Chapter 5: chapter 5

PART -  5Linda was sitting all alone in the office. All others had gone out for a tea break, but she didn't have a mood to go out. She felt lonely but didn't feel like talking to anyone as well. She was thinking about the previous night. She had arrived home late in the evening as she had a client meeting. She was tired and simply lying on the bed and scrolling her phone. Suddenly, she saw a message notification that it was Nishant." Hey."" Hello," she replied." Are you free now ? Can we call ? "" Oh sure."The next minute, her phone rang. She picked up the call." Hello Linda."" Hi Nishant, what's the matter ?"" Oh, I didn't know I couldn't make a call if there wasn't any matter. I thought we were friends. "" Sorry Nishant, I didn't mean so. I mean, you don't actually make such calls right, so I thought there would be something ."" Fine, fine, so had dinner? "" No, I just came from the office. I was late today."" Oh, I see."There was a moment of silence between them. Nishant was a bit hesitant but he started talking, " Linda I mean I don't know that if I have the rights to ask you this as  it is absolutely personal but if you don't mind just to quench my curiosity may I ask you something "." What's the matter Nishant what's wrong. If I can answer, I'll surely answer it."" Orelse, can we meet tomorrow? Actually, I called you to know that so if we can meet, we'll talk about it then. "" OK then, let's meet tomorrow."" OK Linda, good night. See you tomorrow. Take care. "" Good night. "Linda couldn't stop thinking about what Nishant would want to ask her. She had a feeling that Nishant had a special interest in her. She had seen him smiling at her often, and whenever they met, his face used to lit up by looking at her.Unknowingly, Linda was also developing an interest towards Nishant, but she was totally unaware of it. The next day, Nishant was the first one to arrive. After a few minutes, Linda arrived." Hey Nishant, am I late ?"" Absolutely not. I'm early. Actually, I wanted to prove I was punctual. The same place same cafe same people but this time I'm on time ". Nishant smiled." Oh, so someone was paying back, I see."Linda laughed. Nishant stared into her lovely smile for some time. But he casually continued, " If you would have given a chance, I would've proved that I am punctual, but you weren't interested. "She was speechless. She didn't know what to say.He smiled again, but she noticed a pain in his smile. " If you don't mind, can you say why you had rejected my proposal. I mean, I saw your family very happy with the alliance, so we didn't actually accept a no. I'm sorry I ain't complaining, I just wanted to know the reason. "" Nishant I-‐----I was. " Linda was out of words she didn't know what to say." Hey Linda, relax if you aren't comfortable. There's no need to say that we'll better leave this matter. "" No, Nishant, it's nothing like that. I mean, I was not happy with a marriage to a total stranger, and we had met just once, so I had many unwanted thoughts. I had mistook you. " Linda bowed her head." Oh, thank God, now I'm relieved. I thought you had some other affair or had other reasons. Even though I wasn't comfortable with this proposal initially but my parents were pleased with you at the first meeting itself. Then when I met you I didn't have an idea so I just left it to my parents but after you rejected I felt a small pain. Even approaching Rita's case was a bit difficult for me. So now by this can I assume that you're fine with our marriage I mean we are no more strangers ".Linda was astounded she didn't expect such a question suddenly from him." Nishant, that's not only the matter. I don't think we'll match financially, too. I'm from a normal middle-class family. "" So you considered that as a reason too, but that isn't a big matter, I guess. We hadn't thought about such things. I mean, it's our mistake. I think marriage is between two souls, and money doesn't have a role in deciding your partner. it's love that should be there. But if you aren't ok, then it's fine. If ever you feel this marriage is fine, then you may contact me, or even if it's still a no, feel free to contact me. OK, then I'm leaving. Thank you for coming, Linda. "He left without looking at her she knew he wasn't ok, but she couldn't speak a word.To be continued....