Transit- Chapter 1

"Baby please say something…" Trisha begged, pulling the blanket closer to her body, as she watched him pace back and forth in front of her. Her face seemed to have lost that glow from earlier that night. Now, she looked pained and shattered, almost hopeless. "Please don't let this worry you. It doesn't matter. It shouldn't matter!" He didn't reply. He just walked towards the fire they lit and gazed into the darkness. Arms folded firmly in front of him, Ayaan stood, unaffected, like he had finally made up his mind. Out the corner of his eye, he noticed Trisha dust the sand off the blanket they had spread out for their picnic. 'This is ridiculous' he thought. 'But why does it still hurt so much? Why does it always manage to find its way back to me?' He turned around and glanced at her. She looked so beautiful in the moonlight. Silver beams tenderly embraced every curve of her face; the soft light fell gently all over her smooth skin; her long, dark hair danced daintily in the sea breeze. But he couldn't help but notice the tears that were slowly falling. 'This is not how things are supposed to be. This is definitely not how tonight was supposed to go!' Looking up at the stars he pressed his eyes shut, letting tears roll down his cheeks as he recalled exactly what happened.

It was around 8 a.m. There was so much to take care of and he wanted it done before she woke up. Ayaan let Trisha sleep as he packed and kept everything ready for the night. It was her birthday and he was going to make it a day she would be forced to commit to memory. After all, Trisha wasn't just his girlfriend. She was his best friend, the love of his life and the woman he was hoping to marry after tonight. He stepped into the bathroom to quickly freshen up. He had the perfect spot picked out—the secret beach he took her to for their first date. It was going to be perfect. He could almost picture her smile when he took her to the spot. The oil lamps, the large blanket spread out in front of a fire, a picnic basket with all her favourite foods and in the back, the tent she fell in love with at the mall and was waiting to buy. Trisha loved camping so he knew that this night would definitely go well. But he couldn't waste anymore time daydreaming, he still had things to do before their big date. He ran the list once more in his head, double checking if he had covered all the bases. All that was left to do now was pick up the tent, the food, the firewood and most importantly, the engagement ring. Grabbing his jacket, wallet and keys, he softly kissed her on her forehead before running out the door. Revving the engine, he pulled out the drive way.

********

Trisha awoke to the sound of Ayaan driving away. A sly smile crept on her face as she immediately knew why he left in such a hurry. She wasn't sure what he was up to but she knew only too well that it would be big. It was still early so she decided to get some more sleep before she had to meet her girlfriends for lunch. As she laid her head back on the pillow, she tried to imagine what the night would be like. Ayaan was unpredictable so knowing exactly what was planned was unlikely. But that didn't stop her from wondering. Her life was so different the day she started dating him. She was instantly drawn to Ayaan, like they were the same person. They had the same taste in movies, music, and food. Even the way they behaved and how they thought. Their friends often joked about how they were siblings separated at birth but found their way back to each other. But she didn't care. Nothing anybody could ever say or do would shake her confidence and certainty that Ayaan was her soul mate and they were destined to be together. They had a closeness and deep understanding that went beyond their comprehension, like they shared one mind. Sometimes, it was hard to fathom that such a relationship was even possible—where two people knew and understood each other so perfectly that when it came to expressing a want or desire or even frustration, words seemed to hinder their unadulterated communication. Trisha smiled and dreamed to herself that she hadn't noticed the phone ringing.

Startled by the grating of her cell phone on the nightstand, she jumped up a little embarrassed at her stupidity. Checking her caller id, she realized it was a number she didn't recognize. 'Should I answer it?' Before she could make up her mind, it stopped ringing. 'That's done with' she thought but before she could set it back on the nightstand, it began buzzing again. "Hello?" There was silence at the end of the line. "Hello!! Who is this?" There was still no reply. "Arrgh… Whatever!" She hung up. These crank calls were happening often and each time it was from a different number. 'Who could be calling me?' She began to worry. 'If Ayaan found out, well, let's just say he shouldn't.' She brushed away the thought. It was silly to worry about something that was of absolutely no consequence but the thought seemed to linger nonetheless. She dragged herself out of bed, her hair falling onto her thighs as she bent to search for her slippers. Straightening her already tiny shorts that had managed to ride further up her legs, Trisha went into the bathroom. A shower would definitely wake her up. She switched on the heater and let the water run as she brushed her teeth. She caught her reflection in the mirror just before the glass fogged up with the vapour from the hot water. She didn't look as tired as she felt. Her long hair fell messily around her shoulders; her ivory skin now pink with fresh crease lines from her blanket. Undressing, she stepped into the shower getting lost in the steam that quickly enveloped her naked body. Rubbing her scalp and letting the hot water trickle down her body, she began humming the tune of the song they both came to love and identify with. That song was laced with all their times spent together. It was the song they listened to when they were happy, the song that played after an argument. It was what they sang to each other. It was laced with love and it was theirs; the first song they danced to. She remembered how he reluctantly took her hand as she pulled him to dance at a friend's wedding. She swayed to the tune as she vividly recalled the night. The corner of her lips curled up at the thought of how his hands felt around her waist. His fingers tenderly made their way to the centre of her lower back. Slowly but surely, he pulled her close to him, almost carrying her as he did. His strong, muscular body pressed up against her had given her goose bumps. She still remembered the way his body smelt that night. His scent had intoxicated her and his breath at the nape of her neck told her that if she had died at that moment, she knew her life wasn't meaningless.

Stepping out of the shower now, Trisha wiped away the fresh beads of water that trickled down the length of her body. She wrapped one towel securely around her body and grabbed another to dry her hair. Stepping out of the bathroom she realized that her phone was ringing again. Reluctantly she answered the call. "H-h-hello?" "Happy birthday!!" the voice screamed at the other end. "Oh thank god it's you," Trisha said. "You had me worried there for a moment. Where are you calling from anyway?"
"Ohh…didn't I give you the other number? But why are you so freaked out?"
"Never mind… I'll just tell you when I meet you. What time are you picking me up?"
"That's why I called. I'll be there in about 20 minutes."
"Alright, see you soon."
Trisha hung up the call and threw on a pair of black slim-fit jeans and a purple t-shirt. Running a comb through her towel dried hair, she couldn't help but wonder who kept crank calling her. It had been happening too often for it to be a mistake. She couldn't help but pray that it wasn't one of her exes. That part of her life was over and she didn't want any signs of it surfacing. She had tried very hard to forget, but more importantly, so had Ayaan. She didn't want them going through all those fights and unpleasant conversations all over again. 'Maybe occupying myself will distract me', she thought. Trisha walked over to the iPod dock and played the music loud enough to drown out her thoughts, then glided over to the bed and began making it. She tried to brush away the memories but it was too late, they came garishly back to her. Folding the blanket, she began singing along with the song but nothing seemed to help dispel those memories. She prayed that Alicia would get there quicker. She folded the blankets, fluffed the pillows and finally finished spreading the counter pane. After she made the bed, she began picking up after Ayaan. He was perfect but he was still a man. That meant his socks, shoes, t-shirts were scattered about the apartment. Trisha began to shudder at the thought of how messy the house would have been if she wasn't around. After she was sure she was done neatening up, she took all the dirty laundry and dumped them into the machine. Working through the week meant that the chores were left for her to do over the weekend. But she loved taking care of him. This was her way of spoiling him.

She looked around their apartment and realized how lucky she was. She was living with a man she was irrevocably in love with. Their apartment was an exquisite two bedroom, modern development that came complete with furniture and appliances. Being advertising executives, the apartment was a luxury they just couldn't live without. They were the best at what they did so that only meant that they could afford the best. But that was just the reason Ayaan made known to the world. The truth was that Trisha was his world and he would give his life to see her smile. He took every opportunity to spoil her, pamper her and treat her like the queen he knew she was. Nothing was impossible when it came to her. And she felt exactly the same. Nobody else could understand the two of them and how they felt. It was hard to explain and all she new that they went beyond any reason why. Sometimes, she had wondered how such an emotion existed, rather how she could feel that way. She was always cynical and often laughed at couples that passed by her. But all that changed when Ayaan came into her life. Suddenly she understood the meaning of the word love and began to realize that the once, sappy love songs, started to make a whole lot of sense to her. It was their perfect little world.

Trisha's thoughts were rudely interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. Finally Alicia was here. It had been a long time since they met. Alicia was sent to America for a project and was finally back home after three months. She quickly ran to open the door. She expected to see a tanned, 5 foot 3 inched curly haired hippie but instead saw a tall twenty something man holding out a bouquet of 26, long-stemmed red roses.
"Good morning. I have a delivery for a Ms. Shah?"
"Yes that's me."
"Sign here please" he said, holding out a clipboard. Signing it she asked, "Do you know who sent them?"
"No ma'am. I just deliver them. Have a good day." Saying that, he nodded goodbye. As he turned to leave Alicia came up behind him.
"Woah! Looks like someone's going all out. Who do you think they're from?"
"I don't know, it doesn't say. There's no note. That's weird." Trisha said, setting the bouquet down. "Maybe they're from my folks. Ayaan wouldn't send roses, he gets them himself… anyway… where were you?"
"I stopped for a little pick-me-up. Want some?" she asked, holding out a Styrofoam cup.
"Coffee. Thank God! We've run out. None of us ever seem to have the time to go to the store. I knew there was a purpose behind meeting you today. Ha-ha..." Trisha was starting to feel like herself again. The unpleasant thoughts from before seemed to be fading. She took Alicia's coat and led her into the living room.
"Wow Trish, the house looks amazing."
"Thanks. How was your trip?"
"It was fun. I missed you guys though."
Trisha's mind began to wander again. She couldn't help but wonder who sent those flowers. Her parents wouldn't do that. In fact, they completely disapproved of the idea. They always thought it was a waste of money.
"What's bothering you so much today? It's like you've seen a ghost or something" Alicia pointed out. A sarcastic laugh escaped Trisha's lips.
"You could say that. I've been getting weird phone calls these past couple of days. I thought they had finally stopped. I mean, it had been months. After Ayaan yelled and threatened whoever was calling, they stopped. But two nights ago I got this message." She reached into her pocket and pulled out her cell phone. Scrolling through the inbox, she opened a text that was sent from a private number. Alicia began reading aloud.
'I know you asked me not to call but I just had to know how you were. It's been so long but I can still picture your smile. I still remember the smell of your hair and the taste of your kiss. I just need to see you one more time. I know there's still hope for us.'
She put down the phone and stared at Trisha. "No wonder you've been so weird. Couldn't you just tell me this before?"
"I wasn't sure if I should tell anyone. I thought if I ignored it, it would stop. And now the flowers. I don't know what to do. How do I tell him that this is starting all over again? You know how he gets."
Alicia was silent. She thought for a while and said, "I think he needs to know. I think you should tell him. If he finds out some other way, he'll be angrier than if you told him directly."
"I don't think how he finds out would really matter. He'd still be as pissed off. I know his temper Alicia."
Trisha's phone began buzzing again. Both of them were startled by the loud grating against the cold glass of the coffee table. Trisha reached for the phone and it was an unknown number again. "You answer it. I can't do this right now."
Alicia grabbed the phone and in an almost yelling tone answered the call. "Hello?"
"Who's this?" asked the voice from the other end. Trisha realized it was a man's voice because she could hear the voice come out the earpiece.
"What do you mean? You're the one that called me!"
"No. I called Trisha. You're not her. Who is this?"
"Umm… I-I-I'm a friend."
"Alicia?"
"Ayaan?"
"Yes! Where's Trisha?"
"She's right here, hold on."
Alicia handed over the phone to Trisha with an 'I feel stupid' look on her face. Trisha smirked, feeling a little silly herself.
"Hey baby."
"What was that all about?"
"Oh that was nothing." Gathering every bit of strength she could, Trisha forced herself to fake the laughter in her voice. "We thought you were Nikita so Alicia wanted to surprise her. She still has no idea she's back. Alicia thought it would be a good surprise for her considering she missed her birthday." Something deep inside of her pricked her. This was the first time she had ever lied to him and she hated how it felt. It made her sick to her stomach, almost claustrophobic. But she had to do it. She knew how he got so the truth would just have to wait.
"Ha-ha… alright… Anyway baby, I was calling to tell you that I've left my phone on the bed so when you leave, carry it along with you. I'll meet you at the restaurant and pick it up from you."
"You won't be joining us?"
"No sweetie. I promised Keith I'd help him pick out a suit for the wedding."
"Today? But I thought that was next week?"
"It was but he's got some stupid rehearsal which he has to attend so we're meeting today. Besides, you're finally meeting Alicia after three months; do you really want me with you?"
"Yea you're right. I won't be able to complain with you right in front of me… ha-ha…"
Ayaan let her giggle trail off. He loved the sound of her laughter. He always said that it was his favourite song in the world, it was second to nothing.
"Anyway baby, I better go now. I'll see you soon ok? I love you."
"I love you too baby. Bye…" She tried to swallow the lump in her throat. She hung up the call and turned to face Alicia. Tears began to roll down her cheeks. "I hate lying to him. It feels so wrong."
"I know sweetie. It's alright. Just quickly wash you face and we'll leave."
Trisha gently rubbed her hand across her nose, sniffling as she moved into the bedroom. As she splashed cold water on her face, she could only hope that the calls stopped. She quickly applied kohl on her eyes, grabbed her bag and went back out into the hall. "You start the car; I'll lock up and be right down." Alicia headed for the stairs. Trisha looked around, making sure all the windows and doors were locked properly. She turned off the lights and headed for the door. As she turned to lock it, her gaze fell on the roses that still stood on the side table.