Not a love story-Part 2

Not a Love Story – Part II There they met third time, in the lift of the hotel, they both looked at each other this time with affection. The air filled with the intense emotions of what is called as unknown. There were certainly some vibes between them, Arup knew it from very beginning and Diya started to accept it now.
“Ground Floor” … The microphone nearly shouted in their ears, lift door lay open forcing them to leave each other. Diya carried her small trolley bag and Arup is holding his duffle bag. They reached at reception counter where Sameer was completing the payment. The receptionist handed over a feedback form, he passed it to Diya to fill it up, she looked around and sat on the couch where Arup was also hopelessly staring at his feedback form. He was unwilling to leave her, at least not without asking her contact number. Diya sat beside him as if she was reading his mind, she kept her feedback form on the table with her contact details page turned upside so that Arup can get it from there. She went at reception counter and began to ask some unnecessary questions to Sameer. The receptionists asked for the form, when she turned to get it, Arup was gone. Her form was laying there, he must have put a paperweight on it, she grabbed the form looking all around for him just to realize that he is nowhere. Suddenly she felt a void around her. A little restless Diya checked her phone for any notifications. “All done, let’s go”. Sameer asked Diya, she seemed quiet to him but he preferred to ignore. Arup has to face Ira, who was ready with the questionnaire of what all has happened at Mahabaleshwar. Majorly she wanted to know the littlest thing so that she can get some clue as she caught him blushing back at the hotel. Yes, that thought never left her mind. Arup was an event manager and for next 3-4 days he got busy in organizing a big event for city businessman, however in all those hustle bustle he not even once skipped thinking about Diya and on one fine morning he found some courage and relaxed time and sent a simple “Hi” Feeling cold breeze on her face and lost in her own world, Diya stood in her beautifully decorated balcony with a hot cup of coffee, her phone beeped. From last 4 days every now and then she was checking her phone and now the message she was eagerly waiting for finally reached her, as she understood it’s Arup the other side, she had a sigh of relief. For the next many days, they talked and talked, obviously she wanted to see him and he wanted to see her but they have their own lives and also love of their lives as well. Diya insisted Arup to meet her at least once, she for no reason has fallen for him, Arup now used to be on her mind. He used to be her last thought before bed and first one in the morning, maybe she wanted to understand the reason behind this sudden urge for someone she met few days before, she already had everything. A perfect life. Why she is running behind Arup. Arup could not resist the thought of seeing Diya again so he finally agreed to meet her. It was lovely evening on the roof top they both sat in front of each other, in the dim yellow light of mannered candle her face was glowing, she was looking ravishing in her red top teamed with long black skirt and high heels. Arup considered himself lucky as he gets to live such a wonderful moment. He held her hands and she held it tightly, perfect silence and love filled eyes. Why one wouldn’t want the time to stop for a while or forever as well. After a while they started to leave, Arup went up to his car and Diya followed him and she got in too “I don’t want to go” she said “Me neither” he said And they kissed. A long warming, perfect kiss. Finally, she left him without saying anything, not even a bye. She drove straight back to her house. In that moment its her, Diya wasn’t pretending anything. For the first time ever, she thought that her mind was with her, not wandering away from her. The sense of completeness. She thoroughly enjoyed herself, that’s what she wanted, completely peaceful mind, no chaos and no unnecessary thoughts. Back at home she was more than happy, Sameer liked her that way. He seems to enjoy her euphoria, for that matter he never questioned her as he is too much love with her, also his exhibition was nearing so he was busy painting his creativity. Its going to be the biggest event of his life. Ira observed a change of behavior in Arup, usually he is agitated with his busy schedules but now his mood has changed, she sometime caught him humming few romantic songs, she even tried to ask him but every time he changed the topic. She convinced herself it might be because of the contract he bagged recently as he told her that’s the biggest contract he could get in last few years. Diya and Arup continued to be in contact, some times they would chat for whole day. They can talk on almost any topic for hours without even realizing. As the day for exhibition was nearing with that Arup also got busy since he is the one who is managing that event. The event is clubbed with a political agenda so it has to be perfect which doubled up Arup’s responsibilities consequently less time for Diya. Diya’s mind racing with million of thoughts about what went wrong and why he is not talking to her as earlier; they even had a fight due to that. She wanted to meet him but Arup was stocked up with too much work. Sameer also could not give her attention since he is preparing for the big day. On the day of exhibition, she overjoyed to know that Arup is managing Sameer’s event, since from the morning Arup’s team is pulling him in every little details right from the theme of the event to guest’s security. In all that hurry scurry he forgot to take his phone while leaving from home. The phone has dozens of unread messages from Diya Named as Dew. Ira got hold of his phone apparently Dew as well, her last message “I am missing you terribly, meet me soon” took Ira aback, she lost all her senses and immediately took support of sofa. In that state of shock, unknown number appeared on his phone screen. Arup was on the other side he was completely unaware and almost forgot about his chatting with Diya, hurriedly asked Ira if she can bring his phone to him Ira said “Yes, certainly…” Her tone conveyed him that everything is wrong. Diya and Sameer reached the venue, but Sameer got busy in arranging his art and instructing Arup’s team about whereabouts of the event, Diya too got busy searching for Arup. She jumped with joy as soon as she saw him. He was looking handsome in his crisp white shirt and blue jeans, she nearly shouted “Oh my god, you are awesome”. She put her arms around him, hugged and kissed him before he could say anything. Ira was standing right there with his phone and Sameer too was witnessing the moment. Arup pushed her away but no use. Diya’s eyes met Sameer’s. she panicked and started to shout “Sameer please, wait. Let me explain” as he started to leave.

There was complete blackout moment for Diya as she came out of her fiction. But still mumbling the same words,” Sameer… Sameer”. Soon she realized her head was heavy with a bandage, it was tough for her to move, unconsciously she was still waving her hand in a gesture to stop someone and hearing her voice nurse sitting beside her hospital bed overjoyed and ran out to call the doctors. Her husband Rohan and Doctor immediately ran inside as they heard the nurse saying “Mam came to her senses.” It’s been whole day Diya is lying on the hospital bed after she got hit by the car the day before. Rohan stood beside her trying to hear her mumbling. He was caressing her on forehead. “Shhh! Diya you are alright”. She slowly opened her eyes and looked at Rohan as if she is looking at him first time. After a long pause she finally came to her senses and spoke “Hey!!! Rohan”. He asked her “Are you alright?” Diya said “Yes” and laughed. Rohan handed her a wrapped gift She took it and opened. Her face lit up with excitement Its her newly published book titled “Not a Love Story”. Author – Diya Diya was overwhelmed to see that and only asked one question to Rohan “Who is organizing my book launch event?” Rohan said “of course It’s me”.