Hopeful Streaks

Chapter 14

The next morning, Mitha woke up leaning on to something compact; that felt like her own belonging! The piercing sun rays, penetrated the curtain and made Mitha, blink her eyes. It was so comfortable and custodial in that posture! She felt a little uncomfortable as they slept, in the same position for a very long time and then she realized that she was stooping on Ajay, who was sitting beside her; closing his eyes; sleeping deep, giving a sanctuary to her head in the crook of his neck; and resting his head protectively on her's.

Her hands were cramped and wrapped around his biceps, stuck like glue. Mitha went crimson immediately on seeing the position they both were sitting close to each other. She neatly unlocked her hands from his arm; She then withdrew herself from his embrace; made him lean back on the couch and moved towards Divya, with a blossomed simper on her face. She, refreshed herself; taking a long shower during which she didn't forget to reminisce their talk, last night.

Ajay and Mitha, talked about various things the previous night. Though, it was not a romantic one, it was an important night that made both of them realize that their relationship isn't something that's to be left just like that. Ajay, started feeling fetish for Mitha. He was getting addicted to her. He himself couldn't believe what was happening! He wanted to give a chance to what she had asked him to do. The arrogant mogul Ajay Rish, wanted to let in the words uttered by his wife.

Very soon after her shower, Mitha took out her scribbling pad and looked at her checklist with loads of amusement. She, then smiled to herself and on picking up a pencil from her pen stand, she stroked the second goal, of that checklist. Her brace of mahogany peepers, came down to the sixth target, that she had jotted down in there a few hours ago. Her grip on the pencil got firm; on letting out a happy sigh, she moved along the checklist and read the sixth one once.

"After being done with all of these, not to love him unconditionally!", her smile grew into a chuckle in amusement.

'And now it's going to be ..', she whispered to herself and scratched those two words, and now the goal was to love him unconditionally! She came down to the next goal, that read 'Search for a job and move on'

She scratched that too and made an eighth check box, bottom wards to what she already had. She then wrote,'whatever has to happen, Let it !!! :)'

When Ajay, woke up from his contented sleep, Mitha was in the kitchen preparing breakfast for them. He woke up; scraping his eyelids, brushing his hair with his long fingers. He, thence came back to a proper sitting position and on raising both of his hands up in the air; linking both the hands; he stretched out of laziness and yawned.

All at once, he moved towards Divya and let his eyes look at her! She appeared to be  spotless, intact and innocent! How could someone hate her who is absolutely flawless! He bent down to her,and soothed her forehead, and admired his sister for sometime. After staring at her for sometime; after being hit hard by his guilt, he went into his room and refreshed himself.

When he came back to the dining table for coffee, Mitha was sitting there; singing la-la-la's thoughtfully, for being successful in what she had planned. He came towards the table, and dragged his cup of coffee towards him; looking at her and rested his arse on the chair. She was looking at him too, with a small smile on her face, turning scarlet.

"Different!", she whispered and letting the coffee cup meet her lips!

"What's different?", he asked back, pouring in some caffeine; with a simper blinking out of his coffee tinged lips.

"Everything is....", she uttered and allowed her eyes to meet his!

"Means?", he asked, wanting to hear what she actually meant.

She chuckled, and on dropping her head down, towards her empty coffee cup, she continued,"Everything... Everything is totally different!" Even the empty coffee cup, looked marvelously angelic! She couldn't look at him.

The smile on Ajay's face grew bigger and for the first time Mitha witnessed his real, ear-to-ear smile!

'Who wouldn't fall for you, Ajay Rish!', she thought and stretched out her lips for a wide smile, accompanying him.

"Thanks!", he uttered, taking in his last sip.

"And this is for?"

"For everything!", he said looking away from her, smiling wide. She chortled and he did too.

"Can I remind you something?", she asked, letting her eyes examine his face wholly.

"Of course! You can!!",he said, placing his coffee mug on the table.

"You still didn't call back your PA from yesterday!", she said, beaming.

He smiled; looked down at his fingers; sighed in amusement and said,"I know. I didn't forget, that I've to call back!"

"Oh my god! Ajay Rish, hung up his business call last night; came back home and had a nice chat with his new friend; and didn't call back his PA till now, even though he remembers! And Mitha, this is all real, and you're freaking alive!", she shouted in excited, rolling her eyes.

Ajay, on escaping a hearty chuckle; repeated her words," Yes.. Yes! This is all real! You're alive, and I am alive too!!", he said, which meant he felt good on doing all those things. While, they were talking earnestly, with frequent snickering laughter; his phone buzzed and on taking a pause; he attended the call and put the phone to his ears.

"Ah! Yes. Morning Karthik. I am sorry, was kind of busy and that's why couldn't call back. Tell me..", he spoke in his business tone. Mitha, was sitting there keenly listening to his talk, and the most expected change in him.

"Uh! Okay! So, yeah. I will be there in an hour.", he said and cut the call and scrutinized Mitha's reaction.

"Ajay, before you could go and attend your official stuff...", she paused placing her fork neatly nearby the plate.

"I will tell you something!"

"What?", he chuckled.

"Take an off from your business for a week and spend time with Divya! I know, this is too much to ask for.. I still hope that your care for her and the time that you spend with her will help her to recover soon!", she said with a seriousness stuck to her face.

Ajay sighed and looked at her," I have works to do; foreign counterparts are waiting for me! I've to go!!", he mumbled knowing that he is the dimwit there.

"Okay, Then! Carryon. Have a good day.", she muttered out wearily and went into her room. Within Ajay could open his mouth to say something, she went to Divya. He thought that he could convince her when he returns home and changed into formals after his shower.

Mitha, was still sitting with a poker face. She couldn't accept that he was still stubborn, for his business and he wouldn't forgo or waive anything for his business. But the time that they spent together last night; morning's coffee time never fizzled to cement a smile to her face.

In three hours time, when Mitha was on the dining table for lunch she could hear someone walking up the stairs, and it so sounded like Ajay's footsteps! Yeah, she even knew his tracks! When the hidden guise came out to her visibility, to her astonishment; it was none but Ajay.

Where did the foreign counterparts go now?- she thought.

She was still sitting on the dining table, with her hands interlocked and pressed against her chest; a real grumpiness sticking to her lips and eyes! Ajay, noticed that she was in blues, due to what he did that morning. He took his seat opposite to Mitha, with his coat hanging in his hand; and loosened tie around his neck. She didn't still look up at him; and was still holding the same grumpiness!

Ajay, waited to say what he wanted to say. While, there was an awkward silence skirting around them his stupid answering machine buzzed, and he spoke," Yeah Karthik! As I said, I won't be coming for a week! In case of emergency, please do let me know!", he said leered at Mitha. Even his PA was amazed to hear this from him.

Mitha lopsided at Ajay, with a small smile gliding along her lips.

Ajay, cleared his throat and Mitha spoke," So. Why did you come back?", she asked looking straight into his eyes. He turned his head in sideways, diverting his gaze from her's and answered," To do what you asked for.."

Mitha, nodded her head shyly and chuckled in amazement. She still couldn't believe if he came back in half way. "Thanks!", she thanked him now.

" Don't be this formal!!",he said and then, they had their lunch having a buddy-buddy talk.

After lunch, Mitha took Ajay to Divya, and made him sit nearby her and insisted,"So, talk to her! I will be out.", she smiled and excused herself to the living room. Ajay's gaze stayed on her frame, that was walking away from him, in the that could even drill a hole on her. He then turned to Divya, and sighed.

"Hey, little fighter!", he spoke in a soft voice.

"I know.. I know.. I've been a terrible brother to you!", he said raising his brows, straightening his lips.

"And then this girl happened in my life... In our lives..", he said and nodded re-assuring the fact.

"Now, she has become my hope. You know that Sana ditched me, and after that I haven't been good enough to anyone who wanted me. You're not an exception."he paused and let out a heavy exhale.

"I know i am changing! Let's hope for better things to happen. Like how she came into our lives, like how she got hooked to us, like how i started, listening to her, like how i am sitting here now, talking to my little sister!", he said and tears cracked out from his eyes,"Men don't cry.. They say! Ah!", he said with a chuckle, holding his tears.

"These are not tears of grief, but the happy ones! Hope to see you in hale soon!", he said and gave a peck on her temples and stood up.

While Ajay was left alone with Divya, Mitha was in the living room, toppled down at the couch, in front of the television, watching her favorite movie. When Ajay came back from Divya's room, he saw Mitha watching a movie.

He came to her and sat down next to her and said," I feel good now!", looking at her.

"I am glad that you feel good!", she said without taking her eyes off the tv!

"So, what is this?", he asked pointing out the television.

"Hey! This is my favorite movie!, she rolled her eyes, excitedly.

"Oh!", he responded looking at the TV.

"Do you like this one?", she asked.

"I haven't watched this ! It's been years, since i watched a movie!", he said twisting his lips.

"OMG! You're unbelievable! Seriously? You, kidding?", she asked being not able to believe what he just unwrapped.

"I am not kidding!", he pouted.

"But seriously, man!! You're an another story! How could someone live without watching movies? I had even bunked my classes in college, to watch movies!", she gibbered out, closing her mouth in astonishment.

" you know! I wanted to yearn money, had Divya by my side, had to make up her fee and everything... Life was totally different at that time!", he said wearily, counting on his bad times.

"Your parents were not there by your side, then?", She asked.

He vaporized a heavy let out, and answered,"Nope!", nodding his head accordingly.

"Okay! Come let's watch this now!", she said smiling.

He nodded his head, gesturing an okay. He wondered how did Mitha  ask anything about what did he talk to Divya. They both watched the movie that night, sitting together in the couch. After the movie, They both went to their respective rooms, and had a good contented sleep.

The next day, Mitha had planned something for Ajay and Divya. When Ajay, came to Divya's room to check on her, Mitha was still sleeping. He came back with her cup of coffee; placed it on the desk nearby her; and opened the curtains to make sunlight sneak in.

When Mitha woke up and found Ajay sitting near Divya, she smiled at him and refreshed herself and came back to them in sometime.

"So, what should we do today?", Ajay asked.

"You're taking her out!", She answered.

"Where?", he chuckled.

"Let me say! There is a place near Mahabalipuram*, i am not sure exactly.. Okay., where they take us to the sea, in catamarans and make us dive inside. So, take her there and just sail and come back, no need to dive. Both of you'll feel good!", she said sincerely.

"Ah.. Okay! And you're not coming?", he asked in a refusing tone.

"No, i will come and stay on the shore! You both go on! Okay?", she asked dilating her eyes!

"Okay!"

"Why are you sitting here, gazing at my face aimlessly? Go. Get ready!", she said playfully.

"Okay!!", he chuckled and rolled his eyes!

When he came back in sometime, decked up in his blue denim, and white button ups, with his ray ban shades on, she couldn't distract herself from him, anywhere! She actually wanted to tell how handsome he even looked. He walked towards her who was looking pleasant; smiling wide on seeing him.

On placing Divya, on her chair mounted on wheels, they started their drive, towards the destination that Mitha, had suggested. In an hour and half, they reached the sea shore and strained down from the car. And paying the catamaran handler, Ajay carried Divya into the raft, and he entered, himself and looked at Mitha, longingly,"You can come too.."

"No! I am not!", she answered and waved a small bye to them. Ajay and Divya, sailed there for two hours, during which Ajay didn't forget to talk to Divya. But still his heart was screaming for leaving Mitha, alone. All that time, Mitha was sitting inside the car, listening to music, talking to Deb. When Ajay, came back after the ride they decided to go back home.

"So, how was that? Cool.. Right?", Mitha being over-excited asked him.

"Good! You should've come there!", he said handling the car.

"Pch! I've been there for more than ten times! This is the regular hangout place when i was in college! And favorite place too!", she said chuckling!

"I hope Divya enjoyed too!", she echoed.

"Hopefully!", he added. They, then rode back home and ordered for pizzas, that noon and had their lunch in peace.

While they were gobbling up their food, Math came up hurriedly being amazed by seeing Ajay, there at home, at that time.

"Hey! I went to office to meet you! And they said you have take an off for a week! I couldn't believe man! Is this true ? I mean, are you okay?", Math being bewildered by Ajay's newly done deeds.

"I okay am! Come, take some pizza!", Ajay replied casually.

"No way! How did this happen? Mitha, you claim all these credits!", Math shouted in joy seeing Mitha. And when Ajay went to his room to the restroom, Math spoke to Mitha.

"This is totally unbelievable! You rock!", Math tittered in joy!

"Enough of all your praises!", Mitha giggled.

"It's been really long.. REALLY LONG seeing Ajay smile like this! And you did this!", Math said.

"He is insecure of everyone. His fear of losing someone is high too... Now that he is shouting his emotions loud, let's hope for something better!,"  Mitha said.

"Definitely !", Math agreed.

Math left home in sometime, and that evening when Ajay was standing at his porch thinking about what was he doing and if everything was right..Mitha came there and cleared her throat," Can I distract this CEO for sometime?"

"Why not?", Ajay muttered.

"So... Do you think Divya will get back her consciousness soon?", she asked looking at him.

"You gave me the hope and now you're talking this! Too bad!!", he made a long face.

"I asked about your opinion!", she asked!

"I hope so!", he said.

"So. I am going to ask you something now!", she said and waited for him to react.

"Anything!", he uttered under his breath.

"Come again! What did you say!?", she asked.

"You can ask anything!", he said and turned his face, whilst he smiled wide.

She then asked him to wait there for a few minutes. Ajay, was anticipating her eagerly. She came back and pulled the guitar from her back, and showed it to him and mumbled,"Play this for me!"

He stood still, without moving an inch or taking the guitar off her hands. He had stopped playing guitar, long before. He always had found peace in playing Guitar, but not now anymore! He was thinking how to deny this to her and in the mean time, Mitha placed the guitar, making it lean to the compound, and stood beside; gesturing that it is his wish.

He let out an exhale, and decided to play it for her. He then, took it in his hands and corrected the strings by tuning them. When Mitha heard, the noise that came out of those strings, she apprehended that he was ready to play. And then he played Guitar, that created a miraculous music surrounding them. They stood there for more time, savoring the music and the moment.