Jayant

 The morning light filtered through the curtains as I woke up, feeling a soft warmth beside me. Shreya was still sleeping next to me, her face peaceful and calm. Around us, the broken pieces of the vase from last night were still scattered on the floor—a reminder of my frustration.

I let out a sigh, carefully sliding my arms under her and lifting her into my embrace. She stirred slightly but didn’t wake up as I carried her to the bedroom and gently laid her down.

I grabbed my phone from the table, and there it was—a message from Alisha.

"We’ll talk in the morning." The message had come at 3 AM.

3 AM? What was she doing awake at that hour?

It was already 7 in the morning, so I dialled her number. The phone rang for a while before she finally picked up. Her voice was soft and groggy—she had clearly been sleeping.

Without thinking, I snapped, “Wake up properly. Aalu.”

Her tone shifted immediately, the sleepiness vanishing in an instant—like my voice had jolted her awake. 

“Why didn’t you answer my calls last night?” I asked, my face a mix of anger and concern.

“Where were you the whole night? You messaged me at 3 a.m.—hmm? Speak up, Alisha.” My voice was sharper than I intended, but I couldn’t hold back the frustration brewing inside me.

After a brief pause, she spoke—her voice slightly hesitant.

“I was at a party… after my live interview. Good morning, by the way, Mr. Grumpy. My bhaalu” she tried to divert my mind by her soft voice but she clearly failed.

A party? This late? Something about her words… didn’t sit right with me.

“A party?” I repeated, my tone filled with suspicion. “Till 3 a.m.?”

She answered calmly, almost too casually.

“I came home earlier, but I didn’t check my phone. And when I finally did… it felt too late to call.” Without thinking, I snapped back— “You can call me anytime, Aalu. Anytime.”

For a moment, there was silence—like my words had struck a chord. Her breathing changed—softer, slower.

“Did you fall asleep again?” I asked, trying to break the silence.

“No…” she replied quickly, but there was something in her voice—a pain I couldn’t ignore. And then, almost hesitantly, she whispered, “Did you… did you watch the live interview?”

I knew why she asked. I could feel the weight behind her question.

But no matter how much I wanted to reassure her; I couldn’t shake off the feeling—the feeling that she was hiding something. Since the interview, something had changed—she was avoiding me, and I needed to know why.

I exhaled sharply, deciding to push the confrontation to later. I wanted answers, but I wanted them face-to-face—not over a call.

“We’ll discuss your interview tonight,” I said firmly, making sure she understood I wouldn’t let this go.

I was giving her time—time to come up with a proper explanation. Because if she was hiding anything about her 17 years of love, I deserved to know the truth.

After a brief silence, I said “Bye,” and hung up the phone. I don’t know when this silence and awkwardness crept in between us.

There was a time when we could talk for hours—about everything and nothing—without a single moment of hesitation. But now… it feels like there’s always something left unsaid.

A strange distance hangs between us, one that neither of us seems brave enough to address.

And maybe that’s what bothers me the most—when did we become like this? When did our easy conversations turn into this heavy silence?

I headed to the kitchen to make breakfast before getting ready for work. By the time I came back, Shreya was still in bed, wrapped in the sheets like she had no intention of getting up.

“It’s getting late—don’t you have to go to the office?” I asked, standing beside her.

She didn’t respond.

I leaned down and brushed a gentle kiss on her forehead. I could feel her stirring beneath the blankets—she was already awake—but she refused to move.

I smiled softly. “Come on, get up,” I urged, trying again to pull her out of bed.

Still, without opening her eyes, she murmured, “You go ahead… I’ll leave for the office a little later.”

I bent down once more, pressing one last kiss on her forehead, before whispering “Bye "I've made the food. Make sure to eat it," I said, my voice softer than I intended. and heading out the door.

And yet—as I drove to work, my thoughts drifted back to Alisha.

There was something I needed to know. And today, I was going to find out. But there was something else… something deeper that gnawed at my thoughts—Shreya’s silence.

Her quiet, distant behaviour always bothered me. She wasn’t the kind of woman to cry or yell. No—when she was hurt, she simply withdrew, shutting me out with that cold, heavy silence.

And I knew… I had hurt her self-respect last night.

For Shreya, her dignity meant everything. And somehow, in my anger and frustration, I crossed a line.

The truth? I didn’t even know why I acted the way I did. Maybe it was my impatience, or the lingering emotions I couldn’t explain—but whatever it was, I messed up.

I leaned back in my car seat, running a hand through my hair, memories of our beginning rushing back to me.

I still remember the day when Shreya worked in my office—the day we fell in love.

We had tried to keep our relationship quiet, but whispers always find their way through office walls. Colleagues started talking. Rumours spread like wildfire—about how she was dating her boss and getting special treatment.

One day, she stormed into my cabin—her face calm but her hands holding a resignation letter.

I stared at her, confused. “Why?”

Without hesitation, her voice rang with quiet confidence.

“I’m leaving this company.”

My heart sank. “But… why, my love?”

Her eyes softened, but her resolve didn’t waver.

“I don’t want people saying I’m getting promotions because I’m dating you,” she said firmly. “Between my job and you… I choose you.”

And then, in a whisper so soft I almost missed it, she added—

“I just hope one day… you’ll choose me the same way.”

She gave up her position—her career—for us.

She could have had better jobs, higher pay, prestigious companies—but she stayed in this city. For me. Because she loved me.

And now… maybe it was my turn to prove I loved her just as much.

After working the whole day, I came back home early because I had to attend the reunion. While coming home, after ready, I planned to stop by Shreya’s office to meet her. I wanted her to come along, but she had already refused, saying, “It’s your friends’ reunion.” I didn’t push her further because I knew Shreya and Alisha didn’t like each other, and I preferred keeping them apart.

As I clutched the door handle, I realized it was locked from the inside. I rang the bell, and Shreya opened the door, wearing my t-shirt with her shorts. I stepped inside, a little surprised. “You didn’t go to the office today?” I asked. In a calm tone, she replied, “I’m working from home.” I glanced around the room—her laptop was open, and a few drawing sheets were scattered on the table. She returned to her work, and I decided not to disturb her.

I got ready, wearing a white shirt, a black casual blazer, and blue jeans. When I returned to the living room, she was still busy. She didn’t even glance at me or compliment how I looked. I knew she was upset with me, and maybe I was making things worse by not trying to fix it.

I walked up behind her and gave her a warm hug. “I might not be back tonight,” I said softly. She only responded with a quiet “Hmm.” I wanted to ask her to come with me, but I was afraid our tension might cause a scene at the reunion.

As I opened the door, I turned back to look at her one last time—but she didn’t look at me. I stepped out, got into my car, and thought about calling Alisha, but for some reason, I didn’t.

While driving, I felt a rush of excitement to meet my friends—Rishi, Rahim, Alisha, and that idiot Dip. Honestly, I don’t like him much, but for Alisha’s sake, I play along. After all, he dumped her, how could he do.  and I’m curious to see what kind of girl he’s stuck with now. Whoever she is, she can’t be better than Alisha. It’s probably best if I avoid meeting her altogether.

My mind drifted back to our school and college days—the pranks, the fights, and the moments we thought would last forever. Dip’s wedding doesn’t excite me, though. For me, it’s just an excuse to catch up with everyone again.

While driving to the resort, I dialled Shreya’s number. Leaving things like this didn’t sit right with me.

She didn’t pick up the first time. I tried again. This time, she answered. "Are you okay?" I asked directly.

Silence.

"Shreya… Shreya, are you listening? Say something… Please," I pleaded, my heart sinking with every passing second. "I promise, Shreya, I’m going to fix this."

Still, no response. The silence was unbearable.

"I’ll come and set everything right… I promise. Just say something. I’m begging you."

I just wanted to hear her voice. Anything. And then, before I could stop myself, the words slipped out—words I hadn’t even planned to say.

"Let’s get married."

I had no idea how Shreya must have felt hearing those words, but I was in shock myself. How did I even say that? I wasn’t sure about it before, yet it just came out.

"I know you were expecting some grand proposal, something special..." I started, trying to explain.

She cut me off. "Jayant..."

"Yes? Say something," I urged, relieved that she had finally spoken.

Her voice was filled with pain. "Jayant, propose to me tomorrow... if nothing changes tonight."

Her words hit me hard. "Okay," I promised. "Tomorrow, I’ll propose to you. With a ring."

She let out a small, sad laugh. "We’re already engaged. I already have a ring."

"Doesn’t matter," I replied. "Then I’ll propose with a mangalsutra. Will that work?"

She didn’t say yes, just let out a soft hmm. "Shreya, is everything okay?" I asked gently.

"I’m scared… It feels like I’m going to lose you," she admitted.

"Forget that fear, my love. You’ll never lose me-I’m all yours, now and always." I reassured her. "And get ready for your proposal in the morning. I’ve already told you—there will be no surprises. I won’t propose you normally. It’ll be grand. After all, it’s Mr. Jayant Patil’s proposal."

She responded with another quiet hmm.

"You hold my heart so tight, and I know you'll never let it slip away," I said with affection, hoping to make her feel better. Her reply came slowly, barely audible, "I’ve been holding on all this time… but now, the grip is slipping."

For a moment, her words left me confused. Was she trying to tell me something deeper? But I wasn’t sure. This moment was beautiful, and I refused to let it end on a sad note. So, I said “Then let me hold on for both of us.”

We ended the call as the resort came into view. Talking to her had made me feel relieved. I would set everything right in the morning.Bottom of Form

As the resort came into view, its light shimmered in the distance. And I’m sure Alisha must have already arrived. There are so many questions swirling in my head.

Alisha, be ready—I’m coming.

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