Duty of Love

Chapter 38

Meera's POV

We were just staring at her with no words coming out of our mouth.

" What! Did I say anything wrong? "

" But how...?" I murmered finally breaking the silence

" How..? Like every new couple" she said

I looked at her puzzled and I could see Deva was also equally perplexed.

" Forget that you have been married for eight years. Enjoy and try to live like you have been just married" she explained

Looking at me she continued, " Before you move forward , I would advise you to not let past pain stop you from enjoying"

She looked at Deva

" I know you feel guilt and regret but you marriage doesn't need that. This is your second chance, prove yourselves but do not let the history cloud your judgment..."

Deva nodded his head with a brilliant  smile

" Baby steps.... start taking baby steps...." she smiled at us "By the by, you have a good friend" she suddenly said to Deva

" Saahil...? " Deva asked

" Yes.... he was battling me to take your case. "

" Saahil is not a good friend but a great one. He has put up with me at my worst and also pulled me through my lows. I don't know what I would have done without him. Even now he is standing  with me to set my life straight. He is such a true friend who made me realize the biggest truth of my life" Deva said the last sentence while looking at me.

" That's what friends are for, right? I don't know what I would done without my friends. You know,we really need someone to whom we can vent out . Be it the pressure of work, family or kids.... especially if we need to complain and crib about our spouses. Don't you think Meera? " saying this conspiratorially, she turned to me

" I..I ...do..Y..es" I whispered and fell silent

I could feel her intense stare but I purposefully averted my eyes

" Who is your best friend, Meera?"

Who is your best friend, Meera?  The question from the doctor still pops into my mind time to time. It has been two weeks to that session. As she has advised we are taking baby steps. At first it was awkward  for both of us.

Meera, I know it is awkward for you. It is the same for me too but we need to try

I know but how can we act like we just got married .... we changed from what we were before

We don't have to be what we were. What we were or at least what I was, was wrong . We are here to change that. I think we just need to be what we are now

What Deva said made a lot of sense, after that we really started making progress .

I closed my eyes to feel the slight breeze on my face. With a soft smile on my lips, I was reminiscing how he had started bringing me flowers everyday, without fail, when I heard the door bell.

" Hi..."

I saw a pretty girl with a magnificent smile at my door steps.

" I am Megha Abhijeet . Me and my husband just moved next doors. I am new to the city. So thought to introduce myself....Payasam...." she extended a container to me while speaking so fast that it was difficult for me to keep up

" Can I come in" she then asked.

" Oh Sorry, Please come in "  I said realizing that we were still standing at the door

" Wow, you have a beautiful home" she exclaimed

" Thank you... Have a seat"

She extended the container she was holding again, " Payasam.... Kheer" she explained

" There was no need for this " I said while accepting it

" My maa says we have to go bearing gifts especially the first time and I really wanted to make a good impression and this is the one thing that I make which is exceptionally good. By the way, What is your name?Who all are here in the house? Have you been living here for long? How is the neighborhood?..." she started bombarding me with questions one after the other.

For lack of better word, chirpy describes Megha to the core.

" Sorry...I am Meera Tripati. I live here with my husband and two kids. We just moved to this house few months back but have been living in this area for the past 8 years and it is really good........... Can I get you a cup of tea..or... coffee..,Meghaji"

" Meghaji....Please call me Megha" she interrupted me, " We are now friends, right. So why be so formal.....I will give you company while you make us tea" Megha said brightly and followed me to the kitchen.

After having tea, we chatted for a while.  I came to know she and her husband have shifted here for her husband's job. She calls herself a chatterbox and is a big foodie.

While leaving she turned to me and with trepidation, asked

" Meera, you don't think I just barged in and disturbed you. My husband always says that I just pester people without thinking whether  they like it or not and just cause nuisance only. I know it is late to ask... but..." I saw her face fell

" Of course  not, I really enjoyed my time with me. " I replied honestly

Immediately,  her face brightened like a   full moon.

" Thank you so much,Meera. I had a really great time too. Ha...today I will tell Jeet that there is one person that didn't feel like I am a nuisance,YOU " she turned her brilliant smile at me which I returned with one of my own

"Even though I love adventures and was excited to come and live in a new city, I was scared too. By now you know that I can't live without talking for 5 minutes so imagine leaving my family,friends and everything I am familiar, to come to an unknown place. But meeting you was the highlight of my day. I feel like I have known you forever . I think we can be best of friends, what say"  saying this she hugged me tightly like a long lost friend and I too hugged her back as tightly as I could.

" Bye... see you tomorrow, Meera "

" Bye....Megha"

Who is your best friend, Meera?

Maybe I got my first friend, Megha....