Sree
I was so happy after many years.
His smile, his voice, the feeling of having him around me.. That's what I missed, with him around. I felt blissful.
I didn't care about.. What I was going to do next. Somewhere inside, he has to remember me.. That's why he asked me for a date..
I believed in us, I believed my love wouldn't become some sad tragic story..
I made excuses to stay in New York.
I had actually met a possible client in the conference..
He called me back in a week, the next Saturday..
The feeling never ceases, when I see his name on my phone,..
I always felt like I was newly in love..
I picked the phone
Sree: Yes, S.. Maya speaking
Vikram : Hey... So any plans today..
Sree: No, just finished work,.. I'm free
Vikram: So,.. How about today, want to meet?
I pinched myself to make sure, I wasn't dreaming. He really likes me?
Sree: yah sure
Vikram ; ok tell me your office address, I'll come pick you up..
I told him the address and waited for him,.. Hoping no one will see..
He came there in 10 minutes. He had a different car. I missed his previous car.
I had lots of memories related to that..
I got in the car.. He was wearing a black shirt and jeans.. My heart fluttered..
No matter how many times I see you, Vikram.. I can't get rid of this feeling whenever I see you..
I smiled..
"Where are we going? ", I asked
" You will see" he said
"Hmm", I said looking in front..
" So tell me, what is in your mind? ", he asked..
I looked up at him, he was looking at the road.
How do I tell you Vikram, what I feel about you, .. What I think ... That you are my life, that I cannot separate you from it,.. That I love you so much, and you don't even know that..
That I'm so close to you, yet ...
I'm scared that my eyes will speak my mind.. I'm not that good at acting in front of you..
" Excuse me, Maya, where are you lost? ", he asked glancing at me..
In you..
The way.. His eyes sparkled, when he looked at me, His eyelashes were even as thick as a woman's
I shook my head..
" Nothing, I was just wondering, where you are taking me", I asked
"We will be there in a few minutes", he said
We arrived at Brooklyn botanical Garden.
" You've been here? " , he asked
"No.. I haven't", I said
" I take a stroll here, often, it's beautiful and peaceful.. And it's spring now ", he said
" Spring? ", I asked
" Yes, come on", he said..
The garden, was pretty , there were many people many couples too..
We passed through a lake..
"So.. This is the Japanese hill and pond garden,.., ", he said
"Come on, you can't be in New York in spring and miss the cherry blossoms, you see the pink trees, there", he said
I nodded and he continued walking, I followed him..
There was a canopy of cherry blossom trees.. They were so beautiful..
We walked under them
"They have a festival here, "Sakura Matsuri", " He said.
The smell of the cherry blossoms filled my nose...
I saw a couple kiss before us, which made me recollect the moments, I had with Vikram... If he was the old Vikram he wouldn't leave this opportunity, too..
I recollected the feeling of his lips.. On mine.. It was too long.. I wanted to hug him and tell him, I missed him a lot, I wanted him to say all this was a bad dream and he still loves me..
He promised...
"So you want to sit, or keep on walking? " He asked.. Breaking me from my train of thoughts..
"We walked much, we can sit.. ", I said
We found a bench and sat on it..
Our hands were close to each other, so that my finger touched his...
" I'll always love you where ever I am" That's what he had said..
I still remember the look on his face, when he thought he was going to die..
Tears fell down from my eyes before I could stop..
"Hey, are you fine? ", he asked me looking concerned..
" Ya .. It's just that this place is beautiful.. Nothing.. ", I said
He looked serious.. " I can understand expressions you know, that is not happiness", he said
I felt a pang of pain in my heart.
We planned our whole life, our honeymoon, our house.. Everything..
How can I be happy, when you aren't there.. In it..
"I got reminded of something from the past', I said and turned forward to escape his gaze..
" Hmm.. ok .. I know.. . Perhaps.. You can forget your bad past, and live this moment, see how beautiful it is", he said..
I smiled.. It was... No matter what..
"Look at me", he said
I looked into his gentle brown eyes..
Trying not to think of anything..
The way he looked.. It was magnetic, that I couldn't turn away...
I had to control myself so that I won't lose my act..
"You know, that's my technique, when the past haunts me, I bring my focus in the present moment, and what is happening now.. See the beauty in small things..
We can't control the past or future, so why let it affect us now,.. " He said
I looked at him dazed, trying to nod..
He had a small smile and then he brought his hand near me...
He took it to my head... I got shivers when he took out some flowers which had fallen on my hair..
I was observing every minute expression of him..
"Yes smile like this, you look more pretty when you smile, with those dimples and all" He said..
I turned away, my cheeks getting red..
He then put his hand on mine...
His hands felt warm against mine..
There was something between us, I wondered what he felt...
Vikram
You know that feeling, that you can't put words to, that's how I feel when I see her..
I have seen many pretty women, but she seemed different from them, this was the second time I was seeing her, but I liked the way she carried herself..
She seemed simple, compassionate,.. Down to earth, innocent ,.and I loved her smile,
. I had never brought anyone else here..
I would walk here often, to clear up my mind.. I could see the pain in her eyes, at times.. I wondered what past she had suffered..
I just wanted to comfort her..
I knew I had no future with her,.. But at least I wanted to be her friend..
Sree
We talked professionally after that.. He asked me about my start up..
I guess none of us wanted to talk about our personal life.. What could we talk about that anyways..
It was peaceful and lovely and I did as he told, I enjoyed every moment, of my time with him.
I didn't want to leave, but it was the time for the park to close, so we had to..
He offered to drop me..
"Can you drop me, at my office, I have a few work I have to complete", I said
" Sure",
We reached my office in some time..
"Well.. Can I come in and see", he asked
" Ohh... It's nothing.. Much, we just rented this place for a month, the office is in Bangalore", I said
"It's ok.. I would like to go thought your ideas", he said
I wondered if anyone would be in the office, it was Saturday evening,.. So I proceeded..
I showed him, our work and ideas .. He seemed impressed.
" Wow great , you people have managed a lot.. With such less funds, you know I have a strategy which you people can use.. Schedule a business meet with me one day ,..and we can discuss and ya call your partners too", he said
I nodded.. Then we had coffee out of the coffee machine..
I recollected how I had poured cold chocolate.. Over him.. In the coffee shop..
I wished I could wake up from this nightmare..
"Ok.. It's late, I'll take my leave meet you later Maya ", he said
I didn't want him to go.. I wanted to ask him to stay with me .. But I couldn't..
I hesitantly said my goodbye...
There was a bright smile plastered on my face..as he left the place
When the door opened in some time... I looked expecting him, but it was Gautham..
"What the hell was he doing here Devi! " Gautham started
"Who? " I asked
"Who else, Vikram! " he said.
"You saw him? Did he see you? ", I asked alarmed
" Yes I saw him ,but he didn't ", he said
I sighed.. Thankfully
" Devi, what is going on, I told you to stay away" Gautham said
"What is your problem Gautham, I can do what I want! "I asked
" I'm protecting you, don't you see Sree,.. " He shouted exasperated
He called me Sree, whenever he was angry..
"I don't need your protection, I can take care of myself,.. I don't see what the issue is here! ,for your information, I've been to 2 dates with him and I don't need your permission for that" I shouted
"What!!! What the issue is? You changed your name and are now what meeting him? Dating him? How stupid is that?
He doesn't remember you!, what is going to happen now, are you going to change your identity ,past and do this forever...
You will get hurt! Stop this", he said
" How can I, Gautham.. I'm his fiancé I love him... Know this too... These years you people didn't allow me to see him, but I followed his every event, news, posts.. What is hurting me is not being with him,. . Even if I have to stay as Maya to be with him, I will... ", I shouted..
"Are you even listening to yourself!! ", Gautham said..
I heard a thud near the door and turned...
My eyes widened and a cold fear crept through my nerves as I saw him,... Standing near the door...
He seemed shocked... Did he hear it!
My hands shook and I became breathless
I noticed that Gautham also saw him..
Vikram looked at Gautham and then at me, his eyes... Reddened and his hands were fisted..
He entered and grabbed his wallet from the table, not removing his furious eyes from me..
I was frozen, not knowing what to say, how much did he hear!
"Vikram... ", Gautham spoke
Vikram put his hand out... In front
" Not a word, Gautham.. I don't want to hear a word from you", he said
"Who are you? ", he asked me
" WHO ARE YOU! ", he shouted ,stepping towards me and I flinched..
There was rage in his eyes.. His body was shaking with it... I was scared... Of what he would do
" my name is..Sree, Sreedevi", I said feebly
He raised his eyebrow... "So you Lied to me about your identify, Maya huh?? ", he asked coming closer, making me move back hitting the wall..
Tears threatened to form... Seeing him like that..
" Vikram please, we can explain, calm down ", Gautham said
" I am not talking to you, Mr Gautham!
Stay out of it", he shouted at Gautham..
Even Gautham seemed afraid..
He stood before me, he seemed big and fearful..
"Tell me, why did you betray me,! Why did you act! , what plan did you have, to attract me, become my girlfriend and get help for your company? ", he accused
" No.. Vikram. I have no plans like that, you misunderstand", I said
"Oh... So then.. Why did you lie! What about what you guys were discussing?
I trust very few people, I don't know how I ended up trusting you", he said
" Vikram... I'll tell you the truth", I said
"I'm your fiancé ", I said
He started laughing..
" What? ", he said
" Yes, it's true,...i am or was,. Before you lost your memory, Sree.. Remember.. I have told it to you before,. . I can prove it", I said
"Oh... Ya I recollect now, 3 years back, it was you in front of my car,... Didn't I tell you to stay away.! ', he said
" Vikram... I love you ", I said, hoping the words will make him realize
I saw hesitation in his eyes,... He looked into mine.. And his rage reappeared.
" You are using the wrong word Miss, you know what, why am I even wasting time talking to you,.. If I see you again... I don't know what I'll do, beware", he warned and left the room..
I ran after him..
"Vikram, please. Listen... At least listen to why I did what I did", I shouted behind him
Vikram turned around..
" You... Are a stalker,... You are mad! Obsessed? Much.. That you tried to manipulate me to love you? Thankfully I didn't fall for your trap and found out ..
If I didn't what else lies would you have told..
I was even going to help you in your business..! How naïve of me... ", he shouted... Stepping towards me..
I lost my balance slightly and he held my hand... Tightly... His fingers dug into my skin..
" Vikram i acted because, I didn't have any option, maybe it was wrong, but the intention wasn't wrong,.. And it wasn't only me.. You loved me", I said..
He smiled , sarcastically..
"I don't love you now! I guess I told you last time,.. And I'm telling it again, if you want,.. I won't fall in love too...
I don't care, about what happened those years, I don't remember, I don't want to!
What do you want? Some compensation money? Because I what, broke up with you?
"
Tears dropped from my eyes...
"How can you.... ! Do you even understand what I went through", I asked
" I don't care! I don't know you... Well I'm not telling you to not be happy, don't people move, on... Move on for heaven's sake instead of stalking Me and trying to manipulate me..
Well I have a doubt, did you manipulate me like this the last time, that's why.. I fell in love? Or maybe that is also a lie, how would I know.. " He said
Tears flowed and his grip increased and it pained..
I couldn't speak... I wanted to say a lot. But I was hurt a lot..
"Remember, this is the last warning I'm giving you, you don't know what I can do, one more time, I see you anywhere,.. You are gone", he said and released his grip on my hand and walked away...
I fell on the floor, sobbing..