Was it him, Shalini couldnt concentrate on the conversation. the silhoutte in the hotel lobby looked so painfully familiar. He turned and she saw his face
and for a split second their eyes met. She was transported to another world, pictures of her past passed in front of her eyes, and then there was that
painful tug in her heart. this was the day she kept dreaming never came, but deep inside she knew it would, he told her destiny will not take her too
far away from him

"Isnt it right, Shalini?" Arun said
She was bolted to the world around her, she remembered she had to blink. She knew Arun noticed her lost look.
She smiled neither meaning yes or no.

The remainder of lunch was painfully slow, she wanted to leave ever so badly, she was trying hard to hold it together.
She needed to bury her head in a pillow and blank her memories out.
"Bye..., thanks for having lunch with us" Arun said
"Sure, it was pleasure...lets meet in the bar tonight....Shalini you wont mind if I steal your husband this evening, do you?" Anant said.
Anant was a Arun's boss and this meeting meant more than lunch, it meant Arun becoming Vice President of IT department.
Arun had worked really hard for it,

"I am goin to spa, would like to join me, I heard the facial here is very good" Sakshi,Anants wife asked Shalini.
"Er..no thanks..I am not feeling so good, need some rest"
As they walked towards elevator, Arun put his arms around Shalini's waist and gently kissed on her arms. She did not know how to react, she looked at him
blankly.
"You...ok dear"
"No...must be the journey..I need to rest" Shalini calmly wishpered

As soon as they got into the hotel room, Shalini changed and got into bed.The thoughts of Rajesh were still haunting her. She hoped it was not him in the
hotel lobby and she so badly wanted it to be him.
7 years later, it still hurt..


tring.....tring...the phone beside the bed rang.Shalini woke up, she did not know when she feel asleep. she looked at the clock, it said
"7:00"
She looked around, Arun's laptop was open, he was not around, she figured, he must have gone down to the bar with Anant.
tring....
"Hello" Sahlini said sleepily
"Mam..is it Room No - 323" Asked the voice
"Yes"
"The dinner is ready mam, can I bring it now"
Shalini was in no mood to eat, smiled thinking how thoughtful Arun was and said "Ok...bring it"
She got off the bed, went to bathroom...splashed some water on her face, her mascara was all over the place, she dint bother to clean .

There was a slight knock on the door.
Shalini opened the door and walked back to the couch, while the guy from restaurant, wheeled her dinner in.
She switched T.V on while he set her dinner on table.
"Do you want me to serve, mam?
The voice sounded familiar
She looked at him and dropped the remote from her hand
There he was smiling at her.The same smile, smile of triumph whenever he managed to surprise her.

"So you wanna come or not, I am dying of hunger", and started to serve dinner in two plates.
Lighted the candles, walked to the dresser, picked her perfume and sprayed across the room.

"Come on..I dont have whole night"
She slowly walked to the table, he pulled the chair for her.
"You look lovely tonight...."
She smiled...only Rajesh could say this when she dint look her best.
He had this uncanny ability of making someone feel comfortable inspite of the tension in the air.

"So, what are you in town for?"he enquired as he poured water in her glass.
"How's Gauri?" Shalini asked
"Shes good and has gone out shopping with her mom" he replied casually
"Why are you doing this" her tone was serious
He stared at her and said "You dont know?"

---- to be continued