Life in a Spiral.

A New Feeling.

I dare not look into his eyes.

I don't know how I uttered those words with such ease. His fingers had  already left mine as we reached the other side of the road.

Its okay Anjali, don't cry. You know that he doesn't love you. Don't be sad. And don't cry. You have done enough harm already.

"Anjali are you serious?"

"Serious about what?"

"What you just said..."

I looked at him bewildered. Is he some sort of lunatic?

"Yeah..."

He will again start his long speech that he can never love a second person and will end up hurting me. Perhaps it's in my fate.

"Anjali..." there was a kind of gentleness in his voice. His gentleness scares me more than his anger. Whenever he's gentle I fear he will say, Anjali please pack your bags and baggage and return home.

"Anjali.. are you listening?"

"Yes.."

"I don't know if my feelings for you is love or not. In the past few months I have got attached to your presence. "

A silence followed between us. Somehow I tried to break the silence.

"How far is the place?"

"Almost there.."

The place was beautiful. Located in a village side area of Murshidabad, the place depicted the beauty of village life. There was a well in front of the house. A small shed was arranged for the guests. There were mango trees in the frontyard. The place breathed clean. I felt good after being out of Kolkata after a long time.

"Meet my wife, Shukhla", Rohan's brother introduced us.

"We couldn't attend your wedding. Thanks for coming to bless our daughter."

She's sweet.

I am too exited to meet the six months old baby.

My thoughts were broken by the cry of a baby. Shukhla excused herself to attend to her child.

She is a beautiful baby.

"Sorry, actually she is getting irritated by the presence of so many guests."

"Can I hold her Shukhla", I couldn't control my urge to take the child on my lap.

The baby started crying louder this time.

I am sacred! Did she get hurt or something!

I tried singing a lullaby to make the child happy, but it was in vain. She continued to cry.

I have an Idea! Girls generally  love teddy bears. She will surely love the furry bear.

As I opened the gift wrapper and took out the massive teddy which I had carried with such difficulty. The pink bear scared the child to such an extent that she was about to jump out of my lap.

"Hey baby! Don't be afraid! It's just a toy not a real bear!"

Its human nature to reject the advice of elders. She is no exception.

As I sat helpless trying to make her quiet, with Shukhla glaring at me silently for making her child scared Rohan came to my escape.

"Anjali! She's afraid.. can't you see?"

"How to make her quiet?"

"Give her to me."

Rohan should have taken the job of baby sitting instead of a banker. He took her with such confidence as if he had been messing with babies for long.