Two Shades Of Love

I - The first meeting

It was his first day as a computer instructor at a computer institute and Kevin was a bit nervous. Kevin had got a new part time job as a computer instructor. He conducted classes on weekends. He was an IT professional and worked full time in a reputed IT firm.

He was trying his best to teach an elderly Mr. Pai the basic concepts of MS Paint. Just outside the training room, he saw a girl wearing an orange kurti through the glass door. She was holding a handkerchief and a purse in one hand and with the other hand she was wiping off the sweat from her forehead. Kevin thought that she might have come to inquire about some computer course. She spoke to the counselor for some time and then left.

Next day, when Kevin entered the computer institute, he saw the same girl sitting on a chair. Kevin made eye contact with her as he walked past her. Just when he was about to start his lecture he heard a voice “Excuse me”. Kevin turned around and saw the same girl standing and asked her “Yes, How can I help you?”

“My name is Vidya and I am your new student”, she replied.

Just then Kevin got a call from the counselor. She told him that a new student will be joining his lecture from today. After the general rounds of introduction between Vidya and the class, Kevin soon completed his lecture and left for the day. Vidya was a young just out of college girl working in an international travel company.

That night Kevin was not able to sleep. Something was not letting him sleep. He did not know what. He was feeling restless.Next morning, he got up pretty early. He was not able to figure out what time he dozed off but looking at his red eyes he was sure that it was very late in the night. Soon he got ready and reached office. It was Saturday and Kevin reached his computer institute and soon his students began coming one by one. As soon as he saw Vidya, his heart beats increased. He took a deep breath and somehow got his composure back. Soon, he completed his lecture and was about to leave when he saw Vidya standing in front of him. “Can I get your cell phone number?” she asked in the most polite manner he had ever heard.

“Sure, Why not”, Kevin replied and gave her his cell phone number and left.

That night, as Kevin was lying on his bed, he got a message “Good night and sweet dreams” from an unknown number. “Who’s this? Do I know you?” Kevin replied to this unknown number. “This is Vidya” was the reply from the unknown number. A smile came on Kevin’s face and replied “I am so sorry; I did not take your cell phone number”.

“No problem, see you tomorrow” Vidya replied. “Sure and good night to you too” Kevin replied and went to sleep with a smile on his face.

II - The proposal

Next morning, Kevin got up at his usual time and as he was dressing up, he got a message, “Good morning”. Kevin’s face got an instant smile because as expected the message was from Vidya.

Soon, Kevin and Vidya were exchanging messages on a regular basis.

Vidya would send him forwarded jokes and Kevin used to enjoy them a lot. One night, Vidya sent a trivia question going around on the social media; “What will be the one thing which you would steal from me?” Kevin did not understand what to reply.“How could she ask such a question? Does she really want me to answer this? What kind of a question is this?” All sorts of questions started floating in his mind.

Since the time Kevin had seen Vidya through the glass door, he had started liking her. However, he did not want to express his feelings to her. He thought that if she did not have the same feeling for him then he will lose her as a friend. With all these thoughts floating in his mind, he kept his cell phone aside and lied on the bed and went to sleep. Suddenly in the middle of the night, he got up. He was feeling restless because of the message from Vidya. He took his cell phone to check if there were any other messages from her. There were a couple of messages but they were from his other friends. He started thinking that he should reply to her message. He thought that even she might have feelings for him, or possibly no. Again he was confused.

“It would be your heart”, Kevin replied and switched off his cell phone. “How could I lie to myself”, Kevin told to himself

and went to sleep.

Next morning, Kevin got up late and was not feeling like going to work. He did not bother to switch on his cell phone. He

thought he had messed up last night by sending that message. But at the same time he was feeling a bit satisfied and content because he felt he did the right thing. Later, while having breakfast, he switched on his cell phone and kept it aside till all the messages were received. Once, the beeping sound stopped, he picked up his cell phone and searched for Vidya’s reply.

“Good Morning…Can I have a word with you today after lecture?” she had asked.

Kevin replied “I am not coming today”.

“OK, will talk tomorrow, take care”, she replied.

Kevin just glanced at her reply and kept the cell phone aside. Some time passed by and Kevin was still at the breakfast table watching TV.

Vidya replied “I was just expecting a funny reply”.

Kevin replied “That’s my way of being funny”. He knew this was not the polite way of replying.

As expected Vidya replied “Is this the way, you talk to your friends?”

Kevin replied “I am in a bad mood right now. Can we talk later?”

Vidya, as if teasing Kevin, asked “And what is the reason to be in a bad mood? I am in a very good mood since last night”.

Kevin did not reply. After some time again there was a message from Vidya “Don’t you want to know why I am in a good mood? I thought we were best friends”.

Kevin got more angry and replied “Good for you and I am not at all interested in knowing the reasons behind your good mood. BTW, we are just friends and not best friends”.

“Actually, yesterday night, I guess someone proposed to me. I was thinking if you can meet me today and tell me what I should do”.

This message made Kevin really jealous and he replied “Sorry, I am not interested in your personal life. Good bye” and threw his cell phone on the bed.

Vidya replied “I would really appreciate if you could come and meet me. I will be waiting for you at the coffee shop opposite our computer institute at 4:00 pm today evening. Bye”

Kevin did not see this message as his cell phone was lying on the bed. It was nearing lunch time and Kevin thought of

ordering some lunch for himself. He started searching for his cell phone but was not able to find it. After a lot of searching he found it below a pillow on the bed. By this time he had settled down a little bit and feeling much better. He took his cell phone and saw the message from Vidya and just ignored it. “Why should I go to meet her and discuss her love life” he said to himself. He ordered his lunch and started watching TV.

In some time his lunch came. While having his lunch,he thought that he should go and meet her. After all it was not Vidya’s fault at all. Vidya too has to like him. If she likes someone else then it is absolutely fine.After lunch, Kevin replied “I will be there by 4:00 PM today evening”.

“Thank you so much” Vidya replied promptly as if she was waiting for Kevin’s message.

In the evening Kevin reached the coffee shop and found that Vidya had already reached and was sitting on a table. Kevin went inside and sat opposite Vidya. He was trying to avoid eye contact with Vidya. He looked through the menu card and asked Vidya what she will have. Vidya replied “1 cold coffee”. Kevin placed an order for 2 cold coffees.

“Why are your eyes so red”? Vidya asked Kevin.

Kevin replied “Probably some dust might have gone in his eyes while driving the bike”, he lied.

“Actually, I would like your advice on how do I respond to someone who has proposed to me? Should I meet him and say “I Love you” or message him? I think I should meet him and tell him. What do you say?”

“I really don’t know” Kevin replied, still avoiding eye contact.

“Ok, then I will message and call him to meet me and then will tell him when he is sitting in front of me” Vidya replied.

“I love you” Vidya said.

Again she said “I love you” in a bit louder voice.

“Whom are you talking to Vidya?” Kevin asked.

“I am talking to you duffer. I messaged and called you and you are sitting in front of me” Vidya replied.

“Are you serious… you must be joking… stop making fun of me…” Kevin said and looked at Vidya with moist eyes.

“Are you serious” Kevin asked.

“Yes, I am” Vidya replied.

“I can’t believe you proposed to me. I had planned to propose to you and make you feel special one day” Kevin said with a choked voice.

“Then what are you waiting for? Go ahead and make me feel special” Vidya told Kevin.

Kevin kissed her hand and said “I love you too”.

III - Happy times

From now on, both started meeting every day. They would go out for movies every alternate weekend. Basically they were enjoying their life. There was a newfound happiness on Kevin’s face each day.

New Year was approaching and Kevin thought of going out for dinner with Vidya on 31st December night.

“Will you come for dinner on the 31st of December?” Kevin asked Vidya.

“Well….I will have to check my appointments on that day.” Vidya replied jokingly.

“Oh is it…..then I will have to ask someone else. Oh… I guess Sneha might be interested. I will text her and ask” Kevin replied and got up from his seat and pretended to text Sneha. Vidya snatched Kevin’s cell phone from his hands and tried searching for the message.

“I was just joking” Kevin replied with a big grin on his face.

“Don’t you dare ask someone else for dinner. I can cancel a couple of my appointments for a dinner with you” Vidya sheepishly replied while handing over the cell phone to Kevin.

It was 31st December and as decided Kevin came on his bike to pick Vidya. Both went to a nice Chinese restaurant. After dinner Kevin dropped Vidya at her place.

“Thank you for coming in my life and starting my new year in such a special way.” Vidya thanked Kevin while giving a tight

hug from behind before getting down from the bike.

Time passed by and after a couple of months it was Vidya’s birthday. Kevin wanted to give a surprise to Vidya on her birthday but did not know how. One afternoon, after lunch Kevin casually asked Eva “What gift will surprise a girl on her birthday?”

Eva was Kevin’s office colleague and post lunch smoking partner.

“Are you asking about a surprise gift for Vidya?” Eva asked while releasing a puff of smoke from her mouth.

Kevin and Eva were best friends since their first day in office. Both had met during their induction in the company. Kevin had told Eva about his love life.

“Send a nice bouquet of red roses at her office address” Eva suggested.

“Sounds good” Kevin replied.

One day before Vidya’s birthday, Kevin placed an order for a nice bouquet of red roses.

Vidya was sitting at her desk with a middle aged British couple who had come to exchange Forex. Just then she saw a delivery boy enter the office with a bouquet of roses and was talking to the security guard at the gate.

“Such a nice bouquet” Vidya said to her herself before getting busy with the British couple. From the corner of her eye she could see the security guard and delivery boy walk towards her and in no time they were both standing in front of her.

“Madam, this is for you from Mr. Kevin” the delivery boy said.

In no time Vidya started blushing and her cheeks turned pink. She did not know how to react. Probably she was embarrassed in front of the couple. Looking at her pink face, the middle aged British lady asked her “Is it your birthday today?”

Vidya shook her head in affirmative as her throat was too choked to answer anything. “Your face has turned pink” The British man complimented her and offered to click a picture of Vidya with the bouquet and suggested to send that picture to Kevin right now which she did. Vidya drank some water from her bottle and apologized to the British couple for making them wait.

Quickly she arranged for their forex and before leaving the British lady complimented “You have a very nice boyfriend”.

As planned the bouquet was delivered to Vidya on her birthday.

“You should have seen the look on my face……it was all pink……it was so embarrassing…..when I first saw the bouquet…how I wished that it was for me…..and the greeting card along with the bouquet….it was so nice….” Kevin secretly thanked Eva for the surprise suggestion as he listened to Vidya talk about her surprise on the cell phone.

IV - Tough Decisions

Kevin had completed 3 years in his company and there were chances of him going to Denmark and work from client location.

Kevin was hoping for the best as he knew that Vidya had already been to Denmark for her official work.

Later in the month he got the good news which he was expecting. He had to report to Copenhagen office in 4 months time.

Within this time he had to do all the paper required for his visa.

“I am moving to Copenhagen in 4 months time” Kevin informed Vidya on the cell phone excitedly.

“Ohhh…is it….Congratulations” Vidya replied. Kevin did not hear any excitement in her voice.

“Aren’t you happy for me?” Kevin asked.

“Of course, I am happy” Vidya pretended to be happy

“Doesn’t seem so” Kevin responded.

“Hmm” she replied.

“What’s the matter?” Kevin shouted

“Can we meet and talk?” Vidya asked

“Yes, we should, I guess” Kevin replied in a sarcastic tone.

Vidya was the only child to her parents. She feared that after her marriage there will be no one to look after her parents.

She had decided early in her life that she will never leave her parents and go. She wanted a husband who would take care of her parents too. On hearing Kevin’s decision to move to Copenhagen all her plans fell apart. She did not want Kevin to go.

That evening, both met at the same place and Vidya tried to explain her point of view.

Kevin retorted “I have made a lot of sacrifices for this opportunity and do not want to lose it”. Kevin had planned a nice small family with Vidya somewhere out of India and he had really worked hard for it. He felt that Vidya is being unreasonably selfish.

“Your 2 cups of cold coffee sir” the waiter broke the silence between the two of them.

“We will keep visiting India” Kevin tried to convince Vidya but failed.

Both finished their coffee and Kevin dropped Vidya at her place. There was not a single word exchanged between the two. Kevin drove off without saying bye to her. Vidya kept waiting at her building gate thinking he will turn back and at least wave bye at her. But Vidya kept waiting and soon Kevin was out of sight.

There was no communication between the two of them. Neither did Kevin message her in the night nor did Vidya bother to call him. There was no chance of them meeting on weekends because Vidya had completed her computer course last month and soon after that Kevin left his part time job too. Neither of the two was willing to take a step back and let go of their ego.

Kevin got busy in his preparations to leave for Copenhagen. The client wanted Kevin to join on an urgent basis and asked Kevin to prepare all his paper work as early as possible. Within a week he was all set to travel and his travel date was on the next week.

“Is Vidya done with her packing?” Eva asked Kevin while having a puff of cigarette. Kevin did not bother to reply.

“Isn’t she coming with you?” Eva asked again.

“No” Kevin replied back.

“Makes sense….call her once you settle down there” Eva suggested.

“She is never going to come with me” Kevin replied in a disgruntled voice.

He told all the things which happened between Vidya and himself to Eva. Kevin had decided that he will never come back to India. Eva tried her best to convince Kevin to talk to Vidya but it was all in vain.

One day before his travel, Kevin could not resist from sending a message to Vidya.

“I will be leaving tomorrow. Can we meet?”

“Sure” Vidya replied

As usual Vidya had already reached the coffee shop before time. Kevin went inside and sat in front of her and ordered 2 cups of cold coffee.

“Why are your eyes red?” Kevin asked.

“Oh…it’s just the dust I guess” Vidya replied while cleaning her eyes with her handkerchief

“So, what have you decided?” Kevin asked expecting that Vidya might have changed her mind.

“You know my answer Kevin….I cannot leave my parents alone and enjoy my life in a different country” Vidya said with a stern voice.

“Is this your final decision?” Kevin asked.

“I can ask you the same question Kevin…” Vidya questioned back.

“I guess then we will have to take a tough decision then” Kevin told Vidya looking into her eyes.

Both finished their cold coffee and walked out of the coffee shop. Kevin stood in front of her and gave her a tight hug. The hug lasted for a little over five minutes. Vidya could hear Kevin’s heart pound faster than normal. By the time the hug was over, Kevin’s top shirt pocket was wet because of Vidya’s tears. Kevin gave a kiss on her forehead and handed over a piece of paper to Vidya. Kevin turned his back and sat on his bike and drove off in no time. Vidya was standing there with tears in her eyes in the hope that Kevin will turn and come back to her.

V - The flight

Next day, Kevin was busy with his last minute packing. His flight was late in the evening.

In the afternoon he had a small get together lunch with his close friends. He bid farewell to his friends and headed back home. On the way back he passed by the coffee shop. His eyes were moist but he controlled himself. Soon it was time to leave for the airport.

He booked an uber cab and reached the airport. He completed the mandatory baggage screening and got himself his boarding pass from the Lufthansa counter. There was still time to board the flight, so he decided to relax in the executive lounge. From his couch he could see the hustle and bustle near the counters and baggage screening area outside.

He had just closed his eyes when he heard “Do you mind keeping your handbag on floor, I need to sit on this couch.” The moment Kevin heard this he knew it was Vidya and opened his eyes wide open. He saw Vidya standing in front of him. He could not believe his eyes.

“So you read my letter?” Kevin asked.

“Yes, I did” Vidya replied.

“Then why didn’t you tell me not to go even once?” Kevin asked

Kevin was referring to what he had written in his letter.

Kevin’s letter:

Hi, I am writing this letter to you because I don’t want to lose you. I really want you to know that you mean a lot to me.

I can’t imagine that we will not meet again ever and it hurts the most. I had planned a lot of things for us. But I guess

destiny has something else in store for us.

I can sacrifice anything for you. Probably I was not able to express my love for you in the most proper way all through this while and that is the reason you did not even once try to stop me for going. Of all the things which I have sacrificed, I can sacrifice my job for you. PLEASE STOP ME.

Goodbye…..till the time we meet again.

“How can I be so selfish and stop you from following your dreams” Vidya said.

An announcement was made to board the flight to Copenhagen and soon both were on the same flight sitting side by side.

On the way Vidya told Kevin how Eva had come over to her place and explained the chain of events that had happened between the both of them.

Two days prior to Kevin’s departure Eva had gone to Vidya’s home to talk to Vidya’s parents, Eva had carefully planned her visit at such a time when Vidya was not at her home.

“How is Vidya behaving nowadays?” Eva asked upfront to Mr. Aiyyar (Vidya’s father) before having a sip of filter coffee

offered by Mrs. Aiyyar.

“She isn’t talking much for the past some days. She keeps herself locked in her room after coming from work. Probably she has lots of work in office and needs some time for herself” Mr. Aiyyar replied.

“Did you not try to find out the reason for her change in behavior?” Eva asked in an angry tone

“She no longer talks about Kevin with us. Is everything OK?” Mrs. Aiyyar sensed that something is wrong and asked in a very concerned manner.

Eva explained everything that happened between Kevin and Vidya. There was complete silence in the room for some time till the door bell rang.

“It must be Vidya” Mrs. Aiyyar said and got up to open the door.

Vidya entered the house and saw Eva sitting with her dad. Vidya understood the reason behind Eva’s visit. Like every day,

Vidya wanted to go inside her room but could not as Eva was present. She sat beside her dad trying to control her tears.

“Let your tears flow…..it will help you” Mr. Aiyyar told Vidya.

Vidya lent her head on her father’s shoulder and started crying. She was no longer able to control herself. She wanted to do this long before but did not want her parents to know about the things which happened between her and Kevin.

“Do you think I am weak and cannot take care of you mother?” Mr. Aiyyar asked Vidya

Vidya just nodded her head in denial while still crying.

“You want the world to think that I and your mother are selfish. You want the world to think that Mr. and Mrs. Aiyyar did not let their daughter live her life on her own terms” Mr. Aiyyar continued to taunt Vidya.

“You know this is not true” Vidya replied in a choked voice.

“I do not want you two to be alone and sad here while I enjoy my life outside India” Vidya tried to justify herself.

“Who said, they will be alone and no one will look after them, when you are gone? I will be staying with your parents in your absence” Eva intervened while giving a solution to Vidya.

“That’s what I and your mother have decided” Mr. Aiyyar told Vidya while kissing her forehead.

Hearing this from her father Vidya felt relieved and now really wanted to be with Kevin. Unlike in the letter where Kevin wanted Vidya to stop him from going, Vidya decided to help Kevin in realizing his dream by being part of his future life.

Later in the day Eva helped Vidya to book her tickets to Copenhagen and that’s how she landed in front of Kevin in the waiting lounge at the airport.

Kevin took a sigh of relief and closed his eyes.