Dil Vil Pyar Vyar : By Sirisha D

“I am late Aai. Baba please tell Aai that if she doesn’t come out of the kitchen in the next 2minutes. I am going”, said Madhura stuffing her handbag with the last minute memories of her personal belongings.

“Offo Madhu. You cant wait. Here your favourite French toast. I don’t even know for how many months I am not going to see you”, said Mrs. Shinde to Madhura with moist eyes. Madhura quickly hogged the single piece she could grab into her hand.

“Baba please handle Aai. I just cannot afford to handle the rona dhona scene while I am getting late to the airport” she said while looking at her mobile that beeped & she saw the message of the cabbie waiting for her at her apartment car park.

“I will take care of your Aai Madhu..you take care of yourself. Pray atleast once a day Madhu. Jesus is the savior of all”, said Mr. Shinde to his daughter, while they got down the lift with her luggage.

“Ok Aai & Baba. Love you both. Please tell Mishu that I wont be able to go to her school right now. I am already late.. Baba please go to Mishu’s school & tell her I am sorry. When I am back I will make sure I get the maximum gifts for Mishu.”

“Chalo Bhaiyya. Late ho raha hai”, said Madhura to the taxi driver.

She waved to her parents while giving them a flying kiss from the taxi window.

“Huh, bhaiyya tell me, does everyone who goes to the International airport have a hard time or is it just me?”, asked Madhura smiling.

“Madam, these days everyone is going to foreign countries like they r going to Delhi or Chennai. So no one is too bothered. But yes we get to know who is going for the first time & who is regular.” Laughed the taxi driver.

She got down at the airport, checked in her luggage, took her boarding pass, went for the security check & waited for the boarding to be announced. She had 2 hours before the boarding would begin.

“I wish I would have got a book to read”, she said to herself.

“Excuse me can you please look after my bag. I will just go & get something to eat”, said a tall guy. He had an amazing personality. He was wearing a Calvin Klein tee with a rugged jeans & he had good hair which was a little unkempt. It looked like the new fashion for youngsters.

“Me? But I don’t know you.”, said Madhura with a puzzled look on her face.

“Hi my name is Ashish Rana” the guy said while handing out a shakehand forcefully to Madhura.” So now that you know me can you please take care of my bag, while I get something to eat.” He dint even wait for Madhura to give her consent or object at his decision. He just walked away.

Madhura was upset at his objectionable attitude.

“I cant belive he actually walked away & asked me to handle his stuff. What a pain. Once he is back, I am going to give him a piece of my mind”, decided Madhura.

“Heya..so hws u doing? By the way you know me but I don’t know you. How can I leave my bag with a stranger?” He checked his bag for his belongings. “Oh great all in here is safe. So you are fair. Who are you?”, said Ashish with a anxious look on his face. He looked like he is waiting for her to tell her name & details while he hadn’t even asked for it properly.

“Listen Mr. Ashish or whoever you are. You should be thankful that I actually took care of your bag while you were away hogging some food.”, said Madhura who looked quite irritated.

“Ok so you are angry because I dint get you anything? Don’t worry I have an extra Pie you can share it with me if you want.”, said Ashish with an innocent look as though he really dint understand why Madhura was angry.

“I cant believe there are people like you. God..how did you grow up like this & survive without learning any manners. Amazing!! And I cant even believe that I am actually sitting here & talking to you. Absolutely wasting my time. Someone like you probably wouldn’t even dream of saying a ‘Thank You’ would you?"

So please take care of your belongings & let me do my own business. I hope I don’t get to see you again.” Said Madhura as she picked up her handbag & pushed her hand luggage to a different seat.

She was sitting there watching the news on TV & just when she wanted to get up to have some water there was a boarding call for the passengers on the Emirates flight to board the Dubai aircraft.

She walked to board the flight. As she was getting into the flight, she was greeted by a beautiful looking airhostess & she smiled to herself thinking, “I think I know why so many guys board Emirates”.

She got a seat right next to the window & she was happy about it. A four hour flight dint require her to sit on the aisle. The flight took off. The flight had a snack to offer & when she was just done in a few minutes there was a meal served.

She read a magazine that was lying in front of her & when she looked at her watch they were only thirty minutes away from Dubai. She decided that there was no point in taking a short nap now. She was thinking about what Aai & Baba would be doing.

“I am sure they must be consoling Mishu” she smiled again. She looked up & saw Ashish staring at her. She immediately got back the serious expression on her face & she looked away. He probably walked away after that. The flight was not too crowded probably the reason why he was trying his luck around.

” What a jerk”, she thought to herself.

The flight crew prepared for landing & she got out of the flight & into Dubai airport. She went to freshen up quickly as she had to walk a short distance for her next flight. The journey she was dreading. A fourteen hour flight that would take her to the JFK airport. She came out hurriedly and walked towards the gate to pick her boarding pass & board the next flight.

As soon as she found her place she tucked her hand baggage into the overhead locker & sat down, all ready to fly. She clipped her seat belt to the waist & waited for the plane to fly. There was an announcement that they will be flying in a couple of minutes. When she asked the airhostess of the delay she understood that there was someone who got a little delayed & they had been waiting for the passenger.

“Sorry, can you please move, this is my seat”, said Ashish to the man who was sitting on the aisle side of the 3seats.

“If you don’t mind can you please sit in between, I am diabetic & I might be frequently getting up from my side. It would be quite a disturbance for you.” Said the gentleman sitting in Ashish’s seat.

“Hey no problem sir. I am very helpful & understanding by nature. You can sit in my seat.”, said Ashish & suddenly gave a puzzled look at Madhura.

“Are you ok with me sitting here? I am a little scared.”, said Ashish with an innocent look on his face.

“I don’t have a problem”, said Madhura in a stern tone. “ Anyways I would watch a few movies & intend to sleep, I just hope I don’t have much interference with my sleep.” She said as she saw Ashish settling into the seat next to her.

“Oh no..i generally don’t talk much unless I have some interesting company. And I have understood that serious souls like you don’t like any new things or new people in life. So its ok. You can sleep peacefully.”, he said looking away from Madhura.

“You know what you are surprisingly right, I am not like a few people who would barge into another person’s personal space without their permission. Like you just did at the airport today. I have some manners & ethics which I wish to hold on to. If someone has a problem with that, then ‘I DON’T CARE’. I am hoping you understand”, she was now getting irritated with the way Ashish was talking to her.

“Not bad you don’t actually look like what you are.”, said Ashish

“Excuse me, please don’t make me feel guilty of having you sit together through this flight. The flight is full & I don’t think there is another place where I could shift. So please be a little cooperative both of you”, said the gentleman unable to tolerate the nuisance that was happening next to him.

The flight had already taken off.

Both of them sat quiet for a long while & then Ashish spoke up. “I just hate it if I have to sit through like this for the next 14 hours. If that means its just ego then I would go first. I am sorry”.

Madhura smiled & said, “I am sorry too. But you were majorly wrong.”

“Ok I agree. I was just being a little childish”, said Ashish & both of them smiled.

“So whats your name?” asked Ashish.

“I am Madhura”, said Madhura softly.

“Mathura? Isn’t that Krishanji’s birthplace? I dint know people have names like Mathura & Bhopal”, he looked as though he was really curious to know how people are names like that.

“You are impossible. My name is MADHURA not Mathura.”.

“Oh Madhura. Got ya.” And he laughed.

His laugh was contagious, she found it funny herself of how much her name resembled the place Mathura. She was laughing too & she finally said, “People generally call me Madhu. You can call me Madhu too. I don’t think I can afford to sound like Mathura” and she smiled again.

“How about you? Which Uni are you going to?” asked Madhura.

“I am sure I look too handsome. I am not going to any Uni. I am going for work. I am joining as a Team Lead with ING Group. I was earlier working with Accenture in Mumbai. I finished my job & next day I am here. My original company is in Delhi & I contract with them. My parents & my brother with his family live in San Jose. I would be working with ING Group in NY. I am going there as a Team Lead”

All this while Madhura looked at him like she was in some kind of shock.

“Did you say you are a Team Lead?”

“Yes”

“Did you say you are with ING Group”

“Yes”

“Did you say you are going to work at New York?”

“Of course I did. But why are you so shocked?”

“I just cant believe it. No..no no..not again..not for soo long”, said Madhura

“Ok now stop puzzling me. That is my job”, said Ashish with a smile.

“I am going to New York to ING Group for their new project too. Of course I am just a developer.” Said Madhura.

“Oh so I am gonna be your Boss. Not bad eh??”, Ashish winked looking at Madhura.

She laughed bending her head down.

“Ah that smile again, you know you had a similar smile when you were on board in the Dubai flight.”, asked Ashish

“Yeah I know and you stared at me like you were looking at something strange?” questioned Madhura.

“Exactly, I thought you were a little mad coz you were kinda smiling for no reason I felt”, and he laughd.

“Are you always the yo-yo types? I mean how do you work like that? Don’t you get serious ever? How do you behave so childish. I still cant believe you are a Team Lead. I still feel that you are probably tricking me.”, said Madhura doubting Ashish.

He smiled and said let me ask you a few questions & started asking her a few technical questions & Madhura was sure he was indeed a techie with sound knowledge. They slept for a while after having their meal & the flight finally arrived at the JFK airport.

“Alright then Madhura. Nice meeting you. Can you carry this bag for me & bring it to me when you start work on Monday. I am heading to San Jose for a couple of days & will be in office Monday morning. Will see you there”, he said while handing his baggage to her outside the airport.

Madhura was stunned at his audacity to hand her his hand baggage & leave her. “He is a jerk, I was right initially”, she thought while pushing her entire luggage & his hand luggage towards the placard that had her name on it. “Why on earth did he have to take this fight? Whydint he just go to San Jose? Its just my bad luck” she thought to herself.

She had a good night’s rest. She dint bother changing or having her dinner at the apartment. She just crashed on the bed to get up the next morning. She had just sent a text to her Dad that she had reached safe& shall call them the following day.

She got up on Saturday morning & looked at the time. She knew it would be too late in the night to call her parents. She wanted them to wake up but call them before Mishu would run to school.

She had her breakfast with the available bread & eggs that she found in the fridge. She then got ready to walk around the city for a while.

She adored the city. It was like someone had fast forwarded Mumbai. It felt like home. Busy streets. Lots of people. She had a dream since she watched the ‘Maid in Manhattan’ to visit the place. It looked lovely in the movie. She was here today and was loving every bit of it.

She spoke to her parents later that day & also met up with another couple who had arrived to stay in the Service apartment. Vartika & Vihaan were a lovely couple. It looked like they were made for each other. They were both good looking, well dressed, very friendly & well mannered. She had not met them earlier while in India. They were sent from the Delhi office and Madhura wished she could have such nice people around her at the Mumbai office.

“Hi Madhu. Nice to meet you. Hope we don’t trouble you too much. We keep fighting like little kids most of the time.” Said Vartika with a smile.

“isn’t it you who keeps fighting most of the time?”, interrupted Vihaan.

Vihaan,stop joking. Anyways Madhura are you here alone or do you have any relatives around.

Madhura had already started to like the couple.

“Well I do have relatives in Chicago and NJ and a few other places. None of them are close enough so I spend huge airfares to meet them. So I will be on my own for the next few months. How about you guys?”, asked Madhura.

Huh..intially we were very happy to be together on the same project in US. But now we have so many relatives around that we might have a tough time handling them. All our relatives on both sides who could’nt attend our wedding have invited us. You know all the chacha chachi, mama mami. Its gonna be tough on us,” said Vihaan shaking his head like hes not looking forward to it.

Vartika laughed and hugged him.

“You guys settle down and I will meet again during dinner time”, said Madhura. They were not planning to start their cooking right away and had planned a dinner at a nearby restaurant.

A good Mangolian cuisine and a short walk later Madhura decided to leave the newly weds on their own and headed back to the apartment.

Once she was back she decided to browse the net for a while and saw the e-mail from Rishi. It said “I am sorry” in the title. She checked on the box beside the e-mail and hit the delete button without reading it. She was lost in thoughts for a while when suddenly she saw a chat message from Ananya. “Herione..kahan ho..if u r thr..buzz me bak. Smething urgent.”

Madhura was not in a mood to chat with Ananya though she was her best friend. She decided she will mail her a little later. She was drowsy after a heavy dinner and after a couple of drinks while at dinner.

Though she wasn’t a heavy drinker she enjoyed a couple of drinks now and then and once she knew that both Vartika and Vihaan were ordering their drinks. She decided to gulp a couple of them down to get some heat into the chilled body because of the cold wind. She played on her favourite Kishore Kumar’s melodies and fell asleep.

Sunday went quickly with Madhura getting ready with her Business suit she wanted to wear on her first day at work in her new project. She made her call home spoke to Mishu, Aai and Baba for some time and mailed Ananya. She went out alone for a walk and picked up food at a local café and was sitting by the park watching kids playing and parents having a good chat.

Sunday went quickly with Madhura getting ready with her Business suit she wanted to wear on her first day at work in her new project. She made her call home spoke to Mishu, Aai and Baba for some time and mailed Ananya. She went out alone for a walk and picked up food at a local café and was sitting by the park watching kids playing and parents having a good chat.

“Madhura?? What happened I hope you are not leaving. Did we do something wrong?”, asked Vihaan with a surprised look.

“Oh no..nothing like that. I need to hand this luggage over to a jerk who I met on the plane and to my utter bad luck he now happens to be our boss”, said Madhura with sheer disappointment, frowning in her forehead.

“Don’t tell me his name is Ashish..pls pls pls..”, said Vartika so curious she wasn’t even standing at one place.

“Oh so u guys have already tolerated him earlier? Guess I will get some tips from you guys on how to handle idiots like him”, she said looking at Vartika.

Vartika stood there speechless for second and hugged Vihaan.

“Vihaan..vihaaaaaann..Ashu..he will be working with is. Hes our boss Vihaan..wowwwww..”, her eyes were sparkling like diamonds.

“Vartika..listen listen – but Pappu cant Dance Saala..”, said Vihaan. And both were laughing like two crazy people who just won a lottery and are still in shock.

Madhura was now in disbelief.”No WAY!!”, she thought to herself. The two people she thought who will give her good company turned out to be the friends of the Jerk she had met in the plane.

“Arey Madhura. Are you sure its Ashish. I mean was he unbelievably handsome, lovely smile and looks you could kill for?”, asked Vartika winking at Vihaan.

“I dint think he was so very handsome. He was ok.”, said Madhura. “So you guys already know him? And you guys dint know hes gonna be our boss? How did you guess it was Ashish I was talking about” asked Madhura. She was wondering if Vartika and Vihaan were so close to the creep whose luggage she was carrying why dint they know about his arrival.

“Actually he used to work at Infy a couple of years ago. We had a great team. It was such fun working with Ashu. Obviously he had great people skills along with his knowledge and was taken in by Accenture as a Team Lead. He was the one who told me Vartika is already in love with me, otherwise I would’nt have dared to propose her. Her brother looks like a WWF champ.”. Vihaan put his arm around Vartika’s shoulder and she hit him in his ribs.

“Yeah. After he left we were in touch with him. But you know life does get a little busy. Getting our parents acceptance was major trouble. Finally they agreed and we did send him a mail invite. But he wasn’t there at our wedding. We moved on from Infy too and joined our Consulting firm.

We just knew he left Accenture and was offered a role by another big company. And how did I guess it was Ashu. Giving you his luggage. Tell me have you ever known someone who would give their luggage to you?

Knowing you just for a couple of hours. We knew one person like that. His name is Ashish Rana. No one else would do such a thing. He’s a gem of a person Madhura.

If I was not already in love with Vihaan I would have loved to fall in love with Ashu.”, Vartika then looked at Vihaan and said..”but I love you baby so much I would sacrifice even a 1000 hunks for u.” Vihaan kissed her on her cheek and said, “I just cant wait anymore, I want to see that bugger right now.”

They hired a taxi and headed to their workplace in the Downtown. As soon as they reached Vartika almost jumped out of the taxi to meet Ashish.

Obviously, they had to wait to meet up with the Project manager first who then introduced them to the Team Lead. After they had the friendly Hi and hellos, the PM left for them to catch up and get a hang of the work they were to start.

That started the fun for the three of them and the torture for Madhura.

“Ashu..Darling where have you been. We even invited you for our wedding. You dint bother to attend,” said Vartika with a bit of resentment.

“Sweety..if I would attend your wedding you would have gone the filmy way to say’Main yeh shaadi nahi kar sakti’..poor Vihaan would have been helpless. So just to make sure that both my friends stay happily ever after, I decided to skip the wedding” said Ashish laughing away. “ On a serious note I was under high pressure to finish off a project and I could not afford to fly to Delhi for the wedding. I am really sorry about it.” He then hugged both Vartika and Vihaan.

“Vihaan I need a drink. Can you get me some coke?”, Vartika was looking at Vihaan like she will probably die of thirst. Madhura had a smile on her face when she saw the cute couple.

“Ok. Lets go. Do you guys need anything?” When both of Ashish and Madhura said ‘No’, Vihaan and Vartika left to go to the cafeteria to get a drink.

“Hey..i forgot to speak to you properly. How r u M-A-T-H-U-R-A?”, said Ashish.

“You think you are too smart don’t you? I thought you were an OK guy, but I was surely wrong. Please take your luggage, which you dumped right onto my head the other day”, she handed him the luggage and went to her desk.

“Excuse me our work requires a bit of patience, if you are so short tempered, you will have huge bugs in your code.” Ashish was definitely handsome, but Madhura dint want to react like she is already fallen for him and definitely not now when they were having disagreements.

After Vihaan and Vartika got back, Ashsih called for a short meeting calling in the rest of the Team Members to give them the crux of the project. Madhura was quite impressed with the way Ashish was handling the team. He allocated the right amount of work to each one. He knew what each team member was good at and allocated the work accordingly. Madhura was surprised of how he knew so much about each one of them though they had formally just met.

They met up again for lunch and Madhura was a little quiet. She dint want to talk too much to someone she was not interested in. She couldn’t manage not talking to Ashish while working but atleast during such breaks and out of office she had all right to be the way she wanted to be.

“Are you always like this? I mean quiet, sad and like you have lost your favourite dog?”, questioned Ashish looking at Madhura.

Madhura had a puzzled look on her face.

“Yeah Favourite Dog. I have seen some people who cry for their dogs so much they would’nt even cry for their family members. I wish I was a Dog in Angelina’s /Aishwarya’s house. I am telling you I would have been treated like a king even by the reporters.” Ashish was laughing so much, his stomach was probably hurting. Vartika and Vihaan joined him too.

Madhura somehow dint enjoy his jokes.” Do you even know what you talk? Sorry but I just don’t like your rotten jokes”. She was looking at her sandwich and she almost lost the taste of it. She got up and chucked it in the bin and was walking away.

“Excuse me Madhura. You don’t like me joking about the Dogs. Fine. But please stop wasting food. I have seen people fighting like dogs for the same food you just threw in the dustbin”. He had a disturbed look on his face.

“Oh yeah like you care,” Madhura shrugged his comments and walked inside.

Vartika and Vihaan quietly looked at Ashish.

Vartika later in the day told Madhura , that while they used to work together they had once gone out for dinner and had wasted a lot of food after ordering. When they came out of the restaurant they were walking back to their cars when they saw 3 slum kids fighting. Ashish had gone to them to ask what the problem was and one of them said that there was some food someone threw away which they all wanted to pick up. They were all hungry. Ashish had taken them to a small restaurant and had them have food. They had then asked him for money so they can buy food for the rest of the week. He had just smiled and had given them money. He had tears in his eyes when he walked back to us. Though he dint know if they really bought food or did something else, he had sure known that those kids initially were fighting for the food thrown away by someone like us in the dustbin. Vartika told Madhura that since then she dint see Ashish wasting food and doesn’t allow any of his friends to waste food.

“I dint think he was so emotional Vartika. It all sounds so filmy yaar”, said Madhura surprised.

“I told you Madhura, hes a brat but from his heart he’s a nice guy, give him sometime you will know. He really values his friends.” Vartika said with great confidence in her tone.

Madhura dint have a choice but to hang around with Ashish as he was always tagged with Vartika and Vihaan. They had lunch together and sometimes Ashish would join them for dinner at home and then go back to his cousin’s apartment.

The time was flying. She came to know that Ananya was getting married in 2 months but at this point she could not afford to fly to India to attend her best friend’s wedding.

It was already a month since they had been on the project and Madhura realized that Ashish was not such a negative character afterall. He loved to bully but it was not harmful. At work he was wonderful. Very professional, always ready to help and guide. Madhura could not have asked for a better team lead.

It was one evening after work they gathered at their Service Apartment to have dinner. They had a heavy snack on their way back home but because they dint want to feel hungry in the middle of the night, all of them decided to cook. They decided to make Khichdi which was an easy bet looking at the energy levels they all had at that time. Vihaan volunteered to cook and they all sat down to eat. After a few spoons

Ashish took the plate and said, ‘sorry buddy, the food is good but my stomach is too full and I cant eat anymore”. Vihaan smiled and told him that it was alright. Just when Ashish was going to dump his plate full of food into the dustbin, Madhura shouted. “Wait”.

“Whats wrong with you?”, asked Ashish.

“I am stuffing up my food though I am full because you once told me that you don’t like people wasting food. Vartika even told me a flash back for the whole thing. Have you forgotten about all that today?”, she looked with pride like she has made someone recall what their aim in life was.

The three of them started laughing out loud and Ashish left his plate on the kitchen platform looked into Madhura’s eyes and started rolling onto the floor laughing.

“What? Why are you guys laughing?”, asked a surprised Madhura.

“Can I ask you which great personality helped you understand this side of me?”, asked Ashish in between his giggles.

“Vartika,” she then looked and Vartika and asked again,” will someone tell me what is so funny about my question?”. She was now feeling anxious and restless.

Ashish slowly walked towards her to the couch. He sat next to her and put his arm around her shoulder. Madhura suddenly had a chilled feeling. She felt as though she had frozen right there.

“Ok I am sorry Madhura, that was another effortless feat of mine to bully you. I had said something and I had asked Vartika to make up some story.” Said Ashish looking into Madhura’s eyes.

Vartika slowly murmured her Sorry. She said it was not indented to hurt her.

Madhura dint say a word. She had heard every bit of what Ashish had said but her brain dint help her process that information. She was shocked with the way she was feeling sitting beside Ashish. She felt relaxed, warm, loved just by his touch. She suddenly realized that she was wrong in her thinking and almost jumped from the couch. She wanted to run to her room, close the door and not allow anyone to know her feelings for Ashish that had suddenly sprouted in the last few minutes.

Ashish was now holding her hand and pulling her back to the couch, “ Hey Madhu, stop being such a cry baby yaar. It was a joke. I promise it wont happen again.”

Madhura was too involved with her feelings to listen to Ashish. She pulled away and walked quickly to her room.

Ashish went to her room before she could close the door. He took her hand in his and said, “Madhu, it was just a joke. I promise it wont happen again. Coming to the fact of not wasting food. The part that I had seen a few kids fighting for food is true .Its also true that I gave them some money to buy food with the fact that I no more like wasting food. All the other add ons were untrue. I was just being dramatic to seem like a nice person to you.” He dint once look away from her eyes during the conversation.

“Can I ask you why you had to look like a nice person to me?”, Madhura asked him. She liked him. She liked the attention he was giving her. She liked the coaxing. She was probably in love with him. She wanted to ask stupid questions so she could have him stay with her for a little more time.

“Because I know you are a nice person and you generally wouldn’t want to make friends with someone like me. Happy? Now lets go back to the hall. If we don’t go back there in the next 2 minutes they will start cooking stories.”.

Ashsish walked out and so did Madhura towards the hall though she felt like it was all a dream.

The week passed quickly. They would have fun when they were together but the project strangely in the initial days had been busy, while its generally the other way round.

After almost 6 weeks since they had been on the project they were relatively relaxed and Vartika and Vihaan finally decided to head their relative’s place in New Jersy. They had invited them over the numerous weekends since they had been in US. They got the permission to take off on the coming Friday.

After almost 6 weeks since they had been on the project they were relatively relaxed and Vartika and Vihaan finally decided to head their relative’s place in New Jersy. They had invited them over the numerous weekends since they had been in US. They got the permission to take off on the coming Friday.

They had asked Madhura to join them but she dint feel comfortable. It was nice of them to ask she thought but it would surely not be nice if she goes to NJ with them. She bravely told them that she needs sometime alone too and the three of them had troubled them more than she had asked for.

Before she could realize it was Thursday already and Vartika and Vihaan were flying the same night. She was already feeling lonely. What would she do for 3 long days all by herself. She decided she will try to explore the beautiful city but then she had second thoughts, if she would be able to have as much fun if she goes alone.

Vartika and Vihaan had their flight at 8PM and Ashish and Madhura went to drop them off at the airport. “Madhura it would have been nice if you would have joined us”, said Vartika.

“Vartika please don’t give her such ideas, imagine she comes to NJ with you guys and your relatives are shocked about the dulhan. Ek ke saath ek free”, he laughed.” What say MATHURA?”, he grinned sheepishly.

Madhura was in no mood for jokes. She was already feeling lonely.

“Atleast you should have postponed your trip this week Ashish”, said Vihaan. You could have given some company to Madhura”, said Vihaan looking like he was genuinely worried for Madhura.

They had all developed a beautiful friendship bond and cared for each other like thick friends.

“Are you crazy? Me all alone with this MATHURA? By the time you guys return she would have barbequed me and had her as her lunch. I am as it is scared of her from the beginning. She is anyway Jhasi ki rani. Don’t worry she will even survive Bin Laden if he arrives in front of her.” He said not bothering the serious gaze Madhura gave him.

They went pass the Security check and it was time for Madhura and Ashish to leave. Madhura hugged Vartika and Vihaan and wished them a great weekend. Ashsih and Madhura headed to the car park. They decided to grab a quick dinner at Thai restaurant near the Serviced apartment where Madhura was staying.

“Do you always like to pull my leg? Do have a grudge against me? Did I do something wrong that I have never known for which God is punishing me?”, she was about to ask something else when Ashish inturupted.

“My dear Question bank. Are you always like this. So serious in life. Cant laugh as much as others do, cant have fun like the rest of us do. You don’t speak much and sometimes not at all, like you were quiet for a good 30 minutes till our drive back to the restaurant. Now that you open your mouth you have nothing else but questions to ask.

Can I please opt for something else? I am serious, no more jokes. I mean like when we call for phone assistance they ask us right, for so and so press 1 or press 2 and so on. So do u have options where I can number 1 and you smile. Number 2 and you behave like a normal person”, and he looked around to give the order.

Madhura was upset with Ashish and dint want to aurgue. She ordered a Green curry with coconut rice and Ashish asked for a Pad Thai. They both ate quietly. Madhura wanted to speak but she made sure she doesn’t make him feel she has lost the battle. She had too much of ego to be taken care of.

While leaving Madhura at her apartment Ashish asked her to come early by 7.30 am the next day.

“Why so early? Atleast let me sleep peacefully. Anyways you would leave early tomorrow too what would I do after coming back home. I will probably come late and leave a little late tomorrow”, she said.

“I think I have enough work to give you for the weekend. I need you to be in early tomorrow. I have decided to hand over a few tasks to you that were earlier not on your agenda. I am in a few meetings till 3PM tomorrow and might not have enough time talk to you. I am also leaving for the day by 3.30PM tomorrow. So if you could please take the risk of being at work early tomorrow that would be great. Have a great night. Sleep tight and please don’t scare the ghosts.” He said while sitting back in the car and waving while driving away in the street.

She wondered why Ashish troubled her so much. She thought to herself if she likes him or loves him. If she wants him to be with her or doesn’t want him to be with her. She was contemplating on the thought of her closeness with him was because she wanted it to be that way or was it because she was finding herself to be lonely with the couple she was used to seeing day and night.

With too many thoughts in her head and a slight thought of home sickness not seeing around anyone else in the apartment she quietly feel asleep in the couch watching TV. Her alarm rang at 6AM. She quickly got dressed. She wore her best casuals so she could lift her spirits and forget that she is going to be all by herself for the weekend. She was hoping she gets some work to bring back home or find a Superman she could spend the weekend with.

Ashish met up with her early and discussed some new responsibilities. She was always amazed with the transition he had at work and outside. He was such a different person, though he was still jovial and energetic, she found him to be the ideal boss. Someone who cared for each and every person in the team and helped them with whatever issues they had. She could see a young PM of the future in one of the best companies.

She could not meet Ashish for lunch as he was busy with a few meetings and had already told her to go ahead with her lunch. She finished a small wrap at her desk and dint bother getting out for lunch. The team seemed missing. She was more concerned about her team of friends at that point in time more than anyone else.

Ashish arrived at about 3PM. “Are you done with your lunch?”, he asked as though he wanted to hear a NO.

“Yeah. You told me to finish off my lunch because you would be busy with your meetings”, said Madhura.

“Yeah but then you try calling or generally wait and see that may be your friend would be hungry”, said Ashish looking a little upset.

“Its ok I will have coffee while you pick up lunch”, Madhura said smiling. She had a sense of achievement when she saw that Ashish was upset.

“Ok are you done with your work?”, Ashish asked Madhura and and she frowned, “You asked me to come in early and now I don’t have anything else to do. I have finished everything I could do on my own and the rest of the things I have to wait for the team till they are back on Monday. Now give me some work or I wont let you go to San Jose.”

“Fine. Stop me.”Ashish said looking into Madhura's eyes. She felt the same chill down her spine like she had the other day. She immediately looked away.

Madhura was taken aback.”What???”She had a lot of emotions running. She thought probably Ashish is not going. Probably she will have company over the weekend. Probably he is being nice. Probably its all a joke. She was happy, she was tensed. It was a stir of emotions before Ashish spoke up again and said, “Yeah so go ahead and stop me”.

“OH yeah like I would say’ stay back’ and you will just let go of ur tickets and cancel the trip just to make sure I am not bored during the weekend. After I saw you at the airport yesterday I am sure you could never ever be so nice to me. So its ok.

You don’t have to act anymore”, she said strongly while she was all wanting him to stay back from the heart.

“Miss MATHURA Shinde, the fact is that I probably am not that bad a villan like you potray to your mind about me. There is every possibility that I would have pitied you being all alone in this lovely climate and dint really want to leave you alone. I would have thought that poor you might find it difficult to spend the weekend looking at a boring person like yourself and I might have decided to stay back.”, Ashish said while Madhura was making herself some coffee.

“Excuse me Mr.Ashish Rana you really don’t have to pity me, I can manage myself and I wont feel bored at all. I can even drop you at the airport.”

“Lets go if you have finished your coffee”, said Ashish walking towards Madhura’s desk.

Madhura picked up her bag and wished she would not have used strong words like she did and wished God gave her enough strength that she could ask Ashish to stay back.

They drove past the city and Madhura asked where they were heading and what time Ashish’s flight was.

“well, I thought you would be nice enough to ask me my company for the weekend, but now that you have denied any such requirement, let me shamelessly tell you that I really do not know what to do over the weekend”, said Ashish concentrating over the road.

“What do you mean you don’t know what to do over the weekend?”, what do you do every other weekend when you go to your family?” asked Madhura secretly hoping that Ashish would not go.

“Well all I mean is that I had cancelled my tickets after I knew that Vartika and Vihaan would not be with you. I had made a small plan to show you New York, a movie, have dinner at some nice places and may be show you my cooking skills too. Now that you have told me that you don’t need me I am wondering what to do. Can you suggest me something?”, said Ashish quickly looking at Madhura before looking at the GPS for direction.

“What? What did you just say?”, Madhura was like a little child who had been given her favourite candy or ice cream. She was completely excited.

“Are you really not going home? And is it really because of me?”, she asked Ashish again.

“Arey yaar..how many question will you ask? Was your Dad a Professor who would set Question papers for students? God..I have never seen someone ask so many questions”, said Ashish.

Madhura dint like the conversation being related to her father and went silent again.

“OK sorry. I should not have pulled your Dad into it. Its just that You keep asking so many questions. By the way you are looking pretty today. Not bad you look kind of OK beside me. Otherwise people would not think we are friends, they would have thought ‘OH what a smart Boss and what a Behenji type Secretary’”, he said while parking the car near Big Cinemas in Manhattan.

Madhura thought how can someone irritate you so much and she was looking at Ashish through the conversation.

“Lets go. Stop staring at me. I know I am handsome”, said Ashish setting his hair for the 5th or 6th time.

“I cant believe that you actually think you are so smart. Please stop admiring yourself. By the way what movie do you intend to watch?”, asked Madhura looking at the Show timings.

“What do you mean which movie? The most happeneing movie of this year. Couldn’t find time to watch such a fantastic movie all these days. AVATAR of course. Dint think your brain works so slowly. Do you want pop corn with coke or without coke.?”, he asked while going towards the queue to pick the tickets.

“I don’t think we will get the tickets. Have you looked at the crowd?”, she said looking at all the people around.

“That is why you should start spending more time with people like me.”, said Ashish tapping on Madhura’s head. “ People like me can help sharpen your brain. For example when you come to a place like this to watch one of the most popular movies, you should book your tickets online. So when you come here you can just go to the counter you give you details and pick up your tickets”, he then walked to a different counter for online bookings.

Madhura stared at him. She dint know what kind of a person he was. Half the time she felt that he wanted to prove that she was dumb, brainless and bully her as and when he would get a chance. The other half of the time he was so concerned for her that he actually cancelled his tickets to go home to see his family.

Ashish came back with the tickets. They enjoyed the movie and went for dinner. He took her to a Vietnamese restaurant he mentioned was one of his favourites. She was enjoying every moment of this. She was even laughing at his jokes at times. She was not sure though if it was because he had stayed back for her and she was too excited just to be with him or if she was genuinely enjoying his company.

She seemed to want to spend more and more time with him. She dint want the night to end or the time to fly. There was nothing more significant to his presence today than any other day but there was something so binding about him in the past few days that she was being drawn towards him, unaware of what it could lead to.

He dropped her home after dinner and asked to be ready by 9AM so he could pick her up. She smiled and waved back and him while he was leaving.

Once she reached her apartment her only thoughts were ‘Does he love me? Why is he being so nice to me? I know I have heard many time that he is nice but can he really be so nice that he cares so much about me? Am I in love? Why would I otherwise bother so much about him. Why was I upset in the afternoon thinking he might leave?’ She had changed and was listening to Jagjit Singh’s “Hoton se chulu tum..mera geet amar kar do”, she loved the song and today it was sounding all the more special. She had already started to dream about her sitting right next to Ashish hand in hand looking into each others eyes.

She dint know when she fell asleep but woke up early in the morning than usual.

She was smiling to herself and thinking what should she be doing next, when her mobile rang.

“Madam Mathura..if u don’t get ready in the next 30 mins I will pick you up in your night dress and take you to the Statue of Liberty.” Said Ashish like he was in a hurry and hung the phone.

Madhura ran into the bathroom to get dressed. She got ready in 20 mins but then changed again thinking she is not looking her best and then she thought she would buy something prettier next weekend to get compliments from Ashish.

Ashish called again and asked Madhura to come down to the corner of her street.

“Why dint you come upstairs?”, Madhura asked.

“If I come upstairs..there would have been possibilities that we would not be going to see the Statue of Liberty.” Said Ashish not looking at Madhura

“Matlab?? Why couldn’t we see the statue of Liberty”, Madhura questioned again.

“Because you women are disgusting you take ages in getting dressed and until the last moment you dont get out of the house”.

“Oh Thanks. Sarah Jessica Parker”, she said in the same low tone.

They dint talk for a few minutes and to Madhura’s rescue they had arrived at the place on time. IN between people it was not too difficult to strike a conversation with him back again. They spent time together on Saturday around the Empire State building, and Brooklyn Bridge. They had picked up some lunch on the way so they dint waste time in restaurants.

Ashish told her he would show her the Times Square in the evening. She loved her time with him. She even forgot to call her Aai over the weekend. She had a certain happiness in her heart when she was with him. She was enjoying it thoroughly.

She went back home after a busy day in the city. She was dead tired and she immediately fell asleep on the bed smiling thinking why the day had ended so soon and wished she has much more time with Ashish the following day.

It was already Sunday morning, Madhura quickly got up and ran to finish her shower and head off to Ashish’s place. He promised her to show couple of other places before they could finally settle down for lunch at his place. She was excited. During the shower she kept thinking of how quickly the last 2 days had passed for her and wished the time could stand still. She suddenly remembered that Vihaan and Vartika would be home the same night and she had to head home before they reach. She was almost sulking with the thought of the weekend ending so soon. “Why does time just fly sometimes and when youo really want the time to fly it just stands still like there is nothing else left in life” she winged to herself looking into the mirror.

She quickly got dressed and was all set to go. She hired a cab to get to Ashish’s residence and called him. “Hold on I will come downstairs. I don’t want you to come upstairs yet. I don’t want you to know what disasters I have made today”.

“What happened? You said you were an amazing cook. Do you need help dear Chef?”, she taunted mischievously.

“No Thanks. Unfortunately you just have to eat what is cooked. I was thinking of options to buy you lunch but after your comment I have decided against it. Opportunity is lost sometimes when you talk too much”, he smiled sheepishly.

They both got into the cab. “What happened to your car Ashish, I thought you never get out without your car. Not bad.” Said Madhura

“Well my cousin takes the car on the weekends. I am not there anyways most of the weekends, so he takes it. He works over the weekends and does some pizza delivery”.

In a couple of hours they were back at his place, giggling like two little children who were upto something mischevious.

They settled down in the couch that was in the lounge and Madhura looked around.

“Goodness your cousin seems to be super rich Ashish. This place is amazing. Wow, you even have a lovely view. Lucky you. I dint think you belonged to such a high –fi family. I mean I knew but dint know so hi-fi.”, she smiled.

“You look nice when you laugh, has anyone ever said that to you yet? I just don’t like that ‘I have lost everything in lfe’ kind of a look on your face” said Ashish slowly.

Madhura’s thoughts quickly ran down the memory lane. She remembered her loved ones telling her –“ Madhura why are you still so childish. You probably were suppose to be a boy. We cant help it if God has made you a girl."

" Try to slow down a little, try to mellow down a little Madhura. We will tell your Sunday school students of what a brat you are."

" Di, I am the younger one, I am suppose to be a bigger brat and suppose to be pampered more than you, but why do you take away all my attention."

" Madhura..my child God would always love you but he would love you even more if you start knowing your responsibilities.Keep laughing my darling always. May Jesus shower all his blessings on you”

"Yous smile is the most beautiful thing that ever happened to me. You know you light up my day, I dont know what I would do without you"

“Madhura…Madhura..hello..MATTTHHHHURA”..Ashish almost shouted.

“Yess..”,she almost searched for words to convince Ashish that she was not lost in thoughts.

“What were you thinking, rather should I be saying whom were you thinking about?”, winked Ashish.

“Well no one. I just remembered that I have’nt called my parents in a while. Will go back home and call them.”

“Hmm..so should I really trust you when you say..no boyfriends?”

“Why not?”, she asked with surprise.

“Well these days every girl has a boyfriend..so poor guys like me are left alone.”, said Ashish smiling between the fruit juice he was drinking.

“Well so you want me to belive that a guy like you doesn’t have a girlfriend? Now that is what I call a white lie.”, laughed Madhura.

“Ok I have had girlfriends. But I don’t believe you, no boyfriends AT ALL??”, he did look like he was genuinely surprised.

“Why are you so surprised Ashish?” Madhura asked out of curiosity.

‘Well, you are good looking..actually really really good looking. I don’t mean to say that you could win the crown of being a Miss Universe..that need some real big brain..”, he smiled at Madhura

Madhura was surprised at how easily he could mess with her at any given chance. He then continued to say, “yeah so you don’t really have those brains..but with what I assume you must have had good scores at school. So you are fairly intelligent..well mannered. I am guessing God fearing too. You don’t talk to strangers and mess with everyone that you come across..so you should be having a good boyfriend.”

“Not necessarily” said Madhura.

“In all possibilities I might have gone around with quite a few guys..messed real bad with them and then have had a real bad experience and knowing my past me may be now no one really wants to fall for me. Unless there are ignorant people like you who want to try their luck.”, she smiled.

Suddenly she smelt something burning. She told Ashish about it and he ran to the kitchen.

“My Biryani that is..uff..”Ok that’s a major sign that the food needs to be on the table NOW!!”, he shouted.

He worked like a quick machine not allowing Madhura to touch anything and served huge variety from an Italian brushitto starter to some Chinese stir frys and Indian full meal with Biryani and currys.

“Oops I forgot to make my dessert”, he held his forehead.

“Dessert is on me. Will make you some kheer. I am guessing you like kheer. You Panjabi’sgenerally like kheer”.

“How do you know?’, Ashish Asked.

“Arey..my friend Ananya..she is crazy about kheer. Now that ididot is getting married and I wouldn’t even be there for her wedding.Anyways, let me make you some kheer at my place. Shall we go?”

“Sure, so where is Ananya getting married?”, asked Ashish on the way to Madhura’s place.

“In Delhi. If I was in India I would have done anything to attend her wedding but now its just not possible. She has been my best friend since school.”

“So where in Delhi did you say?”, asked Ashish

“You are asking as though you know her.”, she was getting irritated.

“oh God..why did God make you so short tempered. I was just asking because next week another friend of mine is getting married in Delhi and I just wondered if it’s the same place.” He tried to explain.

“She is getting married near Mayur Vihar phase 2 park or something. Her Husband’s name is Nitin”, is he your friend.

“Oh no my friend’s name is Rohit. So no its not the same person. So is your friend getting married on the Wednesday next week? My friend is getting married on the Friday”, he said waiting for Madhura’s reply.

“No she is getting married on the Saturday”, Madhura replied almost in a whisper.

“Perfect”, said Ashish almost relived.

Madhura dint quite understand his expression but she let it be. She was a little low that she was missing her best friend’s wedding.

They reached Madhura’s place. She quickly ran into the kitchen and tried making some kheer.

Ashish came into the kitchen and stood there behind her. She could feel his eyes cutting through her body like a sharp knife. She stood there for a minute and when she tried to put the sugar box back in the rack, her hand slipped. Ashish ran to help her. She tried to pick up the mess without looking at him.

Ashish slowly moved forward and took her hands in his. Madhura did not dare looking up. He bent a little more forward and before Madhura could realize their lips met for the first time & it felt like eternity to Madhura. She was lost like she was in another world. She neither had expected this neither did she want it to end. She almost felt like giving away herself to him at that very moment.

Ashish slowly pulled away. Madhura’s eyes were still closed. Ashish got up and moved away. Madhura did not know what to do. She got up and tried acting like nothing occurred. Infact at that point in time, both Ashish and Madhura acted like they had missed an important incident that had just occurred.

Neither of them spoke about it. She handed him the kheer and he quietly had it. She dint like Ashish sitting so quietly, she wanted him to talk so she abruptly picked on a question that had been on her mind for long.

“When we were just about to meet you the first time in Office Vihaan had said something about “Pappu cant dance saala”, what was it about?”, asked Madhura with keen interest.

“Well, I cant dance and that’s all about it, so those guys still remember huh..”, smiled Ashish.

Madhura’s phone beeped. It was a text from Vartika that they had started and would be reaching in the next couple of hours.

She told Ashish about it. Ashish looked a little restless.

“Are you ok? I guess you did’nt like the kheer”, she said.

“Madhura I want you to understand something, I am really a private person. I don’t like to discuss some things even to my closest of friends. I do not want you to tell them that I was here over the weekend or what happened just now. I hope you understand”, He was looking at Madhura to agree to what he had just said.

Madhura had not really understood but nodded her head. They sat quietly while Ashish had switched on the TV. Her brain was not processing any other information the fact that she was in that room with Ashish all alone and that they had just had a private moment in her kitchen was something she found hard to digest.

She was having like a thousand balloons bursting in her heart and she felt like a teenager who had just known that the high school guy she has a serious crush on actually likes her. She just could not take her eyes of Ashish when he was not looking at her.

When Vartika and Vihaan arrived, they were hapy to see Ashish at their place. He told them he too had arrived a couple of hours earlier and decided to catch up at their place while Madhura had tortured him with some kheer.

At this point Madhura did not mind him pulling her leg. She was actually enjoying it. Vartika looked at her and smiled. She went to Madhura & asked,”hey Madhu..are you ok? Or have you fallen for the hunk?”

Madhura nodded her head in disagreement and Vartika walked over to Vihaan.

“Alright guys we will go and get some rest, if you both want to chat up for a little more time its fine”, said Vihaan

“No I will head home now & leave you guys to take some rest. Madhura I will let you relax a bit you did work hard with your kheer and thank you for it. I will see you guys at work tomorrow.”, Ashihs walked out of the apartment.

Vartika and Vihaan told Madhura they will get some sleep and Madhura decided to cook them some dinner. She was smiling and she could not hide it.

Vartika was telling Vihaan in the bedroom that there was something about both if them. She told Vihaan that she could see Madhura smiling at Ashish and strangely Ashish called Madhura with the right name.

“Strange indeed”, said Vihaan. “Lets wait and see, I think both of them are grown up adults and they know what they are doing”, he said.

At work Madhura had lost all interest. She could not concentrate. She was day dreaming. She had not finished her tasks for the week and the weekly meeting dint do her any good.

Ashish called her on Firday to discuss the current tasks she was supposed to finish this week. She had not done much, but that did not get her worried. She was happy that she would have some personal time with Ashish.

“Madhura, I do not know what is wrong with you, but I think you should not get deviated from your work. You know I cant say anything to you. Please, will you get things working atleast next week? Please. Don’t let me down.” Ashish was almost pleading her.

Madhura was looking at him and nodded her head. She had not been talking too much. She just dint want to interrupt during his conversations & miss out on anything he said. She was being crazy & even a teen would have laughed aloud at her attitude. She was being absolutely impractical. Funnily she knew all of that but could not stop herself from acting weird.

Vartika & Vihaan had been observing both of them since the last week and Vartika somehow felt that there was something both of them were hiding from them. Vihaan however tried not thinking too much about it.

The following day Vihaan was at their place & Madhura’s happiness knew no bounds.

“He cannot stay without me. I am sure” she thought to herself.

“Hi”, said Madhura with loads of excitement.

“Where are our other dear friends?”, Ashish asked looking around.

“They are on a call to India, anything important you wanted to talk to them?”, Madhura was waiting to hear from him in the privacy that he was here for her.

“oh ok..i just thought may be we could all watch a couple of movies that I got on my way here. Don’t know what to do actually. Or if they want to go out..may be all of us will. So did u get up early today?”, asked Ashish.

“Well..yeah kind of..Ananya called me & said it was her Mehandi yesterday and today is the big day. She was missing me..i miss her too but..anyways, do you want me to get you something?”, she was about to ask him if he was bored at home alone when Vartika came into the hall

.

“Hey Ashu..what’s happening? So early?” Well I thought all of us could make it a movie day unless you guys have other plans”, he said while showing the DVD’s he got.

“Well we really wanted to go out and see NY, but I am running a little low today. So I guess we decided to postpone our sight seeing to the following weekend.” Said Vartika smiling at Madhura

Madhura didn’t quite understand the reason for Vartika’s smile but she smiled back.

Once Vihaan was done with his call, they all sat down to watch the movies Ashish had brought from his place. They watched Rab Ne Banadi Jodi and while they were just about to get their buckets of popcorn from their microwave, Ashish’s mobile rang.

“OK guys I am going to stop the movie now, there is small change in schedule”, said Ashish.

“But why? “asked Madhura slowly. From the past week she had become even quieter and blused for silly things.

“Vihaan can I get your laptop here?”, asked Ashihs not looking at Madhura.

“Yup here it is”, Vihaan handed over his laptop.

“Ok and here we go”, Vihaan clicked on some link and it was all noisy.

“What are we watching?” asked Vartika all excited.

“Well we are watching an Indian wedding sitting in the US”, said Ashish connecting the laptop to the television set.

“Wedding but whose?”, asked Madhura sensing something?

“It’s the wedding of a friend of a dear friend”, said Ashish smiling at Madhura.

She had tears of happiness in her eyes, she knew he loved her.

He came close to her & hugged her as soon as he saw tears in her eyes. He was just scared to or for some reason didn’t want to accept his feelings. Who else would do such a thing.

Slowly Vartika got up and said, “Oh Madhu..dont cry dear..i know sometimes we all just miss home so much, but see you are lucky enough that Ashish has got you the opportunity of watching the wedding.”

Ashish made a call and asked the person on the other end to pass over the phone to Ananya.

“Madhu…is it really you? I thought u missed my wedding, I must say you have some wonderful friends there. Alright.. I think my future husband is waiting for me at the mandap..let me get going. I will call you. I have your number darling. Love you though you can see me I cant see you so really missing you.”, Ananya said everything in like one go and hung up the phone.

Madhura was smiling. She watched the wedding over the internet. In between the ceremonies that were taking place she asked Ashish on how he had got everything done.

“Well if you remember you told me last week that your friend is getting married, I asked you a couple of questions and you answered. That’s it. I had one of my friend who has a photo studio go there and arrange for a webcam. He went there spoke to your friend and then called me back to get her a confirmation for her to agree to let him get the webcam acess for the wedding.Its all about what they say sometimes’ Akalmand ko ishara kaafi hai”, smiled Ashish.

He was amazing. He could just carry off every situation so easily. He knew she was a little sad that she could not attend her friend’s wedding & he had made sure he could do something about it. He really loved her.

Her thoughts were flying to how things will be when Vartika & Vihaan would know their silent relation. Her thoughts went back to India & how she would tell her parents that she had fallen in love & how her parents would react.

The following day they went out to see NY city again. Madhura was smiling. She had been here earlier all alone with Ashish & it was thrilling to hide it from her friends. She went all over the place with them, secretly looking at Ashish while he was smiling at her once in a while & it was just making her weak in the knees.

That night when she got back home she could not sleep. She called her parents, spoke to her sister & then very late in the night tried to sleep.

She was tired and wanted to close her eyes but her mind was restless. It did not allow her to sleep. She decided, “Well if he is not willing to accept to it, I will. I am not ashamed of it & I think its perfectly normal if a girl wants to propose to a boy”. She fell asleep thinking of ways propose Ashish.

She got the next day morning and while getting ready for work she was thinking of Ashish. She was smiling to herself and thinking what love has made her a silly teenager craving for attention from the one she loved.

She thought she would call him and tell him of her love, then she decided that over the phone is not the right way she would confront him and ask him why he cared for her so much if he dint love her and then he would probably express his love. She then thought may be its not the right way & if she should just may be wait & see for him to express his feelings first.

Vartika asked her on the way to work if she was alright, she somehow was way too lost in thoughts than she generally was. Her parents had asked her the same thing a couple of times in the last one week. She was not intentionally being quiet but her thoughts were so immersed in thinking of Ashish that she did not have much to talk with anyone else.

“I am fine Vartika, just a little headache I guess”, she tried to cover her thoughts with headache.

“Did you take a tablet or something?”, asked Vartika worriedly.

“I am fine, I should be fine in a couple of hours”, said Madhura after she saw that both Vartika & Vihaan looked tensed about her.

“Are you guys going somewhere this weekend?”, asked Madhura all of a sudden.

“Yes, this weekend we will be going to Chicago. Going to see a cousin. Its her son’s first birthday & we are invited”, said Vihaan smiling.

“But we told this to you on Friday after our team meeting, we had got a call & Vihaan told you & Ashish about it. Dint you nod your head?”, asked Vartika in surprise. She was sure that Vihaan had mentioned it in front of her and now Madhura was asking like she was guessing but never knew about it.

“Oh I am sorry, these days my memory seems to be losing really fast”, Madhura tried to smile. From her heart she had a funny feeling that she is going to spend another weekend with Ashish & this will be time she would propose him if he doesn’t propose her. She remembered Ashish had mentioned that he would not be going to San Jose this weekend as his parents were going to a family friend’s place.

She was jumping with joy and tried to control her emotions.

“This weekend you would not be alone Madhura, Ashish is going to be with you. He is not going to his parents place”, said Vihaan.

“ I know, I remember he had mentioned it”, she was now smiling.

“I thought you were not really into remembering things these days Madhura”, said Vartika sarcastically. She smelled something fishy and she was now irritated that Madhura behaved so odd. She never thought she would be so childish. She had just said that she could not remember what was told to her a couple of days ago and now she remembered something about Ashish that he had probably mentioned almost a month ago.

“I..I..I just remembered don’t know how”, Madhura was fumbling in her speech and decided it is best to stay quiet and not let things fall out of place before she mentions or puts her feelings across to Ashish.

Vartika became quiet and did not want to take ahead the conversation.

The days was quiet and even during lunch Vartika said she wanted to go out to the post office as she wanted to send a courier to someone and took Vihaan with her. Madhura understood that Vartika was in no mood to talk to her.

She felt sad. She knew she was getting onto people’s nerves now but she had no control over her feelings and could not help her situation. She had come way too far emotionally &had been connected to Ashish now and there was no way she was going to come back.

“What courier did Vartika want to send that she left us alone?”, asked Ashish trying to sound normal.

“I don’t know I think she was upset with me”, said Madhura looking at Ashish.

“Upset with you? But why?Did you ..did you say anything to her that you were not supposed to? Did you mention anything about that day at all?”, Ashish asked her with a question mark look on his face.

“No I did not. It was something very silly but I think she took offence. I did not remember something they told me on Friday and I remembered something you mentioned a long time ago, I think she felt bad about it”, she said while picking on her pasta she ordered from the café.

“Oh ok”, Ashish finished his sandwich and said he was getting late to a meeting and had to go.

Madhura felt loney and sad about things. She was so tempted to stop Ashish and tell him her feelings but she had her heart beating faster than a Eurorail & could not mutter up enough courage to speak to him about her feelings.

She had manged to speak something but not what she wanted to. She was trying to tell herself, “Soon pretty soon I am going to tell you how I feel Ashish if you wont I sure will..”

Madhura did little work during the week and she managed to finish her work pending from the last week. She still was to do the work that was assigned to her this week and it was already Friday morning.

She had spent the weekdays in the morning quietly at work and in the evenings talking little to Vartika & Vihaan which obviously did not do much to solve the growing space between the two ladies.

Weekend was nearing and nothing was going right for Madhura neither was work moving forward nor her relations.

She had realized that while Vartika & Vihaan Ashish was behaving so normal like nothing happened. He had just mellowed down a little and was not bullying her as much but when he saw her alone he was just escaping. Things looked pretty awkward right now to Madhura.

On the other hand the two people whom she felt so close to grew more reserved. Vihaan atleast spoke to her but Vartika was just responding to her questions since the last couple of days. Vihaan had told Madhura that over the weekend he will speak to Madhura & things will be fine but it dint quite put madhura at peace. She was still not sure, if Vartika was upset with her with just not keeping track of what they were talking or if it was something else. She just didn’t know.

On Friday morning when it was time for the weekly meeting Madhura started searching for words.

“Madhura has the work finished that I assigned to you last week?”, asked Ashish in a stern tone.

“I..I will finish it today”, said Madhura. She felt embarrassed with Ashish’s tone in front of the rest of the team.

“Ok I give you today’s time & the weekend. I just want the work done Madhura. This is not done. I hope you are getting my point”, said Ashish seriously.

Madhura bent her head down she had tears in her eyes and she was feeling terrible. She walked out of the room and outside towards the gate. Ashish walked behind her.

“Madhura…Madhura..listen..”, he said holding her hand.

Madhura didn’t turn back and she couldn’t stop her tears.

“I am sorry, really really sorry I dint want to do that and I shouldn’t have done that but what would you want me to do, I am under a lot of stress I wish you could understand that point. We are undergoing a tough situation in the project. We need to get our job done MAdhura”, said Ashish trying to convince Madhura.

Madhura looked at him and was convinced that he was indeed under a lot of stress, the only reason why he raised his voice.

Vartika had come to Madhura’s desk and checked if she was doing fine but did not spend much time. Vihaan offered to help Madhura if she required his help. Madhura just smiled & said she was doing fine.

Vartika & Vihaan started early afternoon as they had a flight to take & they had said they will go to the airport by themselves. Madhura left soon after, she told Ashish she will get the work done over the weekend. She hurried to one of the gift stores and bought a a huge greeting card which could display her feeling for Ashish exactly.

She then went to buy a gift with a couple holding hands on h swing. It was a gift piece in glass. She had to pay a big price for it but then she decided to go for it. She came back home with a gift wrap in another bag & was ready to do the packing and meet Ashish over the next morning. It was the perfect time. She just wished Ashish would have proposed to her instead.

She got up and after shower she used her basic make up skills to get ready and wore a light green top with a white Capri and had a white scraf around her neck. She wore her flat sandals with white strings and was wearing her hangings which had light green pearls matching perfectly with her top. She left her hair open. She had a green bag which she picked up and held her gifts and her card in another hand.

She called Ashish and said she wanted to meet him in some time. He told her she could come home if she wanted as he had just got up.

She reached Ashish’splace & her heart started beating fast again. She wanted to do this for the last one week but had felt to her like eternity. She went up the lift and knocked on his door. He looked cool in his white t-shirt and blue jeans.

He asked her to come in & asked her what she was doing today. She understood that he was hinting at her work. “ I am planning to go to office and sit down for some time to finish off my work & then may be I will go there tomorrow too”, she said as though she had understood him well.

“If you want I can come to office, I can finish the work with you. You know I cant do that on weekdays when everyone is around”, he said trying to sound casual.

“Is there an occasion or something today, you look..you look quite nice.It suits you if you leave your hair open”, he said almost staring at her.

“Thanks Ashish”, she said blushing. She knew she was blushing & she knew it was time to tell him how she felt.

She was thinking of the best way to open her mouth & tell him a few nice things and then may be hold his hand and move into his arms and feel the eternity in his arms but didn’t know what to do. It suddenly striked to her that she had got a card for him & it dint need words from her end.

“Can I have some water please Ashish, I am strangely quite thirsty today”, she tried to smile in between her nervousness.

“You ok?” asked Ashish & Madhura nodded.

“Just be back”, he said and walked into the kitchen.

She jumped out of her seat to leave the gift and the card on his chair & got back to the couch.

“Here some juice for you”, he handed her the glass & came back to sit in his chair.

He saw the gift & the card. He picked it up and opened the card.

Madhura was waiting for him to read and see his reaction. She was sure he will love her gesture and hug her out of happiness. He loved her so much & she knew it.

Ashish kept the card back in his chair & picked up the gift. He opened the wrap & saw the glass piece so beautiful & fragile he almost smiled.

He suddenly looked at Madhura. Madhura was smiling at him now.

“What is this?”, he asked MAdhura seriously?

Madhura was almost shocked. She gave him a puzzled look. She did not expect this reaction & it was absolutely uncalled for.

“Madhura I am asking you something, what is this crap?”, is this why you came here?”, he asked in a strong tone now.

“What do you mean what is this? Don’t you know what it means Ashish ? Why are you behaving so strange?”, Madhura was now tensed and shocked & felt her throat drying up.

Within that little while there were a thousand thoughts running. She was worried if he really loved her. She was worried if he dnt like her because if she was not from his religion, she thought its may be because she was a little elder to im .She thought may be because she made a fool of herself. But she was doing the guessing game. She had answers to none.

“Madhura, this is silly..absolutely absolutely silly. What were you thinking. You are so funny Madhura. I actually don’t have better words for you right now. How could you even think of this?”, he was now questioning her.

“I thought you loved me & were finding it hard to express” Madhura almost shouted.

“I ..I loved YOU??? How..just how did you decide on it Madhura? Did I ever tell you I loved you? How could you think for yourself?”, he was now seemingly upset with Madhura.

“What do you mean did you ever tell me if You loved me..if you didn’t love me why did you cancel your trip? If you didn’t love me why did you care for me so much? If you dint love me why did you make sure I could watch my best friends wedding..and why the hell did you kiss me if you had absolutely no feelings for me?”, Madhura was now furious.

She felt let down. She felt foolish. She felt that she had made a joke of herself all this while and she hated herself for it. Her heartbreak was a secondary thing at this point. It was her ego which seemed much bigger right now.

Ashish was suddenly quiet. “I need some space and some peace. I am really upset right now so I might like to have some sleep”, Ashish suggested.

Madhura felt so ridiculed and so cheap she ran down the lift , caught a cab back home and ran crying into her bedroom.

She cried till her eyes dried up. She cried loud now to vent everything out of her heart. She shouted at God “Why me? Why me ALWAYS??? Why do you hate me?”, she screamed into the room.

Then when she grew tired of crying at shouting, she dozed off on the bed not realizing she was hungry too.

When she got up in the evening she was really tired, thirsty & hungry. She dint want to eat but then she thought to herself, ‘why should I stop eating because someone rejected me; I will eat ‘, and she made some instant noodles for herself. She dint have the energy or the mood to cook anything else. Her noodles tasted bland and missed every taste of yummy noodles she loved to eat otherwise. She still pushed herself into eating those noodles in her night dress. Her eyes sore and red and her all messed up. She dint bother cleaning the kitchen or the dishes.

She went back to her room picked up her laptop and looked for Ananya’s new number.

She saw a new mail in the inbox. It was from Rishi. The subject said, “I am sorry”. She wondered how many times she had just sent it into junk . Today she dint want to do that. She wanted to read what he had to say too. She wanted to ‘HEAR IT ALL’.

Once she opened, she read the mail. The mail just said two lines ‘ I am sorry. I want to speak to you for one last time before we stop talking forever’. She smiled to herself thinking ‘ What difference does it make anyway. What would he have to say now? I know everything he has to say.’ She hit on the reply button and typed in her mobile number. She neither addressed the mail to anyone nor did she bother to say her Bye at the end of the mail. Her mail contained her number alone and nothing else.

Madhura tried diverting her mind but she felt sick in her head, in her heart and was tempted to call Ashish. She tried asking him what went wrong or what was wrong. She just didn’t know what happned. She needed answers and she had none with her when she wanted them.

Madhura tried calling Ashish and speak to him for atleast a couple of minutes. She knew she was being foolish and shouldn’t be doing it but she could not stop herself. She wanted to give it everything she could. Ashish hadn’t picked up the phone .She tried calling him for the eighth time and then she thought ‘Enough is enough’ . I cannot handle it anymore and I wont’, she promised herself.

She sent a mail to Ashish’s work ID that she isn’t well and wouldn’t be in to work for the next 1 week as she needed rest. She wrote to him that if he wanted he could send her out of the project & it was fine.

She decided she needed that time just to herself when she dint need to see Ashish and feel attracted to him again or drawn blindly towards him again. She decided ‘Once bitten twice shy’.

Madhura spoke to her parents later in the night & her mother could sense something in her voice though she didn’t push Madhura for too many details, she made sure she told her that ‘Life has different phases but the people who go forward in life are the ones who move out of one phase and just take the good memories to the next phase in their life’.

Madhura nodded her hear quietly while wiping away the tear drop that passed her cheek while her mother was talking. Mishu had pulled the phone over from her mom. ‘ Madhu..what happened.these days you only talk to Aai & Baba you have forgotten me. My friends have been asking me for chocolates from US. I hope you are bringing enough. I have to distribute them to al mmy classmates and then also all teachers. Mrs Kapoor is very nice to me. I will give her one whole chocolate. Can you bring me a nice gift too. I want to show it off to all my friends at school.”, Mishu went on with her childish innocence and Madhura was now smiling.

Madhura’s mom told Mishu that Madhura was now tired and had to sleep. ‘ Madhura, Mr. George met us last week. One of his relatives has a son. He is now working with Google as a Software Engineer in London, if you want me can talk to them & send yo his photograph. Ofcourse only if we think he is good for you’, Madhura’s father slowly tried to convey the message to Madhura.

“Whatever you feel is right Baba, is fine with me too”, she said sighing a deep breath into the phone.

“Madhura don’t leave it upto me. It is going to be your life & your future. As parents all we can do is to think and put forward what is best for you. Whether you want to pick it up or not is your final decision”, Madhura’s father sounded a little concerned now as Madhura spoke as though she didn’t care anymore.

“Baba, I trust you and Aai. I also know Uncle George. I know they are a nice family. I am sure his relatives will be too. Apart from that Google hires some major brains so he will be good, the only issue is about matching wavelengths..that is juts a mindset and I am willing to tone down. Don’t worry everything will be fine”, she sounded calm.

Her parents felt relived and then told her they will speak to her in the next couple of weeks on the boy. The told her to sleep as it was getting too late.

Madhura tried to sleep but her thoughts wandered, not about Ashish but strangely about Rishi. She unwantedly opened her mailbox and typed ‘Rishi’ in the Search area. A list of all the mails popped up.

She slowly clicked on the first mail in her inbox.

Madhura tried to sleep but her thoughts wandered, not about Ashish but strangely about Rishi. She unwantedly opened her mailbox and typed ‘Rishi’ in the Search area. A list of all the mails popped up.

She slowly clicked on the first mail in her inbox.

‘” Hi There..

My name is Rishi & I met you yesterday and I loved your smile. I got your mail address from a friend of yours. I do not yet have the courage to face you. If you don’t remember who I am, I am the guy who walked up to you and asked you to dance. No, not the nerdy guy with glasses but the ok looking chap with a small bread. You wanted to dance with me and had almost handed over you hand in mine and my heart was just about to skip a beat when someone who hates me totally (I am guessing) appearead out of nowhere and told you to join them in their girl talk. Would love to have another dance with you.

Awaiting

Rishi

PS: hope I don’t become a true Rishi waiting for you”

Ananya & Madhura had laughed and giggled and rolled out on the floor laughing after looking at that mail.

She then opened another mail which she received after a few months of the first mail. She had tears in her eyes again, but she was smiling. She was happy and though the memories were painful, for some strange reason she enjoyed the pain in reading those mails. She never ever wanted to delete those mails.

“To the lady in pink on 13th sep”, said the subject.

“You made my heart go weak again. Had’nt seen you in a while & was wondering if this wasn’t my destiny. Looks like you are. Coffee at Starbucks on 17th Sep?

I will wait for you at 6Pm sharp to know if my destiny is what I want it to be. Hope to make you my destiny.

Looking forward to see you at the Coffee shop.

Not yet with Love

Rishi”

There was something about it that made Madhura want to see him. It was probably the age. She was turning 21 the following week. She was still going to college and knew there were a few who liked her.

No one had yet proposed but she knew, Ananya would get the gossip from all over. She was the types to go out with guys make sure they spend so much that they do not ask her out again. She would push Madhura to do the same. Madhura wished she could do that but always was a little tensed about it. She was good at having the rest of the fun part. She bullied the guys with Ananaya & was full of energy always. Some of the faculty members wondered where she got the energy from. She was good at her studies, she participated in co-curricular activities and she was a wonderful sportsperson.

She finally decided she would have a go at this guy who seems to be mailing her for the second time. She decided she will make him run out of money so he will stop mailing. She told Ananya about it & Ananya was all the more excited. She had said, “Go Madhu go..these guys don’t understand till you teach them a lesson.”

On the 17th Sep she got back from college & after having her lunch she went to her bedroom. She ironed a green salwar with simple work. She didn’t want to look to dressed up for him neither did she want to look uninterested. She told her mom she was going to Ananaya’s house and will be back before dinner.

“You are both together all the time in college, what else do you need to talk after college again? Why don’t you give some time for your parents too? You have a baby sister here at home you never even think of spending time with her. When would you understand that life is not all about friends. You also need to include parents into it.”, MAdhura’s mom was yelling from the kitchen.

Madhura imitated her mom picking up her handbag from the bedroom and went to the hall. “ Iam going will be back soon” she said and left.

Starbucks was located 15 minutes from her apartment & she walked up to Starbucks, she was as it is running low on her pocket money for this month as it is.

She reached at 5.50PM and sat down. She dint even remember Rishi’s face. She faintly remembered that he was fair & had a round face or something but was not sure. She decided it was best to wait.

At 6 sharp, someone tapped at her shoulder and said ‘Hi, Rishi’, and extended his hand towards Madhura.

‘Hi’, she said at smiled at him.

She was thinking of what all to order to make him run out of his money.

‘Do you want some coffee?’, asked Rishi.

‘Why did you think I drink coffee? I hate coffee absolutely ‘, shrugged Madhura

“Ok, so what would you want?”, asked Rishi looking at Madhura.

His eyes were so sharp, she could feel his eyes like x-rays into her body and she slightly turned RED in the face.

“I like cold coffee with icecream”, said Madhura.

“Ok”, he turned to the waiter and said, “2 cold coffee’s please”.

“So you are ordering cold coffee to impress me?”, asked Madhura not trying to look at him. His eyes were too sharp but she could feel that he liked her.

While they started on their coffee, they easily conversed about their likes and dislikes and Madhura forgot about why she had come to meet him in the first place. She laughed at his jokes and he had said atleast ten times that she had an amazing smile.

“Can we meet again?”, he had asked her after she said its too late and she now needs to head home.

“We will see”, said Madhura

“I want to meet you again. I don’t want to sound silly and someone who is desperate but I think I need to see you again. I know I am sounding stupid and just rattling but..but..actually don’t know what to say. The only thing I know is I want to see you again”, said Rishi looking into Madhura’s eyes at the corner of the road.

“I can meet you next week, if..if that is ok with you obviously”, she said moving away from him. She had realized that unknowingly she had been standing in too close proximity to Rishi.

She had known during her conversation with Rishi that he was a friend of a classmate. He had told her that he knew she loved to have fun but knew her bounderies. He told her he knew she dint have a boyfriend and had never gone out with anyone in the last 3years.

They met the following week and Ananaya had been surprised. She had told her that she was definitely not expecting love blossoming between two strangers.

Madhura brushed away the issue but she knew she was falling for Rishi.

In December, she was busy with her Christmas shopping and New Year’s preparations, she had forgotten about her meeting with Rishi on the 23rd.

He tried calling her on the landline but her dad kept picking up the phone. Rishi was upset and angry at how Madhura could forget about him. It had not struck to Rishi that Madhura was from a co-ed college & he could speak to her dad asking for Madhura.

When her Dad mentioned about the number of missed calls they had on the land line it struck to Madhura that she had forgotten about Rishi.

She tried reaching him on his landline but he wasn’t there. She called her classmate eventually and told him that she wanted to speak to Rishi. He said he would pass on the message but she didn’t hear from again till Christmas day.

Rishi called to wish her Christmas and she told him she was sorry. He dint seem to be convinced and MAdhura was slightly moody for the rest of the day. They had relatives and friends over at home and she wasn’t interested in talking to them. She had been thinking of Rishi & how to console him. They had not officially expressed their love for each other but their friends knew they were both madly in love.

On new year Rishi agreed to meet Madhura. He told her to come with him alone for the party & that he wanted to spend the first few minutes of the new year with her.

It was New Year’s Eve the 30th of Dec 2001. Madhura got dressed up in her best. She had a work salwar from her birthday that she wore again after almost 3 months. She wore a red colour salwar with a heavy work dupatta and and gold work.

She put a simple make up on herself & a gold chain her dad gifter her on her 21st birthday. She had her earrings that her grandmother had gifted a couple of years ago on Christmas and she wore a shade of nude lipstick. She wore her new footwear she got on Christmas & she decided to leave her hair open. She looked at herself in the mirror and thought, “I look good and Rishi is going to love me all the more.” She smiled to herself looking into the mirror and for once looked at herself again before moving away.

She felt something was missing. “A Bindi”, she told herself again. Let me ask Ananya to get it from her place. She had black handbag ready and by 4PM she was waiting for the clock to tick 6PM. She was suppose to go out with Ananya & a few of her classmates. They were all suppose to go out for dinner including Rishi.

After dinner Rishi and Madhura were going to go on a long drive while the rest of thegroup was attending a show by Shaan, the singer she loved. But she was willing to forgo it for the sake of Rishi, he had so lovingly asked her to join him.

Ananya arrived at 5PM. She got with her some beautiful Bindi’s and then picked one that matched Madhura’s dress and put it on her forehead. “Are you mad? If Aai sees me like this she will run around and tell Baba”, she removed the Bindi to put it back on the pack & stuffed it in her hand bag.

‘Offo, you have fallen in love with a guy whose family probably will not allow you to be in the house without the Bindi & Sindoor and you tell me all this”, Ananya poked Madhura in her ribs.

“What nonsense who said I am in love?”, asked Madhura smiling at Ananya.

“This smile and the blushing that happens whenever your hero is around..all that tells me you are in love. So stop acting smart and lets get out otherwise your Mr. Rishi is going to be agitated again. Please tell him to do some yoga or meditation to cool down”, Ananya started whispering in Madhura’s ears as they walked out of her bedroom.

“Mishu darling what are you doing?”, asked Ananaya walking towards Mishu who was busy with her drawing. “Di told me to draw my Family at Sunday school, I am making it ready for next Sunday. Is it nice?” questioned little Mishu to Ananya. “Its perfect”, smiled Ananya and waved her Byes to her after kissing her on the cheek.

Ananya told Madhura’s mom while eating a piece of Cake she baked for New Year that all friends were going for a party and they will be back by 1AM. Madhura’s mom dint look quite pleased but then she couldn’t say no to her daughter when all her friends were going.

“Finish your prayers before you go”, Madhura’s mom said while she picked up the TV remote saying that there are some nice dance programs on Television tonight.

Madhura’s dad came home early and asked Madhura about where she was going. Ananya jumped in and answerd. “Come back soon, Madhura we have to be ther e at the church early. You should have come for the midnight mass too but anyways be careful”, Madhura’s dad said while walking into the bedroom.

Madhura nodded her head and slowly walked towards the door. As soon as she got out it was excitement that filled her heart. She was going to spend some real good time with Rishi and that was all she cared for. They got together at another friend’s place and went out to dinner. Rishi joined them at the restaurant and got a beautiful Bouquet for Madhura.

Everyone looked at both of them and a few girls quietly giggled. Madhura was blushing she had put on the Bindi that Ananya got for her and she looked beautiful. Rishi was eager to finish the dinner soon.

They finished dinner and Rishi had brought his dad’s car to take Madhura on a drive. They waved their Bye’s to the rest of their friends and they got into Rishi’s car. It was a Hyundai Accent. She liked the big cars. She preferred cars to bikes. Cars made her feel secure and she was someone who looked for security with cars, with relationships with life.

They drove towards the outskirts of Mumbai. Rishi had some romantic music running slowly in the background. He was playing the most romantic songs by Bryn Adams. She loved them. He slowly took her hand in his while he was driving with his right hand. She told him to be careful but he told her it will be fine. She relaxed and closed her eyes feeling the warmth of his palms in her hand and listening to the soft music touching her ears.

He stopped the car after a while, the road was busy but they stopped at a side of a road. She slowly opened her eyes. He was staring into her eyes and she felt mesmerized.

Madhura felt like he wanted to say something. She had a good feeling that she knew what he wanted to say. She waited anxiously for the things they had not discussed openly in the past few months of their meeting.

Madhura felt like he wanted to say something. She had a good feeling that she knew what he wanted to say. She waited anxiously for the things they had not discussed openly in the past few months of their meeting.

“Madhu..I love you, I thought a lot about what could I say to make it sound nicer but I just couldt come up with better words.”, he said looking at her.

Madhura had butterflies in her stomach and she had a funny feeling which she could not describe. She bent her head down symbolizing her acceptance for the love she had for him.

“I want to get married to you and spend the rest of my life with you, I want to listen in your words if you feel the same”, he asked her.

“I have the same feeling Rishi but I don’t want to get married now. I have some career goals and aspirations. I also want you to settle in life before we get married. Do you think we can follow a rule saying we wont get married till we settle in life?”, she asked Rishi.

“I promise, even I wanted to say the same thing, you know how different our families are, so I want to be in a position where none of our families would reject the idea of both of us getting married.”, he was smiling.

It was 12 in the midnight and Rishi kissed Madhura on her forehead. She loved & and before she could come out of that feeling he kissed her on the lips. It was electrifying and she felt she had been given an electric shock. Before she could realize that, Rishi planted a kiss on her cheek and said, “So done and decided that you, your smile your beautiful eyes are all mine for the rest of my life. You look like my perfect bride today” and he pinched her cheeks. She nodded her head in disagreement like a little child and was feeling like she was being pampered and she loved it.

They headed back home and Rishi dropped her close to her apartment. They had discussed that they will finish their final year exams and then do something to settle in life and make a career.

Madhura was smiling and she was happy. She decided that she will not allow this happiness to come in her way of making a good career and getting a good percentage in exams. They had their exams coming up in March and it was their final chance to prove their mettle. They wouldn’t have any more of those exams unless they decided to do their Masters.

Time flew and it was time for their final exams. They both prepared well keeping their personal targets in mind and Madhura had by then decided that she wanted to join an IT course at NIIT and make her career in IT. She was excited about her future. Rishi had planned for a business. His dad was a Lawyer but he was not keen in that career, he was keener at starting off a business and had already got an approval from his parents for it.

After the exams once they got the results they wanted to spend some time together as they had met up almost every other weekend but had friends around everytime they met. They wanted some private space and decided to meet up in a restaurant after which Rishi promised Madhura that he will take her on a nice drive.

They arrived at a local restaurant for lunch and Rishi had his usual gift of flowers with some big roses for Madhura. She had always loved flowers. She picked those flowers, smelled them and smiled at him. He had always liked that smile of hers with a small dimple that you could see only if you keenly observed her.

He had not realized the first few times of what was so attractive about her smile but in the couple of years he had known her he had got a clear picture of each and every feature of Madhura. He knew how she looked when she was upset or tensed. He knew when she was happy and he also knew when she was angry with him.

They were holding hands and could not look away from each other, the past few months had gone by not giving enough time to both of them to spend time with each other. As they ordered for their lunch, Rishi realized someone staring at him. He first dint quite feel it, but then in less than a minute he realized his dad standing next to him and staring seriously.

“I want you to come home now”, he said sternly before walking away. Madhura & Rishi were both shocked and Madhura quickly moved away from the close distance she had with Rishi. She told Rishi to go home with his father. Rishi looked concerned about her but she told him she will take an auto rickshaw.

Rishi followed his dad. There was something major that had happened at Rishi’s place & Madhura was not aware of any of it but she had got a call the following day from Rishi saying his parents wanted to meet Madhura’s parents. He said, “ they want us to be engaged now so no one talks otherwise about our relation and we could get married a couple of years later.”

Madhura was quite surprised as Rishi had always projected them to be too strict but they seemed to get convinced easily.

Madhura now had to explain it to her parents and she was dreading it. Rishi had asked her to speak to her parents first before anything else and it was her job to do it as Rishi had spoken to his parents and convinced them successfully.

“Baba I need to speak to you. I have something to tell you”, she sounded a little tensed & her father could make out that tension in his daughter’s voice. “Go ahead, I hope its not about sending you abroad. I would like to do that Madhura but you know I cant afford that. I hope you understand. If I had a choice I would have done that before you would even approach me”, said Madhura’s dad. He sounded a little sad as though he was unable to meet his children’s requirements.

“No Baba..its ..its not about my studies. Its something else”, she dint know how to start the conversation. Her heart was beating so fast worrying about her dad’s reaction that for a moment she felt like telling him that it was nothing and she was just fooling around with him.

“Tell me Madhura, do you need something from me?”, asked Madhura’s dad, he now looked keen to know what it was that Madhura wanted from him.

“Its about Rishi, Rishi is a friend of my classmate. He…aa…I actually know him from the past couple of years. We..we like each other”, Madhura waited for any sound or reaction from her parents. Her mom had come out of the kitchen as soon as she heard Rishi’s name & she had realized that. She felt like she had spent ages telling that small bit about Rishi but she wanted to get it over with so she had given a little pause and added, “ We want to get married Baba. Not now..no…no..not at all. We first want to settle down”, she said looking at her father who almost sank into his chair he was sitting erect on.

He continued, “We have known each other for quite a while but we wanted to settle down before we told you, but then Rishi’s dad came to know about us & then we decided its best that both our parents know”, she said walking upto her father’s chair & kneeling down at his legs.

“What is it that you want from me?”, asked Madhura’s dad coldly.

“Baba..please don’t talk like that. I would never want to get married without your permission. Its just that Rishi’s parents have come to know that we like each other & they want to meet you. They seem to be happy with our relation.”, Madhura sounded positive.

“Rishi doesn’t sound like a Christian name”, said Madhura’s mom.

“No Aai, he is a Hindu”, said Madhura slowly scared about the reaction from her parents.

“how could you Madhura. You know how much your dad believes in the Lord and he wouldn’t want you getting married to a Hindu guy. How could you even think of going around with that guy,” Madhura’s mom was clearly upset and it showed. Madhura had expected that reaction and hence dint feel anything out of her expectations.

“Let me speak to her”, her father said to her mother and she left crying into the bedroom.

“Madhu..we have loved you and given you everything we could till date. I was very unhappy when you told me but then I also think that its your life. You are the one who need to be happy with the one you get married to. If you think Rishi is good and you trust him & if you think that you can adjust in his family & they are willing to accept you then I have nothing to say. Just tell me when I have to meet his parents and ofcourse Rishi and I will do that”, said Madhura’s dad patting on Madhura’s head.

Madhura was too thrilled when he also said that he will explain it to her mom too and that she will be fine. She had called Rishi and told him that she convinced her parents. Rishi told her he will come home & speak to her father before they could finally come to his place to talk to his parents.

Rishi came home and his conversation started easily with Madhura’s dad though he was not very keen to talk to him in the beginning. His father felt that the boy had a charm that he carried. He was focused in life, looked ambitious and had got good morals. He also understood that Rishi was completely in love with Madhura & that her religion was not a hindrance to him.

Madhura’s mom seemed upset and he found it hard to convince her for their relation but he was a sweet guy. He was hard to stay angry with for a long time. Madhura’s mom was not quite happy but she dint seem upset anymore at the end of the conversation with Rishi. They decided that they will be at Rishi’s place to talk to his parents the following Sunday. He explained to them and told them that he would have been more than happy to bring his parents and ask for Madhura’s hand in marriage but his parents coming from the old school of thought think that it should be the girl’s parents who should be speaking to the boy’s parents. Madhura’s dad nodded his head suggesting that he understood his situation.

Rishi felt relieved and his face had the expression of great relief.

The next day Madhura’s mom suggested she gets ready with her clothes & jewelry to get ready for Sunday’s visit. She picked up a work salwar with a combination of dark green and maroon. The colour went well on her skin. She had a light yellowish complexion and looked radiant with dark colours.

She picked up a simple chain & matching earings. She was all set for the following Sunday.

It was like a flash and Sunday had already arrived. Madhura’s mom had requested her neighbor to keep Mishu for a few hours at their place. They hadn’t yet told about Madhura’s alliance to Rishi so she had told them that they were going to a relative’s place and will be back in a few hours. Madhura’s dad pulled out his small Maruthi from the car park and Madhura with her mom settled in.

Once they arrived at Rishi’s place, Madhura’s mom felt a little awkward. They had a huge house. It looked like it would have a minimum of 4 bedrooms. They had a front yard and looked like they had a big back yard. They had place to park 2 cars in their car park. They had a Ford Sedan and a Maruthi 1000 in their car park.

Madhura’s mom in way was happy that her daughter would get married into a well to do family but she was also worried about how they would adjust to the different culture. Madhura’s dad pressed the door bell and a servant opened the door. “Is Mr. Sharma home?”, asked Madhura’s dad.

“Are you Mr. Shinde?”, asked the servant. “Yes I am “, smiled madhura’s dad. He was happy that their visit was already planned by Rishi’s family.

“Please come in”, said the servant & directed them to the hall. Rishi came running down the stairs.

“Hello Uncle, Hellow Aunty. Please come in. Mom n dad will be here in a minute. They are sitting in the backyard”, said Rishi all excited about Madhura’s presence at his place.

Rishi’s parents came in and looked decent. They gave a short smile before asking Madhura & her parents to sit down.

“So your name is Madhura or Madhu?”, asked Rishi’s mom. Madhura was a little startled by the tone but then she tried to smile and said that Madhura was her official name & Madhu was what everyone generally called her.

Rishi’s mom nodded and looked at Madhura like she was looking at someone in the shop who was serving her and had made a big mistake. She dint quite understand why though. Madhura’s mom hinted Madhura that she should touch the feet of both his parents. She quickly got up and tried touching Rishi’s parents feet but they dint seem to be too happy about it. “Its ok. You don’t have to do all this”, said Rishi’s dad.

Madhuras’ dad was a little upset with that statement but dint want to show them any expressions.

“So, Rishi why don’t you show your friend around the house?”, said Rishi’s mom.

“Yeah sure. Madhura come I will show you around.”, Rishi looked at Madhura.

Madhura looked at her parents and before they could say anything Rishi’s dad interrupted, “You should go and let the elders talk”.

Madhura dint have a choice other than leaving the hall with Rishi.

“Mr. Anand Sharma, is a very popular name within the laywers community. I am sure you would be aware of that”, said Rishi’s mom to Madhura’s parents.

“We never thought that we will get our son married into a Christian family.”, said Anand Sharma holding his forehead.

“The other day Mrs. Joshi was asking me if we are willing to speak to one of their relatives who has a beautiful daughter. She even told me that girl was very religious goes to the temple atleast once a week and understands our customs so well, I told her that we will speak to them in a couple of years as we are not in a hurry to get out son married. I probably should have known long ago what my son was doing. Anyway, sometimes you cant guess what the children are upto”, said Mrs. Rekha Sharma looking at Madhuras mom.

“Yeah it is very difficult to guess in our generation what is going on with our children”, said Mr. Shinde

“Oh so you too dint know, that your daughter was having an affair. In your religion its not such a big thing isn’t it? We thought you knew a long time ago”, said Mr. Anand Sharma.

Mr. Shinde was not liking the kind of hints that Rishi’s parents were giving.

“Mr. Sharma to be frank, we got the details about their relation after you came to know. We came to know about it only last week. We were as shocked as probably you were”, said Mr. Shinde a little soberly.

“Oh, ok. By the way Mr. Shinde are you a converted Christian?”, asked Mr. Sharma directly.

“Yes. I am. My grand parents were Hindus”, said Mr. Shinde strongly. He was a little shocked at the straight throw of the question that came to him.

“Aah..i guessed it”, said Mr. Sharma looking at Mrs. Sharma.

“Do you mean we are getting our son married off into a family that does not even match up to our community”, asked Mrs. Sharma to her husband.

Madhura’s parents felt being treated like outcasts and hated to stay there anymore. All over it had been their conversation and nothing from Mr. Shinde or his wife.

Rishi’s parents had assumed whatever they wanted to from the mere one or two statements they had said in the entire duration.

“Mr. Sharma I think we will take leave”, said Mr. Shinde getting up from his chair.

“Oh, but we haven’t yet discussed anything about the wedding”, said Mr. Sharma. He said it so coldly without an ounce of interest that Mr. Shinde thought any person with a drop of self respect would leave the place.

“I think I cant match up to your expectations Mr. Sharma. I am sorry. I don’t think we can be relatives. But if my daughter still wants to get married to your son. I wouldn’t stop her. She is an adult & can take her decisions. But from my point of view, we come from entirely different families and cant match up to you. Thank you for your time today”, said Mr. Shinde before calling out to Madhura.

Madhura was in Rishi’s room. He had been showing her his stuff and they had been discussing about what colour should the wall be after they get married. Madhura told him she dint like the cream colour and that it it was way too dull for her taste & she needed something brighter. She said she will even thinking about changing the position of the bed, to which Rishi told her that it was all according to Vaastu & his parents wouldn’t allow any of that. They had then laughed together on how different it was in each of their families when Madhura heard her father calling out to her.

“That’s Baba. Why does he sound upset Rishi. I am scared”, said Madhura holding Rishi’s hand.

“Why do you worry so much? I am sure they are going to give us some good news after a bit of suspense. Your parents liked me & my parents were as it is ok to get us married. What would possibly stop us from getting married?”, asked Rishi. They both were still holding hands when they came out of the room and looked at the hall from the lounge room upstairs. Madhura’s mom called out to Madhura. “Madhu come down”, she had said.

“Madhu we are going home now. I am guessing you are coming with us”, said Mr. Shinde.

“Mr. Shinde, we agreed to the marriage just because of our son. If you don’t want the wedding to happen, please don’t blame us for it in the future”, said Mr. Sharma. He looked furious as he had not expected that Mr. Shinde would walk out of his house and on him.

“Mr. Sharma, I have already told you that I cant match up to your level so its best that we don’t let this relation go ahead”, said Mr. Shinde and walked out of the house.

Madhura quickly got down the stairs & Rishi had no idea of what was happening.

They had walked out of the door and they had heard Mr. Sharma shout to the servant to close the door.

On the way back home Madhura’s parents had not spoken a word. She hadn’t dared to ask anything as she saw her father angry.

Once they reached home, she saw her mother crying. She then went up to her parents and asked for what had happened.

“What else did you expect Madhu? Did you think his parents will welcome us and plead us to get you married into that house?”, asked Mr. Shinde

“What happened Baba?”, Madhura was looking for answers from her parents.

“The way they insulted us Madhu, I had not even thought about it. They could have done it better if they were so not interested in the relation. They should have told their son or they would have told us directly on our face. It wouldn’t have hurt so much as it is now.”, said Madhura’s mom wiping her tears.

“What did they say Aai?” she still dint understand what had happened.

“You still don’t understand Madhu? They told us that you or we were not good enough to fit into their family. They told us that they had better girls for their son & they are so unfortunate to get their son married into our family. “, said Mr. Shinde. He almost shouted when she said those words.

“You are an adult Madhura. You can make your decisions. If you think you want o get married to Rishi go ahead. We wont stop you. But we wont be happy and we will not be there to bless you. Its your wish now entirely if you want to get married to that guy or not”, said Mr. Shinde & walked out into the balcony.

Madhura understood that her dad needed space. She walked out. She looked at her mom and dint know what to say. They lived in a 2 BHK and her parents room had a small balcony. Her sister was still in the habit of sleeping with her parents and that got Madhura an entire room for herself.

She came back to her room and tears flowed easily. She knew she could not leave her parents. She also knew that she loved Rishi. She had to make a decision. She knew she had to leave Rishi but she dint know how difficult its going to be.

Rishi called her the next day. “Madhu whats happening in your house? Why did you parents walk out like that?”, asked Rishi sounding a little frustrated.

“Rishi your parents spoke rudely to my parents or something like that did happen. They insulted my parents. If they were not interested they should have told my parents in the beginning, in fact they should have told you that they are not happy with both of us getting married. At least I would have saved my parents from the insult yesterday”, said Madhura disappointed from Rishi’s tone.

“Madhu, your parents had come to ask the boy’s parents about the alliance they should have been a little more quiet & a little more patient instead of walking away like that. This has not gone anywhere. I think you should try & explain to your parents. My parents are really upset & they are telling me that they will agree only if your parents say Sorry”, said Rishi.

“Are you mad Rishi, my dad has given a go ahead but told me that he is not willing to forget what happened yesterday and will be there to bless me if I get married to you.”, said Madhura a little upset.

“Madhura I cant leave my parents, I am their only son. So you decide what you want”, said Rishi angry with Madhura.

“Rishi there is nothing to decide I have already decided. I cant leave my parents too, exactly like you cannot. So I think thereis no point talking any further”, said Madhura with anger filled in her tone. She was tipped off when Rishi said that he cannot leave his parents.

She wanted to tell him that being a daughter doesn’t mean that she could walk out of her parents life and forget every bit that her parents had done for her. In fact, she wanted to tell him that her parents had put in much more effort in raising her and giving her such quality life compared to what Rishi’s parents had done considering each of their background’s.

“Madhu..think before you talk. Do you even know what you are talking? You are suggesting that both of us get separated??”, Rishi questioned her again.

“I know what I am talking Rishi. May be its better for both of us to separate. Anyways, this isn’t going anywhere. Your parents want my parents to apologise & my parents wont be happy if I marry you. So troubling both our parents we would be getting nothing at all. Its better to keep them happy”, said Madhura.

Rishi hanged up the phone. She heard a beep from the other end. He was short tempered. He hadn’t liked what Madhura had said & she knew it.

She became much more quiet & involved with her course at NIIT. She spent 2 weeks without talkingto Rishi and her heart was already sore. She had his thoughts crossing over in her head more than 20 times a day. She would dial his number atleast once everyday and hang up. Sometimes she would just pick up the phone and suddenly decide not to dial his number.

After 2 weeks she felt it as high time she dicded it was very difficult to forget someone you love ust like that. She called and spoke to Rishi . He sounded quiet and uninterested. She had asked him a few more details and he had told her that he had got his visa & he was going to UK for his MBA. He told her that he would’nt be able to speak to her anymore and he had taken the relation as a broken one.

Madhura had pleaded to him that he shouldn’t go that far. She told him that she will try and see what can be done about their relation. She told him that she really loved him and was finding it hard to overcome the strong feelings she had for him.

“You are beautiful Madhura. I am surprised that no one in your Computer class has yet proposed to you. In your graduation people knew that I liked you, over there you would’nt have any such problems. Just wait for a few more days, you sure will find someone”, said Rishi.

This time Madhura hung up the phone. She hated the way Rishi spoke to her. She hated every word of it. What had he thought when he said those words. Was he even thinking about it or had he just blabbered. Or was it all that he thought about her? Or was it something that his parents had stuffed up into his head? Was he so immature that he would hear whatever his parents cooked up or did he really know nothing about her? She had tons of thoughts crossing her head. She settled down in the chair next to her & thought that he will never fall in love again.

The next day she got up early and decided that she will not let her feelings interfere with her career. She suddenly felt like a stronger woman who was taking wise decisions. She had wanted to talk to Ananya but had not discussed it with her over the phone.

She was to meet her and tell her of all that happened the following day. Ananaya had known most of the story after she came back from Rishi’s place & had given her strength. She had told her that relations like these where parents get involved can get dirty and she should not suffer her future for what happened yesterday.

The only change that she realized was that she had lost her smile. People around her who knew her for long started questioning her if she was alright. She told them she was fine and that she was busy with her courses.

Madhura got into a job with her knowledge and joined in as a Fresher at her organization. Madhura got so involved with her work that she started working more than 12 hours a day. She would go early and come back home late in the night.

Her parents were tensed about her but she assured them that everything was alright and she was just trying to make sure that she climbs up her career ladder quickly. She told them she wanted to prove to herself of what is capable of and was just doing the same.

The company had appreciated hard work & sent her to Dubai a couple of times and finally after 4 years she got a chance to work on a project in US. In the last 4 years that she was with the company Madhura had settled down a little and forgotten a bit about her past but that couldn’t be wiped away. Rishi had sent her a few mails but she had never read on what he had actually written. His messages always said Sorry in the subject. She had started to smile again but she had forgotten all about the fun part of her life. She was a bit more mature and took life a little more seriously than she had done ever before. She sometimes wasn’t sure though if it was because Rishi or her age.

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Madhura closed the laptop and she was yawning. She looked at the time and it was 4AM. She then tried to sleep and felt asleep instantly. She had earlier thought that she might have to struggle a bit, but she slept easily.

She got up the next day on Sunday very late. It was almost 12PM when she woke up. She knew that Vartika & Vihaan will be back in a few hours. She made some breakfast & decided to send a mail to Ashish. She decided to take off from work. She decided that if she needs to take Ashish off her head. She sent him a mail stating she would be off for a week and if he dint want her in the project he shoud let her know so she could buy her tickets.

Vartika & Vihaan arrived at around 7PM and when Madhura opened the door she looked sick. Vartika instantly held Madhura to check if she had fever. She dint. She then said to Madhura, “You look like crap. Whats wrong with you?”.

“I need to tell you guys something. I thought I loved Ashish & I proposed to him over the weekend but I guess things weren’t so easy. He doesn’t love me. So I am a little upset about it. I don’t want you guys to discuss anything about this to Ashish. I will be fine in a weeks time and I am taking off from work during that time just to ensure that I don’t see him for a week. I am sure after that I will be able to cope up”, Madhura dint really know how but she assumed she will be fine. She knew it couldn’t be as bad as getting her parents involved like it had happened with RIshi.

Vartika & Vihaan looked shocked. They knew that Madhura seemed to like Ashihs but they dint know that she would actually propose him and get rejected.

Vartika seemed as good as normal & like nothing had happened between them. She asked her to get into her room and get some sleep.

She had thought to herself before she got some sleep that probably love is not something that is for her.

After a few hours Vartika knocked on her door. She had brought in a bowl of noodles. She hadn’t known what to say to Madhura. The only thing Madhura could read from her face was that she was feeling bad for Madhura.

Thankfully Vartika was not one of those people who would keep pressing for more information & try to get juicy gossip about what is happening in the other person’s life or what they were going through and enjoy it later. She was the kind of person who was sensitive but also genuinely concerned about the other person. She had told Madhura to have some food and take rest. She had also told Madhura that if she had needed Vartika was there to listen to her. It had in a way comforted Madhura.

She slept again. She did not know why she was sleeping so much, she wasnt even crying or she wasn’t even hurt anymore. The feeling of being rejected was probably hitting her too hard she thought.

The next day Vartika asked her if she was coming to work but then Madhura nodded her head with a No. Vartika said,” Ok fine. You will probably feel better if you go out feel the fresh air. You would be up and running back to work tomorrow.”

“I do not intend to come back for the next one week at least. I don’t feel like it. I have already mailed HIM”, said Madhura stressing on the word HIM about Ashish.

“But why what’s wrong. I am not sure if that’s the right thing to do. Of course its your choice but think about it.It could affect your career.”said Vartika concerned about Madhura.

“I think I have decided Vartika, even if I come to work I wouldn’t be able to do anything. There is no point coming to work and just not being myself”, said Madhura.

“Alright, your call”, said Vartika waving her while getting to work.

Madhura pushed herself to get ready and go out. She thought a bit of shopping might make her feel better.

Vartika & Vihaan reached office & called Madhura just to check on her. After she spoke to Vartika she thought about Ashish not being bothered to even call her.

She went out and did some window shopping. She then picked up a couple of skirts. She had her lunch at a small take away shop & sat on the park bench for a long time watching people running around busily with their schedule. Everyone looked like they were hurrying up to reach somewhere.

There were only a few of them sitting in the park just like her but they all looked perfectly happy like they were enjoying the time in the park. So it boiled down to her thoughts where she felt she was the only one feeling low after being dumped in her love life twice. Her best friend had recently got married & probably was in some part of the world honeymooning with her husband & here she was sitting alone in the park brooding over the 2 men who had initially shown interest in her and when she was drawn to them and wanted to get too close after thinking too much about them they had run away.

She decided she will do something about her thoughts and have something else bother her rather than men in her life.

She randomly picked up a movie from her entertainment center feature in her mobile & hopped on to a bus to get to a theater close by. She brought her ticket and a box of popcorn with coke. She was probably watching the worst movie in the world all by herself but she was at least having something else happening with her head.

The next 2 days had a similar schedule. Vartika had told her that Ashish wanted to know how she was doing & Madhura had just smiled. She did not have anything to say or anymore. Madhura had heard Vartika’s conversation with Vihaan a little while later that Ashish was looking quieter than normal unlike his usual self. He also looked a little distracted. He had apparently told Vihaan that he felt guilty about making Madhura feel bad though he was not sure if he actually loved her.

Madhura was now not feeling anything at all. It wasn’t so bad after all she thought, her heart had probably got used to the heart break. The last one that had taken her a few years to get out, it was hardly a couple of days and she was fine. She just dint want to see Ashish. More than anything she felt embarrassed to get back to work & report to someone who had told her that he had no interest in her. It was a shame, a kind of disgrace that had shadowed her.

On Thursday afternoon, she got a call& she knew instantly that it was Ashish. She was in no mood to talk to him. She disconnected the phone. The call did not happen again & She felt relieved. On Thursday evening she had a good dinner after a long time.

She was not eating food she packed from home during the week or a takeaway from a small shop, she had for some reason felt like celebrating her freedom again. She went alone for dinner and ordered for a few drinks before she ordered dinner. She then walked back to her apartment after paying a good tip. She told herself that she was officially and emotionally single again. She smiled to herself and walked back humming her oldie songs.

Friday morning she woke up late and just when she wanted to get into the shower, she got a call. The number was withheld so she guessed it must be Ashish trying to reach her again. She decided to pick up the phone & tell him that she was not interested to speak to him anymore & she did plan to get back to work on Monday.

with.

“Its been so long since I heard your voice. You still sound the same, a little strong headed”, she could her Rishi smiling.

“Hi..How are you?”, said Madhura. She felt emotional all of a sudden. It was foolish because it was just the previous night when she had spent a fortune almost just to make herself feel single and now as soon as she heard Rishi she was back to being emotional & tears at the tip of her eyelashes.

“I am fine. You ok?”, asked Rishi. He somehow still read her mind.

“I am fine. You wanted to speak to me about something.?”, asked Madhura trying to keep control of her voice.

“Madhu..we have gone through a bad phase in our relation. I tried to think that our relation wont work but it just didn’t fade away. I have been thinking about you. Thinking about you from a long time. I have been thinking about calling you everyday since I got your number but I have been thinking of how to start the conversation. You know how I am. Its not that I think about you every moment but I haven’t really been able to move on. It gets as simple as that.

I wont say that I cant live without you or you are the only one I want to get married to. It is difficult and not possible. I am a normal human being, I will have to look beyond at some point even if it is with a lot of push but as on today I cant think of spending my life with anyone apart from you. If you think its not possible I wont blame you. There is a lot that has happened and our parents have been involved, but at the end of the day I am sure that if we are happy they will be happy too.

If you still think this is something that is not possible and don’t want to give it any more chance, then I am happy for you even then. I wont bother you again. I will not mail you. I will wait for you maybe for another year or two. Beyond that I am not sure. If you think that we can revive what we had call me on this number. I will not change my number for the next 2 years. After that If I end up getting married to someone else, may be. So you have all the time in the world to think about it. I hope you heard what I said & dint actually throw the phone into a corner”, said Rishi.

Madhura dint know what to say. She had no clue that Rishi would want to get back into the relation again. She was in some kind of shock. She had never thought that Rishi would be interested in coming back into her life.

“I dont know. I need time”, said Madhura searching for what else to say.

“Call me whenever you want to. If you don’t want to also..it s fine”, he said

“Ok”, said Madhura

“You take care, and I will pray that you call me. Bye Madhu”, he said.

Madhura dint know how to react. She sat down on her bed and closed her eyes.

She was just trying to gulp in all down when she heard her phone ring again. Ashish was trying to reach her. Before her mind could process any of her decision to pick up or not to pick up the phone. She had already picked up and said, “Hello”.

“Can you give me access to your apartment?”, Ashish said very calmly.

“My apartment?”, asked Madhura surprised

“I am downstairs. I need to talk to you.”, said Ashish

She was not in a position to ask him to leave as he was already there. She also did not know why he was there.

“ok”, she said.

She was already thinking of what to tell him so he would leave immediately.

After she opened the door, she saw Ashihsh with a bunch of flowers.

He handed them over to her and asked if he could come inside. She couldn’t gather the strength to say NO.

“Come in”, she said slowly.

“Are you here for something in specific?”, asked Madhura.

“I ..I just came here to see you. You haven’t been to work for almost a week and I thought I should probably drop in.”, said Ashish.

“You didn’t have to take a break from work to come here and I was anyway going to be back at work on Monday”, said Madhura.

“Yeah, that’s right, but i thought no harm in coming to see you. By the way, that’s a good night suit”, said Ashish looking at her.

She hadn’t realized until that moment that she was still in her floral night suit that she had purchased the other day to get out of her depression and had put enough money into it, she was just thinking of what she was doing a couple of days ago. The lonelier she was two days ago, she had more than the choices she could handle today. She was thinking of what the exact reason was that Ashish had come in to see her.

“I wanted to tell you rather CONFESS something to you”, said Ashish.

“And that would be…????”, Madhura was almost holding her breath, praying it is not what she thought it was coming her way.

“I was shocked when you said you like me. I was not prepared for it. I had never thought about it too. I mean obviously you are couple of years elder to me. You are a Christian and I come from a Rajput family. You are from a middle class background and I come from a family which is more than middle class and a little less than being classified a rich family.

There were a lot of factors. Then you sent a mail that you wouldn’t be in office till another week. Initally I dint feel anything, but suddenly it dawned on me that I have started to miss you at work. After a couple of days, I realized that I was not my usual self and I probably was as attached to you as you were to me. I spoke to my parents yesterday and they told me that they wanted me to be happy and wanted me to go ahead with my choice.

They infact are willing to talk to your parents if you would want to. My parents are not very conservative Madhura, I am proud to be their son. In fact my brother married is married to a Mallu girl he met in the US while he was doing his masters. Its just that I dint realize how I felt about you, and then after realized I wanted to make sure things with my parents don’t go wrong.”, said Ashish.

By the time he finished his conversation he was holding her hands and looking into her eyes. They were both still standing near the door and Madhura had not moved or asked him to sit in the hall.

Once he finished there was a sreak of silence that passed the room. Madhura moved a step back.

” I don’t think I can do this Ashish”, she said.

“What do you mean you cant do this?”, said Ashish with a bit of a surprise in his tone.

“I cant”, Madhura screamed. She had enough for the day already.

” You think I am some kind of a key doll or something. When you want you would say No to me n whenever you want you will want me to come back to you. I am fed up. I was out of all of this. I had decided that I will never fall in love again 5 years ago.

Last time was enough, but then I was a fool. I fell for you. Only because you made me feel that way. Why did you do it to me? Just now Rishi called he says he wants to get back to me. That is when I have forgotten all about him. He wants me to decide, and he has given me time. The last time I wanted him to be with him forever was a disaster, my parents will never forget the kind of insult they had to go through. Now you come to me & tell me that initially you were not interested but now you are. What do I take it as. Why me?

Why does life treat me like this. There are so many girls I know who have had affairs with every other fool that they saw around but they are now married to handsome & caring husbands who would’nt even allow them to step on the ground worrying if their feet will get dirty. Here I am with two heartbreaks.

One which included insult for my parents and another one that insulted me. I am still deciding which one is worse though. So are you going to help me with deciding that or you think I shoud figure it out for myself?, Madhura sounded absolutely frustrated, hurt, exhausted, confused & stressed. It showed and was being heard in every word she uttered out of her mouth.

“Ok I understand that things dint go quite right between us since the last 2 weeks. I am alos guessing that something did happen in the past, the details of which are not important to me. I don’t wish to ask you, if you do not wish to tell me. The only thing I can tell you is that whatever it is the final decision is yours. I say ‘DECISION’ because you have a choice. I don’t have one. I have for a change..well it generally happens with girls but then has happened with me.

I have liked a lot of girls, flirted with a few of them but I think my heart got attracted to you more than anyone else in the past. If I had a choice I would choose to pick you up in these night clothes and the messy hair and take you to the Statue of Liberty and Shout a huge ‘I Love you’ in front of how many ever people can possibly listen”, Madhura felt like smiling but she couldn’t let her ego just fade away without a trace.

“Whatever it is Ashish I need time. I don’t think, at this point in time I can say a Yes or a No to anyone of you. I am not sure if I want either one of you or If I intend to get married at all”, said Madhura

“I am not sure how much time you have got from the other guy, but let me tell you..I can you just the weekend. By weekend if you still do not say a NO to me, I am going to take it as a YES & trust me I am going to stick to you like a parasite & even if you would want to get away from me you will not be able to.

I have this dirty side of me, which I don’t really wish to show you unless you force me”, after uttering what he wanted to, he planted a light kiss on Madhura’s cheek & walked out of the door.

Madhura’s head was now spinning, it was like her head had been forced into a washing machine & run nonstop since the past 1 hour.

She couldn’t stop herself & called home. For the first time in her life she felt like talking to her mom & not her dad. She had always been a daddy’s girl but somehow today it felt different. She was to decide on the most important issue in her life & she felt that she would be more comfortable talking to her mother than her father.

“Hello”, said Madhura’s mom.

“Aai, its me. What are you people doing?”, she asked

“Madhu, we are just about to sleep. IS everything alright.?”, her mother asked. Somehow since the past few calls her mother had been able to make out the tension in her voice. Probably the reason why she wanted to speak to her.

“Aai, I wanted to talk to you”, said Madhura

“I know there is something going one, but I dint want to force you to tell me about it. What is it?”, she asked.

“I …I had proposed to this guy because I started to like him. Then he said he was not interested. Now he came back & said he is interested in me & loves me”, said Madhura sounded a little tensed

“So what is the problem?”, asked Madhura’s mom.

“the problem is Rishi called today too, he..he want to revive the relation too”, she said sounding a little unsure.

“So, what are your thoughts? Why did the other guy come today? Was he so unsure till today?”, asked MAdhura’s mom.

“ Aai..this guy is a Rajput..he comes from a really rich family, I am elder to him by two years. He was unsue if his family will accept our relation. He now knows that there will be no problem from his parents side”, said Madhura sounding a little more comfortable.

“So his parents are absolutely ok with this relation?”, asked Madhura’s mom

“Yeah, by the looks of it..yes..his elder brother is apparently married to a malyalee girl again..so love marriage is acceptable. They have also asked him if they need to speak to you and Baba if you would not be happy with the proposal”, she said

“Why is Rishi back in the picture now?”, asked Madhura’s mom a little surprised.

“Rishi..I don’t knw..i mean he has been sending a few mails that I never read..I just happened to read his mail last week and wanted to end it once for all & gave him my number. He called me today & says he would like to get back into the relation.”, she said

“Are his parents aware of it?”, asked Madhuras mom.

“I don’t know actually..in fact I was so much in a shock with his call, that I didn’t bother asking him anything at all. I still think his parents are not ok, otherwise he would have told that in the conversation for sure”, she said like she knew about it.

“Hmm..looks like my daughter is gathering quite a bit of attention. How about talking to the Google guy too? I think it will give you enough option to think about”, she was joking.

“Aai..you are joking and and am really confused”, Madhura said

“I will just tell you one thing Madhu..a girl doesn’t get married to just the guy she also marries the family. You like it or not, that is the fact. If you accept the guy, accept all that comes from his family too. I don’t mean to say that you have to listen to everything they say, but you have to be in a position to accept them & respect them. You cannot run away from them.

You might not like them, but in the future when you have children, they will have more rights than us on your children & you cannot deny that. So, you cannot just cut off from them, I hope you are understand what I am trying to say. The final decision is yours. Its not going to be my life, your Baba’s or anyone else's life.

If you are happy with whomever you get married to, we will be happy for you, if you are not we woudnt be able to do much because you took your decision. If you want your parents to support you entirely, I would suggest that you marry someone of our choice, that ways we have the peace of mind that you have married someone right. Saying that again whatever you do we are with you whenever you need us. So I leave it to you to think & decide.

I can just pray that whatever you wish to do is good for you”, she said before saying her Good night & heading off to sleep & leaving Madhura to think for herself.

Ananya called her the next day morning she had already had an almost sleepless night & was just not able think. She had mailed Ananya a few days ago that she wanted to talk to her & was feeling low.

“Hey Madhu..whats happening? Are you ok?”, asked Ananya obviously concerned about Madhura

“My foot I am ok..I have had a sleepless night. Rishi want to get back to me, Ashish who rejected me last week wants to come back to me. I have to decide between the two, and my mom yesterday night said she would like it if I get married to that Google guy I mentioned to you. I don’t even know his freaking name”, Madhura sounded frustrated.

“I want to tell you something Madhura. Arranged marriages are actually cool. I am just loving my time with my husband. I never thought it is going to be so nice to marry someone whom your family knows. I think you should go with the Google guy.

But then this Ashish is the same guy who got the webcam arranged for my wedding. He is sweet & is really concerned about you. Rishi is a nice guy. I just don’t like his short temperedness, he says a lot of things he should not, when he is angry.I still remember how much you wanted to get in touch with him at one point & he spoke real rude to you. But then he was in a difficult situation too. Well, I guess everything has its pros and cons so think about it well & decide.”, said Ananya leaving the decision to Madhura.

“What do you mean think & decide? I thought you will help me with that”, Madhura said.

“Well I could have but then I don’t want you to come & tell me 10 years down the line that I wish I wouldn’t have listened to your decision. It is my life & I should have taken the decision. And by the way, when I asked you last year if I should think of a love marriage or arranged marriage, dint you tell me to decide for myself & that I am a grown up now.

So…you reap what you sow..or is the other way round..whatever..you got my point right? Well..thats it then..You think & tell me too after the weekend on whatever you decide. I like the ultimatum by Ashish though. I wish he stalks you like nobodys business”, chukled Ananya before she disconnected the phone.

It was on Madhura entirely now to decide. She decided to take a call. She called her parents on Sunday morning & told them she is not interested in marrying the Google guy.

It was Monday morning and she was all of a sudden all awake & tensed about Ashish arriving at her door. Vartika & vIhaan had seen her over the weekend & had sounded so normal. She was not keen to discuss her past with them & they were not too pokey. She was relaxed in that sense. She had not been doing much since the past 2 weeks. She was not contributing in the household chores & that made her feel guilty now. She spoke to Vartika about it & she had smiled & said that she can have a good time until her mind is free of thoughts.

She had been told by Vihaan that Ashish had a couple of meeting at work on Monday & would be speaking to her on Monday evening. She was to go to work & was thankfully not worried about meeting Ashish immediately. She called Rishi during lunch.

“Hi Rishi,

I know you might not have expected my call this soon, but I have taken a decision.”, she said.

Rishi had sounded a little hopeful on the other end.

“I do not want you to pin up any hopes Rishi. I think past is past. I think we both are prepared to move on in life. There is not much that can pull us back to what we used to have between us. I think you were right, its absolutely normal & also right to find someone suitable for each one of us instead to clinging on to something that we left years ago.

I do still like you but I don’t think I like you enough anymore to spend my life with you. I have overcome that phase & have already started to live a normal life. I think we wouldn’t be doing any justice to each other too. So..I just want to say sorry Rishi. It has not worked out. I hope you have a good life & live happily wherever you are”, Madhura said after which she hanged up.

It was already Monday evening & she had cold feet. She dint know what to tell Ashish. By the time she reached home, she saw Ashish there with a bunch of flowers a small box of chocolates & a beautiful ring. She was caught by surprise. Vartika & Vihaan clapped & cheered. "So have you taken your decision?", asked Ashish.

“No, I havent”, said Madhura without any emotion.

Ashish held back slightly. “So what is going on in your head?”, he asked a little hesitant.

“Well, I don’t know..but I just remember that you told me if I don’t take a decision you will take it as a Yes”, she said still without an emotion.

It took a moment for Ashish to realize that he had heard a YES from Madhura. He jumped with joy.

He handed the flowers & in the most beautiful way Madhura could ever imagine knelt down on his knees and asked her to marry him. She was so overwhelmed by the gesture that she hugged him. Vartika & Vihaan left them to have some private time & went into their room. Ashihs took her out to dinner. He had gifted her a new dress that she wore. She loved all of this. It felt like being a princess again & being adored& felt loved again.

A couple of months later they went to meet Ashish’s parents in San Jose, they were warm & welcoming & she loved the attention she got. Ashihs’s brother & sister –in-law were nice people & she liked them too. She told them about how Ashish scared her with his ultimatum. His mom looked admiringly at Ashish & said that Ashish was adorable. Once they were back in India Ashish met Madhura's parents & his parents called to speak to them. They told Madhura's parents that they had loved Madhura & she was a sweet girl. Her parents were more than happy to listen good things about their daughter.

Madhura & Ashish got married a few months later & went for their honeymoon to Manali. She saw Rishi at the airport waiting for his taxi on her return. She walked away without uttering anything to Ashish she didn’t want Ashish to know who Rishi was. She wanted to keep it to herself. But once in a while in the corner of her heart somewhere after knowing that Rishi wanted to get back to her, she felt something towards him she could not classify as love. She opened her mailbox and peeped into her folders that night when she got back home from the airport into Rishi’s mails. She was thinking of how life would be if she would have married Rishi, when Ashish came & kissed her on the neck & she forgot Rishi & the rest of the world in his arms.