Greys and Rains- A Devakshi OS
The cafe at the end of the street always fascinated her. With it's glass windows looking over an almost always deserted road, it gave her the sense of tranquility she yearned for after a busy day. It was a good place for her to contemplate about things as well. To have some time for herself. And whenever it rained, she used to make it a point to go to the cafe. The smooth sheets of rain water coming down, caressing the large glass windows, with a unique gentleness, was a sight to watch. The place became slightly gloomy, slightly dingy, whenever it rained, reminding her of the colour grey. Still, this gloominess never put her off. On the contrary, it intrigued her. When she told Elena of the place, she exclaimed that it was THE gloomiest cafe she had EVER seen and anyone in their right mind would never go there. Sonakshi agreed with her. Nobody prefered going there. The place, almost always, had no customers. But SHE liked the strangeness of the place. She always prefered bright things, true. But she was simply wierd that way. Eerie things mesmerized her.
Today too, she was standing near the large window of the cafe, looking at the rain pouring down in showers on the other side, making everything look grey. Soankshi's wierd obssession with the place had something to do with a certain someone, she was waiting for right now. The rain, the place, the grey colour and the mysterious aura, they all reminded her, of him. Dev.
Sonakshi was a mystery lover. The uncertain and the uncanny nature of mysteries always drew her attention. Unravelling these myteries gave her a sense of victory. And HE was the mystery she wished to unravel. Initially too, she was intrigued by the mysterious aura he carried with him. His rude yet caring nature always drew her to him. She could read through every facade of his. Though he maintained a stoic expression, she could read millions of emotions in his eyes. As they both fell in love with each other, she understood the mystery behind his aloof behaviour. She got better at reading him, understanding him.
When she brought him to this place, he fell in love with it. That day too, it was raining. She had expected him to fall in love with the place. It was obvious. The place was just like him. He'd obviously feel at home. That day, she realized they unveiled another colour of their love-grey.
But that was all before. She decided she'd stop associating colours with love, a month before, the day they made a decision to part ways. That was the only time in her life when she felt stranded, completely alone in the dark. She heaved a heavy sigh, looking at the mist forming on the window with unseeing eyes. Black. That was the only colour she could feel relatable with these days, she thought. There you go Sonakshi, she reprimanded herself, you said you'd not compare your love with colours anymore. But can she hold herself back from doing it? No.
The day they parted, she promised him she'd never call him. Hurt, pain, anger, disbelief and frustration were some of the many things she felt that day. But did she keep up her promise? No. She occasionly dialed his number, or created a message, only to erase it off. Sometimes she made calls too only to cut it at the first ring. She received many such calls from his side too. Yesterday too, when she saw his name flashing, she expected it to go to missed call. But the phone kept on ringing. She attended the call with an exhilirating feeling and was asked by him if they could meet. She agreed. And here she was, waiting for him.
Dev entered the cafe, expecting to see Sonakshi standing near the window, as always. And he was right. There was his Sona, looking as beautiful as ever, lost in thoughts. As he approached her, he noticed her unfocused eyes gazing at the hazy road through sheets of rain water. Her slender fingers were tracing hearts in the mist on the window. He neared her slowly from behind and completed the other half of the new heart she was tracing. His breath hitched as she turned towards him with a disarmingly beautiful smile. Clad in a white short top and jeans, the ends of her hair sligtly damp she looked as good as ever. At that moment, he really understood how much he missed her.
Sonakshi felt the odd feeling of serenity intensify, as she took in his form. His eyes reflected every emotion she felt. Love, happiness, longing, peace and relief. But his eyes reflected something else too. Guilt. The guilt and love in his beautiful hazel eyes were overpowering every other emotion. His hands snaked round her waist as hers went to his neck. "I missed you," he breathed, hiding his head in crook of her neck. "And I you," said she, her voice breaking. They broke apart. Dev took her hand and made his way to the table.
As they waited for their orders, Dev asked, trying to act nonchalant, "So, what has been happening in your life?" Without missing a beat, Sonakshi answered, "You know better than me, stalker." Smiling mischievously, she asked, " Is Tina being paid extra for all the stalking job she is doing on your behalf?" He laughed, his eyes shining with fondness for her. "You know me way too much," he said. "Like the back of my hand," pointed out Sona, laughing along. "Okay then, so how has Kolkata been?" asked Dev, modifying his question. "Like it has always been." Dev rolled his eyes. Typical Sonakshi Bose answer. One of the many reasons why he loved her.
As their orders arrived, Sonakshi asked, cautiously, "So, how's your life? Nikki, Rhea, Neha and...your mom?"
"Don't you really know?" Dev asked, sighing. "Nah, I don't do a part time stalking job like Mr. Dev Dixit," she shrugged. Giving her a wry smile, he said, "Same, as ever." "You didn't talk to her," she stated. "When I know what her reaction is going to be, there's no point talking, Sonakshi," he said, keeping his face devoid of emotions.
"Why don't you talk to her, Dev? Why do you assume things? She didn't tell you she isn't happy with this relationship, did she?" she questioned. He sighed. "I know she's not happy, Sona. If I talk to her, she'd agree to this relationship of ours. But she'd never do it whole heartedly. I don't want her to be unhappy Sona, that's all." "And what about me? About you? Why are you doing this to yourself, Dev? To me? To us?" she demanded. "Sorry, Sonakshi," he said in a broken voice, not meeting her eyes. She looked at him incredulously. "You are WHAT? Sorry? A sorry won't fix this, Dev! Don't you get it? I love you! You know what that means, right?" Nodding his head, he said, "I know, Sona." Shaking her head with a mirthless smile, she said, " I don't know, Dev." She paused. Holding his hand, she asked, her eyes seeking assurance, "Dev, where do you want to take us? Where do you want to take this relation? What am I to you? Where do I stand for you? Don't I mean anything to you?" Listening to her, he pulled her into him, with rage. "Shut up, Sonakshi. You mean a lot to me. A lot. You wouldn't ever understand how much you mean to me. Nobody would. Only I know," he answered, his eyes blazing with unrestrained fury. The emotions swirling in his eyes unnerved her for a second. She regained immediately. Equalling the intensity in his eyes, she replied, " I want to know where you want to take us, Dev. All this that has happened between us does have a meaning. If you take it nowhere, I have the right to demand you to take it in the right direction." She sighed. She was getting ahead of herself. Taking his face into her hands, she said, "Dev, talk to her. For us. For you and me." With eyes welled up with tears, he said, "I am sorry, Sonakshi. You don't deserve this. You wait, I'll make things right, I promise." Sonakshi hugged him, simling. "I trust you." She did. His eyes assured her of his love.
Suddenly she drew back. "You wore grey, again?" she asked him, faking exasperation. "Where did you find this shade of grey from? Fifty Shades of Grey?" She started grinning. Dev rolled his eyes, annoyed. "You'd never let that one go, would you?" He finally came to know what THE Fity Shades of Grey was all about. "Nah, nah. Never in my life." She laughed seeing his expression. Annoying him was the best thing. She fell more in love with him when he was annoyed. And he joined her in her laughter, his eyes brimming with love, adoration, respect and fondness for her. He pulled her closer, his lips descending on hers. He sealed his promise of never letting her go, putting all his unsaid emotions into this gesture of love. She pulled him even closer, annihiliating all distances, responding with equal fervour, their lips moulding into one. She knew his promise was of forever and he would fulfill it. She indulged herself in the grey shades of the cafe, the rain and the mystery man, she fell in love with.
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So how did you find it? Too long? I know. But I can't help but write so much when I think of this couple. Constructive criticism is always welcome.
P.S. Are there Telugu people here? If they reading this, let me tell you that I wrote this OS inspired by the film Oka Mansu staring Niharika Konidela and Naga Shaurya. I liked the film very much. Watched it just yesterday. If you are a digger for slow and beautiful romance you'll loveit!
That's it. Bye.
Vignyathri.