Part 6
"How could you think of doing something so foolish?"
"Why do you...care?"
"Some Gendrane might see you & you would be in trouble."
He spoke quietly & the girl turned to look at him.
Then she said:
"Go away! It's none of your business!"
"As we are of same nationality, I find it hard to believe."
"Please...Please...leave me alone!" she said in helpless & pleading voice.
Then Rey said:
"I know it's none of my business but I don't want to get wet while saving you!"
"Then don't interfere...and...let me die!"
Her words were very low.
"So you want to die" he said."I also wanted to do the same 9 months ago, but my friend Swayam stopped me & now I'm glad to be alive."
"It's different...you're a man!"
"I'm still a human being, & from where I came I have saw human being fighting for their lives.It made me appreciate life."
She turned away from him, he was not certain, that she was attractive & the sharpness of her chin make him think that she was unnaturally slender.
"Because I was saved by my friend from doing what you are trying to do" he said."I suggest we sit somewhere preferably with a glass of wine & you tell me the reason for taking such a desperate step."
As he spoke, he saw her whole body stiffed & she said quickly"
"I told you to go away...If you want a woman...there are...plenty of them in the streets."
"I swear to you, I was not thinking about you like that! If I wanted what you suggest Paris caters for it without my having to come to a towpath on the Seine!"
Kriya replied:
"I'm sorry...that was rude...when you are trying to be...kind"
"You must be aware it is the sort of thing you must expect if you walk alone at night in Paris."
"I was not walking alone" she said fiercely."I came here to...drown myself...& you're preventing me from doing what I...want to do."
"As I already pointed out, it is unlikely you will be successful.Suppose you consider my suggestion & talk it over with someone who have been in exactly the same position as you are?"
"I doubt that very much!"
"It's true & I really feel it is fate that I should have seen you & known what you were about to do!"
"How...did you know"
The question was out of curiosity & Rey answered it truthfully:
" I was aware that you were in danger just as a month or two ago I was aware that I & Swayam were in danger before it actually occurred. My instinct or whatever you like to call it, saved our lives in the same way that I hoped I have been able to save yours."
She gave a sign.Then she turned from river & took a step away from it as if she realise that what she had intend to do was impossible that moment.
They walk side by side.Rey looked at her, she looked very young in moon light.
Then he realise that she was too tall to be immature & illusion of childness was caused by the fact that she was pitifully thin.
She was replica of some pitiful sights he had seen, amongst some of the tribes of Africa, & was obviously suffering from malnutrition.
It was an explaination anyway for her wishing to die, but he barely said:
"There is a small Restaurant near here where I used to eat when I was young.If it is still open I suggest we go there while you tell me about yourself."
"I have no intention of telling you anything , so perhaps I should not accept your...invitation under...false pretences."
"Then I will talk " Rey said."you can listen"
She stood for a moment undecided, as if she thought it would be wiser to run away from him.
Once again he knew what she was thinking & he said:
"As it happens, I would like to talk to you, because I have a tremendous problem on my mind.You can be the 'guiding light' I was seeking."
"You don't look as if you have a problem ." she remarked.
"Please do as I say" he said."I promise that I will resort you wherever you're living."
He felt little shudder go through her as if his words evoked something unpleasant.
They crossed the road & walked a little further where Rey remembered the Restuarant had been.It was open.
They sat on a sofa table in a corner.He noticed that she had a long, swan like neck & thought if she was not so thin she would be very attractive.
"Shall I order" Rey asked.
"Thank you"
Glancing at her without appearing to be curious, he realise that he had been right in thinking she was suffering from lack of food & was in fact, near to starvation.
He could see the prominent bone at her wrist , the thinness of her finger.Her unnaturally large eyes & he knew she was remarkably preity, in fact right word was 'lovely'.
First he ordered a cold vegetable soup which will be nutrishing.
Then he ordered chicken dish.
Rey ordered a bottle of champagne.
After waiter left he turned towards the girl.
"Suppose we introduce ourselves? My name is Reyaansh Singania.
There was a little pause before she replied:
"Mine is Kriya"
"Is that all"
"Ghai"
"Now that we know each other,Suppose you tell me what are you doing in Paris & why are you so anxious to leave it."
As if she found the way he was expressing it almost amusing he thought there was a slight smile on her lips before she replied:
"You promised we would talk...about you."
"I will keep my words" he replied."Which incidentally I always do."
He knew she would understand he was reassuring her that he would let her leave the moment she wished to go, & he had no other design on her.
"I arrived"he continued."in Paris tonight from Africa & I'm leaving tomorrow for Vancouver."
You have been in Africa?What have you been doing there?
"I was travelling with Swayam.He is writing a book on the tribes of North Africa, particularly the berbas.We have been to places where there had been no white man before, & very nearly left our bones behind."
"It's sound dangerous!"
"It was! At the same time, as I just told you it cured me of wishing to kill myself."
Cricket
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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