Chapter 6 The unfinished dance
Prachi re-entered the hall, not knowing exactly what she would say to him. As she entered, she saw everyone on the dance floor having a great time. However, her eyes searched for him. She spotted him sitting in front of the bar, having a drink. He seemed lost in his thoughts.
A smile had come across her face as she approached him. He hadn't change a bit. He still looked like the way he did 10 years back. He still had his unruly curly hair. But yes he did have a stubble. It made his look older. However, she thought it looked good on him, gave him a more sexy look.
"Is this seat taken?" she said in her small voice
He knew exactly whose voice it was. As he turned around, he looked at her not saying anything. She sat beside him and stared at him for a while. She could clearly see the pain and the guilt and the love in his eyes. A sudden guilt arose within her as she looked deep in his eyes. He had been all alone all these years, she at least had Diya with her. His share of pain was greater than hers.
She felt nervous all of a sudden. She didn't know how to start or from where to start. She looked down and unconsciously started to play with her fingers. Milind smiled at her, she was nervous. She would always play with her fingers when she was nervous.
He took hold of her hands "Prachi. I'm sor…" But she stopped him from saying anything by putting her hand in front of his lips. If there was someone who needed to say something, it was her. He had said enough today. It was her turn now.
"Milind…" she paused for a while.
"Let the past remain in the past. Just like the time never stops for anyone, like that, the past never stops for anyone. We shouldn't let our past mistakes overshadow our present" she said taking hold of his hand in hers. Feeling his touch relaxed her.
"But…Milind, there is.." before she could finish she felt his lips on hers. He had longed for that kiss for all these years. She was still in the beginning but eventually gave in. As he deepened his kiss, she had automatically put her hands around his neck.
"No buts…and no ifs" he said braking the embrace.
He looked at everyone at the dance floor dancing in couples. And the most amazing part was that the same song that had played 10 years ago during their prom was now playing. It was time to finish the dance they had left unfinished 10 years ago.
As he took her hand he asked "Shall we…" and she smiled at him. She remembered the song as well. And together they walked to dance floor hand in hand.
bin tere kya hai jeena
mere dil ki raani tum
meri khushiyon ka mausam
mere khwaabon ki taaviz
mere sapanon ki tasveer
bin tere kaisi aas
woh jeet ho ya haar
tere sang hai sab kuchh
tu na ho toh bekaar
bin tere kya hai jeena
He had held her close and tight, while her head rested on his chest.
suni khaali raaten
ruthi feeki baaten
har aahat pe chaaukun
tujhko harsu dekhu
tujhko hardam sochu
tujhko har pal chahu
tere bin toh jeevan mera hai intezaar
bin tere kya hai jeena
Dancing in each other arms they finally felt complete.
tere saath jiye jo pal
kuchh unse nahi badhkar
tere khaatir saans main loon
teri khaatir jeeta hoon
marne ki tamanna bhi
tere saath main rakhta hoon
tu hai jeene ki wajah
kar mera aitbaar
bin tere kya hai jeena...
Once the dance was over, they heard a sudden applause. Both of them came out of their world and saw the whole crowd clapping at them. Everyone was happy that the long lost soul mates were finally reunited. They both smiled at everyone and headed towards Neev and Ayesha
"Neev and Ayesha…I don't know how to thank both of you…"said Prachi
"Well…just promise that you are not going to run away again" said Neev smiling at her
This reminded her that she had to leave soon. She said her good-byes and promised to come visit them soon.
As Prachi and Milind were leaving the hall, hand in hand, Neev turned and gave a wicked smile at Ayesha and she knew exactly what he was about to say.
"So, now that I have brought them together, will you be kind enough accept my proposal of being my wife" he said opening his arms.
Ayesha smiled and went and hugged him. She knew that if there was someone who could bring Prachi and Milind together it was him. And he had done it.
Once they were outside, Prachi thought it would be better if she did not tell him about Diya right now. It was her birthday in two days and just like all the other years, she would make this birthday wish come true as well.
"Milind, as much as I want to stay here with you…I have a flight to catch tonight" she said quietly not wanting to break his heart.
"Prachi, stay…" he said taking her hands in his.
She knew it was hard for him to let her go as much as it was hard for her to leave him. It took a while to convince him. But eventually he agreed to the deal. He would let her go tonight but he would join her the following day. This would be their last wait.
He had dropped her to the airport and before leaving he said "I'll be there on Sunday…"
"And I'll be waiting" she replied and headed to the counter
It was Saturday evening when she arrived in London. She had immediately picked up Diya on her way. Once they were home, both mother and daughter were comfortably sitting in Prachi's bedroom. She was going let her daughter know that her father was actually going to come and meet her, and only meet her, he would stay with them forever. She was trying to find the right words to start with.
"Diya…" said Prachi "You know about your birthday…"
"Mama, I'm sorry…that I asked about dad…I didn't want to make you sad it just…" she said and came close to her mom
"No…no beta, I'm sorry that I never told you anything about him…" Prachi said as she hugged her daughter
"But Mama is going to make up to you…I promised you that I would give you whatever you asked for your birthday and I intend to make your wish come true"
It took some time for Diya to understand what her mom was saying. Prachi looked at Diya's confuse looked and said "He is going to come tomorrow"
Diya's face had suddenly brighten up, did her mom just say that her father would come tomorrow. Prachi wanted to give an explication to her daughter, but Diya just didn't care. All that mattered was that her father was finally going to come.
That night, both mom and daughter slept together waiting impatiently for tomorrow.
Everything was ready for Diya's birthday, Prachi thought as she looked at the clock. Only Milind was missing. It was already past 6 pm. He should be here any moment. She was confident that things would turn out right. He would be shocked, maybe even a bit angry but eventually forgive her. It was then that she heard the bell.
"I got lost in London" he said smiling as he entered. It was a small house unlike his mansion but this felt like home he thought.
They were both seated in the living. Prachi wondered where Diya was. She had been excited all day. She was probably peeking from somewhere.
"Milind, the reason I wanted to come here today its because I wanted you to meet someone" she said and continued "But you must understand that whatever I did, was because I thought you didn't…"
"Prachi, I thought we were not going to talk about the past…then why are you bringing it again" he questioned her.
Prachi stood up to face the window…She wouldn't be able to face him and say the truth. Milind immediately sensed the nervousness in her. Seeing her all nervous, made him nervous all of a sudden. He came close to her and put his hand on her shoulders.
"What's the matter Prachi…"
She already started to have tears in her eyes. Milind didn't understand what exactly was going on. Was she not happy?
"Milind, when I left all those years ago, I was… I was pregnant…pregnant with our child" she said slowly
"Milind, I'm sorry…I know I should've told you but…" she tried to explain.
He stood there, with no expression in him. What did she just say? As he tried to figure out all this in his head, she saw a little girl peeking behind the hall wall. That little girl was his daughter, his and hers…it was theirs. He looked at Prachi as his eyes filled with water and back to the little girl.
"Diya" Prachi called
As she took small step towards them, Milind bent down to his knees and opened his arms. Seeing this Diya rushed into her dad arms. He hugged her tight like he had never hugged anyone else. He had a daughter, he just couldn't believe it.
Prachi had kneeled down as well caressing Diya's hair.
"Papa…" said Diya "Promise me that you will never leave me and mama again"
Milind kissed her as tears rolled down his face. But these tears were tears of happiness.
As he hugged Prachi and Diya together, he said " Papa will never leave anyone one you, Never "
Well that was the last chapter of my short story. Epilogue coming up in a few minutes.
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