And it unfolds...

The stare crept through her. It was like some potion that would make her say the truth. It was just him. She never hid a thing from him except this. She found difficult to find words. How should she start? The dormant volcano finally found its way out.

What is he pissed at? He did it to me!! But why is he here then? She fought with her thoughts. Today something wasn't making sense.

Why did you leave, Ananya? Why?

I... I thought... Thought you were... rather wanted to be with Sunaina... And I...
Ananya stammered with whatever words came to her mind.

He still has the same power-to make me feel miserable even when he is wrong and I'm right!!! He did it and now making me feel guilty! How does he do it so well?
Anger rose within her failing to channelise though. Tears welled up her eyes that's how it always happened.

You thought!!! You thought... No! Damn it you assumed! You fucking assumed!!! And for that stupid assumption of yours this is what you thought? Tell me Ananya is this what you thought.. That you should walk out. Do you even know what...

He threw his hands in the air with a sense of futility. His volume was three pitches higher to his normal soft speech. He had reached a boiling point and his fist tighten in an attempt to control his rising anger.

But you kissed her!!! U think I didn't see that? U think I am a fool eh? U think doing all this made me feel good. Staying away from you, not trusting anyone and living all alone - You think all this had been easy? Tell me something, Arjun, if u would have seen me kiss someone would you not think the way I thought? Or do you have the tendency to just go around kissing people. Worst still it was Sunaina damn it! Not even someone random. She tells me you had a talk with her and we were "just friends"...

She was yelling, rolling her eyes & occasionally wiping her tears.

Arjun cooled down, almost immediately when he heard about the kiss. He slapped his head
What had I done? Fuck! What the fuck had I done? Why did I have tell Sunaina we are friends why did I have to kiss... Holy crap! This is why? All this while I thought it was her... But it was ME!

The guilt kept rising. Almost like a lightening it struck Arjun about that night

But... But I had moved away from her... Didn't Ananya see that! I told her that I couldn't do it. This isn't right and I had given some more gyan... Had she not heard that? his conscious regained to what Ananya was speaking

I wanted you to be happy, Arjun but not at the cost of making myself feel miserable. I wouldn't be strong enough to see you guys go around. I hope you guys are doing well and happy with each other. I sensed no emotion when I asked about her few minutes back. Is everything okay between you two?

Ananya's composure was back. She said it with compassion and the same love she had for Arjun.

She is... Ya she is fine! But why didn't you come and talk to me? You could have done that, right? Why did you've to assume?

Arjun was blabbering staring at the floor. He never thought listening to this was going to be this difficult.

Come and ask you what, Arjun? That do you love her or did you kiss her just like that... Or just like... Forget that! (she didn't want to bring that up) You wanted me to come and ask you this and hear you say my love is back... Is that what you wanted me to hear? And how do you think I would have dealt with that??? You kissed me you held me close to your heart and I always wanted to believe it was because you felt something and then suddenly your old love is back... Look today Arjun, you with her happy! That's all matters to me! Chuck all what's happened...

Sunaina is in London, Ananya. (He cut her short) She went to her uncle's place just few days after you left... She thought new place would just do her good. Sunaina isn't with me.
Ananya felt a bullet go through her.

If you would have stood there for maybe 5 more seconds just 5 more... you would have known!
Saying this, his eyes, reddened by anger and tears, met hers!

The Reason

With a pounding head and broken heart Ananya excused herself. She didn't want to believe anything that she had heard. She wanted to hear this from Arjun. At least this had prepared her.  

Maybe I needed this... But I don't believe her... Just friends... Nah! The kiss the closeness... Friends!

Nothing made sense but her heart knew something wasn't right. The walk from the hall to her room was mere 5 seconds but the bombardment of thoughts in her head made everything around slow down. Like in Bollywood movies. 

That's exactly how my life's become. A Bollywood movie. Let's wait for a happy ending. Else its still not over!  

Lessons learnt from Bollywood she couldn't believe what she was thinking. But that's how she was right now-disoriented. Nah! I know him too well. More than her? She didn't want to answer that now. She entered her room and locked the door. She wanted a close space to open her thoughts.
She felt maybe a hot water shower will relax her. She still wasn't at peace she wanted to see Arjun. Just see him once maybe things will be fine then. She didn't know if this was right time to continue the topic they were discussing the other night. Damn that night! If only one more day she could wait...

The shower wasn't doing any good either. She was back in her shorts and tee. She so wanted her head to feel as comfortable as her clothes. Maybe writing a diary would help. She penned down her thoughts the way they crossed her mind. She knew when she would read this again she would not understand a word. They were incoherent sentences gibberish words only thing that made sense was how she felt. It was apparent the way it was written. Her eyes teared by just thoughts of going away from him. Will she let him go? If he wants to. She will have to. She kept saying it like a mantra. Rehearsed denied and again rehearsed. She had to talk. Get it all out. This wasn't right. She didn't deserve to feel like this. He was her best friend; least she could do was tell him what she felt. She had silent conversations with her alter ego and her head pounded with thoughts. She lied on the bed staring at the ceiling she slowly felt her body light as a feather and a sensation of floating. Long before she knew her eyes closed and she slept.
 

Arjun unlocked the main door and found Sunaina on the couch. He was happy to see her not crying. She was sitting and browsing through a magazine. As he entered the hall their eyes met and she smiled. 

Finally he thought she looks a little better. As he slipped his shoes off he saw Ananya's sandals there. His heart suddenly filled with joy. He so wanted to speak to her just go and lie down on her lap. She would play with his hair. He was tired and however sad he felt for Sunaina it was a depressing topic and it had stressed him out. He went straight to her room. He turned the knob surprised to find it locked. He softly knocked on the door. No response. 

"She must have slept. She looked very tired." Sunaina spoke as she walked behind him. He was a little disappointed. He wanted to talk to her. He hated this distance. 

"Hmmm" he replied, he continued "Lemme just change we'll discuss a little have dinner and sleep. I gotta go to work tomorrow under no circumstance." He went to his room to change.

Why would she lock the door? Is she okay? His thoughts never stopped. As he unbuttoned his shirt with one hand he took his phone in the other. He pinged her on the bbm chat window. 

PING!!! 

PING!!! 

Gotta talk reply asa you wake up! 

And threw his phone on the bed. Sunaina walked into his room. His back faced her. Not an extra flab anywhere his body was still perfectly chiseled. He hadn't stopped working out and was as fit as she had seen him last. She walked towards him. He sensed some movement around and turned swiftly. She was close to him. He could hear her breath. Her hands moved on his face.

Ananya, stirred by the pings woke up and reached near Arjun's door that was a little open. She froze for a second, seeing what she saw. She stood their for 5 seconds and dashed into her room muffling her sobs...

Had she stood there for maybe a few more seconds today wouldn't have been the way it is...

"Just friends"

Arjun didn't know what changed overnight. Rather he knew what had changed but hated to accept it. Sunaina, the love his life is how he mockingly called her after getting drunk, today stood in front of him. He was born to help. And it was Sunaina. It just got more complicated, burdening and his heart just reached out to her. It was more instinctively than he thought. Worst still he thought he had forgotten her but it all came hitting back. He had to keep his composure. 


His chance meeting with Ananya in the kitchen, when he came to keep the glass, was one of the most awkward ones and he didn't know how to combat that. Neither did she. She asked him if she should prepare some quick bite like nachos and some dip or the sorts as Sunaina looked really weak and tired. Arjun did have a feeling she is combating lot of emotions at various levels but he wasn't in the right frame of mind today which made the situation even more difficult. He nodded a no to her question and asked her to sleep. Sunaina would sleep in his room and he'll just stay with her. Ananya agreed and went into her room. She wanted to ask Arjun to sleep with her while Sunaina could have Arjun's room. But then she felt Sunaina should have company for tonight. One moment one sentence would have saved them 3 years of their lifetime.


When she woke up as a habit she entered Arjun's room. She saw Sunaina cuddle into him and Arjun had fallen off to sleep resting his back to bed-rest. His hands were lost in her hair like they were in Ananya's that night. Tears welled up her eyes and she fought them back, turned and left his room! She got ready and left for office.

Its when the door banged Arjun stirred. He stared at the clock... 9.30 A.M. He was surprised; Ananya didn't come to wake him up and who banged the door? He got up and went to Anaya's room startled to not find her there. He sat on the sofa wondering what happened in that last 7 hours.

He called in sick at work. Left a text to Noel 'Have called in sick at work. Call once you done. Lots to talk. Life's fucked', as he knew he was going to be busy in a meeting. He then dialled Ananya's number wanting to know why she didn't come to wake him up. He had just hit the green button when Sunaina walked out of his room rubbing her eyes. He cut the call thinking 'Later. Will talk to her once she's back from work, face to face'. Sunaina sure looked tired. He got up and walked towards her, smiled and asked, "Bread-jam and juice?" He still remembered what she preferred for breakfast. She stared at him and tears rolled down her cheeks. He wiped them off and held her close, "Enough! I don't want you to cry any more. Once we have breakfast, you freshen up and we'll sit and sort things out. Will speak around and rope in the best lawyer. Now c'mon stop. You don't deserve this and you are not going to do this to yourself. Getting it?" She nodded fervouresly. He fixed the breakfast and they sat on the table. He watched her gulp the food. He missed Ananya at breakfast today. 'Did she even have breakfast? The kitchen sink looks clean. Wonder if she ate. But why wouldn't she wake me up. She is a dead meat...' his thoughts trailed.  Sunaina, sure was hungry. After food entered her body she had the energy to talk and think.

"So, your girlfriend left for work?"

Arjun looked up from the sandwich he was eating. He had expected it coming. With food in his mouth, and smirk on his face he replied, "She isn't my girlfriend. She is my best friend. Nothing more. We were batch mates at college. Her name is Ananya" his volume lowered. Sunaina needn't know what Ananya meant to him. It was unimportant at this stage.

"Ananya... Ananya Noel and u, Oh ya! You had mentioned about her. Very briefly tough. That's nice. Friendship has really come a long way."

Arjun nodded as he sipped his bitter coffee, thinking about The night, and the multiple nights that followed after that; each special in its own way, the movies, fights, flirts, last night at Noel's, the door bell, and then her; his eyes looked up to Sunaina at the same time.

Ananya was dead hungry. She had never missed breakfast. She was too distracted at work. She wanted to run away. But why was she feeling like this. Because she didn't know if Arjun was going to re-consider... Ah, Crap! She didn't want to think about that not today. She hated when Arjun hadn't even called or messaged to ask if she had breakfast. He always did that when they were away from each other.


Chief's call was a blessing. He spoke to her for an hour or so. He called her once a month but chatted everything under the sun. This call was however, purposeful. "Ananya, today there's a reason why I called you. A good business proposition arrived at the Mumbai office today. Something I feel would be a breakthrough for your career. And your knowledge and insight would be valuable. You've always been a bright child and I need someone her with creative bent of mind plus a strategist. This is my baby and I want the best here."


She was honoured and touched, "Chief, am too overwhelmed right now. Trust me when I say this, I will consider it. Lemme just weigh my options around here. There's lots going on at a personal level. I never mixed personal and professional life but at this juncture it might just get jumbled.  Lemme sort things at personal level first and I'll be there helping you. But Chief am truly truly feeling so blessed to have worked under you and this call.." Chief just cut her short, "You deserve it sweety. Fine you at least said you'll consider and not a straight no, I think its a battle half won" Ananya could imagine his face - a broad smile and a wink when he said the last line. She suddenly felt burdened with thoughts after she hung up.

Arjun was busy the whole day understanding what had happened and how a divorce could be filed. Noel called around 5 P.M. He just updated briefly about what was happening. Noel had called asking Arjun to meet as there was a fax needed to be sent by 8 P.M. and he wanted Arjun to meet him at a coffee shop near their work place, where they could discuss. Arjun knew this was high priority work that Noel was talking about, and it had absolutely slipped from his mind due to the events around. He told Sunaina that he would be back in hour or two. "Make yourself absolutely comfortable and rest. We'll discuss further once am back. Okay?" She nodded with a smile. He patted her cheeks, "Now that's like a good girl."

Arjun hadn't called or messaged the whole day. There was a point when she thought of calling but she withdrew thinking he might have a lot of catching up to do with Sunaina. She left early from office. She was too restless to work.

When she saw no one around. She saw an extra pair of chappals there, Sunaina's. On hearing the door open Sunaina came out of Arjun's room. Both of them smiled awkwardly. "Arjun just left for office. Some important work came up." Sunaina almost blaberred to break the awkward silence. Both walked towards the sofa. Ananya dropped her bag to her side.  "Hmmm... Did you eat something?" Ananya asked concerned.

"Yes we ate some pasta that was there in the fridge. It was really yum!" she said trying to woo Ananya. Ananya saw that and she didn't react a lot to it and just smiled. "How you feeling today? Did you guys talk?"

"Yes! He said we'll be speaking to lawyers and get this divorce done" she said it with a lump in the throat "its not going to be easy" her eyes were lost in the layer of tears.


Ananya bent forward and touched Sunaina's palm, "You've to be strong. Don't worry everything will be okay!"


"Ya let's see!" She wiped her tears and her face "I'm glad I came here. Arjun made me feel so comfortable as if nothing had gone wrong between us. Life, sometimes does gives you a second chance." She said it with a smile.


Shudders went down Ananya's spine. She saw Sunaina smile for the second time after that awkward smile when she was at the door. But the statement behind that smile broke Ananya's heart into million pieces. She still kept her composure and pasted a smile on her face. What came next broke her completely...

"Arjun did mention you guys have been friends since college. Just friends... I asked if you were his girlfriend and he said no... And that..."


Ananya still doesn't recall what came after "just friends"

The Face Off

She couldn't believe what her eyes saw. He was still the same. Wore the same brand of jeans, a pastel light blue coloured shirt and the charm! Nothing changed in three years. She couldn't believe her fate and tears welled up her eyes. She strode to him in her perfect posture. She couldn't run due to her new pair of Tres mode. She gave a damn to the 35 pair of eyes that were staring at her and then moving towards him as if they watched a tennis match. As she came close to him he straightened himself not knowing what came next. He saw how taut her legs were no added weight anywhere. She was never skinny but had a perfect figure. Her face glowed like a sun. Her eyes added the extra luster to the kajal, not the other way.

She threw herself into his arms and he couldn't believe what just happened. He was in the lobby of her office. A little awkward but he regained his self and he put his arms around her waist and pulled her tightly towards him. They hugged each other holding on to each other not wanting to let go. Scared of losing... Not again! Life took one whole circle and came to this point. Ananya cursed herself and withdrew. She didn't know he knew the truth. She wiped the tear at the corner of her eyes, just before it could trickle. 


"Hey!" she finally spoke after 30 seconds. She looked around with a glare and everyone dashed to what they were doing. "Let's go to the cabin" she said. Arjun nodded and followed her.

As the door opened she heard him breathe a 'wow'. "I'm pretty sure this is Chief's choice." He knew Chief.  Ananya had mentioned all about him when she was living in Bengaluru. "Yup!" she said in her usual chirpy manner. She walked around with a friendly and yet an authoritative air.

"So what brings you here?" she finally asked with a hint of doubt and yet elation.

"This" he said as he handed the trophy to her "Congratulations! I heard this was a hat trick"

She took it as matter-of-fact and placed it near the window sill with no hint of emotion.


"I can see it doesn't matter anymore" he said with a slight hint of irritation. She was never like this. 'Have the events changed her to this extent?' he thought and a sudden sense of guilt gripped him till she replied.

"It never mattered. I always worked for myself you know that. This is just momentary.  Someone does something better or maybe sleeps with the jury, it'll be taken away. But the pleasure I get on working; the satisfaction level I attain no one can take that away from me." she said it with utmost pride and determination as her eyes focused on the waves that ebbed every time they fell.

Metaphorically speaking, she always had risen when she was hit the most. Today she credited her success to all the decisions she took three years back. Of leaving Begaluru. What she couldn't manage to successfully do was remove Arjun out of her life. He still stayed with her as a memory. And today he stood there.

Her hair was layered and her eyes were sharp. Arjun knew her hair was always layered, that's how she preferred it. They danced to the tunes of the sea wind as she stood near the window. He wanted to hold her yell at her touch her kiss her and say let bygones be bygones. He didn't want to know a thing. But he didn't want to let her go this easily. He made that mistake three years ago and today he had one chance... one chance to undo everything! 'Yes I want to know. Why? Why did we have to suffer this for three long years?' his mind yelled 'Ask!!! Now!' 


But he wanted to see what she wanted to say. It has always been about her. He still loved her. It drove him crazy to maintain this distance. It wasn't a right time. Right time is just about to begin. Patience! Something he lacked but wanted to learn to hold on. 'What better time than now?!' he thought.

"So tell me how is everything else been?" she enquired.

"Ya things have been good!"

"Hmmm... And how's... Sunaina?" she felt a sudden sense of lump in her throat. It wasn't easy to take her name even after 3 years.

"Ya she's fine." he said nonchalantly. Lot of things fit like a puzzle in his head. A sudden sense of anger crept within him. 'Fucking assumptions!' He gripped his fist to control ever emotion his nerve felt, he then controlled his voice before he spoke, "How's Neerav?"

A sudden flashback hit her mind now. She had expected the question, on a phone call, least expected to answer it live face to face. She sucked at lying and in front of Arjun it got even worse. She still managed to pull up her courage and started blabbering whatever came first to her mind, 


"Ya he's doing really well... Its been an awesome three years... Marriage was a good option after all... Been really happ..." 


Her eyes never met his. He stared hard at her. she could sense him slice through her now. He moved a step closer to her and cut her short by saying, 


"When the fuck are you gonna stop lying? I met him at the award function." Her face flushed on hearing those words. 


"Now do I deserve to know the truth sans the stories, please?"

Rewind

Everyday unfolded like the previous one. The closeness became more and more comfortable. Noel was back from honeymooning and he had invited Ananya and Arjun over for dinner on Saturday. He was the first to nudge Arjun and comment, “You guys look like a couple man. Scene kya hain dost?” Arjun never took his comments seriously but this however he liked and didn’t have any answer to it and just smiled. An easy way to avoid when Noel bugged him.

Ira and Ananya talked. And talked at lengths & in detail. They always updated each other. Ira then spoke about how their honeymoon was. They were both very different in nature and choices but somehow they had a connection and they clicked well from day one. She had insisted that Ananya should ask or atleast start the topic with Arjun. It’s almost been a month now. They cannot just assume and not know what they feel for each other and be absolutely complacent about it. “Guys are jerks! You have to take charge and control, Ana, else how will you know?” she exclaimed throwing her spatula in the basin while making pastas for dinner. The noise almost snapped Ananya and a realisation dawned upon her. Ira was right and she had felt this way before too but it was too good and she was too scared to lose him if it was otherwise. But she couldn’t be laid back about this. She decided and made a mental note to either talk tonight or maybe in the morning.

The drive was unusually quite. Both their minds were cluttered with thoughts and none of them knew how to start or rather where to start. Arjun almost felt claustrophobic and rolled the windows down saying the breeze was really nice. Ananya didn’t mind it too. The weather was really beautiful and the wind was cool and comforting unlike the atmosphere in the car. On reaching home Arjun went to his room and settled on the bed. Ananya didn’t know what to do. She went to her room changed into a comfortable pair of shorts and white tee. She thought twice and let out a breath and entered his room. Arjun was staring at ceiling as if trying to search for something.

“Hey!” she said on entering
“Hey… Ssup?”
“Hmmm... There’s something I need to talk to you about. Is this a good time?”
“Ya! Ya, totally a good time. Even I wanted to speak to you about things… Lot of things! You go ahead first…”
“Hmmm… I actually don’t know where to start from. But there’s something you need to know. I might be wrong but…”

Her talk was cut short by a long ring. The sound of their door bell. Both of them instantly looked at the clock on Arjun’s table. 2.30 A.M. who could have possibly come? Arjun opened the door with Ananya right beside him holding his arm. He was shocked to find her. She was the most unusual visitor and the hour was inappropriate.

Sunaina, Arjun dated her during the three years of college while doing his graduation. During those three years the flirt turned serious and he fell in love, unexpectedly. Distances grew once he came to pursue his MBA. Sunaina’s parents wanted her to marry within a year and Arjun wasn’t even sure if wanted to marry or just stay together. Marriage was the last thing on his mind considering he was still making his career. This difference of opinion fights and distance ended their relationship. Arjun took more than the 2 years in the B-school to completely get over her and even a mention of her name could change his mood. And here she stood right in front of his eyes. Ananya and Noel were the only ones to know the complete story as they were there with him during his worst days. The thought of she marrying someone else was killing Arjun but his helplessness got in the middle of things. And icing on the cake was Ego! The after effects were that Arjun swore never to get into a serious relationship and had multiple flings to just get her out of his mind. Each time he failed and by the end of it he became used to it and jumped back to way he was before he met Sunaina. A Casanova!

Ananya slowly pulled her hand away and moved a step back. She was as shocked and surprised but was waiting for him to talk. Arjun didn’t know where to start and how to start his conversation. Sunaina’s eyes were swollen and they looked lost but were looking straight into his eyes. She opened her mouth to talk, she started to murmur and tears welled up her eyes. Before he could speak she was in his arms sobbing he had no idea what to do. He knew Ananya stood behind him and he could feel her stare on his back but he had no idea what to do.

“Shh… Sunaina… Enough… come on in!”
 
Between her sobs & gibberish talks they heard her voice which was explaining how she got here. She was lost and confused didn’t know whom to go. She had contacted some college mate who told her Arjun was in Bangalore and he will surely help (Arjun was known among his friends for that). And whatever clothes, money & confidence she could take with her she packed all of them and came to Bangalore. All he understood in her 45 minutes of sobs was she wasn’t happy with her marriage and her parents were forcing her to stay there. She had no clue where to go until she was given an idea to meet him.
Ananya went to the kitchen poured a glass of cold water for the guest. She came out to the room and handed the glass to Arjun. Sunaina gulped water in between her sobs. She wiped her face with a tissue that was handed to her by Ananya. Ananya felt bad looking at her and the pain she was in but within her something wasn’t feeling good. She knew Sunaina was here for a long time… Really long time… 

She had a sudden feeling of losing… Losing him… She didn’t want to believe that… Unfortunately she had to!