You Found Me,My Love!

Chapter --5

Wildest dreams..

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'If you love a flower, don't pick it up, Because if you pick it up it dies and it ceases to be what you love. So if you love a flower, let it be. Love is not about possession. Love is about appreciation'

Leela was watering the flowers and small plants in the balcony. She seemed disturbed and was preoccupied. She felt she must not let go of the amazing talent and grace her daughter carried away in the cultural dance. Leela scolded herself for blaming Radhika's participation in those events. She felt her daughter must discover the art of dance. She decided to talk about it to Bala.

It was nearly 11.30 pm.. Bala realised he is little too early to reach home today..He usually arrives very late at night to avoid conversations with Leela. Even though he is late to home wantedly.. he never misses to go and see his daughter.He would find Radhika sleeping like a cute angel with all the calm and kindness of God visible in her face. He apologies himself to her every night for some unknown reason..
' I'm a bad father Radha.. it's just that I love you so much.. I don't want anyone not even myself to hurt you.. I wish none of my actions affect you.. But sometimes I couldn't avoid it my child.. I'm sorry.. You are my Life..'  He whispered and planted a soft kiss on Radhika's head and left her room.

Bala grabbed himself an apple and a knife and entered the master bedroom. He was surprised that the Light was on..and found Leela missing in the room..as he came in he noticed a flower vase was broken and the night lamp was pushed down..it was hanging upside down from the socket.. He assumed someone is hiding in the room and went near the bathroom pointing the knife towards the door..
He heard the sound of the door knob and he stood aside..
Once the door opened..
He screamed and she also screamed..

'What the hell are you doing,Bala? Trying to kill me?..' Leela shouted at him..
Bala gave a confused look..
'Me? Why should I kill you stupid!.. It's you..who is already killing me.. and with all this setup anyone would imagine odd things would have happened or someone entered our home..!' he slapped the answer back at her.
'Wait!..What Setup?..What are you talking about?..'
Bala grabbed Leela's hand and showed the broken flower vase, the light lamp hanging from the socket..

Leela understood and looked at Bala apologetically and told him that she only done it.
Bala don't know what to react..
'Why did you do it,Leela?..'

Leela almost cried saying..
'I don't know Bala, I just.. I just feel so angry, all the time.. I..' Leela stopped and looked at him.He moved from her and sat on the bed.
Leela went near him and kneeled down on the floor near his legs and took his hands and placed his palms facing her cheeks..
'Why you stopped Loving me,Bala..? Why are you avoiding me?.. Why you loved me..you made me laugh.. but why did you stop it.. I know it's my behaviour.. you showered all your affection on me.. Yet, I'm the one who don't know to express or don't know how to love you back like you do..' she silenced for a minute seeing him..
'You are afraid that my behaviour will reflect in Radhika..I know you.. But please.. don't just pretend that you don't love me anymore.. I'm fighting my own demons in me.. please don't do this.. don't leave me alone,Bala.. Our daughter misses you.. I couldn't able to see the emptiness in her eyes when you are not around her..'

Bala was in a emotional shock and controlled not to see her eyes.. he took his hands off from her and stared down. Leela stood up and went to the other side of the bed..

'I know you.. I know you are fighting yourself to love me back.. you are wearing a mask yourself to hide everything from us.. hiding the real you.. if you continue to do this.. one day you will definitely feel sorry for this.!! and that day is not so far!!..' she said and wiped her tears.

'Yes,you are right.. Leela.. I'm fighting my own demons and how could I love you back, I never stopped Loving you.. we are lost and we need to find our old selves again..' Bala thought to tell but remained silent. He took the apple and knife and was about to leave the room. He then stopped when he heard Leela saying..

'I want to meet your friends Rekha and Anish tomorrow..Can you arrange??..'
'Why suddenly you want to meet them?'
'No,.. it's just that.. I want our daughter to start taking dance classes in their dance academy.. They are your close friends..and it's their dance academy which is famous now!..'
'okay! I'll arrange..but I'm not sure about tomorrow.. Maybe next day.. and I'll be leaving early tomorrow need to take a flight to Delhi for office work..' he said and left to the drawing room.

Leela thought 'Why is he acting, he didn't even care to ask about Radhika's performance today..!' she worried and cried lying in the bed..
'When will his mask fall-off?..'

In the drawing room..
Bala cut the apple but didn't feel like to eat..he kept aside.. he sat comfortably on the sofa and was aimlessly changing the channels in the T.V.. he thought about Leela and Radhika..

'What's wrong with me.. why I couldn't look at Leela's eyes..am I turning bad?.. is it my ego or my selfishness.. what is it..??' he wondered and turned off the T.V.
He closed his eyes laying back his head..
He tried to recollect their memories.. He smiled at the memory of her..
a drop of tear forced itself to come out of his eye..
He then wiped the tears and tried to get some sleep..

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