And the story ends..?

Chapter 9

"Kriyaaaaa..." Anjali shouted covering her mouthing with one hand on the side, from the second level of the Stupa, ushering me back to my present.

"Over here" I called out waving both my hands in her direction so that she could notice me.

A few minutes later Anjali came and leaned on the railing beside me and asked...

"Are you okay?"

Maintaining my composure and steadiness in voice I answered.

"Who will not be okay here,  just look around" I said spreading my arms and avoiding the question.

"Cut the drama please, I am not in mood of pampering you or begging you to tell me. So save my time and effort, spill it out" Anjali said getting irritated.

"Fine...!!! I was just thinking about the possibility. He could come here I mean we didn't really add him to the deal but he was unofficially invited by me so..." I trailed off.

"Do you still feel for him?" she asked bluntly.

"What!!! NO!!! No way!!! I love Swayam and you know that!!" I replied feeling provoked.

"I am not asking if you love him, I am asking if you still feel for him".

What?

"What do you mean?"

"I mean it's not necessary that you have to love someone to feel for them, love is altogether a separate feeling and you can still feel for people without loving them".

What???

Staring at my jumbled expression she sighed and continued.

"Kriya... Veer was your first love and we all know that the first ones always holds a special place in our hearts plus you really don't give up on people so easily even if they will stab you in front of your eyes. If you ever felt for them you will forget everything and be with them when they need you. So all I am asking is that do you still feel for him? Do you care about him?" she stopped after completing her part.

"I... I don't know" I whispered. I don't know?? Really?? After all this time....

"Thought so! Kriya I know you!! So that's why it's my advice, if he comes here get a closure from him and finally move on... If he doesn't then find time to talk to him and settle things once and for all. You guys didn't end on bad terms and that's one of the factor that you are still hanging on with a tiny thread. I mean of course he hurt you but somewhere it was not his fault and you know it... that's why even I can't hate him for that reason... It's just because he hurt you, intentionally or not, I despise that guy" she stated.

"I know.... I'll think about it" I added.

"Good girl now give me a hug" she demanded by opening her arms and I threw myself at her.

After the emotional overflow Nia came running towards the scene and looked at both of us one by one.

"Uh... What did I miss?" she said while slumping her shoulders.

"Nothing important" I interjected and gave Anjali a look to not to tell her. Nia was a high spirited and rarely sad type of girl and I didn't want to take her down with me.

"Okay so we're done here, where to next??" Nia exhaled heavily and getting excited at the same time.

"Let me call the driver, he will let us know from our list" I said and began dialling his number.

Ten minutes later he was picking us up and we went to Leh palace which we saw from the Stupa.

Snuggled in the lap of the same beautiful landscapes, the Palace was a popular tourist destination in Leh. The entrance of the palace was decorated with wooden carved figurines. It was a nine storied structure that stood with pride, glory and greatness. The jutting out wooden balconies and the huge stressed walls were the primary features of this architectural marvel.