Priya wondered what was wrong with
Deepti. The way she called and said that she wanted to meet her and it was
urgent, it had worried her. But very next moment she had continued to assure
that she was fine and she wanted her to meet someone.
As she got ready to meet Deepti at
the café that she had asked, she thought about past few days. Sushant’s sudden
declaration of his love had come as a shock.
She had stood there at the door, trying
to register his words till her mother bought her inside. Priya couldn’t understand
what made Sushant say so, was it actually his love or it was his pity layered
with his friendship?
It took a lot of courage to take a
step ahead and call back Sushant. She called up and invited him over.
Sushant was quiet for some time when
he came. Priya could sense that he was nervous. It had taken a strong
resolution to declare his love, but when it came to discuss their future, he
was scared of losing his friend.
“Sushant about what you said
yesterday…” Priya nervously began.
As if Sushant was waiting for her to
begin the topic, he got up and took Priya’s hand in his. “Priya, I guess ever
since I have known you I have liked you. I managed to hide my feelings for your
sake because you were dating Nitin. Later when he broke your heart and
disappeared, something inside me told me to tell you about my feelings then. It
broke my heart to see you lost and depressed. However, I didn’t want to be a
rebound or take advantage of your situation. I gave you your time. You decided
to come back to India and who was I to stop. Last few times I came to see you, I
couldn’t gather up the courage. In the end, I had to tell aunty. She gave me
the assurance and encouraged me to talk to you. Yesterday I saw that probably
you were ready to move on and I somehow managed to tell you.”
He paused for a while and continued.
“I love you, but that does not mean you have to accept me too. You don’t have
to say anything if you aren’t willing right now. I’ll wait. All I want you to
know is that I am going to be there by your side whenever you want.” He gave
her hand a little squeeze and backed away.
In that moment, Sushant’s unbound
friendship flashed in front of her eyes. He had never judged her, he never let
her down. He had been there with her in thick and thin. However, she could not
muster up the courage to trust again.
“Give me some time Sushant. I don’t think
I can answer you right now. Thank you for everything. You have been there even
when I wasn’t sure of myself. But no matter how hard I try, I cannot let go.”
Priya slowly tried to put her point across.
Sushant moved ahead and stopped her.
“There isn’t a need. I can well understand your emotions after all you have
been through. However, I just want you to think in that direction…
Call from Deepti had interrupted their
conversation.
