Arakshi Mini-FF: Don't Fall.Rise in Love! (Completed) - Page 5

ROMEO

I don't know how to tell you who I am by telling you a name. I hate my name, dear saint, because my name is your enemy. If I had it written down, I would tear up the paper.

JULIET

The thing we call a rose would smell just as sweet if we called it by any other name. Romeo would be just as perfect even if he wasn't called Romeo. Romeo, lose your name. Trade in your name"which really has nothing to do with you"and take all of me in exchange.

-----------------------------------

Part-18:

Sakshi was in confusion.

The anger after Goel's visit had gone away.

Now she was trying to remember something odd.

She knew she had seen the card somewhere else.

She took the card Goel gave her and read it,

'J.P.Goel,

9825354860.'

How could it be when she had met him just now? And he gave his card for her, just here in the house. But how could she see it before?

The card, the card...

She could have seen a card in this same type before somewhere.

But where?

The name seemed familiar somehow.

Perhaps Arjun knew about it. She could ask him. Maybe a friend to both.

No, she couldn't ask him. What if it was a friend of his and he still remembered about him, but she was not?

Then she had to lie about it.

She tried to leave it at that.

But she could not.

The card was repeatedly flashing in her mind.

Somewhere, somehow she knew about this man. And yes, he was always searching her face for recognition.

Perhaps, she had met him before the accident and now he was disappointed to see that she had forgotten him.

She pated her head, for she was cursing him for that, when she had forgotten him after all.

#

He could feel the change in the air.

The house was not normal. It was calm. Sakshi was there but her mind was not. He could see that she was preoccupied and was silent.

He saw the flowers and set them in the vase.

He noticed her staring once in a while at nothing and shaking her head at something.

She changed the bed sheets and left the dirty ones on the floor. He collected them to the washroom- bucket for her.

He peered in to the kitchen once and returned to his place.

When she was pressing his shirt a second time, Hasi called her, "Aunty, I want some water."

She was drawing a butterfly and when she finished its wings she wanted to color it. She opened her water colors and looked up in the thought that Sakshi was keeping an eye on her.

Sakshi turned to her and looked at her a moment. Then she nodded and entered the kitchen.

Arjun rushed to the kitchen and as he had feared she was filling a glass.

She turned and saw Arjun. He extended a hand and took the glass from her. She went out and resumed ironing.

He sipped the water and filled a bowl in the kitchen tap and returned to Hasi. He sat down near her and watched the butterfly getting colorful wings.

He put the glass down.

Hasi finished painting and looked up. She showed it to him and looked at Sakshi, who was moving toward the kitchen.

"Aunty how is it?"

Arjun interrupted, "Hasi has your dad returned from the tour?"

She turned to him then, "No uncle, he is coming tomorrow."

"I see."

Hasi turned to Sakshi again, "Aunty, I want some water, "As Sakshi was standing there and looking at the butterfly. Sakshi turned and went in to the kitchen.

"I'll do it for you, Hasi," he stood up and took the glass in hand.

When he entered in Sakshi was taking a bowl to fill water in.

"Let me," he took the bowl from her and filled a glass for Hasi as she moved to the stove he muttered, "If I had planned a dinner outside, it would be better tonight, I think," he went out, "What's the dish for supper tonight in your house, Hasi?"

In fact he was happy that evening. He could see she was thinking about telling him the truth. She was seriously thinking about it. He didn't want to disturb her.

Once decided where to start she'd tell him.

Is it their plan or hers as she couldn't stand her conscience is going to talk to him?

Hell wait to hear it.

After he had waited this long and finally the play was going to come to an end.

#

A man from her past, re-emerging in Goa- she could ask uncle about it.

A man from a seeds distributing company- she realized that she had not asked him yet the name of the company.

What he said, Think about it and once decided let me know. This is my card. I'll contact you in two days.'

'Once decided let me know. I'll contact you in two days.'

'In two days'- she remembered someone had told this line to her once before.

She knew it was not Arjun.

Perhaps she was to meet someone in two days before the accident and she could not make it then?

Something told her she had met him before.

Meaning she was recovering?

If she tried, could she make it out?

Think about it.

Think about it, Sakshi think about it. You must have met this man somewhere.

Sakshi?

Sakshi- Sakshi.

She was new there. The surroundings were new to her now. But the eyes around her reflected their love toward her, unlike the ones she met after her grandmother's death. When a neighbor uncle took her to the home she didn't know where they were going. But when father took her hand and led her to his office she was happy to know there was someone in this world to smile at her. She volunteered with a smile, "I'm Sakshi."

The old man looked at her and said, "I'm Sebastian."

After these years she had forgotten the faces, but the eyes never left her.

If she was Sakshi she knew a father in Shirdi where she was brought up.

If she was Sakshi she knew this man. She had met him in the home.

"Hi, Miss-"

"Sakshi,"

"Aye, Sakshi, I'm here for the company. They said to give it to you."

He extended a cover.

She took it from him and told him to take a seat.

"Thanks," she said once read the details inside.

"My pleasure,"

"Once cashed the check, I'll give you the receipt. Now I'll give you an acknowledgement for receiving the cover."

"I can trust you with it," he smiled and she returned that smile.

"You can trust me. But what about your company?"

"They can trust me for that." He said at once.

She laughed at that.

When she extended the acknowledgement he stood up and said, "It's nice to know you are working for the home."

"It's my duty. I grew up here."

She said proudly.

"Then tell me you are doing your home work now."

She laughed out again.

He came there again to get the receipt. Then he suggested he could arrange a job for her in their company. When she denied that for she could not go away from the home, he shrugged and said, "Well, think about it. Once decided let me know. Here is my card. I'll be here for two days. It means you can tell me in two days, for me to talk to the company."

Father came to her and told her he was happy to know about the job. And when she said she was not going he was disappointed.

Whatever he told about the benefits of the job, nothing changed her heart. At last he told her to attend the interview at least and not to waste her study in the home's office.

She stared at him.

"You want to help the children, all right. If you can earn more it'd be more helpful to the children, don't you see? See Sakshi, use this chance to try to increase the income to the home," he smiled.

Goel came back with a letter from the company.

As they had arranged he met her and showed her the hotel.

He instructed her to go straight to the suite 1206 without delay. He told her he would meet her in the lobby later.

She fisted her hand in anger.

When she came out of the suite, she did not know what if Goel was waiting for her. She could now see that he was helping the man she met in the suite.

Then she saw father again in the hospital, but she could not recognize him.

She wanted to see him at once.

#

The situation will conquer you, no matter how well you are equipped, if you are not in readiness.

He was in readiness, he thought.

That evening Arjun could see that she had decided something.

He was now ready to hear her story.

There were no confusion-marks on her face. But she was still silent.

He expected her to approach him to talk, but she was not.

Even he thought her to call him up in the office itself, but she didn't.

Here, she didn't come out of the kitchen once, after he entered the house.

What now?

He could surmise that she was hesitating. She was not ready to out with it- to close the chapter now.

With having given her enough time he decided to break the ice for her.

He would definitely like to help her, he thought, if anything.

He stood up slowly and went to the kitchen, straight, at once.

Sakshi was in the kitchen thinking about father.

She had hurt him enough, she thought, she was going to call him first before going to see him in person.

He would be happy to hear from her again.

They would discuss about the children in the home as before.

It'd be thrilled if she said-

Suddenly she felt Arjun behind her.

God, she had forgotten about him this long.'

He was standing next to her.

She held her breath and stood still. She felt his breath in her nape.

And the moment his hand touched her waist her heart had started missing several beats in a row.

"Roshini," he whispered.

His hands tried to encircle her as she turned away, and tried hard to flash a failed- nervous-like-smile.

Her hand opened a cupboard near the stove and took a container.

"What are you doing here?" he said.

She didn't know, really she didn't.

"I thought you've finished preparing tea."

He smiled seeing at the salt container she was holding.

She nodded nervously.

He took the container from her and replaced in again in place.

He closed the cupboard and approached her to her annoyance.

They heard Hasi's voice at the doorway.

"Uncle, aunty, see my new car," she announced and rushed in.

Arjun frowned and stopped. He came out of the kitchen to meet her.

Hasi was holding a toy car proudly.

He diverted her and took her to the front of the house.

They were discussing about her car outside and allowing Sakshi to relax.

She didn't come out of the kitchen as if she thought it was the safest place she could stay as long as she could.

When Arjun entered in Hasi was saying, "Mom said to play in our house. I asked why. She said I can play here one day and play there one day. She said a sister or brother is coming for me to play. So I don't want to disturb you."

Sakshi could hear Hasi's words.

She thought if they were a real couple those words could have given them happiness. He would have commented on it to her. She could have turned in to a flame in blush.

But they were staging a drama here; they could utter only the given lines. They could never improvise the scene, no matter how truly they acted...

"She is telling for fun. We don't think you as a disturbance. You can always come here and play."

"I'll show my car to aunty," she took the toy and stood up.

"No, no. Hasi, aunty is not feeling well. You can show it to her tomorrow."

Hasi's mother voice heard and she bid a good night to him before she ran out.

He sat there a moment to compose him and moved to the kitchen again.

There he saw Sakshi standing against a wall and tear was flowing down her cheeks freely. She looked up at him and stared at him helplessly.

His mobile started ringing.

He hesitated a moment and took a step toward her as the mobile was still ringing.

"I-", he cleared his throat, "I- Ill be back in a moment."

He said fast and went away to pick up the call.

nice update
uncle did all he could for arjun and also he knew that he will find out the truth one day but he only hoped that by then arjun and sakshi would have found love and companion in each other
sakshi recalled her past so now what will she do
will aisha and team will be able to nab this goel
thanks for pm 😊

Part-19:

The meaning of life is to find your gift and the purpose of life is to give it away.

-Shakespeare.

Uncle approached her in the hospital and talked like a friend; he tried everything he could to cheer her up.

They had named her as Roshini, not reasonless, she realized. When she said she wanted a job uncle gave her one, a cursed one, for her not to worry about.

Finally he showed Arjun to her.

As he knew nothing about this, he believed her as his wife and he gave her everything.

But for the moral support he gave her, she gave him fantasized stories in return.

But her worries hadn't come to an end yet. First of all where is Roshini... She had a clue even before she could ask anyone.

And whenever she hesitated and felt guilty uncle comforted her and supported her. He instructed her everything and he even told her to wait till she got back her memory before started a new life.

Her eye brows knitted together.

He wanted her to open a cover when she got back her memory.

"It has some instructions for you to follow."

#

She did not know if she was ready for more tragedy than she was facing now when she opened the cover uncle had given her.

What if it had something she could never think about but wanted to do?

She was ready to go to father, but if she did she could never see Arjun again.

But how long she could sit with an open cover without reading?

She took a deep breath and the sheet out.

"Hope you got back your memory or decided to go away from him if you are reading this now.

My dear daughter Sakshi,

I want you to know that I've adopted you and you have a family now, always waiting for you to see you are happy ever, no matter what you decide about Arjun."

Her eyes let out a lone tear, 'Family!'

"Let me tell you something, before you decide about us both. Even if you want to blame me just hear me out dear.

It's a confession and I'm going to ask for your forgiveness.

Roshini, his wife is no more. She died in a flight crash before a month to his accident. He ended up in coma in that accident.

I was informed that you too were involved in that accident, but escaped with minor injuries.

I met father who brought you up in his home and we talked about you a lot.

He was my old friend and fortunately he could understand the situation fast.

As I felt my son was responsible I decided to adopt you.

Then you woke up with memory loss. I adopted you as my child.

[It's changeable, if you wish, that is.]

He woke up one day and I got that God hadn't yet stopped playing with me, yes, he had forgotten about Roshini, but her name.

I had unintentionally named you as Roshini, for the sake of keeping medical records before I met father.

I was not ready to change your name at that time suddenly, for I knew it was merely a name to you then.

I thought you would recover soon if you could relax.

We waited.

As I thought you two needed and could give each other support I started telling my lies to both of you and convinced myself as I thought it was God's grace that he united you both through that accident.

Thus, it is entirely my mistake. I promised him that I'd tell you everything once you got back your memory and take you to him. That was what we were waiting for, but that didn't happen then.

Perhaps it'd be difficult for you to believe me. But if I had a daughter I'd have done the same, I swear, since I know Arjun.

Now, if you are going to hate your uncle, for what he has done to you, I won't be surprised. But if you are going to leave Arjun for what I've done, I'd beg you to think again.

I can't regret it, for I know well, in a way- you can scream that, I've exploited you and decide to leave him, but not me...

If you decide now to leave him just remember dear, my doors are always open for you. And if you can come with him I'd be happy. But you don't have to consider my happiness for I'm you poor father now. And all I ask is before decide anything come to me, at least, once.

I know you are not evil and won't do anything evil, to let your father live to regret. That being said, remember the house is in your name, a father's gift for you and I think you don't need to leave it for him. We'll send him out if you wish."

She could not laugh out at this.

'Without him what's the use of a mere building in her name?'

"You know what, when I told my plan, everybody except Ayesha accepted it without a question. And I had to tell a lot to convince her and in the course I had hurt her a lot. Perhaps she'd forgive me some day. And the point is you can talk to her and she can help you in deciding now, as a friend, as a woman.

Now, come here, we'll talk this out.

Your wish is final, I promise.

- Your beloved _ _ _ _.

'Father,' she completed the dots as an uncontrollable sob escaped her lips.

She folded the letter; she did not need to read it again, for she knew it now by the heart, word by word.

She wanted to scream out.

She wanted to smash something. She wanted to throw everybody out of her life. She wanted to be alone. She wanted to cry some more, till- till what? At least some more...

Everything was over. Everything had come to an end.

-/

-/

She remembered father mentioning an old friend of his when Maya once needed medical aid.

She tried to calm herself. The first thing she got after reading the letter was she never knew her uncle at all. Now she started doubting that if she knew Arjun for sure.

Uncle had asked her to seek Ayesha's help, but the decision maker should ask for suggestion and she was not going to decide in this case.

He didn't have mentioned about telling the truth to Arjun. She wanted to take it as her choice to decide. But if she was going to stay she had to tell it to him. Even if she decided to leave, she had to. Arjun deserved, at least, that much. He would not have to be in this illusion anymore. She could not let it happen.

-/

-/

Uncle could have chosen someone else for this, she wished. At least, he could have chosen a different idea. And she could have met him differently.

But now, she had to leave him mercilessly. How could she?

Hush it up. You've to! Don't you see?

I do see it, that's what I regret most...

-/

-/

While it was she who was the reason for the accident, how can she blame anyone else? But uncle is talking as if it was entirely his fault.

If only she didn't tear the letter, if only she didn't rush to the middle of the road suddenly...

Her body shuddered in the thought of the accident.

-/

-/

She remembered the talk she heard back in the hospital, as she was waiting for uncle, in the next room. Uncle told Ayesha, "She will do as I say."

They were talking about her then; she could see it now, as they didn't know she was there in ear shot.

She had to do as he asked, he deserved it after all what he had done for her. She would visit him once.

She thought of uncle's call that morning. She did not tell him that she got back her memory. She didn't want to frighten him then suddenly. She could wait till he returned, she thought. Just for a-

Her mobile rang. She eyed the mobile.

9825******

It was from a number unknown to her.

Uncle's Story!

Father rushed out of the hospital room of Sakshi.

Sakshi looked behind him weakly.

She could not understand why he was leaving so suddenly or why he was there in the first place.

She wanted to ask the doctor about it.

Uncle acted fast. He took a step forward and volunteered, "He is here for praying for the patients."

With that Sakshi forgot the incident.

Father could not come over the thought that he was the reason for her to rush to commit suicide, no matter what uncle said to convince him.

He was not ready to say to her that he was once in her life and was going to hurt her further with that.

He did not want uncle to say it to her either.

He wished as uncle told she could recover soon to know the truth herself.

He would not blame himself if she was not angry on him after her recovery.

He was praying for them both.

Part-20:

Distance is just a test to see,

How far love can travel.

-Shakespeare.

She heard his car and wanted to hide her tears from him.

She went to their bedroom and entered in to the bath room.

Two pairs of eyes were looking eagerly for her return.

Goel entered the house after his phone call to meet her. He had planned everything then.

When he heard a car behind he hid himself and thought she had told everything to her so called husband as she had threatened him.

He moved toward the back of the house and waited.

Arjun entered the house and heard a door latch.

He sat on the sofa in the hall and waited.

As he did not hear any talk from his hiding place, Goel selected a new place to hide and started looking inside. He saw Arjun, who was looking at a door- which she had closed behind- was a bathroom he had seen from his old place through a window.

The door was still locked- meaning?- he smirked to himself. She was not going to tell Arjun. He could execute his plan perfectly.

He went to his old place and waited.

Arjun's mobile rang. He was informed that he had to return to the office at once. He looked at the door again.

Once got that she was not going to come out until she heard his car going away, he decided to leave her a message.

He put the note on the teapoy and left with a final look at the locked door.

Goel came out and entered the house to surprise her.

His eyes fell on the note as he crossed the hall.

His mind calculated and decided fast.

He took the note and made a correction.

With a satisfying thought he too left the house.

'I'm half an hour ahead of you ACP, at least.'

Sakshi gathered herself and came out.

She sat on the bed and pillowed her head in her palms.

She could not believe she was still cheating him.

Not anymore.

She decided to tell him and go to uncle at once and was going to wait for his return from abroad.

She came out of the bed room to collect her mobile, which she had left there while she rushed to hide herself from Arjun.

She saw the note and read it, 'Roshini, I want to talk to you. Meet me at the Demeanors' restaurant at 06:00.'

At 06:00!

Demeanors' restaurant was one place she could never forget- it was where he showed her how to swim.

It was their first visit there and they were early. They informed them that it was their preparation time and if they wished they could wait near the swimming pool.

They decided to visit the pool and once they reached there, the water called them in.

Arjun suggested teaching her swimming some day.

The manager informed they provided swimming suit after seeing Arjun's eagerness and their whispers.

Sakshi- right away- refused it.

When the manager announced that their suit was a water resistant knee length tight-jump suit with adjustable size she accepted half heartedly.

But the whole plan was a huge success.

She came out of the water after two hours still laughing and Arjun behind.

While changing she thought of Arjun's words.

"It doesn't mean you've to learn all at once, but remember not to do anything that'd make me never return to a pool again, ever."

He said seriously.

She frowned and hesitated near the water.

He was standing in the water up to his hips.

"Didn't you hear me? Now, come on in. Be my guest."

He pulled her in suddenly and shocked her well.

The first thing he did was covering her mouth with his palm, for he expected to hear one from her and when she did in real the scream was muffled.

"Right, as already you've broken the rule once, can I remove my hand? Promise me you won't disappoint me once again," he smiled, "At least not at once."

She nodded and he released her.

"Promise me you won't drown me."

"I can't even if I try to, as I've no intention of having dinner tonight alone and you can't drown yourself in water up to your hips."

She grinned.

"I thought it'd be deeper than what you saw from outside."

"You are right," he took her hand, "Just a couple of steps from here and you can see what deeper means," he moved back and when a stopper touched her feet she lost balance and fell over him.

When he pulled her to the surface she was all furious and dripping all over. But she started laughing at the new experience.

Then it was difficult for him to convince her that they were there for dinner and if the management found them still in the water they'd throw them away in that wet dress without mercy.

She looked at herself then and saw that the collarless dress they provided was drenched and she was soaking inside. The dress was sticking on to her body and had started revealing her ages ago. And she didn't realize it till then. It was not a water proof as they vowed, perhaps, a bullet proof instead, Arjun suggested as she covered herself with her hands and went inside the water once again.

She didn't get the real meaning of the manager when he said, "At this time of the year, we don't have many guests in our hotel."

Now she did, the pool was empty.

When they finally finished dinner and came out they were the last one to leave, but were still laughing.

Eventually, Arjun confessed that the pool scene was his plot.

God, he is still thinking about that all, but she is going to tell him that she is going to leave him -that she is not the original.'

To think to tell him and leave, it seemed easy, but to think how...

~.

The real agony was not lying in leaving, but in telling him so.

'It's not that leaving the Heaven's bliss

But it is that leaving him hurts most...

It's not what you'd do without me

It's about what I'd do without you...'

She saw what she had written.

She crushed the sheet right away without knowing that it was the first poem she wrote in months after she left Shirdi and thought she could not stay here even if she wanted to and she could never forgive herself if she did.

She got up from the desk and started packing.

Once she took her suitcase, she thought she would tell him everything that evening when they met and would let him decide. But in the meanwhile she was going to Pune and wait.

She took a sari he bought for her and she was not sure she could still claim that it was hers.

She left everything and sat on the edge of the bed.

She was tired. She was not going to pack anything. She would go to her uncle's place and buy what she needed and wait. She was not going to carry all these- would- not -go-away- remembrances with her.

She got ready to go to the restaurant. She put her mobile on the cot and went out. She would not need it anymore.

If it is an ocean standing hindrance between you and me, it'd be easy and I shall cross it for you, but- it's your heart -that keeps me away from you, how can I dare?...

#

Arjun was restless the whole day.

He was not happy about leaving her that message. He should have told her in person, he knew.

Why did she go in like that and shut the door at his face?

She was angry at him for his attitude toward her this long, he surmised. But why should today of all the other days?

He had left the house that morning well before she woke up and he could not talk to her the previous night as he went home very late.

Now, he was free, but he could not relax. He wanted to speak to her. He was going to tell her everything he found out and ...

And what?

He was going to tell her his decision and leave the rest to her to decide.

He looked at his watch. 05:45.

He would start in fifteen minutes and pick her up in the house after a short shower. They could go to the restaurant together. He dialed her number to inform her to wait for him. But she did not pick it up.

#

He opened the door silently and entered in.

She had gone already.

He sat on the sofa and saw his note was still there.

He had to get ready and go, he reminded himself.

'Well,' he sighed and got to his feet. He moved to the bedroom. Everything was silent.

Once entered in, her suitcase got his attention.

'Where is she going?'

He moved further and found the suitcase empty.

'Why?'- he saw her mobile on the cot.

He took it and it blinked.

It was his missed call.

Slowly the fact settled in.

He clumsily opened the cupboards and found her things were not touched but the gifts he presented her were arranged neatly in his rack.

'God, she's gone?' He cursed himself. 'Leaving everything behind?'

Even left the mobile he bought for her.

But where to?

He opened her call log, in the thought that she would have informed someone before leaving.

His uncle had called her that morning, and then a new number had called her. He noted that she didn't make a call to anyone that day.

'The recordings!'

He left the room and sat on the sofa as he played the first call from the recordings in his mobile.

She wished him a happy journey and asked him to call her once reached.

The call ended.

'Nothing?'

'Didn't she tell him about her decision?'

The second call started.

"Hello," her voice heard.

"Hello, ma'am, I'm calling from the seeds company. Have you asked your husband about the grass plan?"

After a moment's hesitation, she said, "How dare you?" her voice had all hatred in it.

"Oh, you found it out? Remembered me, finally?"

He asked sarcastically. It seemed he was enjoying the talk.

"Can I forget you two?-"

"But it took this long to remember, right?- he laughed out.

"And I think, you didn't forget still that I broke his head that day."

"God, how could I? If it was not for that why I had to roam in Goa? Thanks to you, you cost me a lot here in Goa and back in Pune. But this time I'm going to get paid for them both."

"What do you want?"

Her voice fell and was shaking now.

Arjun fisted his hand in anger.

"The same as before,"- in a smiling voice.

"Then I've to break your head too, without a choice."

Her voice was determined.

"See, Sakshi, if you don't want to make fuss, we can deal it smoothly-"

"Or?" She challenged him.

"Or, unnecessarily I've to go to your husband and tell him what you are doing here."

"As I'm ready to tell him myself-"

"If you are ready to face the consequences then I'll tell him about you and our boss." He suggested.

"And don't forget to tell him about the condition for the job your boss offered. And don't forget to tell him about you as a-"

"It seems you've forgotten about our boss's status."

"I still remember him as he was lying on the floor as a dead meat. And it seems you've forgotten that you are talking about an ACP here."

"Even if I tell him that you are cheating him as his wife?"

She was silent.

"Right, you've a choice actually. Come with me quietly and this'll be over in a day or two. You can come back to your beloved husband and I won't disturb you two then."

"After all, you are a wonderful choice maker," she commented. "Go ahead," She let out a sigh and said calmly, "Someone should tell him, right?"

She had cut the call with that.

~.

Arjun was sitting there, silently. His mind was a chaos now, but he could think about one thing.

She!

So where is she now?

He remembered her locking the bathroom door behind her as he entered in earlier that day.

The call had come before his arrival then.

She had to be in stress, thinking about telling him the truth, he could surmise.

But did she see the note he left for her?

Or did she leave him once for all, without knowing that he was waiting to talk to her?

He took the note in hand and eyed it as thinking about her.

The note had been corrected. The time had been changed from 06:30 to 06:00.

Why did she change it?

She was not ready to talk to him- wait.

That can't be true. It can't be she who changed it, for she did not inform him about the change of plan and for she did not know he would be home before going to the restaurant.

So someone who came here to meet her and once saw the note for her, they saw it as an opportunity to - to do what?

Hasi told him one seeds man came the other day.

Perhaps, what if this man is, who called her to blackmail?

Can it be?

If it is- 'God, it's a kidnap then!'

To make her come out and -

If it was he, then he could have whisked her somewhere, by now.

No, he could not waste time on surmises. He shook his head and stood up.

He got in the car and dialed.

"AJ, can you trace this number for me?"

so finally arjun atleast know that she is sakshi and she did intend to tell him turth and also she is being blackmailed
now tells see if reaches her in time and how will react after knowing the whole truth of sakshi and uncle
thanks for pm 😊

Part- 21:

I wish I could lie on your chest

And listen to your heartbeat.

-Shakespeare.

The falling:

Arjun got out of the car and ran toward her.

He crouched down beside her.

"Roshini, it's ok. You are fine. Everything will be all right. Can you hear me?" as he turned her toward him.

It was not Roshini.

He was bewildered to know it and moved back away without knowing it.

"Are you ok? Can you hear me?" he whispered.

She tried to open her eyes one last time before went in to oblivion.

He started sliding back before he could get a chance to grab anything...

The rising:

Arjun got out of the car and ran toward the building.

He put the mobile in his pocket and drew the gun out as moving.

He stood before a doorway.

#

Ayesha entered the suite.

"Please, come in," Sudhir let her in.

Her eyes studied the room.

"Like it?"

He closed the door behind him and looked at her.

She turned to him, "Impressive,"

He gave her a once over and said, "To me too,"

Her smile broadened to his surprise. It said she was open. But he'd to confirm further. A step a time, he reminded himself.

He led her in.

Showing her a seat he sat at the desk.

"Anything to drink?"

He offered once she settled down in the chair.

"No, but thank you sir."

He smiled to himself at his ability to guess correctly.

He could see her acceptance in her relaxed posture. And this time he had done everything himself without Goel's help.

Once sat down she put her bag on her lap and looked at him with a confident smile.

"I'd like to thank you for accepting this interview, even though I've no prior experience, sir."

She said politely.

He laughed and said, "I like my candidates without experience, most of the time."

"Sir..." she was confused.

'Go slow,'

"I mean fresher minds create new things wonderfully and I need my employees fresh."

"I think I can satisfy you sir."

"Good, that's what I want," he grinned.

She reached her bag, "If you could see once-"

"Oh, it can wait."

She frowned at him.

"Let's talk about the terms and conditions of the job first. You'll have to work for me over time as our company is a leading concern."

"Sure sir, I'll,"

She seemed relieved.

If she would be the same after once hearing his-

"And now let's talk about the conditions. You'll have to..."

He expressed his condition clearly and before he could relax in his chair and wait for her response- she had responded him with a slap.

And, before he could relieve from the shock he heard a button snap.

'Let the suspect believe you. If he believes then you've covered half the path,' Arjun would tell. His training didn't go unavailing, she thought.

/-

/-

/-

He looked at her with a red cheek, bleeding nose and some minor bruises around. He could not say which one was producing that hot shooting pain near his left eye. But he was still sitting at his desk, as she reached the bag on the desk that she placed a moment before, before giving him that first slap, to be exact.

To his surprise he heard himself say, "Who are you?"

She raised an eyebrow at him from her place as he seemed to recover from the onset.

As if she had decided to answer him she straightened herself in the chair and busied herself with things that she started propping on the desk.

Once saw the gun he jerked and looked at her askance.

"That's a good start." Finally she said. "You know they say I'm good in," she motioned toward the gun, which she placed beside the voice recorder on the desk, "Back in Mumbai."

From Mumbai?'

He jumped fast with his guesses.

"Don't tell me this is what I think it is."

His voice was airy now.

"Unfortunately," she stood up slowly and after letting him shudder enough, she said, "I don't know what you think it is," and smiled at him.

To his annoyance, she took a step toward him.

"You don't know who I'm,"

"Then try me," she sat on the edge of the desk and he got the nerve to deal with her.

"I'm-" he hesitated a moment before said, "You can't escape from here."

Hearing this she laughed out, "Trust me, escape is not in the plan."

He was silent- thinking.

"Who sent you?"

"Myself, for your case I preferred to come personally."

She took a pen from the desk and put it back in its stand and moved it where it was before then eyed him.

"It seems really an interview now." she commented.

"Tell me how much. I'll give-"

"You can't. It's pro bono."

Once saw her touching the gun, he started hearing his heart beats clearly.

"You can't- I'll give you whatever you want," he stammered.

She released the safety lock and sighed," If it's so I need information, instead."

She took a cover which she had placed beside the gun and tossed it before him.

She saw him taking it nervously and opened it.

She touched the record' button in the voice recorder as he looked up. He was seeing the recorder for the first time.

As her gaze fell on him he resumed opening the cover.

"She?" he said once saw Sakshi's picture inside it.

She nodded.

"What happened?"

He avoided her eyes and looked away. But when she pointed the gun toward him he could not pretend he did not notice.

He raised his hands as in surrender and said, "Goel sent her to me. But she- she broke my head," Ayesha smiled as he added, "And went away."

He stopped.

"Then?" she insisted.

"Then? Then what my wife found out about me and dummied me in the company," he snarled.

"Where is he?"

"He-He is in Goa."

Her smile faded. She stood up fast.

"What the devil is he doing there?" her voice hardened.

He hesitated, but when she took a step toward him, "Wait, he said- he said he had found her out."

Uncle looked at his mobile and was surprised.

Ayesha was calling him.

He smiled as he thought who didn't call him up this long was, at last, calling him now.

He knew she was in Pune, now.

He said cheerfully, "Hello-"

But she was in no mood to enjoy his teasing, said, "Uncle, where are you?"

"At the airport," he said smelling her urge, "I just checked in."

"I think you've to cancel the flight there and hire a charter to Goa. The reason why she went to the hill is now in Goa."

#

Goel relaxed himself and took some water.

He had successfully completed his first part of the plan.

He looked at his watch as pacing the floor.

He eyed the hand bag he tossed on the floor and thought he had to call his boss and let him know about her and invite him to Goa. He had to check her bag for a cell phone.

He took the bag and was about to open it when he felt a shadow at the doorway.

He turned and said, "You?"

He was perplexed to see Arjun there, suddenly.

Before he could call him, before he could tell him about the whereabouts, how could he?-

But without giving him much time to wonder, the shadow approached him.

She was there for the last half an hour.

She opened her eyes and took the situation in. she was in a construction site.

As she was trying to think clearly - as she was trying to untie herself, she heard footsteps.

Without much persuasion, Goel showed him where she was.

Once entered on the floor and reached her, he volunteered to untie her, with a black eye.

She stood up and heard a slap.

Goel started whimpering, "What's this for? I've released her," he reminded Arjun.

"For you did think you could kidnap her." Arjun said as a reply to him.

Goel opened his mouth to say something but was shut with a nose break.

An astonished Sakshi took a step toward Arjun but stopped as she could not get words out to console him.

For every bone he broke, she took a step backward.

'God, none told me this!'

Her heart was thudding against her chest.

'His friends told many things about him. His favorites, dislikes- but not about this!'

She ran in to a wall behind and stood against it.

'They didn't tell her what he'd do if he found out a lie.'

She eyed the victim once weakly.

'Just for kidnapping his wife, he is...' she looked away.

She had started moving along the wall now, away from them, in legs that were turning in to rubber.

'What he'd do when he comes to know that I'm posing her?'

Uncle too is not here to advise what to do now.

She heard a distant siren, at last.

The next moment they entered in and arrested Goel.

It they had come a moment earlier they could have saved a couple of bones, at least. She wanted to complain. But she stood quietly as they crossed her and left the place.

The duo was still standing there in silence looking at each other.

To her annoyance she was looking him in the eyes.

He stroked his hair and smiled before took a step toward her.

What she could not offer was what the life was simply demanding.

She lowered her eyes and turned away. As she took a step toward the entrance he said, "Are you leaving me? Can you do that?"

She stopped at that, "Arjunn!"

On impulse she ran to him, but stopped short once reached him.

He raised an eyebrow but smiled.

Once he extended his arms she let herself to be taken in to his arms, without hesitation.

They stood in silence again. Once she settled on his chest he hummed, "Listen to your heart," with a smile.

But as he felt her tears on his chest, he called softly, "Sakshi..."

The next moment she stood away from him and stared at him.

"Arjun," she said weakly.

She started searching his eyes.

'He knows - no, he found it out,' she corrected herself.

His eyes smiled at her but offered nothing out.

She lowered her gaze and said, "I don't want your pity, Arjun."

"You mean P-I-T-Y?"

He inquired her seriously.

She shot him a look and he withdrew teasing her at once.

He took her hand in his and said as leading her toward the entrance, "Come, let's get married first."

so finally arjun did rise in love 😊

Epilogue:

I know no ways to mince it in love, but directly to say 'I love you'.

-Shakespeare.

Arjun took to the restaurant as planned, but two hours late, at least.

They ate in silence. None tried to break the silence.

They were the last to leave the restaurant that day too.

He stopped the car and unlocked the door.

She stood at the doorway and stared in.

The house seemed new to her. She felt like a stranger there. Within hours how could a thing change completely?

He approached her and took her hand. As he led her in she followed him without objection.

They changed in turn and returned to the sofa.

Moments passed, but the silence.

He sighed and stood up, "Let's get some sleep," he suggested at last.

She stood up numbly.

He went in to make the bad.

When she followed him in, in small strides he was lying on the bed already. She sat on the bed hesitantly.

He extended a hand toward her.

Without hesitation she reached out and took it.

Her heart flew toward him before she did.

He pulled her to him.

She closed her eyes and felt safe at once.

They were lying there in silence.

He was tracing a scar on her wrist.

The moon was floating in the breeze toward a thick cloud to take a nap.

Eventually when he broke the silence he said, "I thought you'd talk. I wanted you to tell me."

She responded in a lone voice.

"I wanted to go away. I thought I didn't deserve you."

He smiled, "Don't you remember I've promised you that I wouldn't leave you?"

"And I've promised you I'd trust you," she smiled.

A moment later, he said, "I waited for you to decide."

"I wanted you to decide."

"And the moment I saw that you might have been kidnapped, I had decided I couldn't lose you for anything. Didn't you feel anything like this?" -his voice was hoarse now.

"I thought to leave you only after I got back my memory. And it too was for I could not tolerate cheating you anymore."

He raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. He was processing it for a long moment.

Then he asked clearly, "Do you still think it is pity?" he paused and went on,

"It's L-O-V-E."

He whispered in her ears.

She opened her eyes. She wanted to see his eyes.

But the room was dark. He had put off the light.

She didn't know when.

She searched his eyes in the dark.

She didn't want to rustle the silence with her voice.

When she lifted her face he leaned to her and touched her chin.

He kissed her softly on the forehead. Her eyebrows knitted together.

He kissed her eye brows and her eyes closed.

He kissed her eyes too. He felt tears on her cheeks then.

"Sakshi," he insisted.

"Mm,"

"You are crying," he complained.

She smiled, "No, I'm smiling under it. Just that you are not seeing it. That is all."

"Now I do," he kissed her lips gently; her smile broadened.

'To the mere touch of your palm I'm ready to promise you anything in this world.'

'Then I'd ask for everything in this world, for you to be in constant touch with me...'

"I won't make you cry anymore," He promised.

"Then I can't tell you that I'm smiling under it anymore."

She replied as if the promise was not needed.

"You know, if you didn't accept me I was going to beg you till you changed your mind."

She laughed, "Uncle told me if I rejected you he'd throw you out of the house."

"Now I remember he said once that the house was in your name."

"It seems I've to reconsider my decision." She emphasized.

"It means I have no choice but you to keep the house." He returned.

And they laughed together.

#

The next afternoon we settled in the hall.

The girls were at the dining area.

Sakshi turned to Ayesha and said, "Everyone supported your boss well."

She looked at her as if she was complaining.

Ayesha smiled and responded at once.

"After he's become your boss too, why are you still mentioning him as our boss?"

She looked at her meaningfully. Sakshi laughed and blushed.

"And I heard you too were supporting him from the hospital scene," Ayesha went on and made Sakshi bit her lower lip to control herself.

Sakshi laughed it away and said, "I'm sorry. I didn't think you people were his friends too."

"And if you think I'm going to say something to make you blush more, I'm sorry, I won't."

Ayesha announced and Sakshi raised her hands as in surrender and the girls started laughing uncontrollably.

After a moment Sakshi said, "You know, to tell you the truth, I thought to run away to escape from him. You should have seen him yesterday. If only you people had given me, at least a clue in advance about this side of his, I'd have run away even when we were in the hospital."

"I've witnessed him before," Ayesha said as if she was retracing something. "And that was why we didn't hint you then. But I don't see you ran away from him even after witnessing him for your satisfaction, instead..." she squinted at her and stopped short.

Sakshi turned her face away fast but she was smiling shyly.

"Go away, you are making me do this again and again, though I'm telling you I'm not ready to."

Ayesha whimpered playfully.

Then she took her hand in hers and said, "I'm happy for you both, Sakshi, and I thank you for saving him."

"Right and it's my turn now and Im happy and thank God for saving him for me."

She smiled.

"No, really-I"

"Oh, Ayesha I didn't think you were this much emotional."

"Sometimes, right? Sorry I could not be honest to you-"

"Just forget it. I can keep pretending that I didn't find any fault in your honesty toward me. You know, uncle told me he was going to ask for your forgiveness."

"And he did on our way here,"

"So made friendship again?" she smirked.

"I should have listened to you," Ayesha said suddenly, "I should have made you blush more as you asked for," she winked at her. "And I'm ready now. Let's talk about Arjun sir," she suggested and Sakshi moved toward the kitchen as though she just had forgotten something there.

She heard Ayesha's laughter following her behind.

#

Chottu and I were devouring the cheese cake Sakshi had bought on Ayesha's suggestion.

The girls came there and Sakshi said to Arjun, "I forgot to tell you, the birds started flying out when I opened the cage yesterday, but they returned back to the cage again."

"It seems they found their home at last," Arjun said significantly seeing at her, and then he turned to Ayesha.

"Ayesha when are you departing?", as she was sitting opposite him on a sofa.

"As I told you," she looked at her watch, "In two hours."

"Thank God, I thought for a minute you had changed your mind seeing that you would not leave my wife alone."

Ayesha raised her eyebrows," What?- Well, I thought to help you. If you don't like it I'm ready to leave at once."

She looked at us questioningly.

"Once finished this I'll follow you out."

"I'm waiting for my hot coffee."

Chottu leaned against the sofa comfortably.

"What about you, uncle?"

He said after a moment, "As I've cancelled my trip I thought to stay, but if you-"

"Then stay."

"And you too can stay Ayesha, if possible. You can give a hand in packing to go to Mumbai. That way you can make your words true." Arjun smiled at her. "After all it was you who took uncle here finally."

As we looked at him questioningly, "You told us about the marriage, but not this."

Chottu said and we followed his gaze and found a kid standing at the doorway hesitantly as we smirked at him, "Come on in, Hasi," Arjun invited her in.

Sakshi went to her and took her in.

Hasi sat on Arjun's lap casually as Sakshi stood near him clutching the chair's back.

Sakshi introduced everyone to her and Hasi said a hello to everyone.

I shared a part of the cheese cake with her and for that she smiled at me at once.

"Arjun you were talking about packing," uncle reminded him.

Arjun smiled and said, "We've decided to go to visit Father at once," he looked at Sakshi.

She said, "We are going to give this house for rent and give the money to the home."

"I'm going to ask for a transfer to Mumbai and going to talk to the commissioner tomorrow."

"We are going to adopt a child."

They looked at us and we grinned our appreciation.

Ayesha said suddenly, "As you've decided to come to Mumbai, I'm not ready to lose my job now. I'm going there as planned and wait there to avenge you two."

We all laughed.

Hasi asked slowly, "Uncle, are you leaving me alone?"

The room went silent. None knew what to reply to the kid.

She looked at Sakshi.

Sakshi smiled at her mirthlessly, "But the birds won't, Hasi. They'll stay with you. And it doesn't mean we'll forget you. And don't forget a brother or sister is going to come for you to play with, okay?"

She tried to cheer her up but as her face didn't clear, she added, "As long as you make your uncle proud do you think he can forget you?"

Hasi shook her head and looked at Arjun to confirm.

He nodded at her and said, "Now tell me, in which pocket I have something for you."

We were watching the scene silently.

Hasi seemed to think a long moment before looking at Sakshi for a clue.

"I don't see any pocket in his pajama."

She said slowly.

"Oh, I wanted to tell you in which one's pocket I got this something for you, Hasi."

He returned and smiled.

Hasi looked around at everyone, before approaching uncle first.

"Thank God, I've already shared my cheese cake with you Hasi," I escaped.

"I have my boarding slip with me," uncle informed.

"I have my flat's key," Chottu offered, "In the left pocket."

"None is useful to her now," Ayesha took Hasi on her lap and said, "Come with me, Hasi. I'll buy you something big that your uncle did never buy for you this long."

"I see," Arjun looked at her.

"What's it?"

"Get a list of items from him Hasi that he bought for you, then we'll decide this big something, in private."

"Hah, what a trick!", "Not fair!"

"Trust your uncle Hasi. Come to me," Arjun called her to him. Once she approached him he put a hand in her gown's pocket and took her favorite Mr. Rabbit' key chain. Her face brightened at once. She clutched it eagerly.

"Didn't I say you could never change him?"

Ayesha said to Sakshi.

"Did you?" Arjun wondered, "I thought you were helping me out there as we heard your frequent laughter."

"I was," Ayesha said shortly.

"Didn't I say you could never trust a girl who seemed helping you too much?"

Uncle smiled.

"That was why I called them out here and cut them in," Arjun winked, "To thank her."

"But I heard differently," Ayesha said as seeing at nothing in particular that, "You were scaring a girl yesterday," she slyly looked at Sakshi, "To get her trust, after all. I've told him as you said, okay, are you satisfied now?" she looked at Sakshi.

Sakshi blushed anew.

"Now I trust you," Arjun grinned. "I can see, after all, you were helping me out from the first, even though you've boasted it, about a couple of times, now."

We laughed aloud and Hasi joined us as jingling her key chain she got from her beloved uncle.

Wake up Mumbai he is coming back!

-The End-

I listen to each day pass by in this world without you.

The moon sets and the sun rises, only to bring me more sorrow.

One day, one hour is hard living

by missing the past like this.

Where should I start erasing my memories?

The thoughts of you find me each day and interrupt my life.

The way you talk, your expressions are always clear,

and it makes me create an illusion of you still being by my side.

It's love, it's love, even if I erased it, it'd still be love.

No matter how hard I try to clear my mind,

only you live in my heart.

Only you, it's only you I want to remember.

At night I take your picture and fall asleep looking at it.

Where should I start erasing my memories?

The thoughts of you find me each day and interrupt my life.

The way you talk, your expressions are always clear,

and it makes me create an illusion of you still being by my side.

It's love, it's love, even if I erased it, it'd still be love.

No matter how hard I try to clear my mind,

only you live in my heart.

Only you, it's only you I want to remember.

At night I take your picture and fall asleep looking at it.

The tears that fell in my sleep will soon dry or drip down.

Your face seems distinct. It feels like I could touch it.

I love you, I love you. I can't forget you.

I only saw you, only knew you, only love you.

I don't know where I left my mind, each day feels like a year.

I can't do anything, any work, or say anything.

Still I believe in love, I still believe in love.

Even today, I believe in love...

Written by~Shim Hyun-bo

For 'Love, The Desperate Yearning.'

When things are the most fun is the best time to leave.

-Shakespeare.

-Thanks,

~K-..