Hola Everyone,

A very happy new year 2018 and a small new year gift for my lovely readers 🙂🙂🙂.

Here I present the second One-Shot in the series of a few random shots on KRPKAB.

I had written this story 3 months back and is actually inspired & based on a real life couple I know of. Hope you like it.

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"Papa, please tell naa" insisted his 15-year-old teenage kids Soha & Golu once again, they were twins born a couple minutes apart from each other.

"No kids, how many times should I tell you there is nothing to tell" he replied faking anger

"Papa, Why are you not ready to tell us. We know you are not telling the truth" they said as he smiled at them

"But you know us, we will not leave unless you tell us the story" said Soha as Golu nodded in agreement

"You both are just like your mother, stubborn to the core. And I get trapped in between all of you" he replied as the they laughed out loudly looking at their father's situation, yet they didn't back down and kept insisting him

Knowing that there was no other way out he started the story.....

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There was this boy, a 21-year old middle-class boy belonging to a Bengali Household who were settled in Hyderabad for the past 40 years. His father was a Government employee while his mother was a homemaker. He was the youngest in the family of five having two elder sisters along with his parents. Right from his childhood he was a bright student always being among the Top-5 at his school which continued in his college as well. He always dreamed of becoming an Archaeologist, but his parents were against it and going by the societal norms prevalent those days insisted him to go for Engineering and he buckled under the pressure opting for Engineering. He continued exceling in his studies. He seldom had friends in college and even the ones he had was because they wanted his help during exams. He was often mocked by his classmates, was called a bookworm, a teacher's pet, a nerd, a boring person but he was unfazed by everything. All he wanted was to pass out of the college with a job in hand to make his parents happy. Life was going on monotonously for him but then one day everything changed.

He was in his Final year of Engineering and as was his routine he was waiting for his college bus near his home and that was when he heard a laughter, as he turned his head towards the direction of the sound his breathe hitched for a moment and there she was waiting along with her friends laughing as winds swept her hair which she was adjusting. He had never experienced anything like it before, it was the first time he felt attracted towards someone in all these years. He was continuously gazing at her and right at that moment she glanced at him as he turned his head not wanting to get caught while she smiled looking at the spectacled boy who was standing all alone. Just at that moment the first-year bus of his college arrived and she along with her friends got into it. It was then that he realized that she was a first-year student from his college staying near his house. And from that day on another of his daily routine started. He used to wait at the bus stop for a glimpse of her many times missing his own bus, even at college he tried to get a glimpse of her, but never did he try to find out her name or which branch she was in. At first, he felt it was an infatuation but as days progressed he realized it was more than just attraction or infatuation. His day was made just at one look of her, he never tried to express himself before her as he felt she was way out of his league. She was a free-spirited happy go lucky girl always being the centre of attraction surrounded by her friends whereas he was a shy & reserved person mostly keeping to himself. He was happy to be a one-sided lover waiting to get out of the college as he felt with time this feeling of his would get dissipated.

But it seemed like destiny had other plans for them. Being the favourite among the professors he was the Secretary of the association of the Branch he was in. As every year the college had a Technical event for which he needed volunteers. And that was when Destiny played its part. He was sitting in the association room working on the logistics for the event when he heard someone.

"Excuse me" it was a girl's voice. As he looked up he was dazed as before him stood the same girl, a glimpse of whom would make his whole day bright, for a moment he was lost in her but then gained back his composure.

"Yes, How can I help you?" he asked

"I wanted to volunteer for the Technical Event which is been conducted" she replied

"Oh, Ok. Which year are you in and this event is only for Civil Engineering students?" he said to her thinking that she might have by mistake thought the event was for students of every branch

"First year and I am a Civil Engineering student" she replied as he was shocked for a moment knowing that she was from the same branch that he was in.

"Oh, Ok" he replied meekly and then added "By the way if you don't mind Can I know your name?"

"Of Course, Sonakshi Chowdhary" she said and forwarded her hand for a hand shake.

"Dev, Dev Pradhan" he replied as he shook her hands but left it as quickly as possible and that was how they were introduced to each other for the first time.

From that day on they had become friends. As a junior she always listened to him and admired him for the way he handled things maturely. He had kind of become a mentor for her unknowingly. While he was happy that he was able to spend time with her though he always made sure that he never made his feelings apparent to her. He wanted to store those memories for lifetime, after knowing her his love for her deepened but he knew it was not right and never expressed it. She was the eldest of the three siblings from a traditional Andhra Upper middle-class family and he believed a girl like her would never fall for him. Days passed, and it was time for his exit from the college. He still remembered the day of his farewell. The way she clapped enthusiastically when he was declared the best student, the way she looked at him when he ended his farewell speech and then the small Durga Maa idol which she had given him as a farewell gift. He felt a pang of sadness as he looked at her for one last time before exiting his college. He was not sure, but he felt her eyes moistened as he bid her goodbye but then thought it to be his imagination and left.

Seven years had passed since he had left his college. He had done his Masters from one of the topmost college in the country and ended up bagging a job with one of the top most firms in the world. He worked hard and achieved success. Travelled countries, people waited for his talks at conferences, he owned a house, a car and lived a decent life in the financial capital of the country Mumbai. His parents insisted him to get married, but he denied every time seeking more time. But he knew the actual reason for his refusal. In all these years despite all the success he never felt at peace and he knew the reason for it. He missed her every day, there was not a day when he did not remember her, her happy go lucky nature, her positivity, her laugh. He missed everything about her and always regretted that he was never able to express this to her. He felt hollow and empty wondering whether he would be able to feel at peace ever again in his life. But then Destiny played its part for the second time.

It was a regular working day for him, he was working in his cabin when he was informed that the girl he was supposed to interview had arrived as he sighed. He had completely forgotten about it. Asking the office boy to send her in, he was about to open the file of the girl when he heard a knock on his door.

"Can I come in Sir?" he heard a girl's voice

"Yes, come in" he said without raising his head as the girl entered and stood before him

"Please sit-down Ms..." he said and raised his head but the minute he did that the words died in his mouth as standing before him was the same girl whom he missed for the last 7 years, Sonakshi Chowdhary

"Sonakshi Chowdhary" she replied with a bright smile, oh how much he missed that smile

"Sonakshi" he said still not able to believe she was standing before him as her smile widened. He so wanted to hug her never to let go again but then regaining his composure and asked her to settle down. After a rigorous interview she got through.

After she joined Sonakshi had impressed everyone with her work and Dev was proud of her. But Sonakshi observed something about Dev. He had always tried to maintain distance from her. His talks with her were limited to work. She could not understand his behaviour and was in fact disappointed that he avoided her. While on the other hand Dev was living in his own hell, he knew how hard he was trying to not make his feelings apparent to her. He still was under the impression that a girl like Sonakshi would never fall for him. He feared the heartbreak he would suffer if Sonakshi rejected him and decided to keep quiet. Another thing he also knew was that even if by any chance they were together their families would never agree as both their families had completely different back ground. And that's when Destiny decided to play its final part.

Dev and Sonakshi were out on the Annual office outing for three days to Goa. The year had been a great success, and everyone was in a party mood for the 3 days. Dev initially did not want to join for the trip but upon everyone's insistent he joined them. Even though he was a very private person, but he was a very fair boss in fact he was a leader at work and everyone loved & respected him for that.

On the first night of their trip everyone decided to play truth and dare. Dev tried to excuse himself from playing the game but when no one listened he joined them. Everything was going fine until the spinning bottle pointed towards Sonakshi.

"Oh..Sonakshi. So Truth or Dare?" her friend Pia asked

"Truth" she replied in an instant

"Aha...Ok.. So Have you ever loved someone?" asked Pia as Dev's head shot up, he did not want to hear her answer. He gazed at her waiting for her to speak

"Yes" said Sonakshi looking straight into Dev's eyes. As she said that Dev's heart broke into pieces, he had somewhere expected her answer but hearing her say the same left him shattered.

"For how long?" asked Pia next

"Seven Years" replied Sonakshi with a smile, but Dev's pain was just increasing every moment as he listened to her.

"And Who is he?" asked Pia finally but before Sonakshi could reply someone interrupted

"That's enough" it was Dev who spoke harshly as everyone stared at him in wonder as this was the first time they saw him speak harshly to someone.

"I mean that's a personal question and she might not be comfortable answering that? he said trying to calm himself down, though he knew the real reason for his behaviour. He could never listen to anyone's name from her mouth and hence was trying to stop her from answering.

"I do not have any problem answering that Dev" said Sonakshi as Dev shot an angered look at her. Here he was trying to lessen his pain, but it seemed like Sonakshi was hell bent on increasing his pain. He excused himself saying he had to make an important call and left as everyone was left confused with his behaviour.

As Dev left, Sonakshi excused herself as well trying to control the tears which were threatening to spill from her eyes. She moved towards the beach near the resort trying to calm herself down when she saw someone standing on the beach gazing into the night sky. Moving towards the person she realized who it was.

"Dev" she called the person out who stiffened a bit listening to her.

"Sonakshi" he said wiping his tears as he turned around

"What happened? Why are you standing here all alone?" she asked

"Just trying to wash away my pains" he whispered but Sonakshi heard that she was about to reply but Dev beat her to it "By the way Sonakshi, Congratulations. I am happy that you have got your love" he said as his voice quivered

"Thank you, by the way do you want to see his photo" she replied all enthusiastically as Dev fisted his hands in anger & pain.

"No, not needed Sonakshi. I am sure you are not comfortable" he replied trying to avoid the situation

"Not at all" she said and without waiting for his reply handed him her phone which he took hesitatingly as his hands shivered but then seeing no other way out he looked at the photo but as he saw it he was left stunned.

Because staring right back him was his seven-year younger version. It was his photo which was taken when he was giving his farewell speech. The shock and surprise on his face was clear. He looked up from the phone but the scene in front of her gave him another shock.

In front of him Sonakshi on her knees holding a ring pointing it towards Dev and the next words he heard from her left him gobsmacked.

"Mr. Dev Pradhan, I Love You. Would you like to spend your rest of life with me and make me a part of your Journey" she confessed as Dev stared at her in confusion, he could not understand whether it was a dream or reality. But the next moment he knew what he had to do.

"Sonakshi, I, I really don't know what to say? I mean is this some kind of a Joke?" he knew his words would hurt her but also knew it was for their better

"You feel my love is a Joke Dev. How can you? Just say it Dev...At least tell it today" she replied trying to make Dev confess his feelings

"What are you saying Sonakshi, this is not right. You will regret it later" he said trying to make her understand

"Nothing is wrong Dev, I love you. I know you love me too. There is nothing to regret. Please confess it Dev" she replied tears flowing from her eyes

"I, I don't love you Sonakshi" he said and turned his face away but by now Sonakshi had lost all her patience, she got up and held Dev by collars.

"What, What did you say? You don't love me. Then why is there a picture of me in your wallet. What is the Durga maa idol which I gifted you doing on your office table and what are our pictures doing in your office drawer, if you do not love me then why were you sad when I said I loved someone. Tell me Dev, tell me? She spoke agitatedly as Dev looked gobsmacked not understanding how did she get to know all of this but he kept quiet. Seeing him quiet Sonakshi lost all her patience.

"You know what Dev. I regret that I loved you, I regret that I waited for you so many years and I regret that I loved a person who does not have the guts to confess his love" she said and turned to go.

But the very next moment Dev held her hand, turning her around he smashed his lips on to hers as he started kissing her while Sonakshi who was shocked at first responded after some time. It was a kiss of passion, of pain, of regret, of guilt & of love. They poured out their love for so many years in that one kiss. After what seemed like eternity they parted, their breathes ragged as they joined their foreheads and smiled.

"I love you, I love you so much Sonakshi. I love you more than anyone in this world" Dev finally confessed as Sonakshi smiled and pulled him into another round of kiss.

As they sat on the beach after their confession, Dev asked "By the way Sonakshi, when did you realize that you loved me?"

"The day of your farewell, when you left. That was day I realized how important you were to me. I was always attracted to you, but it was not until that day when you left that I realized it was more than just attraction. In fact, that was the day I realized I love you" she said as Dev smiled at her

"And you? When did you realize your love for me?" asked Sonakshi as Dev looked at her.

"Frankly, for me it was love at first sight. The day when I saw you first time at the bus stop" he confessed as Sonakshi slapped her head first and then hit Dev's head lightly as he looked at her surprised.

"Dumbo, why did you never say it then?" she questioned him

"How could I Sonakshi? You were this happy go lucky girl who was always the centre of attraction with almost every boy in the college behind you and I was this geeky spectacled nerd who had no friends staying all alone. How could I when I knew that you were way out of my league. I feared that you would reject me and I would become an object of ridicule which I did not want. I was happy with my one-sided love" he confessed as Sonakshi looked at her with tears glistening her eyes.

"You are such a dumb head Dev. Could you never understand me? You know the days we spent during the preparation for the event were the best days of my life. And how could you think that I would reject you, I always wanted someone who was mature, sensible & good at heart Dev. And you were everything. And dare you call my boyfriend a nerd" she said as Dev chuckled

Sonakshi then went on to reveal how after realizing her love she searched for him but very few knew about him. She was informed that Dev had left for his higher studies and after that joined one of the best firms in the world. All the while Sonakshi worked hard, she went to the same college for her higher studies where Dev went and then worked hard to join the same firm where he was working so that she could confess her love.

As Dev heard her he had tears in her eyes "I am sorry Sonakshi, I am really sorry. You had to endure so much pain because of me. And thank you, thank you for loving me and never giving up your love for me"

"Sssh...Enough Dev. We both have suffered but as they say its better late than never" said Sonakshi as they engaged themselves in another blissful kiss.

The next few months were a bliss for both as they knew more about each other. Dev had decided to join another firm as he did not want them to become a topic for gossip in their office and since he was more experienced he decided he would move out as it would be easier for him to get a job. They felt life was bed of roses but even roses had thorns in them. Everything was going fine until the last storm hit them.

Both their parents were now behind them incessantly to get married now that they had settled well in their career and that's when they decided to reveal their love to their parents. And as they had expected there was a big fight at both their homes. While Dev's mother always wanted a traditional Bengali girl, who would be a homemaker for her son, Sonakshi's father wanted a well settled NRI for his daughter. The next one year was the toughest for them with both trying to convince their parents which sometimes resulted in tiffs between them as well but they held strong. After a lot of convincing, emotional ourbursts and tiffs both the families agreed. Their marriage was a mix of Bengali and Andhra traditions and even though the families were bit unhappy but masked it for their children's happiness. It was the day when DEV & SONAKSHI became DEVAKSHI.

Over time the differences between the families resolved and the birth of their twins removed that final barrier as well between the families as Dev and Sonakshi decided to settle in Mumbai with their kids comprising their small little world.

***********

As Dev finished, the kids had tears in their eyes as they hugged him tightly. Just then they heard.

"Oh Family hug without me" said Sonakshi as she crossed her arms with a pouted sadly as the trio chuckled and gestured her to join them. After their family hug the kids retired to their rooms as Dev asked Sonakshi.

"By the way when did you come?" he said

"Right at the time when you were telling the kids that they were stubborn just like me" as Dev's eyes widened. "So, I am stubborn haan?" Sonakshi asked in a fake anger as Dev wound his arms around her.

"Yes, you are stubborn and I am proud of that. It was because of your stubbornness that we are together today, and I will be eternally grateful to you for that" he said as Sonakshi stopped him from speaking further as she knew what he was talking about and pulled him for a soulful kiss.

Later that night Sonakshi was standing near the window of their room staring into the night sky when she felt someone nuzzling her neck, she knew who it was and just savoured his touch.

"What were you thinking?" Dev asked turning her to face him

"Nothing much, I was just thinking if we would have never confessed our love then would we be together today" she said as Dev wound his arms around her.

"I don't know Sonakshi, I only know that we are, were and will be together for eternity. You know why? He asked "Why?" she replied

"Because we are BONDED BY DESTINY"

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Done, A long one. How was it ? Boring/Good. I know its probably not good but Hey I am trying to improve my writing skills and would be glad if you can share your views so that I can improve upon my writing.

And if you like it. Please do Vote. Makes the writer happy 🙂🙂🙂.

A very happy new year once again🍰🍰

Please ignore the grammatical mistakes.