30 days and 30 stories

Flashback,

Daya and Abhijeet went to a closed godown regarding a case. They got the killer but he ran on his car. So, they were chasing the killer in their car but they got to know that the killer failed the breaks of their car.

Abhijeet (worried): Ab kya karein?

Daya thought for a while, the turned to him.

Daya (tears): I am sorry Abhijeet.

Before, Abhijeet could understand something; Daya pushed him out of the car. The car got crashed to a tree.

Abhijeet (shout): Daya.

Flashback ends.

It had been an year since the incident took place. Abhijeet ran the doorbell of a big bungalow with a huge and beautiful garden. The maid opened the door.

Abhijeet (to the maid): VO kahan hai?

Maid: Study room main.

Abhijeet went to the study room, where a man was writing something and his back was towards him.

Abhijeet (smiled): Daya.

Daya turned and came to Abhijeet but not on foot but on wheel chair. The accident made Daya's legs dead. But, he had not lost hope and determination. He is a well known writer now.

Daya (smiled): Accha huya tum aa gye. Aaj ek aur publisher aane wala hai mujhse challenge lene.

Abhijeet (added): Aur tum usko apni story publish tabhi karne doge jab voh tumhara challenge pura karega.

Both chuckled. At the same time, the bell rang. The maid opened the door and led the man to the study room. He and Daya did a formal handshake.

Daya (smiled): Aiye Mr. Kaushik.

Kaushik (smiled): Toh is mahine ka challenge.

Daya (smirked): Is baar asaan NHI hoga, aakhir uska last sequel hai. (Kaushik nodded) Toh aapko mujhe Kisi aise writer se milwana padega jo mujhe 30 din tak 30 alag- alag stories sunaye daily.

Kaushik (smiled as if ready for this): Chinta mat kijiye Mr. Daya, aaj shaam tak ek writer aa jayengi, unka pen name hai The Daydreamer. Bahut hi acchi stories likhtin hai.

Daya (smiled): Ok, toh unse shaam ko milta hoon.

After sometimes, KAushik went.

The evening came. Daya was alone in the house, when the doorbell rang. The maid addreassed the lady and led her to the study room, where Daya was. Daya's back was towards the lady.

Lady (smiled): Good evening, Mr. Philosopher.

Her voice was known to him. It made him skip a beat. At last, after two years, it was her. He turned. Daya was surprised. The same beautiful eyes, but she had grown more beautiful with age and had long hairs now.

Their eyes met and conveyed all their feelings.

Daya (smiled): To tum ho Ms. Daydreamer (controlled his emotions) ya Mrs. Daydreamer.

Lady (immediately): Nhi, Ms. hi hoon abhi.

Daya looked at her left hand, only to find her ring missing. She followed his gaze.

Lady (sighed): Usne sagai tod di (looked at him) USka kisi aur ke saath affair chal rha tha.

Daya (looked at her): Toh tum wapas kyun nhi aayi, Shreya?

Shreya (smiled sadly): Aakar bhi kya karti. Main phir papa ka business sambhalne lagi, ek anaath aashram ki trustee bhi hoon aur man karta hai toh books bhi likhti hoon.

Daya (thoughtfully): Hmmm (after sometimes) Toh, mere challenge ke liye tayar ho?

Shreya (confidently): Yes, sir.

Daya smiled.

Daya: Achha, Shreya, tum ek kaam karo, tum ye 30 din mere saath hi raho, thik hai?

Shreya (hesitates): Sir, par aap ko dikkat hogi na.

Daya (looked into her eyes): Kyun, mujhe apna dost nhi manti?

Shreya (immediately): SIr, mera voh matlab nhi tha.

Daya (hopefully): Matlab tum rahogi?

She had no option so she nodded.

Shreya (nodded): Main kal subah apna saaman le aati hoon.

After that, they talked for sometimes, before Shreya left. After 2 years. it was the first time, he slept with a real smile.

The next day came, so did Shreya. She used to narrate beautiful stories to him daily, while they went for a walk in the garden.

Daya: Shreya

Shreya (smiled): Ji sir.

Daya (looking into her eyes): Tum itni acchi stories kaise bna leti hoon?

Shreya (shyly): Sir, aisi koi baat nhi hai (smiled) Main toh wahi narrate karti hoon jo mera dil kehta hai.

Days passed like that. They still had feelings for eachother. Only two days were left for the complition of the task, when Daya thought to give her a surprise.

Daya blindfolded Shreya. He told her to hold the whell chair and follow it. She did that.

Daya (softly): Shreya, ab wheel chair chod do.

She did so, she felt like Daya moved a little forward.

Daya (lovingly): Ab apne aakhon ke patti nikal do.

She removed it. She was surprised to she the garden decorated with balloons of blue, white and red and with fairy lights. A smile crept on her lips.

Shreya (surprised): Sir, (came near him) Apne ye sab

Daya (smile): Tumhaare liye kiya (thoughtfully) Tumhe kucch kehta tha.

She gave him a confused look.

Daya (deep breath): Shreya, dekho mujhe nhi pta yeh sahi hai ya nhi par main tumhaare samne apna dil khol kar rakhna chahta hoon. Pichli baar bahut der kardi thi par ab nhi. Pta nhi kyun main tumhe dekhta hun toh meri muskurahat vapas aa jaati hai, tumhain dekh kar mujhe apna sa lagta hai (Shreya smiled) Pta nhi tum is anath aur ab apahij ko accept karogi ya nhi par main aaj kehna chahta hoon ki main tumse bahut pyaar karta hoon Shreya, I love you...

He closed his eyes. Shreya had tears, but she smiled and wiped them off.

Shreya (teasingly) Hmm... kaafi bada tha... short main nhi blo sakte the (fake anger) aur aapki himmat kaise hui mere Daya sir ko anaath and apahij kehne ki... unki Shreya unke saath hai jo unke dil se bahut pyaar karti.

Daya opened the eyes when he realised what she said. She was smiling. She chuckled seeing his surprised face. She, then went behind him and locked her hands on his neck, affectionately.

Shreya (whispered in his ear): I love you, Daya sir.

Daya smiled and made her sit in his lap.

Daya (teasingly): Abhi bhi sir hi bulaogi.

She laughed.

Shreya (teasingly): Toh kya kahoon? Mr. Philosopher.

THE END