You And I

Chapter 1

May-2, 2016

Passport-Check!

Other travel documents-Check!

Camera-Check!

Mobile Charger-Check!

Meghna, took a stock of all the requisite stuff that she'd to backpack before moving out. Tears were getting tired of brimming over the water lines of her eyes. She wasn't crying anymore. She knew that what she was suffering wasn't going to go all the way. She knew it, very well. As she finished stuffing, all those necessary items into her backpack; she allowed her watery eyes to struggle along the room. The room that hauled a pile of memories.

Her memories with Amey! The blue-eyed man, who'd the ability to make her feel her womanhood just in his gaze.

Everything was cool, from day one. Until, the day of misunderstanding broke out between them. She has no idea about what did  make Amey, lose trust on her. He loved her; and certainly how  could someone lose trust on the one, whom we love to death. Amey, loved her to death.

As she made her eyes wander around the room, there stood two trolleys full of her packed clads and stuff. And a backpack; with her travel documents, camera and a few more necessary items.

This wasn't an immediate decision. Nor an easy one. Who said that moving away from our love is so easy?

Yet, Meghna had to go on with that decision; at the moment of her life. She needed some strength. She needed Amey back. Of course, he was her strength.

On finishing the packing and zipping off the backpack; she took a look at the clock. She still had six hours for her flight to New York. To move out of the house, temporarily-though! A huge sigh, fled through her nostrils; with her hands flying off to take her phone. She needed to text, Krish; to ask him drop her at the airport.

Amit Krish, Meghna's cousin; who is a year and a half younger than her; was her best friend, well wisher, partner in crime and every little thing to her. Only he knew what she wants. And now, it was Amey; who knows her totally.

I will wait at home after talking to Amma and Appa. Come there in an hour. You gotta drop me at the airport. -Meghna.

She dropped her phone on the bed, as she dashed off a text message to Krish. Her eyes helplessly, moved to his side of the bed. It was empty. Amey had even stopped occupying the same bed in which she sleeps. And now he was sleeping, lying his immensely perfect body, in the couch; at their living room. He wasn't comfortable there. As he couldn't shrink down his six feet, perfect frame into the cramped couch.

On swallowing off those lumps, that were formed due to the stumbling sorrow; she sat down at the tugged chair, to drop a note.

All again, tears started flushing down, as if someone was pumping out them. Probably, that was the first time in life for her to cry so much. On wiping off the tears, she held the pen to the paper, struggling to begin.

How could she tell her man, that she was moving away? Especially, when she has no heart to do so or that's what he was expecting her to do!

On gulping off the tears, her pen met the paper.

Treasurable Amey,

I am not going to stress over the same old thing like, 'Trust me' or 'You love me' , so you can carryon reading the letter.

This is what you've been expecting me to do, since a week and a half. You wanted me to move away from you. And that's what I am going to do now.

These eight months of our beautiful relationship could never ever be forgotten, by me. Of course, Neither of us could. Your lips lie; (You never lie to me, though. You newly did it, when you said that you've stopped loving me), your eyes don't, Amey. You know, what I know about you.

Never in life, I'd thought that this day of darkness would ever come to me. You did every freaking thing that could make a girl, fall in love. You accepted me for who I am and how I was. You loved me. You made me feel loved. I've never felt so secured around anyone, as I'd felt with you. It is going to be a hell, without having you beside me.

You've even made me think what did I do to deserve you!

I know, Amey. This is not the end. But in anyways, if you're going to let my Amma and Appa know about what's going on between us; you know what you've to face. After all, you know me well. My perseverance will work out only until the matter bounces between both of us.

I've never been so expressive to anyone, till today Amey. The day, you confessed me your love; is one best day of my life. Though, I never uttered back those words immediately to you, you so know me. You knew that I'd fallen for you. I love you, Amey. And you love me. Now, please don't tell me that you don't. Because, I know. You do!

Let me remind you this, if you'd forgotten. You and I, all we make are wonders together. It is you, who'd made me feel all those that I've never felt in long twenty four years.

I will miss you, Amey. I will miss your eyelid kisses; I will miss our funny banters; I will miss the way your fingers play with mine; I will miss our office time, together; I will miss the way you make me feel coy; I will miss the way you hold me in your arms, proudly; I will miss being in your embrace; I will miss your wondrous food; I will miss the way you make me feel, womanly; I will miss taking up your shoulders to bury all my sorrows; I will miss your giggles that you let out while I do something funny; I will miss your stares that'd stay on me while I brush my hair; I will miss the way we fight for occupying the restroom; I will miss our late night movie times; I will miss our arguments in which you'd just let me win, purposely; I will miss shooting glares at your secretary who'd just drool to floods, seeing you; I will miss your coffee; I will miss your warmth on me; I will miss all of you, Amey; All of you!

I will be flying high, in a few hours. In any ways, if you feel like contacting me; I know that you wouldn't do that, but still just for the sake of myself; i am saying. Just saying, that my w******p number will be the same as now.

Thanks for giving me so much of memories, with which I could live a thousand lives. I've always wanted to tell you this, but I've never. You're THE BEST husband, Amey. You're something that could a girl could die for. Which is a too much for me, May be!

With thousands of hugs and kisses,

Meghna Amey !

As she finished, scribbling off her signature; she had the urgent need of wiping off those trailing tears before it could, wet the paper and diffuse the ink on the paper. She felt all better, after telling all those concealed feelings to him. After pouring her out in a letter. She wished, for him to read the letter patiently. Because she knew about him and his wrath.

On tearing off the paper from the scribbling pad; she neatly creased three folds in it and walked towards the couch.

She saw him, leaning back, closing his eyes; with his hands being laid on his eyes to restrict the light from disturbing his sleep. She wanted to run her fingers through his hair, she wanted him to look at her; with aquamarine eyes; in which she could just drown down herself.

A sharp pang, of pain hit her heart; and a wave of chillness flushed throughout her body; when she she had to prevail upon the fact that she couldn't do any of those things. On biting her lips, to defend against those tears that had started dampening her eyes; she placed the letter beside him, on the desk with the key that she had to operate the door.

The keychain, of that key was held back by her. She returned only the key, to him. She didn't want to give back the keychain; because it was something that Amey gave to her. On letting out a huge sigh, she made her trolleys crawl to the front yard of their apartment. She had booked a cab; that had already arrived in. With the driver's help; on loading the trolleys behind the cab; she loathed in to the house to check everything for one last time.

She did.

On letting her eyes trek around Amey, she found him having the silver men's bangle; still in his hands. That was something that she had presented him, for his birthday. Meghna, gifted him that and he wore it out of the blue. His macho hands, with the bangle bracelet raised up to his his elbow, would make his hand appear more virile and vibrant. He still had it. This thought furnished her hopes of getting him back, with a new brightness. With a heavy heart, she turned around to leave the house. She walked out; and closed the door without a bang.

As she ascended into the cab, and set off to meet her parents. She wasn't going to tell her parents about, what was going on between Amey and her. She didn't want to leave them in worry. Also, she knew that her dad wouldn't keep himself quiet, on knowing that his little princess was being hurt. She decided not to, let anyone know about this. Not even, Krish. The next moment, She heard her phone buzzing.

Cool! I am already here. Uncle is waiting for you to come. Come soon. - Krish.

As she opened the text, on reading it; she transcribed a quick reply.

On the way! - Meghna.

The cab driver helped her to de-load her bags, from the dickey. She thanked him politely and on paying off the cab, she proceeded in to the place, which was once her paradise. Even now, that was her paradise.

On seeing her striding towards them, Sanjay ; Meghna's father cooed.

"Kannamma*, you're here. When is your flight?", Sanjay, a powerful businessman; and a wonderful father asked his daughter, looking at her warmly.

"In five hours, appa. I've to go, straight from here.", Meghna plastered on a fake smile, to her face; and answered her dad.

"Did you pack all of your essential items? Travel documents, camera and everything?", Mitha; her mom's voice fell in; as Meghna saw her mom stomping towards them.

"I did ma. See, a loads; I have!, she rolled her eyes at Mitha; pointing out her trolleys and backpack. Since, Meghna had told her parents that she was flying to NewYork go take up an internship program on Photography at the Avente-garde; they hadn't questioned her anything about her sudden drift. They know that she would do anything for photography.

"Listen, kannamma! Though, you're a big girl now, you know what you're doing; you're still the same to us. Our baby. Be a little careful. Okay?", Mitha said, as she fondled her hair; affectionately.

"Yes, princess. We know you'd always like to be independent. And we let you be so. The least thing, that we ask to you is to stay safe. Don't risk yourself too much for the sake of photography. Clear?", Sanjay asked at her daughter; acknowledging what his wife, just disclosed.

"I will definitely take care, appa. Wish me luck. This intern program is something that would help me to soar higher levels in my career. I'd always admired you,. Your sincerity in work, and hard working ability. I just want to be what you are. Both of you had always respected my choices, since the day I remember. No one could ask for a better parents, than you. I'd always promise you that I will stay safe; and dial up you both in regular basis.", Meghna smiled at her dad, kneeling down beside him; with her hands on his lap. Her eyes were shining with unshed tears.

Sanjay, smiled seeing his daughter speaking on settling down. A soft chuckle escaped his lips.

"We know, Kannamma! You'll always be the one to make us feel proud.", he said as he bent forward, to kiss her temples. The unshed tear drops, rolled down her cheeks; with a smile floundering over her lips.

"Where's Amey, kannamma? He is not coming to drop you off at the airport?", Mitha asked. It was a casual question, yet Meghna felt her heart aching for hiding things from her parents.

"Amey came home late, last night; Maa. I didn't want to disturb him.", Meghna's lips moved dryly on letting out those words. For some obvious reasons, Krish who was sitting silently till the moment; spoke immediately after talking about Amey.

"You don't look, normal; doe*", Krish voiced, looking at his phone, candidly. This was problematic. He could cleanly read her, just by seeing her face. Her face went pale, all of a sudden.

"I am perfectly, alright!", Meghna's scratchy voice came out, within which Sanjay'd palm had gone to her forehead to see if she was running a temperature .

"Princess, your eyes so puffy!", Sanjay said, stiffening his frame; due to the worry.

"See, Your eyes are red!", Mitha voiced, coming to her; and placing her hands on her shoulders .

Meghna let out a sigh.

"Come on! I am all okay. Just because of all this shopping and packing, I'd no sleep since two nights. Otherwise, i am great", She said leaving out a smile. Sanjay, fondled her hair.

Meghna took a look at her parents. Both of them seemed to be a little okay with the reply, that they'd to hear from her. Yet, a pair of eyes stayed gazing at her narrowly. Krish! He knew that she wasn't normal. She turned to his father, ignoring his stare; that seemed to threaten her to bring off all the true happenings; from her own mouth.

"Did you talk to Julie?", Mitha asked, as she took up her seat, nearby Sanjay's. Julie was Sanjay's close friend's  daughter. Julie, Meghna and Krish together make a squad. And now, she was in NewYork, taking up her graduation in music. She loved music.

It's been three months, since Julie moved to NewYork, and already Krish has missed Julie to death, in these three months.

They'd been each other's sweethearts since their childhood. Krish, had feelings for Julie. A true love, indeed. Whereas, Julie had a massive crush on Krish.

"I called her, last night! I am going to stay with her. Don't worry!", Meghna smiled at her parents. Krish, who was tongue tied till now, screamed hearing what Meghna said.

"You spoke to her last night?", his eyes widened, on getting back from the inclining position.

"You didn't tell me. Betraying me, doe!", Krish yelped, getting excited; in front of his uncle and aunty; on hearing about his love. A soft chuckle fell in, from Sanjay and Mitha; seeing Krish being crazy for Julie. That's when he realized that, he had just shouted out his reaction. He scratched his head adorably, hanging his head down.

"Someone is all lovey-dovey all the time,Sanjay!", Mitha lopsided at Krish; and taunted him.

"Mitz! Come on. Don't do this to me.", Krish giggled hearing his aunt, teasing him. Both the families, actually were aware of what Krish and Julie had between them. And Mitz! That's how, Krish called Mitha. After all, Sanjay and Mitha were his godparents. Sanjay, couldn't help but leave out a giggle seeing his little nephew, doing all these love boy things.

With that, Meghna decided to start off to the airport. On bidding goodbye to Sanjay and Mitha, she buckled up the backpack on her shoulders. Krish, got on to the car and Meghna occupied the passenger seat in the front.

On their way, to airport; Krish tried asking about what the real issue was. But Meghna decided to hide it from him. Eventually, she said the same that she told before her parents. But Krish, didn't seem to let her hold on to her determination.

"Listen, Meghna! I know about you. And I know about Amey. If he's not even coming with you to drop you off. Definitely, something is wrong.", krish asked in a stern voice. And Meghna knew that when it isn't Doe, while he addressed her; it really means that he has no patience left.

"Oh please. Nothing like that. Just drive.", Meghna tried to manage.

"Doe-"

"You talk another word, I will jump out of the car.", Meghna snapped at him. And he flailed his palm, at the steering wheel and moved the gear; with a force that had to be shown on Meghna. She let out a sigh, on he stopping, questioning her.

On reaching the airport, Meghna went to the dickey to take her trolleys off, without anticipating Krish to do. The next second, Krish was beside her uttering ,"Move!"

"No need.I will do!", Meghna muttered; taking her hands to grasp the handle of her trolley.

Krish, held her arm; and moved her back; that made her take hands off the trolley.

"I asked you to move!", he gritted his teeth, looking daggers at he. And she did.

They loaded the trolleys off the car, and started walking towards the terminal, from which Meghna had to proceed.

"I am sorry!", Krish muttered, looking at the wheels of the trolly.

A chuckle broke out from Meghna's dry lips.

"As If you and I are newly found friends. Shut up, and come!", Meghna said, shaking her head out of amusement. Krish chuckled back.

Once, they reached the terminal; Meghna had to walk through it; after bidding a hard goodbye to Krish.

"I will miss you, doe!", Krish uttered, hugging her.

"I will miss you too!", Meghna mumbled, placing a peck on his head; ruffling his hair.

"Don't drink too much, while I am away. You're allowed only once in a week. Call me up, frequently. Visit, amma and appa whenever you can. They'll miss me. You're as equal as, what I am; to them.", Meghna stacked up all those goodbye notes, to her bestest friend.

Krish, slowly nodded his head up and down; hearing all those. He dabbed her head slightly, and said, "Happy journey, Doe! And All the best, for your internship!"

Meghna smiled back, and fled through the terminal gate. Tears, flooded down; as she made sure that she was walking in a direction, completely opposite to Krish's . She was leaving her city. Her love. Her life.

••••••••••••••

Before Eight months:

"Doe!"

"Hmmm?"

"Doe, Listen to me..", Krish yelped.

"I am listening to you since an hour and you didn't tell me any new thing other than the fact that Julie's birthday is coming. And It is not any new info to me, since I know her from the day she was born.", Meghna said, rambling inside her room; taking up and stacking the things; that she'd messed up.

"Oh, come on. You'll never understand what I feel for her.", Krish whined, rolling his eyes at her.

"Alright! I don't have to understand. Make her understand. That's enough!", Meghna shook her head, rolling her eyes. Krish, chuckled. That's  when her room's door was knocked by, her mom. She knew that it was her mom.

"Coming,Maa!", she yelled as she neared the door. As she twisted the door knob open, it was her mom, standing there.

"Kids! Come down for dinner.", Mitha drummed.

"We will!", Meghna said back, smiling.

"Soon!", Mitha announced as she walked down, the stairs.

In sometime, when they had reached down, Sanjay was already sitting at the dining table; waiting for them.

On seeing them, Sanjay's face went on a good cheer.

Meghna.. Meghna, was a girl; who never did anything that a girl does. She was jaunty, bold, heroic and a beautiful, hoyden! Even with the simple pair of denims and a sweatshirt; with her hair tied up in a bun or let down freely; with not even a bit of make up; she looked beautiful. Her candid beauty was something that she had inherited straight away from her mom; and the audacity, attitude- mien and carriage , style from her dad.

She was a brave and beautiful girl, who'd not broken any guy's heart, but their faces. She rode bikes; clambered hills, did all those boyish things, which had always provided her mom with a hell lots of complain calls from her teachers, all the way from kindergarten and to high-school. The naughty kid had now turned into a spunky, courageous girl.

Photography, was her thing! After finishing her degree in photography and tech, at present; she was doing all the small works that she could do, like photoshoots for magazines, clicking photos for magazines, Snapping pictures for Ad agencies. Though, her father was capable of getting her a work that matched her skills; she genuinely denied it when he offered; stating that she wanted to uprear on her own.

Who wouldn't be proud of this kind of daughter?

She'd always been fascinated by photography. She wanted to look at the world, from a different aspect. And now, she now had a degree in photography and technology. Her hoydenish demeanor had consistently gone to bat with her profession. In simple, Meghna couldn't be found cladded in girlie frocks or skirts.  Her camera was one important possessionc, without which she couldn't be found anywhere. Her motorbike was the other one.

While the four of them were sincerely, munching on the food; Meghna noticed, her father's eyes conveying something slyly to her mom. She knew that it wasn't a good sign, whenever she saw them talking like this.

Not a good sign, at all.

Trying to break the enigma, in the air; she decided to speak.

"Appa? What's going on?", she asked, pausing her cruise of her hand from the plate to her mouth.

Sanjay chuckled airily, "you're a smart kid, Kannamma. Quick witted!", He said, smiling at her widely.

"Come on, Appa! Tell me what's it?", Meghna giggled.

"Alright! What do you think about this name-", Sanjay asked, placing his glass of water, neatly on the table.

"Which name?", Meghna's gaze went pent, looking at him sincerely.

"Amey!"

"Oh my god! Pa. How can I even forget that name? I still remember, me offering an extra chocolate to that boy, in third grade on my birthday; just because his name is Amey. Oh my god. How crazy, I've been?", she cackled, bursting out into a laughter.

"So, you like the name!", Sanjay, asked; looking at her wriggling his brows.

"Obviously!", She chortled again.

And now, Sanjay's glance moved to check out Mitha's reaction. A kind of glance that screeched victory.

He, then spoke up all again.

"Princess?"

"Appa?"

"I know this guy called Amey. An efficient entrepreneur! I'd met him in a few of meetings. The way, he handles things and everything.. Really cool.. You know?", Sanjay paused to check out Meghna's reaction.

Her gaze was fixed on, Sanjay's face as she hummed,"Oh!"

"I and Amma; think that it would be nice to see you pairing up with him! What say?", Sanjay spat it out, in a go.

*•*•*•*•*•*•