When you say Goodbye

Get Going

Next day evening, Ditiya was standing in front of her wardrobe with her hand pressed over her mouth, wondering about her outfit. She didn't want to wear her usual attire, and she wouldn't wear something very revealing. In the end, she decided to wear a ginger color satin dress with an off-the-shoulder neckline, long sleeves with elasticized cuffs, and an elasticized waist with a removable belt and she teamed with matching sandals and a clutch. She let her hair fall free over her shoulders, and she was ready to go to 'Charcoal,' she took one last look in the mirror.

Dhruv already reached the 'Charcoal', as he would require some preparation before their performance. Ditiya arranged to meet Marina outside the 'Charcoal'; they definitely weren't best friends or anything they just went for runs together sometimes. Ditiya didn't really have any close friends here in the USA. Marina was an American Mexican and a pretty girl in her early twenties, with brown hair and rosy cheeks. She didn't smoke and she strongly believed in long-term relationships and enduring love. So Ditiya was sure that Marina was a good date for Dhruv.

They walked inside the club; there were at least a couple of dozen people inside, and so it took a good minute or five for Ditiya to spot Dhruv. She finally saw him, standing there waiting for may be waiting for her, she waved at him. He was wearing a Henley neck t-shirt with full sleeves and a beige color that made it highly versatile and stylish. He had worn it with a pair of black jeans and black sneakers; if you have asked Ditiya, then she would have told you he was looking dashing and maybe his best in her eye. It was then that Ditiya noticed another young man standing behind Dhruv. The Caucasian stood at least one foot taller than Dhruv; he was slimly built and had blue eyes and straight blonde hair.

"Hey," Dhruv greeted her, as Ditiya and Marina settled onto the stools. His gaze then ran the length of Marina and he blurted out his reaction. "Wow, you look pretty,"

"Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself. "Marina replied blushing and introduced herself as Marina Garcia.

Then Dhruv introduced Ditiya to his bandmate Mathew by saying, "I want you to meet Ditiya, She was also the most talkative girl in here." The four of them continued to chitchat while watching the performance of some indie band.

Dhruv and the other members were backstage, getting ready for the show and were waiting for the band to finish. When he felt his cell phone vibrate in his pocket with a single message. You'll do great, Dhruv I'm proud of you. – Ditiya. He didn't know if it was the alcohol running through his system or if it was the text but he felt like he can take down anyone tonight. Marina and Ditiya were nowhere to be seen as Josh and Mathew set up their equipment.

Dhruv took the stage just as Marina pushed through the crowd to get to the front, a very happy looking Ditiya right beside her. Dhruv smiled down at them and Marina winked at the boys while Ditiya took a second to look up but when she did, her eyes were automatically locked on Dhruv's and he felt like someone had just let a live wire lose through his body. They started starts off with their cover of 'Stay With Me'. The crowd seemed to really like the song cover as people sway along with the tune. Dhruv was really trying to look at everyone, he was but Ditiya was right there and looking up at him as if she was worshipping Dhruv and it was so hard to look away. He was sweating by the time they were done and everyone seems to be in the mood for a slow song so Mathew started an original of his as Dhruv strummed the guitar slowly along.

I wish I had better words to say

Not asking forever to stay

Ditiya's eyes are wide as she stared back and Dhruv didn't know if he was even singing anymore. Mathew was standing next to him and people are moving along slowly with their hands in the air so he guessed he must have been singing.

Marina pulled Ditiya closer to her and whispered something in her ear. Dhruv wanted all Ditiya's attention on him. So he went on he sang a little louder

Remember the winter we first met

I will never forget

We had just argued

Was quite unimpressed by your attitude

Until the day you left

I know

I ask to be cleft

By letting you go

Ditiya's eyes snapped away from him and he retreated away from the front of the crowd. Marina raised her hand at Dhruv and let him know that Ditiya was fine. She pointed to the bar, Dhruv's eyes crawl over the crowd to land on Ditiya's form then he snapped his attention back and poured himself into his lyrics.

I don't know where are you going but I l know where you belong

Maybe our start was only wrong

I know the way our memories would have stung

And how you left me half undone

I wish I had better words to write this son

When the song was finished, the audience exploded into cheers and applause, they were supposed to do three songs and the third could be a cover of their choice so Mathew walked toward him and Josh and told them what song he wanted to do now.

Dhruv voice was rough from singing and he knew it sounded gravelly so they picked the one song they knew would drag the roughness out and really test their voice. The first note made most people scream and hold their hands up. Dhruv closed his eyes and sang the first four verses like that.

Broken bottles in the hotel lobby

Seems to me like I'm just scared of never feeling it again

I know it's crazy to believe in silly things

But it's not that easy

I remember it now, it takes me back to when it all first started

But I've only got myself to blame for it, and I accept it now

It's time to let it go, go out and start again

But it's not that easy

But I've got high hopes, it takes me back to when we started

High hopes, when you let it go, go out and start again

High hopes, when it all comes to an end

But the world keeps spinning around

Dhruv wanted to open his eyes to see the reaction of the crowd, to see the faces of the people who are yelling and singing along. However, he kept them shut until the right time.

And in my dreams, I meet the ghosts of all the people who have come and gone

Memories, they seem to show up so quick but they leave you far too soon

Naïve I was just staring at the barrel of a gun

And I do believe that yeah

He finally opened his eyes and everyone was holding their breath for the next line. He took the mic out of the stand and leans down closer to the crowd.

But I've got high hopes, it takes me back to when we started

High hopes, when you let it go, go out and start again

High hopes, oh, when it all comes to an end

Now the world keeps spinning

Yeah, the world keeps spinning around

He couldn't hear himself over the screaming crowd, he felt hands grabbing at his hands and his legs. This was all he has ever wanted from being on the stage.

High hopes, it takes me back to when we started

High hopes, when you let it go, go out and start again

High hopes, oh,

The Dhruv just wanted to look at Ditiya. Somehow, he needed to look at Ditiya. Nevertheless, he knew he has to wait for just a while longer. The crowd simmered down as he sings some last lines.

And the world keeps spinning

Ooh, yeah, this world keeps spinning

How this world keeps spinning around

Josh was singing along behind them and the crowd joined in, it actually sounds like it could be a concert. This is what bliss must feel like, Dhruv thought. The jolt of electricity that passes through him as Ditiya eyes bore into his makes him sing in a deeper voice as everyone else around him gets lost in the tune. His eyes stayed on Ditiya; they were stuck together like that - neither of them able to look away.

Ditiya was staring at him and even across the room and through all these people, Dhruv could tell that she was staring unabashedly, her drink forgotten by her elbow and even Marina was busy looking around at the crazy crowd. He could feel heat spreading on his face and down his chest even down to his toes.

It seemed like every single person in the room was screaming, it was loud enough that he could go deaf for a few minutes but he felt like he was underwater. Like he couldn't breathe because the heat of Ditiya gaze was still steady on him even as he forced his eyes away to look at the crowd and smile.

"You were incredible! I'm so proud of you." Marina exclaimed, throwing her arms around Dhruv as he reached the bar counter, she hugged him tightly and even kissed him on his cheek.

Dhruv smiled and kissed her back on the cheek as he gave Marina small thanks.

Ditiya did not know what she was expecting and she didn't let the disappointment show on her face as she orders another shot of vodka. Five minutes and two shots later, "I need some fresh air," Ditya said thickly, looking up at Dhruv with drowsy eyes.

"I wanted to smoke anyway one so let's go," Ditiya smirked at Dhruv, and then she got up from her chair and walked out. Dhruv followed her out of the bar.

"Do you like Robert?" Dhruv asked as they walked out of the gate. The streetlights along the street glowed like fireflies in the cold night.

"You have to admit, he's nice to look at." She paused for a moment, perhaps organizing her thoughts, "He can be a good fling,"

"You should have told me that you were only looking for someone for short time," Dhruv snapped. "I wasn't aware of the fact that you wanted only a bit of fun."

Dhruv frowned, even more, when Ditiya chuckled, "why are you pissed at me?"

"Maybe because he is my band mate and you do things only for temporary," Dhruv complained about her way of dealing with life. She swallowed and looked away, anywhere but right at him.

"I don't understand why you are so stern all the time and what was wrong with just having fun?" Ditiya remarked tersely and glared at him, daring him to question her further.

"But okay... so what about Marina," She then asked lightning the mood.

"There's nothing wrong with having a little fun once in a while, Ditz but sometimes you need to get up and be serious," When Dhruv finally spoke, his words were slow, carefully chosen, and meticulously enunciated. "And about Marina, she is very nice, and yes, she is pretty, but she's not... Maybe I am afraid to take myself through this type of relationship again."

Dhruv took a couple of deep breaths and shook his head to clear it, and then reached across and pulled a cigarette from his pocket. He lit it with a match and exhaled a cloud of smoke in Ditiya's direction. He found Ditiya gazing at him, an unknown expression written over her face.

"I really enjoyed myself tonight," Ditiya suddenly said, looking up at him. "So did I," Dhruv said, taking a step closer to her.

Went back inside the club, Dhruv bought two drinks for Ditiya and himself before they go back to their seats. He turned in a full circle, his eyes scanning and searching for Robert and Marina but found them nowhere, but then he spotted two figures in the darkest corner the room, it was Robert and Marina, they were kissing passionately and clinging to each other.

"Ditiya, look at those two..." he yelled cheerfully as he pointed his finger at Robert and Marina. "At least they've found each other, who would have thought that?"

Ditiya immediately gave Dhruv thumbs up and they smiled at one another, looking into each other's eyes. His eyes were glistening "I'm glad because I haven't found the right excuse why I wouldn't like to meet Marina again yet. Now I don't have to lie." he said as he took another sip of his drink

"Come on Dhruv! Let's stop talking about them and dance instead!" Ditiya said to Dhruv, taking his hand and pulling him inexorably toward the dance floor. He looked at her and smiled wryly, and then with a slight hesitation stepped closer to her and said, "I love this song."

Ditiya continued, "I am listening to this song on repeat for a few days, Di also loves her voice can believe

She has such a great voice and she is only eighteen?" he nodded and Ditiya kept on talking about nothing and everything that pass through her mind.

Two hours later, one of them pressed the elevator button, and they stood together in stony silence as the elevator made its long ascent. The night had grown cold outside when they got out of the bar, and the cold wind seemed to pierce every bone in her body and her off-shoulder dress wasn't doing much to protect her either. However, for a short while, she found herself actually enjoying the harshness of the cold air because she was walking with Dhruv. They were silent the entire walk home.

While they were waiting for the elevator, Ditiya finally broke the silence. "That was brilliant, Dhruv. You should be on the stage every day."

"Thanks, I guess."

"What? I am telling you that you should be singing on national telly and you are saying 'Thanks, I guess'?"

He raised his head and looked up and he felt his heart beat a little faster because she was looking extraordinary beautiful in the dim light of the apartment's lobby.

The door to the elevator opened, and Ditiya missed her step, stumbled. Dhruv reached out, caught her by her upper arm to keep her from falling His grip was light, barely there to steady her, but it could have been a branding iron for the effect it had on her. The contact was searing even through the various layers of clothes.

"I had too much to drink tonight and I am a bit drunk!" Ditiya smiled nervously.

"Yep...You were screaming pretty loud too." The elevator stopped on her floor with a soft clang. They got out the lift, Ditiya stumbled in while laughing and trying to keep her balance. Dhruv rushed to hold her upright. He stumbled backward then – perhaps at the proximity of Dhruv's warm body or perhaps thanks to her high blood alcohol level – and Dhruv went with her and she somehow ended up against the wall.

Ditiya was pinned between Dhruv's hard body and the even harder wall, her breasts crushed against his chest. She felt a sudden rush of want and need take over her senses. Dhruv's breath was tickling her face and his fingers are digging into Ditiya's hip.

Dhruv thrust a thigh between hers and rubbed it against her. She wanted Dhruv to lean in so badly. He could feel Dhruv's little scruff on her chin and his lips are almost touching her. They were breathing in each other's air and it stunk of alcohol but she wanted the taste of those lips against her own.

Ditiya wanted Dhruv's fingers digging in deeper into her hip, so deep that they leave bruises on her skin. He bent down to kiss her pinkish lips but flinched as Shreya's face flashed through his mind.

He remembered Shreya's innocent face turned up to his as she took a sip of chocolate mocha, the brown foam coating her upper lip. He was not over Shreya, he would never cheat on her, would never break up with her.

He pulled his lips away but just touched her cheek. He pulled his head away and his breath was coming in so short he was almost dizzy. Ditiya was looking into his eyes with so much hurt that he almost gave in and took what he wants but he remembered that it was wrong.

"I can't. I am sorry, I cannot. I want to Ditiya, oh god do I want to, but we can't."

Ditiya stood pressed to the wall where she was, her warm breath was still fanning across Dhruv's cheeks and somehow his hand still digging into her flesh. He also stood for a second before he pulled his hand away and her breath was gone.

Ditiya closed her eyes as a surprised groan escaped her lips, she didn't have the guts see it but he felt Dhruv's lips on her forehead a second later as he left a chaste kiss there.

"Goodbye and sorry, Ditiya."

She was there and he wanted her, needed to feel her. However, then he withdrew and in the two seconds, Dhruv had to find some semblance of control so he shut his eyes tight and he then opened his eyes, Ditiya was gone.

He lets out a deep breath and slides down along the wall where sometimes ago Ditiya was pressed on, he hit the ground. The marble floor was cold under him but he couldn't care less.

He needed the pain to keep him alert, to keep him from slipping into a coma of want and sorry.

He had done the right thing then why did it feel like he has cut off his own air supply as if he has pushed himself off a cliff.