Soon, days passed. They daily used to go for a walk early in the morning then play with Varsh and Varsha in the evening. Daya used to spend some time with Shreya even after a busy schedule. Shreya's misconception about him also started to erase and she found him rather a gentleman but she had a hard time forgetting her past. Daya too still found it hard to forget Sonal, being his first love.
Both became rather good friends and loved each other's compay. Shreya used to narrate her poems while they walked and sometimes, when they played with Varsh. She used to spend time with other members of the big family or in the library during his absence but she found them the longest hours. They had some feelings for each other but they ignored. Daya got to love her and she too felt something unusual but ignored.
Daya had already shared his feelings with Sarita, who was like his mother. Soon, all the family members knew about his love because of his behavior. He got changed. He started to live again which made everyone happy especially Shreya. She was too happy to see him like this.
Shreya was sitting and reading a book in the green grass under a tree in the yard, when Daya approached her. She was too involved in the book, to notice him. He sat beside her, coming to her notice.
Shreya (smiled): Hi.
Daya (Smiled): Umm…hi… (seeing the book) Kaun si book hai?
Shreya (glancing at the book): The Time Traveller's Wife.
Daya (surprised): Tum romantics padti ho?
Shreya (obvious tone): Haan.. kyun aapko nhi pasand?
Daya (looked at the sky): Aisa nhi hai, mujhe bahut pasand hai is type ki books, but I never thought you liked it… humari choices kaafi different hai so…
Shreya (chuckled): Aapko kyun lagta hai, humaari choices different hai? I feel ki we have same choices rather.
Daya (looked at her): Accha, favorite color?
Shreya (smiled): Blue.
Daya (surprised): Mine too.
Shreya (excited): Ok, ummm… favorite song?
Daya (smiled): Pal pal dil ke paas.
Shreya (smiled): Me too.
Daya (nodded): Okay, favorite food?
Shreya (smiled): You guess.
Daya (Smiled): Aloo ka paratha.
Shreya nodded.
Shreya (smiled): Then, Favourite book?
Both (pointing each other their index finger): Love Story.
Both laughed, then silence prevailed.
Suddenly, they could hear laughs of the other members.
Shreya (dreamingly): Kitne khush hai na sab, haste khelte se?
Daya (nodded): Haan, (sighed sadly): Lekin jab main jaata hoon, toh unki hasi chali jaati hai.
Shreya (sighed): Mere saath thik ulta hai (looked at him) Mere jaane se sabke hothon par hasi hoti hai.
Daya (immediately): Haan, mujhe pta hai.
Shreya (suspiciously): Aapko kaise pta?
Daya (couldn't hide it more): Ummm… jab tumne mera case handle kiya tha, toh maine (sheepishly) tumhaara piccha kiya tha kaafi din tak, old age home, mere orphanage.
Shreya (stopped him): Ek minute, just stop, what do you mean by 'apka orphanage'?
Daya (seriously): Shreya, us orphanage mein mera bachpan beeta hai.
Shreya's eyes widened.
Shreya (shocked): Aap ek orphan ho.
Daya just nodded.
Daya (to divert the topic): Sorry, mujhe tumhaara peeccha nhi karna tha.
Shreya glared him hard.
Daya (innocently): Sorry bola na.
Shreya didn't respond and went inside her room, slamming the door behind.
Daya knocked the door.
Daya (sighed): Shreya, dekho voh bahut din pehle ki baat hai, ab use chhod do na please. Yaar, aisi bhi kya narazgi.
Shreay didn't respond. Daya got an idea and dragged Sarita into the matter.
Sarita knocked the door.
Sarita (softly): Shreya beti main hoon. Darwaaaza kholo.
Shreya (from inside): Aunty ji, mujhe acche se bta hai ki Daya ne aapko bheja hai, please.
Sarita exchanged glances with Daya, who was too rigid to quit.
Sarita (sighed): Shreya, niklo na, aisi bhi kya narazgi.
Shreya opened the door and stood in front of Sarita with arms crossed against her chest.
Shreya (sternly): Kya huya?
Sarita (stammering): Ab.. voh.. (looked at Daya) Ab..
Daya (interrupted): Sorry na Shreya.
Shreya (to Sarita): Aunty ji, main garden mein hoon ha.
Shreya went from there, even without glancing at him. Sarita looked at him, helplessly.
In Daya's office, after sometimes…
Daya had called his all time helper and best buddy, Abhijeet.
On the call,
Daya (curiously): Abhijeet, waise Shreya ka birthday kab padta hai?
Abhijeet (after thinking): 3 din baad hai shayad.
Daya (happily): Yes, Thanks boss, ab usko aaram se mna sakta hoon.
Abhijeet merely smiled.
Daya (suspiciously): Boss, kya huya? Hello.
Abhijeet (softly): Jab itna pyaar karta hai toh bol de na.
Daya (lied): Boss, aisi koi baat nhi hai.
Abhijeet (haughtily): Acha! Toh uski narazgi se tujhe itna farak kyun padta hai?
Daya (stammering) Boss, ab.. voh…bas, (sighed): Boss, please.
Abhijeet (smiled): Kaha than a, pyaar karta hai usse tu.
Daya smiled shyly.
Daya (tensed): Lekin Abhijeet, darta hun ki kahi uske man mein kucch aur huya toh ya agar Sonal ki tarah isne bhi chhod diya toh.
Abhijeet (softly): Aisa nhi hoga Daya, Shreya bahut hi achhi ladki hai, dekh usne tujhe wapas jeena sikha diya (Daya smiled) Aur rahi baat uske man mein kya hai, toh uska jawab tujhe hi dhoondna hai.
Daya (sighed): Thik hai boss, main rakhta hoon.
He disconnected the call.
He turned and was shocked to see her there.
Shreya (angriy): Very nice, ab aapko kisi se pyaar bhi ho gya aur mujhe btaya bhi nhi.
Before Daya could defend himself, she left.
Daya (thinking): Hey bhagwaan, ab kya hoga?
