Come Back to Me

By Mohsin Sayyed

 In the enchanting narrative of "Come Back to Me," love takes center stage as Sameer, with a melodious voice, discovers affection in Sonpur. Aditi, his best friend, reciprocates his feelings, igniting a tender bond that fate disrupts. Years later, Sameer's path converges with Aditi's anew, reigniting hope for their enduring love. Through trials and destiny's twists, Sameer's unwavering resolve to reclaim his first love drives the poignant tale. This evocative story celebrates the resilience of love, resonating with anyone who has experienced its profound magic. "Come Back to Me" weaves a tapestry of friendship, emotion, and the enduring power of love, leaving an indelible impression on hearts, and sparking smiles amidst tears.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blue Rose Publishers
• Release date: Feb 22, 2024

Book preview

Chapter 1

‘Man is the slave of his own thoughts.’

Our thoughts mould us and we tend to be the product of our own imagination. This, I realized in life not too late, but by then, I was already overpowered by the constant hammering of the million things going in my mind.

I still remember when it all started. I remember it, crystal clear. I can easily recall how I let myself dragged into their world. It all started on that day or night or may be in that moment.

I have to get him. I cannot afford to lose him. I said to myself, still running. The striped tie hanging from my neck was dancing to and fro sideways with every step of mine. My black formal shoes made a tapping noise similar to a horse shoe making it difficult for me to carry on. The protruding belly was putting hindrance to my pace and I was heaving heavily, finding it difficult to run. The evening sun was still invisible hiding behind some building. I was breathing harder on that running street eager to find Sahil waiting for me. Strange thoughts were boiling within me and I wanted to somehow clear those encounters. At last I could see Sahil waiting for me in his white Car parked along the road side, its parking lights flashing!

I almost escaped the death while crossing the road, neglecting the vehicles shouting horns at me. As I opened the car door, I shifted in closing the door at my back.

Where did he go? I asked curiously, still breathing heavy.

I guess he is on to the hilltop. he replied in a battered tone.

Why the hell did you allow him to leave alone? I shouted.

I tried to stop him, but, but he was uncontrollable. I did not know what to do and so I immediately dialed you.

God! Be merciful. Please help him. I said aloud.

Let’s move fast. We don’t have enough time. We need to get him before he takes some foolish step.

Khansa nodded, and the car began to move swiftly. He was trying hard to dodge the traffic, constantly shifting gears so as to catch him.

Within no time, we covered the distance and reached the outskirts of Sonpur. Turning right on the pebbled road, I realized we were almost there. The sharp turning along the unfenced road as we coiled upwards gave a twitching in my stomach. But he was confident about his adroit driving skills. I could see the sun hanging in the sky, painting it in color of its own. It was hanging in pride free and accomplished, ready to bid a goodbye.

The image of the Maruti temple finally filled my eyes and I was eager to dismount. The car finally came to a halt. I opened the door as fast as I could and stepped out. I ran, leaving him back, for I needed to get him.

The light was getting blurred and so were my feelings. Finally, I could see him. He was still standing at the cliff facing the deep valley. The Sun had already bid a goodbye. I slowly began approaching him, for I knew that a hasty decision could ruin everything. As I reached near, I could see, that he was talking over his cell phone, his voice broken.

Please don’t do this to me Adu, try to understand. Everything will be alright. he said in a crying tone.

Then, there was silence for some time.

I will resolve each and every thing. Just tell me what the matter is?

I could listen to his voice clearer now.

I cannot live without you, Aditi. For God’s sake, don’t punish me like this. At least tell me the reason for your decision. I beg you. he finally said.

There was a silence for some more time and finally he took the cell phone down. He looked at it for some time, a tear fell on the screen and then all of a sudden he threw his phone far away. I saw his phone travelling in a parabolic path like an arrow, ready, piercing the enemy’s flesh.

As he began sobbing I felt a shiver in my spine. I was hardly a few steps away.

Sam! I said slowly gathering courage.

He turned towards me. His eyes moist, tears freely flowing from his eyes.

Sam! What happened? Come here and please calm down. I said, trying to console him.

What happened? You are asking this to me, Viju? he questioned .

Everything will be fine Sam. I said, advancing near him.

STOP THERE! he shouted.

Don’t dare come near me! he said crawling back. A few step backwards and I would face the biggest nightmare of my life.

My feet began trembling.

Don’t act foolish, Sam. Please calm down, I beg you. I said this time with teary eyes.

I am SORRY Viju. But I need to go. he said finally.

I raised my hand to catch him. He had a strange smile on his face.

Don’t do it Sam!

We will find some solution.

You could have done much more Vijay. I trusted YOU. But you failed me! he said and leaned backwards.

I ran to catch him but by that time he was already gone……

SAMEER!!! I cried.

And suddenly I got up, opening my eyes.

I was perspiring and my forehead was already wet with sweat bud filling it completely.

Riya was still sleeping beside me. The silence in the room was being disturbed by the quirking of the wall clock.

A foolish DREAM it was. It was the same sort of dream that had been haunting me since a long time. But this time, it was almost after a year that it reemerged in my thoughts. DREAMS! Do they have something to say? Maybe, but I was not aware.

I got down from my bed and went near the wash basin. I splashed some water against my face and wiped it with a towel.

I pulled the night coat and opened the door to the room and stepped out. I sensed a new life flowing within me, in that divine surreal surrounding.

The cool breeze coming from the Ocean’s Heart was slowly caressing my moonlit face. The dark ocean was at its divine peace, that was being disturbed only by the splashing noise of a ship cutting the water, cruising its way forward. It was a moment that I always craved for. The twinkling stars were bearing the torch of light for the ferry to make its way. I did not remember the last time, that had I witnessed the gifts of the nature given free to enjoy. My eyes were rolling around to find the horizon that was unseen for the moment, in dark. It was as if the water was almost touching the sky with no cut in between. It was a perfect union of two eternal and magical mysteries. The blue sky was meeting the blue sea; in the blackened night. Blue is the hope and black is the dark, the despair, but ultimately they are one with different perceptions of our own. They are two sides of the same coin just tagged different. Isn’t life the same as the union of the blue and the black, the blue for one, that is the black for the rest? In search of the blue we spend our moments, running for the blue and avoiding the black. Indeed the black and the blue are one and the same, but it takes a vision to believe that there is no difference between them and that they are one, just as the ocean and the sky, both blue, but they appear black at times. The greatest happiness lies in the present moment, and when one learns the art to differentiate things as they come, the real peace in life begins to appears. Ang Lee’s Famous Movie Kungfu Panda gives us a magical line where it says, ‘Tomorrow is a mystery, yesterday is history and today is a gift that is why it is called as Present.’ And today, it was a gift for me to be with my better-half, Riya. After all, I was on my honeymoon with my better-half. Nothing could equate the happiness of being with her. The last two weeks that we spent on this Yacht, a lover’s paradise, could not have been better. Within two or three hours from now, the greatest holiday period would come to an end. I was right at the bow side of the ship’s deck recounting my moments spent with my love. It was a dream come true to be here, with Riya, who had always been the fantasy of my life. Three weeks earlier I was so depressed and frightened, that I had almost given up on life. I could still remember the opposition for our marriage at our respective homes. Our families had denied our relationship. My family was not ready to accept Riya, since she did not belong to my caste. So was the case at her home. There were many rounds of pleading from us at our homes, respectively. My sister Divya was the deal maker for us, who was the mere and only support for my decision. And how could I forget my Devil Team, my friends; Sameer, Sunny, Priya, and Sahil for their support and efforts to make our families change their mind. And this Yacht Honeymoon plan too, was the brain child of my best friend, Sam. He knew my fascination for the Sea and along with the others he gifted me the tickets for this Yacht as my wedding present. It is said that miracles do happen and they happen to people. They happen around us. Today I was the one, lucky to experience one such miracle. The water below was romancing with the ship as it went up and down, kissing the hull of the ship. It was an exceptional union of the silent night with the noisy waves.

I have believed throughout my life, that whatever you wish from your heart; it does always come true; you only need to believe in it. You have to ask for it, you have to convey your thoughts to the nature, the Almighty or whatever forces you believe in and that’s where the magic begins. The forces act on our thoughts and things start happening. I have experienced it. I have been a witness to it. Riya was with me, because somewhere, nature conspired with me to get her back. I was sailing towards the city in full swing. As I opened my arm to hug the nature around me, I let my breath go free. I inhaled deeply several times. I felt as if I was embracing the nature, I was free. After some time, I started murmuring to the nature. I am ready for miracles. I am open for miracles. As I was repeating the sentences I felt a hand embracing me from behind. The scent of a lavender perfume filled my lungs. Riya stood behind me, holding me, caressing me. It was a perfect Titanic moment for us. But this time the Heroine was behind the Hero and not the vice-versa.

Thanks a lot for coming into my life Vijay she said. I turned around to face her and blocked her lips with my right index finger and propelled her to stop.

Don’t thank me dear, in fact it is me who should thank you. You are the greatest thing that ever happened to me. You complete me. Today I am the luckiest person alive on the earth. I LOVE YOU. I said with whatever emotions I had.

I Love you too, Duffer, she quipped disturbing my hair.

Do you know that you are really mad? she asked childishly. Yes, I nodded, and that is why I am mad for you. she said and hugged me and I hugged her back.

A perfect moment the lovers can ask for. We stood in that position for some time and then I looked into her eyes that were filled with love.

As we reach Mumbai few hours from now, we will start a new phase of our love, together. I said.

Are you ready for a new beginning with me?

Yes, now and always. she said as we walked hand in hand to our room.

The sea ride was even more special, for we had decided to shun all contacts with everyone else. It was indeed decided that each moment spent by us would be ours, exclusively. No outside thoughts; of family, friends or business should enter our minds. It was a total isolation deal between the two of us. So, all our contacts from the outside world were broken for fourteen days. No cell phones and no emails were allowed. I had not imagined that I could stay even for a day without my cell phone or my laptop, forget two weeks. But, then it’s called love, the magic, and the happiness in it, that two weeks had passed and there was not a thought spent on the outside world. That’s when I understood the famous ‘Theory of Relativity.’ When you are with your loved ones, you feel an hour is a second and when you touch a hot stove for a second you feel it is an hour! Miraculous! Indeed, but truly correct. The year 2014 was a remarkable year for me. It brought stability and happiness not only in my personal but also my professional life.

It was around 3 O’Clock in the morning, when we reached Mumbai. It is the beauty of this sea-facing city that whatever time you are here; it is ever lively, ever energetic. Known to be the economic capital of India, it has been my home since last year. I always had a fascination to settle somewhere in the dream city. All my education was completed in Pune and hence Mumbai was a new place for me. I am glad that my MBA degree finally paid off and I was hired by a multinational company in Mumbai. Riya was working as a software engineer in Pune. We soon will need to seek out some plans, so that either I move to Pune or Riya will shift in Mumbai. Some decision will have to be made. I fervently wished that Riya could find a job in software at Mumbai. We finaly disembarked at the junction between the sea and land. The pleasant wind in Mumbai Street welcomed us. The nights in Mumbai are really awesome. It is said that the city never sleeps and so do the hard working fleshy machines. Our driver was ready to receive us. The journey to the sea had made us tired. We both needed a good rest for at least a day. It was Saturday and we had two days of holidays coming up ahead us. Monday would be a regular day as usual, office, meetings and the rest. I desperately wanted a sleep now, for I had to start working harder from next Monday since I was a married man now. I smiled to myself to retract my just uttered sentence, Married. All my life I had heard that with marriage comes the bundle of responsibilities. In India, marriage has a famous saying, ‘Marriage is a Sweet Laddu, the one who eats it repents and one who doesn’t eat also repents.’ But I am not going to repent after eating such a delicious sweet, I love it, and I am going to enjoy it all my life. It would be my duty, my responsibility to protect it my entire life. It is my Dharma to make it a success, and I am ready to follow this Dharma for the next seven births to come.

So Mrs. Riya Vijay, have you enjoyed your time? I asked Riya, who was busy looking out of the car window. It was around Four in the morning when we were heading for our flat towards Kharghar. She looked at me and smiled. The same beauty at this hour of time as she was when I first saw her, her straight black hair, let loose and the wind coming inside the car was playing with it. Her white complexion shone each time the flashlights of the opposite vehicles reflected on it. The perfect lip-line on the strawberry shaped face was doing its black magic on me.

Hmmm…yes, I did enjoy, thank you. she said with a smile on her face.

And I did not know that my sweet little duffer is so romantic at heart. she continued, her eyes blushing.

Her almond eyes had that magic, the more I looked into them; the more I fell for them. The naughty tone in which she suggested this filled my heart with love. As I stared at her, she made herself busy looking outside the window pane. Her carbon black straight hair was left free and her right hand played with the outer string of her hair called ‘Lutt’. I raised my left hand and held her right hand that was busy playing with the hair strand.

She blushed and said, The fifteen days of holidays alone didn’t seem to have filled your heart.

What should I do, your beauty is the main culprit, that haunts me and when such is the case even fifteen births are not enough for me. I replied and brought my face towards her.

She at once brought her left hand to my mouth and pointed towards our driver with her eyes whose presence was almost forgotten by me.

We will be at home within twenty minutes. she immediately said a bit loudly to which I nodded and settled in my seat.

*****************************************

Chapter 2

We reached home in some time. The hangover of the journey and the sea sickness was taking its toll on both of us. We brought all our belongings inside quickly.

I am dying to sleep now I said in a heavy voice.

I too desperately need a good sleep, but now I don’t think I have a chance for it. The house is totally messed up and I have just a day before I leave for Pune. she said looking around.

Relax dear. I tried to cut in.

I will help you in your work today. You just chill!

"Let's see how you help me today Mr. Chiku", she teased me with the name that mom usually addresses me with.

I kissed her forehead and went to take a bath. Meanwhile, she immediately started arranging our belongings. The hot shower after a sweat bursting journey was a pleasant feeling. It is what was needed the most. The humid climate at the sea makes one tired, even if one is not doing anything. As I belonged to a place which was far away from sea coast and whose temperature is determined by continentality, humidity had always been my natural enemy. Also, Pune’s climate, that I always loved, was much different than Mumbai’s. This is the one thing that I would have changed, if given a choice, its irritating humidity. I was enjoying the water that splashed against my body. After finishing my bath I came out and found Riya still busy with the household stuff. I changed to my night attire and went near her, took all the clothes and bags she was busy with and kept them aside.

Please, relax now Riya. You said you are tired, remember? Take some rest, it can be done afterwards.

I am not tired now. You take rest, I will sleep afterwards, she quipped.

If you are not going to take rest, I will also not sleep and you know that I am too tired and desperately need a sleep. I said with a shrill voice.

She was quick to understand my motive and said,

"You will never change.