My heart wants you and this is forbidden.

"I am on diet" Akshay said, denying all the dishes prepared by Smita . Hurt is the emotions clearly visible on her face. Everything on the breakfast table is, his once favourite, whether it is chole bhature or parathe or omlet or chiken sandwich or french toast or Irani tea. He refused everything and choose a bowl of fruit salad prepared by the maid.

"I am not the man who can pacify by a fancy meal.Dont use such tactics again. It won't work on me." he said looking towards her.

Smita felt dejected. Last night this man claiming her and now acting like nothing happened between them. Her eyes get moisten and she felt her brave face starts faltering. She can fight with whole world but in front of him everything crumbled. His words shattered her heart again. She knew they are not on the best of terms but they can share a cordial relationship. Is it necessary to hurt every time?

His words, his actions, his little gesture affects her heavily. Love makes you so vulnerable.. His action tore her heart every time and she tries again stupidly. One warm smile from him and her heart melted, dreaming future with him. Hope which she buried deep in her heart resurfaced, making her yearn something which is forbidden. She felt disgusted with herself for acting like a harmonal teenager each and every time.

She looked towards Akshay who is busy in eating like nothing happened.

"Is it necessary, Akshay, to be this cold towards me?" the question she wanted to asked.

"Good morning, Mumma" Akshita said and hugs Smita from behind.

"Good morning, princess" she holds her in arms and make her sit in her lap. Akshita's eyes widen in surprise looking food dishes at the table.

"Mumma, are we expecting guest? she whispered in her ear and Smita nodded in denial.

" Then who will eat all this? next question came.

"This is for us"

"All of this" Akshita exclaimed catching attention of Akshay. She got full attention of Akshay, causing worry in Smita's heart. This man is unpredictable. She doesn't want to hear his hurtful words towards her daughter. Akshita is very sensetive and shy child. Few bitter words is enough for her tears.

"hmm" moan of Akshita bring her back from her thoughts. Her eyes accidentally met with Akshay who is sitting across her and awkwardness filled the room. She looks at her daughter who is enjoying her meal. The sight is enough for her to forget everything. Akshita ate more than her diet and Smita struggles to stop her overeating. Akshita finished her meal and kissed on her cheek happily. Today there is glint in her eyes like never before, contentment is present on Akshita's face. She left for school with Akshay, that is new for Smita.

"Am I not feeding her well?" question arise in her mind. She tries her level best to give Akshita a very good life but there is financial shortcomings. She can't afford a fancy breakfast everyday.

"EVERYDAY" her inner voice mock her. "LADY, YOU DIDN'T GIVE HER A FANCY MEAL SINCE AGES" realisation hit her and she falls on the sofa.

"Is it that easy to win Akshita's heart?" She questioned herself .

Just a fancy meal and her daughter forget everything. She didn't even ask her to go with him. Today she forget to say her goodbye. May be its not intentional from her side but she felt hurt. She felt sidelined.

His warning of 'snatching Akshita from her', scared her. Earlier its impossible but today he broke the tradition between mother daughter. He created gap between them. She prepared food to impress him but this new development between father - daughter is unexpected. She always wanted this. The sight of Akshay holding his daughter's hand, is her dream. Today this dream is fulfilling yet she felt anxious.

"He is her father, he will not harm her." she whispered to assure herself.She felt so suffocated nowadays. Its like she is entangled in a web.Its like a deep tunnel with no light at the end. His actions confused her emotions. He knew she is in love with him since day one that's why he is toying her. She didn't knew one thing leads to other and she will lend in to deep shit.

"I'll be fine papa" I assured my father who is unsure about my first solo journey. The thought both excite and thrilled me. My father has a job and he can't accompanied me everywhere. I accepted the fact long back. I give up many of my plans for the same reason but now I am grown up woman. I should learn to handle my stuff.

I convinced my father to let me visit alone to my maternal grandmother.He reluctantly agrees to my demand and here we are at railway station. His feature is little bit tensed which he is trying to hide. I adjusted my luggage in my seat and chat with him for few minutes. The announcement of departure is done and I wave him bye. He smiled forcefully and wave me bye.

I adjusted myself on the seat and closed my eyes to relax. I felt presence on the seat across of me. I opened my eyes to see who is fellow passengers. An old man trying to adjust his luggage and I immediately went to help.

"Thank you, Bitiya (daughter)" he replied with a smile and I returned the gesture. I noticed this man is very happy at this age where his hairs grayed, skin wrinkled, teeth is gone and muscles doesn't have strength.

"So where are you going?" he asked and I replied "nani k ghar (grandmother's house) chirpily. I can't hide my excitement. I love my Nani like anything. She is the one who connect me with my mother. After loosing her, we have her memories only. Talking about her always warmed my heart. Its sweet pain I want to endure again and again.

"Its great, few youth of this generation still love to spend time with their elder." he sighed.

"Your grandchildren must be foolish to not spend with such a gentleman." I said to lighten his mood. The journey was good so far, I listened stories about his youth,lifestyle of that time,songs films. He is so enthusiastic to share and I felt I am transport in that era. An era without social media, hectic schedules, crazy traffic, stressful life. People were very free and tension free at that time.

He was talking and suddenly fall on the floor, clutching left side of his chest. The scene in front of me, scared me. I don't know what to do. I hold him and tries to wake him but gain no response from him. I grab waterbottle and sprinkle water on his face. I called people for help but when no one came, I pulled the chain to stop the train. Officials came and we took him to hospital.

He was examined by emergency staff of hospital and they immediately shift him to I. C. U. The Authorities informed his family and I decided to stay till their arrival. I informed my grandmother about the same.I was waiting there, unaware of the future event which will change my life forever. Doctors told me that its an acidity attack and they are shifting him in general room. I sat on the stool near his bed. Yawn escaped from my mouth after one hour and I felt sleepy.

"Dadaji (grandfather)" a voice from behind break my sleep and I turn back to look. The sight infront of me almost stop my heart. A very young man standing near the doorway, worry written on his face. Crease on his forehead clearly showing his tension. He is dressed in his night wear indicating he did not waste a minute in changing his clothes. He comes hurriedly near the bed of the dadaji. He sat on the adjacent chair of me and butterflies appear in my stomach.

This is not the right time for this. I know the man is very attractive. He looks exactly like I dreamt. A caring family man with good looks. I don't know from where it arrives but gentleman attracts me. I like good guys who care for their elders. Wait, what I am doing. I am sitting in a hospital room with a patient and dreaming of his relative. This is wrong Smita, I scolds myself internally.

"Nothing is wrong in love," the rebellious voice in my head peeped, closing all argument. I looked towards him shamelessly and I wished time just stop here. He is so handsome. My toe curled and blush appear on my cheeks. I felt happiest girl on the earth when he turns towards me and said 'thank you' by holding my hands. I just loved the feeling. I covers my hand with scarf as I am not going to touch anything from this hand.

Doctor arrived with discharge papers as the man requested. He want to shift his granddad in delhi hospital. After completing formalities, they are ready to leave. He offered me to join him as I helped in the need of hour.

"How can I refuse such offer ?" Few more hours to spend with him. This is irresistible offer which I happily accepted . The journey to Delhi is quiet except some occasional glances we steal of each other. It is first and last meeting of us. After reaching Delhi we are not going to meet. I am not complaining but this is obvious, neither we are friends nor lovers. Chances of our second meeting is very thin but destiny had other plans.