Second Innings

Chapter 1

The sun peeked from the Himalayas, spreading the yellowish-orange hues of joy in the morning sky. With a mug of her favorite black coffee in her hand, Tapasya was standing in her balcony relishing the cool breeze that brushed her soul.

Having stayed in the metropolitan city for the twenty-eight years of her life, Tapasya wanted innate peace in the lap of nature. She shifted to Mussoorie two years ago and since then, it was her routine to enjoy the spectacular sunrise, cherishing her freedom and joy.

Reminiscing the bitter-sweet symphonies of her life, a lone tear escaped from her eye. Her reverie was broken with the constant ringing of her phone. She did not know whether she should smile or feel sad. Biting her lips, she greeted, "Good morning", trying not to sound hoarse on the phone call.

"Good morning", Mayank replied from the other side. It was a sweet, sunny weekend and he was still in his bed. He stayed in Delhi and eventually, he had found a good friend in Tapasya. Their relationship was anything but normal yet, they genuinely cared for each other. The desire to live their lives on their own terms was the only cord binding them since last two years.

Exchanging pleasantries, Mayank revealed the reason of his phone call early in the morning. His brain had come up with an awesome plan for his friends and he could not wait to implement it.

"Tapasya, do you remember my friend Chaitanya?" He asked trying to sound as normal he could. Tapasya knew him inside-out and he could not just let her know what was going on inside his head or else, his plan would fail before execution.

"The one who is a biologist?" She asked. She remembered everything about Mayank and Chaitanya was one of them. She bit her lips remembering how enthusiastically Mayank had told her about Chaitanya, his childhood friend who had returned back to India three months ago.

"Yes, he needs a place to stay for around three months in Mussoorie. He is conducting some research on wildlife and he needs to collect some data." Mayank blabbered while Tapasya simply, hummed. She was not able to register much from the conversation since her mind had drifted to the pleasant memories when Mayank had visited her three months ago.

"Would you mind leasing out the other portion of your house obviously, if no one has occupied it yet?" He asked, breaking her reverie.

Tapasya agreed absent-mindedly. Recently, she had transformed the other, unused portion of her house into a holiday home for some side hustle upon the advice of Mayank.

After a long silence, not wanting to disconnect the call, she jibed, "I am okay with your friend coming over only if he is not like you". She clarified, "I mean, no offense but this is my house."

Mayank could fathom her pain in the playful jibe. He sighed. He knew Tapasya was not against his lifestyle after all, she was the only one who stood by him even when he had refused to take a stand for himself and his relationship with Rahul.

Masking over the guilt that rose up, he chuckled, "Don't worry, stay rest assured. He is a gentleman." Mayank knew Chaitanya was not a jerk like him.

"When is he coming?" she questioned, quickly changing the topic after all, she did not want to ruin his morning.

"He will reach there next week", Mayank answered. Well! He had yet to convince Chaitanya to give up the official accommodation and stay at Tapasya's holiday home.

After a small talk, Tapasya disconnected the phone call. Reminiscing the old memories, a lone tear escaped from her eye but she reminded herself that she has decided to stay strong. Wiping her tears, she rushed towards her bedroom to get ready for her day after all, she had a large consignment to deliver today.

Tapasya was a successful entrepreneur. In two years, Tapasya had successfully managed to give work and shelter to estranged and illiterate women in the foothills of Himalayas. From what she started as a small bakery, 'Happy-go-lucky Foods' had emerged as a leading confectionery in North India.

Today, her small company manufactured every edible ready-to-eat food items from pickles to cakes. The best part was, from preparation to marketing, everything was managed by now-confident women who craved for love and affection two years ago.

Being a woman, Tapasya had the desire to get loved and she could fathom the pain of numerous women like her so she had come into the lives of her employees like an angel giving them confidence to work and earn a living however, she was still lonely and estranged, craving for an angel in her life.

On the other hand, Rahul observed Mayank talking to Tapasya. Having known their past, he despised the attention Mayank gave to her. Despite, he knew Mayank was exclusive to him yet, he was insecure of everyone. He loved Mayank with everything he had.

Rahul was glad that Mayank had accepted their relationship in public and he was thankful to Tapasya who had motivated Mayank to do so yet, he despised her for the bonding she shared with his Mayank.

Rahul scornfully taunted, "Early in the morning, you had to talk to her".

"Come on, dear", Mayank coaxed his possessive boyfriend. He explained, "It was for the sake of Chaitanya", hugging him.

"I hate this guy", Rahul mumbled. Rahul's jealousy had shifted its attention from Tapasya to Chaitanya.

"But not me, right", Mayank cooed him. Mayank knew Rahul had a toxic relationship with his previous partner who had cheated on him. Mayank made sure that there was no room for jealousy in their relationship.

Mayank walked to the kitchen to prepare the breakfast after a few cozy moments with Rahul.

"Why are you insisting Chaitanya to stay at her place?" Rahul questioned as he followed him. He picked up a water bottle to quench his thirst.

"There is no specific reason", Mayank replied as he brewed coffee for both of them.

"I bet there is something brewing in your mind", Rahul piped in.

Laughing off, Mayank avoided the talk as he continued to cook pancakes. Something was indeed, brewing up in his mind but he did not want to keep his hopes high. He knew about both Chaitanya and Tapasya.

Chaitanya, a Cambridge alumni, had a resumé, everyone dreamt of. Having worked with reputed researchers worldwide, Chaitanya had collaborated with the eminent researcher at University of Delhi. He was a workaholic conservation biologist who was besotted to the endangered fauna on Earth. In his mid thirties, Chaitanya was an unmarried scientist who was visiting Mussoorie to study about the impact of tourism on Himalayan wildlife.

Tapasya was someone close to his heart. She was someone who was broken and assembled by him. She was someone whom he had hurt the most. She was someone who had taught him to stand up for himself even when there was no one supporting him. She was someone with whom he had stood up like a supporting pillar when she was left by her own kith and kin. She was someone who had taught him to embrace his identity even when he had crumbled hers. She was the reason of his happiness while he was the reason for her tears.

Mayank was in a deep trance of thoughts that he could not even realize that the pancake was burning in front of him.

Rahul smacked his arm and shook him. He shouted, "Are you thinking of her again?"

Coming out of his reverie, Mayank mumbled, "No", and got back to his work.

"Do you love her?" Rahul demanded, his voice hoarse and vulnerable.

"Yes, I do. I love her. It is the purest form of love, that I have for her. I have besotted my soul to you, Rahul but Tapasya has a special place in my heart." Mayank poured his heart out leaving Rahul heart-broken.

"You cannot love her, Mayank", Rahul hiccupped. For a tall, masculine man with a baritone, this vulnerability seemed strange but Rahul had bared his soul before Mayank so he had no issue in crying before his man.

"I love her and respect her for who she is, Rahul, and I cannot undo this. Despite, I had hurt her and crushed her soul yet, she had given me a chance to redeem myself. If it was not her, you and I, would have never been together." Mayank said, with guilt in his eyes as he switched off the gas stove and hugged his better-half.

"I know that she is the reason we both are together and I am indebted to her but you cannot love her, Mayank", Rahul muttered with tears ready to trickle down his eyes.

"I love you and I just want you, Rahul", Mayank mumbled, hugging him tightly when insecurities clouded Rahul's mind and he asked, "Do you want her romantically?"

"My love for her is just platonic. She is a good friend, that's all." Mayank assured him, taking him to a romantic escapade along with a delicious breakfast.

★★★★★

Hello

So, how is the first chapter?

I am really anxious for this story so don't forget to share your views.

Tapasya is a sweetheart but how is she related to Mayank. To find this out, add SECOND INNINGS to your reading lists and follow the story for updates!!!

Do enjoy the song 🎵

Don't forget to hit on the ⭐️ button and motivate me. Share your views in comment section and shower your love 💙💙

See you soon
💛