Love Came After Memories Chapter 3 - Past Love Story

 The next day dawned with the warm sunlight bathing the city of Auckland. The light ushered in the new day, casting a hopeful glow across the landscape. It was 9 o'clock in the morning when Leena emerged from her slumber, greeted by the gentle rays of the sun. She made her way to the living hall and found Vijay already there. “Hi,” Vijay greeted her with a warm smile. “Good morning,” Leena replied, returning the smile. The atmosphere felt serene, a sense of tranquility enveloping them both as they welcomed the start of another day together.

  Leena settled onto the sofa, engrossed in her phone, while Vijay approached with a cup of tea. “Here is your tea,” he offered with a warm smile. Leena thanked him and began sipping her tea contentedly. Mid-sip, she inquired, “Where is Prabha?” Vijay's smile softened as he replied, “He went to school.” Leena followed up, “Oh, what time does his school start?”

  Vijay nodded as he replied, “His school timing is 9 o'clock. The school bus usually arrives around 8:20 to pick him up.” Leena then inquired about Vijay's profession, asking, “Vijay, what is your job?” Vijay responded proudly, “I am a Senior Web Developer.” Curiosity piqued, Leena asked, “Don’t you have office today?” Vijay confirmed, “Yes, but I took a day off.” Leena pressed further, “Why?” Vijay explained, “Simple. How could I leave you alone in the house? Also, we forgot to visit the doctor yesterday, so get ready. We're going to the doctor.”

  Leena nodded in understanding and then asked, “Hmm, okay. By the way, am I not currently working?” Vijay explained, “Actually, you were working as an auditor before your pregnancy. But after Prabha was born, you decided to take time off until he turns five. Now, you are considering resuming your career.” After finishing her tea, Leena got ready for her doctor's appointment. With a sense of determination, she prepared herself for the check-up.

  After two hours at the doctor's appointment, Leena and Vijay returned home. Leena felt a sense of relief knowing that her health was in check. As they stepped inside, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, adding to the warmth of their home.

  As they were in the living room, Leena received a message from Agnes. Seeing her message, Leena thought of video calling her. She tried to video call, and her friend attended the call. As Agnes appeared on the screen, a smile spread across Leena’s face.

  Agnes welcomed her, “What a surprise! How are you, Leena?” Seeing her, Leena started shedding tears once again. Seeing her in tears, Agnes asked, “Leena, what happened? Why are you crying? Where is Vijay?” As soon as Vijay heard Agnes, he walked into the video call.

  As she was crying, Vijay asked gently, “Leena, what happened?” Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Leena wiped away her tears and tried to compose herself. “I’m sorry, it's just... the emotions overwhelmed me,” she explained, her voice quivering slightly. Agnes questioned her actions. Vijay responded, “Agnes, her memories came back.” Agnes was surprised to hear this, “But how?”

  Vijay responded, “Yesterday, she fell down while trying to take something from the upper shelf. In that moment, she got her memories back.” Agnes's eyes widened in surprise as she processed Vijay's explanation, “Oh! Leena, are you okay?” Leena responded, “Yes, Agnes. I couldn’t believe what's happening until now. Yesterday I was heading to your house, today I am in New Zealand, with the guy I rejected, who is now my husband, and a 5-year-old son.” Agnes responded, “I understand, but we are all here for you.” At that moment, Agnes's husband, Stephen, walked into the video call.

  Stephen enters the call, saying, “Hi guys, how are you?” As soon as Leena saw Stephen, she was stunned for a moment. “Stephen?” she asked. Stephen responded with a warm smile, not realizing what was happening. “Hi, Leena, what happened?” Vijay and Agnes noticed Leena's reaction and realized what was happening. Leena asked, “Stephen, is it really you?”

  Stephen's smile faltered as he sensed the tension in the air. “Yes, Leena, it's me. Is everything alright?” he replied, his tone tinged with concern. Seeing him, Leena's tears continued to flow. Stephen asked, “Leena, why are you crying?” Agnes stepped forward and explained what was happening. Stephen, unable to believe it, asked for confirmation, “Vijay, is what Agnes saying true?”

  Vijay nodded in agreement, then Stephen asked, “Leena, are you alright?” Leena responded, “Yes, I can't believe I'm seeing you again. After our breakup, I thought everything had ended between us. But seeing you again has overwhelmed me.” Stephen responded, “It’s okay, I understand what you've gone through.” At that moment, Leena raised a question, "But, why are you with Agnes?"

  The question slightly frightened the three of them. Agnes and Stephen hesitated to answer, their blinking eyes betraying their unease. Vijay, realizing their discomfort, stepped in and said, “Leena, Agnes and Stephen are a married couple.” Leena was stunned for a moment.

  Leena couldn't believe what she had just heard. “Agnes, is it true?” she asked. Agnes nodded in agreement, “It is the truth, Leena.” Leena's eyes widened as she asked, “But Stephen, how could you commit to Agnes? And Agnes, did you already have this plan?” Stephen, growing furious, replied, “Leena, mind your words. Neither of us had any such intention. It all happened due to fate.”

  The day shifted to the month of July, and we see Leena walking into the college. As she was about to enter, Stephen called out from behind, “Leena.” She turned around and saw Stephen standing there. He said, “How have you been, baby? It’s been a long time. I should have shown up sooner, but it's my fault. After our breakup, it was hard for me to see you. Also, after the accident, I tried to contact you even though you were at home, it was hard to meet you. I'm sorry for that, Lee.”

  Leena, unable to recognize him and slightly fearful, asked, “Sorry, but who are you?” Stephen was stunned for a moment, “Lee, don’t you recognize me? I'm your boyfriend. What happened to you?” As he began to approach her, Leena, frightened, pushed him away and ran into the college.

  After entering the college, she called Vijay and informed him of everything. After listening carefully, Vijay responded, “Okay, Leena, don’t be afraid. I'm coming to your college. I'll be there within an hour.” After ending the call, there was a class about to begin in a few minutes. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Vijay quickly skipped the lecture and started heading to Leena’s college.

  After a restless and tiring journey, he reached Leena’s college in 50 minutes. Upon arrival, he met Agnes. “Is it Stephen, right?” Vijay asked. “Yes, I got calls from both of them,” Agnes responded. Vijay then said, “Let’s first meet Stephen and explain what's happening. Then we'll deal with Leena.” Following the plan, they met Stephen and explained everything.

  Afterward, we see Leena walking out of the college. She saw the three of them waiting outside. She approached them but still maintained some distance from Stephen. Leena said, “Vijay, he's the guy I mentioned. He was blabbering that he's my boyfriend. Sorry for not meeting him. I'm not understanding anything. Agnes, do you know anything about this?”

  Agnes tried to calm her, “Leena, calm down. Actually, he is your boyfriend. You broke up with him two weeks ago. I know it’s hard for you.” Leena couldn't believe it, “Seriously, this is getting out of my head. Vijay, did you know about this?” “Yes,” Vijay responded, and then Leena asked, “Then why didn’t you both tell me?”

  Vijay explained, “Leena, after you both broke up, we thought it wasn't that important. Also, you would have been more confused. That's why. Leena, we should talk with him; I guess he wants to patch things up with you. Have a talk and decide what you want to do.”

  Leena agreed to that and went to talk with Stephen. She hesitated slightly about what to discuss, but Stephen came forward and said, “Leena, I heard what Agnes said. You might not recognize this, but we had an untold story.” Leena said, “I'm sorry, due to my head injury I don't remember anything. It’s totally new to me." Stephen then suggested, “I have an idea. Why don't all four of us go for a day out? It will be more comfortable for you with Agnes and Vijay there. What do you think?”

  Leena shared this idea with Agnes and Vijay. They all agreed, and on the coming Saturday, they set their plan. It was difficult to convince Leena's parents, but Vijay managed it. We then see the four of them at Fantasy Land in Jogeshwari.

  They all drove into the amusement park. Usually, people arrive at the amusement park to enjoy some rides and have fun. But these four came for another reason. Actually, Stephen's plan is to try to help Leena regain some of her memories or make her understand how much he truly loves her. If either of these goals is achieved, he could win Leena back into his life.

  So, according to his plan, he was leading them, suggesting some rides, and making indirect statements in between to help her understand. Meanwhile, Agnes and Vijay walked behind them at a small distance.

  While observing Leena and Stephen, Agnes asked, “Vijay, did you notice what he is doing?” Vijay responded with a small smile, “Yeah, he's giving indirect hints to her. I think he's trying to win back her love. Also, they just had a small ego fight. So let him try, and we'll just watch from afar.”

  Agnes further asked, “Don’t you feel possessive seeing this?” Vijay smirked and said, “Slightly, but I've already moved on from this.” Agnes responded, “I still smell the love in the air.” Vijay smirked and didn't reply. After three long hours, the trip came to an end, and they all started heading home.

  On their way in the bus, Stephen approached Leena and said, “Leena, I tried to make you remember our past love life. But you were able to remember from my guess, so let’s recreate our love one more time. I don’t know if I can love someone more than you. So how about we start our love story again?” Leena was stunned for a moment; she was not ready for this love stuff and all. So she said, “Sorry, Stephen, but this love and relationship are new for me. I don’t think it suits me. So sorry, Stephen.” Her words deeply hurt him. His emotions were surrounded by the dust of depression.

  The day shifted to the present timeline. We see Stephen's eyelids slightly lower as he says, “After you said those words, I totally lost myself. I didn’t know what to do at that time. During that period, Agnes extended her hand. Her support and care helped me overcome that state. It was in that process that love blossomed, and here we are.”

  Leena listened intently, her heart heavy with the weight of Stephen's words. She had never intended to hurt him, yet she couldn't ignore the unfamiliarity of her feelings, “Stephen, I'm sorry,” she murmured, her voice tinged with regret. “I never meant to cause you pain.”

 Stephen reached out, gently clasping Leena's hand, “It's okay, Leena. What matters is that we've both found our paths to happiness,” he reassured her, a tender smile gracing his lips. Agnes, sensing the emotional exchange, placed a comforting hand on Stephen's shoulder, “He's right, Leena. We've all grown and evolved through our experiences. And now, we're here, supporting each other through life's twists and turns.”

  Leena nodded, a sense of gratitude washing over her, “Thank you, both of you. I may not remember our past, but I'm grateful for the present,” she admitted, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. After that video call came to end, with a mixture of sorrow and regret.

  As the video call ended, Vijay noticed that Leena was quite silent. He asked, “Are you okay?” Leena responded in a low pitch, “It’s okay. I just want some silence now.” Vijay understood and left her alone to seek guidance within herself. In the meantime, Prabhakaran also arrived from school, but he was mindful of Vijay's words and didn't disturb his mom. Leena's silence continued for another two hours.

  Vijay noticed it; he realized Leena was seriously affected by what happened in the video call. In order to break her from that, Vijay decides on a plan. He approaches Leena and says, “Leena, I can see that you are quite disturbed by that video call.” Leena interrupts and says, “Vijay, it’s not like what you are thinking. I just want some silence.” Vijay gives a warm smile and says, “Leena, I know you, so don’t hide. I have an idea. Let’s all of us head to the beach. It will give you some relief.”

  Leena tries to deny it, “Vijay, you and Prabha go to the beach. I am not interested.” Vijay then said, “Leena, trust me, you need some fresh air. It will be refreshing.” Leena thought for a moment and agreed to that plan. With that, Vijay, Leena, and Prabhakaran headed to Herne Bay beach.

  As they walked along the sandy shore, the gentle lapping of the waves against the coastline provided a soothing soundtrack to their outing. Prabhakaran ran ahead, his laughter blending with the sound of seagulls soaring overhead. Vijay walked alongside Leena, offering her a reassuring smile, “See, isn't this nice?” he remarked, gesturing to the picturesque scenery around them. Leena couldn't help but smile in return, the beauty of the beach starting to work its magic on her troubled mind.

  As they found a quiet spot to sit and relax, Leena closed her eyes and breathed in the salty sea air. The rhythmic sound of the waves provided a comforting backdrop to their conversation, washing away the tension that had been building within her.

  And as the sun dipped below the horizon, they made their way back home later that evening. The newfound scenario gave Leena some peace. We see Vijay in the bedroom alone. At that moment, Vijay receives a phone call from Leena’s mom. He answers the call, and Leena’s mom asks, “How are you, Vijay?” Vijay responds, “I am fine, Aunt. How about you?”

  Leena’s mom responded, “I am fine. Where is Leena?” Vijay responded, “She is in the living hall with Prabha.” Leena’s mom then asked, “Vijay, can you hand over the call to her? It’s been a long time since I talked to her. I tried, but her phone was switched off.” With slight hesitation, Vijay says, “Actually, Aunt, there is something that I need to tell you first.”