Chapter 6

Days past in a blur. She would steal a glance at him every now and then as he worked on his desk. They were working day and night and would hardly get any free time. Daya was ignoring her completely. It behaved as if he didn't know her at all. 'Maybe he is still feeling guilty' thought Shreya. But why didn't he understand? She liked it when he expressed his care and love for her. She had liked it when he had hugged her. And when he had given her the sweetest birthday gift ever. How on earth would she make him understand? Why was he always running away from her? She hated such unanswered questions. Finally she decided it was time for some drastic action from her side.
Shreya decided she would ask him for a coffee. And then when they would be alone, she would tell him the deepest feelings of her heart.
One fine day she randomly popped a question at him. 'Can we just hang out together someday for a coffee or something?' she asked.
He thought for a minute and then said, 'Yeah sure'.
'How about tomorrow evening?' she asked egging him on.
'It's Saturday. I am sure we'll get free early' she said.
'Okay. I won't be in office tomorrow. I will come to pick you up by 7' said Daya.
'Okay! I really can't wait!' said Shreya.
He smiled at her and went away.
'Wow... This is so amazing! 'she said happily to herself. The whole day Shreya was in a very good mood.
Saturday dawned quickly for her. As she had predicted, she reached home by 4 pm. Rachel, her best friend had came with her to pass time. Now Shreya had 3 hours to get ready for her special evening. Rachel helped herself with jumbo popcorn and an action movie.
Shreya went to her room and stood in front of her wardrobe looking at her clothes. She had a tough job on her hands. How to look her best yet not seem very obvious that she liked him. She hadn't expected Rachel to help her as she hated this fluffy, romantic stuff.
'Oh God somebody please help me with this' said Shreya a little louder so that Rachel would hear her. For what felt like the hundredth time, Shreya reached behind herself and yanked the dress zipper down, sliding the dress off and onto the floor with the rest of her rejects.
She sighed. 'What are you even supposed to wear on a first date?' she asked herself for what was neither the first nor the last time. 'Should I go more casual, or a little fancier?'
Finally at 6 pm, Rachel peeped inside Shreya's room and groaned looking at the dresses lying on the floor. 'Shreya! You are still getting dressed? Ridiculous! Two hours have passed!' exclaimed Rachel.
'You are not even helping me! So mean Rachel!' said Shreya
'you know what? Just wear something that you like wearing. In which you feel comfortable. It's just a first date and if he's really interested, then it won't matter to him.' said Rachel in a kind voice.
'Yeah you are right! I think I'll go for this simple black one' said Shreya finally.
'Great... Come fast else you will get late' said Rachel and left the room.

They were sitting at a corner table at star bucks. 'You know I am really happy this worked out. Feels good to be doing something different than routine stuff' said Shreya.
'Yeah right...' said Daya.
But then silence settled between them. He was apparently too nervous to talk and seemed to be deep in thought. Shreya felt a bit uncomfortable hoping that their coffee would be served soon.
Finally she asked him, 'Why are you always so quiet? Is anything bothering you? You seem really different. When I first met you, you had seemed a totally different person'
'Hard to figure out am I?' he asked in a naughty tone.
She didn't know what made her say it. She already knew his answer but she said it anyway.
'Your wife must be getting mad at you for this behaviour' she said.
'Haha... I am not married...' Then after a slight pause he added, 'yet'
She turned scarlet. His eyes bore into hers but then they were interrupted by the arrival of their coffee.
'You didn't answer my question!' she said sipping her coffee.
'I am a reserved person. That's it. Nothing more' he said.
'I don't believe you' said Shreya.
'You remember our first meeting?' he asked. She saw a playful gleam in his eye.
'Yeah... How can I forget it? I was so angry with you that day' she said.
'And I was thoroughly enjoying myself. I really couldn't help it! Scaring you was so cool' he said laughing.
Just then, her cell phone rang and the Colbie Caillat ringtone rung aloud, "You make me wanna say I do, I do, I do, do do do do do doo"
It was Kavin. She answered the call while Daya stared at the beautiful bracelet in her hand.
'Who was it?' asked Daya.
'It was Kavin. He wanted to hang out. So I said I was busy' said Shreya.
'But you didn't say you were with me' said Daya.
'Yeah... 'said Shreya.
'Why?' he asked.
'It's just... there is no reason as such...' she said.
'Is he more than a friend to you?' asked Daya.
'Why do you ask?' said Shreya surprised by his question.
Daya's face fell slightly.
'Sorry. That was too personal a question I guess' he said.
'No... It's not like that... I just...' she began but he cut her saying, 'Leave it Shreya'
'NO! I don't have any problem telling you -'
'But I do not wish to hear it! Got it? So please...' he said in a slightly raised voice.
'What's the matter with him? Does he think that I and Kavin are in a relationship? What should I do?' thought Shreya.
'Shreya if you don't mind shall we go for a drive? I would like to be in a quieter place right now' he said.
Shreya glanced around them. The coffee shop was almost empty. Besides them, two women sat in the corner chatting merrily.
Sensing her trail of thoughts he said, 'I can always drop you home if you like you know'
'No! Let's go. Where are we going?' she asked.
'A little away far from Woods borough...There is a beautiful lake near Mystic Falls. One of my favourite places' he said.
'Okay' said Shreya.
'Don't worry. I will keep you safe' he said squeezing her hand.
She smiled. This date was turning out to be the best ever.
'Music?' asked Daya as he turned on the ignition of his car.
'No, I am fine thanks!' said Shreya.
'All right. But don't blame me of you get bored. The drive is almost over an hour' he said.
'I won't get bored. I love watching the empty road, the trees flying past and the feel of the gentle breeze' she said.
'No wonder I like to be with you. Our tastes are very similar' he said.
Shreya felt a warm glow as she heard his words. She settled comfortably in her seat looking out of the window watching the scenery outside.
After an hour they were sitting on the ground facing the crystal blue lake. It was quite dark. No one else was around.
'We would come here so often' said Daya.
'Who?' asked Shreya.
'Me and my girlfriend' said Daya.
'Sorry?' said Shreya in disbelief.
'What? I said I used to come here with my girlfriend.' he said.
'But you said you weren't married!' she said in a high pitched voice.
'True! But that doesn't mean I don't have a girlfriend!' he said.
'Why didn't you tell me before? What's your problem?' asked Shreya angrily.
'What's wrong with you?

But I am telling you right now, aren't I? True we never spoke about it earlier but then I never got a chance to tell you!' he said.
'I want to go home Daya. It's very late. Kavin must be worrying about me. He doesn't know I am with you' said Shreya flatly
'that's not my fault all right! It was your decision not to tell him you were with me!' said Daya agitated.
'Are you coming or not? Else it's fine! I will go alone' said Shreya.
'Really? I don't think you have enough guts! You were scared to death by a stupid prank call!' said Daya angrily.
'Shut up! Just shut up! I can take care of myself! I do not need you got it? And don't you dare talk to me about that prank call! You have no right! It was so foolish of me that I trusted you! And what did you do? You betrayed me!' she screamed.
'Stop making false accusations! I didn't betray you! What nonsense is that?' he asked his temper rising.
'You have a girlfriend! And you didn't think it was important for me to know!' said Shreya.
'And why would I tell you? We are just friends right?' demanded Daya.
'Why did you hug me that day? And what about the gift which you gave me on my birthday?' asked Shreya.
'So you mean to say friends don't hug? I don't understand you! You are totally weird!' he said.
'I don't want to see your face again Daya. Ever. I am going. Just leave me alone hence forth' said Shreya and she marched off.
Daya let her go. He was seething in anger.
But after a minute, fear replaced anger. 'Whoa! Wait a minute! Had she really left?' he thought panicking.
'Shreya!' he called and whirled around. There was no reply. She had really left. 'What if something happened to her? He would never be able to forgive himself. He knew how dangerous it was to be alone in the woods at this hour of the night. He had to find her. And that too fast! She wouldn't have gone too far.' he thought.
He sat in his car as he thought about the promise he had made to her about keeping her safe.

Shreya was furiously trying to wipe her tears. 'How dare he do that to me? Why didn't he tell me about his girlfriend?' she thought.
She stopped walking and looked around.
It was pitching dark. 'How am I going to go home? He doesn't care at all! He is not coming!' she thought.
She continued with snail's pace. She remembered seeing a gas station on their way to the lake. 'I will call Kavin once I reach the gas station' she thought.
She heard a car approaching. She quickened her pace and kept going forward.
'Shreya watch out!' screamed Daya but too late. A high pitched scream rent the air as Shreya's foot slipped and fell down with a loud splash into the swamp.
Terror gripped her as she sunk waist deep into it. 'No! Help please! What is happening?! Get me out of this!' Daya stopped the car right next to the swamp and rushed out. The car headlights showed Shreya's white face. She was trying to get out of the swamp and the more efforts she made, deeper she sank.
'Daya it swallowing me! I will suffocate and die! Get me out please!' Shreya was yelling at the top of her voice.
She tried to reach Daya's outstretched hand but she couldn't. 'Stop moving! Stay still!' Daya ordered her.
'But I want to get out of this!' she said.
'Just listen to me! Stay still for some time. Trust me.' he said softly.
He was right. The moment she stopped her movement, she stopped sinking. She took a few calm breaths.
'Okay... now very slowly try to come closer to me... Then I'll pull you out... Be careful. Be very slow.' he said.
Shreya did as she was told and finally she caught his hand.
'Okay now I'll pull you out - ' he said.
'Daya no wait! There is something here. My left hand is stuck.' She tried to remove her hand but she couldn't move it at all.
'Just try Shreya' he urged her.
She felt the thing with her fingers. 'It's a box... no wait it's a car!' She exclaimed.
'What? Are you sure?' Daya asked.
'Yes!' said Shreya.
Finally after sometime, Shreya managed to free her and and Daya pulled her out.
'Are you all right?' he asked.
'Yes... Thank you... I hate to think what would have happened had I been alone' she whispered Shivering.
'Forget it. But I think this swamp needs proper investigation. A car in there? Seems very fishy.' said Daya.
After half an hour ACP Pradyuman had arrived with his team. The car as Shreya had rightly said was being pulled out.
'Seems it was lying in there for quite some time.' said ACP Pradyuman. 'Sir! There's a dead body in there!' a cop said. The cops were trying to break open the door and the windows. They were jammed. Once they were done they lay the body on the ground and ACP, Daya and Shreya moved forward. 'My goodness! It's the girl who had disappeared from mystic falls. I have sseen her photograph!' said ACP Pradyuman in horror.
Shreya was shaking badly. She glanced at Daya who was staring dumbstruck at the body. He was rooted to the spot. His face was impassive. 'We have to find her brother' said ACP in an urgent voice.
'Shreya you and Daya must go to her house and inform her brother and Daya find out as much information about this girl as possible - Daya? Are you all right?' asked ACP Pradyuman shaking Daya's shoulder lightly.
The floor beneath Shreya's feet shook as she heard Daya say - 'No need sir. I already know all about her. Her name is Ayesha. She was my girlfriend.'

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