Unsaid Love_Chapter 4

The courier service delivery boy gave her the blue envelope and left. It was some kind of invitation of book-signing event from the bookstore she had membership of. Publicity measures, she thought.she tore open the seal, took out the invitation and unfolded it. What she read was beyond any anticipation. The letter read

Ms. Agarwal,
It’s our pleasure to invite you to the book-signing event of the newly launched book-DAD by Akash Awasthi. The event is scheduled to be held on 15th September, 2013 at 18.00 at the your favourite bookstore. The author will be shedding some light on his new work after the success of various e-books. A brief introduction of the book and the author are enclosed herein.
Kindly grace the evening with your presence.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
Rishi Ahuja,
Universal Book World.

So, he finally did it. Akash had told him in the very first meeting on the terrace itself that he wanted to be a writer and write about the hardships of a common man, inspired from his father. But e-books? She never got across even one of them. Suddenly she missed him so much. It’s been after fifteen years that she missed him so much today. She had lost touch with Akash due to the unfortunate events that followed the last day of college. There was no one to blame for. It was just Destiny. But was it Destiny again, conspiring them to meet?
Should I go or should I not? Avni wondered.
“Mom, I am hungry. I want to have something special”, said Riya, coming out of her room rubbing her eyes.
“Ok sweety, how about Thai tonight?”
“Nooooooooo! I want Pasta, that too red sauce”
“ohk, I get your pasta ready, go finish your homework till then”
Avni loved Thai. But to her despair, Riya hated it. Akash hated it too. Thinking she smiled.

They used to fight over the menu deciding what to have. Within few weeks, Akash had become an integral part of Avni’s group. Their bonding and friendship was beyond words. They fitted together as the last piece in the jigsaw puzzle. They understood each other like no one else did. A perfect match, anyone would have guessed. A year passed and they neared the end of their graduation. Between the tension of placement and insecurity of the future, they managed to squeeze out time for each other. Most of the times, they would just sit and their silence would say it all. Their friends would conveniently drop out of the program and they would be left alone.
A trip to Lonavala was the most amazing one she had ever had. She had gone to Mumbai with her team to represent her college at the inter-college Fashion week. She was to return on the day of her birthday. 30th September. Her most special birthday ever! She never felt so special. On the eve of her birthday, her group of friends came along with Akash, to Mumbai to celebrate her birthday. Next morning they left for Lonavala. What a trip it was! She loved bus rides. Two hours relaxing journey after hectic fashion show, it was the best gift she could ask for her birthday. They reached there by 10am. After an hour’s rest they went to explore Lonavala. Later, by the evening, Akash took her to a hill point. View from the hilltop was mesmerising- nature at its best! And in this nature’s lap sat Lonavala’s minimal civilization. It instantly became Avni’s favourite! All worries forgotten! All the fatigue of the day vanished in no time! They reached there at the perfect time to see the sun going down between the green hills. The scene was beyond the description of words. ‘Wow’ was the only word that escaped their mouth every now and then. They relaxed there for an hour or so when they were to unwillingly return but God answered their wish, to stay there a little longer, in His own way. The moment they got up to leave taking in the beauty around for the last time, it started to drizzle. The unexpected rain only made it even more unforgettable. Now Avni’s happiness knew no bounds! It was beyond ecstasy. There was complete silence and for a moment their gaze locked. At that moment, anyone would have said that they were in love but they said nothing. They never needed words.

“Mom? Why are you crying mumma?” Riya was holding Avni’s hand and pulling her out of her trance. A tear had rolled down her cheeks without her even realizing.