That's The Way We Met Page 15

  My sweetheart,

  Whenever I see a new morning, I call out your name, but these days, it’s different. These days, love and sadness have become my perennial fear. You are the only love of my life. Please don’t push me away like you don’t care. I try to shout at you to be with me, but only the morning breeze hears me. Don’t you know that I need you beside me? Don’t ever stop thinking of me. Don’t stop caring. Have faith in me as I have in you. I can only hope that this is just a minor setback, but deep down, I know it’s the end. I know the last few years of our relationship will be forgotten. Nevertheless, I won’t let this happen. Not this time for sure. I hate that I can’t go a day without having you on my mind. I’m lost. You are everything to me and losing you would be the worst pain I could endure. I pray every day and hope that you be with me forever. Just please. Please don’t leave me. I understand you have priorities in your life and I am proud of it. I am proud that you value your family and care for them. As children are lucky to get parents, who value their thoughts, even your parents are lucky to have someone like you to take care of them. I would never suggest you to go against your family and live with me. I know your family needs you more than I do. However, I need you no less than them. I assure you that we can be happy and take care of your family. Please trust me, sweetheart. For the last time, have blind faith in me!

  She closed her eyes after reading the letter and looked at me with tearful eyes.

  ‘Why do you do this? Why do you make me feel that no one can take your place? Why do you make me realize that you are the only one perfect companion for me? Every time you do this, I am left speechless,’ she said kissing me on my lips.

  I could feel her pain at that moment. Sometimes we are so helpless, yet we want to give our best. We remained in the same position for a few minutes and then stared at each other for a long time after that. The pain of separation was evident. The pain of loneliness approaching us was imminent. I wanted to shout out loud ‘no one will love you more than me’.

  We decided to return after grabbing a quick bite at the nearby reataurant.

  We were returning by the bus when Mohit called us. He had left for Dalhousie in the morning.

  ‘Hey Aadi, this place is fucking romantic. I am missing our office trip days when we had so much fun together. Get married soon and we will come back to this place again,’ he said and hung up. I had the phone on loudspeaker.

  We both looked at each other. Silence filled the air. We could sense each other’s thoughts. I remembered the night Riya wore her black dress and we made love in the hotel room. How I rolled strawberries all over her and kissed her from head to toe. It had been such a romantic night.

  ‘I don’t want to go away from you. This time I can’t take it.’ I couldn’t control my tears. She brought me near her and played with my hair. She didn’t speak a word. We reached Rock Garden. It was huge and very well lay out. It was well maintained and the odd shapes and waste materials were used in an amazing way to make various figures. There was a small waterfall in the garden and other beautiful things to see. There were some funny mirrors too. We went near the waterfall and settled down. I started questioning Riya.

  ‘What do you love about me?’ I asked, breaking the silence.

  ‘I love your simplicity, I love the way you pamper me. I love your smile and everything about you makes me fall for you. Why are you asking me like this?’ she smiled.

  ‘To make you realize that you love me and can’t live without me,’ I said.

  She turned her face around and kept quite. I handed her a Ganesha idol packed in a gift wrapper and told her to unwrap it. She loved the idol and made a sweet face looking at it.

  She hugged me and said ‘so sweet of you’.

  I smiled and played with her hair. Her face glittered when she saw that idol. I handed her one more letter. She stared at me and then started reading.

  Why do you no longer want me? I don’t know what to say. I thought our relationship was perfect, why didn’t you think of me even once? I know we could have fixed the problem. Why can’t you give me a chance? Why? If you say you love me and that you can’t live without me, why can we not give this another try? My heart feels empty and hollow. I thought this time no one could separate us. I don’t want to lose you forever. Don’t you remember our romantic nights in Manali, where we cuddled with each other, and made sweet love until day break? I think we broke the flower vase too that night. On top of that, I remember very well that it was your idea. How can you forget the chuda you bought just because it was my wish? Our name carved over it, I thought Aditya and Riya couldn’t be separated. They are one. Why do you want to change that? I would take care of your family. I know your family is your utmost priority and it has to be. However, don’t leave me all alone.

  This time, she cried like a small baby. I tried to calm her down and wipe her tears, but failed. Everything was a mess.

  After spending the entire day together, we were ready to pack our bags and leave for Mumbai.

  When we arrived at the Mumbai airport, neither of us wanted to leave for home, not knowing what the future held for us.

  ‘We will go home tomorrow. Let’s go to some resort till then,’ said Riya.

  We boarded a taxi and cruised our way towards Pali Chowk road. We decided to stay in Pali Beach Resort for the night and then leave for our respective houses the next day. As there was less traffic on the roads at night, we reached within an hour’s time. The resort was built beautifully and faced the majestic Arabian Sea.

  We had booked an air-conditioned room for our stay. Soon, as we both were tired, we drifted off to sleep.

  I didn’t realize when the clock struck ten in the morning. I just opened my eyes lying on the bed. Riya was in front of the dressing table. I was tired after the hectic journey and my body ached. I didn’t get up from the bed. Riya went out of the room and came back in some time. I took a bath until she came back.

  When she came back, she told me to get ready fast, saying she had a surprise waiting for me. I got ready and asked her what it is. She went out and told me to wait. I was excited and nervous at the same time.

  She came inside with a trolley. On it was three-tiered cake in the colours of white, red and silver, with little cherubs, roses, and hearts on it.

  I read the letters that were beautifully carved in red on the cake.

  HAPPY PROPOSAL DAY MY LOVE!

  And here I was thinking that she had forgotten the first time we met!

  She handed me a knife and told me to cut the cake. I cut the cake which had a velvet covering. I took the first piece and smeared it all over her face.

  ‘No… I will kill you,’ she shouted trying to open her eyes.

  ‘Now tell me sweetheart, which colours do you like the most on this cake?’ I asked her putting some more cake on her face.

  ‘Shut up, Aadi. I can barely see and you are asking me my favourite colour?’

  ‘Why do you want to take the trouble of washing your face when I am right here beside you?’ I said.

  She lowered her voice and said, ‘What do you mean?’ Her eyes were still closed.

  ‘I mean tell me your favourite colour, jaan.’ I went close to her.

  ‘Red!’

  I bent down to her and licked all the red cream off her face. Then I went ahead and licked the white cream too. She shyly pushed me away. Then I lifted her in my arms and carried her to the bed. And then we made love, with me licking the cake from all over her face and Riya moaning in response.

  Exhausted, we lay down on the bed holding each other. We looked into each other’s eyes and she said she had something more to show me.

  ‘What?’ I asked her with enthusiasm.

  She wrapped the bed sheet around her body to cover herself and walked towards the dressing table. She opened the drawer and removed a gift wrapped in red coloured paper. It seemed like a cloth or a piece of paper. I was curious to open it. She made me promise that I won’t get angry after seeing it. I prom
ised her the same. I unwrapped the cover to see a folded paper. It was a letter.

  I know how it feels to be in your position. I know how it feels to be alone. However, if you would look carefully at me, I am trying my best to protect our relationship. I want to be with you forever. You mean a lot to me. You have shown me what love is and what it feels like to be loved. You are the beat of my heart, the soul in my body; because without you I am nothing. You are the person I know I can turn to when I need help, you are the person I look at when I needed to smile, and you are the person I went to when I need a hug. When I am away, it is as if I have left my soul behind. You have shown me how to live and you have shown me how to be truly happy. I want you to know that every time I smile, you have put it there. You make me smile when others can’t; you make me feel warm when I am cold. You have shown me so much love and so much more. I want you to know how much you mean to me. You are my whole world and I love you with all my heart. You are my happiness. Tomorrow if I am not with you, please forgive me. I can’t predict our future but for this moment, I am yours. I can’t assure the happy end to our love story but for this moment, I want to spend happy moments with you. I can never forget the days we spent together, I can never forget your touch, and I hope you remember me and be happy always. I would try my best to be with you. I would fight with the world until my hand reaches someone else’s hand. Trust me! No matter with who I am, my love for you can never die. You will be my Aadi, you will be my jaan, and you will be my bachha forever. No one can steal that right from me. Not even you. I love you, darling!

  I don’t know what our future was going to be but I loved her. I loved her honesty, I loved her simplicity, I loved her beauty, and I loved everything about her!

  We just looked at each other through the rest of our time at the hotel without speaking a word.

  Love is a Losing Game

  It had been two days since our arrival in Mumbai. I had not seen Riya after our little night together in that resort, nor had we talked on the phone.

  I had come back from office and was about to take a bath, when I got a message on my cell phone.

  I opened the message inbox to see an unread message from Riya!

  I know you were waiting for my message. I wanted to tell you so many things that day, but I couldn’t find the courage to do so. I wanted to tell you that I may not be with you but the truth is I may not forget you my entire life. You have made a deep impact on me. The evening, which we spent together yesterday, has left me in a state of turmoil. Are you angry at me? Whenever you feel alone, just close your eyes and think of me. My heart is broken but I can’t blame you. You took each broken piece of my heart and put it together like a puzzle. My heart was missing that piece during the times he stayed apart, but after you came back into my life, the last piece was placed that everything seemed perfect. It was then I realized that I can’t live without you. I am writing this message lying on the same bed where you and I slept together and shared the best moments of our lives. You will always remain an integral part of me. If I am not with you, which I hope won’t be the case; never let your tears fall down. I love you and will always love you. I wish I wouldn’t be separated from you. When love is pure, love is pain. When love is true, love is sacrifice. Not everyone gets a chance to experience it.

  Riya’s message was the last jab to my heart. It led to my complete emotional breakdown in me. I still had a firm trust that our relationship would work. I trusted her and the decisions she made.

  I messaged her back.

  I trust you. I trust your love. I know it can’t get over like this. Our moments of love, our fights, our jokes, our falling tears—they can’t end so easily. We tore down all the walls between us, endured a lot of pain, hurt, and torture just to stay with each other. It can’t get over so easily. Without your kisses, I just can’t breathe anymore. I trust your judgement. I know that you value relations and won’t make any wrong decisions in life. I accept your decision, whatever it maybe. All I know is we can never stay away from each other. Now don’t think much and take rest. We both are tired and need some sleep. I will take a bath and then go to sleep. My shift timings are the same, from 9.30 am in the morning. Oh, by the way, I forgot to ask, would you want to join me in the shower? :D Lolz… Muaahhh!! Love you!!

  After taking a bath, I slept, as I had to get up early for work. I checked my cell phone before sleeping but Riya hadn’t replied. She must be tired and must have slept early, I thought resting my head on the pillow.

  I reached office in the morning to be greeted by a grumpy manager who told me to do over time because of my uninformed leaves and poor performance. I had no excuses left. I missed Mohit a lot that day. If he would have been present, he would have manipulated my attendance sheet and performances and then submitted it to the manager. Now I woud have to do dual shifts back to back. I wanted to meet Riya after my shift, but my manager made it impossible for me. It was hardly two hours into my work and I was already feeling sleepy. I grabbed a coffee in the hope of keeping awake and checked my cell phone. Still there was no response from Riya. She must be sleeping. Her second shift started at three in the afternoon. I got back to the work desk.

  I opened my MS Outlook messenger to check my emails. I had an email from the HR department. I had won a performance award for my scores two months back. I understood why my manager had shouted at me in the morning and told me to improve my performance. It was because there had been a drastic downfall in my scores and he was worried about that. I was so glad to see that mail. I wished I could have maintained the scores for which I won the award. I was so excited that I left my desk and called Riya from the cafeteria. I wanted to tell her about it. She would be more excited than even me. The phone rang, but she didn’t pick up. I messaged her about the award and continued my work. I wanted to talk with her.

  After a long day in office, even a long night, I finished my shift hours. It was early morning when I left office and reached home. I tried calling Riya but still she didn’t take my calls. I thought she might have slept. I too was tired after a hectic day at the office and dozed off in no time.

  ‘Aditya, get up, you have been sleeping for so long. Let’s have dinner,’ my Mom shouted at me and I woke up.

  I saw the clock. It was eight in the evening. I got up and searched for my mobile. I checked for any messages or calls from Riya. Still the home screen was blank. No messages and no missed calls. Where was she? I had my dinner in silence. I kept my mobile on the table and went to the washroom. Suddenly, the phone rang. I ran towards the table and saw my mobile.

  It was an unknown number. I picked the call immediately.

  ‘Hello, is it Riya?’ My voice betrayed my desperation.

  ‘Good evening sir, we are calling from Vodafone. Your phone number has been selected for a special offer. Are you interested?’

  My frustration reached its peak. I wanted to fire that customer care executive but I was not in a mood to argue or fight with Vodafone agents. I disconnected the call. I dialled Riya’s number again. She didn’t respond.

  Fuckk! This is absolute crap! This is unbelievable. Long back, I had seen a dream. Long back, I had a nightmare where Riya was hospitalized. Even then a Vodafone customer care executive had called me from an unknown number. This sent a chill down my spine. How could this be happening now? Can dreams come true?

  I thought for a moment about where she could be and decided to go to her home in Navi Mumbai. I took my bike keys and left home. I tried to think positive while riding the bike. I consoled myself by thinking that nothing happened. I consoled my mind by thinking that dreams like these can’t come true. This happens only in Bollywood movies. It can’t happen with me in real life. However, the fact was that Bollywood movies are inspired from real life characters. Still, I tried to keep my calm. I reached her apartment with a tensed mind. I saw that her scooty was missing. Just like I had witnessed in the dream. I went upstairs but no one opened the door. I searched for her scooty in the entire complex.
I called her number again. Still no one responded.

  I wanted to kill myself right away. My dream was playing out scene by scene right in front of my very eyes! I tried to remember what happened next in my dream. Yes, I had gone to the hospital. I decided to look for her scooty outside the hospital. On reaching the hospital, I tried to find her scooty everywhere in the parking lot but couldn’t locate it. I still gave another look around but it wasn’t there. I wanted to remove this doubt from my mind, so I entered the hospital and went straight to the receptionist’s desk.

  ‘Is there any patient by the name of Riya?’ I asked her.

  She opened the register and started searching for the name. I was almost in tears by that time. I kept my fingers crossed and just closed my eyes for a moment. Tears rolled down my eyes.

  ‘No. I am sorry. There is no one by this name,’ she replied.

  ‘Can you check again, please?’ I asked her. I remembered my dream. She replied with the same answer. I finally relaxed. My doubt was cleared. The dream was just a dream. I finally regained my senses and walked out of the hospital. I started my bike and went to her apartment again. I parked my bike outside and called her. Still no response. I decided to go upstairs.

  On reaching her doorstep, I found that the door was locked. I sat on the steps as my tears fell on the floor.

  I realized I had lost her forever. I realized that I was not going to see her anymore. I wished for it to be a dream so that you could come and wake me up with a sweet kiss.

  I called Sameer and told him to reach Riya’s apartment as soon as possible. I called Sonam too and asked her to get in touch with Riya, explaining to her how Riya had not been taking my calls and how the door to her apartment was locked, with no sign of its occupants anywhere. ‘Sonam, please call Riya. I tried searching for her everywhere from past two hours. Even her door is locked.