You & I

We both were enjoying the sunset on the beach.He took interest in the sandcastles I made. I looked at him in a childish way.

 He said,"This is why I fell in love with you" 

I gently laughed as he spoke. Again, he flattered me, saying,"What? I am serious Naina!" 

"Ok, fine! When did I say you were fooling around" I chuckled

The innocent look on his face made me laugh harder.I couldn't resist that moment and pulled his cheeks.He was taken aback by my sudden response.

"What are you doing? It hurts!" He said

"Is it so? Then forget it, from now on wards I'll never pull your cheeks" I mocked

"Hey! Don't be mad, I like it when you do that but next time do it softly" He said

After few minutes, he looked at me, his forehead displayed fine lines of tension. I knew he was about to speak something urgent.

"Jokes apart"

"Naina,their is something I want you to know" he prompted


No sooner did he spoke about the subject than his phone began to ring. Surprisingly, for the first time I witnessed an unknown caller.He went away saying it must be an interview call so I didn't care enough to ask.

It had been half an hour.I kept calling him but all I heard was 'the person you are calling is busy'. Suddenly, a wave of thoughts began to flood in my mind.

"What if he is talking to a girl?"
"Is he hiding something from me?"
"Has he found someone else?" I thought to myself

I couldn't help but only wait for him to arrive.These thoughts were futile so I gazed at the sunset and found solace in that.The view was so captivating that I felt ecstatic. I recalled the time when he had proposed to me at this beach, before dusk.

"Naina , You & I are perfect for each other. I love you with all my heart and nobody would ever replace you in my life" 

 Oh,what an inexplicable feeling it was.It was about six months back and I still couldn't believe that time flew so fast.

It's been a year.

Sadly, I am still attached with his memories.

That unfateful day while I was enjoying the sunset alone, my friend Nikita came and said,"Naina,where is Shashank?"

"He went an hour ago to attend his call" I said

"How did you find me?"

"That's not important" She said

"Why,what happened?" I asked

"Do you know he has already left for home?" She said

"Without informing me?" I asked

"Yes! I saw him while I was parking my scooty" She said

"Oh, dont worry! His sister is a trouble maker,of course he would have left for her" I said

"Don't be blind in love, Naina!"

"Why cant you see that he has taken you for granted?" She cried

"But he has not! He is serious for me! " I assured

"Oh really! Do you have any idea that he is engaged and is about to get married within a month?" She said

"What? What are you saying? Are you mad? Don't play your old pranks with me, I am in no mood to laugh" I yelled

"But this time I am serious, Naina!" She said

I looked at her. Her face expressed terror. I didn't want to believe her, I wanted some proof. 

She discovered my dilemma and said,"look at this photo, Shashank and this girl with him, her name is Arpita, She works at a software company.They both met each other through a matrimonial site"
  
The mobile screen laughed at me as I failed in deceiving myself.

"But Nikita why would Shashank betray me? Why?" I asked in vain

"I have heard that his mother disliked you and instead persuaded Shashank to get married to the girl of her choice" Nikita said

I was dumbstruck.

Nikita made all attempts to console me but nothing worked. I wanted to scream at the top of my voice, I wanted people to know my pain, the inconsolable feeling, the sting of betrayal, the unbearable sight of being deserted by your lover, my heart crumpled into pieces.

"Nikita" I said

"Yes, Naina" Nikita mumbled

"Do you want to know whats going in my mind?" I asked

"I insist, please say" Nikita said

"A beautiful dream has finally ended into a nightmare" I said