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_____

" Chhotu mama.... I'm having a great time here....
These people are so good..... specially Kalpita ji.... is extremely caring. I'm also liking my job.... I was dying....and you have really got me living again..... You're an angel. "

" Re Shivu! I've always wished the best for you. I know your potential. People face hurdles in life.
I admit, this was huge, but you're mature enough.
Also, before returning, I had asked the right person to be your guide.
Kalpita madam is a strong woman, I had requested her to be your saviour.
I'm grateful that she kept her promise. "

Shivaji halted for a few second upon this.

" Ohhhh.....

So, you had asked her..... for the favour...

That's how she is always there..... to hold my hand.... when I stumble. Even going against her own parents.... at times...
I always wondered.... why she has been.... so unusually supportive.

This wasn't needed.... Mama!!

She even told me.... that she was bound by something, and....I didn't get her. What a fool I'm! I should have.... immediately thought.....about you!

You shouldn't have...... persuaded her this way Mama!! "

Shivaji dropped the call though Chhotu was trying to explain something.

He suddenly felt extremely helpless, and disgusted.

Yes, he needed a support in this new world, he couldn't deny that ever. But not at the cost of someone's personal space and choices! How could someone from his side, force or take a promise from someone else, to be his saviour every time?

That was such a burden upon her, wasn't it? She would always have to remain terrified, that if something odd happened to him, she might be blamed for not being a proper saviour!

This was so not done!! 

Shivaji got down the bed, and began strolling back and forth, in his room.

However, did she look she was burdened, when around him?
He tried to recollect, and reflect. But, maybe, he was so preoccupied with an unexplained guilt, that he couldn't gather a thing.

Kalpita ji was a beautiful soul. A very strong girl. Yes, if she wished to, she could hold him so tight that he would never have to lose a balance.

But, why to force it upon her?

What if... she didn't always wish to run upto and save him from all obstacles, but was bound to?

What if.... she did never like to befriend a man so different from her in every aspect, but was forced to? 

What if, this was the very reason, that day, after the elevator incident, she went completely numb, too numb to react?

She might have just been too stressed!

She might have believed... that if he had even fainted... she would have been blamed for not reaching on time!
For not being his saviour!!

Shivaji had a hard time.
He dropped on the bed.

He needed to talk to her regarding this.
He needed to free her from this idiotic burden, at any cost.
He needed to make her understand, that he would stumble and fall, once, twice, thrice, but could get up on his own too, someday. She need not have to always hold his back.......if she didn't want to.

The clock in the lounge struck 7:30 in the morning.

Someone knocked on the door to his room. He looked up.

_____

" Happy Birthday to you..
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear Kalpi
Happy Birthday to you!!!! "

Kalpita cut the cake, with a huge pink hue on her cheeks.

She was surrounded by mom and dad, the maids stood a distance behind, and Shivaji, at a corner, smiling.

She chopped out a big piece and put it to Suchandra's mouth.

" Mmmm....not the whole of it. " , she bit a little.

Kalpita turned to Devendra, he took a bite.

Her eyes fell upon Shivaji.
She walked upto him.

" No no.... Kalpita ji...
You have this.... I'll take... another. " , he sounded a bit alarmed.

" Why?
Have it Shivaji.
You'll get another piece too, but this is her love for the family members. You're one of us now. " , Suchandra smiled.

Kalpita almost glared at Mom, turning even redder.

Shivaji, a bit stiffened, took the piece.
Kalpita looked into his eyes, and frowned a bit. They didn't have the usual glowing reciprocation.

She returned back, the cake still had a small part left.

Almost unnoticed, she tucked it onto her mouth.

" So, little Kalpi turns 25 today.

Shivaji!
This is our ritual every year. A cake-cutting session in the morning. And now I'll ask her what she wants for a gift.

She's otherwise a party animal but hates parties on her birthday. Such an oxymoron. "

Devendra Chatterjee sounded hugely proud of his daughter today.

They had settled at the living now.
Surbhi had taken back the cake to the kitchen, to be chopped into pieces.

Shivaji sat on one of the settee,
Suchandra on another, with Kalpita on its handle. Devendra sat opposite to them.

Shivaji smiled at Devendra's words.

" So, what do you want for a 25th, Kalpi? "

Kalpita rolled her eyes, breathed deep, glanced at Suchandra, ran eyes over Shivaji, and spoke to herself within.

I want Shivaji for a 25th.

But, to the world, she spoke this instead,

" Erm...

I want a day out. With...myself..

And if someone wants to accompany me...

I won't mind if.....it's him, and he's given a day off from work. "

She pointed at Shivaji.

Shivaji widened his eyes, looked at her, at Devendra, and at her again.

" Me??? 

But.....but....there are.... important meetings today.... "

Shivaji cursed Chhotu mama within.

She didn't have to do this.
But she was being forced to.

His minds screamed.

Not that, Devendra wasn't surprised a bit. His brows furrowed as well.

But Suchandra had a lot to say now.

" That's a brilliant idea. He too will get to know the city.
A day off won't harm.
It's been almost a month and he has not taken a leave. So, I like this proposition. "

Kalpita insanely scratched her thigh. Her insides ran on 500 horsepowers.

" Fine then..
If this is what you want for your birthday....

Leave granted, Shivaji!"
Devendra declared.

Kalpita left a huge sigh.. And stared at Shivaji.

He smiled....

But......the smile had less of a life in it.

Kalpita found her heart sinking.

A bit.
Just a bit.

_____

" Three hours will be fine I guess. " , Kalpita asked Ganesh.

" If you need some more, call me, I'll buy an extension. " , he replied back.

They parked the car at the huge parking zone of Eco Park.

Shivaji got down. He was almost silent today. Kalpita thudded close the door on the other side.
And walked over to him.

" Are you not well? " , she asked.

" Me?

No.... I'm... extremely fine. " , he talked slowly.

Kalpita twisted her lips.

" You didn't even wish me properly. ",  she threw the words, and walked ahead of him.

Shivaji followed her, and soon caught up in long steps.

" I will.

I just... need some time. "

Kalpita threw a glance at him. And smiled wide.

He too smiled back, heartily again.

" Eco Park is one of the best tourist attractions of Kolkata, built in recent times. It is spread over an area of an enormous 500 acres, and surrounded by a water body of like 150 acres. It's a brilliant location. " , she grabbed his hand.

" My... goodness.... that's... huge. " , Shivaji replied.
But, at the same time, took back his hand from her grip.

She halted immediately. And stared at him weirdly.

" What happened? " , she, as if, fell from the sky.

" Nothing...

Why do you have to.... hold my hand? I won't stumble..... at every step.... I promise. " , he spoke back distinctly.

Something struck her so hard at the heart, that she couldn't even breathe for a long time.

She immediately started walking, her eyes welled up, and to hide that she walked faster than him, to reach the ticket counter.

But he caught up again.

They silently crossed the main gate, after buying tickets....

Shivaji looked at her, then at the surroundings.

A beautiful atmosphere, with big gardens around, tall trees canopying the roads on which people walked.

" Kalpita ji....

I didn't.... mean to hurt you....

I just feel...you're being too protective of me.... And, that.... might be a burden to you too.... at some points. "

Shivaji broke the silence.

Kalpita stopped walking again. Her tears had dried up. So, she could look into his eyes.

" You didn't hurt me.

Don't worry.

But yes, I give a damn to what you feel. I'll still hold your hand.

Not because I'm afraid you'll fall, but because I like holding your hand.

Happy? "

She grabbed his arm again, and started walking.

Instead of taking the hand back, a smile crossed Shivaji's face this time.

She was a kid too.
A mature kid.

" Kalpita ji....look!!

It's like....couples all around.
Why did you.... bring me here? " , he was suddenly too conscious of the surroundings.

Kalpita smiled within.

Idiot, that's the reason I brought you here. And that's the reason I'm holding your hand.

When the hell will you realise, dumbo? And you're now coming up with judgments like, you're my burden. Seriously?

Kalpita... silently walked over to the paths that ran beside the lake surrounding the park.

" Don't look at them. Look at the waters. We'll catch a seat beside the lake, sit for sometime, then have lunch at a boat restaurant.

After that, we'll go to see the replica of Seven Wonders at the other end of the park. "

Shivaji didn't talk. Just nodded.

He felt a thing in his pocket.

The lake was big. It looked like a river.

" What's that... in the middle of the lake? " , he asked.

" That's a Resort.

Boats take us there. Wish to visit? "

" No no.
It looks... so posh. "

" Not much. A three star hotel. "

" That's something..... huge for me. "

Kalpita smiled again.
This was what she loved about him. His simplicity.

" Let's sit here. "

She grabbed a seat and dropped her body. Shivaji settled beside her.

She looked at him.

He was peace in himself.

" Are you uncomfortable with me? " , she suddenly asked.

" With you?

Not at....all.
In fact... you're the....only girl in life..... I'm not uncomfortable with.

I should rather.... ask.... the other way round. " , Shivaji replied spontaneously.

Kalpita took in the statements slowly.

She was the only girl he was not uncomfortable with.

Her insides churned with anticipation.

Didn't this.. almost clear the air that, he was not in love with someone already?

She could definitely ask this now.

But, she didn't.
Rather, she grabbed the other half.

" What do you feel?

If I wasn't comfortable with you, would I ever choose to spend my 25th with you? "

Shivaji stared into her deep brown eyes.

And sighed.

You're bound by a promise Kalpita ji, and you're trying your best to fulfil that. Because you're a good human.

Shivaji wanted to speak out loud, but didn't. He would, soon, probably by today itself, but he needed time for everything in life.

He, rather, cleared his throat.

" I've something.... for you. "

He took out a box from his pocket.

" I haven't received.... a salary yet. And the resources... I have already, I didn't have time to, or rather.... couldn't even meet your taste with.... for a birthday present.

This.....is my mother's watch...

The watch.... I had bought for her, with the money I saved.... from bus fare... everyday.

This has.... a huge valuation to me.... Kalpita ji.

I....am grateful to you..... for being so wonderful to me.... whatever be the reason.

Accept this.... I know it's very, very meagre.... doesn't look good.... but I've nothing else I could give to you.... that would be meaningful.... to me at least.

Happy Birthday..... Kalpita ji! "

Kalpita couldn't speak, neither could shift her eyes from the gold banded Sonata watch that he held before her.

Neither, could she hold back the impending tears.

But could she show him, her weakness, so early? What if he mistook her?

She took the watch silently, pushed it inside her handbag, and without even a word of gratitude, she stood up.

" I'll have to pee. Will just be back. "

She ran away as fast as she could, with tears streaming down her cheeks.

Shivaji sat speechless. A melancholy clouded upon his face.

I'm sorry Kalpita ji.
You deserve better.
I'm so sorry.... 

Entering the washroom, Kalpita stood before the mirror, washing her face again and again.
The neatly done eyes, the blushed up cheeks, melted. But she didn't care.

Emotions were so overpowering, that she gave a damn to the world now.

She slowly pulled out the box, stared at the watch for a while, and pecked on it.

" Aunty, wherever you are, in whichever galaxy, please hear out my gratitude, for creating Shivaji.

If you please can, whisper into his ears, that I love him.

A huge lot.

And yeah, please give him the strength to accept my love, when I confess.

Also if you can, please remove thorns from my path already.
I don't really wish to fight with some existing lover of his anywhere on this planet.

Because, I'll anyway have him. He's mine. "

Kalpita laughed at her own antics at the end.

Tidying herself again, she walked out of the washroom, carefully placing the box back in her bag.

____

At lunch, Suchandra received a call from her husband.

" Suchi, are you free? "

" Yes, tell. "

" I was thinking something today. Do you notice a growing fondness of Kalpita towards Shivaji? "

Suchandra smiled.
" Yes. Thank god you did. "

" I think we should talk to her. "

" You're late.
I already have.

She's in love with him. "

" Whaaaat?

And....you didn't even tell me!!! "

" Because I didn't want you to react this way. She's giving him time. I'm giving them time. "

" Does he know? "

" No. Not yet. "

" Which means, you don't know if he reciprocates. "

" No.

But, they share an unusual dependability. This much I know. Maybe he's not as clear regarding feelings as Kalpita is. He's too innocent and timid. "

" What if he loves someone else already? "

" I don't think so. I've talked to him casually many a times. He never mentioned anyone apart from his maa and dida. "

" Suchandra, you talk as if you don't even know what can bother me following this. "

" Devu, our daughter is 25.
She knows the best, of what she wants.

I know you have a tiny commitment to someone, but you too understand it very well, what Kalpita wants.

You were anyway not going to give in without her approval. "

" I know Kalpita doesn't like Sameer, I too am not very fond of him. However, I wish for her to find a nest as well, because of her unsettling nature.

But now, if she loves Shivaji... I'm not a father who'll go against her wish.
My only criteria will be, she receives back the love. " , Devendra uttered.

" Knowing your daughter, she's stubborn. She loves him, she'll have him. She'll earn the love, I'm sure. "

Suchandra grinned.