FRAGMENTS OF US

Chapter 02

All my life, I wanted to be close to nature. A part of me considers nature as my first love. I have fallen in love with it when I was too young to realise that my love for oceans will pave a way for me to make living out of it.

After that incident, maybe I am destined to be this way..

Snapping out of my daze, I looked around to see my colleagues leave me alone with my manager and Maanya who were busy brainstorming some concept.  I could have left hours ago, as rules are to do the work we are assigned for the day and take a break. As our head believes overworking for a long time will only lead to ignorance of wonderful present.

"Sir, are you going to leave now?." My peon asked giving me a cup of coffee.

"You shouldn't have asked me this question after this." I said winking at him. He smiled and left me alone. My designs never had any flaws as I knew what it takes for a surfer to have safe landing on waves and smooth gliding on them. Standing on open terrace facing the pondicherry city. I worked at various places but this gives out old money and calm vibe. Although this is popular tourist spot, I am glad our office isn't located at center of the city. Designing wave surfing boards is our specialty where as Maanya specializes in wind surfing too. I heard she has done courses from reputed universities abroad. Smiling at her dedication, I turned back to see her still arguing with our manager.

Even a stubborn girl like her have confusions regarding her life choices.

Extraordinary people do have ordinary problems..

Closing my eyes, I inhaled salty- humid air. Summer was always considered a dull time for surfing but I feel once the heat picks up,  storms brew and before they hit us, it's beautiful time to feel the waves under our feet. If oceans and sea have a way of talking with us, we would find those words in rhythm of their waves.

Only someone deeply connected to them can understand.

"I am surprised, you are still here not hogging on food." I heard her voice and opened my eyes to find her looking at city lights. Bright yellow colour made her facial features sharp. I smiled not answering her. It would just kill the beauty of this moment.

"You never drink coffee unless it's some all night errands issue." She commented and I nodded my head agreeing to her.

"You have known me so well in these past two years. " I said seeing her visibly take a breath.

"I do know people with whom I work. We are not in teens to get confused or ignore others." She said.

"We are at an age where we confuse others right?." I asked bending to her level. She looked away but turned around with a stern face.

"When did I confuse you? I said no.  It's a no.  I..I don't. Can't." She said in a small voice. I nodded my head and raised my hands.

"Clear and sharp. My senses are still working. I did get that point." I said smiling at her.

"Then why are you taunting me? Why are interrogating men I move with? Why do you take every chance to remind me that I rejected you??." She raised her voice. I took two steps back. She is right , I am behaving like maniac. If it's a no, it's a no. There is no way I can convince a person who constantly lives in their own mind. I might not be that good or worthy of her time.

" I am sorry Maanya. I will mind my bussiness. Didn't mean to mock you. Good night. " I said walking out of our room. Maybe I can care for her from a distance? Without causing her any trouble.  Right?

Until part of her leaves me.

As soon as I hit my bed, my thoughts went back to the time we worked together for the first time at Surat. Ours was a start up company which was not recognized by anyone. No one knew this sport nor had interest to risk their life over waves which were not predictable like other countries. Risky sports are always avoided by us Indians as we care about family and friends. Maanya was fresh out of university. Designs were not her specialty but finding out faults were. That's how I admired her work. Even though we bickered for hours, my feelings towards her were pure.

Maanya.

A name famous in our sport. What she never understood was that, her name was well known in our sports world. I want someone who is respected a lot at my previous company in Australia. Surfboard shapers are hard to get jobs in India and get recognized for their work. I am sure my company deals get approved mostly because of her expertise.

"You seem lost." I looked ahead to find my brother.

"I was once not anymore." I replied lost in my thoughts.

"I wanted to ask if you ever wish to go back? Go back to your past? Sometimes I wonder, how can a person like you have so much self control?." He spoke.

"Arun, we are all humans. We have our limits and when we cross it,  universe has a way of balancing our lives. Reset the things which need to be looked at." I answered.

"Reset? It's complete change brother. What you went through is not crossing limits. It's like universe has set a limit for you to stop growing." He scoffed.

"Don't you dare use your law brain..it's ok , I am fine with what I have. Am living my life happily. No regrets as of now." I said smiling at him.  He collected his law books and left my room. Sometimes I wish, I chose mainstream career like my brother.

"I am leaving for Delhi tomorrow." He announced before closing my doors. I smiled at his bluntness. My parents never said no to me except the time I planned to risk my life for something silly. My phone vibrated bringing me out of daze.

"Hello?" I answered not checking the caller Id.

"What I meant was not what I actually mean, I...I hope you get it." I heard Maanya's voice. Checking my phone, I saw it is her who is actually speaking with me.

I smiled and disconnected our call. If it is written in stars, no one can stop her from loving me.

"No. I don't." I replied. She called me again but I chose not to reply. We all are twisted with our thoughts and feelings. One has to be intelligent enough to understand how to deal with it. 

'I mean, can you ignore my words?' Maanya texted me.

'The ones you said at office or now?' I asked her.

'Office.' She replied.

I smiled again. What might be the force stopping you from being with me? Is it my designation? My status or something else?

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Unedited.

Please vote comment and share my story!

How can she be so confused or should I say pretend to be confused?

What do you think is going on in her head?

Until next time :)