Complicated Relations?- Part 2

To know the First Part click here

“Life used to be so good back then Shruti; with happiness all over and through me, never did I feel that I was alone in this world. But certain, only certain things change, an iota of change leaves you bewildered, making you to wander searching yourself.

After we were out of the college, I for once, at last, and, fortunately, got admitted in an average B-School and I had to leave for Noida for pursuing it. I still remember those seemingly-sweet memories with Priya. The last time we met, before I was leaving: we met in this same place, beautiful evening filled with immense ecstasy and plethora of feelings. The thought that, I, reluctantly have to depart from my addiction gave me cold jitters and all I could do was accept it; silently and move on. Little did I have an idea that things will change monstrously in matter of two years” said Vasant, staring the diminishing sun with his moist eyes.

Shruti held his hands, trying to console him. They were sitting on the beach, on the outskirts of the busiest city suburb. They were surrounded by myriad couples, who had hardly any time to talk to their partners and found more time to pounce on their physical needs. They sat on an indecorous rock facing the sea shore covered with the mild, saffron petal like rays from the offsetting sun.

“First few weeks were pretty miserable without her. We used to talk for whole night. She was pretty much available since she couldn’t figure out what was next in the box for hers. As days grew older, so did our relation and I was very much trapped in my studies.

Soon, her dad bestowed her with a job in an NGO which took care of the street children by providing them basic amenities and fighting the injustice done to them. The talks reduced from 6 hrs to 6min per day. But she always used to be at the back of my mind; no matter what I did, I always used to text her, the replies soon were rarely received.

She then took up a project which involved roaming places, usually villages, educating the poor children and taking on the impotent policies of the government directed towards the development of these people.

Albeit we used to speak occasionally, the charm, the excitement in her talks had vanished and all that remained was sheer dryness; devoid of any feelings and the ‘apparently -true’ love. I was apprehended by the thought that if I fight or argue with her now, she was bound to leave me. I kept my patience and after 2 years, I was happy about my recruitment in Mumbai itself and thence I finally came back to Mumbai only to find out that she had left India and was serving in the UN forum for under privileged children. This shattered me completely. I thought of surprising her and look what; she startled me with this revelation”

Shruti winked with seriousness and said, “So you mean, she didn’t inform you about her abroad trip?..  We did have a little chat before she left and I asked about you too, for which she replied you were ok with her decision and even ready to scarify this relation for the cause she was fighting for”.

“I wish even an iota of the justification was true” replied those poignant eyes of Vasant.

“I called her so many times; in vain. One fine day I decided to go to fix this thing for once and all and thus visited her house. Her mother is a friendly and warm hearted person. I learnt that her mom and Dad been divorced since 6 months and as it was pretty hard for Priya to accept this, she went away from all this mess"

“I kept trying her new number given by her mother and finally my efforts paid off. She remained indifferent to my voice at first, and sadly the tone didn’t budge. I lost my patience and I blasted on her, demanded answers, asked her that if she was with someone else and bloody two years!! Why did she behave so obnoxiously?  I kept waiting for her reply; all I heard was the disconnect tone.”

“So that’s your story? Why didn’t you do this the moment you felt that things will soon be misplaced and avert the problem, then and there? “Curiously prompted question by Shruti.

“Yes!! I was very much silent guy as you know. Never did I fight for my rights, never did I force anybody for anything, and never did I ask her to love me or feel for me. So I was consciously eluded from asking her to be explicable.” Turning his face to Shruti and looking into her eyes, he asked, “Where was I wrong? I mean you have always been the one who looked straight into my eyes and lambasted me for my actions and applauded for the same. C’mon, I want to know.”

“I think it’s too late to answer you. Its 8pm. Dad will scold me. I have come out only because you have accepted ME as your future wife. Besides, you want to shell out everything on first day itself?” and Shruti smiled wickedly.

“Ohh I see.. I will pick you up at same time tomorrow. Okay?”

“Not daily you dumbass!! We will meet after a couple of days and this time, you are gonna as me for dinner” having said this, she strode towards the car.

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“Priya, why are you behaving like this? It’s been two years and I haven’t complained to you. Have you ever thought, what does it take to be at the receiving end? Point out a single mistake of mine and I shall renounce it and promise you to never repeat it” the voice was getting very shaky and throat heavy.

“No!! Please don’t question me Vasant. It’s not your fault, neither mine, why do you have to judge things between faults? Why can’t you perceive and not judgmentally opine? I have my own reasons to do so and I am not comfortable to share it with you.” came the reply in a very serious tone.

Losing his control over the voice, Vasant spoke boisterously, “Then why the hell did you claim, quite diligently, that I WILL FIGHT FOR OUR LOVE AND SEE TO IT OUR RELATIONSHIP SURVIVES!! Why the fuck you lied? Where’s all the zeal and exuberance? “

“Why should I fight for you? Just because we shared a relationship?  Who will fight for these poor, rued children? Who don’t have families, far from the very basic sense of life? If I fight for you, all I can find is ‘momentary’ happiness; if I do for these children, I am giving them a new reason to live, flourish and prosper. In return what I find is eternal happiness and not some fake-cum-impromptu exaltation. I DON’T care if in this process if one gets hurt, I have hundreds with me to compensate…” and the line went dead.. It wasn’t Priya but Vasant who disconnected the call…..

Shruti waved her hands up high in the air and gestured him to get back to the car. He got up hurriedly and while walking, he knew he hide this conversation from Shruti; it couldn’t come out of his mouth, though he tried many times. Deep down in his heart, those words made a dreadful impact enough to make him think it as an embarrassment to himself………….

To read the final part click here