Love Me Like You Do

Do you know who acts as God?

Monday at lunch, Khushi had requested her sister to come to office and that they would head to lunch somewhere outside. As she knew, Arnav and Akash came to the same place. Their tables were quite far apart but she could see Payal looking at Akash repeatedly. They left at the same time, and half by design half by fate Payal and Akash crashed into each other. 

Arnav and Khushi averted their eyes from the couple. It took some time for Payal to realize she was in Akash's arms. She untangled herself, said a quick thank you and ran. Khushi went after her, laughing to herself.

"Bhai."

"I know Akash. Half hour more."

***

Khushi was waiting for the phone to ring. Payal was reading the newspaper. Correction. Payal was pretending to read the newspaper.

The phone rang and Khushi ran from the place. Payal was so lost in her thoughts, she didn't realize Khushi was there at all. She picked up the call. 

It was Akash. He wanted to talk to her but she didn't. She cut the call.

Again the phone rang. It was Akash. Payal yelled at him to stop and cut the call.

Another half hour later, Nk rang the bell at Gupta house.

Buaji opened the door. "Kaun ho Nand kishore?" 

"Ekdum sahi. Mai Nand Kishore. Payalji kaha hai?" (Translation: Right, I am Nand Kishore. Is Payal home?)

"Nand Kishore?"

"Payalji! Payalji!" Nk started yelling.

"E dekho! Humri Payalia se dur raho." Buaji shouted. "Hum keh dete hain." (Translation: Listen, you! Stay away from Payal. I have warned you now.)

"Arey Nk ji . Aap yaha?"  Payal came to the door. "Buaji ye Nand Kishore hain. Arnavji aur Akashji ke bhai."  (Translation: Nk, you here? Buaji, he is Nand Kishore, Akashji's and Arnavji's brother.)

"Hain? Arnav babua ki toh behen hai. Tum Akash ke bhai ho? Pahle to nahi mile nand kishore." (Translation: What? Arnav has a sister, right? You are Akash's brother? Why have we not met before, by lord's grace)

"Buaji, wo choriye." Nk interrupted her. "Payalji, we can't find Akash. He had a meeting and Nannav called home to see if he was there. So I came here to check too. Have you seen him today?" (Translation: Buaji, leave that.)

Today? "He was at lunch with Arnavji. After that I didn't."

***

"Oh my god! Kidhar gaya wo?" Then Nk's phone rang right on cue. "Yes Nannav... What? ... Yes yes I'm coming!"

"Kya hua Nk ji?" Payal was worried. (Translation: What happened Nk)

"Wo Akash. He left a letter. He is gone! I need to go."

Payal rushed after him. "Where? Where has he gone?"

"Payalji, he went to commit suicide. I really need to go."

"Please take me too." Payal said immediately. "Buaji hum aaye!" Payal yelled at her Buaji who was watching Payal go haywire at the mention of Akash. (Translation: Buaji, I'll be back)

***

When Payal and Nk reached a cliffside, Payal saw two more cars. She saw Khushi and Arnav getting down.

"Nannav, Akash yaha hai?" (Translation: Nannav, Akash came here?)

"Letter mein to yahi like tha." (Translation: That's what it said in the letter.)