khair chodo woh sab. ACP sir ko ye chitthi de dena. Mujhme unse baat karne ki himmat nahi ye', said Daya.
'Himmat toh tumme hai hi nahi Daya. Bilkul nahi. Isiliye apne pyar ko bhi kho diya tumne aaj. Shreya se pehle hi baat kar li hoti toh aaj ye sab hota hi nahi. Aur aaj tumne apni job jo tumhe apne jaan se bhi pyari hai aur tumhare bhai ko bhi kho diya. Kyuki tumme sach kehne ki himmat nahi', yelled Abhijeet.
Daya's temple throbbed with anger. Abhijeet's words echoed inside his brain. They pierced his heart like arrows. They tore at his flesh. He couldn't stand getting insulted. He grabbed Abhijeet's collar.
'Bakwaas band karo Abhijeet. Tum nahi samajh paoge mera dard. Tumhari life bohot acchi hai. Tumhare paas sab kuch hai aaj. Family, tumhari job aur pyar bhi. Tumhe ye sab kehna bohot aasan hai na', shouted Daya angrily.
Now Abhijeet lost his temper too.
'Daya!' Abhijeet raised his hand to slap him.
'Sir! Kya kar rahe hai aap?' Sachin yelled.
He and Freddy came into the room.
Abhijeet lowered his hand and he and Daya stared at one another looking daggers at each other.
It was a shock for Freddy and Sachin. They had witnessed quarrels between two senior officers but this was something much graver.
'Sir... Kya hua hai... Aap itne gusse me kyu hai? Freddy asked in a low voice.
'Kuch nahi Sachin. Chalo yaha se. Kuch logon se baat karna hi bekar hai', said Abhijeet and walked out if the room.
Sachin and Freddy glanced at Daya but did not dare talk to him. They left the room silently shutting the door behind them.
Daya was fuming with anger. 'No! He couldn't wait here after all this. Life had screwed him. He needed peace. He must leave', he thought.
He glanced at the watch. It was 9.30 pm. He picked up his bag and went out.
He did not meet anyone on his way out. Once outside the gate, he looked back at the hotel pausing for a moment. He was leaving them all behind forever. He would never see them again. He turned around and walked back into the darkness taking with him nothing but memories for lifetime.
** FLASHBACK OVER **
Both Daya and Shreya had tears in their eyes. She felt the sadness she hadn't felt in a long time. Today he had opened his heart to her about the pain which he went through in those four years after he moved away and left everyone behind.
'Sorry Abhijeet ke mamle me kuch jyada hi emotional hu', said Daya.
'Meri wajah se aap aur Abhijeet sir ke beech ye sab. Oh god! Aur unhone ek shabd bhi nahi bola kabhi mujhe. Kabhi bhi mujhpar gussa nahi kiya', said Shreya.
'Tumpar kyu gussa karta wo. Uski nazaro me galti toh meri hi thi' said Daya.
'Kya aapne ya phir Abhijeet sir ne kabhi ek dusre ko contact karne ki koshish nahi ki?' asked Shreya.
'Uss din se thik do mahine baad Abhijeet ka phone aaya tha. Par maine uthaya nahi. Puri CID team ne mujhe contact karne ki koshish ki. Par maine respond nahi kiya. Bohot takleef hoti thi. Par phirse ek bar yakeen hua ki mujhme himmat nahi thi unhe face karne ki. Lekin phir Priya aayi aur usne dheere dheere sab thik kar diya' said Daya.
'Itna sab kuch ho gaya? Mujhe kisi ne bataya kyu nahi?' said Shreya aloud.
She was in her own world.
'Tumhe kaise batata koi Shreya. Tumhari shaadi ke baad tum USA janewali thi na. Aur baad me ye sab batakar kya fayda. Der ho chuki thi already' said Daya looking at her.
She stared at him for a moment.
'Daya... Mujhe kuch kehna hai tumse. ', she said standing near his window.
He approached her.
'Shreya. Baki baatein baad me. Aaj main tumse kehkar hi rahunga. I love you Shreya. Aur please aaj mujhe mana mat karna. Chahe kuch bhi ho jaye.' he said.
'Nahi karungi.' she said softly
He came closer to her amd hugged her tightly. She buried her face in his chest forgetting all the worries.
'Man! She missed him!
It was a tête à tête of two souls which required no words to express their emotions.
'No place gives the warmth of a hug by you.
Nobody can care for me as much as you do.
No gesture can show your love for me as much as your eyes show.
Can't feel safe anywhere else more than in your arms.
Nothing can be as beautiful in my life as your love.
You are the only one who has made me understand what love actually is.'
They separated and he looked at her unblinkingly. Their lips were inches apart. He paused for a moment and then kissed her softly on her lips.
She responded immediately as if waiting for him to do it. He grew bolder with the kiss, his hands moved up and down her back. They broke up panting, gasping for air.
He laid her on the bed and began kissing her neck. She moaned. She turned her head to the right side giving him full access to her neck. That was when she spotted Priya's photo frame again. Her stomach lurched.
'What the hell was she doing? Priya was Daya's wife. She was betraying her. No they couldn't go any further. She had to stop him', she thought.
Shreya pushed him away.
'Daya stop it! Hum ye nahi kar sakte. Main... Meri shaadi ho chuki hai. Ye galat hai.' she said.
Daya smiled at his own misfortune. 'Ajeeb baat hai. Aaj najane kaha se itni himmat aayi hai mere andar par I know hamesha ki tarah iss bar bhi der kar di na maine?' he said.