Lets move on...

The heart beat started rising up its pace and she could feel the beat...she quickly rose up and decided to make a phone call...one last phone call.

So finally the D-day has reached today her Varun was going to get married. Get married to some other girl. She would no longer be able to call him her’s.

“Ah! It hurts.” She murmured.

She remembered how one fine evening they met in the office.

Every day she ended up bagging some of his contacts and pulling off business from his desk. Thereby hampering his productivity, and all he would do is… send her a mail asking

“Why Why Why?? Why always me Kamini??”

And she never had an answer to that. Somehow all his contacts preferred business with her.

And then they started chatting over the office communicator. And of course it was always Varun who used to ask her about her how-abouts, being a girl, how could she initiate a conversation. But within a short span of time there was a huge comfort-zone that they shared. They shared a few habits, and differed in some. However, they always knew how to respect the differences. For two years they chatted, despite working in the same building they never met and they didn’t feel it was unusual.

Once Kamini went to cafeteria and placed an order for a café-latte for herself, unlike her daily cappuccino. When she was about to make the payments she realized she had left her pouch at her workstation that was five stories above. Kamini was getting mad at herself. Just then she saw a person who ordered a cappuccino and said

“Ma’am please don’t worry I will pay for your coffee today.”

“But….”

“Please don’t get any ifs or buts here, it’s alright. I will make the payment for you.”

She thought to herself, it would sound rude if she refuses this help and then she didn’t want to feel lowly in front of the coffee vendor. She smiled to him and said.

“Alright, next time around I will pay for your coffee.”

“Oh I thought you will ask for account details and transfer the money to my account.” He giggled.

Kamini just smiled.

“By the way, if just by paying for a coffee for you, I get to have another coffee with you, I don’t think it’s a bad deal.”

This sounded a lil creepy to Kamini. She said

“I think I should leave.” And was on her foot.

He stood up, made the payments and followed her to the elevators.

“By the way, I will get the next break around 4; I will appreciate your company.”

Kamini could not understand how to react just said

“Mr. … Uh I don’t know your name and don’t even want to, just want you to know I do not appreciate your mannerisms.”

And the elevator stopped at the 5^th floor, she got off the elevator without even giving him a second look.

He just smiled to himself.

As soon as she reached her desk, she saw Varun had sent her another case detail with the same question “Why why why??”

This made her forget the recent incident. She quickly sent a smiley to Varun saying

“Hey nothing was intentional.” And he said

“I know I know.”

“You know what…”

“Yeah tell me???”

“I just went to the cafeteria and ordered my coffee; I didn’t realize that I had forgotten my wallet at my desk.”

“Hmmm”

“And there was a person who seemed to be a nice person and offered to pay for my coffee.”

“Hmmm”

“I let him pay and just out of courtesy said I will pay for his coffee the next time and this person he just went on and on flirting. Gosh I was p****d –off!!”

“Oh oh, why do you take things so seriously? Simple fact babes, you are young and unmarried, guys might feel like flirting around. Let them. What’s the concern??”

“I thought you knew me as a person. But anyways…”

“I do know you babes. And I also know men. So I don’t think its any point spoiling your mood now. Just relax. Let him go off your mind.”

“Hmm I guess you are right.”

And then they talked about the customers and their individual managers. They also talked of how some of the customers were a ‘pain in the wrong area’. They talked for over four hours while finishing their jobs.

When they were about to leave Varun said

“By the way Kamini, pink colour really suits you and I think cappuccino is too bitter to be tasted.”

“What??”

“What what????”

“I mean what did that mean?”

“Hmmm and I thought you were a smart women.”

“You are not telling me that it were YOU.”

“:D”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Stupid girl, you have an Id card hanging around you waist with the roller and your name is written in Bold on it.”

“Whatever!!”

“And yeah, you are very beautiful.”

“Umm...”

“I know you are not used to such praises, by the way, would you mind paying for my coffee now? I could not have your cappuccino; it was too strong for me.”

“Sure ... see you in the café in another 20 minutes.”

“Deal”

“Yeah Deal”

“Coolo catch you.”

*********************************************************************************************** Some eighteen minutes later she was in the cafeteria walking towards the Café Coffee Day counter and saw that it was vacant. Even the counter guy was not there. Kamini did not like it. As for her, punctuality was the most important thing. And that’s what she really appreciates in any person.

***********************************************************************************************

She sat down on one of the chairs near the coffee bar and was waiting for him. She said to herself

“Five seconds more, if he doesn’t turn up I will leave.” She started count down. “Five – Four- Three- Two……”

She heard a masculine voice “One.” And saw the same person smiling infront of her. She said “What?”

He smiled and said

“I could see your lips moving and could make out that you are counting down for me.”

And he smiled.

“Ummm no……..” She said hesitatingly.

He smiled again and said-

“You know what I saw you coming from the entrance to the café I came here and asked this guy to get me the pastry, he didn’t have it and he went to the last counter there to get the pastry for me.”

She was astounded.

“You mean…”

“Yes my dear, I was here even before you came.”

She smiled and looked away.

He was looking at her and then said-

“I never thought I will meet you like this.”

“Umm-huh, so what did you think? I mean did you like have a plan or something?”

“Well not really a plan, but yeah I wanted to make it a little special.”

Just then there was this waiter, he came there with the tray, there was something in the tray that she did not pay attention to, and she turned around and looked at the counter boy, and placed an order for

“A cappuccino and ummm…. What would you like Varun?”

“Can I have a tea?”

The counter guy turned around and went to get the orders. She looked at him and said,

“So, you were telling me something.”

“Umm not really. I don’t think I would like to tell that to you.”

“OK as you please.”

She looked around to see what the waiter served. And she was amused to see that there were some yellow roses tied in a bouquet along with a small gift box. It was a small box wrapped in a silver paper and tied with a red ribbon.

She looked at it and then looked back at Varun. Varun saw her looking curiously at that box and smiled.

“What this?”

“Umm you may check, it’s for you baby.” He smiled.

“Oh wow! That sounds great, don’t tell me that you actually planned that you wanted to meet me today.”

“ Umm well, I bought it for you some 7 months ago.”

“I don’t think these are seven month old flowers.” She giggled.

“Well that I ordered just after we met the last time.”

“What ??”

“Yes I did.”

“And you were sure I will come to meet you?”

“I know that you would not have come to meet that guy whom you met today, but I was sure that you won’t refuse me.” And he smiled.

He then picked up the gift box and slid it towards her.

Somewhat reluctantly she picked it and untied the ribbon. The cover went apart, showing a bright red box in it. She looked at Varun, somewhat amazed.

“Open it please I want to see your reaction now!”

She smiled and opened the box only to find a beautiful diamond pendant in there. She smiled and kept it back on Varun’s palm.

“Thanks but I am afraid I can’t accept this.”

“C’mon now don’t behave like a typical girl.” He said, opened the box and took the pendant in his fingers and gave it to Kamini.

“I would love to see it around your neck.” He smiled.

Since then every minute they loved each other, though never said that as they felt there was no need. They met once in a while, had coffee, talked and went home. Once Varun offered to drop her back home, she refused and Varun didn’t ask her ever again. They always respected the other person’s feelings and thoughts.

He was getting ready for the wedding. He put the diamond cuff ling on his right cuff and while putting the other one on the left one, he started staring at it. He remembered the day when his so –called friend gave it to him. She was the most special women in his life so far. Despite the fact that he had Blessy as his beloved, he knew she was more special. The moment she walked into his life, no one else remained important.

He remembered how, he kind of hated the name Kamini Bhattacharya, as this was the name that pulled business off his desk, but he always knew one has to be really smart to pull his clients. That’s when he first asked her “Why why why?? Why always me Kamini?” And to his astonishment she turned out to be a simple but intelligent girl without any high airs around her. He remembered how he just fell for her innocence and simplicity of thought and her strong mindedness. She will always give the other person enough space though will always make sure they don’t over step her shoes.

He remembered how she got irritated with him the first time they met, just because he was a little flirtatious. Also, the way she turned down his request of dropping her home.

Oh Gosh!! She was just the perfect women for him. He felt it was ridiculous how, despite knowing that she is the best girl for her, he is marrying someone else. He could not understand why is she making him do this.

And as she always said “Blessy deserves you!” And on asking why not you, because I wont understand the worth.”

Oh heavens! This is ridiculous how after knowing everything I am marrying someone else.

“Kamini you are crazy!” murmured Varun. He felt as if he doesn’t want to do this, he knew that Blessy loved him, he too loved her, but that was past, which was until he had met Kamini. She was his perfect match.

He felt it was just a little too much. It was their marriage today.

Then Varun thought, is it because I have never said

“I love you“

to her that she is adamant on getting me married to Blessy. Do I just need to tell her? May be that will work. Alright even if she denies I should at least tell her that I love her. Varun decided and picked his phone up dialed her number “I want to break free….” Went on the phone but was never answered.

He was going mad … for the first time in his life; his own decisions weren’t making sense to him.

Firstly, his getting married to a girl whom he loved, but no longer loves.

Secondly, someone else was deciding on his behalf as to what and when will happen as if he were a puppet.

Thirdly, his parents being a pendulum between a yes and a no. Nothing, absolutely nothing was going on the way he wanted.

And most importantly, the girl who always made sense was talking like his mother today. Oh hell!! What has happened to the entire world, he thought.

After all the drama and epic that went around he really wanted to tell everyone

“Go and do whatever you want to, I m not interested in being a part of anything that’s going on.”

But then again, he knew she will stand by him but won’t promise a future. He was struggling with these thoughts when his patience ran out. He picked up his phone and dialed again.

*************************************************************************************

“Ring ring” went the phone.

This ring brought her back to the present; she checked the number and the name that flashed on the screen made her heart sink all the more as it said “Shona” she just ignored the call. After sometime, she gathered all her strength, composed herself from the pieces that she was turned into and thought of the best best thing to do at this point of time. She decided but her heart was pounding hard against her chest…… the heart –beat rose to the extreme...she quickly got up and decided to make a phone call...one last phone call……

“Hi! Sorry I wasn’t with my phone so could not answer your call. Is it something important you wanted to discuss?”

“Ummm no… not really anything important. Just wanted to remind you I am getting married today. I hope you remember.”

She controlled herself from bursting into tears and said

“Oh I m so sorry I just forgot. I wish you all the very best for your future. Hope your wife will love you as much as you do.”

“Uh.. yeah. Can I expect you here today?”

“No.. I m a little busy. May be I will come around sometime later.”

“Ohk if you say so.”

“Hmm see you. Take care. Have fun.”

“Hello Madam.. I know you will put the phone down, pull the pillow to your face and cry your heart out but won’t let anybody hear you sob.”

“Uh why would I?”

“Hmmm alright lemme tell you, I think all this is going to be a waste…. I love you Kamini.”

“What?”

“And I thought you were an intelligent women.”

“Uh..”

“No uhs to it, I love you.”

“I love you too. Now go and get married. And thanks for knowing me so well. See you in office after you come back.”

“Sure”

That was it. She disconnected. And now she was fine. No heartaches no pains. She was happy and so was he. They loved each other and now they knew it.

Love doesn’t have to end in marriage. Love is complete as soon as it is expressed.

He just turned around and saw Blessy there in her white wedding gown. He smiled, held her hand and said “I do”…..