LOVE – A mystery ~ Part 5
The story ahead:
Khushi, Sakshi’s best friend cum
confidante cum sister was anything but her name. Her life had been a roller
coaster ride till now. At the age of 26 years she had seen enough of life to
understand the right and wrong. She was married away by her parents at the age
of 21 years to the first best match they could find for her only to be divorced
within 6 months of her marriage. In a hurry to get her settled her parents did
not find it necessary to conduct any background verification on the prospective
groom. The groom’s family had conveniently hidden the depression that guy was
suffering from resulting into highly abusive behavior during such attacks. He
would abuse her physically and mentally. It took her 6 months to finally decide
to not take it any further and call it quits.
She changed the city and was staying
away from her parents since past 5 years as she felt they were responsible for
whatever happened in her life. In Sakshi she saw a younger version of herself.
She felt this is what I had been before my marriage. She did not want Sakshi to
face anything that she had faced in her life. Be it her failed marriage or the
politics of the corporate world. She felt deprived of love all her life and
wanted to shower all her love on Sakshi. Somewhere deep down her hearts she had
accepted Sakshi as her daughter – a daughter which maybe she will never have as
she had decided not to marry ever in life. But the woman inside her craved for
love sometimes and fantasized about it too. She concluded she was very unlucky
to have never found true love in this world.
Naïve innocent and a gullible
emotional fool – that’s what she thought of Sakshi. When she met her for the first time, she took
an instant liking for her and took her under her wings. Just like a protective
mother hen she ensured Sakshi was shielded against the big bad world outside.
She feared someone would exploit her emotions hurting her in this process. She
thought her fears came true when she saw her talking to Avinash on chat so
much. Secretly behind Sakshi’s back she had a secret enquiry done on Avinash.
On hearing the results she was thoroughly convinced the love that she had been
looking for was knocking loudly on Sakshi’s door. And she did not want Sakshi to lose out on
finding true love like her.
When she read the chat scripts
and saw the glow in her eyes she was very happy that Sakshi was already feeling
the love. She felt her half work was done. Her next move was to try her best to
convince Sakshi to make the first move, but she was disheartened when she saw
her discomfort. After that day she left no chance in telling Sakshi to consider
this proposal very seriously. To quite an extent she was responsible in pushing
Sakshi to fall for Avinash. She was very proud to see the flame of love burning
today so brightly in Sakshi’s heart. She knew she had done the right thing for
her.
Little did she know what was in
store for them in future? Had she got even the remotest inkling about what was
going to happen she would have never done this…… Not even in her wildest dreams
would she have wanted to hurt Sakshi beyond repair. But such is the game of
destiny. We all are left with no option but to be mute spectators to its play.
Cheers!!! Everybody screamed in chorus raising their glasses in
toast for the success of the company. Their boss Mr. Malhotra had just popped a
champagne bottle to begin the celebration. Slowly the crowd started dispersing
with some going to the dance floor and others were just nursing their drinks
over some casual chit chat. Sakshi and Khushi were standing in a corner waiting
for Avinash’s call. All of a sudden Sakshi’s cell phone beeped. It was a
message from Avinash.
M @ the parking lot. 2nd gate.
Sakshi and Khushi exchanged
glances and hugged each other before Sakshi moved towards the exit door. Within
no time she was in the parking lot. She had no difficulty in tracing Avinash as
he was waving his hand frantically to get her attention
“Hii…iiii…” she exclaimed before hopping onto the passenger seat
which he had opened for her.
“Hello….finally we met. Someone’s looking amazing. You know you should
keep your hair open more often. It suits you a lot.” He smiled and started
driving the car.
He noticed – she thought and said “Thanks…….Where are we going?”
“Shhhh….. Just wait & watch…it’s a surprise. I am sure you will love
it.” He replied before she could say anything further. Her heart was
beating loudly and she feared Avinash might hear them. But he was busy
concentrating on his driving. 'Maybe he doesn't want me to read his thoughts',
she concluded and tried to concentrate on the road to find out where they were
headed to.
She could not make out anything from
the road also as she was new in town and she had not seen most of the places
there. He took a sharp turn and stopped
his car in a parking lot of what seemed like a long stretch of road. After getting down they crossed the road a
motioned by him. The sight in front of her eyes left Sakshi awestruck. He had
brought her to bandstand. Sakshi had told him so many times that she loved the
sea. Truly this was the most beautiful place on earth for her. Her face was lit
up with her smile.
She turned to look at Avinash
when she realised they were surrounded by couples - sitting on various rocks,
holding hands, strolling around talking, oblivious to the outer world. It did
not take her much of a time to realize that this place was kind of a lovers’
point. She started feeling uncomfortable. But one look at Avinash’s smiling face and she
was at ease. Avinash signaled as if asking her to walk. After walking for a
while they found an empty bench to sit.
Just as they were sitting Sakshi
gave him the gift saying, “I have got
something for you.”
“WOW I love gifts.” Said Avinash and literally tore the wrapping
paper to open the gift. “Did you like it?”
she asked. Actually she should not have, she realised immediately. His
expression said it all. There was a huge smile plastered on his face making it
evident that he had loved the gift. “Liked?
Arre I loved it. It’s one of the most beautiful gifts I ever got and that too
from a very special friend. Thanks so much! Oopss…. I should not have said that.” He said biting his tongue.
And both of them broke into peals of laughter.
“Hey...I got something for you too. You know I was very confused what to
get for you. Then I thought a book would be the best for a book lover like you.
I asked few of my friends and they recommended this…” he said handing over
a gift to her.
“Oh…thanks so much….you should not have bothered so much…..”
suddenly realizing her folly she slapped her forehead and both of them broke
into fresh peals of laughter. The book was Chetan Bhagat’s 2 states. Sakshi was
trying hard not to read between the lines while opening the cover when she
noticed he had written something on the first page.
Before she could read them,
Avinash snatched the book from her hand and screamed, “Nooo……don’t read it now. Read it later when you are alone.
Please…..it’s a request.” He looked so sweet, Sakshi thought had he asked
for anything right now I would have given him with a smile. She smiled and
closed the book nodding her head in agreement.
For some time they sat there in
silence looking at the moon and the waves. The cool breeze was giving goose
bumps to her as she wondered about what might happen next. She thought how much
they spoke on the chat and how they were at loss of words today. But then this
silence was equally enjoyable, she felt. She wanted the time to stop there. She
has never felt so much at peace with herself and her surroundings. She wondered
if Avinash was feeling the same way and was looking at him for any hints.
Avinash turned to look at her, “Chalo
lets go. Or else we will get late and land up in trouble.” Saying this he
got up and offered his hand to Sakshi to hold as she got up. Sakshi smiled and
accepted his hand to get back.
To be continued....In next Sunday Scribblings
