Back In Time

~one~

"Vedant."

He watched himself drive, his hands alternating over the gear box and the steering wheel. The stereo played old Hindi numbers, and every few seconds he'd hear Meera hum along with the song from the passenger's seat.

Clad in a navy blue kurti and her hair sprawled wildly, she hugged her legs to herself, folding her knees. Her eyes were closed, and her lips were quirked up with a satisfied smile.

Abhi na jao chod kar....

Ke dil abhi...bhara nahi.

She sang along softly.

Meera wasn't much of a singer, but her voice was something Vedant had always found rather soothing.

Abhi abhi toh aaye ho

Bahaar ban ke chaye ho...

"Vedant." Meera called again.

His forehead creased with confusion. Her voice sounded distant suddenly. But she was singing next to him; just two seconds ago.

"Vedant. Come on."

Now, her voice sounded urgent. He pulled the brakes to the car at a red signal; the stereo still playing the song; as he turned to face Meera; only to look at an empty seat.

"VEDANT SHAH I SWEAR TO GOD...!" He yelped, sitting up on his bed with a sudden jerk. His head throbbed, and it took more than a few seconds for him to realize he'd been dreaming; of Meera again.

"Hello? Vedant?" It was Meera's voice again.

But I was clearly dreaming. Wasn't I?

"Here. To your right!"

Vedant's head snapped to his right to see his laptop perched on the bed. On the screen, Meera waved at him frantically. Upon their eyes meeting, she rolled her eyes dramatically and shook her head at him; as though exhausted.

"Oh hi. I didn't...see you." He replied doubtfully, as he scratched the back of his head with awkwardness.

Who'd put them on a skype call? He never called her; or picked up her call.

"You're such a deep sleeper." She sighed. "It almost ruined my plan."

"What plan?" Vedant asked cautiously, already scared at the way Meera grinned at him with mischief.

"Happy Birthday Vedant!" she all but yelled, as she spread her arms wide; attempting to give him a virtual hug.

Despite his intensifying curiosity, a soft chuckle escaped his lips at her antics. "Thanks Meera."

"Come on." Her face fell with disappointment. When Vedant raised his brows with question she urged, "Hug me back."

All the bitterness and disagreements from the previous months came rushing back to him, and he found himself stiffen.

"I would, if you were here."

Meera's expressions contorted to one of hurt. He felt guilt somewhere deep down inside for being the source of her hurt, but he knew he had directed his statement with the very intention of pinching her.

"It's your birthday today Vedant. Can we not fight just this once?"

"We're not fighting." He deadpanned, quoting Meera's famous line she'd thrown at him numerous times. "I'm just putting forth my views."

If Meera was unhappy, she didn't let it show. Instead, she turned to look behind him on the screen; and cracked up one of her formal smiles.

Vedant too turned back with curiosity, to see Vidisha walk in with a package. Her face looked tense, and he could tell she'd overheard the last bit of their conversation.

Despite the tension in the room, Vidisha turned towards the screen and threw Meera a light wink before saying to him, "Please come out by twelve. Mum and Dad will be waiting."

Vedant nodded in understanding, knowing full well that it was probably eleven thirty at night; half an hour prior to his birthday and that Meera had called him half an hour before so that he could spend his actual birthday with his family.

Typically thoughtful of her!

"Aren't you going to open it?" she asked softly.

Vedant looked up at her, and nodded curtly. Working gently, so as not to tear the wrapping Meera had so carefully done for him, he opened his gift. A note slipped out before he opened the box.

"Read it later." She urged.

He smiled, and tucked the note under his pillow.

The box was easy to open. The first thing he pulled out was another package. It was big; and rather heavy. Quite excited at what it could be, he pulled the box open quickly. And out came a bag. It was a sleek, jet black laptop bag that could be slung on the shoulder and even carried by the handle. Perfect for the corporate environment he had to be in everyday.

Of course Meera remembered what he was in desperate need of. She managed to remember every detail of his life despite her own hectic schedule.

How did she manage to make it seem like the distance didn't matter?

Warmth spread through his entire body, unable to cope with the overwhelming realization of the fact that she was not there in front of him. Despite his inner battles, he looked up at the screen and offered her his best smile, "Thank you."

She smiled back; waving him off and pointing at the box. "There's more?" he queried, already digging into the package a second time. This time, he pulled out a frame, with a picture of the two of them together.

Meera had taken this picture around the time Vedant had become a fresh chartered accountant. The months around that time had been the best time he'd ever spent with Meera. They'd applied for firms together, considered having their own firm in the future and even worked with Archit's Uncle unofficially for knowledge.

That's when he'd seen the spark of ambition in Meera for the first time that he'd so completely lacked. Yes, a good career and a stable income had always been top priority for him. But Meera kept herself in touch with the changing times.

Maybe it was because of the status of women in her family, but she had always seemed to be in a state of paranoia about her career. She would strive for nothing but the best; her ears open for every new avenue that offered more opportunities. Wherever she'd find a source of knowledge, she'd absorb like a sponge.

Her dedication was breathtaking to witness. And with each new day he spent with her; he ended up letting his guard lower and lower until the day in May he'd realized he was in love with her.

"Vedant...." She called gently, pulling him out of his trail of thoughts.

He willed himself to look up at her; and could only sigh. He missed her so much; it was unreal.

"I know I've said it too many times before but I'm saying it again; I'm sorry." She whispered, her eyes teary.

He shook his head immediately; his subconscious aware that he didn't want for her to apologize to him; ever.

"I'm not mad at you Meera."

"Then what is it? I can tell something is bothering you."

Vedant sighed; knowing full well that this conversation had a high chance of ending with a disagreement; followed by a fight and snapping of communication for a few days. This had become a sad loop for them. But he also knew he needed Meera; even if it was through a virtual wall separating the two of them. If this was what he was getting, he was going to accept it graciously.

He loved her too much to let her go.

"I just....I miss you." He covered up, which was not a lie.

She smiled at him, even though he could see it didn't reach her eyes. Somewhere deep down inside, he could sense that she knew he was avoiding the impending conversation. But for each other's sake, and his twenty fifth birthday; both decided to let go.