Pooja (prayers)"she said and looked towards him intentevely. His facial features became stern and she moved backwards. She closed her eyes tightly,hands clutched in fist.Her facial expressions told that she is expecting a slap.Her body language giving a vibe of fear. He doesn't understand why she is reacting like that. He never slapped her, even in his extreme anger period,he refrain himself from hitting her.

"Sweetheart,I promised, I won't harm you."he cooed her.After listening many reassuring words from him ,she opened her eyes and he took breath of relief."Come let's go downstairs to do Pooja."he said and move towards elevator. She took baby steps towards it, like she is debating whether to do it or not. Her eyes is closed whole time, hands were clutching his shirt tightly.

Maids have cleaned home temple .Its been closed since her departure. Saurabh doesn't want to enter the place but Surbhi clutched his hand tightly. She folded her hands infront of the idol and Saurabh did the same.

"You know I don't believe you but she believes you. Please give her good health. I promise I'll quit all my bad habits. I'll follow all religious practices. I'll keep fast I'll not question your existence. I'll do everything, just let my Surbhi be normal again."he prayed for the first time in his life. These days he became emotional very easily. Alien tears are not alien anymore.

He opened his eyes and guide  her towards his home office. There is nothing extravaganza about the place except a chair swing which looks out of place. He fixed it across his chair so he can keep her infront of his eyes. She enjoyed it in past and he wishes at least this doesn't changed. He make her sit in it but there is no expressions on her face. He handed her a comic book,few blank papers and pencils.As the time passed she became relaxed and he engrossed himself in work. After few hours she fell asleep , papers scattered on floor. He pick up it and it brings smile on face. There is a rough scatch of a flower.Thank God ,there is something which is not changed in all this years. That was the time where he was eager to know about her. That day he figured out she is into drawing and skatching. This thing paved the way towards their journey together.

Saurabh looks his watch which is ticking 8:45. He has ten minutes to reach the classroom. He arrived on time, majority of students seated on their respective places. His seatmate Surbhi as usual engrossed in her book world. She is dressed in grey poncho top and blue jeans. Her hairs left opened today.

"Beautiful" Saurabh's statement broke Surbhi's trance. She looks towards him with confusion written all over her face.

"Your sketch, that's beautiful." he said.

"Oh, thank you" she replied politely.

"So apart from reading, sketching is your another hobby."

"No its not. Its just for timepass."

"Hello, Juniors we are back." seniors intruppted their conversation.

"Theme of the fresher  party is ready.  I hope you are as excited to attend it as we are to hosting it. "one tall good looking girl said.

Whole class is looking them with enthusiasm except Surbhi. She looks outside of the class.

" So are you guys excited? "

" Yes"chorus voice came.

"So theme of this year's freshers party is retro and it  will be held on 21  July." they said and left.

**********
At canteen

"What the hell" shaily scoffed.

Surbhi narrowed her eyes.

"Retro is so boring. I thought I'll dress something fancy and sexy but retro its so regressive." shaily said.

" Who said? Retro is very much sexy. Haven't you watch polka dots blouse and colourful shorts or sexy maxi dresses. "Romil argued.His statement brought a mischievous smile on Saurabh's face.

" What you think Surbhi? Aren't  you want to look hot? "Saurabh asked.

" No"the obvious one word reply came and she again concentrated on her food. Other trio of table keep discussing things.

"You guys ate stale and mouldy curry." Surbhi's remark came after she finished her food.

"You are kidding." wide eyed Romil said.

"No, I am not kidding infact there were dead  flies in your plate." she said with serious face.

"Oh my God. I have to bring it out from my system before its allergic reaction." Shaily panics.

"That is called food poisoning Shaily." she said nonchalantly.

Shaily ran towards washroom but unfortunately its locked from inside. She stumped her foot on floor. Her eyes caught the waiter who served them.

"Hey you," Shaily grab his caller "don't you have an ounce of shame. You leech, you served us  mouldy stale food." she shouts.

"You have some misunderstanding ma'am. We serve freshly cooked food. You can taste it." he offers her another bowl.
She tasted it and her claim is wrong. She looked behind and find Surbhi is laughing.

"I won't leave you today." she marched towards the table.

"Ah my angry bird."Surbhi pouted  and pinched her cheeks. Shaily's anger vanished in air.

" What? " she asked to Saurabh who is staring her.

" Don't laugh like that lady. "he stated and her smile dropped.

"Why?"she became self concious.

"Guys will die for that smile."he laughed .Her toe curled behind the table and gaze turned down. She put her hair string behind her ear.

" I gotta go now. "she left immediately.

***********
Surbhi was enjoying  her scooter ride unware that someone is following her.Its not in his nature to stalk girls but when it comes to Surbhi,his rules are changed. He love to admire this girl who is very soft spoken.She talk very less but whenever she does its worth listening .
"Mera Dil ye chahe tujhe dekhun
Bas dekhta chala Jaun
Maksad nahi mera tujhe darana ya satana
Tujhe pareshan karna ya hairan karna
Bas ek tamanna hai tujhe niharun
jab tu khud ki duniya mein Magan ho
Jab tujhe kisi ki parwah na ho
Jab teri Hansi par bandish na ho
Jab teri shataniyon par pabandi na ho
Meri khawahishein shayad Sahi nahi
Par sach kahun mujhe kisi ki parwah bhi nahi"

She is enjoying the ride till her scooter doesn't halt on the middle of road.She  tried to start it but every effort goes down in the drain. Indicator is showing low fuel.

" Harshil you are gone today. "she muttered. A car halt near her.

" Mind if I offer you lift in my car. "Saurabh said.

Is it right to take lift? I can call papa and he will send car. That's right but what's wrong in playing along with him.

Her expressions told she is weighing her options.

" Mind if I  drive? "she smirked and he understood her game. She is doesn't want to deny him in straight forward way.

"Car is obvious choice of boys between car and girl".she thought

" No "he throws car key in her direction. He knew she thinks as a man he prefer car over girl.In normal circumstances he behaves same like she predicted but she is different so does the feelings.She is surprised by his gesture but doesn't say anything.

She sat on the driver seat and starts driving. He kept staring her and she feels uncomfortable.

She looked towards him and gave a faint fake smile. "Don't stare it's rude."

He also gave her smile." Its not my fault you are irresistible. "

"Women are bad drivers." he declares to break the silence.

"May be they are but don't include me in the list." for his disappointment she replied with a smile.

She drives quite smoothly in straight as well as in winding stretch of warden road. There are many british style buildings in the locality. This road is curling around the sea which made it a delightful journey. They were moving towards a hilly area. Cumballa hills the board is enough to tell about significance of this place. This particular locality is one of the most expensive residential place of Mumbai. It is home of most number of billionaire along with consulates and foreign high commissioner. She stopped the car near a swiss chalet.

"I'll take my leave from here. Thank you for the lift." she said with a smile.

"Its my pleasure." he replied.

That was first journey together and many more was about to come. He never thought that a love story can be beautiful yet devastating.He pick up the woman in his arms and bring to bedroom.