Truly, Madly, Deeply- a Devakshi story.

A friend in need...is a responsibility.

Jatin having coffee the next morning in the patio when he saw Dev come in . Dev was clearly looking for someone; Sonakshi, guessed Jatin.

Jatin waved eagerly to Dev and reluctantly Dev went over to his table.

Jatin: "Hi Mr Dixit. Why don't you join me for coffee?" He could see Dev was uncomfortable and smiled to himself.

Dev sitting down: "I was looking for Sonakshi. We were supposed to meet this morning."

Jatin: "Yes I know." He studied the man in front of him. Clearly he hadn't slept much and looked a little strained and suspicious of Jatin. "Sonakshi must be getting ready. I haven't seen her around since last night as well." Jatin was secretly amused to see that his statement relaxed Dev a bit, who now sat back more comfortably. "Sorry Mr Dixit, it must be a little unnerving to speak to a person who knows a lot about you while you don't have an idea about me. Let me tell you a bit about myself...." and Jatin proceeded to introduce himself. " ....As for how close I am to the Bose family....which must be your next question......I am pretty close to them. In fact you could say they have adopted me, as I have no real family anymore. They are staying with me till their house gets ready....the same house where they used to live in CR Park.... .. they bought that back.."

Dev looked down remembering the allegation of eviction. " Dr Roy, I know which house you mean and that they think I caused their eviction, but.." Jatin stopped him and said," Mr Dixit, I can tell you a lot of things about the past few years because I have been a part of their lives, Sonakshi's life... but that is not my role. It is for you and Sonakshi to sort this out. All I can say is that there is a lot to catch up on."

Dev: " That's good to know. But I still don't understand ..." Jatin again stopped him

Jatin: "You don't understand what is my interest in Sona? Mr Dixit, I lost my wife 5 years ago. I loved her immensely and so did she. Over the years I realised that when you have experienced a really deep love for someone, you keep looking for that over and over again. Nothing less than the most perfect kind of feeling satisfies you. You are unable to compromise in love again. You cannot fall in love half-heartedly or be with someone who is not 100% invested in you. And are willing to wait for the real love to happen again. I think that state describes me. And it describes Sona too." He smiled to see Dev absorb the implication and exhale a sigh of relief.

Jatin: " Though if you had really wanted an answer to that question, you only had to observe Sonakshi. "

Dev wasn't listening anymore as he was watching Sona walk in dressed in a grey silk saree with a pale yellow border. She looked elegant , distant and understated, not a thing out of place. Her kohl lined eyes and arched brows and her hair loosely bunched in a knot at her neck . The only concession was a touch of coral lipstick on her lips. Yet her classical features , high cheekbones and glowing skin ensured that people took a second look. Somehow the severity of her dressing up, and the lack of adornment and fuss highlighted her innate beauty even more. She looked untouchable, beautiful and somehow...... fragile to Dev. The Sona he remembered had never looked fragile. The Sona he had loved, loved dressing up and jewellery and delighted in her femininity. But now it was as if she no longer wished to indulge herself, project a professional persona. As if she wanted to guard her personal space. The Sona he knew was expressive, animated. Now she looked wary and inward looking. Now she always looked ready for work or war.  And what was this to her? War? He remembered how he loved her in sarees, had hardly been able to keep his hands off her, everytime she was dressed in saree. The magic of the early days of his marriage, memories rushed to his head, a montage of Sonakshi at various times over whelmed him. He shook his head slightly to clear his head of the memories. 

Four months- that's all his marriage had lasted, why should he drown in the memories of 4 months as if the rest of his life 32 years 8 months were meaningless?

 Unknown to him, the man next to him, was watching him watch Sona and understanding that he was battling memories. Jatin was quite taken aback by the Dev he had met after hearing about him for so long. He liked whatever he had seen of Dev and thought that their marriage wasn't as over as the Bose family kept emphasizing.He hoped Sona would tell him about Soha and that Dev would be able to understand how depressed his friend was about the failure of her marriage. 

Sona: " Sorry Dev, were you waiting? "

Dev: " Not really. just a few minutes"

Jatin: "And a very good morning to you too. Waise aaj tu late kyun ho gayi?" Sona frowned at him to keep him quiet.

An uncomfortable silence ensued as both Dev and Sona kept quiet, not knowing what to say to each other in front of Jatin. Jatin stepped in again," Sona main abhi nikal raha hoon. Shaam tak Delhi pahunch jaaoonga. Tu kab aa rahi hai?

Sona:- "Main aaj shaam ko Mumbai aur der raat 12.30 Delhi."

Jatin: " Itni late? Tu Mumbai mein ruk kyun nahi jaati?" Sona signalled with her eyes to Jatin to keep quiet as she wanted to get to her daughter ASAP. Jatin shook his head in exasperation and hoped that Sona would not keep Soha a secret much longer. He said his good byes and left.

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