Part 2 Unrequited Love
Note - Earlier you have read that both Kavya and Kamal studied at the same school but joined different colleges . However after five years they met again in the same company . Now read further …….
In the meantime I became pregnant and took off for a few days. When I returned Kamal asked “ Where were you ? I missed a glimpse of your pretty face everyday . “
“ I was unwell .” my short answer
After a few weeks I took maternity leave in the beginning due to some complications .
After about three months when I returned , I shared the same table with Kamal in the cafeteria .He said “ You are looking prettier than usual . What’s the secret ? “
“ I am expecting . “ saying this I just touched my baby bump
He looked astonished and kept looking at me for a couple of minutes . Then trying to look normal he said “ Oh my God . You never told me you are married , it's news for me . Anyway Congrats . “
“ Now I know the secret of your prettier appearance . Women look prettier in pregnancy , don't they ? . “
“ I don’t know who looks prettier and when . Those who watch it carefully like you can say better . “
“ Where is your hubby ? “
I am married to Deependra , he is a manager in our company .”
“ O my God , yet another surprise . Why didn’t you introduce me so far ? “
“ There was no such opportunity . Moreover my husband sits in the head office campus . “
“ That sounds great . So now you are a beautiful woman not a girl . “
I blushed and said “ That’s enough . How about you ? Are you married ? “
“ Not yet ? “
“ Why ? “
“ Had been waiting for a pretty woman or girl like you . You know I have had a crush on you since school days . But I regret I couldn’t express my feelings in the beginning and thought I would propose to you after settling into a job . As a matter of fact when I found out you were here in Mumbai , only after that I got myself transferred from Indore . That’s my luck or better to say bad luck . “
“ Don’t talk foolishly . At least now you are grown up and matured enough to choose your match . I did like you but never had any such feelings for you like the one you are telling about me . Now it’s past and get out of the past . “
“ You are right . I missed the race , rather I lost the race .”
That day I found grief and disappointment on the face of otherwise jolly and humorous Kamal . We kept meeting as usual . Even after that Kamal frequently used to look at me .If he succeeded in drawing my attention , I used to respond with a smile or wave my hands.
Just a day before I was to proceed on my next maternity leave , we met again in the cafeteria . He welcomed me at his table saying “ Nice to see you, pretty woman . “
I just pulled the chair and asked “ Have you already ordered your lunch ? “
He smiled and pushed the menu towards me and said “ No, I was waiting for you. My intuition told me that you are coming here . Well , now tell me what would you like to have for lunch ? “
“ Today ,I will have lunch of your choice. “
“ My pleasure “ he said and ordered two vegetarian Thalis with special sabji and ice cream for both of us .
During chitchat I asked “ When are you marrying ? “
“ Now I will have to marry , no choice left for me .” said Kamal
“ What do you mean ? “
“ Don’t take it otherwise but as you know my wait for someone I liked is over . “
“ Whom were you waiting for ? “ I pretended that I was unaware even though I knew he was talking about me .
“ So far I had a crush on only one particular girl from my school but now she is the pretty woman sitting opposite me . “
“ Don’t be a moron . You are unnecessarily but knowingly hurting me . I never had any feelings for you even though I liked you and still I like you . So stop such talks otherwise I will stop seeing you . I want to be a good friend and colleague . “
“ It’s okay. I am sorry . But please don’t stop seeing or talking to you . “
“ Done but on one condition. Get married soon .”
Kamal's eyes got moist and he nodded his head . That was our last meeting in the office. In the meantime I was blessed with a baby girl .When I joined the office after four months , I found Kamal’s cabin empty . My eyes were searching for him. I asked other colleagues and I was told that Kamal had resigned and left the company . He found out from the office when I was joining and a week before my joining he had left . He didn’t say anything about his next engagement or whereabout . I felt terribly sorry for him but I couldn’t help . I was sure he left this company because of me while I was not guilty at all .
After more than two years during chit chat with Deep , he said “ I haven’t seen a young smart fool like Kamlesh . “
I was shocked to hear Kamal’s name from Deep’s mouth . To be double sure if it was the same Kamal I knew , I asked again “ Which Kamlesh are you talking about ? “
“ You know administrative matters like appointments , layoffs or resignations are handled by the head office only . The same moron who was on your campus submitted his resignation in our head office . He resigned and didn’t give a full three months notice. He paid two months' salary as penalty and he asked to be relieved soon before you joined .”
“ Oh .” I said and asked again “ Did he get some alternate job ? “
“ I don’t know exactly but he said he would prefer to go to a small peaceful hill city , it doesn't matter even if he gets a lower package . I guess he might be looking for Mohali .It’s very near to Shimla and some new IT companies are looking for IT professionals . “
I said “ Deep , I have not seen Shimla yet . Can’t we plan for a Shimla trip ? “
“ Yes, we can but I am sorry it’s not possible for me this summer . I am too busy. Next summer we can plan . “
“ But then I will have to wait for more than a year . I want a break from my work now. “
“ Then my office will arrange for you a deluxe vacation for the Shimla package . “
After a month I was in Shimla with my baby and my mother in law . One evening I went to Mall road alone to buy some essentials and medicines for my mother in law . Suddenly I saw Kamal there .This time he was clean shaved and so I could easily recognise him . I went near him and nearly hugged him saying “ What a pleasant surprise. All these days I have been looking at your cabin and imagining if you might be back again .”
“ But you said you have no feelings for me . Thanks , at least I got a hug from my ex crush .I would cherish this tiny moment for the rest of my life . ” Kamal replied
“ I do have all feelings for you but not love or crush as you call . Your obsession of love was Unrequited Love , a one sided love . Moreover, how could I know ? You never expressed it . “
“ Well now tell me frankly , had I expressed it before would you have loved me ? “ Kamal asked
I was not expecting such an embarrassing question from Kamal . I replied “ I can’t say what could have happened . Your question is a purely hypothetical one. Forget useless things , accept our destiny and move ahead . Anyway , how are you and what are you doing these days ? “ I asked
xxxxxxx
To be Continued . in concluding Part 3
