Broken Strings

C H A P T E R T W E N T Y

But for the first time in years, a certain sense of hope surrounded him.

Because for once, he felt as though things could get better between him and Anisha. That maybe, this time, they could make it work.

And he certainly hoped they could.

A fresh new start. That was what he wanted.

Anisha shuffled around a little. It was awkward.

Talking to her husband, it felt uncomfortable. It felt unnatural.

Most of the time, they knew how to act like they were in love when someone else was around. They knew how to act when the kids around.

But whenever they were alone, things were awkward between them.

It was pitiful.

They were married. But Anisha didn't know how to speak or approach the man she stood beside at the altar. She didn't know what to say to the one person who she loved more than anything, to the man who had given her two beautiful children.

She twirled the tea bag around and played with her tea.

"I mean right now, why are you at home right now and not at work?" At first, she was going to ask him if he wanted tea.

A few weeks ago, she would've wanted nothing more than to sit beside him on the couch, sipping on warm tea.

But right now, she just wanted to sleep. To close her eyes and sleep.

"I took the day off." He had taken the next few days off. Because he wanted things to work out between them.

It was one last effort. And he was willing to try as hard as he needed to. He was willing to do anything he needed to.

Just so she wouldn't leave him.

He needed her. He wanted her.

Anisha gave him a small, dry laugh. "But why are you here Andrew? Why are you at home?" She finally looked up at him and she hoped he could see the bitterness and heartbreak in her eyes from where he was standing, five feet away from her.

He was being cautious. And she knew he was nervous.

And for a second, he looked like the twenty-year old who had nervously stuttered every single word as he had asked her out on a date.

"I understand that you took the day off. It's your day off and I assume you would want to spend the day with your girlfriend. I'm just confused as to why you're here, in the kitchen, with me." Anisha didn't want to talk. To him. Not right now. And perhaps never.

"She doesn't mean anything to me. She's never meant anything to me." He ran a hand through his hair. He didn't know what else to say. Anisha wouldn't forgive him. He already knew that. "I...I ended things with her."

He watched as she played with the tea bag, swirling it around as she glanced at him every now and then.

Andrew wanted nothing more than to kiss her senselessly, to kiss her like he had last night. And he wanted to beg her for another chance. He wanted one more chance.

He wouldn't fuck it up this time.

He wanted to apologize. And he wasn't sure what to apologize for.

Which of his many mistakes would she even forgive?

Anisha snorted but still refused to meet his pleading gaze. What did he take her for?

A fucking fool?

Of course, because that was exactly what she was.

Time and time, she had forgiven him. Time and time, she had ignored every sign of her failing marriage. Time and time, she had tried to make things work.