It was 6 months since Geeta had passed away and try as much as Ravi could he just couldn't bring himself to clean her cupboards, book shelfs etc. Finally he decided that it was time to dispose off the books Geeta has collected during their 30 years of marriage and donate them to a nearby library. He took the books down and started dusting them and putting them in a carton... suddenly he held in his hand the first book he had given Geeta when they got married it was " Love Story" by Eric Segal...which Geeta loved and had re-read it many times that it now gave out a little mouldy smell. As he was putting the book into the carton a note fell out and he picked it up... He recognized it as Geeta's writing and the note said, " I NEVER LOVED YOU" ..

Ravi was shocked by the note he turned the note over and the page was blank... he sat down and stared at the note wondering what this note meant, did it mean she never loved me he wondered, no he said to himself she loved me, she married me and we had a good life, I am just imagining things. ..Then another thought came into his mind, was it meant for someone else, did she have someone else in her life I was not aware off.

Ravi was totally disturbed and tried to recall those years when they were together, they had a good life, were always open and honest with each other, they may not have had the same tastes in food, movies and books but which couple have similar tastes and as the saying goes " Opposite poles attract". He kept staring at the note and wondered why and when she had written this note.

It is true there's wasn't a love marriage it was arranged by their parents but they had met few times before the wedding and had liked each other enough to marry, they had their disagreements, fights which was normal in any marriage but nothing serious enough. Then suddenly it struck Ravi that it was he who always said " I Love You" to Geeta, gave her cards, flowers, gifts and she never responded and infact he realized that she never once said I Love You. Could it be that she had compromised and married because of her parents pressure and accepted her faith but actually loved someone else all these years.

Just thinking of her betrayal shocked Ravi and suddenly he felt cheated and disgusted, was this the reason that she never wanted kids with him, was this the reason she came home late from work, and would find an excuse for not going on holidays and trips ... suddenly the picture was coming clear...what a fool he had been to have believed her all these years when she never loved him and what a way to let him know by writing a note in the book called " Love Story" saying "I NEVER LOVED YOU"

Ravi felt he must find out the truth so he called his best friend Shankar over for drinks and told him everything, at first Shankar was shocked, he knew both Geeta and Ravi well and was there for their marriage too. Shankar jokingly said, Ravi you are just imagining things, you have a lot going in your mind what with Geeta passing away ...why are you taking so much tension over a scrap of paper its nothing just throw it away.

No, replied Ravi there is something hidden between the lines, I need to get to the bottom of this, Ravi said Shankar what's the point now with Geeta gone, will your investigation bring Geeta back, what will you gain by it , just leave it behind and move on you have your whole life ahead. How can I move on Shankar knowing that the woman i married and loved for thirty years never actually loved me, maybe she loved someone else??

On hearing this, Shankar almost choked on his drinks and color of his face turned pale. Are you okay asked Ravi?? Yes I am fine...Listen don't think too much just throw the paper and go to sleep, saying this Shankar made a hasty retreat without having dinner which was unusual as he normally had dinner whenever he came over.

The next day Ravi was cleaning Geeta's drawers and sorting out her clothes when he found a box with a lock on it, he tried searching for the key but couldn't find it hence he broke open the lock and found some old letters.... reading the first one his hands started trembling and face lost all color , he opened another ..then another there must have been around hundred plus letter in the box all addressed to Geeta and the sender was none other than Shankar.

Taking the box out, he drove out to Shankar's place and on reaching there put the box in front of him, Shankar was surprised to see him and asked him what was in the box, see for yourself replied Ravi. Shankar opened to box and turned pale and looking at Ravi said I can explain everything. Ravi with tears in his eyes said its too late my friend I have not only lost my wife whom I loved but my best friend today.

Saying this he rushed out and got into his car and speeded off. An hour later Shankar got a call from the hospital saying someone by the name of Ravi had been brought in dead just now. His car was speeding and had crashed into an oncoming truck on the way. The phone fell from Shankar's hands and he cried out aloud , " Forgive me my friend Ravi I never meant to hurt you"