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Hello, everybody! This again is NOT parallel to the current track. It is of the time when Dev's engagement was about to happen with Natasha.
Dev calls it off, not becuase he pictured Sona when he closed his eyes but because it felt like the right thing to do to him, here.
I hope with crossed fingers its good. It is super long. Read, patiently.
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A hundred. Or was it more? How many times did he pace up and down his room, wringing his hands in confusion? Damn! Why did he always find himself in such a fix? He was an absolute failure at taking decisions for himself. Dev Dixit, the businessman extraordinaire was crap at taking decisons regarding his own life. He had come to terms with that fact long ago. Why did fate, with its twisted ways, always present him with a situation where he had to perform this horrendous task of making a decision? He sighed in exasperation.
As he resumed his self organised marathon in his bedroom, Dev recalled the incident that took place that very morning. The incident which was the reason for his conflicted thoughts.
Natasha Gujral, his business partner and his potential bride, had returned from a trip to the U.S.A. She invited him for lunch to discuss the arrangements to be made for their engagement. As soon as he heard her uttering those words, over the phone, he felt his insides clench, the way it usually does when his conscience knows he's doing something wrong.
Hence he DECIDED, he would let her know of his plans to call off the engagement. Yes, call it off. He gritted his teeth, silenced the procrastinator in him and came to the conclusion that he'd get over with this impending challenge. He met her at the agreed destination and before she could proceed with anything, told her of his plan.
The guilty him recalled in highest definition how she had blanched hearing him tell her about his plans for the engagement. How does one complete this cumbersome task of saying no? Natasha's chalk white face troubled him extremely. When she asked him why, he found himself stumped. Why, indeed? How could he tell her it was because it all felt wrong in the pit of his stomach? Or should he have told her because he did not know for sure himself? It would have sounded downright ridiculous. But Natasha, being the ever understanding and sensible woman, conceded. She wouldn't gain anything out of a loveless marriage, she said and wished him best of luck before she left.
And from that moment, Dev Dixit couldn't stop contemplating his decision. Did he do the right thing? 'Follow your heart' a voice echoed in he recess of his brain. That's what he had done. And he should be okay with it. What's done's done. But all he wanted was a chat with his new found best friend to calm his agitated mind. Where was Sonakshi Bose when you needed her? Dev had called her a thousand times the past five days and he got no response. He knew it would be borderline stalkerish but he even went to her house to check on her, everyday. She along with her family left for Kolkata, he learnt.
But he needed to talk to her, desperately! She did promise him she'd hear out every problem of his. Then where was she now? Now of all times when SHE was the cause of his restless thoughts.
Soankshi Bose. Dr. Sonakshi Bose. She'd prefer that. She was the root cause of all his confusion. Though he hadn't acknowledged it, his conscience told him in deafening tones that it was Sonakshi Bose because of whom he was saying no to the engagement.
Dev could never give anyone a pass into his thoughts. Nor did anyone try. He was required to put up a brave face and be indifferent to emotions. He had to do that, for his family always relied on him. The facade he wore convinced his family of his unwavering strength and no one ever tried to get behind it. Not anyone from the family.
But somebody else did. Dr. Sonakshi Bose did. She knew quite well when he was feigning and when he was genuine. She knew what would make him laugh and what irked him. She knew exactly what riled him up and did it often to have a hearty laugh. She knew she could annoy him to no lengths and he could never get upset with her.
Dev knew what he had for Sonakshi was something different. The solace he found in her company was something he had been craving for since childhood. She was his confidant, and problem solver. If he were to be frank, he always felt attracted to her. She wasn't the prettiest face he had seen. But her charm was something that always allured him. She could be beautiful, sexy, cute and homely all at once. Her poise and dignity had silenced him like nothing before. He respected her for the woman that she was, admired her for her infallible strength. Also, lately, he could feel a lot of tension surrounding them when they talked. A tension he did nothing to diffuse. He thought these feelings he held for her were ephemeral. But he had been wrong. Thoughts of her were talking strong hold of him. Why else would he space out in a board meeting (A BOARD MEETING) and think about her? And why would he feel like he's the greatest of the whole mankind when he made her laugh. Sonakshi's laughter was something he'd been growing very fond of, lately. What's wrong with him? He seemes to be suffering from Obssessive Sonakshi Disorder. He sighed. He called her again. No response.
Having no other option, he dialled another number. The phone was picked up on the second ring.
"Hello!" A voice chirped on the other end.
"Um, Elena? I am Dev. Can I please speak to Ms. Bose? She has been AWOL on me for five days now. You could be knowing why," he said.
"Okay, I do know why. But I was asked by somebody not to tell you," Elena said.
"Oh come on! Tell me what's wrong!" Dev implored.
"I can't tell you that, sorry. But if you want to talk to Sona, you could go meet her at the Rock Hard pub . She's attending a party there," Elena quipped.
Thanking Elena for the information profusely, Dev made a beeline to the said pub.
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The view that welcomed Dev as soon as he entered the club had his jaw hitting the floor.
There was Sonakshi standing in all glory, dressed up in a three-fourth sleeve, coffee coloured top and sexy, denim shorts. Her dark tresses flew all around her as she whipped her head to talk to everybody surrounding her. And this sight had left Dev mouthing a wow. He never knew she was so gregarious.
He approached her slowly. Lots of people thronged around her and seemed to be entertained by her. Not all people. Boys. Only boys, Dev realized. And the thought made him uneasy. Surely, something was off. As he neared the group, he heard Sonaskhi breaking into non-stop hysterical laughter. Oh crap! She was drunk.
As soon as Dev made his way to the front, Sonakshi looked at him and stopped laughing abruptly. Her eyebrows knit seemingly in confusion and after a minute he saw realization dawn upon her face. And suddenly, she broke into a blinding grin.
"Mr. Obhodro. The man himself," she whispered in subdued tones. Turning to the small crowd gathered around her, she announced, "Gentleman, here is the man I've been talking to you all about. Say hi, Mr. Obhodro. Where are your manners?" She said rounding on him with a disapproving look. Dev smirked, looking amused,
"Is he your boyfriend?" One from the crowd asked. She scrunched her eyebrows, quite cutely, Dev noted, at that. Turning to him, she asked,"Are you my boyfriend, Mr. Dixit? He's asking," she said pointing in random direction, looking at him, waiting, with a slight pout. Dev who was feeling quite entertained answered, "Not yet." Nodding her head at that, Sonakshi told the man the same who answered back with a, "Good! You are single." Now that didn't entertain Dev one bit. Scowling at the guy with whom Sonakshi was chatting quite animatedly, and who was oggling at her rather dreamily, he dragged Sonakshi out of the circle of people.
A bewildered Sonakshi, tugged at his hand with all her might. "Why are you kidnapping me?" She asked him, frowning. Dev who never had to deal with anything like this in his life was at his wit's end. "Who's party is this?" he asked Sonakshi, who was too busy staring captivatedly into random space. Just then, a guy of around Sonakshi's age materialized next to them. That drew Sonakshi out of her daze and and she flung an arm around the new arrival uttering a genial "Hey."
"Hey, Sona. What're you doing here? And who is this gentleman with you?" Asked the guy, whose party it was, Dev understood. What was his name? Dhruva.
Sonakshi pulled Dhruva down to her ear level and spoke in what she clearly thought was a hushed tone but was clearer than her normal speech. "This," she said casting a furitive look towards a grinning Dev, "is Mr. Obhodro. You know how he hates me, he's trying to kidnap me."
Realization drew upon Dhruva's face and he shook hands with Dev. Informing him about how Sonakshi seemed to have gulped down a spiked drink, he requested Dev to drop her home. Dev agreed.
After Dev and Dhruva tried convincing her for a freaking half hour, that Dev was NOT going to kidnap her, Sonakshi gave in. Still looking at Dev apprehensively, she followed him out of the pub.
As soon as they were out of the dark of the pub, Dev looked at Sonakshi really. Completely. Dressed in shorts that revealed her sexy, long, dusky legs, she looked super cool. Dev couldn't help but keep looking at her sexy, smooth legs. What was he doing? He was not here to ogle at her. Besides, it is wrong to do so. He dragged his eyes to her face which was presently looking very perplexed.
"Mr. Dixit? Why aren't streetlights put on in the daytime?" She asked him, with a genuine curiosity.
"Um, because, there's no need of a streetlight when there's broad day light," he answered unceratinly. Why was she acting this crazy?
"Oh," she mumbled, comprehending the information he'd just given her. Knotting her eyebrows again, she asked "But why not in the day time?"
Totally unsure of what to do, Dev said, "I just told you, Miss. Bose."
"It's Dr. Bose for you," she repiled reflexively, making him smile. That she'd never forget. "But you don't get what I am saying, I. Am. Asking you. Why. Not. In. The daylight," she spelt out to him as if he was the crazy one.
Shaking his head, he said, "I have no answer to that Ms. Bose. Get into the car, I'll drop you home."
"Nahi," she said shaking her head seriously, "Cars are for uncool people. Rude. Impudent. Insolent people. I am super cool. I ain't getting into a car."
Sighing exasperatedly, he asked, "So how do you think are we going to get home now?"
Sonakshi pondered over that thoughtfully, with a frown, jutting her lower lip out. Dev chuckled at her and told her in a cajoling tone, "Come on, Ms.Bose. Come and sit inside the car."
"Um, no. We'll walk. And walking is healthy. You get to burn your carbs and all your extra calories. Walking keeps you fit and you will never have to-" she kept going on and on, the nutritonist in her doling out advice.
"Fine. Fine, we'll walk." He said, pinching the bridge of his nose, exasperated. Her house wasn't too far away from here, anyway.
Grinning, like she was offered a truck full of chocolate, she jumped on to hug him. Dev was taken by surprise but responded immediately, grinning himself.
"Can we hold hands?" she said afer a minute's silence, making a puppy face. Who could say no to that? And holding hands with her was the cherry on the top. So Dev agreed almost immediately. And so they held hands and walked down the road each smiling indulgently.
"Dev," she called out slowly. That was the first time she called him by his name, he noted, smiling goofily.
"Hmm," he hummed in reply.
"Dev," she called yet again, nudging his shoulder with hers.
"What is it, Sonakshi?" He asked, awaiting her reaction. Her name sounded so effortless from his mouth.
Gasping, Sonakshi halted for a second, staring at him. Regaining immediately, she asked him, "Why are you staggering? Are you drunk?"
That made him look at her incredulously. Deciding it was better to let her have her way, he nodded.
She sighed and patted his shoulder. "It's not good to drink too much," she told him sagely," you know, our genes degenerate each time we have alcohol. We-"
Before she could continue with her sermon, Dev pulled her to himself. She hit his hard chest and looked into his eyes. She shut up, immediately, looking lost in his eyes, her mouth partly open. "Enough of you asking questions, Ms.Bose. Give me a chance to ask some too," he breathed in her ear, his voice becoming suspiciously husky. His breath stirred her earring. Why did she have goosebumps all over her neck? Nodding her head, she waited for him to ask.
Holding hands, yet again, they resumed walking. "Sonakshi, where did you go missing all these days. I needed you so much. I had so much to talk to you. You went off to Kolkata. And who do you think will inform me? Tumhare pyaare poudhe?" He demanded.
What followed was silence. Turning Sonakshi around, he found her beautiful eyes brimming with tears. Taking her by her face- he didn't know what gave him the courage to do that- he wiped her cheeks. "What is it? What was wrong with you? Won't you tell me?" He asked softly.
Sonakshi shook her head, casting her eyes downwards. "You wouldn't like what I would say," she replied.
"Try me, please," Dev insisted.
"I didn't want to see you getting married to Natasha, fine? What am I supposed to do? I ran away to Kolkata. You know how difficult it is to not be jealous? To be a better friend than anything? I knew I wouldn't be able to carry off this act of being super happy for you and Natasha, when I am dying from inside. I couldn't be the friend I promised you I'd be. I failed, Mr.Dixit. I had to get away from here. I was suffocated. I, I, I am sorry..." she broke down into noisy sobs, slumping down on the pavement.
Dev, totally stunned at her revelation, bent down to hold her. "Hey, hey, Sonakshi. Sonakshi, look at me," he said holding her chin, making her look at him. "You are the most wonderful friend I could ever get. I don't know what I did to deserve a friend like you," he added softly. "You are going all Nicholas Spark on me. Just to make me feel better, right?" Sonakshi said, rubbing the end of her reddening nose. "If that makes you feel better, than yes," he said grinning. Understanding that he's talking to her in her own words, she grinned too. "Now get up, we need to get going," he said, helping her up.
"Desha ya Narath." She said, after a while. They resumed walking, hand in hand.
Thinking she was speaking something in Bengali, he said his trademark, "Phir tumi, tumi, Ms. Bose?"
"Dr. Bose for you. And tumi ekta boka, Mr. Dixit," she said laughing at him clutching her stomach, sounding like a witch.
"Ms. Bose, you are scaring me,"
"Desha ya Narath, I said, Mr.Dixit," she continued still laughing possessedly, "that isn't Bengali."
"Then what did it mean?"
Stopping her laughter abruptly, she gave him a wry smile. "The names of your future kids. Desha that is De from Dev and Sha from Natasha for the girl. And Narath, Na from Natasha and Rath from Devrath for the boy. How are the names?" She asked him, giving a tired chuckle
"Genius, Ms.Bose. But how would I be having kids with Natasha?" Asked Dev.
"You won't be? Don't tell me. You are impotent Mr.Dixit!" She said, slapping a hand to her mouth.
"Ms.Bose, your brain doesn't seem to have a filter today," he said shocked. "What have you done to my old, soft spoken Dr.Bose?" he asked her drammatically.
"You are very serious about family planning, maybe," Sonakshi hypothesized ignoring his last comment.
"I broke my engagement with Natasha, Sonakshi," he said, coming to a halt. They neared her house.
Sonakshi, not realizing he had already stopped, banged into him and fell down with a splendid thud.
Silence.
"Ow!" She said, crying. Feigning. Quite an attention seeker, Ms.Bose was, Dev thought, smirking. Guffawing like a mad man, he helped her to her feet.
"Be careful, Ms.Bose" he muttered.
"Goodnight," he said dropping her at her door.
"Mr.Dixit," she called him as he turned to leave.
As he turned around, his breath hitched. There was Sonakshi, right in front of him. Close to him. Very, very close to him.
"You never loved her, Mr.Dixit. Don't feel any bit guilty. The decision you took was a right one, for her and you." And like always, she guessed his inner turmoil without him having to say a word.
"But," she said stepping closer still. So close, their noses touched, almost. Dev's throat went dry, "I don't know if what I am going to do right now, is right."
Saying so, she glanced down at his lips. Her smoky eyes darted once to his. Gulping, she placed her hands on his chest. Standing on her toe tips she gently placed her lips on his, moving hers against his. And that was the final straw for Dev. Sliding his hand down to her waist, making her top ride up slightly in the process, he pulled her closer. His other hand made way to her hair. He leaned in and responded to her, giving in to her completely. The alcohol taste still lingered in her mouth.
Sonkshi slid her hands further upto his neck. One hand wound round his neck while the other carressed his cheek. Her idea of a perfect kiss came true. And with the perfect man, she thought, smiling into the kiss.
Dev who had felt her smile, drew back, arching his eyebrows asking her the reason. When she shook her head and pulled him back into the kiss, he thought it must be one of her insane, inabbrieated mind's thoughts that made her smile.
Breaking apart, they smiled at each other, contendedly. Sonakshi's eyes held an expression which was so unnerving and tender that Dev kept looking at her mesmerized.
She snuggled into the crook of his neck, her nose grazing his neck. "Goodnight, Mr.Obhodro," she mumbled sleepily, "Sonakshi Bose, signing off."
Dev smiled at that.
Love. She loved him, he realized. He felt his chest swell with an unknown pride and elation at his realization.
For the first time, Dev Dixit congratulated himself for making the right decision as he picked Sonakshi Bose in his arms to take her to her room.
21 February 2017
Vignyathri
P.S. I've never writen something like this. Was it any bit good? Did anything look forced? Please give me your inputs. I need to hone my writing skills. :P
Dev calls it off, not becuase he pictured Sona when he closed his eyes but because it felt like the right thing to do to him, here.
I hope with crossed fingers its good. It is super long. Read, patiently.
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A hundred. Or was it more? How many times did he pace up and down his room, wringing his hands in confusion? Damn! Why did he always find himself in such a fix? He was an absolute failure at taking decisions for himself. Dev Dixit, the businessman extraordinaire was crap at taking decisons regarding his own life. He had come to terms with that fact long ago. Why did fate, with its twisted ways, always present him with a situation where he had to perform this horrendous task of making a decision? He sighed in exasperation.
As he resumed his self organised marathon in his bedroom, Dev recalled the incident that took place that very morning. The incident which was the reason for his conflicted thoughts.
Natasha Gujral, his business partner and his potential bride, had returned from a trip to the U.S.A. She invited him for lunch to discuss the arrangements to be made for their engagement. As soon as he heard her uttering those words, over the phone, he felt his insides clench, the way it usually does when his conscience knows he's doing something wrong.
Hence he DECIDED, he would let her know of his plans to call off the engagement. Yes, call it off. He gritted his teeth, silenced the procrastinator in him and came to the conclusion that he'd get over with this impending challenge. He met her at the agreed destination and before she could proceed with anything, told her of his plan.
The guilty him recalled in highest definition how she had blanched hearing him tell her about his plans for the engagement. How does one complete this cumbersome task of saying no? Natasha's chalk white face troubled him extremely. When she asked him why, he found himself stumped. Why, indeed? How could he tell her it was because it all felt wrong in the pit of his stomach? Or should he have told her because he did not know for sure himself? It would have sounded downright ridiculous. But Natasha, being the ever understanding and sensible woman, conceded. She wouldn't gain anything out of a loveless marriage, she said and wished him best of luck before she left.
And from that moment, Dev Dixit couldn't stop contemplating his decision. Did he do the right thing? 'Follow your heart' a voice echoed in he recess of his brain. That's what he had done. And he should be okay with it. What's done's done. But all he wanted was a chat with his new found best friend to calm his agitated mind. Where was Sonakshi Bose when you needed her? Dev had called her a thousand times the past five days and he got no response. He knew it would be borderline stalkerish but he even went to her house to check on her, everyday. She along with her family left for Kolkata, he learnt.
But he needed to talk to her, desperately! She did promise him she'd hear out every problem of his. Then where was she now? Now of all times when SHE was the cause of his restless thoughts.
Soankshi Bose. Dr. Sonakshi Bose. She'd prefer that. She was the root cause of all his confusion. Though he hadn't acknowledged it, his conscience told him in deafening tones that it was Sonakshi Bose because of whom he was saying no to the engagement.
Dev could never give anyone a pass into his thoughts. Nor did anyone try. He was required to put up a brave face and be indifferent to emotions. He had to do that, for his family always relied on him. The facade he wore convinced his family of his unwavering strength and no one ever tried to get behind it. Not anyone from the family.
But somebody else did. Dr. Sonakshi Bose did. She knew quite well when he was feigning and when he was genuine. She knew what would make him laugh and what irked him. She knew exactly what riled him up and did it often to have a hearty laugh. She knew she could annoy him to no lengths and he could never get upset with her.
Dev knew what he had for Sonakshi was something different. The solace he found in her company was something he had been craving for since childhood. She was his confidant, and problem solver. If he were to be frank, he always felt attracted to her. She wasn't the prettiest face he had seen. But her charm was something that always allured him. She could be beautiful, sexy, cute and homely all at once. Her poise and dignity had silenced him like nothing before. He respected her for the woman that she was, admired her for her infallible strength. Also, lately, he could feel a lot of tension surrounding them when they talked. A tension he did nothing to diffuse. He thought these feelings he held for her were ephemeral. But he had been wrong. Thoughts of her were talking strong hold of him. Why else would he space out in a board meeting (A BOARD MEETING) and think about her? And why would he feel like he's the greatest of the whole mankind when he made her laugh. Sonakshi's laughter was something he'd been growing very fond of, lately. What's wrong with him? He seemes to be suffering from Obssessive Sonakshi Disorder. He sighed. He called her again. No response.
Having no other option, he dialled another number. The phone was picked up on the second ring.
"Hello!" A voice chirped on the other end.
"Um, Elena? I am Dev. Can I please speak to Ms. Bose? She has been AWOL on me for five days now. You could be knowing why," he said.
"Okay, I do know why. But I was asked by somebody not to tell you," Elena said.
"Oh come on! Tell me what's wrong!" Dev implored.
"I can't tell you that, sorry. But if you want to talk to Sona, you could go meet her at the Rock Hard pub . She's attending a party there," Elena quipped.
Thanking Elena for the information profusely, Dev made a beeline to the said pub.
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The view that welcomed Dev as soon as he entered the club had his jaw hitting the floor.
There was Sonakshi standing in all glory, dressed up in a three-fourth sleeve, coffee coloured top and sexy, denim shorts. Her dark tresses flew all around her as she whipped her head to talk to everybody surrounding her. And this sight had left Dev mouthing a wow. He never knew she was so gregarious.
He approached her slowly. Lots of people thronged around her and seemed to be entertained by her. Not all people. Boys. Only boys, Dev realized. And the thought made him uneasy. Surely, something was off. As he neared the group, he heard Sonaskhi breaking into non-stop hysterical laughter. Oh crap! She was drunk.
As soon as Dev made his way to the front, Sonakshi looked at him and stopped laughing abruptly. Her eyebrows knit seemingly in confusion and after a minute he saw realization dawn upon her face. And suddenly, she broke into a blinding grin.
"Mr. Obhodro. The man himself," she whispered in subdued tones. Turning to the small crowd gathered around her, she announced, "Gentleman, here is the man I've been talking to you all about. Say hi, Mr. Obhodro. Where are your manners?" She said rounding on him with a disapproving look. Dev smirked, looking amused,
"Is he your boyfriend?" One from the crowd asked. She scrunched her eyebrows, quite cutely, Dev noted, at that. Turning to him, she asked,"Are you my boyfriend, Mr. Dixit? He's asking," she said pointing in random direction, looking at him, waiting, with a slight pout. Dev who was feeling quite entertained answered, "Not yet." Nodding her head at that, Sonakshi told the man the same who answered back with a, "Good! You are single." Now that didn't entertain Dev one bit. Scowling at the guy with whom Sonakshi was chatting quite animatedly, and who was oggling at her rather dreamily, he dragged Sonakshi out of the circle of people.
A bewildered Sonakshi, tugged at his hand with all her might. "Why are you kidnapping me?" She asked him, frowning. Dev who never had to deal with anything like this in his life was at his wit's end. "Who's party is this?" he asked Sonakshi, who was too busy staring captivatedly into random space. Just then, a guy of around Sonakshi's age materialized next to them. That drew Sonakshi out of her daze and and she flung an arm around the new arrival uttering a genial "Hey."
"Hey, Sona. What're you doing here? And who is this gentleman with you?" Asked the guy, whose party it was, Dev understood. What was his name? Dhruva.
Sonakshi pulled Dhruva down to her ear level and spoke in what she clearly thought was a hushed tone but was clearer than her normal speech. "This," she said casting a furitive look towards a grinning Dev, "is Mr. Obhodro. You know how he hates me, he's trying to kidnap me."
Realization drew upon Dhruva's face and he shook hands with Dev. Informing him about how Sonakshi seemed to have gulped down a spiked drink, he requested Dev to drop her home. Dev agreed.
After Dev and Dhruva tried convincing her for a freaking half hour, that Dev was NOT going to kidnap her, Sonakshi gave in. Still looking at Dev apprehensively, she followed him out of the pub.
As soon as they were out of the dark of the pub, Dev looked at Sonakshi really. Completely. Dressed in shorts that revealed her sexy, long, dusky legs, she looked super cool. Dev couldn't help but keep looking at her sexy, smooth legs. What was he doing? He was not here to ogle at her. Besides, it is wrong to do so. He dragged his eyes to her face which was presently looking very perplexed.
"Mr. Dixit? Why aren't streetlights put on in the daytime?" She asked him, with a genuine curiosity.
"Um, because, there's no need of a streetlight when there's broad day light," he answered unceratinly. Why was she acting this crazy?
"Oh," she mumbled, comprehending the information he'd just given her. Knotting her eyebrows again, she asked "But why not in the day time?"
Totally unsure of what to do, Dev said, "I just told you, Miss. Bose."
"It's Dr. Bose for you," she repiled reflexively, making him smile. That she'd never forget. "But you don't get what I am saying, I. Am. Asking you. Why. Not. In. The daylight," she spelt out to him as if he was the crazy one.
Shaking his head, he said, "I have no answer to that Ms. Bose. Get into the car, I'll drop you home."
"Nahi," she said shaking her head seriously, "Cars are for uncool people. Rude. Impudent. Insolent people. I am super cool. I ain't getting into a car."
Sighing exasperatedly, he asked, "So how do you think are we going to get home now?"
Sonakshi pondered over that thoughtfully, with a frown, jutting her lower lip out. Dev chuckled at her and told her in a cajoling tone, "Come on, Ms.Bose. Come and sit inside the car."
"Um, no. We'll walk. And walking is healthy. You get to burn your carbs and all your extra calories. Walking keeps you fit and you will never have to-" she kept going on and on, the nutritonist in her doling out advice.
"Fine. Fine, we'll walk." He said, pinching the bridge of his nose, exasperated. Her house wasn't too far away from here, anyway.
Grinning, like she was offered a truck full of chocolate, she jumped on to hug him. Dev was taken by surprise but responded immediately, grinning himself.
"Can we hold hands?" she said afer a minute's silence, making a puppy face. Who could say no to that? And holding hands with her was the cherry on the top. So Dev agreed almost immediately. And so they held hands and walked down the road each smiling indulgently.
"Dev," she called out slowly. That was the first time she called him by his name, he noted, smiling goofily.
"Hmm," he hummed in reply.
"Dev," she called yet again, nudging his shoulder with hers.
"What is it, Sonakshi?" He asked, awaiting her reaction. Her name sounded so effortless from his mouth.
Gasping, Sonakshi halted for a second, staring at him. Regaining immediately, she asked him, "Why are you staggering? Are you drunk?"
That made him look at her incredulously. Deciding it was better to let her have her way, he nodded.
She sighed and patted his shoulder. "It's not good to drink too much," she told him sagely," you know, our genes degenerate each time we have alcohol. We-"
Before she could continue with her sermon, Dev pulled her to himself. She hit his hard chest and looked into his eyes. She shut up, immediately, looking lost in his eyes, her mouth partly open. "Enough of you asking questions, Ms.Bose. Give me a chance to ask some too," he breathed in her ear, his voice becoming suspiciously husky. His breath stirred her earring. Why did she have goosebumps all over her neck? Nodding her head, she waited for him to ask.
Holding hands, yet again, they resumed walking. "Sonakshi, where did you go missing all these days. I needed you so much. I had so much to talk to you. You went off to Kolkata. And who do you think will inform me? Tumhare pyaare poudhe?" He demanded.
What followed was silence. Turning Sonakshi around, he found her beautiful eyes brimming with tears. Taking her by her face- he didn't know what gave him the courage to do that- he wiped her cheeks. "What is it? What was wrong with you? Won't you tell me?" He asked softly.
Sonakshi shook her head, casting her eyes downwards. "You wouldn't like what I would say," she replied.
"Try me, please," Dev insisted.
"I didn't want to see you getting married to Natasha, fine? What am I supposed to do? I ran away to Kolkata. You know how difficult it is to not be jealous? To be a better friend than anything? I knew I wouldn't be able to carry off this act of being super happy for you and Natasha, when I am dying from inside. I couldn't be the friend I promised you I'd be. I failed, Mr.Dixit. I had to get away from here. I was suffocated. I, I, I am sorry..." she broke down into noisy sobs, slumping down on the pavement.
Dev, totally stunned at her revelation, bent down to hold her. "Hey, hey, Sonakshi. Sonakshi, look at me," he said holding her chin, making her look at him. "You are the most wonderful friend I could ever get. I don't know what I did to deserve a friend like you," he added softly. "You are going all Nicholas Spark on me. Just to make me feel better, right?" Sonakshi said, rubbing the end of her reddening nose. "If that makes you feel better, than yes," he said grinning. Understanding that he's talking to her in her own words, she grinned too. "Now get up, we need to get going," he said, helping her up.
"Desha ya Narath." She said, after a while. They resumed walking, hand in hand.
Thinking she was speaking something in Bengali, he said his trademark, "Phir tumi, tumi, Ms. Bose?"
"Dr. Bose for you. And tumi ekta boka, Mr. Dixit," she said laughing at him clutching her stomach, sounding like a witch.
"Ms. Bose, you are scaring me,"
"Desha ya Narath, I said, Mr.Dixit," she continued still laughing possessedly, "that isn't Bengali."
"Then what did it mean?"
Stopping her laughter abruptly, she gave him a wry smile. "The names of your future kids. Desha that is De from Dev and Sha from Natasha for the girl. And Narath, Na from Natasha and Rath from Devrath for the boy. How are the names?" She asked him, giving a tired chuckle
"Genius, Ms.Bose. But how would I be having kids with Natasha?" Asked Dev.
"You won't be? Don't tell me. You are impotent Mr.Dixit!" She said, slapping a hand to her mouth.
"Ms.Bose, your brain doesn't seem to have a filter today," he said shocked. "What have you done to my old, soft spoken Dr.Bose?" he asked her drammatically.
"You are very serious about family planning, maybe," Sonakshi hypothesized ignoring his last comment.
"I broke my engagement with Natasha, Sonakshi," he said, coming to a halt. They neared her house.
Sonakshi, not realizing he had already stopped, banged into him and fell down with a splendid thud.
Silence.
"Ow!" She said, crying. Feigning. Quite an attention seeker, Ms.Bose was, Dev thought, smirking. Guffawing like a mad man, he helped her to her feet.
"Be careful, Ms.Bose" he muttered.
"Goodnight," he said dropping her at her door.
"Mr.Dixit," she called him as he turned to leave.
As he turned around, his breath hitched. There was Sonakshi, right in front of him. Close to him. Very, very close to him.
"You never loved her, Mr.Dixit. Don't feel any bit guilty. The decision you took was a right one, for her and you." And like always, she guessed his inner turmoil without him having to say a word.
"But," she said stepping closer still. So close, their noses touched, almost. Dev's throat went dry, "I don't know if what I am going to do right now, is right."
Saying so, she glanced down at his lips. Her smoky eyes darted once to his. Gulping, she placed her hands on his chest. Standing on her toe tips she gently placed her lips on his, moving hers against his. And that was the final straw for Dev. Sliding his hand down to her waist, making her top ride up slightly in the process, he pulled her closer. His other hand made way to her hair. He leaned in and responded to her, giving in to her completely. The alcohol taste still lingered in her mouth.
Sonkshi slid her hands further upto his neck. One hand wound round his neck while the other carressed his cheek. Her idea of a perfect kiss came true. And with the perfect man, she thought, smiling into the kiss.
Dev who had felt her smile, drew back, arching his eyebrows asking her the reason. When she shook her head and pulled him back into the kiss, he thought it must be one of her insane, inabbrieated mind's thoughts that made her smile.
Breaking apart, they smiled at each other, contendedly. Sonakshi's eyes held an expression which was so unnerving and tender that Dev kept looking at her mesmerized.
She snuggled into the crook of his neck, her nose grazing his neck. "Goodnight, Mr.Obhodro," she mumbled sleepily, "Sonakshi Bose, signing off."
Dev smiled at that.
Love. She loved him, he realized. He felt his chest swell with an unknown pride and elation at his realization.
For the first time, Dev Dixit congratulated himself for making the right decision as he picked Sonakshi Bose in his arms to take her to her room.
21 February 2017
Vignyathri
P.S. I've never writen something like this. Was it any bit good? Did anything look forced? Please give me your inputs. I need to hone my writing skills. :P
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