Chapter 30: chapter 30

Shally got down from the cab. She paid the driver and turned towards her flat. But her heart didn't wish to go in. Her mind was void of emotions. She didn't know what to do. So she started strolling on the pavement. Meanwhile, Sachin rushed to her place. He went in and got in to elevator to reach her flat. But she wasn't there in. He gave up after few tries of ringing her door bell. He then came down exhausted. He got in to his car and sat there without igniting. He hit his head again and again on the steering wheel. After few minutes, he started the car, but had no clue about his destination. He slowly crossed the signal, looking on either side of the road with wavering thoughts. Suddenly a familiar image crossed his eyes. Shally was strolling on the side pavement. He slowed his car, he parked on an empty road side parking and got down. He wanted to rush to her, but his heart didn't accept it. He saw Shally's face, which was distort. So his pace slowed. He silently walked on the other side of the pavement, watching her, but without being caught by her. Shally walked and stood infront of a florist shop. She observed the various flowers that decorated the small area of that shop. It was early evening already and the climate was little breezy, spreading chilly air. Shally took a bunch of white daisy flowers and smelled it. She smiled at those flowers. Sachin heart skipped a beat. He had never seen such serene beauty in anyone before. Shally paid the florist and started moving again. She went to a ice cream parlour and sat at one of the empty tables. She ordered her favourite chocolate ice cream. Not so many like this flavour. But Shally loves it's bitter sweet taste. She felt that it always resembled her bitter sweet life. One minute she is so happy, surrounded with friends and cousins and her life is fun. The other moment, she is falling for someone forbidden and that someone is always with an other woman, making her life bitter. Thinking of that someone, she cursed herself for being attracted to that asshole, the spoilt brat of a rich dad. When she came to know about Rakesh's love towards Rakshita, she had a great respect for him and his family. Nikita on the other hand is very down to earth, never shows off. That respect eventually made her like Sachin, it turned more than just respect toward him. But now, she is at loss, her heart is aching, why him? Is the constant question swirling her mind. But she had no answer to it. Each bite of chocolate ice cream made her feel enthusiastic. She decided, not to look at him anymore. He is a different man here, a spoilt billionaire. She came here for work, she need to finish it and get the hell out of here. But her heart pleaded. Battling with her own thoughts, she took the flowers she brought and walked towards her building again. All the while, Sachin observed her every move. For a reason, he wanted to know that she is safe. He couldn't read her thoughts, but from her body language, he could tell that she is thinking something hard. He wondered whether it's about him and kept walking again. He followed until she went inside her building and stood there thinking whether he should go and talk to her now. But he ignored the thought and went to his car. Let her take her own time. The things happened will automatically go away in its own way and she will know the truth. So until that he wanted to wait for her. Waiting is a pain in love, but now he is ready to endure that. Nikita and Shreya got back to her farm house. Both of them didn't talk about anything. Shreya sat on the living room couch, Nikita poured a glass of water from the fridge and gave her. Shreya asked for wine. Nikita brought a bottle from its rack along with two glasses. Both poured a glass for each and started drinking. Shreya was thankful for Nikita's company. Nikita is always a person who stays with the needed silently and support them. She was there for her dad, her brothers and now for Shreya. Nikita stopped with just a glass of wine, but Shreya already emptied half the bottle and started blabbering about someone. Nikita thought, there is no use in talking or arguing with her now. So she silently took her to her bedroom and laid her on her bed. She was still murmuring something. Nikita came out to lock the door and leave, but she saw a shadow of a car, stalling on the other side of the road. She could see someone looking at Shreya's house. It was the same car that dropped Shreya the other day. Yet, Nikita was still terrified. So she locked inside and sat at the couch in the living room. For a moment she thought of calling someone. But if it wasn't something that serious. They might even be Shreya's friends. She shouldn't read much in to it. Thinking all this, she didn't know when she fell asleep on the couch. Next morning, when Shreya woke up, she came to make a cup of coffee. Seeing Nikita lying asleep on the couch, she felt touched. She made two cups and brought one for Nikita. Hearing the sound of someone calling her, Nikita woke up and smiled sheepishly. She apologized for staying in without Shreya's knowledge. Shreya shrugged her shoulders, she was the one to thank her. Nikita thought for a moment to say about the car and why she stayed back, instead chose not to. Because she might not be sure, as she too had wine and her mind was already in a haze, she don't want to add stress to Shreya. After sometime Nikita, stood up to leave, but before moving out, she turned back and asked Shreya whether she will be coming to office today. Shreya was in deep thought, Nikita came forward, held Shreya's hand and said, "If you keep running from things that haunt you, it will never leave you, brace yourself up and face it, it will go away, I only know the brave Shreya, who is very professional and focused in everything. This Shreya seems like a coward. Please be yourself. That's what we all wish. " Shreya just nodded her head. Nikita smiled at her and added, "What is meant to be yours will always be yours. Who is meant to be with you will remain with you, so no hard feelings. You too will find your man one day", saying this Nikita patted Shreya's shoulders. For a moment that stranger's face came in Shreya's vision. But she just nodded her head again and left.