Note: Read Perfect Ending before starting this chapter. It's easy to understand and feel the continuity. You may miss the pleasure if you read this without remembering Perfect Ending chapter.

Author POV

'Still you want to leave?'

'I have to leave........ I will leave before that I want to meet her once and this time I will give perfect ending.' He checked his reflection once and it smirked at him.

He raised to his feet and rushed to her floor. He didn't even wait for elevator and preferred stair case. 

'Three years back I left like this. Once I did a mistake by not expressing myself. My friends warned me that I would regret that and I did. This time I won't repeat my mistake. I don't want to live in regret anymore' 

Chaitra's words continuously ringing in his mind. Varun stood at Chaitra's door. 'Not again' he took a deep breath and knocked the door. In few seconds he heard the click of nob and door opened. 

"Chaitra", he called ignoring Narmada at door. 

"She is not here", Narmada answered with straight face. He entered into their flat without her permission.

"Chaitra", he called.

"She is not here", Narmada yelled.

"Where is she?" he asked. 

"It's non of your business", she answered harshly. Varun paused and sighed to control his impatience. 

"Tell me where is she?" he asked in a pleasing tone.

"Leave her", she spat.

"I will leave. Before that I have to talk to her", he said calmly. 

"No Varun.... please leave.... let her live her life", she said harshly. 

"I'm really not in any state to argue with you.......... please tell me where is she?", he asked controlling his emotions. 

"God", she muttered with anger 

"Can't you get a simple thing? At last she took a step to move on in her life. Enough of her sufferings.  You have everything right? your happy life, family, girlfriend and your desired career right?..... Now let her live happy...please leave", she said and pointed him to go out. He took his time to process her words.

"Girlfriend?" he scrunched his face. She annoyed and rolled her eyes. 

"About whom you are talking?" he yelled "I don't have any girlfriend."

"What?" she asked with disbelief.

"Who said that I have a girlfriend?" he asked knowing the answer. He wanted to confirm it. 

"Chaitra", she mumbled. 

"Then what about the girl with you?" she asked with utter confusion. 

"Which girl?" he asked. 

"That girl.... last week.... you tried to introduce to Chaitra.... Chaitra said that she was your girlfriend.... and she said....", she blabbered something. He started understanding things from the beginning but he was afraid to accept them.

"Wait.... just tell me what happened clearly?" he asked. 

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Narmada POV

"I think someone seems very happy", I narrowed my eyes. Chaitra ignored me and continued making her hair. She wore white blouse paired with navy blue skirt and strappy sandals. 

"Tell me, where are you going?" I asked.

"Varun asked for a dinner", she said happily. 

"Oh..... What's that special in this dinner?" I asked. 

"I don't know", she shrugged "he said that I have a surprise."

"What's that?" I cooed. She twisted her lower lip and smiled. 

"I think he is going to propose you", I winked. 

"I don't think so..... may be...... I think..... I don't know", she confused. 

"I said many times that he has something for you.... now count my words", I nudged her shoulder. She sighed sadly and slumped on bed. 

"I really don't know what's happening in my life.... literally I'm freaking out. Many things changed in last few months.... I lost my ability to identify the reality...... Varun didn't change in these years.... he is still caring for me..... I don't know how to understand his affection."

"Just shut up...... the most important thing is 'you are happy in his presence'. So ignore remaining and let your heart lead you."

She nodded and rose to her feet. She completed herself and headed out.

"Don't wait for me", she gave me a quick hug. 

"Take care", I waved with smile. I shut the door behind her. 

After one hour Chaitra returned. There was no bright glint on her face which lit her face a hour back. 

"You came so early?" I asked. 

"Aren't you happy?" she raised her brow playfully. I rolled my eyes. 

She threw her clutch on couch and headed to kitchen. She didn't say anything. What happened? She drew a plate and sat on dining stool. She filled her plate with food and started eating. 

"It's so tasty", she moaned. 

What the fuck happened? She literally hates that curry. But she is eating it and for my confusion she complimented it. Something off. She is behaving little weird. I think it's better to not disturb her. 

She completed half plate and raised from her place. She is about to wash her hand but stopped and came back to her place and again started eating. 'God! What happened to her?' She is eating very heavy. 

"There is no need to force yourself", I stopped. 

"It's not fair to waste food", she said and continued eating. I nodded. After few seconds she headed to kitchen with half completed plate and washed her hand. I stood in my place and watching her with confusion.

"Actually I'm full", she said. 

"Okay", I nodded.

"Good night", she whished marching to room. 

"It's just 7:30pm", I said. 

"I'm sleepy", she shrugged. 

After few minuted I went to room to check her. She wrapped herself tightly in thick blanket and sleeping. What's the point in using blanket in first week of March? Breeze from that Arabian sea is barely cold. I sat at other corner of bed. I'm worried about her. 

Suddenly she woke up went out and I followed her. I wanted to ask her about what happened. But I figured that she needs some time. She is searching something in fridge. Did any Zombie bite her?

"What you are searching?" I asked. 

"Ice cream", she blurted. 

"Why there is no ice cream here?" she annoyed "I will go and get one." she started to outside. 

"Chai... wait", I held her hand "I will bring one tomorrow."

"Okay", she agreed without argument. I think that's better. She went back to room. 

'God, please tell me why she is behaving like this?' I mumbled looking up. 

I don't think leaving her alone is good idea. Again I went back to room. I didn't find her there but I observed her on floor in balcony. Up to my consciousness she dug under covers few minutes back, now sitting in open air. I sat beside her. We were in utter silence.

"What happened?" I asked cautiously. 

"Can I tell you a story?" she asked without looking at me. I hummed. 

"The story of Shore and Tides", she said. I nodded. 

"Look at that tides", she said pointing beach.

"That tides and shore are best friends. Tides always stuck the shore and express their affection."

"Umm"

"But that shore is a stupid enough to misunderstood their friendship as love. Shore loved tides."

"Umm"

"Whenever tides came, shore believed that tides came for it. Little that shore knew, no matter how high that tides rise, no matter how many times they came, they belong to ocean, not shore.... Shore is a fool and waiting for tides stupidly, again and again hurt itself."

I didn't understand her but I knew it's not just a tale. She glanced at me and I observed pearls of water shining in her eyes. 

"What he said?" I asked without fuzz. 

"I saw his girlfriend", she said. I stared at her blackly.

"I knew he had a girlfriend.... he never mentioned her in these few months, so I assumed that they were not together..... I think Leila is the surprise he referred", she said brushing out her tears. 

"I didn't understand.... how his girlfriend is surprise for you?" I hesitated. I really don't know it's the time to ask her any questions. 

"Because she is our best friend. May be he thought that I felt happy for meeting her", she said. I had many questions to ask but it's not right time. So I quietly sat with her. She leaned her head on my shoulder. Tears continuously tracing down her eyes.

****************

"Is she loving me?" he asked after listening her. She nodded.

"Thank you.... thank you", he hugged her and continuously mumbled something. Pure happiness evident in his shattering voice. He broke the hug.

Varun took light and rapid breath to control himself. He restlessly pacing to and fro and a bright smile broke on his lips. 

"Is she really.... really loving me?" he asked with over whelming happiness and shock. 

"Will you please care to explain what's happening?... I know I'm out of loop but now I'm feeling like out of galaxy", she asked with confusion. He chuckled for her confused face. 

"Chaitra is the only one I ever loved", he announced proudly. 

"Really?" she asked. He nodded with bright smile. 

"I can't believe this", she squealed and hugged him with happiness. 

"Wait... what about your girlfriend?" she asked. He narrowed his eyes

"Sorry.... not girlfriend right?..... what about that girl? Why she came there?" she asked with excitement.

"Leila is also living in Mumbai.... I met her there accidentally", he explained. She nodded thoughtfully. 

"Shit", Varun mind hit with something. 

"What?" she raised her brow. 

"All the while Chaitra thinks that Leila was my girlfriend..... shit", he face palmed. 

"Where is she?" Varun asked.

"But..."

"I will answer all your questions later.... please tell me where is she?" he asked. 

"Terrace", she said pointing up "she might be over staircase terrace... check once."

"Thank you", he was about to ran out. 

"Varun wait", she stopped him and ran to her room. She returned with bunch of roses. 

"I think you will need these", she said with bright smile. He hesitated to take them. 

"I think these are not meant for me" hints of hurt is not unnoticed on her face. She gave them to him and he ran to terrace. 

***************

Chaitra POV

After very long time I felt peaceful. I don't know what will happen in future, I don't even care. I expressed my feelings to him which I was trying to burry deep in my heart. I felt little lite. May be he will leave me and I don't care. May be I won't be like this anymore and I don't care. 

I observed my mobile vibrating beside me. Few messages and three calls from Arjun, I don't care. This dark sky is empty, no stars, no silver shines. A large ball in different reddish golden colour hung to sky all alone. I sat on terrace of stair case room. It's not surrounded by any railing so I sat at edge and hung down my legs in air. 

'Am I doing correct?' I asked that moon. I smiled to myself and my tears dried out of my eyes already. 

'Yes, you are right', I heard my mind. After very long time it took my side. 

'Chai... stop thinking", my mind yelled at me. I heard foot steps, may be it's Narmada. 

"Chaitra", I heard him. My heart rate increased but still I'm feeling the same peace. 

I moved a little back and rose to my foot  and turned towards him. I took my steps to near him. He is staring at me with bright smile and I saw bunch of red roses in his right hand. He was in same pink shirt and white trousers he wore in evening party. This dark sky, that roses, his light pink half collar shirt I felt everything so familiar. Somewhere I saw all this before. 

I closed my eyes and concentrated properly. Yes, I saw all this. I checked myself and I'm in a pink frock. 'May be I'm dreaming again.'

"Chaitra, I have to tell this so early.... but I couldn't." 

I could understand what he is saying. But I'm not ready to watch my hopes shatter into pieces again. Its better to stay idle.

"I want to ask you something... In fact I'm waiting very long to ask this."

" Little more fights...... little more silence...... little more smiles..... little more trust..... little more friendship....... little more love.... little more time I want with you"

"Will you?" suddenly he went on his knees and forwarded the roses. I already lost long to react. His words repeating in my mind.

Everything is very slow. I want to remember everything, each and everything. The trident of his black bead swinging slowly. There are few water droplets on rose petals. He buttoned only 3 buttons and his hair is unruly. He is smiling genuinely. 

Here are many similarities with my dream. Am I dreaming again? His hair style, beard and facial features changed a little. In dream there was 19 years teenager but here it's 24 years young man. 

"Chaitra", I came to sense. Simply I forgot the world. I can't believe my eyes. My cheeks became wet with my tears. 

"Why are you crying?" he's about to rise to his feet. 

"Shut up", I yelled "Just shut up."

"Hold my hand", I said forwarding my right hand. He didn't react. 

"Hold my hand", I commanded. He quickly held my hand. I brushed my tears with other hand.

"Say .... say everything again", I managed my words. All the air in my body blocked in my throat and it became hard to breath too. 

He chuckled and my heart fluttered with bliss. I too smiled between by sobs. I'm waiting to listen him but he is quite and staring at me with smile. My dream came true. 

"I love you", he whispered. 

I gasped as it became impossible to breath. My legs gave up and I'm about drop to my knees. I felt his hands around me and I hid my face in his neck. He rose to his feet and my feet off to ground. I afraid that he would disappear if I leave him. 

"I love you"

"I love you"

"I love you" he started mumbling those three words. I didn't count how many times he said. 

"Thank god.... no birds here", I mumbled over his shoulder. 

"What birds?" he asked. 

"The birds in my dream", I said. 

"Dream?" I nodded over his shoulder. We stayed like this for few minutes. 

"I love you", I said. I heard his uneven breaths.

"Say it again", he asked. 

"I have to said this 6 years back", I whispered. 

"We wasted very long time", he said. 

"Lets go down", he said "You know that I scared of heights." 

We chuckled. I broke the hug and stared at his eyes. I have many questions but I don't care whatever the answers are. He cupped my face and softly brushed my tears and gave a long kiss on my forehead. 

"I love you", we whispered in unison.

*****************

"What's the dream you referred earlier?" he asked. 

We both sat on floor in balcony of his flat. I wounded my hands around his arm and leaned my head on his shoulder. 

"I had a dream long back, may be the day we met in college. In that dream, you wore same shirt like this and I wore similar frock and we both stood on terrace of a long building at night time. You stood on knees with roses and about to said something. Approximately like today."

"Then."  

"Birds outside my window disturbed my dream before listening you", I said. He laughed out. 

"So you already know all this", he chuckled. 

"You know..... I wrote my dream clearly in my personal book. I afraid that I would forget it."

"I love you", he said looking at sea. I thing I won't tired of listening those words from him. 

"Chaitra.... stop crying", he said and about to brush my tears. I slapped his hand. 

"Don't come between me and my tears", I taunted. Already I trapped under deep layers of happiness. These happy tears help me to survive under enigmatic emotions.

"Okay", he chuckled. We sat in a beautiful silence.

"Can I tell you a story?" he broke the silence. I nodded. 

"The story of Shore and Tides." I glanced at him and he is already looking at me. I understood him already. 

"Umm", I hummed. 

"Look at that Shore", he said pointing the sea. 

"Those Tides and Shore are best friends. Shore loved Tides but assumed that Tides belong to ocean."

"Umm."

"Little that sweet Shore knew that Tides always tried to stay with Shore. That's why that Tides again and again came to Shore. Tides also heartfully loved the Shore."

"Umm", I held his hand very close. 

"May be that Tides came from the world of large blue waters but that Tides always belonged to Shore only." 

"That's my story", I chuckled. 

"Yes..... that belongs to you", he whispered pointing  the tides. 

I smiled and placed my palm on other side of his face. I drew him little close to me and kissed his cheek. He took my hand from his face and intertwined our fingers.

**********

Anyone confused about Chaitra's dream, once skip back to 'Ignoring or Running Away' chapter.

Tell me how's this tale of 'Shore and Tides'?

*************

Who  are happy here like me? Our blue stars are finally together. Hurray....

All the while we saw their friendship and hidden love. How it will be if their love become open air? No filters. Just comment who want to know that? 

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May be you all are thinking its the end right?........ Actually yes but no..... there are few dots from past are missing and I want to reveal them. Sweet and sour surprises. 

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