Chapter 3
"Hey" Abhijeet said smiling at Daya when he opened the door.
"Hi" said Daya and let Abhijeet in.
"What's up? Why did you call me to your place on an early Sunday morning?"
"I am bored and I wanted to talk" said Daya.
"Okay" said Abhijeet settling himself on Daya's couch. "I am all ears"
Minutes later -
"Okay, I am sitting here reading this boring Sunday newspaper while you are just pottering around! You didn't even ask me coffee! I got up early on a bloody Sunday morning and you don't even have the courtesy to ask me coffee?" Abhijeet said feigning anger.
"I am thinking about something very important Abhijeet! And if you want coffee then move your ass and make yourself one!" Daya snapped.
"Listen I -" Abhijeet bit back a snappy retort looking at Daya's face. "Okay, now how would I know what's wrong if you don't tell me?"
"Yes, that's why I called you here!" Daya said.
"Then speak up" said Abhijeet.
"Um... you said that meeting was cancelled, right? But it got cancelled that day doesn't mean that it is never gonna happen again" said Daya.
"What?" Abhjeet said confusedly. "What are you talking about?"
"Shreya of course!" Daya exclaimed.
"Oh, yes" said Abhijeet in a dejected manner. He had been trying to dodge the subject since he had lied to Daya the other day. He knew that logically he should tell Daya the truth but he couldn't bring himself to tell the truth even today. "Yes that meeting didn't happen" he said in a low voice.
"But it might have happened after that! It has been almost a week now" said Daya.
His name is Siddharth. He is a nice guy. Well settled and a successful businessman. And she said yes, sir. Shreya is ready to get married to Siddharth.
Purvi's voice echoed in Abhijeet's head. What the hell was he supposed to tell Daya? He couldn't tell him the truth. It would crush him completely.
"Abhijeet, are you even listening to me?" Daya asked breaking his trail of thoughts.
"It couldn't have happened, Daya. The meeting" said Abhijeet
"How would you know?" asked Daya.
"Shreya would have said something-" said Abhijeet.
"Ha, really?! She didn't bother to tell us before so why would she do it now?"
"Purvi would have-"
"Purvi is her friend Abhijeet! She won't say anything unless Shreya agrees" said Daya.
"Listen Daya, this is not helping - both of us sitting together and forecasting what would have happened and what wouldn't have. I think it is best if you tell Shreya how you feel about her"
"I can't Abhijeet! That's the problem. I just can't. I don't what gets into me. I have everything in my head. I know the exact words but when I stand in front of her, I just can't get the words out" said Daya exasperatedly.
"This is not how it works buddy" said Abhijeet. "How is she gonna know if you don't speak? Besides, what exactly are you afraid of?"
"Afraid?! No, I am not..."
"Yes you are! You are practically running away from the situation. If this is because of your past -"
"No it isn't. This time it is nothing like my past relationships. With Shreya's it different. It's like we are meant to be. I - I really love her." said Daya earnestly.
"Then why are you running away from it?" asked Abhijeet.
Why am I running? Really why can't I just tell Shreya that I love he? And then one thing entered his mind… he was afraid… what if she didn't return his feelings?
"Daya stop stressing yourself over this, okay? Just go and talk to her. It's gonna be fine. Trust me." said Abhijeet.
"Yes, I trust you Abhijeet. Thanks. I think I will talk to her. Really, I don't know what I would have done without you" said Daya and walked into the kitchen leaving Abhijeet feeling guilt ridden for lying repeatedly to his best friend.
Since past two weeks, Shreya seemed unnaturally distant every time he tried to talk to her or even just hang out with her. She had this faraway look as if her mind was on something else.
One evening after work as Daya and Abhijeet were waiting in the car for the traffic to clear, Daya saw Shreya with another guy. They were merely a few blocks away from CID bureau.
"Abhijeet" Daya said. "Look, that's Shreya... and who that guy with her?"
Abhijeet took one look at the guy and gulped. He knew him. He was Siddharth, the guy whose marriage was fixed with Shreya. Purvi had showed him the photo.
Abhijeet mumbled something incoherently but Daya was not listening to him. He was watching Shreya and that guy closely.
Who the hell was that guy? And... was that a smile on Shreya's face as he spoke. She was laughing on his joke perhaps?
"Abhijeet! Do you know who that guy is?"
"N-no never seen him" Abhijeet said avoiding eye contact.
"You don't think he is the one who was coming to meet her that day, do you?" Daya asked.
"No, I dont think so" said Abhijeet hoping that the traffic would clear soon.
"How would you know?" Daya asked sounding angry. "I have never seen him before."
The huge double decker public transport bus standing in front of them finally moved after what seemed like ages much to Abhijeet's relief, sparing him from answering the question.
Daya remained quiet and unconvinced during the remainder of the journey. Abhijeet knew Daya wouldn't let the topic rest but he was saved for the time being. Meanwhile he would have to think of something to keep Daya from finding out the truth.
Over the next few days, Daya saw the same guy with Shreya many times. He even came to meet her over in the bureau. Seeing him with her had bugged him since that day he had seen them together for the first time but now his sight began to annoy him greatly. He wondered who he was. He had also noticed over a past few days that Shreya seemed to be talking to someone a lot over the cellphone. Daya knew he was being stupid but hell he was a little jealous. He just didn't like to see her talking to this guy especially since the day she had agreed to meet a prospective groom. He was feeling very insecure and he ultimately decided to ask Shreya directly about this guy.
He approached her one evening as they were departing from the bureau.
"Hey"
"Daya sir.. hello"
"How are you?"
"I am good sir." Shreya answered awkwardly.
"You seem busy these days" said Daya.
"Oh yes. The case-"
"Not the case, no. It's about..um.. I have been wanting to ask you since a long time" Daya hesitated.
"Yes sir?" Shreya inquired, completely clueless about what was coming.
"Um... who is this g-"
"Daya!" Abhijeet's voice rang out sharp and clear.
Both Daya and Shreya turned around to find Abhijeet standing behind them.
"Hello Abhijeet sir" Shreya said to him.
"Shreya, you should call ACP sir. He has some instructions for you regarding the case report" Abhijeet said.
"Okay sir" said Shreya.
"You should call right away. He said its important."
"Yes sir" Shreya said and grabbed her bag. She bade them goodbye and left, simultaneously dialing ACP Pradyuman's number.
"What the hell Abhijeet!" Daya interjected angrily. "I wanted to talk to her"
"Sorry, I didn't know I was ruining your romantic moment" said Abhijeet jovially.
"Shut up. It wasn't like that. I was just gonna ask her about that mystery guy she hangs out with these days" said Daya.
Abhijeet froze on the spot. "Y - you didn't ask her, did you?"
"Thanks to you, I didn't" said Daya irritably.
"Great" Abhijeet muttered under his breath.
"What?" Daya questioned.
"Forget about that guy. You still haven't told her you you feel" said Abhijeet.
"Before I tell her I should know who that guy is!" said Daya.
"Why do you want to know? You are wasting your time Daya. Please, I beg you. Talk to Shreya as soon as possible. Else it will be too late" said Abhijeet looking worried.
"Too late? What do you mean? Are you not telling me something?" Daya asked.
"No, why..?" Abhijeet asked anxiously.
"I just wondered" Daya said looking at him.
"Listen, all I am saying is you need to tell her. What if Shreya's parents fix her marriage with someone else?" Abhijeet said.
"No, that can't happen" said Daya looking aghast. "If only I had known who that guy was... hey! Purvi might know about him or Tarika. They are friends with Shreya obviously they would know"
"Daya I think-"
"I should have asked Tarika or Purvi earlier! Hey, can you call Tarika now? She might still be working in the lab" said Daya.
"What - now? no!" said Abhijeet in a panicky voice.
"Why not?" asked Daya.
"Because - because -" Abhijeet stuttered.
"Listen if you are not going to call, I will do it" said Daya reaching inside his pocket for the phone.
"Hey - no! Wait!" Abhijeet cried,
Daya looked suspiciously at him. "Are you not telling me something? I get a feeling-"
"He is a cousin" Abhijeet said the first thing that came to his mind.
"What?" Daya asked sounding confused.
" That guy Shreya hangs out with? He is her cousin" said Abhijeet.
Daya began to laugh. " Thats's ridiculous! Why would her cousin come to meet her so often? And Shreya never mentioned this cousin before"
"I don't know." said Abhijeet feeling sheepish.
"Really? is he really her cousin?" Daya asked looking hopeful.
"Yes." said Abhijeet.
"Wow.." Daya let out a low whistle. " If he is her cousin then that' great news! Hey how long have you known?" he asked.
" Ummm... a while ago" said Abhijeet.
"Why didn't you tell me? I have been so worried to see that guy with her" said Daya angrily.
"This is what happens Daya! I didn't tell you because then you wouldn't even have tried to speak to her." said Abhijeet.
"Right. Sorry. But I just cant do it. I admit it I am scared to admit my feelings to her" said Daya.
"Well if you cant talk to her then atleast write her a letter. Tell her how you feel in a letter. Can you atleast do that?" Abhijeet asked him sounding angry.
"Oh yes! That's a fantastic idea. I will do that. What an amazing idea Abhijeet! Thanks buddy. I promise I will write the letter tonight itself. But it's your job to give that letter to Shreya" said Daya.
"Okay. I will give it to her" said Abhijeet.
"Thanks! See you then" said Daya.