I was on my way to Mumbai after a week long holiday at Lucknow with my parents. It was a much deserved break that I'd taken after slogging for over one and a half years at Deutsche Bank. My parents had given me an ultimatum this time saying that if i don't visit them soon, they would disown me. My holiday was over and I was heading back to Mumbai on the Pushpak Express.

I bought a newspaper as soon as I got up in the morning. I'd the whole day on the train with no company and nothing to do.

While I was engrossed reading the newspaper, I heard someone say, "So, what's the headline?"

I said, "Sorry. You talking to me?"

"Yes I am."

"Nothing much. The regular."

"Hmmm.. By the way, I'm Arun."

“I’m Pia.’
“Pleased to meet you Pia.”
“So, you read the newspaper everyday?"

From there we began talking and the topics ranged from weather to Mumbai to Lucknow to work to movies and what not.

I was travelling by train after long and didn't have a anything with which I could kill my time. He proved to be good company. He looked of about 35, had come to visit his grandparents at Lucknow, worked in Tata Chemicals, was extremely attractive and was a very smooth talker. It had been quite sometime since I'd spoken to someone like him. Actually it'd been quite sometime since I'd spoken to any guy. So I thought, why not?

In the course of our conversation we realised that both of us have our offices at Fort. So, while parting ways, we exchanged numbers promising each other that we'll catch up for lunch someday.

I lived alone in Mumbai for the last three years. Due to my hectic work schedule I never made friends here. There were colleagues with whom I used to hang out sometimes. I thought several times about calling Arun for lunch but gave up on the thought finding it too desperate. One day, I gave in. I called him and we agreed to meet for lunch the next day.

One lunch lead to another and we started meeting often.

Every time we met, we had a terrific time together. I'd started to fall for him.

One day I asked him if he would join me for a movie. He bluntly refused. I was taken aback by his reaction but I didn't question him further. The same night he SMSed saying he will join me for the movie.

We started going out more often. Movies, dinners, and of course, lunches.

One July afternoon he called me and said, "Pia, have you seen to Marine Drive when its raining?"

I said, "No".

"Its beautiful. You must see it. You want to go today, after work?"

"Yes".

It indeed was beautiful. We were walking in the rains without an umbrella by the sea. I must admit that I'd never thought Mumbai could be this beautiful. While we were walking Arun held my hand. He said, "Pia, I'm really happy when I'm with you. I see your face and forget all my worries. You have helped me find the old Arun. The one who likes movies, the one who hangs out with his friends, the one who loves to laugh. Earlier I used to visit Marine Drive every alternate day during monsoons. But in the last five years this is the first time I'm coming here. And you know why? Because of you. I really like it with you Pia. I really do." And then, he kissed me.

There was an awkward silence that followed the kiss.

"Its getting late. I think you should leave now."

I found it weird because it was only 9 o'clock and there were times when we had stayed together much later than that.

Next day he called me and apologised for kissing me in the middle of the road without my permission.

I said, "Don't apologise. I'm glad you did. Otherwise I would have."

We met for lunch the same day. Everything was going perfect. Just like in a fairy tale.

A few days later I called him. Someone else answered his mobile.

I said, "Hello, could I speak to Arun."

"He is on the other phone. Could I take a message?"

"Please ask him to call me back."

"Whom shall I say called?"

I found it strange that Arun didn't have my number saved on his mobile. I said, "Its Pia. May I know whom am I talking to?"

"I'm Chitra. Arun's wife."

The last thing I remember was crashing on the bed. I think I was numb for I can't remember how long.

I got up from the bed when the alarm rang. I took one look at my phone, to reaffirm what had happened last night, then got dressed and left for work.

Arun called during the day to say that he wants to meet me. We met the same evening.

The moment he arrived, I asked him, "Why didn't you tell me you were married?"

"Pia, why don't you just sit" he said while touching my arm.

"DO NOT TOUCH ME. Just answer my question."

"Alright. Listen. Initially I didn't tell you because I didn't find the need to. When I did find the need, I feared losing you. It was getting difficult to stay with Chitra under the same roof. I was stressed, frustrated and that's when I met you. You really changed everything for me. The more time I spent with you, the better I felt. Things improved drastically between Chitra and me because I used to get back home in a good mood. When I started behaving this way, she also responded well to it."

"What do you plan to do now Arun?"

"Plan? Pia I've a wife and a son."

"You have a son?"

"Yes, I do. And I can't leave them for you. I don't love you Pia. You are a very good friend. That day at Marine Drive I just got carried away. I wanted to tell you the truth after kissing you, but I feared losing you. That's why I didn't tell you anything all this while. But I never used you. I mean, I hung around with you, but I never took advantage of you. You called me first for lunch. You asked for the movie first. I'd refused initially. But I thought you'll feel bad, so I agreed to accompany you. Pia, let's be friends."

I was out of words. All I could manage to say was, "You know what Arun? I'd thought it would be very difficult for me to get over you. But you made it very easy for me. I'm glad to get rid of you Arun. Goodbye."

I walked out. Without looking back even once.

I engrossed myself in my work. Though I'd told Arun that it wouldn't be difficult to get over him any more, but it was extremely difficult. It's been three years since our last meeting, but even today, every time I think about him, my heart goes numb for that moment.

I've learnt to live with this numbness. I can't stop living, can I?

Its life after all, and not a fairy tale.