New FF-2nd chance at Love-Completed-PG 81-08/08/2014 - Page 43

The driver offered to stop at various restaurants on the way back, asking her if she was hungry. He told her that Vihaan had asked him to ensure that she had something. Hearing this Kalpi got emotional once again.

But she refused as she just wanted to reach home and curl up in her bed. She could not make any sense of the emotional turmoil she was going through. She was not sure why she was so emotional, was it because she regretted her decision, was it because she hated hurting Vihaan or was it the fear of losing his friendship. She could not be sure of anything.

As soon as she reached the lift of the building, she was surprised to see Neha already waiting for the lift. Neha seeing her, immediately asked her, "How was your trip, it is such a stupid question, I am sure it must have been fabulous".

Suddenly she noticed Kalpi's swollen eyes and asked with concern, "What happened? You seem to be upset. Come to my house. I will make you a cup of coffee and then we can talk."

"I am fine, Di," Kalpi lied.

But Neha who knew Kalpi well insisted on taking her home. Neha knew that given time, Kalpi would open up to her.

Neha went to the kitchen and came back with a cup of coffee and digestives. She offered a cup of the coffee to Kalpi and sat back watching her.

Kalpi sipped the coffee absolutely lost in her thoughts. All of sudden she realized Neha's presence and she said, "Di, I should be going home".

"Kalpi, I know there is something wrong. Please talk to me, I am sure you will feel much better talking to someone. You call me Di, so consider me as your sister and tell me your problem".

Kalpi suddenly felt overwhelmed with Neha's concern and she went and hugged her. Kalpi realized that she needed to unburden herself to someone and Neha was the best person. She had always been her guide and mentor and had always given her good advice which had helped her move on in her life. She decided to tell Neha everything.

She told her everything about the great time she had spent with Vihaan and then about Vihaan's proposal and she also told her about her rejection of his proposal.

She looked at Neha and suddenly said," You do not look shocked. Did you know he was going to propose to me. How could you not tell me, Di".

"Calm down, dear, I did not know he was going to propose to you, but I had an idea that he was interested in you", Neha said.

"Did he tell you?", Kalpi asked with concern.

"Kalpi, you consider Vihaan your friend, do you think he would have talked to me about you", Neha asked.

Kalpi felt ashamed because she knew in her heart that Vihaan would never do such a thing.

"Then how did you know, Di", Kalpi asked.

Neha smiled and said," I just watched him".

Kalpi said, "Never mind that, Di. I am not sure why he proposed to me. Did I give him any signals, was I too forward with him? I am so confused".

Neha knew in her heart that Kalpi was also not immune to Vihaan, but she knew if she pushed her, Kalpi would retreat into her shell.

Neha said, "No, Kalpi, I am sure love does not need encouragement, it just happens. Anyway, I am sure Vihaan is not the first guy you have refused. I am sure a pretty girl like you must have received many proposals and you may have turned many of them down. Why are so upset at turning Vihaan down?"

Kalpi suddenly became pensive and thoughtful. "I have turned down a lot of guys during my college days, why am I so upset now. But Vihaan is not like other guys, he is a great friend and person", she thought.

"Di, I do not know why I feel like this. But Vihaan he can get any girl, why is he interested in me. I thought of him as a friend and now everything is destroyed", Kalpi cried out.

"Kalpi did you turn him down because you think you are not worthy of him or because you think he is not worthy of you. You think of him as good friend, so what is missing in Vihaan", Neha asked.

Kalpi answered, "There is nothing wrong with Vihaan, but after Raghav's betrayal I do not want to get involved with anyone".

"I am not saying that you need to accept Vihaan's proposal, I am one person who believes that a woman definitely does not need any guy to be happy. But do not allow Raghav's betrayal to cloud your entire life. By doing this you are being more cruel to yourself than Raghav was ever to you. Raghav hurt you, but by not allowing love or happiness to come into your life, you allow him to win and you hurt yourself", Neha said.

Kalpi pondered over this thought, but then said, "Di, but you have not allowed anyone to come into your life after your husband's betrayal".

Neha laughed and said," Darling, I have not lived like a nun. I have loved other guys and have been in relationships. I have enjoyed being in relationships and have enjoyed being alone. I have not met the love of my life and I am still looking."

Kalpi looked shocked. Neha laughed and said, "Don't look shocked dear. Love is a beautiful emotion and hiding from it is a crime. Don't rush into anything, Kalpi, but keep your heart and mind open to accept love when you feel ready".

Kalpi could not help smiling at her Neha Di and her admiration for her increased by leaps and bounds. She rushed and hugged Neha and said, "I love you. Meeting you has been the best thing that happened to me"

Neha replied, "You are also really special. I know you will scale great heights in your career, but I hope you scale great heights in love too".

Kalpi said, "Thanks Di".

Neha said, "One last thing about Vihaan. Kalpi, I have known Vihaan since he was a teenager, but the Vihaan I see now when he is in your company is a totally different guy. He has grown into a mature, caring, understanding, very loving and altogether a great guy. He deserves the best and I think he deserves you. I will stop now and will never pressurize you. The decision should totally be yours".

After leaving Neha's house, Neha's words kept reverberating in her mind, especially her words of Vihaan being a great guy.
She kept on pacing in her house thinking of all the good times she spent with Vihaan and got totally restless.