vanraj :
I saw it in her eyes.
She had always wanted to hear that.
And today, for once, I was being honest.
Our proximity suddenly felt different.
She looked straight into my eyes, as if trying to read what they said.
And then she looked away.
"I-I must go.", She mumbled as she instantly stood up.
"Anu—"
"I'll send Toshu downstairs. Don't question him or shout at him..", she mumbled, not meeting my eyes.
"But—"
"Good bye.. Jai Shree Krishna.", Saying so she simply rushed out of the balcony.
I heard the door shut.
I just sat back looking at the setting sun.
"Afraid of love?", Anupamaa asked.
It was our first night after marriage.
I smiled awkwardly, sitting at one corner of the bed.
I had just mentioned I was afraid of love.
"No..", I mumbled, "I...I am just afraid of failing in love."
"But.. how do you know how it feels to fail in love?"
Of course I didn't answer that question and went off to sleep.
And next day Baa told me sharply, to never mention my previous affairs to her.
And today, I saw the same fear in her eyes.
The fear of failing in love.
I slid my hand in my pocket and pulled out a cigarette packet.
I was about to open it,
And then I paused.
I had suddenly found a desperate purpose to live.
Her.
But did I love.. her?
The answer was oblivious.
But did I want her in my life?
I did.
But did I want her for my selfish reasons?
I didn't know yet.
I drew in a deep breath as I put the cigarette packet down.
I won't need it anymore, I realised.
•
I signed the papers for the next big business deal for the Company.
Despite being an employee the owner had given me more authority than necessary.
And I was pretty happy about it.
"Thanks Anirudh for the paperwork.", I told my assistant.
He nodded with a subtle smile.
Just then my phone rang.
I picked up the call without checking the caller ID.
"Hellooo.."
I paused.
I looked at the caller ID, it was Toshu's.
"Pakhi?", I asked softly, pretty startled.
"Yes!", She said excited.
My heart swelled.
My daughter.
"I-I am missing you.. Will you come here in our apartment? Toshu Bhai.. Winter—"
I heard the annoyed "Noooo!" in the background.
Samar.
"I mean Samar..", she said, sounding pretty annoyed,
"We are all hereee.. and mummy is also not at home.."
I drew in a deep breath.
I had a pile of papers before me, and my daughter over the phone.
I drew in a deep breath.
"I am coming."
And after years, I chose my family over my work.
•••
YOU ARE READING
Estranged | ✓
Romance"ever felt what living in a cage is?", he asked looking at the night sky above. "no..", i mumbled. he looked at me with bloodshot eyes and smiled. "funny how you don't realise you are in a cage." • Written as a fanfiction. Might be read as a standal...
