"Why did you put my jeans? And these slippers? I already told you that this time it's different. I will not only meet the shareholders but also make a deal with the emeralds of Arab." Reiva looked irate.
"Take it. You need to wear comfortable clothes when you take a nap and relax. How will you manage to wear those tight skirts and high heels all these four days?", Mayank looked worried.
"This is not important. I need to completely focus on this deal and next up my promotion will be sure.", excited Reiva threw the slippers on the floor and started to lock her luggage.
"But you don't need to overburden yourself. I am there. Next month I will sign a deal for which I will be paid 4 lakhs. After that we can plan for our marriage." Mayank back-hugged Reiva while she was busy curling her hair.
"Isn't it already decided? We will pay equally for our marriage and our new home. Mayank! Please don't start this topic now. I am in a very good mood so don't spoil it." Reiva looked irritated this time.
Releasing his hands and taking a step back Mayank spoke, "Fine! Let's do this later. I'll drop you to the airport tomorrow." Kissing each other goodnight, both went back to their own rooms.
Next morning before Mayank woke up, Reiva had already left. She texted him saying that her colleague came to pick up.
The next four days were utterly busy for Mayank. Only he could afford the night talks with Reiva while he seemed as busy as bee during the daytime. On the fourth night he texted her saying that he will go to pick he up from the airport.

Next morning:

"Hello! Hello Reiva! Where are you?", Mayank called her. "Hello Mayank! What are you talking about? Where are you?" "Of course outside the airport. But where are you? Come out fast. I'll take you somewhere to lighten your mood." "Umm..Mayank...I completely forgot about you. I came back to the company straight from the airport."
From the other side of the phone she only heard "Oh!" "Umm..Mayank! I'm so sorry. But I need to prepare for a meeting right now. Let's talk when I get home. Bye."

That Night:
Reiva opened the lock of the door of her apartment while busily scrolling her phone. It was quarter past 12. The very first thing she did after entering was stretching out her exhausted body on the sofa and then called Mayank. "Mayank! Mayank! Did you already fall asleep? Mayank!!"
No matter how much she called him, Mayank was nowhere to be seen. Reiva pulled herself up from the sofa and went to check his room. The room was dark and silent. She reached for the lights and was disappointed to see the empty room. Suddenly something struck her and she checked her phone. She at once blinked her eyes and glared at the screen. There was a message from Mayank, probably two hours ago, where he told her that he had to go for an emergency meeting.

After a Week:

"Reiva! Let's eat our dinner outside today.", Mayank asked while making their breakfast. "Fine. I'll get off from work at 6 maybe. Send me the location later on.", Reiva said while having a bite of her toast. "Cool! Let's meet at my chosen location with your chosen menu." "Cool!". And both chuckled.
Meanwhile Reiva's phone rang and somehow Mayank sensed a change in their plan and so he already looked low. "Hello! Yes? Ok! I'll reach there on time. Please keep ready the documents and my...." And she looked at Mayank and whispered, "I need to go. Let's meet in the evening. Bye." And she went while continuing with her phone call.
Mayank looked at the door which was just now closed. Perhaps he wanted to say something more to her...perhaps he wanted to discuss something more with her...perhaps!!!
That night:
Mayank called Reiva, "Hello Reiva! I've already sent you the location. I'll be there at 7." From the other side Reiva spoke, "Mayank! Don't make any reservation now. I'll confirm the time and call you back. Bye."
After an hour, Mayank's phone rang. His long waited call was finally there. "Hello Reiva!" "Mayank! I just got out of my office. I'll probably reach there in one or two hour." "Ok! I'm waiting."
Reiva reached the given location and hurriedly parked her car. Mayank noticed her car and went near it. "Mayank! Sorry I just couldn't ignore my seniors." "Fine Reiva. But...". Mayank looked restless. "What?", she asked. "I'm so sorry. The reservations are already full. I don't think we can eat here today." Saying this he lowered his head. "Oh! Now what? Should we go somewhere else?" "But we are already in the outskirts of the city. Now if we again move to the city, we won't make in time. The restaurants will get closed by the time we reach there." Mayank spoke while his head was still lowered. "Then what? It's all your fault. Why did you select such an isolated restaurant?" "Because....because it perfectly fitted your taste and...I..." "Fine!", Reiva cut his words and spoke, "Should we eat at the food stalls? Let's find one on our way back home." Reiva started to head towards her parked car but suddenly she stopped and looked back at Mayank who was still gazing at the restaurant. "Mayank! Come fast. We'll surely eat here someday. And that day will be my treat."
They stopped near a food stall. After getting off her car, Reiva said in a displeased tone, "Are you sure? Should we eat here?" "Of course! The food is excellent here." "No...I mean...look at those utensils. Maybe we can eat something simple at home." "No! Why! We are already here. So let's eat a hearty meal here." Reiva was still stumbling. "I don't know. I'm not that sure. Hope it doesn't make my stomach upset." To this Mayank hold her hands and pulled her near a chair. He made her sit comfortably and then spoke, "How will you know if you don't even try?"
The only person on the stall who worked as the chef as well as the waiter, came and asked what they wanted. "Keema Biryani, lemon chicken, sweet and crispy pork, and do you have prawns?" "Yes", the female chef replied nodding her head. "Ok then make a creamy garlic prawn dish and should we order anything else Reiva? Is there anything you are craving now?" He asked Reiva who still was struggling to adjust on her seat. Reiva smiled and nodded her head. Mayank spoke again to the chef, "Fine! Add some meatballs curry and two colas please." The chef bought two colas and returned to her work place and got busy.
"Are you sure Reiva you are ok with only these things?" Mayank asked her in a serious tone. "Yes Mayank. You have ordered enough for us. But why are you behaving like this?" "What? I'm just trying to have a good meal with you." Reiva smiled and spoke, "But you know you exactly are behaving like the Mayank five years ago. You remember while ordering you mixed up the menu on our first date making me hell embarrassed." She laughed and continued, "And do you remember how you ordered eighteen dishes and all the people gazed at our table full of different dishes. I felt so embarrassed that day. My God! How can someone be so spineless?" And she laughed some more.
Mayank felt low and said in a low tone, "But...but it was all to make you eat something good." "Don't feel sad Mayank. I only shared my memories back when we started to date." Mayank continued with the low tone, "That day I prepared a surprise for you. I bought the necklace which you were craving since a month. After dinner we went to watch a film where you got annoyed when I dozed off in the middle." He curved up his lips slightly and continued, "You are right. It is really embarrassing and peevish that while I remembered our happy moments, you forgot all those and..." "Sir, your order is ready.", saying this the chef placed the dishes on the table and left.
No one talked. Mayank fixed his gaze at the food infront while Reiva was still in shock as to how to reply him. "Just manage today. From next time I'll make the corrections." And Mayank started to eat.

The next few days were as usual busy for both of them. They were busy with their own schedules. But today, it was a different day for Mayank... to put it simply it was a special day for him. He looked happy and cheerful. After completing his work, he called Reiva. "Hello Reiva! Can you come home a bit early today?" "Umm...I am not that busy today...umm...I think I can." "Perfect! Let's meet at home."

That Evening:

Mayank was bewailed. Just now Reiva informed that she would be late. Mayank thought, 'Is she really busy? Or is she planning a surprise? She didn't even wish me in the morning. Did she forget? Should I pass a hint to her? Leave it. I'll call her later and directly ask her.'
After sometime, he called her. But she didn't pick up. Mayank thought, 'I'm sure she is on the way to give me a surprise. So...I need to be ready. I'll make something delicious to lighten our mood and make the atmosphere romantic.'
Soon it turned 11 pm. But Reiva didn't return. Mayank was continuously calling her. The ring was going on but she didn't pick up.
After several rejections, she picked up and spoke, "Mayank? Are you all right? Why did you call me so many times?" "Reiva...Reiva!! Are you all right? Did anything happen? Why didn't you receive my calls?", anxious Mayank asked. "I am parking the car now. I'll talk at home."
Mayank ran to the door. He opened it and stood near it. He saw Reiva in a brand new dress. When she reached near, he asked, "This isn't your dress. You wore something else this morning. Right?" "Yes! Actually my colleagues asked me to join in the company dinner. There I spilled a drink on my dress. They felt bad and insisted me to buy a new one." She took a 360 turn and continued, "How is it? They chose it for me. I loved the colour and see... the material is so soft and comfortable. Don't I look classy?" "Y..yes", Mayank replied in a confused tone. "My colleagues said the same thing. Mayank let me wear this dress when we visit your parents next time." "Fine...get in and change." Mayank replied in his usual low tone.
"Mayank! I think I need to change my dressing style. This weekend let's go for shopping and we will...", Reiva talked while Mayank stood near the kitchen. His hands looked confused. "Why are you awake Mayank? It's late. And what are you doing in the kitchen?" "I prepared...food for..." Reiva cuts out and spoke, "O yes! How can I forget? Mayank!" "Yes?", Mayank's mood lightened thinking that finally she got to realize. "Today the food was so damn dope. Let's eat there next time." Saying this, she returned to her room merrily and Mayank stood there totally deadlocked.
Next morning Reiva realized that Mayank, who usually gets up first and prepares the breakfast, is today nowhere to be seen. She went to look inside his room. "Mayank? Mayank? Are you inside?" A feeble voice responded, "Yes...I am not feeling well." To this Reiva opened the door and saw him lying on his bed. "Mayank! What happened? Should we go to the hospital?", concerned Reiva asked.
"No...I am just having seasonal flu. I took the medicines. After I take rest, I should be fine.", Mayank replied in his weak voice. "Ok then. I'll leave for office now. Call me if you need any help. And if you still feel sick, please visit the hospital." Reiva kissed on his forehead and continued, "Bye! I'll call you once I reach office. Take care." And she headed towards the parking lot.
'Why am I doing this? Why should I avoid her? Maybe she is too busy to remember my birthday. I'll not remind her or else she might get upset with herself.', thought Mayank.
Just then his phone rang. It was Reiva. "Reiva!" "Mayank! Mayank! Can you please get me my car's key? I might have kept it on the dining table." "Just a minute." "Ok! I am waiting at the parking lot."
Mayank took the key and headed towards the parking lot. On reaching there, he saw Reiva talking with a male. He went near them. Just then Reiva saw him and shouted, "Oh! Is this my key? Excuse me sir! That is my key. I think I dropped it somehow." Astonished Mayank glared at her without a blink. She took the keys and spoke, "Thank you so much sir. I thought I kept inside my pouch. I had no idea how it fell out of it." And she forcefully laughed looking at Mayank and the other person standing there.
"Reiva! What happened?", the other person asked her, "Oh Boss! I think I have become careless and clumsy now. My car's key fell out of my pouch. Thanks to this neighbour of mine. Thankfully he found it." "Oh that car you drove last night?" "Y...yes b...boss!" "By the way, did you like the dress or was it still uncomfortable? I assure you that your tacky taste in clothes will change into classy one if you listen to my advice." "Y...yes b...boss!" "Should I again book the same restaurant today?" "I...am...not sure. Shall we move to the office?" "Ok! Let me know your answer later. Bye."
All this time Mayank stood motionless. He knew what happened but wasn't ready to believe it. Reiva stood still for a bit and went near him. "Mayank! I am sorry. I lied so that you don't misunderstand my relation with my boss. Even though I don't like all these, but I had no choice. You know na....that all these what I am doing...is all for our future." "You are getting late Reiva. You should get going.", were the only words that Mayank forcefully put. "Mayank! I hope you understand. No one really wants to lie unless he or she has no other option to get out of a situation." "Are you in your right mind? Do you still need to justify what you did?" The words came out without his intent. Taking a deep breath Reiva spoke, " Sorry. I don't know what to say in such a situation. Forget it! Tell me something. Your birthday, I guess is tomorrow right? Don't worry I'll give you the best ever birthday this time that you had never ever expected. Be ready." And she winked playfully at him.
Mayank curled his lips sarcastically and spoke, "You don't need to do anything. I am fine." "No! Why? I'll surely celebrate it. And I promise you this time I'll come on time. I'll not leg it." "Didn't I say no need." This time Mayank's face looked exhausted. "Why are you angry now? I told now that I'll not postpone it anymore. I'll make your birthday special. So why..." "My birthday? It was yesterday. So there's no need of any celebration now." He turned himself to the other side and spoke in weariness, "My body is aching. I need to rest. But...You indeed made it my best ever birthday this time that I never expected." And he left from the scene.

Next Morning:

Mayank took a fast shower and headed towards the kitchen. He looked a bit tipsy. His ungovernable feelings made his mind malaise. Soon Reiva entered and both had an eye contact. Mayank at once avoided it and got busy with making breakfast. On the other hand Reiva had a fret look on her pale face. Surely she didn't have a good sleep last night.
"Umm..Ma..Mayank! How is your fever?", she asked hoping to get a hint of how his mood was. "Much better now.", he replied in a low tone. "Umm...Mayank! I had to receive my foreign clients yesterday...and...it was very late when I came home...so I...I didn't go to check your fever." Mayank looked least concerned.
He made the breakfast while Reiva put the table. "Reiva! Can you go a little late today? I need to discuss something with you now.", Mayank said in his usual low tone. Just then Reiva's phone rang. "Hello! Yes. I'll complete and send it today itself. Don't worry. And....and I will be a bit late today...maybe an hour or so. Ok! Yes...yes..bye"
Reiva put aside her phone and sat to have her breakfast. Opposite to her chair, Mayank sat, his mood still being unpredictable. "Oh! You made hot chocolate today?", Reiva said looking at the glasses put infront of he. "It's your favourite.", Mayank spoke. Reiva still looked puzzled at his behaviour.
Reiva thought, 'Should I talk about the yesterday's incident or should I talk randomly? Is it right? Am I avoiding the situation? Should I ask him? But what should I ask?
"Umm...Mayank! You said you had to discuss something...what is it?" "Yes, it's about me and you", Mayank snarled. "Us?" "No, not us...but about you and me."
"What? What are you saying? Say something which I can understand." "Yesterday...the whole night I thought about us...we, as a couple...we, in a happy ever after relationship...we, in our 60's. But you know what I realized? It was never 'we' in our relationship."
"Mayank I'm completely sorry for what has happened. But it was all for not to make our relation complicated. I didn't wanted you to misunderstand me."
"How can you be so sure that I would have misunderstood you? It is because you never tried to understand me. Very easily you lied thinking it was better to lie than to give explanations of you act. Right?"
Reiva nodded her head and bent her head. "But I lied but it was indeed a white lie."
"Don't put colours on your lie. A lie is simply a lie. Don't try to justify your act now."
The atmosphere looked edgy. "I know it was a folly act of mine. But all I did is for our better future."
"Future?", Mayank's voice seemed to shriek, "What future? Don't you see our present is foggy?"
"Is it my fault to have a good rappo with my boss. All I need is a good promotion and for that I had do all these."
"It's not about this Reiva. All I'm talking about is faith and honesty in our relationship. It's not only your fault. I too lied to you. Whenever I saw you being close with anyone else, I should have fretted out my feelings. Whenever you cancelled our date plans, I should have let you know that I was not ok with it."
"I never thought you would be suffering so much."
"Surprisingly, yesterday when I learnt about your lie of having dinner with your boss, I was not that sad. Somehow I got used to it. I didn't feel that bad."
Reiva glared with her puzzling eyes. "So...am I..."
"Finally I have made myself clear."
"Clear? About what?", Reiva weeped.
"We need to end this."
"What? I am not going to do that. And I am not letting you to do that."And she started to cry.
"Don't make this awkward and let's end this gracefully."
"No...No...no...", she cried again, this time loud enough.
"Don't do this Reiva. Next time please find someone who doesn't embarrass you anymore.", Mayank tried hard to smile. "Reiva, you will surely find a great person. But next time please don't paint your lies in white and before anything happens, do share every single thing with him. It's the basic thing in a relation."
Saying this, he went inside his room and bought out his already packed luggage. "Reiva! I'll stay at my friend's house for now until I get a new rented house. Let us live a better life and forget out past." He started to move to the main door.
"Mayank!", Reiva, who was still sitting on her breakfast table, spoke in a timid tone, "Mayank! Are you happy now? Are you fine with this? Will you be not hurt thinking about our failed relationship?"
Mayank stopped and without turning back he replied, "Don't worry...I am fine. I am fine with it. I am not hurt anymore. Let's never meet again." It was a lie, of course that it wouldn't hurt a bit. But since adults always said it when it was going to hurt, he could count on that statement as an accurate prediction of the future. It is true that sometimes lies are more dependable than the truth.