Love Me...Once Again

Chapter-2

2000

''Mommy, a car stopped. Mommy...now a anuty got out, she is not beautiful as you. Mommy, there is boy too. Can I go and meet him?'' 4 year old Nirali gave her mother live updates peeping through the window that overlooked the road. 

Mathur family lived in Aliganj of Lucknow, a beautiful residential area full of government officers and retired defense professionals. Asha shook her head, pulling her daughter back from the window. ''They are our new neighbor, you should not be talking bad.''

''Can I meet the small boy.'' Nirali asked again

Asha smiled. ''We both will go and meet them.'' Asha promised her daughter. And she kept it as well. It was common then to greet and make new neighbors comfortable. Asha and others in the locality visited their new neighbor.

Kapoors recently got transferred from Delhi to Lucknow. Mr Avinash Kapoor was a senior officer in Indian railways while his wife, Lavanya Kapoor  worked at a teacher. Their only child, Lakshay was 5 and came out as really shy boy. He did what was asked to and sat calmly in a corner.

''Do you go to school?'' Nirali asked, her voice seemed as if she was interrogating Lakshay and that shocked him .  Asha  pulled her daughter back. ''Please don't mind, my daughter is little talkative. ''

''She is very cute.'' Lavanya complimented the little girl while Lakshay stared at the girl, she seemed dangerous to his 5 year old mind. He had never met anyone as talkative as her. Nirali had a million questions for the new family which her mother failed to control.

Present.

''Beep..Beep!'' Lakshay opened his eyes as alarm next to him went off. His eyes moved to the window, it was still dark. He took a sip of water moving to the window. He was miles away from the place he called home for a concert, he should have been excited but his memories kept pulling him back to one person he hasn't seen in years, Nirali. Tapping the FB app, he clicked on her profile scrolling all her pictures. For years, Lakshay had pondered on sending her a friend request but he pulled back; not sure if Nirali would entertain it. His eyes scanned some recent pictures; it seemed like an outing and she was smiling at camera wide, he smiled as if she smiled at him. In another picture she had a guy's arm around her. 

''Was she dating?'' Was she serious?'' ''Will he lose her forever?'' The thoughts which had troubled him for years started coming back . Lakshay threw his phone in a corner, picked his note book, pen and started penning down his song. Nirali wasn't just a person, she was strongest emotion Lakshay ever felt his living years. His feelings and its depth was only known to his friends cum band members. They did all which would give their dear frien some peace but failed.

Each word, note , song that left Lakshay's mouth has her. Something which started with a sweet friendship turned deep without even him realizing that. Now, she occupied his nights, his thoughts and his music.

Lakshay picked up his guitar, his fingers slowly moving over its string. The note reminded him of her laugh; she never cared how she looked, she just laughed with full heart.  Lakshay smiled again, her memories gave him the comfort. He closed his eyes leaning against the bed and that's one a new song started flowing in.

***

Nirali sipped her coffee, her eyes glued to the screen. She ha and d to submit the final draft before lunch but the prestation seemed growing on its own. ''Nirali, did you check the pictures of our weekend outing. They have come out awesome and Sunny is gushing over his and yours pic. '' Nirali's colleague, flatmate and best friend Amisha said. Nirali huffed going back to her work.

''Nirali Mathur, do you have any feelings for people around you?''

''Yes, but not for nonsense.'' Nirali replied, her eyes still glued to the screen.

''He is a good guy and he like you.''

''I don't! And this matters.'' Nirali's voice came strong. Amisha huffed. ''I am your friend and this is why your temper never scares me. I know you won't like it, but that won't deter me from speaking the truth, you love to complicate things Nirali. You try to appear strong, matured but you actually are scared and lost.''

''Amisha...'' But latter raised her palm to silence. her friend  ''Nirali, you are scared to explore and open up. Its okay, but you need to realize what your want. You can deny my words and others but don't deny your heart.'' Amisha walked away with shake of her head. Nirali rubbed her eyes tired of screen and her thoughts.  Why couldn't her friend understand that Nirali was normal like any other career oriented girl. Why was her disinterest in relationships was being misunderstood. She shook her head, there was a ping on her skype. It was time to see her boss.

Nirali's day ended with additional work. Amisha was going out on drinks but Nirali wanted to be alone. Alone to go down the memory lane. After dinner, she quickly moved to her room, plugged her ears with earphones and tapped her phone screen, and there his voice came alive. Nirali's eyes moved as Lakshay moved all over the stage with his guitar, he was still the same. At least to her. She smiled when Lakshay ended his performance with giving his audience a treat with his guitar skills. There was a roar of applause and Nirali's heart swelled in pride. She paused the video, zoomed on him and stared at is face. Her memories going back to time when he sang the first time and then they kissed. 

''You let him go.''  Her minded chided. ''He wanted to stay, you pushed him away.''

Nirali shook her head. ''I did the right thing then, it was necessary. I don't regret any of it.'' She consoled her heart. She heard her conscious laugh at her. ''Liar!''

 Nirali moved to the window, making her body comfortable against it. A sparkle on her wrist made her smile, she kissed the delicate silver bracelet. ''This will keep us close. Will you keep it Nirali, forever.'' he had asked then

''I will Lakshay, till I breathe.''  She had promised then. But that was a promise of a teen girl. Did it matter now? Nirali was sure that she felt nothing for the bracelet  or that memory but her fingers couldn't draw the courage to pull it out of her wrist. 

Nirali groaned, Amisha was right, she need to open up. She decided to to accept Sunny's invite for a date. Lakshay would have moved forward, he had a swarm of women around her and he would have definitely  had his share. With a determination, she quickly got into her blanket . Tomorrow was going to be a new day and Nirali was going to write a new chapter of her life.

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Hello friends. The story will have glimpse of the past love story.  hope ypu like it