(If this is the first time you have come across this short story about love, we would recommend you start reading from PART 1 first at - http://goo.gl/lWmL7X. In case, you missed out on PART 6, you can find that at - http://goo.gl/AI91iV. But if you have already read everything else, then please continue)
They quietly drove to the airport on his bike. While he parked it, she held onto her purse tightly. Ultimately, he co-ordinated with the driver to get the luggage.
With her bags in both his hands, Karthik asked, "How long do you have before check-in?"
"An hour," Preet softly said.
He started laughing loudly. "Just to avoid me, isn't it? Come let's have coffee."
For the first half hour they played a game of cat and mouse. He constantly stared at her and she avoided meeting his gaze as much as possible. As his frustrations grew, he started banging his palm in quick successions on the table.
"Stop it, Karthik," she said. But he continued anyways. Irritatedly she now looked at him and repeated her request but to no avail. Seeing the only way to stop him, she caught hold of his hand. He stopped and she pulled her hand back.
"Why are you behaving this weird way?" he asked.
"I can't do this. I can't give you what you want," she said.
"And what is it that I want?"
"Don't make it difficult for me, Karthik," she begged.
"Fine. If you won't say it, I will. I like you a lot. You are the closest I have ever felt to love. And yesterday, when you ran off like that, it drove me crazy. I couldn't think straight, didn't go to watch Charlie. Nothing. Your thought follows me like a shadow. I like you. I like you a lot. Like I have never liked anyone in a long long time".
His words were warm and honest. But coldly she replied, "You like me and I like you. But it's probably only infatuation. Will fade away four days after we part".
"It's not an infatuation. I know what I feel. Trust me Preet, I won't break your heart," he persisted.
"Everybody says that and then days, months, years later people leave. And what remains are broken fragments of one's heart. Do you know how difficult it is to piece yourself together?" she asked.
"I know. But one doesn't stop loving because of a heartbreak. You keep giving in the hopes that someday you will find a person who will treasure you as much as you love them," he said catching hold of her hand.
"I can't do this again, Karthik. I am not ready for it. We will be happy in the beginning, but soon doubts will take over. Plus we are in two different cities. We will only end up in a bitter mess, Karthik,"
They talked back and forth. Finally, Preet said, "Karthik, I have to leave".
"Fine," he said getting up.
At the door of the terminal he handed her the luggage. She thanked him and he gave her a half smile. Then softly he said, "I don't agree with what you said, but I can't make you change your mind or stay back either. But promise me that you will take care of yourself, my darling, Chundari Penne".
(Do you think this is the end to Preet & Karthik's story? To find out, read Part 8 - http://goo.gl/bDzZWD)
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