Posted:
SERENDIPITY
It was just another day, sun was burning scorching hot without any care in the world. The wind was mild and there was a typical fragrance around due to the daffodils dancing away merrily to the tunes of nature. But the best part of the day was that it was a Sunday. A day she had to herself, just her and her thoughts. She loved her job, it was what she had wanted to do like forever. She was the editor-in-chief in a leading newspaper. It was like she had always known it would work out for her. She loved the everyday struggle with herself and the world. It gave her an entirely new perspective of this world. And she had always believed in pen being mightier than a sword, atleast in her world it was and that was all that mattered. Well sometimes it bothered her that she didn't want chocolates, cookies, friends or anything to make her happy just her alone would do the trick but she loved herself the way she was and that was it.
She was instantly reminded of an incident, once when she had come rushing home crying when some guy in her class had teased her mercilessly for her pigtails, her dad had scooped her in his arms and had told her something that was somehow very responsible for shaping the person that she was today. He had patiently heard her yowl for ages saying how ugly she looked and how she couldn't do anything about it. He had lovingly ruffled her hair and said " Kid, always remember we never get to chose what we look like, so with a little effort everyone can look pretty. Its really no big deal, but what we become is always our choice. It never really matters how we start as but as what we end up." Those words had touched something within her that day. Coming here always made her nostalgic.
She had been away from home for almost two years now. Its been really long her mother had scolded her for unknown reasons, too long since her father had ruffled her hair affectionately and literally way too long since her younger brat of a brother had fought with her. She was very busy with so many projects at the moment, it was like she was living a strangers life for her. She was sitting on a bench facing the the flowers merrily dancing away, everything said and done she was practically sitting in a graveyard. It was a little few minutes away from her apartments and it was where she came to share her thoughts, relieve her tension, mask her failures and thank god for some small success everyday. She always felt very secure here, it was like she was surrounded with people who were loved and loved people back. If there were some flowers peacefully lying beside someone it was like someone remembered to care for you even when you are no longer a part of that persons life. That small effort , that one moment meant a lot to her.
Their was a very old man who visited everyday , with a fresh bunch of lilacs witout fail, sharp at seven. He told her once he wanted to begin every morning talking to his beloved wife and talking he did with so much enthusiam and love in his voice that she had to hold back tears everytime she saw him. To live every moment of his life ,loving someone no longer with him had to be tough yet seeing him it didn't feel so complex. If she ever felt that strongly for someone how was it possible to live remembering every moment , every dream shared without falling apart. She thought it was very brave of these people to so candidly express their love and care when somewhere it was not returned. It made her six kinds of idiot and it was like it was somewhere she knew her answers just that she had to get to the right question to reach the conclusion she wanted. Her friends never understood this side of her and sometimes she wanted them too or maybe she did not. Its like she didn't like explaining things to anyone be it for whatever reason. The people who care for you will understand without you spelling it out to them and those who don't give a damn wont budge even if you write an entire thesis for them so she did not bother. It often got her into trouble and she did lose some very important people before but now at this stage she had those who knew what she was and accepted her for it and with it.
That very minute a black sedan pulled up with a sharp turn making a loud screeching sound disrupting the peace around. A man got out of the car and walked towards the end of the graveyard not very far from her. She could see him dressed in formals, walking resolutely without realizing she was there. He sort of walked past her and to her horror she saw him fall to his knees. His knees fell to the ground with a loud thud and his arms hung loosely to his sides. For some minutes nothing happened, but then she saw his shoulders moving slightly and she realized he was crying. And suddenly he hugged himself and bold loud sobs broke out shaking his entire frame. She had never encountered such raw emotions before and it felt like someone had just squeezed her heart. He was a complete stranger and yet looking at him breakdown completely before her eyes, she wanted to comfort him but somewhere she understood whatever it was he needed to vent it out.
It had to be an outcome of some serious grief because she had never seen anybody cry so hard. It shook her completely and she stood rooted to the same spot seeing him almost fallen to the ground , falling to pieces. She nails were digging into her palm and she felt tears pricking her eyes. It was something else because the two things she never wasted on anybody were her tears and words, both meant the world to her. You can look up at random strangers and smile but tears were worth only someone who mattered , similarly words were worth it only if you mean them. For the first time she was in no dearth of words and tears were brimming in her eyes but she didn't realize that all this was for one complete stranger.
*******************
The old memories hit him hard, there was nothing more than he wanted now other than her presence. She was so much to him and today all he had were some faint memories that were ageing along with him. His lips toyed along with a small smile while tear drops formed in his grey soulful eyes, there was so much he wanted to say but it was always like today, he couldn't form a single word properly. He placed her favourite flowers , orchids, feeling the tears welling up once again. It was like he could no longer control the flood of anguish raging within him. He was once again 10, realizing that suddenly his mother was no longer a part of his life. She had been his first friend and try as he might he couldn't remember much of her. Everyone around him had had more time with her, had more memories to remember her by and he wasn't even old enough to realize the importance of what had been taken away from him.
The injustice of it all never ceased to astound him. Everyone around told her that he was just like her, from his eyes to his nature but he never got a chance to know much of it was the truth. He had seen the days turn into months and then into years and yet the void remained the same. Time never heals a wound; we just find a way of dealing with it. Everyone told him time will help him deal with it but nobody taught him how to live with it. Nobody taught him to live without the one person who was the very reason of his existence and frankly he never learnt it either. He remembered all those lost battles where everybody told him to pull it together and try harder but nobody to hold his hand and walk with him through those times. He missed her when everyone laughed and congratulated him on his triumphs but nobody smiled at him understanding what it took for him to make it till here. He missed her insanely today, nobody made up for the loss he felt today, nothing could equal the trouncing in his heart…. Not today, not ever. It was his day today, he had finally achieved what he wanted to but something was amiss.
And with that thought he dissolved into tears, years of yearning making him miserable as ever. All those faint tainted memories clouding his vision, the happy complete family they were….. making him howl with grief. He felt lost, betrayed and lonely. He wanted her back, this second…this minute…just this once. His father was one of the strongest people he had ever met and his brother had his own way of dealing with all the pain and loss but this was the first time in the last 14 years that he had expressed his grief so openly, he didn't know what made him choose this day but today was it and he didn't give a damn for reasons unknown. "Please Mommy come back!! I miss you…love you….come back just this once…hold me once…smile at me this once…pleas---" his voice broke on the last word. He just couldn't control the tears streaming down his face.
The sound of the ringtone made him look up at the source and then the fact slammed into him that he wasn't alone. He saw a girl clutching her phone in her hand and a very pitiful strange expression on her face. He couldn't believe his fate, why does this happen to him?? When he wanted to be alone for sometime just why cant people leave him the hell alone? She turned to return her call and that was the moment he chose to pick up his over coat lying on the floor and leave back for office. He didn't waste time , just pressed a haste kiss onto the flowers and walked away without any backward glance as he always did and everything changed in his world.
******************
2 MONTHS LATER
******************
It was a pathetic day at work and she wished really hard she could just leave the madhouse her office had turned into and escape back to the normal people, to the normal world. Then she remembered Serendipity, the appealing aroma of freshly prepared coffee , sweet smell from the bakery and her stomach grumbled. She smiled a fond smile thinking of Uncle Tom and Aunt Claire, the couple who owned the caf , Serendipity. It was her safe zone, the place was her comfort precinct. It was where she found her refuge when she had just started with a job in a city unknown and people stranger than ever. It was where she walked into every evening and felt everything was fine in her world. Uncle Tom reminded her of her father so much and she was amused at the amount Aunt Claire fussed over her, it was like a second home to her. She loved both of them to pieces and then there was her weakness, nice coffee. Just the right amount of everything and no one knew what wonders it did to her system. She didn't need drugs to get high, plain strong black coffee would do the trick.
Hitching her bag up on her shoulder, she pressed her way into the restaurant and the scent of coffee hit her. Uncle Tom smiled up at her and she walked upto him when Aunt Claire appered and enveloped her in a warm embrace. She smiled at the welcome and hugged her back tighter. "Rushi, its been three days since I saw you, if it continues the same way and you keep missing all meals this way, I know your stomach is going to give up on you in the next few years" she complained. Drushti smiled at her tone and moved onto give a small hug to uncle Tom who simply shrugged his huge shoulders at her pleading expression. "Kid, I have put up with my better half for 45 years now and I still don't know how to handle her rants. So, I am the last person you should turn for help" he added with his eyes crinkling with amusement . "Do not talk about me as if I am not standing next to you' she added sternly looking at both drushti and him. "Missy its your own health I am concerned about here, so give me some credit. I know for a fact that your favourite hobby is somewhere missing your meals, you do not eat the day you don't stop by here so don't try n talk me out of it. You have earned it so better sit and listen to me rant as my dear husband puts it" she finished moving towards the kitchen muttering something to herself.
Drushti saw her walking away, noticed the slight hunch in her shoulders and instantly guilt swamped her. She didn't want to her worry her voluntarily but lately the schedule had been super hectic and she had to stay late hours. Uncle Tom put a hand on her shoulders and smiled at her "Its okay, kid. I appreciate your work is your priority and somewhere she understands it too. Its just she looks out for you a lot and her love sees anger as the only outlet. All we want is you happy" he said softly and she felt as if she was the luckiest thing on this planet. Where had she found these people, people who loved her for nothing. She had read somewhere "True love doesn't have a reason, the moment you have a reason for loving someone it becomes selfish." Maybe that was the reason love was so rare and loved.
She gave him her best smile and as she was about to look for her favourite spot her he said "You know the only person I have seen tackle her is Atharrav. He' s definitely a charmer and god the lines he comes up with , heaven help the girl he falls for. You know the two of you are so important to her, you are all she's bothered about. Its like even if one of you doesn't speak with her for a single day she life comes to a standstill and somehow you guys haven't ever met but I guess today is the D-day and I say it because he's sitting at your favourite place. I have to see you fight him for it because its his favourite too" he said beaming at her. Her eyebrows came together in a frown, she had heard a lot about this guy. Apparently he was some hot-shot businessman who had once helped Aunt Claire with her customers, the first day he had visited this place as she was falling short of workers. She knew he was very dear to both of them and she had heard aunt talking about him so much. Sometimes she felt she knew him already. Jeez after a horribly impossible day, now she was about to fight with some random stranger to get to her favourite place. It doesn't get better than this.
She turned towards her corner seat near the window overlooking the small garden aunt Claire was so particular about. He was sitting with his back to her. It wasn't the first time she was about to march upto some stranger asking him to sit somewhere else because this was her place apparently, but today she felt a little out of place. Maybe because she wasn't sure about uncle or aunty backing her up against him and what does that say about her…..that she was the dumbest thing god had ever created on this planet. When will she trust her own relationships? Well he certainly was well built…but then she wasn't literally considering hauling him off the chair physically so why does it even matter. Before she could say anything uncle went out and addressed him "Arth, look who's here to meet you. I guess you will have to empty this place as my princess is here and its her favourite spot" and then he turned at winked at her. She stood there a little tongue-tied not knowing how to react but before she could say something he looked up and the minute she set her eyes on him she knew she was paying for her previous sins today. She couldn't believe her fate, this was Atharrav, the same guy she saw that day in the cemetery.
She saw something change in his eyes but then he passed her a friendly smile and grinned up at uncle. "Uncle, how about we share it? That only if the lady here doesn't have a problem with it" and he looked at her questioningly. She looked around and knew she didn't have a choice and he was just being a gentleman about it. Atleast the way he was behaving, she was sure he didn't recognize her and she had never been more thankful to god before. That one minute he had looked at her that day, she just couldn't forget the anger in his eyes and the repulsion on his face. She saw uncle raising his eyebrow at Atharrav who casually shrugged his shoulders except his eyes betrayed the mischief boiling in them. "What if I don't want to share my place with anybody?"she directed at him and then strangled herself mentally for speaking without thinking. At that he gave her a dimpled smile and pretended to think and said " okay! Lets play a game. If I can come up with a pick up line you haven't heard before then you share today's coffee with me, what say?" he asked playfully but something in his eyes told her otherwise.
She had never thought this world would be such a small place. She said "Well then I guess you already lost, trust me I have heard my share." He looked at her "Oh! I don't doubt your beauty angel. I am just trying my luck here" he replied audaciously as if they were old friends teasing each other without any care. In this time aunt Claire came over and stood next to Atharrav. She looked at her and mouthed " You are so losing this one" which made all of them laugh.
"Hmmm let me think… Can I have your photograph, I wanna show my kids how their mum looked like when I proposed to her?" he asked to which she said "Lame."
"Have you ever been arrested? Coz honey its illegal to look so beautiful" he asked with a rueful grin to which she simply tapped her foot and said "Oldest line in the book!"
"Can I get your phone number, I lost my phone?" he asked cheekily to which she almost smiled but instead said "you can do better!"
To this he sighed dramatically and went down on one knee and said with a hand on his heart "Can I have your phone number please?" She looked around embarrassed at his antics and the way uncle and aunt chuckled along still she managed a casual " For what joy your highness?" He winked at her and said " Oh! Actually god just contacted me saying one of his angels was missing." She laughed out loud at him, she couldn't begin to comprehend how much more cheesy could he get. He rose from his position and pulled a chair back for her to sit down. She shook her head at him and went forward to sit. He went and sat on the other side. Uncle introduced the two of them and then they had to leave for work as it was a weekend and the place was crazily crowded.
A sudden silence descended over them and she did her best to avoid his watchful eyes. He had large expressive eyes and something told her there was more to him than what he saw at this minute or maybe she needed to sleep straight for some eight odd hours. They shared small smiles and when Atharrav finally realized she was getting uncomfortable every passing minute he decided to break the ice. " I know you saw me that day Drushti, I recognized you the minute I saw you" he said looking at her but without any expression. It was hard to read his mood and she didn't know what to tell him. "It was just you caught me at the wrong moment. It was just too personal and you caught me off- guard" he told her as if stating some universal truth. When she didn't say a word other than staring at him he sighed out loud " It wasn't supposed to be like that, that day was just very different. I was missing mom a lot and when I finalized the deal and saw Dad and Bhai standing in the crowd smiling away, involuntarily my eyes wanted to see her, my hands wanted to feel her secure touch and my heart needed the assurance that it was all real. But since when has life been fair ever, its like when we want something terribly its taken away. I do not know why am I telling you all this or are you even understanding what I am trying to tell you just felt like telling you , so I did." She saw the earnestness in his eyes and asked him " You loved her very much, right?" He smiled a sad smile for her "I love her very much, which child does not love his mother."
She somewhere realized what the words cost him and to admit it to a perfect stranger must have been weird. " You know its killing to admit to my own self that she is no longer with me but just the fact that once she had loved me , had cared for me and I was a part of her is enough to make me go through this life. Given a chance what would I not trade to get her back but then life just goes on irrespective of what void remains in someone's life" he said stirring his coffee lost in his own world. He never knew what those words meant to her, how much they affected her on every possible level. She looked at him and realized he was one of those few people who would know how to value emotions, words and tears. Suddenly she wanted to know him better, she wanted to see him smile and she wanted to belong in his world. Now where that come from …. She seriously needed to get to her bed. "You know I was just thinking this world is such a small place, I never thought I would meet you like this. There were these moments when I could not forget that morning but look here we are, and to say that you were someone I somehow knew is the height of coincidence. Trust me some of the things Aunt Claire told me about you are impossible, I just cant relate you and the person I thought you would turn out to be." she said trying to lighten the atmosphere. He gave her a wolfish grin and teasingly added" Well that's a nice way of putting you like me, you are fast Lady."
She narrowed her eyes at him and added " Egoistical much, Sir!" He beamed at her emphasis on sir and added shrugging his huge shoulders " I usually have that effect on your gender, its not your fault. I actually am that irresistible." She shook her head at him and told him gravely " I don't think those biceps of yours are the result of gyming." He raised an eyebrow at her question not understanding the direction of her thoughts to which she smirked and added " I am guessing carrying that huge elephant size ego on your head maybe exercise enough." He laughed out loud at her statement . " Ouch honey! you just broke my heart to a million pieces, it cant take such cruelty you know" he wailed keeping a hand on his heart to which the people around them turned to look at them, she turned beetroot red and he thought he had never seen anything so cute in his life. She was vivacious enough to battle words with him but there was this innocence around her that made his a little uneasy.
They spoke for a long time teasing each other mercilessly and time just flew. They shared almost everything over certain cups of coffee. It was a surreal experience for both of them. It was like nothing ever happens without a reason and the instant rapport between them was engaging enough to make them forget time. When Drushti gasped looking at the time she hastily got up startling Atharrav a little. She hadn't brought along her car and she wasn't sure of getting a rick or bus this late. Atharrav offered to drop her home which she refused but when aunt Claire insisted on it she gave in. Seeing both of them going out chatting away happily Claire sighed and smiled at Tom saying "It is so beautiful to see love taking a hold, seeing two complete strangers accepting each other without any reason." Tom looked at his wife and scoffed "Love! For heavens sake pumpkin they have just met, its just too early for deciding something of that measure. You women don't waste a second giving life another thought, just everything is love and happily ever afters." She turned to look at him and smiled saying "Love, If it wasn't for this woman you would have been rotting away somewhere all alone. Its no use you know, you guys just have an organ called heart. If it wasn't for us who knew what would your gender have done." At his stunned expression she could not help giggling and before he could say anything she affectionately patted his hand and walked off smiling to herself.
***********************
4 YEARS LATER
**********************
Today was her day, she was getting married. Her life was going to transform and it was a welcome change. She knew the guy she was going to marry loved her immensely. It was like she had found something very rare and precious. She remembered that eventful night they had first met. She never knew they had so long to go. It was like with him she never went through the becoming friends phase, even though she was shy by nature with him she was always an open book. He could always read her thoughts, it wasn't like they agreed on everything in fact they rarely did. It was about how they worked on their differences and built on their strengths.
He was impossibly impatient when she had patience in spades. She had always been the insecure one when he was the durable one since the beginning. It was like she was ready to change for him and despite knowing it he never asked her to do it. He hated sharing their time together with anyone, the small smiles and those huge miserable fights. She could get very mean at times but he always forgave her, at times she seriously thought she was day dreaming but then he would appear making it more real than it ever was. It was a not a fairytale for them, life never is. They had their own share of crests and troughs but what mattered was that they had bothered enough to overcome everything to make it work. Every passing minute she fell for him all the more.
He wasn't the easiest person to be with but then she wasn't any better. He had told her the first time they had fought "It isn't about both of us together being perfect, its about being together with our imperfections and still wanting to be together and forever." She looked up to see Uncle Tom and Aunt Claire in the doorway and she ran up to them to hug them and then Atharrav appeared and gave a small peck on her cheek. She was horrified, he wasn't supposed to be here but apparently he had sneaked with uncle as he had to meet her. She scolded him for being so reckless and he didn't even listen to whatever she was saying. "I cant believe its been such a long time and kids can you stop bickering , you are getting married today" uncle declared with a sigh and mock punched Atharrav .
"Uncle she doesn't have a choice, she wont get anyone better than me. No one can love her the way I do with all her tantrums and mood swings" he replied cheekily to which Drushti said " Please! Do not make me talk Arth, you know you are the lunatic most creature possible . Behind that laidback facade is the a man so complex that makes it impossible to spend an hour with you and here I stand committing for a lifetime so you better watch your words." Uncle said "Ouch! Was that a crack I heard, your poor ego." Drushti grinned at him and replied "No problem there uncle, a few dents in it will only make this world a better place for the people who know him." All of them laughed at her dig and then hooted when she shooed Atharrav out. Looking at his retreating figure and smiling to herself she felt tears welling up in her eyes. She never knew what brought them together and what kept them bound, somehow love seemed too insignificant a word for what she felt for him. At that minute he turned and blew her a kiss and vanished from her sight. Her eyes filled up envisioning their life together and thinking of what she was leaving behind , just praying that in the end it would be worth the shot. Somewhere love was worth it, all of it. The decisions, the hurt, the wait, the security….it was worth everything.
here goes another one but i have chosen random characters this time.... enjoy !!!
It was just another day, sun was burning scorching hot without any care in the world. The wind was mild and there was a typical fragrance around due to the daffodils dancing away merrily to the tunes of nature. But the best part of the day was that it was a Sunday. A day she had to herself, just her and her thoughts. She loved her job, it was what she had wanted to do like forever. She was the editor-in-chief in a leading newspaper. It was like she had always known it would work out for her. She loved the everyday struggle with herself and the world. It gave her an entirely new perspective of this world. And she had always believed in pen being mightier than a sword, atleast in her world it was and that was all that mattered. Well sometimes it bothered her that she didn't want chocolates, cookies, friends or anything to make her happy just her alone would do the trick but she loved herself the way she was and that was it.
She was instantly reminded of an incident, once when she had come rushing home crying when some guy in her class had teased her mercilessly for her pigtails, her dad had scooped her in his arms and had told her something that was somehow very responsible for shaping the person that she was today. He had patiently heard her yowl for ages saying how ugly she looked and how she couldn't do anything about it. He had lovingly ruffled her hair and said " Kid, always remember we never get to chose what we look like, so with a little effort everyone can look pretty. Its really no big deal, but what we become is always our choice. It never really matters how we start as but as what we end up." Those words had touched something within her that day. Coming here always made her nostalgic.
She had been away from home for almost two years now. Its been really long her mother had scolded her for unknown reasons, too long since her father had ruffled her hair affectionately and literally way too long since her younger brat of a brother had fought with her. She was very busy with so many projects at the moment, it was like she was living a strangers life for her. She was sitting on a bench facing the the flowers merrily dancing away, everything said and done she was practically sitting in a graveyard. It was a little few minutes away from her apartments and it was where she came to share her thoughts, relieve her tension, mask her failures and thank god for some small success everyday. She always felt very secure here, it was like she was surrounded with people who were loved and loved people back. If there were some flowers peacefully lying beside someone it was like someone remembered to care for you even when you are no longer a part of that persons life. That small effort , that one moment meant a lot to her.
Their was a very old man who visited everyday , with a fresh bunch of lilacs witout fail, sharp at seven. He told her once he wanted to begin every morning talking to his beloved wife and talking he did with so much enthusiam and love in his voice that she had to hold back tears everytime she saw him. To live every moment of his life ,loving someone no longer with him had to be tough yet seeing him it didn't feel so complex. If she ever felt that strongly for someone how was it possible to live remembering every moment , every dream shared without falling apart. She thought it was very brave of these people to so candidly express their love and care when somewhere it was not returned. It made her six kinds of idiot and it was like it was somewhere she knew her answers just that she had to get to the right question to reach the conclusion she wanted. Her friends never understood this side of her and sometimes she wanted them too or maybe she did not. Its like she didn't like explaining things to anyone be it for whatever reason. The people who care for you will understand without you spelling it out to them and those who don't give a damn wont budge even if you write an entire thesis for them so she did not bother. It often got her into trouble and she did lose some very important people before but now at this stage she had those who knew what she was and accepted her for it and with it.
That very minute a black sedan pulled up with a sharp turn making a loud screeching sound disrupting the peace around. A man got out of the car and walked towards the end of the graveyard not very far from her. She could see him dressed in formals, walking resolutely without realizing she was there. He sort of walked past her and to her horror she saw him fall to his knees. His knees fell to the ground with a loud thud and his arms hung loosely to his sides. For some minutes nothing happened, but then she saw his shoulders moving slightly and she realized he was crying. And suddenly he hugged himself and bold loud sobs broke out shaking his entire frame. She had never encountered such raw emotions before and it felt like someone had just squeezed her heart. He was a complete stranger and yet looking at him breakdown completely before her eyes, she wanted to comfort him but somewhere she understood whatever it was he needed to vent it out.
It had to be an outcome of some serious grief because she had never seen anybody cry so hard. It shook her completely and she stood rooted to the same spot seeing him almost fallen to the ground , falling to pieces. She nails were digging into her palm and she felt tears pricking her eyes. It was something else because the two things she never wasted on anybody were her tears and words, both meant the world to her. You can look up at random strangers and smile but tears were worth only someone who mattered , similarly words were worth it only if you mean them. For the first time she was in no dearth of words and tears were brimming in her eyes but she didn't realize that all this was for one complete stranger.
*******************
The old memories hit him hard, there was nothing more than he wanted now other than her presence. She was so much to him and today all he had were some faint memories that were ageing along with him. His lips toyed along with a small smile while tear drops formed in his grey soulful eyes, there was so much he wanted to say but it was always like today, he couldn't form a single word properly. He placed her favourite flowers , orchids, feeling the tears welling up once again. It was like he could no longer control the flood of anguish raging within him. He was once again 10, realizing that suddenly his mother was no longer a part of his life. She had been his first friend and try as he might he couldn't remember much of her. Everyone around him had had more time with her, had more memories to remember her by and he wasn't even old enough to realize the importance of what had been taken away from him.
The injustice of it all never ceased to astound him. Everyone around told her that he was just like her, from his eyes to his nature but he never got a chance to know much of it was the truth. He had seen the days turn into months and then into years and yet the void remained the same. Time never heals a wound; we just find a way of dealing with it. Everyone told him time will help him deal with it but nobody taught him how to live with it. Nobody taught him to live without the one person who was the very reason of his existence and frankly he never learnt it either. He remembered all those lost battles where everybody told him to pull it together and try harder but nobody to hold his hand and walk with him through those times. He missed her when everyone laughed and congratulated him on his triumphs but nobody smiled at him understanding what it took for him to make it till here. He missed her insanely today, nobody made up for the loss he felt today, nothing could equal the trouncing in his heart…. Not today, not ever. It was his day today, he had finally achieved what he wanted to but something was amiss.
And with that thought he dissolved into tears, years of yearning making him miserable as ever. All those faint tainted memories clouding his vision, the happy complete family they were….. making him howl with grief. He felt lost, betrayed and lonely. He wanted her back, this second…this minute…just this once. His father was one of the strongest people he had ever met and his brother had his own way of dealing with all the pain and loss but this was the first time in the last 14 years that he had expressed his grief so openly, he didn't know what made him choose this day but today was it and he didn't give a damn for reasons unknown. "Please Mommy come back!! I miss you…love you….come back just this once…hold me once…smile at me this once…pleas---" his voice broke on the last word. He just couldn't control the tears streaming down his face.
The sound of the ringtone made him look up at the source and then the fact slammed into him that he wasn't alone. He saw a girl clutching her phone in her hand and a very pitiful strange expression on her face. He couldn't believe his fate, why does this happen to him?? When he wanted to be alone for sometime just why cant people leave him the hell alone? She turned to return her call and that was the moment he chose to pick up his over coat lying on the floor and leave back for office. He didn't waste time , just pressed a haste kiss onto the flowers and walked away without any backward glance as he always did and everything changed in his world.
******************
2 MONTHS LATER
******************
It was a pathetic day at work and she wished really hard she could just leave the madhouse her office had turned into and escape back to the normal people, to the normal world. Then she remembered Serendipity, the appealing aroma of freshly prepared coffee , sweet smell from the bakery and her stomach grumbled. She smiled a fond smile thinking of Uncle Tom and Aunt Claire, the couple who owned the caf , Serendipity. It was her safe zone, the place was her comfort precinct. It was where she found her refuge when she had just started with a job in a city unknown and people stranger than ever. It was where she walked into every evening and felt everything was fine in her world. Uncle Tom reminded her of her father so much and she was amused at the amount Aunt Claire fussed over her, it was like a second home to her. She loved both of them to pieces and then there was her weakness, nice coffee. Just the right amount of everything and no one knew what wonders it did to her system. She didn't need drugs to get high, plain strong black coffee would do the trick.
Hitching her bag up on her shoulder, she pressed her way into the restaurant and the scent of coffee hit her. Uncle Tom smiled up at her and she walked upto him when Aunt Claire appered and enveloped her in a warm embrace. She smiled at the welcome and hugged her back tighter. "Rushi, its been three days since I saw you, if it continues the same way and you keep missing all meals this way, I know your stomach is going to give up on you in the next few years" she complained. Drushti smiled at her tone and moved onto give a small hug to uncle Tom who simply shrugged his huge shoulders at her pleading expression. "Kid, I have put up with my better half for 45 years now and I still don't know how to handle her rants. So, I am the last person you should turn for help" he added with his eyes crinkling with amusement . "Do not talk about me as if I am not standing next to you' she added sternly looking at both drushti and him. "Missy its your own health I am concerned about here, so give me some credit. I know for a fact that your favourite hobby is somewhere missing your meals, you do not eat the day you don't stop by here so don't try n talk me out of it. You have earned it so better sit and listen to me rant as my dear husband puts it" she finished moving towards the kitchen muttering something to herself.
Drushti saw her walking away, noticed the slight hunch in her shoulders and instantly guilt swamped her. She didn't want to her worry her voluntarily but lately the schedule had been super hectic and she had to stay late hours. Uncle Tom put a hand on her shoulders and smiled at her "Its okay, kid. I appreciate your work is your priority and somewhere she understands it too. Its just she looks out for you a lot and her love sees anger as the only outlet. All we want is you happy" he said softly and she felt as if she was the luckiest thing on this planet. Where had she found these people, people who loved her for nothing. She had read somewhere "True love doesn't have a reason, the moment you have a reason for loving someone it becomes selfish." Maybe that was the reason love was so rare and loved.
She gave him her best smile and as she was about to look for her favourite spot her he said "You know the only person I have seen tackle her is Atharrav. He' s definitely a charmer and god the lines he comes up with , heaven help the girl he falls for. You know the two of you are so important to her, you are all she's bothered about. Its like even if one of you doesn't speak with her for a single day she life comes to a standstill and somehow you guys haven't ever met but I guess today is the D-day and I say it because he's sitting at your favourite place. I have to see you fight him for it because its his favourite too" he said beaming at her. Her eyebrows came together in a frown, she had heard a lot about this guy. Apparently he was some hot-shot businessman who had once helped Aunt Claire with her customers, the first day he had visited this place as she was falling short of workers. She knew he was very dear to both of them and she had heard aunt talking about him so much. Sometimes she felt she knew him already. Jeez after a horribly impossible day, now she was about to fight with some random stranger to get to her favourite place. It doesn't get better than this.
She turned towards her corner seat near the window overlooking the small garden aunt Claire was so particular about. He was sitting with his back to her. It wasn't the first time she was about to march upto some stranger asking him to sit somewhere else because this was her place apparently, but today she felt a little out of place. Maybe because she wasn't sure about uncle or aunty backing her up against him and what does that say about her…..that she was the dumbest thing god had ever created on this planet. When will she trust her own relationships? Well he certainly was well built…but then she wasn't literally considering hauling him off the chair physically so why does it even matter. Before she could say anything uncle went out and addressed him "Arth, look who's here to meet you. I guess you will have to empty this place as my princess is here and its her favourite spot" and then he turned at winked at her. She stood there a little tongue-tied not knowing how to react but before she could say something he looked up and the minute she set her eyes on him she knew she was paying for her previous sins today. She couldn't believe her fate, this was Atharrav, the same guy she saw that day in the cemetery.
She saw something change in his eyes but then he passed her a friendly smile and grinned up at uncle. "Uncle, how about we share it? That only if the lady here doesn't have a problem with it" and he looked at her questioningly. She looked around and knew she didn't have a choice and he was just being a gentleman about it. Atleast the way he was behaving, she was sure he didn't recognize her and she had never been more thankful to god before. That one minute he had looked at her that day, she just couldn't forget the anger in his eyes and the repulsion on his face. She saw uncle raising his eyebrow at Atharrav who casually shrugged his shoulders except his eyes betrayed the mischief boiling in them. "What if I don't want to share my place with anybody?"she directed at him and then strangled herself mentally for speaking without thinking. At that he gave her a dimpled smile and pretended to think and said " okay! Lets play a game. If I can come up with a pick up line you haven't heard before then you share today's coffee with me, what say?" he asked playfully but something in his eyes told her otherwise.
She had never thought this world would be such a small place. She said "Well then I guess you already lost, trust me I have heard my share." He looked at her "Oh! I don't doubt your beauty angel. I am just trying my luck here" he replied audaciously as if they were old friends teasing each other without any care. In this time aunt Claire came over and stood next to Atharrav. She looked at her and mouthed " You are so losing this one" which made all of them laugh.
"Hmmm let me think… Can I have your photograph, I wanna show my kids how their mum looked like when I proposed to her?" he asked to which she said "Lame."
"Have you ever been arrested? Coz honey its illegal to look so beautiful" he asked with a rueful grin to which she simply tapped her foot and said "Oldest line in the book!"
"Can I get your phone number, I lost my phone?" he asked cheekily to which she almost smiled but instead said "you can do better!"
To this he sighed dramatically and went down on one knee and said with a hand on his heart "Can I have your phone number please?" She looked around embarrassed at his antics and the way uncle and aunt chuckled along still she managed a casual " For what joy your highness?" He winked at her and said " Oh! Actually god just contacted me saying one of his angels was missing." She laughed out loud at him, she couldn't begin to comprehend how much more cheesy could he get. He rose from his position and pulled a chair back for her to sit down. She shook her head at him and went forward to sit. He went and sat on the other side. Uncle introduced the two of them and then they had to leave for work as it was a weekend and the place was crazily crowded.
A sudden silence descended over them and she did her best to avoid his watchful eyes. He had large expressive eyes and something told her there was more to him than what he saw at this minute or maybe she needed to sleep straight for some eight odd hours. They shared small smiles and when Atharrav finally realized she was getting uncomfortable every passing minute he decided to break the ice. " I know you saw me that day Drushti, I recognized you the minute I saw you" he said looking at her but without any expression. It was hard to read his mood and she didn't know what to tell him. "It was just you caught me at the wrong moment. It was just too personal and you caught me off- guard" he told her as if stating some universal truth. When she didn't say a word other than staring at him he sighed out loud " It wasn't supposed to be like that, that day was just very different. I was missing mom a lot and when I finalized the deal and saw Dad and Bhai standing in the crowd smiling away, involuntarily my eyes wanted to see her, my hands wanted to feel her secure touch and my heart needed the assurance that it was all real. But since when has life been fair ever, its like when we want something terribly its taken away. I do not know why am I telling you all this or are you even understanding what I am trying to tell you just felt like telling you , so I did." She saw the earnestness in his eyes and asked him " You loved her very much, right?" He smiled a sad smile for her "I love her very much, which child does not love his mother."
She somewhere realized what the words cost him and to admit it to a perfect stranger must have been weird. " You know its killing to admit to my own self that she is no longer with me but just the fact that once she had loved me , had cared for me and I was a part of her is enough to make me go through this life. Given a chance what would I not trade to get her back but then life just goes on irrespective of what void remains in someone's life" he said stirring his coffee lost in his own world. He never knew what those words meant to her, how much they affected her on every possible level. She looked at him and realized he was one of those few people who would know how to value emotions, words and tears. Suddenly she wanted to know him better, she wanted to see him smile and she wanted to belong in his world. Now where that come from …. She seriously needed to get to her bed. "You know I was just thinking this world is such a small place, I never thought I would meet you like this. There were these moments when I could not forget that morning but look here we are, and to say that you were someone I somehow knew is the height of coincidence. Trust me some of the things Aunt Claire told me about you are impossible, I just cant relate you and the person I thought you would turn out to be." she said trying to lighten the atmosphere. He gave her a wolfish grin and teasingly added" Well that's a nice way of putting you like me, you are fast Lady."
She narrowed her eyes at him and added " Egoistical much, Sir!" He beamed at her emphasis on sir and added shrugging his huge shoulders " I usually have that effect on your gender, its not your fault. I actually am that irresistible." She shook her head at him and told him gravely " I don't think those biceps of yours are the result of gyming." He raised an eyebrow at her question not understanding the direction of her thoughts to which she smirked and added " I am guessing carrying that huge elephant size ego on your head maybe exercise enough." He laughed out loud at her statement . " Ouch honey! you just broke my heart to a million pieces, it cant take such cruelty you know" he wailed keeping a hand on his heart to which the people around them turned to look at them, she turned beetroot red and he thought he had never seen anything so cute in his life. She was vivacious enough to battle words with him but there was this innocence around her that made his a little uneasy.
They spoke for a long time teasing each other mercilessly and time just flew. They shared almost everything over certain cups of coffee. It was a surreal experience for both of them. It was like nothing ever happens without a reason and the instant rapport between them was engaging enough to make them forget time. When Drushti gasped looking at the time she hastily got up startling Atharrav a little. She hadn't brought along her car and she wasn't sure of getting a rick or bus this late. Atharrav offered to drop her home which she refused but when aunt Claire insisted on it she gave in. Seeing both of them going out chatting away happily Claire sighed and smiled at Tom saying "It is so beautiful to see love taking a hold, seeing two complete strangers accepting each other without any reason." Tom looked at his wife and scoffed "Love! For heavens sake pumpkin they have just met, its just too early for deciding something of that measure. You women don't waste a second giving life another thought, just everything is love and happily ever afters." She turned to look at him and smiled saying "Love, If it wasn't for this woman you would have been rotting away somewhere all alone. Its no use you know, you guys just have an organ called heart. If it wasn't for us who knew what would your gender have done." At his stunned expression she could not help giggling and before he could say anything she affectionately patted his hand and walked off smiling to herself.
***********************
4 YEARS LATER
**********************
Today was her day, she was getting married. Her life was going to transform and it was a welcome change. She knew the guy she was going to marry loved her immensely. It was like she had found something very rare and precious. She remembered that eventful night they had first met. She never knew they had so long to go. It was like with him she never went through the becoming friends phase, even though she was shy by nature with him she was always an open book. He could always read her thoughts, it wasn't like they agreed on everything in fact they rarely did. It was about how they worked on their differences and built on their strengths.
He was impossibly impatient when she had patience in spades. She had always been the insecure one when he was the durable one since the beginning. It was like she was ready to change for him and despite knowing it he never asked her to do it. He hated sharing their time together with anyone, the small smiles and those huge miserable fights. She could get very mean at times but he always forgave her, at times she seriously thought she was day dreaming but then he would appear making it more real than it ever was. It was a not a fairytale for them, life never is. They had their own share of crests and troughs but what mattered was that they had bothered enough to overcome everything to make it work. Every passing minute she fell for him all the more.
He wasn't the easiest person to be with but then she wasn't any better. He had told her the first time they had fought "It isn't about both of us together being perfect, its about being together with our imperfections and still wanting to be together and forever." She looked up to see Uncle Tom and Aunt Claire in the doorway and she ran up to them to hug them and then Atharrav appeared and gave a small peck on her cheek. She was horrified, he wasn't supposed to be here but apparently he had sneaked with uncle as he had to meet her. She scolded him for being so reckless and he didn't even listen to whatever she was saying. "I cant believe its been such a long time and kids can you stop bickering , you are getting married today" uncle declared with a sigh and mock punched Atharrav .
"Uncle she doesn't have a choice, she wont get anyone better than me. No one can love her the way I do with all her tantrums and mood swings" he replied cheekily to which Drushti said " Please! Do not make me talk Arth, you know you are the lunatic most creature possible . Behind that laidback facade is the a man so complex that makes it impossible to spend an hour with you and here I stand committing for a lifetime so you better watch your words." Uncle said "Ouch! Was that a crack I heard, your poor ego." Drushti grinned at him and replied "No problem there uncle, a few dents in it will only make this world a better place for the people who know him." All of them laughed at her dig and then hooted when she shooed Atharrav out. Looking at his retreating figure and smiling to herself she felt tears welling up in her eyes. She never knew what brought them together and what kept them bound, somehow love seemed too insignificant a word for what she felt for him. At that minute he turned and blew her a kiss and vanished from her sight. Her eyes filled up envisioning their life together and thinking of what she was leaving behind , just praying that in the end it would be worth the shot. Somewhere love was worth it, all of it. The decisions, the hurt, the wait, the security….it was worth everything.
here goes another one but i have chosen random characters this time.... enjoy !!!
![The Magical Kiss ~ Romione Three-Shot #PyaarKaTropeFest [Completed]](https://img.indiaforums.com/userimages/14/5516-1185089.jpg)
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai
Bigg Boss 19
Avatar and Signatures Shop
Anupamaa
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
Bollywood
14