Hina tried hiding her surprise and happiness that these words had brought with them. She did not want Asrar to know how meaningful these words were for her. She was craving very deep inside her that Asrar would utter something in which she would trace a map of love needed for the journey of love. She tried to give the impression that the words did not matter much to her. She said, ‘All right … But how do you know that I knew this?’

Asrar answered with complete simplicity and without any inhibition, ‘I’m sure you missed me too. Isn’t it?’

It was not an answer to Hina’s question, but it was an inquiry in itself. A question that Hina never expected to be asked so soon. She wondered how to answer it. She was perplexed. She wanted to reply honestly but was lacking in courage. Asrar immediately realized her situation and said, ‘I knew you would know.’

‘What?’ Hina asked.

Many people sat or stood at short distances around them and were chatting. But their presence didn’t concern them. They were sincerely a part of their own conversation that was bringing their hearts’ restlessness face to face. This conversation was also a balm to their heart’s agony. Asrar gave an answer to Hina’s ‘What?’ by saying, ‘I’ve been thinking about you every day, throughout the past week.’

Hina smiled. He smiled back. Hina realized that this simple-looking lad had the skill of manipulating what he wanted to say but at the same time, he was sensitive and knew the etiquette of talking. This quality of Asrar had managed to impress her. She had been in a good mood since the evening. One could see the bliss on her face. Before this evening, she did not know that a confession of what was in their heart could be made so easily, without much drama. As gentle as Asrar’s entrance was into her life were the confessions of their love to each other. No filmi or traditional lines were spoken.

They talked for half an hour. Asrar bid farewell to Hina at 7.45 p.m. after seeing her off to the taxi.

Hina sat in the taxi, extended her hand out of the window and shook Asrar’s hand. The intensity of love flamed in Hina’s eyes and the same reflected in Asrar’s eyes too. Both the hearts were drowned in love, and it was evident from the glow on their faces and the spark in their eyes. Both had gone through the same emotions in the past week. In that feeling the intensity of love was veiled. She turned and looked at Asrar from the taxi. Asrar waved his hand and said goodbye. The taxi moved forward but Asrar stayed there, as if he was a statue on the road. He was thirsty. He wanted that evening to be very long. He wanted time to crawl. But that did not happen. Today, time was in such a hurry as if it wanted to meet someone who was waiting for it. Despite the thirst that was still within him, that day was the most important day of his life. Today Hina was his. Hina’s smile had confessed that she was going through the same feeling as he. Asrar could not understand where to go, what to do, whom to meet in these moments of extreme happiness. From whom to keep this secret safe in his heart and whom to reveal it to?