Prachi opened her eyes to see the rising sun. The smell of the morning dew filled her senses. The prospect of new day enthralled as the new day brought with it new hope, the hope that everything would turn out fine now that she had come to know of the love she had for Milind. With that thought she said a little prayer and then headed for the bathroom. Feeling refreshed and optimistic she walked downstairs to have breakfast with her family. Premlata had observed that with Prachi's usual good mood there was an extra happiness that shined in her eyes, which Premlata did not question but was pleased to see.
Prachi had nothing planned for the day as the past few Sundays she had spent with Milind and she was hoping to see him again. She enjoyed her weekends with Milind and it had become the thing she looked forward to every week. Seeing, talking and just spending time with Milind had filled Prachi with joy as she enjoyed his company. She wondered now that the name of their relationship had changed to love whether it would affect their relationship, hoping not she decided that she herself would give Milind a call to see if things were still the same. "Hey..." "Hi Prachi I was just about to call you..." Milind replied surprised that Prachi had called him just as he was dialling her number. "Oh really..." Prachi subtly enquired Milind's reason for calling. "Do you want to meet up today?" Milind asked cautiously hoping Prachi would agree. "Sure..." Prachi said not giving away her excitement. "I pick you up in an hour...Bye" Milind put the phone down and looked around at the arrangements he had made. He carefully put together a meal for Prachi and now all he had to do was wait.
Milind sat waiting until he had to pick Prachi up. As he got impatient Milind began to develop doubts about his actions. Milind knew that he loved Prachi however he questioned whether she loved him back. He wouldn't be able take to rejection of Prachi not loving him. Milind had experience the pain of heartbreak and that time it wasn't real love so losing Prachi was a pain he did not want to experience. Would he be able to confess his love with the consequence of losing Prachi altogether? Milind had found such a close friend in Prachi after so long and didn't know if he could risk losing her. Milind then decided he'd rather suppress his love and keep Prachi's friendship which he valued greatly. Milind couldn't imagine not talking to Prachi for one day and if just being her friend would keep her close he was willing to keep his love quiet.
Before Milind realised it was time for him to pick Prachi up making a rash decision Milind altered his plans for Prachi and headed to her house. The car journey was quiet as they both were lost in their thoughts. Prachi was hoping that Milind declared his love for her and she would able to tell him she felt the same. Milind stopped outside his chawl which Prachi remembered from when Ayesha lived there. Milind without a word led Prachi up some stairs into a small flat which Prachi did not recognise. Prachi looked at Milind who was unusually quiet. "Are you alright Milind? You've haven't said one word to me the whole way here," Prachi asked concerned that Milind was not his usual self but seemed troubled. "It's nothing like that Prachi, I just wanted to show you a place which is very close to my heart, the home I grew up in..." Prachi looked around taking in the surroundings, she could tell that Milind's childhood was filled with hardships but his home was his sanctuary. The place still was simply decorated with photos placed along the walls of the Mishras. "The last time I was here was just before I left India and it still looks the same. Every corner is filled with memories of my past, memories I don't want to forget but share." "Why did you not visit here earlier?" "I didn't want to come here alone. Although I have many good memories here I am also reminded of all those problems we faced. Baba's struggles to juggle children and a job, as well as the many times Baba had to leave us alone so that he work to provide for us." Prachi clutched Milind's hand as she saw the pain of his past clearly reflected in his eyes. At Prachi's touch Milind wanted just to embrace her but he knew he couldn't and brushed away his pain. "Prachi I wanted to bring you here to show you my appreciation of everything you've done for me. If it wasn't for I'd never be able to let go my misunderstanding regarding Ayesha, never be able to talk so freely about myself and make Baba so happy." "Milind you've also helped me a lot by making me realise that sometimes it's okay to let yourself go..." "Prachi..." Prachi looked up at Milind knowing this was the perfect moment for the both of them to confess their feelings. As she looked into his eyes all she could see was his love for her and that's all she longed for. Milind fought his feelings and opened his mouth trying hard to get his words out not letting slip the truth, "Prachi promise me that you'll be my friend always and nothing will come between us," Prachi was taken back with Milind's words, he considered her only a friend. She knew this could not be true he mirrored the love she had in her eyes but she couldn't understand why he didn't say what she knew was in his heart. "Promise," Prachi softly said hiding the disappointment in her voice. Hoping that he just needed time to process his feelings Prachi decided she would be patient.
Milind then laid out food on the floor which he had hand prepared especially for Prachi. He dished out the food and told stories of his childhood to Prachi while they ate. Prachi's half-listened to Milind's story while also thinking about their lost moment. Prachi was sure that Milind was about to say the three words that would perfect everything but something held him back and she needed to know what. The car journey back was once again quiet and Milind wondered whether Prachi had picked up on his unusual behaviour as she had not been quite the same.
Edited by ...B... - 16 years ago