I almost barged towards him before making a sudden halt. Nah …not closer than this I thought to myself. It felt as if there was a big wall between us that was invisible! How ironic! There was once a time when even if there was space for air to pass between us, it would make me uncomfortable. I wanted him, all of him! And so did he! Well, that is what at least I thought.

” Kusum! I have been struggling to …” His voice was almost trembling.

” Struggling with what, Arnav? Of course, it is a struggle to tell lies, invent new excuses, and constantly be in multiple places… right?

He kept quiet. I could say he was not anticipating me to pounce on him. Timid & gullible Kusum should always be like a flower. Easy to pluck, easier to crush! That was his thought about me any which way! But not today! I am not born to be crushed!

“It was a mistake, okay! Shit happens! It was just one night and look, I was too tired and you know it.” He said that in one go.

“Mistake? How cute is that! And what a casual way of saying that? Can you ever imagine she was my schoolmate? Someone who had ragged me, and I have shared everything with you! I saw that video, Arnav! “. I said.

A silence … A pause followed.

“You want me to forget it, right? Done. Let us do it. Let me shoot a similar video with your friend, your bestie… Vivek! I will forward it to you myself. How cool would be that?”

“KUSUM….ENOUGH!” And as he was trying to raise his hand, the door of the lift opened & I realized that all this while, I was stuck with him in the lift!

I stepped out quickly. I just wanted distance from him.

“IT IS OVER! CHEATING IS A CHOICE…IS ALWAYS A CHOICE. IT IS A CHOICE TO PUT AN END TO A RELATIONSHIP WITH SOMEONE LOYAL. And you have exercised your choice.” I said & without a second turned my back & walked away from him.” I put my hand on my chest. It felt as if someone had pierced a sword into it, straight into it from behind!

Love,

Chinmayee

To Read Part 1 of the story – Click Here