Memorabilia for many ;) Part 4

It has been a week since Diya had received the text message from Arvind.

Today was going to be the first day of college after the semester break.

Diya, a class representative, was busy handling all paper work for various professors throughout the day in addition to the course work. A five minute recess break is all she could take off during the whole day.

It was already their fourth day at college and Arvind had still not got a response from Diya.

Diya receives a message in the afternoon...

"Would you mind acknowledging receipt of my message, Ms.Busy Bee?"

"I did receive your message Arvind. Sorry about the delay. I need to talk to you. Lets probably try catching up this weekend if that works for you."

"It sure does Diya. Looking forward to talking to you. Love you"

"Catch ya on Saturday. Take care Arvind."

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Saturday Evening

It has been half an hour since they met.

Diya was playing in water like she always does everytime she visits a beach.

Arvind remained a mere spectator for a while before he called out for her. "Diya! Come here."

"Yes.. Arvind... 2 minutes pls.." Diya continues to play in the water and then comes to the shore and sits next to Arvind.

A: So, do you have a response for my message Diya?

D: Did you even ask for one? I thought you just wanted to convey what you felt. You did not ask for any response via that message Arvind.

Diya! I thought it was fairly obvious that I expect a response from you? Can't you even think that far?

Well! Arvind! To be honest enough, I must say, I have thought beyond that. Tell me Arvind... What made you realize things all of a sudden? Did cupid's arrow strike you from somewhere?

Diya! I have always wanted you in my life. Just that I was unclear of the extent to which I wanted to take things. All through the 20 days of my trip, I could not see a single thing the way I do. I have always wanted to tell you what I have seen, what would interest you and what you would like. And that's when I realized that I needed you so much in life and that you are indispensable. I called ya immediately after I got back, and couldn't stand the fact that you were with Rishi. I missed talking with you for long hours everyday. I missed teasing you, pulling your legs, fighting with you. I missed you totally.

Is this reason not good enough to convince you? Well! Actually, I don't think I would wanna convince someone to fall in love with me. Forget it!! I rest my case!!

Diya carries an unperturbed look on her face and says, "How many girls have you liked in the past Arvind?"

"mmmm... to tell ya the truth.. many..."

"How many have u liked in this college? How many do u think you can fall in love with?"

"None that I can think of. But yeah.. I can definitely drool over many though.."

"Why did u have to pick me off the lot? Was it cos I said I thought I was falling in love with you?"

"Not really. I feel that you are the one person who has known me better; who could accept me the way I was; who would know what I can think of even before I start thinking; whom I can expect to be by my side come what may.."

Exactly.. I have always accepted you the way you have been.. Be it when you told me that you did not have any feelings for me; Or when you actually claimed to love me;

I did not claim Diya! I LOVE YOU!

But you are not ready to accept me the way I have been. Be it a month back or now. Then, you were not ready to understand that I was falling for you. All that mattered to you was your sense of insecurity. Today, you are not able to tolerate the fact that I am being my normal self even after you have proposed to me. Do you always want me to react the way you want me to? Can't I have a heart and a mind of my own?

Arvind!!! Frankly speaking, I should be more than happy to hear all that you have said cos that is what I have always wanted to hear from you. But today, I don't feel that good. Had you sent me a message during your trip or immediately after you got back, I would have felt wonderful. You took time off to weigh things, only after you realized that I did not have enough time allocated for you. It was your insecurity that triggered this decision. This is not what you want Arvind!

I do love you but I am sure if we start a relationship on this basis, you are gonna run away the moment you meet someone you might think is a better fit!

I don't think I can find anyone better than you Diya!!

There you go... Again.... There is a difference between "wanting" and "not wanting" to find... I can fall for a person who would not want to care to find someone better than me. Not for a person who thinks he cannot find one better than me given an opportunity.

There is a subtle difference Arvind...

Diya!! As I told you earlier, I rest my case here. I think its fair enough for you to take your own time like I did. I just want you to know that you would be the only one in my life.

I am sorry Arvind. Lets not talk about this any further and be GOOD FRIENDS like you have always wanted... Lets get off this perspective and be friends and see what life has in store for both of us...

Arvind!!! Do you mind taking me to Barista? I am badly in need of some coffee...

A preoccupied Arvind hesitates to move from where he was sitting...

Does it mean that you would get me a coffee only if I called you out on a date and not on any normal day??

Oh ya Diya! LETS GO. Your witty comments don't work with me anyways babe!!! One Hazelnut Cappuccino right???

Damn!! This guy makes me fall all over in love with him again. What on earth is stopping me from saying 'YES'?

Memorabilia for many ;) Part 3

After the 20 day long trip, Arvind is back home. Happy, contented and rejoiced is how one would describe what Arvind felt. After a small refreshment, he picks the phone and dials Diya's number.

"Hello Aunty! Is Diya at home?"

Hello Arvind! How are you doing? Hope you enjoyed the vacation.

Diya doesn't stay at home these days. Poor Girl! Totally bored cos we couldn't plan a neat vacation. She must be with Rishi, at his place.

Oh! Thanks Aunty! Will try calling her mobile phone then. Bye.

Arvind calls Diya's mobile waiting to hear a Hello from the other end.

Hey dude!! Wassup man! When did you get back?

After a pause, Arvind realizes that the person at the other end is waiting for his response.

Hi Rishi! How are you doing man? Just got back home. The trip was good. Is Diya around?

Oh yeah.. My cousins have come down for a vacation and Diya is with them. She din hear the phone ring. Picked the phone seeing your name dude. Wait a minute!

Hey Diya! Its Arvind.

Yeah Rish! Coming!

After a 2 min silence, Diya picks the phone to say a "Hello.. Arvind! You there?"

Arvind felt a sudden rush of adrenaline... Good Lord!! How much I missed this voice? How badly did I wanna talk to her everyday?

Rishi! Stop messing with that. Don't you dare touch that thing.. Arvind!! I need to get back to Rishi right away. Will call ya sometime in the evening. Bye.

But Diya.... Beep...Beep... The call had already ended.

Not knowing what to do next, an hour had already passed by...

Arvind picks the phone and dials Rishi's number... Hey Man!!! How about going to the beach in the evening? Thought it would be a nice idea to meet you all after a long vacation.

Oh sure... Lets meet at 7 at the beach then.. Probably, I should call Adi and others too in that case...

Ok then.. Catch ya Rish!! Bye...

Diya was caught with her cousin's wedding prep the whole of next week. She couldn't squeeze time in to answer phone calls from friends. All she could keep track of was the fact that Arvind called her atleast a dozen times everyday. Thinking that she was anyways gonna meet him at college, she din bother to give much thought to it.

On the day of her cousin's wedding, Diya receives a message from Arvind.

"I dunno when and how all this happened... I have realized that am totally in love with you... Wanna live and die with you baby.. Don't hate me so much for having kept you waiting... I now understand how hard it is... Miss you loads.. Luv Arvind"

Diya goes blank for a minute when she hears her mom call her..

Ya Mom!!! Coming...

(To be cont.d)