Yash,

It was good to be home. Mom looked excited when I informed her about Reshu's acceptance . She had already started working on the list of  guests. She looks so happy,and I am little guilty for keeping away from my family. Emotional, I pulled her in a bear hug, ''I am sorry mom''

''What for?'' She asked rubbing my back

''For being selfish. For leaving you guys alone. I am sorry for being a jerk.'' I replied placing a peck on her forehead. She pecked me affectionately, ''I am not mad, I understand you needed it. But I am too happy that you finally found your happiness in Reshu. So when do I get to see her?''

''Soon. Mom, Imran has planned a small get together. So I will be having dinner with my friends.'' Mom nodded and moved out calling for my dad, reprimanding him for not making the list of best hotels in the town. All I could do was laugh. I have decided to do as my parents desire . They want my wedding to a lavish one and I am fine with it. I too want to celebrate my love and show my girl to the world. I am waiting for the moment when I would stand next to her with her hand in mine as man and wife. Reshu Yash Mathur, it just sounds perfect.

Imran and Jatin had been complaining about me acting pricey. Since I have landed in India, all I did was search and convince Resh about my love. I am guilty about not meeting my childhood buddies. I just met them once at the alumni meet briefly and then left for Goa. He had invited me over and I decided to accept his offer. He told some more batch mate will be joining. I had no issues with it. 

A knock at the door brought me out of my stance. Th help stood at the door grinning ear to ear. He asked if he could clean. I gave him a mock salute, welcoming him in style. He giggled walking in as I just patted his back walking out. 

 Moving to the terrace, I decided to spend some time recalling the moments I shared with Resh in Goa. The weather looked beautiful and perfect to drown in romantic memories. I smiled , our relationship was beautiful. We met and bonded as friends, even now when she agreed to be mine, we are yet best friends first. My mobile buzzed , it was a message from Resh expressing her boredom. I was aware about her meeting schedule with a big corporate in Mumbai, they were looking for a good organiser for their Annual All Hands Meet. I replied asking her to concentrate.

She replied after a minute, 'First kiss me.'

Laughing, I pressed a kissing smiley into the reply sending it to her. Shaking my head I moved to the balcony area enjoying the breeze. My phone pinged again, there was an annoyed emoticon with a message, 'Just one.' My finger brushed the screen, I wished I would have been there with her and given to her demand right away. Breathing deep, I tried calming my desire filled nerves. Her small gestures are turning me on.

''It's good to see you back.'' My perfect world was suddenly disturbed with a voice I had no desire to hear. I decided to stay silent, still keeping my back to her. There was a silence and then Namrata started her drama, ''You wouldn't believe, but all these years I have never stopped loving you Yash.''

She waited for my response, but when got no response from me she decided to continue, ''I repented for the mistake I committed, but you will have to forgive me Yash. I was just a kid. I agree, it was foolish and wrong to betray you but I have repented for that all these year. Can't we start over again.''

''Again?'' I burst unable to control further. ''There is nothing to start over. I have moved on long ago and have no intention to look back. You were my past, a regretful one and you will stay in past.'' I was aware of the harshness in my tone, and I wasn't sorry for it. Taking a step towards in her direction I added, ''I have a suggestion, work on your marriage or you will end up breaking the heart of another innocent guy.'' Her eyes widen, there was a flash of anger which she quickly covered with a miserable expression

''He isn't a good as all believe him to be. He has made my life hell.'' She tried earning my sympathy, but it made me hate her even more. I know what she has been up to behind my back. I have my ways.

''Or you recently realised his net worth is lesser than min.'' That was below the belt, I accused her of being a gold digger. Anger flashed in her eyes, ''I am many things Yash but not a money sucker so dare you point a finger at me.''

I laughed, ''I am not , you are yourself doing it. I am aware what you did behind my back these days, you got all possible details about me and guess what I allowed the information to reach you, so that when we meet next, I can bring down the curtains on your drama easily.'' She was too shocked to react , I continued, ''You have been dreaming of leaving and settling down in US with me. Sorry, not happening. I hate you Namrata, more than you know more than you can comprehend. I understand what runs in that dirty brain of yours. People still have not forgotten the scandal you were involved in and by marrying me you want shut them, indirectly conveying the message that I was as involved as you were. '' I was breathing hard, racking my fingers through my hair I threw words at her, ''Aren't you ashamed and about forgiving, I am no saint. By your concurrent actions you prove every time that you aren't worthy of any emotion. Stay away, or I will get a restraining order from court. Your family has gone through lot because of the old incident, this will shatter them. If not for yourself, pity them.'' With that I made my way to the stairs moving down quickly. Resh knows about my past with Namrata, but she isn't aware of current scenario. It would be good if I brief her on the same ASAP without any filters.

Jatin greeted me with a warm hug as I entered Imran's house. Later, Imran joined us and we stood in silence for a moment. There is nothing like a childhood friend, it's the time you make friends without any understanding of good bad , status caste and creed. You accept people just because you like them and you grow up loving them the way they are, with all their good and bad.

Imran gestured us to move in the hall and I gasped looking at the small crowd. So many of them whom I missed during the school alumina meet. We greeted each other with hugs and soon the house echoed with our loud laughter. I felt alive meeting my old buddies again, but it also evoked a thought in me. I missed so much for so many years. I never contacted any of them, yet they welcomed me back, understanding my pain and believing my explanations. I just could wonder how heart broken my parents would have been with my decision of not travelling back home.

My thoughts again went to Resh, she to have managed to build a good business. I haven't even thought on that. I never discussed with her about her choices.  I happily assumed that she will follow me around. I felt selfish, in my excitement I never mentioned or asked her about it. The realization came as an eyeopener. Going back to US will just benefit me, but me staying back here will make so many of them happy, including me. In my pain, I gave pain to my parents. I smiled. Its decided, I will quit my job and settle down here, with Reshu.

The dinner stretched a little longer and highlight was the dessert seveiyan. I have always loved it, specially by Imran's mother. Before leaving I hugged her tight, packing the remaining dessert to enjoy later.

***

Later in the night, I informed my boss about my decision. Though, he sounded disappointed but he understood my concern. Keeping the laptop aside, I dialled Reshu. She answered after few rings, I could here the noise in the background. Before I could say a words, she sang my name like a melody, ''Yaaaassssh!!!!''

''Where are you? Sounds like a party to me.''

''Yes, we bagged a big project . So came for a dance at the local pub.'' She chirped. I was suddenly jealous. Our first dance in Goa flashed infront of my eyes, ''Resh, whom are you dancing with''

There was a silence and I felt a teasing smile cross her lips, ''Do I hear jealousy  here?'' She asked I smiled, ''Yes, I am.''

''Then don't be. There is no one in this crowd who could match you. I miss you Yash , a lot.'' She whispered. I closed my eyes feeling her words up, she joined the silence letting the melody of love flow between us. ''Do you hear the wind Yash.'' I hummed. She added, ''It brings your scent to me. Thank you for coming back.'' Her voice choked.

''Resh, do you mind if we settle down in Delhi. I am planning to quit my job and find something here.'' I expected questions arguments, all I heard was her laboured breathing. ''If you don't want , fine we will go back to US for few years and come back...'' I was cut in between

''I love you Yash. More than you know, more than you can think. More than any one cloud.'' I froze, yes she did agree to marry me. We shared few intimate moments, but she never expressed her heart . She never accepted her feelings, and now when she did I am so far. I wanted to hold her, hug kiss her. ''Resh, why now. Couldn't you say this before.''

''Because just now you made me realize that how precious you are. That how lucky I am to be blessed with your affection. I kept lying to myself, that its just friendship but somewhere in small corner of my heart I knew you were there. But it scared me Yash.''

''What made you confess today?''

There was a pause, ''Yash, I was about to refuse if you would asked me to follow you to US. But you thought of me, even before you. After years , someone did that for me. I don't want to lose you. Not at any cost.''

''You won't and this is final, we are settling down in Delhi. I want you to meet my parents.'' She turned quite again

''Yash, its not that simple. We are different and my family is little orthodox about the same. '' She sounded hesitated.

''Every family is, but no parents can be stubborn when it comes to their child's happiness. My parents are fine and leave rest on me. Now, I need something to have a good night sleep.'' She giggled and then I got kiss. My night was definitely the beautiful one.

***

Third Person's POV

Sheetal kept pacing in the large room of her mansion. She had everything that a girl ever dreamt off. But she lacked something very essential, calmness. The husband she was so proud of has now stared substituting his time with materialistic things. After her  third miscarriage, he had been distant. She had heard rumours of him seeing someone else. Pained, She crashed on her lush couch, how can someone be so heartless in betraying the one who loved them truly

'You did the same with someone years back. You left him , broke his heart for your selfish needs.'

Her conscious reminded her. Karma had hit back, she broke Yash. The one guy who trusted and loved her even when she was cheating him behind his back. Sheetal closed her eyes, allowing the tears to stream down her face. Opening her eyes, she wiped her tears off. Switching on her laptop she searched for his old mail and wrote an apology, asking for his forgiveness. with shaking fingers she clicked on send and it failed. She was determined, even if her marrige fails she decided to get his forgiveness to get rid of her guilt. And there was one person who could help, Resh

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Votes and comments please