Pratap Ajabdhe OS: And they Stop Talking to EachOther

"But why Pratap? Am sick and tired of hiding what I feel. We are not wrong! But you make me feel we are!"

"Ajab! Your father is my Dad's employee, you are mine! According to company rules, I can't date you! You may lose the job, so can Ram Uncle!"

" Urghhh!"

Ajabde's anger rose at the memories.

That faithful day she entered the Sisodia's Office and was directed to a chamber. The Owner's son is a trainee and now a PR too her father had said. She was about to knock when he opened the door and eyes met. Her almost shaped eyes, lined with Kohl always grabbed his attention.

Pratap shifted uneasy at his chamber. Ajab had taken the day off. Without a notice. Without her help he seemed completely lost in his papers and files. She was always there to arrange his things.

Yes, he remembered the day. He wouldn't forget till his last breath. She was his first love. Never had a girl made him smile with her silly jokes and childish simplicity like she had. No one knew his unexpressed feelings and thoughts better. He was never good with words and actions. He expected her to understand that. He expected her to know he was doing this for her. He closed a file and looked out at the rain.

"All I want is a little prove that he cares, he can show as a friend if not more." Ajab was thinking aloud. She was hiding this relationship from her closest people, her friends, her family, playing with their trust for his sake.

Pratap smiled at the photo on his desk. That success party for the tender they got for Ram Uncle. Although his father's employee he was always like a family friend since childhood. He wondered why they never met before. In the frame he stood beside a pretty Ajab in a gown, with all his employees, friends and their families. That twinkles in her eyes. That happy face he couldn't take his eyes off the whole evening. That twinkle was not there anymore. He had made her unhappy.

Ajab felt like a bird, trapped in a cage of social norms, rules and duties. Her heart desired to fly free at times. His love had tied her down. Was this the life she wanted?

She had once told him, "You know am in my 20s and soon my parents will start looking for a groom."

They were friends then, he had laughed and made a joke even when his eyes said he feared losing her. His fear had made him come and confess maybe. She was taken aback as a lone teardrop fell from her eyes. Today, two years hence, he had always said he was hers forever but never talked of tying the knots. She sensed he feared his father's rejection and hers... She had led herself to believe one day, someday he would hold her hand and say,

" Ajab lets fight for love together!"

She waited so long for that day. Not anymore. Her heart wanted answers.

She dialed up the number. It was not saved on either their phones. He was startled at the ring. The number flashed on his screen. He had a lot of questions as well. But he couldn't picked up the call, because he was in a Meeting. He decided to call her later. But he was so lost in his work that he forgot calling her, and unfortunately he didn't wished her. Not because he was busy, but he didn't like to express these things openly. She was ok with it, she was ok with all the circumsances he kept infront of her. But today she was frustrated, she was angry. She wanted to be with him. Wanted to scream ... Why so many restrictions in their relationship. She was suffocated. She wiped her tears and decided to meet him the next morning.

Next Morning:

She enter the office greeted everyone, kept her files in her cabin and headed towards Pratap cabin holding a file in hand, So that she can talk with her making the excuse of file work. She knocked her cabin and he said ''come in''.

She got in. ''You should not be here in my cabin so early Ajabde, what will the others think. Gossips are already there that I favour you. Go back to your cabin and do your work, will talk to you later''

But she was standing there, staring at him with so many question in her eyes and tears filled her eyes.

'Can I get your 5minutes Sir?" She wiped away the tears quickly.

" I don't Pratap, I really doubt it now. Look at you, we are alone in your chambers and yet you are being formal!"

He closed his eyes and let out a sigh. She was right. He couldn't help being extra conscious all the time.

"You know I am serious and I want this, its just that..."

"Give me some time. Please." He begged her, controlling his tears. He couldn't lose her, but he couldn't face his father all of a sudden with this too.

"No Pratap. I gave you two years, not any more. I loved you, I always will. You said not to tell this to anyone. I agreed. I didn't tell this to my Mother. I hide it from my friends my close friends, with whom I used to share my feelings. You told me to be formal with you in front of all I Did the same. You said this and that I did and Agreed in each and every thing. But some times Pratap sometimes I need that love affection and care from you. Yesterday I called you; you didn't pick up the call nor wished me. What the hell is happening Pratap.''

'Enough!!!! Enough Ajabdhe. You think you are trapped. You think you are not free. Fine! I free you from this, You are free to leave me.''

She looked at him with shock expression on her face. ''What ? Say it again.''

She wiped her tears, and smiled Hiding her pain 'Thank you! For this. Thank you for everything. Today also I won't protest. As usual I will obey it. I am Going. But I will be always be loving you.''

And she left a shocked Pratap's cabin, a fake smile on her face for the world outside.

"Ajabde, I... I..." He could sense her disconnect from the other end. Angry at himself he Banged his hand on table. He could not have lost her. This was just a nightmare he hoped.

A resignation arrived at his desk two days later. Her hand writing. He brushed his hand over it. His face was pale, from all the tears and sleepless nights. Ajab was in her room, looking out at the gloomy sky. A downpour was coming. She wished to drench her heart and tears in it. Two people, two hearts, one soul... and a thousand man made barriers.

AND THEY STOP TALKING TO EACH OTHER..