Picking up the morning papers, Laura reclined in her easy-chair with a cup of steaming coffee. She stole these quiet moments for herself to indulge in thoughts. Sipping her coffee...she quickly sat up in the chair; trembling. The coffee spilt on her leg but, it did not burn. Her breadth quickened...yet, she gasped for air. Her arms and legs grew limp as she weakly attempted to grasp the handle of the arm-chair. The gentle breeze coming from the southern window couldn't prevent sweat beads from appearing on her forehead. Was this a massive heart attack? The pain shot up from her chest through her head, dulling every sensation she could feel. Only her heart ached and ached. Tears streamed down her pretty face in disbelief and horror as she read the headlines - A MIG-27 CRASHES, pilot Sameer Khanna seriously injured, hospitalized. "Laura, is that you?" a voice at the other end of the telephone said. Habitually, she had answered 'yes'. "Do you still love me?" he had asked her two years ago and she recognized Sameer. It sent a shiver down her spine. She could smell the orchids in his voice and felt the warmth of his breadth on her skin that gave her goosebumps. "No", She had bolted back...before putting the receiver down just in time to hear him say, "You are lying...you still love me." He never called again but the words rang in her head. People had always wondered how Laura married David who was a mismatch for the golden mane beauty. Laura was then Miss Shillong. She had everything it would take to make it big in the glamour industry. An hour-glass figure; assets that were the envy of all her friends; electrifying eyes and a soft pristine smile by which you could read a prayer. No one could resist her deep blue eyes and Sameer drowned in them. He was their new neighbour, a stunning guy himself. Tall, slim, with a well-sculptured face. Laura was swept off her feet the very first time they met. Smitten by passion...the whole town talked of these lovers. Laura had to go. She reached out for her coat and fumbled with her handbag. She ran out on to the street like a woman possessed. Her golden locks tossed about in an unruly manner and her scalf dragged behind her. She hailed the first taxi that came her way. "Command Hospital", she directed the driver amidst inconsolable sobs. Laura remembered the last time she had seen Sameer. It was when he had come to invite her for his wedding. What a rascal he had turned out to be. He had forsaken her love to marry someone his mother had chosen. What else could a mamas boy do; jobless and insecure. He hadn't even bothered when she threatened suicide if his mother hadn't relented. What a fool she had made of herself for this selfish brute. Now why was she crying? Shouldn't she be happy that he was injured! Or was he right when he said so confidently that she still loved him? Her parents had chosen David for her. He was a caring and sincere boy who would behold her for life. But, David also understood the unstated decorum Laura maintained in their matrimony. Despite being a faithful and caring wife, she was missing emotionally. "Command Hospital", the driver said. "Huh!"...Laura was jolted back to her senses. Giving him a hundred rupee note, she tumbled out of the taxi and rushed towards the reception. "Sameer Khanna", Air force pilot...Sameer Khanna", she tried to steady her voice that quivered with anticipation. She was going to see Sameer after eight long years. How would he look. Even more dashing as an Air force pilot. He always exuded the demeanour of the persona he admired. "That way maam", pointing towards the ICU the receptionist directed Laura. Laura, never ran...she walked as if it would take eternity to reach. The corridor was spilling over with Air force personnel. The ICU was crowded. In the corner sat a woman she recognized. For a moment Laura wondered...was she doing the right thing, but she walked in expecting to annoy the woman. She was the same woman who disapproved of her marring her son. The next moment Laura slumped on the floor with a thud. 'The crimination was to be at 4 PM'. When she opened her eyes...she was besides his mother. 'Sameer had a message for you Laura. He asked me in his dying breadth to write it down. He knew you would come.' She handed Laura a piece of paper. "Laura", it said, "please don't cry. I love you and also know that you love me too. That day I had telephoned you not to reassure myself of your love for me but to ask forgiveness for telling a lie. Laura, I never got married. I foresaked you so that you don't kill yourself for me. I was jobless and homeless when you wanted to marry me. You were desperate and my family against it. I had to forsake you so that you don't destroy yourself. How could I marry anyone besides you. Forgive me, I know you love me. Say you do.......                                          *** The End ***