19 Dates

Chapter 3

Shalini checked her phone expecting an apology message from Neeraj but there was nothing, she was disappointed and went out looking for him. She found him at the bar drinking with few men, he had made some friends and when he saw Shalini, he smiled at her, got up from his seat and went up to her.

Neeraj, "I know you are very upset because I have not apologised yet. Trust me Shalini I want to but some how I am not able to find my mistake."

Shalini, "it is OK, I don't want to stretch it any further. Looks like you are having a good time, I don't want to interrupt your enjoyment."

Neeraj, "there is no enjoyment without you baby, come I will introduce you to these good people. Their wives are going to join & anyways I was just about to give you a call." Shalini wanted to save whatever was left of the time they had together, so she went with him. 

He introduced her to all of them, all of them seemed to be good people. Very soon their wives joined in too & they were all having a good time. It was late & music was put off when someone proposed to play a round of truth or dare. Since everyone was in the mood & the moment seemed so weirdly perfect they all agreed after a very convincing push from Neeraj. Since all were couples, they decided to play on their partners. I don't know for what reason but all men wanted their wives to choose truth & the wives on the contrary chose dare. Unlike Shalini, she choose truth & Neeraj had a very bright & wide smile on his face. He was high & before he went ahead & asked Shalini what he wanted to, there was a pause with both looking at each other. It was as if they knew what was going to happen.

Neeraj, "can you see your best friend with someone else?"

Everyone was confused about what kind of question it was, they waited for Shalini to answer, hoping her answer would make some sense.

Shalini, "I am glad you asked. Yes I can, in fact I want to, it will give me amount of happiness which I really can't express." As she said this, she was in tears. She left & headed straight to the room.

Neeraj was speechless & so was everyone else, they all asked him if everything was OK. Now Neeraj realised what big mistake he made, he left without answering to anyone, quickly followed her. He knocked at the door of the room but the door was not locked. He saw her crying & standing behind her he said, "I am sorry Shalini, I shouldn't have done that."

Shalini, "I am glad you did. I am crying because I am happy. This is my reaction or rather this will be my reaction when I will see Dev with someone because I am the only one who knows what stops him from being with someone."

Neeraj said nothing, he just hugged her & told her how much he loved her.