tears and smile

She had been feeling uneasy since morning.
It had been more than 8 months since that dreadful day. Initial few months, each day seemed like months. She would cry, blame herself and sometime blame him too for all these. Time is the best healer. As time passed, her pain alleviated. She had taken the decision, and she became more confident about her choice. Life again became normal like before, only thing missing was Samyak. She got used to it.

But today, she felt something awkward. She knew something was about to happen. Something unexpected was coming her way. She prayed to God that everything was fine. Somehow the day passed. Evening she left office early and came home. No-one was at home. Sometimes loneliness sucks all your strength from you. But for her, sitting alone, reading some book and listening to soft music was source of her strength. She needed this strength today.

Suddenly her phone rang. A familiar tune rang in her cell phone; her heart started pounding. It was him. Thought she always waited for this call, but somehow, today the call gave her chilly nerves. She picked the call.

“Hi Neha, Samyak here,” he said.
“Hi Samyak” she could not say more. It was the same voice she wanted to hear for last 8 months.
“How have you been,” he asked.
She wanted to ask “why are you asking now?” but instead she could just say “I am fine, how are you?”
“Me too fine” came the reply.

Then there was a silence at both the ends. Both knew that they were avoiding the same question in their mind “why dint you call earlier?” Both of them could not have answered it also. So they just kept silent.

“Can we meet today, 7 o’clock at the coffee shop?” he asked.
She smiled and said “sure, I will be there”.

He had thought that she would ask “why do you want to meet?” he had thought about the answer also, but thankfully he didn’t need the answer.

“Ok then, see you at 7,” and he hung up the call.

He didn’t say his usual “take care, bye” she noticed. Things change, they do change; she thought.

“Why does he want to meet me now?” Neha asked herself many a times while getting ready for the meeting. She knew that she did not have the answer for it, but still her mind was not in her control.

He, on the other hand, was very pleased that she did not deny his request. This meeting was one thing he desperately wanted to happen. Though he did not know what he wanted this meeting for. 8 months ago, she had cut his nerve and left him bleeding. His dreams were shattered that one evening. For few days, he was totally lost. He could not think of anything but her. He asked himself many a times as to why did it happen. He thought about it, he got more confused. Day by day he was becoming miserable.

Time came to his rescue. After first few weeks of desperation and pain, he decided to move on. It was one decision forced upon him by his love. And he wanted to stick to it. He collected all his calm and composer. One last time he thought about his mistakes and then he started his search for job. His job played a crucial role in his relation with her, it was the reason for the breakup, he thought. So he set himself a goal to get a good job. He was working on it for long time now. But now it was his only love and aim in life. The big MNC he was in talk with had called him for one more interview the very next day to that dreadful day. He could not do better and got sorted out. Now he had to start from scratch. He started with the basics, and kept trying. Eventually his hard work paid dividend. He got a good post offered in one big MNC; good pay, good work, and more responsibilities. Only glitch was that he was posted in Gurgaon. Initially he thought for a moment but then decided to grab the offer. There was nothing left in this city anyway.
He had to report next week at his job.

They met at 7 pm. Both were as usual on time. She looked pretty as always. He also hadn’t changed a bit. Anyone could have passed them off as a love-stuck couple. They sat facing each other, but no one looked into each others face. For some time they talked about mundane life. They both felt the oddness. Most of the times, they behaved as if they were meeting for the first time. In their heart both of them had many questions and many answers. But none of them talked about it. They stuck to office and work related topics instead.

“It is getting late Samyak, I guess I should leave now” said Neha. She had lost her patience. She was about to get up when he opened his bag and took out some papers. He passed them towards her. Amused she looked at them. It was offer letter from the new company. She felt the same chill in her heart. Now she knew what was coming her way. He was going, going away from her; for always. Somehow she remained her composer and smiled.

“So when are you going?” she asked.
“Tonight, I have flight at 10 pm.” He told her, his eyes looking at the far corner of the room.
“oh that’s nice. That’s so good, all the best for the future” she said and rose from her seat. He paid the bill and they both came out. One last bye and they both started moving in their direction.

“It’s for you” he wanted to say. But he knew it would hurt her so he did not say. He reached his home and cried. He cried a lot. He indeed had a heart. And today he had sacrificed his love just to prove it. He had proved that he really loved her and could not let her down.

“It was my entire mistake” she thought. But she knew that whatever happened, it was good for both. She did not cry today. She was happy that she did take a good decision. Her love was not a loser. She smiled again.