Diya Rai – Brian’s Challenge

Before Diya could scream, Brian placed a hand over her mouth and shushed her. 

“Shhhh! Don’t shriek as if I you have seen a robber.” He chided her.

Diya removed his hand with such force, that her nails scratched on his tender skin.

“Aaarrghhh! You’re hurting me, Diya.”

“Then, what do you think I should do?”

“Maybe, a hug or kiss.”

Diya delivered a sharp clout across his cheek.

“This will serve you, Brian. Who do you think you are? Why the hell did you call me when I was on a date?”

“On a date?” Brian held his left cheek and spoke through clenched teeth.

“Yes, I was on a date with Mike and you spoiled it by calling me.”

“I never knew that you were on a date. I just thought you were hanging out with him.” His tone was rather sarcastic.

“Why should I hang out with him exclusively? I would have done by that calling all of you and hanging out together.”

“Shit! I am sorry, Diya.”

“Don’t put on a show, Brian. You knew that I was on a date with him, yet you called me to spoil my day.”

“I didn’t want to spoil your day. I was about to talk to you something else. But-“

“What else have you got to talk to me?”

“Something important. It’s about my feelings.”

“Your feelings? I don’t give a damn about your feelings.”

“That’s okay. But I want to make sure that you know about them. I felt frustrated when I came to know that you have gone out with Mike. That’s why I acted stupidly.”

“At least you realize that you were being stupid.”

“I am sorry, Diya. I really am.”

Diya heaved a sigh and replied, “Okay, what do you want from me?”

“Diya, can we relax and speak? Can we go to your room, if you permit?”

Diya felt apprehensive for a moment. She had flashes of what happened when they were alone in a room the last time.

“I won’t do anything. Promise. I am just going to talk to you.” He reassured her.

Diya opened her apartment and let him inside. After taking a sip from her water bottle, she settled down on the bed and signalled Brian to sit on the couch.

“Thank you.” Brian muttered and took his seat.

“Okay, tell me what do you want?”

“Diya, I have to confess something to you. You know, I fell in love with you at first sight.”

“What?” Diya spat out.

“Yes, in Carmel College. It was love at first sight for me. But I had lots of commitments and I was also a traveller, which made things worse for me. I never had a chance to come back to the college and propose to you. I didn’t even search for you in Orkut. I just believed in destiny and moved on. Four years passed by. I went on a trip to Jaipur-Jodhpur-Udaipur, where I acted as a tour guide. There I met Monali. Within a week’s time, she fell head over heels in love with me. She was a sweet girl. I couldn’t refuse her. We started going out after that. She even moved to Bangalore for my sake. Then she started preparing for her arrears exams. When I asked whether I can pay for her exams, she told me that she was working in a footwear shop in the evenings and she was able to pay for her exams. I believed her too much. Meanwhile, we had regular fights, as she had a dominating personality. She wanted me to change my lifestyle. I felt stressed due to the poisonous relationship I was in. That’s when I met you in The Hindu Literature Fest…”

“Wait! But you acted as if you didn’t know me. Why did you do that?”

“I didn’t want you to know that I remembered you. Since I had a girlfriend, I was afraid to confess that I had already fallen in love with you. As soon as I met you again, all the memories of that particular day came back to me. Though I longed for your friendship, I kept away from you. I didn’t even ask your phone number. But it was draining me of all the energy I had. There was Monali, too, who was pestering me with her nagging attitude. That’s why I didn’t take care of myself and I had a case of dehydration. After you identified me in the hospital, I thought I should not keep away from you any longer. I thought I should become your best friend.”

“Yeah, right. So, our friendship bloomed after that. We were hanging out together, but we never delved into our personal issues. And you also didn’t care to tell me that you had a girlfriend.” Diya glared at him.

“I am sorry, Diya. I thought I could break up with Monali and continue my friendship with you. I made hell lot of plans to get close to you. And that opportunity came when we visited Ooty. I was too reluctant to stay in a room with you, but I had no other choice. We were budget travellers. I informed Monali that I am going to Ooty with you and we had a huge row regarding that. I thought she would break up with me, instead she said she’d meet me in Ooty. My love for you deepened during the trip. I didn’t know what I was doing, when I had sex with you. I was not myself at that time. I forgot about Monali. Just after our love-making session, she called me to inform that she will visit me the next day. I was terrified. I didn’t know how to manage the situation. That’s why I acted indifferently the next day. And I – I had no other choice. I told you the truth and broke your heart. I – I am really sorry, Diya.” Brian’s voice broke and his eyes were brimming with tears.

Even Diya was crying silently. She couldn’t look into his eyes. Since she was silent, Brian continued, “I thought I could break up with Monali and come back to you. But it was too late. You left me and you blocked me from everything. It was really agonizing. However, God sent you back to me. You involved yourself in Mr. Sundarnathan’s case and found out Monali was a cheat all the time. I realized my blunder at that moment. I was also happy that God had gifted me the best chance to break up with her. And hence, I ended my relationship with her and tried to get back to you, but I realized that I was long gone from your life. I moved on with my boring life, till I felt that I should take a break and go somewhere abroad. And that’s why I am here. Trust me, I never expected to find you here. I think this is destiny, Diya.” Brian finished his rigmarole and took a sip from the water bottle kept on the teapoy.

Diya wiped her tears and looked straight into his eyes, “And how am I supposed to believe you, Brian? What if this is a tale spun by you to patch things up?”

“I know you believe me. I haven’t spoken like this to anyone, Diya. I am really sorry to have broken your heart. I am ready to do anything to bring things to normalcy. Tell me what should I do?”

“I – I don’t know, Brian. Th – this confession is a blow to me. I never knew that you were in love with me all the time. But how could you hurt me blatantly, when you knew that you were in love with me?”

“I didn’t have a choice, Diya. I thought I could rectify things later.”

“Okay, what am I supposed to do now?”

“Forgive me, Diya.”

“I have already forgiven you. What else should I do?”

“Can we be friends again?”

“Friends? I have never seen you as a friend. You were more than that.”

“Okay. Can we then – er – get into a relationship?”

“Is this how you propose to a girl?”

“Er – no, this is not a proposal. It’s a – uh – I don’t know.”

“Look, Brian, I need some time. Yes, I was crazily in love with you, but those days are over. I got busy with my life and I moved on. I really love my single life again. I got this exciting Australian writing assignment and I am totally into it. I have also met some amazing people over here. Hannah and Mike. I want to spend more time with them and get to know their culture better. I don’t think I have time for love. And, also, I need some time to fall in love with you again.”

“Have you really fallen out of love, Diya?”

“I – I don’t know. I am heartbroken beyond words. I need time to clarify things and get back on track. Hope you can understand, Brian. I am enjoying this phase of my life now.”

“Are you considering going out with Mike again?”

“Maybe. I don’t know. I am comfortable with him. I don’t know whether I can take that forward.”

“Why don’t you put that on hold and give me a chance?” Brian asked eagerly.

“I’ll give you a chance, but you cannot deprive me of my friendship with Mike, Karan and Hannah. Okay?”

“Okay, I won’t do anything to your friendship with them.”

“Can I trust you, Brian? What if I end up in heartbreak again?”

“You won’t, Diya. You have to give a second chance to everyone you love. Second chances can work miracles. I promise you I won’t break your heart again.”

“Okay. But what if I don’t fall in love with you?”

A grin passed across Brian’s lips and he turned away from her to suppress it.

“What does that mean, Brian?”

“That means that you’ll surely fall in love with me.”

“How are you so sure?”

“I challenge you, Diya. There are two more weeks for your Australian trip to end. You’ll fall in love with me within that and you’ll be proud of it.”

“Is it? Okay, what’s the bet?”

“There’s no bet in love, Diya. I am sure of winning in my challenge.”

“Let’s see, Brian.” Diya flashed a wide smile. 

“So, friends?” Brian extended his hand for a shake. Diya took it in hers and said, “Friends.”

“For now.” Brian winked at her.

“You want something to drink?” Diya ignored his work and changed the topic.

“No, that’s fine. I am leaving. I don’t want things to go awry.” Brian laughed. Diya chortled, too. She felt happier than before. Brian stood up from the couch and left the apartment after wishing her a good night.

Diya couldn’t fall asleep. Brian’s thoughts swirled over in her mind. She was confused, too. His out-of-the-blue confession had turned her world upside down.

‘Things are not going to be the same,’ she thought. Finally she fell asleep after an hour.

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