You And I

Chapter 3

"She's gone!" An involuntary whisper escaped his lips. His despondent eyes, were roaming to and fro aimless, trying to embrace any of the traces of Meghna.

"She's gone. Damn! She's gone.", He himself, had no idea about when would he stop uttering those words, like a mad man. A huge sigh of ennui and affliction, was what he let out the next moment. The slackened tie, around his neck blared his standpoint. Life at the moment, was a mere eclipse with no rays of shiny glows.

His eyes shut, forlornly. He plopped his body of good height and muscles to the sofa. And on leaning back, his hands flew up to his forehead. The migraine was making everything worser. Way too worser, than it would actually be!

The next tenth second, his phone jingled and the caller ID made him tauten. He gritted his teeth, his tautly clenched fists, wasn't allowing blood flow through the veins under them. With his blue eyes, becoming bloodshot, he swiped the call, and put the phone to his ears.

"Hey, Amey! You think everyone will get a chance witnessing their foe f*****g his own life. I've got one!", an arrogant, cocky make voice was heard.

"You, man w***e! Better f*****g stop talking all those rubbish to me. You've got, what you wanted. Don't force me to show you, my wrath. You better not-"

"Tsk Tsk.. Amey, Amey.. Stop. Why're you so tensed? May be because your wife is too far from you?" The voice was heard, from the other side with the same disgusting laugh.

"Sto-"

"Amey..Listen to me.. I've got to thank you. You're making things easier for me, by sending your wife, away. You can expect news of any kind, about her..anytime!", The odious voice fell in again, that made Amey ball up his fists tightly.

"Woah! That's a threat! I am scared.. ", Amey gave out a fake scared reaction on the phone and added,"Do whatever you can! Let's see the end.", He was audacious. Though, he was audacious; his heart had started to pick up its pace, since he heard about the threat that was let out, about Meghna.

"This is going to be an endless one, Amey! You'll never ever ever get her back. If you do, it'll definitely be her corpse reaching your door."

"Stop uttering that, you asshole! Don't eve-", Within he could complete swearing the heard voice; the call went blank making him realize that the the call had got disconnected. Amey, groaned in frustration, flailing his hands against the zephyr. He was tapped out. The frustrated, defeated grunt , echoed as a thunder everywhere around the room. He was gritting his teeth like, even mountains could be crushed into atomic particles. That's when the sudden realization hit his, keening brain. He had to check for Meghna. If she was okay, till now.

Though, the misbelief in her was the reason for letting her go; the phone call that he received right now, made him have a bad time further.

His hands fluttered to capture his phone back, and dialed Meghna.

To his abatement, he heard Meghna's broken; cracked up voice hit his ears, after a few rings. A wave of assuagement, floated over his ribs and made him use his lungs.

"Arj..Amey!", She gasped, being smothered by something nameless.

Quickly, he had to restrain himself from melting down, hearing her voice. Though, he completely failed; he at least assured himself that he wasn't going to show it out.

"Where are you?", He snapped at her. Okay! He was faking a snap.

"How are you, Amey?", she gasped, letting hot, salty tears down to roll through her zesty cheeks.

"Meghna! You think I will flux down, hearing you cry. If you do so, keep on sticking to what you think but I swear you that it'll never happen, again. Never ever!", he thundered on phone.

"Arj-"

"Hey! Stop. I am not here to hear your wails. I asked you a fricking question. And for god's sake, you owe me an answer! WHERE THE HECK ARE YOU?", He yelled on phone, that made Meghna flinch, even hearing it on the phone. The cascade of tears had already begun, and tears were like December rains.

"New York!", her voice had gone, croaky hearing him shout like a mad man. He had never raised his voice.. Even when she used to disturb and irritate him purposely. Also, she didn't want to make him shout furthermore, because she knew that he had migraines, and it was already making him half grumpy.

"Alright! You're sending me you residential address, right away!", he grumped, with the stiffness sticking to his voice. Her eyes had transformed into a real cascade, letting it all out.

"What for?", She asked between the tears. She , surely knew that; it wasn't asked for flying right away and reach her.

"Did you forget about the divorce? I am dropping you the freshly prepared partition papers, and you're signing them.", he shouted. Actually, he hadn't even asked his lawyer to prepare a fresh set of nuptial documents. He was frigging lying, to her. He didn't want to let her know that he was concerned about her safety.

"I am sorry, Amey. I can't do that!", And now he apprehended that her voice was getting stiffened.

"If you're not doing that, I've my ways; Meghna. Let everyone know what's going on!", he let it out in a voice that clearly showed that he did smirk.

"Stop it, Amey! You can't do this. Don't ever open your mouth to me about letting my parents know thi-"

"So, you're sending me your address!", he wanted to make it sure.

"I will!", she gulped before disconnecting the call, and getting drowned into the tears that were streaming down, sincerely. The next moment, she dropped down the phone nearby her, and gripped her cushion tightly, and let out all those distress.

Amey, couldn't help but cuss himself for being so unmannerly to her. His frustration was getting neurotic. Though, he knew that he wouldn't let anything happen to Meghna, he was scared.

Damn! He was scared!

He wasn't going let it happen. He couldn't help but replay those poisonous words, replaying inside his head; making him shout in grievance. He had to do something. Something, to make sure that Meghna stays safe all the time. His brain, started to rack itself, thinking of an idea to make her safe. In a trice, his mind screamed him a notion, which sounded to be kind of decent.

The next moment, his fingers were dialing someone's number on his phone.

'Come on, Nitin! Pick up. Man. For f**k's sake, pick the call up!' He groaned under his breath,as it took a few seconds to the call be attended.

"Hey! Amey. How are you, dude?" An ecstatic male voice, fell in from the other side.

"Nitin! Man. I am in deep s**t. You've got to help me. Puh-lease!", Amey yelled, eroding his forehead with his lanky fingers.

"Oh! Come on. What's up? What's making you shout like this?", Nitin from the other side, being unaware of the seriousness; prattled.

"I can't tell everything, right now. Just listen to me. Just listen. ", Amey, twaddled nervously.

"Listen. Meghna is at New York to attend an internship program. And I am afraid to leave her alone there. I want some personal sleuth, to be behind her. Just want to make sure that she stays safe."

"What? You want to spy your wife?", Nitin's snap came down, for which Amey let out a sigh, sharply.

"Why don't your sick brain understand the seriousness of the situation? THIS IS NOT SPYING! Don't ask for explanations. Just help me, If you can!", It was an order, indeed. And Amey, knew that he would help him; because they had always maintained a decent rapport from their school time. Even when Nitin, joined the Med school, they had always been able to be in touch  and so they were. And now, Nitin, was working for a hospital, at NewYork. It was Nitin, who came up to Amey's mind, since it was NewYork.

"Alright! I will hire someone and let you know. Don't worry!", Nitin seemed to be compromised.

"Thank You so much, Man! This is really making  a pain in my ass. Thanks much. But please, do it as soon as possible and let me know.", Amey, babbled. Still, the nervousness in his voice didn't seem to calm down.

"But, Amey! Are you okay?", Nitin asked, stifling his voice, as low as a murmur.

"I told you, right!", he paused right there, and continued," I am getting threatening calls. And the thing is Meghna has to be there for the next six months! Kind of alone.", he stopped.

"Alright, Amey. Don't worry. We'll hire a sleuth, soony soon!"

"Thank-"

"Stop this man! Will you?"

"Okay!", Amey sighed and added," We'll hang up now. Let me know, on making talks with the agency or any individual tracker!"

"As you say!", Nitin heaved and they hung up.

And now, finally Amey could breathe a little. But even then, he wasn't normal. He knew that he wouldn't be. How could someone be normal, being at a loss of their loved one?

But, wait!

He said that he loved her, and not now. Seriously talking; Can someone un-love someone?

How is that fudging possible?

No! Not, possible at all.

Amey, ripped out of his office clads and slipped into his boxers and tee shirt.

As he lopped down, at the hammock; getting hold of the small ball; he started flailing it against the wall. The ball hit the wall, bounced on the floor; and came back to his hands. He didn't have a better job, to do at the moment. Though, his hands were seriously flying to catch the ball, his mind was totally invaded by Meghna and her memories. Even the house hauled her fragrance. As he caught the ball, cupping his hands; he eyes got shut as he leaned back.

The vexation was eating him up. On grunting, under his breath, gritting his teeth; his hands tightened around the ball, and overturned it, speedily, with a force that could even break a granite!

Bash!

The ball, flogged against the paltry fish pot, and bashed it down to small pieces within next second, the golden fish that was diving inside the pot, until now; was jumping up and down lying half-lifeless on the floor. If it was Meghna who'd seen him doing this, he would've died already!

That was her golden fish! And he had killed it.

Playing with the ball, didn't help any further. On cleaning the broken and shattered pieces of the glass pot; he toppled down at the bed, with her thoughts whirling in his mind and heart.

*•*•*•*•*•*•

"Yes, Appa! I am all okay! Yeah. Yeah. Don't worry. Tell Amma that I will call her, later! I will go get ready now. Julie, is taking me out.", Meghna was letting out everything in a yes, I am happy tone.

"Okay, Kannamma! Carry on. I am here with Amma, at the hospital. She got some emergency call, and I came to drop her off.", Sanjay replied back, holding his phone by pressing his ears against his shoulders.

"Ah! Okay. Both of you go home safe and sleep soon. I will go now. Bye, Appa.", She announced and cut the call. It was night in India and day for her.

Whatever her worries might be, talking to her parents would always help her to feel better, nonetheless of the fact that she shares her issue or not. Talking to them, will make her feel better. Just talking!

As she heaved out a sigh, on staring back at Amey who was twisting her ears playfully in her wallpaper.  Her eyes watered! She had an urgent dearth of holding back the tears, on hearing the knock on the door. When she unfastened the knob, all she was Julie standing there daintily, flashing an enthralling smile at Meghna.

And now, all Meghna felt was an utter guilt. She hadn't even spoken properly with Julie, since she came. All she did was to lock up herself inside the room and sob. Julie, wasn't used to this type of Meghna. In fact, she'd never been like this in years. On apprehending that, Meghna wasn't normal; Julie had told her that they would go out and spend a day out. And now, She was ready standing at the doorstep.

"Shall we go?", Julie asked, raising her brows in excitement. She was so adorable when she did that. A soft chuckle fell in from Meghna's lips; and she said.

"Yeah. Before we go, let me give you this! Krish asked me to give this to you.", She said as she allowed her hands into her half-unzipped, fully stuffed trolley; which was laid unpacked.

"Arghh!", she grunted and then enjoined,"Ah! Here it is.", she announced as she pulled out a box, that was professionally wrapped. Julie's eyes circled out, bigger in something amazing.

"Krish, gave ? For me?", She whispered as her gaze was stuck to the bundle.

"Yeah!", Meghna chuckled. Julie stood, smiling; showing all the thirty two choppers.

"Alright! We'll go, come and then see what it is. Come ! Come!!", Julie yawped, as she placed the parcel on the table; and pulled Meghna's arms towards the door.

"Yes. I am coming.", Meghna giggled.

As both of them, jumped out of the apartment and climbed into the Mini Cooper, that Julie had. She ignited the engine, and the car started to move.

They pulled up, in front of a super colossal building. To Meghna, it appeared like a mall. Indeed, it was. As they barged in, Julie dragged Meghna to shop for a few pants, sundresses, stoles and a heavy jacket. Meghna, herself got a pair of cargo pants and a few tank tops; and a thick jacket. After a round of sincere shopping, they'd to pause to grab some snack.

Meghna picked up a Sub , and Julie preferred to take a burger from McDonald's. The girls were sincerely munching on the food, and Julie's phone buzzed. Her hands flew to the phone and she spoke . "Hey, Stacy!", That was in a good kind of cheer.

"What? Today is Friday? My gosh! Give me a good twenty four hours, I promise to give it by morrow! Please?", Julie twaddled, hastily.

Meghna's brows got knit, hearing Julie prattle on phone.

"Yeah yeah. Thank you so much. Bye.", She sang as she hung up.

"I've got to submit this assignment today. I totally forgot.", Julie wriggled her brows and tsked.

"I am sorry. I guess, I am responsible for this.", Meghna's lips went down arching.

"Oh come on! When did you start behaving so formally. Not fair, Meghna. I will tell Krish, when he calls me next time.", She pouted.

Meghna chuckled, as she took a bite on her sandwich.

Suddenly, being remembered of something Meghna craned up her head from the food and gazed at Julie.

"What's the date today?", Meghna probed.

"5th of May!"

"Oh!", she voiced, being restless.

"Why do you ask?"

"This is the day.. We met first. I and Amey.", she gulped, swallowing the formed lumps that seemed to make tears follow them.

"Meghna. It's been a year. Oh my god. I can't believe this. I still remember the day, you told me about your meet with him.", She giggled. Really cute, in the way that made Meghna fly back to the day.

The day she met the love of her life!

"Kannamma. He's here since an hour! It is not fair to make someone wait like this.", Mitha was uttering sincerely with an added quivers.

"Amma. Crossing TTK road signal ma. Will be there in another five minutes.", Meghna made up for the fuss that her bike did, that day. As she disconnected the call, and pushed the phone into her pocket, she urged Krish who was already hitching the ride, speedily.

"Soon, Krish. Amma is worried. He has been waiting since an hour, it seems.", Meghna screamed; being unable to talk against the air, that was hitting her face promptly.

"Doe! Amey is waiting for you. Not fair at all, Doe!", Krish added the fuel.

"No one will pity me. My bike that messed up bigger today. What'll I do?", She gritted her teeth and clouted his head, gently. As he gagged the bike more faster, they were at the entrance of her home soon.

Amey hasn't waited this long to meet anyone in his whole life. That too, for a girl. He hadn't even stargazed waiting for a girl! But now. It's been an hour and this girl didn't arrive, yet. He was all there due to his father's compulsion and the dignity and respect that he had for Sanjay. He actually was adoring Sanjay, and his sincerity and success in his business. When his parents asked him to meet Meghna, he agreed after a few arguments and the reason was only one. To be tenantless, it was only Sanjay.

When he reached Sanjay's home, to meet Meghna; Mitha welcomed him and they were exchanging a few words. In sometime, Amey was asked to wait in a room; which was uttered as Meghna's room by Mitha. But when Amey, fell in; none of the features of the room screamed that it was a girl's room. It wasn't giving its appearance like a girl's room.

The bed and the quilt were in azure blue. The room was painted in a darker shades of blue; on the two opposite sides and the other two were painted in a little lighter shades of blue. There was a study table, with books stacked up; above the table. The book shelf was loaded with lots and lots of fiction and professional books about photography and stuff. There was a small lantern on the table, with a black; barrel-shaped pencil booth. A few books and a few files were scattered on the table. Right down at the cot, there was a mat that was in navy blue color.

At one corner, there halted a guitar that seemed to be a little older. Plus, he saw an exercise mat rolled up and inclined on the wall; nearer to the guitar. Her room led out to a small porch. His long legs, cambered towards the porch and stood right there. As his gaze rolled down; he saw a girl getting down from a bike. The girl clambered down and hugged the boy who was sitting in the front the helmet and bade good bye to him; and walked straight into the house. His features stiffened seeing the sight.

Meghna, sauntered in, as Mitha gaped at her with no emotion. "Sorry, Maa! Blame it on my bike. I seriously was leaving earlier, but the bike..", she stomped her legs down at the floor, wrinkling her face adorably.

"Alright. Alright. Go! He is already there.", Mitha rolled her eyes.

"I need my coffee!", Meghna pouted and flopped herself down at the sofa.

"Kannamma! He's waiting.", Mitha warned, lop-siding at Meghna.

"Okay! I will go.", Meghna made a poker face and jumped out of the sofa; and strode to her room. As she entered the room, which was already in open; her eyes fell on a man; who was standing showing his back towards the entrance. He was sincerely stalking the photos, that were hung all around the walls of her room. As Amey,heard the footsteps, he turned around and his gaze took a halt at a girl; who was in her khaki cargo pants, and an yellow tank top; with a simple floral designed stole around her nape, with a coffee-brown belt gripping around her willowy waistline!

"I am really really really sorry! My bike screwed it up and very sorry for making you wait!",those words came flowing from her mouth, as she strode in further.

The blue-eyed man, who was standing there with his hands glided into his pants' pockets, let out a soft chuckle, hearing what she sang. He was wearing a simple black polo shirt, with blue denims. His demeanor all yipped dynamism; and his six feet height frame, with broad shoulders that would make a good protector for a girl, and the ripped, stringy muscles that was hid underneath his black shirt screamed his might!

" That's okay!", His gutsy voice dropped in. In every freaking way, it appeared to be virile.

Meghna let out a huge sigh, and stomped towards him; and unfurled her arms and offered him a handshake, and lipped,"Meghna Sanjay Rish!"

Oh! That clamored confidence. Which was the most sexiest womanhood, that he'd never seen in his life. To hell with her confidence! It was provocative!

What she did was a valiant, self-reliant deed. This impressed him. Though, she failed in punctuality and made him wait; this act of her's just did sum up the blunder that her bike did.

As she mouthed, Amey's largish palm buckled around her's, with a small, amused smile occupying his lips.

"Amey!", his stern voice fell in.

"So! Hi!", Meghna raised her brows, taking back her hand.

"Hi.", his slinky voice, was heard that made something form and stumble her throat.

"You look beautiful.", He wasn't flirtatious here. He was just wishing joy to her beauty. With a piece of dust colored pants, and a simple sleeveless top; she appeared beautiful. Naturally! He hadn't seen anyone who'd look that beautiful with no beauty product's help.

"Thanks! You look good too.", she said chuckling, looking straight in to his blue eyes. And this amazed Amey, as what she said was an unexpected reply. Usually, when a guy appreciates a girl's beauty; the girl has to blush a little; at least a little, no matter who that guy is. And then has to mumble a thank you. That was the rule. Or that's what he had heard his friends saying or that's what he had watched in movies. But this was really interesting! This girl fascinated him.

An intrigued exult, exited his lips.

"Amey! Can I tell you something?", Meghna asked, breaking the silence. He nodded his head, acknowledging her question.

"Well! I am not that kind of girlie girl. You know? I an kind of messed up. Ermm.. Like.. Uhmm.."

"You can tell me. Don't hesitate!", Amey said, making his gaze stick to her's as he saw her eyes rolling here and there; with lips mumbling something to herself. She looked cute, when she did that.

"Alright! I don't do what girls do. I don't wear skirts and gowns, I do not know to cook, I go for wild rides, I go into the wild for photography, I don't put on make up, I don't do any of these.. But trust me, I am a girl!", She said it all in in a go, and Amey couldn't stop the cackle, that flaked off his lips.

"Okay! Okay! Come down.", Amey chuckled, pulling his hands out of his pockets. Meghna breathed.

"First of all! You're not messed up. You're what you're. And secondly, what's there in not being girlie? As I said before, you are what you are. You don't have to fluster for this." He disclosed with a smile, lurching his lips wide.

Meghna smiled back at him.

"Do you play guitar?", He asked as his eyes were pointing out the guitar, that was kept at a corner.

"Appa does!", she chuckled.

"And you work out?", Meghna raised her brows, showing her both the index fingers up in the air.

"Of course! Yes.", he nodded, throwing out a look and hailed efficacy.

"Wow!", she opened up and cackled.

"Who was that?", Amey's lips moved involuntarily, letting out the question.

"Who was what?", Meghna's brows stayed knit.

"Ermm.. The one who dropped you off?", His brows were still the same, his framed stood tauten.

"Oh! That's Krish! Your junior. Like, he said that you were the team captain in the school and he was one in the crew. Amit Krish! My aunt's son. Look at that!", she said as she pointed out a particular photo that was hung at a corner, which hadn't fallen in Amey's eyes till now.

"Your cousin, he is?", Amey's eyes widened and a kind of relief swam across his heart. He didn't know why, but it did.

"Cousin, best friend, well wisher! Almost everything next to my parents.", She chuckled, ducking her head in the amusement.

"Okay!", he interjected, chuckling back. And now his doubt was gone. That was not a frigging boy friend of her's! He shouldn't have judged her that quick.

"So, Tell me about you; Meghna!"

"There's nothing big about me. ", she cackled, shaking her head in beguilement.

"No! Meghna! There is.. There is something about you.", he voiced as his stare stayed up on her face.

This was deep!

As they continued talking, about various stuff like interests and everything; Amey came to know that Meghna was no another girl. She had a virtue that was making her appear more beautiful. He really liked her. An instant liking, towards her made him decide his future!

After an hour of chatting, when Amey was about to leave he wanted to ask her this. He really wanted to!

He cleared his throat, as his legs stomped towards her and neared her in four long strides. His hands floated down to his pockets, his eyes was filled with a heck of audacity! She watched him closely, as he stopped a few feet away from her, that was a decent proximity that has to be maintained.

He chinned up and lipped," So, Meghna Sanjay Rish! Will you marry me?"

And she fell flat, in that! Okay, that was not out of love but his swag that made her fall!

His demeanor carried a swag! One kind of swags, that she'd never seen before. Meghna's jaw fell open hearing what Amey, just disclosed. She couldn't help but pant.

She was all normal, till now when they were talking normally and this phrase that he just uttered made her feel womanly. An abrupt, prompt warmth fled through her body.

He fricking proposed her marriage!

She started panting, as he stood there expecting a reply. Her eyes were sincerely rolling, with no aim.

He inhaled sharply and questioned.

"Am I making you nervous?", His stern voice came out.

"No.. Nothing like that!", she gasped, still being in the same plight.

Amey didn't want to make her nervous, further. He let out a sigh, and voiced.

"You don't have to get tensed. Cool down. You can tell your parents, about your decision. Okay? I am leaving. Take care.", he announced with a smile, as he turned around and walked towards the door.

She didn't want to let it be like that!

That was a marriage proposal and she didn't want to ruin it. As he neared the door, Meghna's mustered up courage balled up into words that rolled down her tongue!

"Amey!", She called.

"Hmm?", he turned, standing right beside the door.

"Erm.. You and I!", she exclaimed.

"You and I?", he popped the question!

"Let's..", she gasped as she chuffed for air. She then whiffed out a sigh and let it slip!

"Let's get married, Amey!"

He chuckled, airily. "Alright! I am leaving!"

She nodded her head, with a big fat smile.

He ambled a step forward and stopped right there, but turned to her and looked straight into her eyes.

"You're beautiful the way you are! I like the real you and you really worry about cooking... I can make a pretty decent meal for two!", he avowed.

"You're going to regret telling this. You do not know how much I eat!", Meghna giggled, shirking her head.

A soft chuckle fell in before he uttered, "You're going to regret telling me this!", he said as he walked away, with the same swag. Her maw was thrilling her, all that time from when he proposed her. One heck of a feeling it was! Sheesh!

She plopped herself down at the mini bean bag, in misbelief if it was she, who'd agreed to his proposal right away.

That night when Sanjay , Mitha and Meghna were at the dining table for their dinner, Meghna was talking something about her work that day and finally Amey's topic dropped in.

"Do you know what he asked me?", Meghna asked looking her dad and mom, with an excitement lighting her eyes up.

Sanjay's eyes had gone wide already; seeing his daughter so thrilled. Mitha, was equally surprised to see Meghna like that.

"What did he say, Princess?", Sanjay's lips moved helplessly, making those words out fall out.

Meghna moved forward and came to the rim of her seat, and stuck both of her palms to the dining table, with her head protruding forward.

Sanjay and Mitha were seeing each other, noticing the weird act of their kid!

"He proposed me marriage!", she let it out in a thrilled state.

"And what did you say?",Mitha giggled, cockeyedly looking at Sanjay. He was doing the same, with his stifled giggles.

Meghna leaned back, as if nothing happened and let in a spoonful of her meal, she mumbled casually shrugging her shoulders,"I said okay!"

Still, Mitha and Sanjay were exchanging the same kind of glances with a smile creeping on their lips hearing what their kannamma, opened up.

*•*•*•*•