LOVE STORY

                                                 WELL KNOWN STRANGERS

To the present:

She was still holding the photo gently in her hand , she couldn’t concentrate much on her work today , she somehow managed to come out of all this trying to move on , which cannot be done , trying to get over it , the more she is trying to get over it , the deeper she is falling in to it. She came back into this world with the continuous ringing of her mobile, it was her friend Ashu , she disconnected the call , she didn’t feel like talking with anyone , she needed peace , she want some time all by herself to relax and soothe her feelings. She took leave and left her office, she sat at the same place, where she and Sekhar shared the most memorable moment staring towards the sea. She sat there all alone, immersing herself in his thoughts and trying to stop all the emotions that are surrounding her. It was late in the evening she left for home.

She changed into her night dress, had her dinner and checked her mobile, there were many calls from Ashu , she didn’t try to call her back , if she talks with her , again memories flood back and pushing her back into the same memory lane. She checked her watsapp; there was a message from him.

Sekhar- “Anu…” she felt as if he called her now his voice ringing in her ears, remembering how softly and melodiously he used to call her

Anu- “Do you want to tell something Sekhar” She guessed, that he wanted to tell her something

Sekhar- “I want to see you, missing you and Love you Jaanu”

Anu-“Love you too Sekhar”

Sekhar-“:)”

She now wanted to just get embraced in his love, people stay in love because of chemistry, or because they remain intrigued with each other, because of many kindnesses, because of luck. But part of it has got to be the bond they share. Love is everything it’s cracked up to be.

Love was their true destiny. They do not find the meaning of life by being alone—they find it with another. But they are destined to be apart!!!

She was in her own Disney land, when her cousin Priya has come , Anu was in her room deeply engrossed when Priya opened her room and landed straight on her , surprising her , to be more precise scaring her wits out ;p ,

“Awwwwwwwwwwwww” shouted Anu, who was shaken badly, not knowing what was happening, Priya was Anu’s bestest cousin, after all, they are the ones who really knew how crazy we can be, they share the deepest secrets. Priya was bursting out with laughter , seeing Anu’s reaction , Anu after coming out of her trauma , was looking angrily at her ,

“Youuuuuuu” Anu shouted, Priya was trying to control her laughter, Priya was staring at her, fluttering her eyelashes innocently, Anu was trying to be angry at her, but she couldn’t resist anymore, and they both started laughing again.

“So what’s up madam?” Anu asked her, looking into her mobile

“Nothing babes” peeping into Anu’s mobile, Anu tried to hid her mobile from her, but before she could do anything, Priya has seen, what she shouldn’t.

“Why are you talking with him???” Priya shouted

“It’s his birthday Priya” she told her calmly

“What if it his birthday??” Priya asked her angrily, she knew all the agony undergone by Anu coz of Sekhar, and she knew the entire struggle she has undergone to overcome.

“Priya… I felt like wishing him!!” Anu answered her rudely

“What’s wrong with you Anu, Do you want the same thing to happen again and again???” she looked straight into her eyes “Do you think your mom will accept your relation now? What about your family?”

“I know Priya, I know everything, I just spoke with him today coz it’s his birthday!!” she was defending herself

“It’s like you’ve been waiting for this moment to talk with him” she said sarcastically

“Priya….” Anu shouted back

“Then what’s all this Priya?? What do you name this relation now?” she looked towards her

Anu was staring at her blankly, “Answer me are you friends?” Priya is not ready to leave this at any cost, it’s going to hurt her badly now, she need to pull her out of this somehow,

Anu just shook her head, Priya caught hold of her and shaking her vigorously asked her “Lovers?” Anu held her head down, without any answer; tears were brimming out of her eyes, Priya calmed down a bit and asked “Pleaseee Anu , Listen to me , If its only for today , fine !! , but what if this goes on , you will be effected badly , please Anu”

“I.. I ..caa..n .. Understand Priya.. bu..tt… I cannot live without him!! I’m dying daily… literally… to forget him.. I want him Priya, I want him” Anu told in between her sobs and hugged her; Priya patted her on the back and told “but Anu, what about him? Is he ready? Or is the same again?”

“I.. don’t know..” she told

“I don’t want you to get hurt again” Priya told “Enough of what you had Anu!! Enough!! He is not the right one for you!!”

“No Priya, he is the one for me, but we are not destined to be one” Anu told and continued “That is what is killing me more, He wants me, and I want him!! But our fate…!”

Priya stayed back with Anu for that night, they talked till late night, Priya tried to console Anu and bring her back, and she was fine, but deep inside her , she was crying , the pain which was crushing her into pieces and ripping her from inside.

“Priya …” she called her softly, who was sleeping beside her

“Ah Anu…” She replied with closed eyes

“I just want to meet him once, I want to go to Chennai” she told her plan

“But…” she was about to tell something more

“Please Priya; help me in this, one last time!!”

“I… cannot…”Priya murmured

“For me please…” Anu was pleading

Priya was thinking what to do …

“I will tell you tomorrow, as of now sleep”

Anu pulled her cheeks and told “I know you will accept” trying to pamper her.

Anu was thinking ‘Maybe this is going to be my final journey! I want to see you once, for the last time Sekhar! My last wish to be fulfilled. Please God, help me in my final journey! Dear Destiny, enough of crushing us – by refusing our wishes and by not fulfilling them. Please help me in fulfilling my wish for once!! I need to start my preparations, once Priya gives her decision.

Anu started making her preparations and was getting ready for her journey, her final journey!!! , she informed Sekhar, at first he denied, telling her that it might cause her many problems , she persisted that she wanted to see him , and this will be the last time. He finally agreed upon one condition that they cannot meet again; this should be their last time!!!

On the other hand, he was being tough with her, but he also wanted to meet her, be with her, but one wrong step from his side might cause many problems to her, he has moved out of her life for her own good. His motto was she shouldn’t get hurt because of him, but ultimately that is what is being done in either case. He couldn’t resist without talking with her anymore , or being away from her , he has learned in the last one year on how entwined their lives are! She has become a part of his life. If he goes for shopping, he buys a shirt of her taste, when he goes for parties , he orders the items that she likes , he never realized when she became so whatever he does she rules his thoughts! After all Love happens Only Once!

Anu was at the railway station waiting for her train; she asked Priya to manage at her home. She opened her backpack to check whether she has kept all the things needed. Yes it contained all the gifts Sekhar has given, and all the memories they shared, it has the saree he has given, teddy bear candle, card, love notes,.. Everything he has given. She planned to surprise him with all these!!

She came back into this world with the announcement, her train has come and she has boarded her train. Her Journey begins!!! A journey which changed the fate of two people.

She wanted to be alone, but her compartment was crowded with kids who were making a lot of noise, there was no peace, so she took her top berth and tried to sleep , she closed her eyes, the closer she is going to him, his memories started to flood her more.

To the past:

It all started with a wrong call from the right person. Like every girl dreams, Anu also dreamt of her prince charming, who would sweep her off her feet, she was a very simple, normal, pale girl. She always wondered will she ever find her prince charming. Her calls were answered when Sekhar has come into her life, she never knew at that time that he’s gonna rule her life for the rest of her life.

She was getting pissed off with the incessant messages from this guy , a stranger, she couldn’t dare to complain at her home about all these things, it would affect her; she was patiently trying to ignore this guy and his messages.

Anu and Priya were members of the foundation called ABHILASHA, which was a start up, and which helped the orphans and old age people. Their mission was to make people “HAPPY” , it was their first gathering in an orphan home , they were conducting games and cooking food for the kids all by themselves , this group is around 20 members , all youngsters from different fields and different lifestyles , everyone was busy with their works. Its lunch time, they were serving food to the kids, Priya and Anu were also serving food to the people, Anu was at one corner of the dining room and Priya at the other, Priya suddenly needed some help, she couldn’t find anyone nearby, and shouted “Anuuu” all heads turned towards Anu, and at the same time, some other guy called out “Sekhaaaar” to the person who was serving on the other end of the room. All heads turned towards them.

But they both looked at each other, each having the same doubt “Is he the one who is messaging me?” Anu thought

“Is she the girl whom I have been messaging?”Sekhar thought

Anu took out her mobile immediately and dialed the number which she has saved as ‘Stranger’

Anu took her mobile, dialed his number, “Hello” came a voice very soft and low, she was observing the other person,  the person there didn’t move, she felt relaxed ,disconnected the call, he is not the same person.’ Why am I so interested? Shut your stupid thoughts Anu’ she thought to herself and continued with her work.

On the other side, he spoke to her on his Bluetooth device carefully, he couldn’t control his thrill of finding her, and Sekhar was excited, ‘What? Is she the same girl?’ his excitement was at peaks, he was observing her, so innocent, childish, and he was unknowingly smiling at her , following her in and out of the room , in a trance , he never knew that it was her. He casually took her number from a common friend to befriend her, coz he heard that no guy has ever dared to talk with her, he wanted to prove them all wrong, and prove to his friends that all girls are the same , giving them a little attention would divert and can draw any girl towards a guy was all he thought , but all his efforts went futile with her , and now he lost himself in her. May be this is what is called as Love at First Sight!!

With sheer co-incidence, he found this girl!! She was no different, but her attitude made her stand different among all of them!! Life was so unpredictable!!

From that day onwards Sekhar started to follow her, disturb her with his calls and messages, Sometimes he used to message her “Today you are looking Gorgeous Lady””Why are you so dull?” “Don’t Worry I’m always with you”

She always used to ignore his messages and calls, but the farther she was trying to leave, the more closer he used to come! She always felt some unknown presence surrounding her; she couldn’t understand what the problem was. She always felt creepy. And she thought the reason was Him!!!  She couldn’t take in anymore. One fine day, she called up his number and told

“If you really want to be friends with me then try to face me first!!” she gave him a warning

“Hey buddy cool! I’m not at all a stranger to you!!”He tried to soothe her

“You are a complete stranger to me” she was shouting

“Nope “he was smiling into the receiver.

“Go to hell!” She disconnected the call furiously

He messaged her “Ok Chill Buddy, Come to Metro Station tomorrow, you will know who I am!”

She was in a rage to find who it was, who was bothering her a lot! Next day she got up, and left to the place in a hurry, in her excitement to find who it was, she has forgotten the basic thing that she cannot identify him and was searching for him in the crowd.

Her mobile rang, it was him!

“Hey where are you!!” she shouted into the speaker.

“Now it’s a test for you, find me in this crowd , I’m right here, I will be on call and you try to find me” She was scanning the crowd , there were a very few people around , and almost no one has a phone plugged to their ears. Sekhar who was standing in front of her, with his headset on talking with her, smiling at her efforts to find him. She scanned the crowd for some more time and silently disconnected the call without trying to find him and was about to leave, her mobile rang again

“….” She didn’t answer anything, silence

“Hey Anu, why are you leaving?”

“Bye, I’m not interested to know who you are, enough is enough” she told him calmly

“Hey don’t worry “he continued “I will give a clue to you”

“…”

“I’m very near to you, veryyyy!” he said her stressing more on the word very

She turned around in search of him, she found a guy coming towards her, she saw him somewhere previously, but she is unable to remember. ‘Is he the one? No I think..  he is looking a bit decent , I don’t think these type of guys will ever do such things. And moreover he’s not holding his mobile,’ and diverted her eyes from him , and was scanning the crowd.

He walked past her, but still she couldn’t identify him , so he has given up , and called her gruffly “Anu” . Anu was busy in her searching , didn’t listen to him , this time he called her loudly “ANUU” She turned towards the voice , to face the person she ignored previously , She was astonished and bewildered on knowing who the guy was , their eyes met , no one spoke for some time , silence prevailed for some time.

“Hey , Hi I’m Sekhar” he introduced himself

“Hi” she told

“So…” he asked her

“So.. Why were you disturbing me ?”

“To be friends with you” he told smiling at her, she eyed him suspiciously ,

“Really” she asked him with a suspicious tone

“Yes.. Friends?” he asked her extending is hand.

“Friends??” she said sarcastically and moved away from him

“Hey this is unfair” he shouted and started to walk with her

“What’s so unfair? I hate guys like you who torture girls.. Do you think what  you have  done is right?” she asked him seriously

“Yeah, I know it’s wrong, but is there any other go to be friends with you” he said making a cute puppy face and his big eyes silently pleading for an sorry.

She looked at him and started smiling at his cute face!.

It was the beginning for their friendship; days flew by, months passed, their bond also strengthened with time…  they were into each other’s life completely, the only time they were apart was at night time , for sleeping :p , her day started with his ‘Good Morning’ , his day ended with her ‘Good night’. He was there to help her every time. She was there to get him out of his bad mood. They were happy with each other’s presence in their life. Life was smooth; it’s been some 6 months from their first meeting.

One day there foundation friends went for an outing, even in the outing, Anu and Sekhar didn’t leave each other even for second, people started to tease them.

“Hey Sekhar what’s cooking up man?” teased his friend, Sekhar was silent, Priya who listened to this comment asked her

“Anu, what’s going on?” asked her cousin, Priya seriously

“Hey nothing like that, he is just a good friend” replied Anu

“But it’s not looking like that baby” Priya continued “Its better you be away from him , if it’s just friendship or else you will get a bad name ” she told her seriously.

“Priya … What do you mean”, she asked, Priya just shrugged and left the place to enjoy with others.

Sekhar who was silently listening to all this, didn’t respond to anyone. Anu was on verge of tears

“Why you are not responding to them Sekhar? Why don’t you tell them we are friends?” She asked him

“Anu.. “ he couldn’t continue , he know he loves her , but he cannot express his feelings , Sekhar who was in a confused state of proposing her , is now totally baffled because Anu is just considering him as a best friend? How can he say her that he loves her?

“It’s okay Sekhar , I understand these people are so narrow minded , they can never understand the value of friendship , if a guy and gal talks that’s it , rumors find its way , we know about us” she told like a kid

He patted her back and a smile plastered on his face, for her reaction, but his heart was moaning, ‘Idiot why don’t you understand, everyone else does except you stupid’ he thought

“Sekhar, tell me, Am I right?”

“Anu, stop being a baby, come lets go” he pulled her towards the group, who are busy playing, She with a confused look on her face followed him.

Even though they tried to mingle, people are eyeing them suspiciously and giggling at their backs, Anu got fed up and moved out and sat on a lonely bench far away from them. Sekhar who couldn’t find her nearby , came searching for her.

“Hey Baby, what are you doing here?”He said sitting beside her

“I’m getting pissed off with them Sekhar” she told rudely

“Arey chill baby, they are just teasing, please leave them” he told

“But there is a limit for everything” she told even ruder than earlier, he didn’t answer her, was staring into nothingness

“What happened to you Sekhar? Why don’t you even tell them that we are just friends” she asked him. Anu was now determined to know why he was behaving so differently

“Anu.. Cool, let’s leave from here” he said placing a hand on his shoulder

“First give me an answer Sekhar, why are you not defending us and allowing them to banter however they want!!!” she asked

Sekhar was pacing to and fro, he couldn’t fight with her, he couldn’t tell her the answer.

Anu caught hold of his collor and asked him again, he didn’t answer anything, she left the place, leaving behind a stunned Sekhar, and she was unable to understand his behavior. Sekhar ran back of her

“Hey Anu, wait” he was panting

“What?”

“I will come with you”

“Thanks no need” she said rudely and started to leave, he caught hold of her hand

“Why are you going crazy gal?” he shouted, he couldn’t control “Why can’t you take it easy”

“It’s not that easy for me” she replied back shouting

“Anu  … Calm down please”

“I will calm down, please tell me, why aren’t you taking it so seriously” she asked him looking straight into his eyes, he held his head down.

“Tell…” she asked him

“Coz I love you” he told her slowly

“What!!” Anu was flabbergasted at the sudden change in his answer.

“Sekhar…..”Her voice was low, she couldn’t tell how exactly her feelings were now, it was like a sudden blow to her. She left the place with Sekhar by her side, they didn’t speak for some time, silence was prevailing, they have reached Anu’s place, and he gave her a silk chocolate and told “If you are not interested, I will not force you to love me. It should come within Anu, and I hope our friendship will continue forever like this.” And he left the place.

Days were just passing by, the intimacy between Sekhar and Anu has been decreasing day by day, Anu missed him a lot , she missed the way he used take care of every single thing related to her,  but most of all she missed the way he made her feel , she never thought that she has become so close with him .

Perhaps life is like an hour glass, with dear ones the sand that slips from the upper glass, the earth, into the second, eternity. We realize the value of someone when they leave us.

Sekhar couldn’t be like before with her , he tried to be the same, but couldn’t he failed to do so, slowly he started to avoid her, which is becoming a tough job for him , to avoid the person whom he wanted the most in his life.

There was an empty space in her heart which has been formed because of him what she had with him is worth it. It is worth every lonely night, every tear she has shed from missing him, and the pain she feels from not having him close. It is worth it because he is her one and only.

It was in those painful days that she realized, that she had fallen for him, long back before Sekhar has proposed her. Because all those sweet nothings turned out to be her everything!!

She knew that she has fallen for him, long back, but she couldn’t accept him in to her life, she knew about her family, their restrictions, she cannot go against their wish, after what has happened with her sister , she was afraid to go against them nor was not willing to do anything. Love never knock your door , it just opens the door and get seated inside without our knowing , the same has happened, she has avoided love in her life but it has entered in her life without her knowing and left her amidst all the chaos.

They both stopped communicating with each other, and started avoiding each other! One fine day there was another get together held by the Foundation. She was not interested because he would be there too, but she has to go, with a very bad mood she went to the meet; she was tensed as to what to answer him about his proposal. To her surprise, he didn’t come near her; he was spending time with his friends. Even though she wanted that to happen, but her heart was not accepting the truth that he was ignoring her. Huff Girls and their possessiveness :p . A girl named Preethi was more close to Sekhar and was back of him all the time , Anu was observing all this from a distance , her blood was boiling with rage , she wanted him to slap right now hard on his face. Finally, she was bursting with rage and couldn’t control anymore, she pulled him by hand and took him out, and shouted at him

“How dare you be so close with that girl?”She shouted

“What?” he equally shouted

She pointed towards that girl, Sekhar was smiling

“You are a kiddo”

“What?”

“Why are you so enraged if I’m close to her?” he raised an eyebrow towards her

“Nothing, it’s a public place, be in your mind”

“I think, it’s you who have to be in mind. Do you know why you are shouting at me now?”

“…”

“Possessiveness’ over me”

“No” she turned her face away

“Yes… I can strongly say that you love me, but you are not accepting it “he continued with ardency in his voice “Why Anu, Why aren’t you accepting me? I can easily trace the love in your eyes for me! But you never accept it! Why?”

She tried to walk away from that place; he pulled her by hand “Anu … I’m waiting for you, your answer… I will always wait for you forever!!” he left her hand

“Just give me some time” she ran away from him while tears found its way. And the rest was history.

PUBLISHED BY-OURHELLO.COM