They soon pull out of their hug. He knew that she was completely lost; his best friend was never like this. She was never quiet; she was anything but quiet. The complete opposite in fact. Where ever she went, she was always full of laughter; if you were having a bad day she would cheer you up. She was full of spirit and never has he once seen her so quiet like now. He knew it would take her time to go back to her oldself; the girl who he loved and had a crush on for 10 years. And he also knew he had to teach her how to love again; how to laugh and be happy. But all this requires time and trust, would he be able to do it? Of course he would, he would risk his life to save or help her. Afterall, he did love her for quite a long time. He tucks a lose strand of her hair behind her ear and then cupped her chin.
"You need to eat Manyata. Look at you; your going to become anorexic and then you'll have to go to hospital. You've already worried your mother, we don't want to give her a heart attack now do we?" He tells her. She shakes her head. He then takes a spoonful of rice, and feeds it to her.
Eventually, after a hour of threatening, begging and pleading; she finishes the plate of rice. Her mother secretly watches them; getting hopeful that she will get her daughter back. And the stranger who looks like her daughter won't stay here longer. She starts hoping that Uday will bring her daughter back to how she was before her marriage, she knew that she could trust Uday.
Once Manyata finishes eating her last bite, Uday goes to put the dishes away and to get her some water. He encounters her mother, who is silently crying at the door.
"Auntyji are you OK? Why are you crying?" He asks, shocked seeing tears running down her cheeks.
"Son, I am crying because I am so happy. Today you've brought back the daughter I always knew, which I wasn't able to do. I am proud of you son," She tells him.
"Auntyji, it was nothing. Afterall a friend helps out a friend. I am just playing my role and helping her out," He replies back.
"Yes, yes. And I wish you the best son. Thank you for helping us," She says.
"No auntyji, you don't need to thank me," he says.
"Okay son," She replies back.
For the next couple of days, she started to trust Uday more. She wouldn't eat if Uday wasn't there, she wouldn't even talk to anyone but him. And whilst Uday wasn't around, she would become the nobody; staring outside the window. No matter how much her mother would beg her, she remained in her room; alone. And when he was around her, she would eat. She would smile and make conversations with him.
As each day passed, she started to trust him more. And each day she surprised him by ocassionaly joking or laughing. He would come and visit her daily, making her eat her meal. Hence, he spends the whole day with her, hoping she will recover. Become the best friend he knew and loved once again. And she was showing hints everyday that she was returning to her oldself.
4 months had passed since they both met at her house. Uday decided to take her outside of the house, but she didn't want to. She hasn't had any fresh air since she returned to her parent's house. But he knew she would eventually have to step outside the house one day. He took her to a cafe that day. But she didn't know it was a special day, hence she doesn't even bother to know the date; it didn't matter to her anymore. He wore a black suit, and she wore a red dress. At first she rejected it, but as Uday pleaded her to put it on, she did. After they finished their meal, Manyata asked what the special occassion was. They were surrounded by other couples, and many red heart-shaped balloons.
"You don't know?" He asks. She shakes her head.
"That's why I am asking you," She replies back. Of course she would forget. She has been caught in her thoughts for a year. She would have forgetton occassions like this.
He takes the opertunity, and takes out the hidden red rose he had in his pocket. And he hands it to her.
"Manyata it's valentine's," He tells her. But she gets confused. Valentine's was to spend a day with your beloved ones.
"But why did you bring me here then?" She asked, already forgotten the day when he confessed the love he had for her.
"Why else Manyata? Because I love you," he replied back clearly. This time she took the rose, and a light blush formed on her cheeks. A blush that hadn't been spotted for about 2 years. But of course she wouldn't reply back to him with, "I love you too,". It was too soon for her to start learning how to love again. She was already focused on trying to be her oldself; who always wore a beautiful smile. The only thing she was able to do was choke out a "thank you". This was because tears were threatening to make to make an appearence. He had noticed the tear that run down her cheeks, and he wiped it away with his index finger.
"Don't cry Manyata," He gently says, but she then breaks into tears. He gave her confort, and a shoulder to cry on.
And so the days passed like this; she slowly began to trust him more. Sharing all those thoughts that she kept to herself for over a year. He listened to all her thoughs and feelings; giving her wise advice. She was able to let out everything slowly; and she felt better. It was like she had some weight taken off her, and she felt relieved.
And soon, she couldn't stand staying inside all day. She would swing on a rope swing in the garden; singing songs. She would enjoy the gentle breeze, blowing her hair ever so lightly. And she would close her eyes; enjoying the peaceful moment.
He would watch her from his car. He would admire her natural beauty; how her hair comes into her face, annoying her. He would walk upto her, but she wouldn't know; she had her eyes closed. Slowly, he would cover her eyes with his hands, which would make her react quickly.
"Kon hai?" She says, but he doesn't reply. She slowly touches his hands, to try and guess who it was.
"Uday," she says, and he moves away his hand. She then turns around to hug him. And that's when it pours down with rain. She shrieks, trying to get out of his grip to go into shelter. But he doesn't let go; he watches her reactions and admires her beauty once again.
"Your so beautiful," He whispers, and he looks at his face.
"Yes and your beautiful too. Now let me go, we're getting wet!" She exclaims. Then he lets her go, but he stays where he is; wearing a big goofy grin. She runs half way, then realising that he wasn't following.
"Come on Uday. Your going to catch a cold," She says, pulling him towards her house.
"And why should I come? Why do you care if I catch a cold?" He questions her. That's when she stops urging him and looks at him. Of course she cared; he was her world now. He was the person who brought her back from depression. They shared an eye-lock; and she thought all the reasons why he would say such a thing. Of course he would say that; he loved her but he knew she didn't.
"Be-because..." She stammers.
"And because?" He asks. She hesitates for a while, and then takes a small breath.
"Because, I-I love you," She carries on, feeling embarrassed after. He touches her cheeks, and traces her deep crimson blush with his thumb.
"And I love you too," he replies back.
Pati Patni Aur Panga
