WILD SUMMER ECHOES

EPISODE SEVEN

“Love is irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired.”- Mark Twain

The reporter fled from the spot before anyone could see him. Once he got in his car, he drove fast to his office. There, he called his editor and asked him to reach the office immediately. When the editors and other reporters gathered, he narrated what he had heard behind the closed door. They were shocked but they made a secret pact to keep it within themselves. If they leaked a word of what they heard, they would end up in trouble. So they decided to keep the matter under wraps.

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In the dining room, Sahana and Sandip stared at each other. Their kiss was the first thing that came to her mind when she saw him but she was relieved that he joined them for dinner. She hoped that he would support her decision to go to Kochi.

“Ma Papa, there are thousands of students studying in the college. And their faculty is one of the best. I would get a golden opportunity to learn music which I have always desired. So why should I not accept this job?” Sahana argued more confidently after Sandip joined them. She could always fall back on him for support.

‘Where will you stay?’ Govind Singh asked

“I can rent a house or stay in the campus. They have a few one room flats for staff if needed. So I can make a decision after reaching there.” She replied.

“Sandip, what do you have to say?” Dinanath asked Sandip. He looked at Sahana who was standing behind her father. She gestured him to support her. Her eyes warned him that if he did not, she would kill him…..

“I don’t know uncle. Kochi is indeed a new city….” Sahana’s eyes opened wide and her jaw dropped with shock and anger….The i***t…..He was supposed to come to her rescue…Instead he was……

"But uncle don’t you think you are worrying too much? Sahana is capable of ruling Russia or even tackle world war if needed, so why are you anxious?" Sandip asked her father and everyone burst out laughing. Sahana narrowed her eyes at Sandip. She was unable to comprehend if he was supporting her or making fun of her….

“Think about it Dinanath. I think you should give Sahana a chance to prove herself…” Govind Singh added and everyone agreed. Sandip did not stay longer. He left as soon as the dinner was over and Sahana followed him to his house. He never allowed her in his room. And this evening too, he did not let her come into his room. He asked her to wait in the hall while he collected his camera.

They went up the stairs to the terrace. Sandip did not talk to her. He sat on the slab of the water tank and engaged himself in the workings of the camera. She watched him for some time and then asked,

“Why are you upset Sandip? I know you are angry. Do not try to deny it.”

“Who am I to get angry? I am the last person who gets to know your decisions. I was not even aware that you had applied for a job outside New Delhi. And like a fool, I was looking for a job in the city so that I would not have to move away from the family…” He ranted at her and Sahana was shocked.

“Sandip, I gave you the letter to read but you…….” She stopped from blurting out that we were too busy kissing each other. She felt little embarrassed and Sandip’s face shot up at her incomplete sentence.

“You gave me the letter to read because you wanted me on your side while arguing with ma and papa but you never told me that you had applied for this job. Why Sahana?” Sandip asked with anguish. How could he tell her that the thought of being away from her made him miserable?

“It must have slipped out of my mind…..” Sahana mumbled

“Don’t lie Sahana... You didn’t tell me because you knew I would never agree to your plans…” Sandip stated angrily.

“Why are you so angry Sandip? Yeah I forgot to tell you but I didn’t realize that it was such a big crime…..” Sahana knew deep down that Sandip was right. She did not tell him because she was afraid that he would convince her to not to apply for the job.

Sandip did not say anything. He kept quiet and fiddled with his camera. Sahana waited for him to speak but he did not…

“Sandip, I am talking to you. Will you stop giving me the silent treatment and say something?” She yelled at her best friend,

“What do you want me to say Sahana? ‘Oh it is such a golden opportunity, you must go’ Is that what you want to hear?” Sandip asked Sahana….

They stared at each other emotionally. Sandip’s eyes reflected his pain, longing and desire whereas anger and annoyance laced her eyes and her inability to make her best friend understand frustrated her.

“So you don’t want me to go….Thanks for the support Sandip but I did not expect this from you. You disappoint me.....” She turned around to go back to her house but her words seemed to undo his control. He caught her shoulders and pulled her around. Sahana was startled…..

He thrust her towards the wall and leaned both his arms on either side of her. They glared at each other, their closeness making them aware of each other……….

“Yes Sahana, I don’t want you to go because I am afraid that you will find new friends who will pull us apart. Yes, I don’t want you to go because I don’t know what life is without you around me… And I will be lost without you…….And if it is a crime then I can’t help it…..” he revealed his feelings passionately as if he could not help himself……

Sahana stared at him with surprise as his words sunk into her slowly….She noticed the depth of anguish in his eyes and the thin layer of sweat on his forehead. He was breathing heavily and his pulses were racing. She could feel them as she gripped his wrist that was propped on the wall. She brushed his lock of hair from his forehead. He whispered ‘Sahana….’ and closed his eyes to conceal his feverish desire.

She leaned closer and touched his lips with hers. He jerked his eyes open and his uneven breathing expressed his torment. Sahana put her arms around his neck and stood on her toes. Then she kissed him with love and adoration. Sandip could not help himself from wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer.

To be continued.........