“Vivek, are you there?....”

HM Prasad’s eager voice vibrates against the closed door. This time a bit louder. Jaya opens the door hesitantly lest HM hears the family tiff that occurred some time back. Prasad enters with a servile smile.
“You all are here…he…he…okay…good for me.”

He says and sits on a chair facing Vivek. Vivek gestures to Jaya for tea and replies to Prasad with an impassive tone,

“We all are here excluding my angel. But you are not looking any kind of stressed or sad…when you should have been…she is your employee after all.”

Vivek couldn’t hide his frustration. The fawning smile vanishes from Prasad’s face. He budges in his seat.

“Don’t say like this Vivek…you don’t know how much tensed and sad I am. She is not only my employee rather she is like my own daughter. In fact, I called the police this morning only to know their activity, whether they got any clue or not.”

He pauses for a moment and tries to observe Vivek from the corner of his eyes. Vivek sighs with disappointment pressing his nose bridge to control his irritation. Manvi who has been busy surfing her mobile glances at her father and gets up to leave making an ignorant face.

“Manvi…dear..stay for a while. I came here for a reason and you and your Papa both should listen to it.”

HM abruptly says and gestures to Manvi to sit. Manvi shrugs and again sits on her seat. Meanwhile, Jaya also comes with tea and some biscuits.

“See…we can’t deny the situation that Nandana is not here with us right now…but ironically life doesn’t stop. We have to look forward…towards our future.”

Prasad says in continuation but Vivek tries to intervene when he shows him his hand to stop and adds,

“I don’t want to beat around the bush. Vivek, I need an employee in the place of Nandana and I know you need a financial helping hand right now. So, I am here to offer the vacancy to Manvi. She can join my school as a teacher.”

Manvi leaps up in joy but Vivek shifts his cold eyes from her enthusiastic face to HM.

“I hope you are aware of the fact that Manvi is in high school. Nandana is a graduate and was a brilliant student throughout her studies. Will Manvi be able to fulfil the students’ educational demand?”

Vivek again looks at Manvi. It seems that he doesn’t have any faith in her calibre.

“Vivek, my school is a junior section school. In fact, Nandana was…I mean is overqualified to teach the children. I am sure Manvi can do the same…it’s not that difficult.”

HM grins looking at Manvi who is now eagerly waiting for Vivek’s decision.

“And what about her classes, her college...if she joins a full-time job?”

Vivek is still indecisive.

“I can take special permission from the Principal. I can only attend important classes once a week and appear in the exam…and Prasad Uncle is there to negotiate my class timing…isn’t Uncle?”

Manvi eventually thinks to put her smart opinion.

“Of course…it’s like your own school, Dear...Let me know whenever you need a break for your classes. I will adjust.”

Prasad tries to solve the problem. Vivek turns to Jaya expecting her consent. She nods in positive as reality is cruel.

“Okay..then if you all think so…”

Vivek gets up from the chair to leave the room. Now, he is no longer needed here. He never felt so helpless and inferior in his entire life. He closes his eyes. Nandana’s smiling face flashes in front of his eyes. Is it true, life doesn’t stop for anyone? He sighs and shuffles out of the room.

.......................

“5 days passed. Nandana’s condition is much better now. Dr Nikhanj is doing his job pretty good. I am quite relaxed and sure that she won’t gain her memory so easily and if she ever gains…someday, until then, my work will be done. I smirk at the thought and tune my guitar. It is 10 pm and I am at my secret den. I pour some scotch into my glass and strike a single cord. But when will you start your work? She is fine now…can handle your desire. My Devil mind nudges me. I tap the guitar case in frustration. He is right…she must fulfil my desire. She is brought here for this only. I gulp my drink in one go. Then go and take what you want. My Devil mind again provokes me.”

Aditya gets up in a rush and heads to the main house. Nandana is washing her face. After that, she will be changing into her nightdress. Her routine is very simple and monotonous. Most of the time, she sleeps as Dr Nikhanj says that it is good for her health. And if she even tries to remain awake her heavy eyelids don’t let her do this. In these 5 days, she hardly talked to Aditya also. Because the entire day he doesn’t remain at home. During these 5 days, they only once had breakfast together. She doesn’t know about the night because every day she goes to sleep before Aditya comes. Nandana changes her dress and comes out of the bathroom but the sight in front of her makes her halt to step further. Aditya is standing at the door. His eyes are slightly red. He is looking at her without blinking his eyes. His intense gaze makes Nandana a bit uncomfortable. She holds the towel near her chest and tries to walk towards the bed noticing Aditya from the corner of her eye. However, her pace gets ceased by a mighty frame that just comes in her way.

“Aditya…do you want something?”

Her voice shakes a bit when she lifts her face to look at those intense brown eyes.

“You…”

He whispers out but her innocent eyes compel him to end differently without even his knowledge.

“I…I..want to stay with you…here…in this room. I can’t sleep alone.”

Before Nandana can say anything, Aditya embraces her tightly and sinks his face into her lush silky hair. For a moment, Nandana is taken aback but slowly she starts stroking his back…affectionately. Assuring him of being there. Aditya closes his eyes in peace which he never feels…not even in his music. This girl knows some magic. Her warmth, her presence calms him down instantly. He came here to claim her but right now nothing is feeling so soothing, so important than holding her in his arms and surrendering all restlessness in her embrace. Aditya holds her more tightly and murmured.

“I didn’t sleep for ages… make me sleep. I want to sleep…resting my head on your lap…please…”

His last word lets out as a prayer. Nandana slowly detaches herself from his grip and holds his hand to proceed to the bed. She sits on it and Aditya lies down resting his head on her lap like an obedient kid. Nandana caresses his forehead, making the lines disappear gradually.

“You know I had a toy…a racing car in my childhood. That was my favourite. I always used to keep it with me. I even used to sleep with it. Without that toy, I couldn’t even sleep.”

Aditya says while his eyes are still closed feeling the delicate touch of Nandana’s fingers.

“Mom used to sing the lullaby and ruffle my hair…I would hold the car near my chest and fall asleep. Life was so simple.”

He continues with a tender voice.

“Where are your parents Aditya? Your Dad your Mom?”

Suddenly Nandana asks in a careful voice. This accident didn’t only wipe out her past but also made Aditya a stranger to her. She knows nothing about him…neither his past nor his present. Nandana’s question stiffens his body. He opens his eyes with a jerk.

“They are no more…and this is enough for you to know.”

Aditya’s abrupt rude tone makes Nandana furrows her brows. Suddenly her conscience revolts.

“No that is not enough…if I am your fiancée then I have a right to know you more closely. Right now, all things are like a maze to me. I am living here but I don’t know this place…I am living with you but I don’t know even you. Can you imagine what kind of feeling is this? It’s like seeing a stranger in your so-called soulmate’s eyes.”

She mouths emitting frustration. All of a sudden Aditya gets up and grabs her by her shoulder to look through her eyes.

“So, you feel like a stranger here. In my eyes, you can’t find your soulmate…right?”

Aditya’s eyes are spitting frustration. For a moment, Nandana forgets to react.

“Do you know what do I feel whenever I come close to you?”

Aditya grits out pulling Nandana closer. Her eyes widen due to the pressure his fingers are creating on her skin.

“I feel I have lost you…this is only your body. Your mind, your heart, your soul is dead…I am nowhere. I want to touch you but this body reminds me of a body without life. You too feel like a stranger to me.”

Aditya leaves her with a jerk and gets down from the bed. He runs his finger through his unruly hair and sighs in vexation. He looks at Nandana who is sitting on the bed like a statue still trying to fathom his every word.

“It’s up to you Nandita…whether you want to make this stranger your soulmate or not…because then only you will be able to come close to me.”

Aditya’s voice is grave. He observes Nandana for a while and leaves the room with a restless heart.