Short Story : Memories
"Damn! It's late again. I have to take a vacation soon, else I'll go mad", she murmured to herself swiping her card. Slinging her bag on her shoulders, she took the elevator down from her office and started moving towards the nearest cafe which she was used to visit regularly. Taking in the familiar aroma of the coffee, she glanced around the busy cafe playing the song Heartbeat by Enrique, her favorite. With a wave of nostalgia spreading over her she proceeded towards the cashier. "One Hazelnut Latte please", she ordered. "And one Cappuccino", echoed a second voice. "With no sugar, takeaway", she spoke in unison along with the other voice with a slight faltering smile on her face. She turned around feigning a smile that he was just too familiar with. "It's your turn today", he said as the bill was produced. She paid up the cash still looking at him not believing her eyes for quite some time until she was distracted by "Ma'am your order". "Let's Walk, Shall We?", he said. Passing his cup to him, she collected hers and they walked out to the now silent road that's generally is filled with honks and noises during the day.
They walked in silence for quite some time. The familiar sensation that she is perfectly safe with him crept over her once again. She took up a longer route towards her house as he was not familiar with the city but something about him told her that he knew more than he is showing out. "That's a pleasant surprise", she said breaking the silence, "When did you arrive?" "Just a while back. Here for a very short visit so I thought I could meet you up one more time before moving on. Life's pretty hectic for you these days so I'm not sure whether we will be able to meet again soon." He still spoke with the same kindness and love that he always had reserved just for her. Her guilt finally overtook her as she started to apologize but he spoke before she could even say a word,"It's alright", he said. "But...", she retorted back."I don't need it. It's not your fault. It was I who pushed too hard. Just keep the happy memories alright.", he responded sipping on his drink.
This meet was just too uncomfortable for her. They were introduced to each other by a mutual friend at a party and they clicked instantly. She was from Mumbai and he hailed from Hyderabad but the distance did not seem to matter much to them. From sharing the same month of birthday to their love for food to their love for the city of dreams,Mumbai, their wavelengths synchronized almost like water and sugar. Whenever she had a fight with her boyfriend, he was the one she felt talking to which helped her feel better. Not even distance across countries could keep them apart as they had been in touch even when he was on his foreign visits. Things did take a turn for her one fine day in April when he proposed to her on video call. Her relationship with her boyfriend was already on a rocky stage and she did not know how to respond to him. He knew what was going on in her mind as he always did and before she could reply, he said, "Look. I know what's going on in your mind right now and I'm really sorry for doing this. It's just one-sided and I honestly do not expect the same in return. We will still be friends no matter what." The topic was never picked up again until a few weeks after her breakup she expressed her feelings for him agreeing that the feelings were mutual.
"So...", his words brought her back to reality, "How's Mumbai treating you these days? The rains seems pretty bad and it's not even July yet", he said. "I know right, it is as if somebody has turned on the shower up there and has since forgot to turn it off",she replied with an awkward expression on her face. Several questions ran in her head. Why was he here after whatever happened between them a few weeks back. Why is he so calm? She had expected him never to call back but this was just not what she had even dreamt of. Is he here for some kind of revenge. As if reading her mind, he reassured her saying,"Don't worry. I'm not here for any kind of revenge. I repeat what I said earlier I just wanted to meet you before moving on." She sipped on her almost empty coffee and nodded.
Hailing from different backgrounds and also from different cities, she just could not put together how they will turn up with each other but for him it was just a dream come true. He loved her unconditionally and he made his first priority to meet her once he returned back to India. As always, life started being cruel to him even before he landed up in India. At the last minute notice, she had to go back to her hometown for a family function just a day before he landed up. He rescheduled his entire itinerary without showing even a slight disappointment on his face even though he was disheartened. But they were destined to meet and as fate would have it, she was sent for an assignment down to his city for a few days. Their first kiss was still fresh in her mind. Even though she was stinking of onions, having eaten a few for her meal, it was the most passionate kiss she ever shared. He was happy meeting her even if it had been for just a few hours. He had always been smiling even though she could not make time for her every time he visited her city to meet her and then the inevitable happened. They fell apart. They moved their separate ways but still keeping in touch with each other.
Finally two days back, he called her up, asking her about her current status, about their current status. She had to do it. She confessed that she was never in love with him. He was nothing more than a rebound for her. He was still calm. He was not angry and he disconnected without showing a hint of frustration. For two days, her guilt had been eating her but she just could not pick up the courage to call him and apologize. And now he was here and she still could not do it.
"Here we are", he said finally jolting her out of her memory, " I think that's your apartment right." She pushed back her tears and nodded. "But where would you go?",she asked him. "I told you I'm just here for a few hours, I'll manage." He bade her goodbye and walked ahead. She wanted to stop him but she knew he would never come back. She went back to her room switched on his favorite song and logged in on facebook. As tears rolled down her eyes, she realized that she has finally known what it is like to love someone when she saw her R.I.P message drowning down among others on his timeline.
They walked in silence for quite some time. The familiar sensation that she is perfectly safe with him crept over her once again. She took up a longer route towards her house as he was not familiar with the city but something about him told her that he knew more than he is showing out. "That's a pleasant surprise", she said breaking the silence, "When did you arrive?" "Just a while back. Here for a very short visit so I thought I could meet you up one more time before moving on. Life's pretty hectic for you these days so I'm not sure whether we will be able to meet again soon." He still spoke with the same kindness and love that he always had reserved just for her. Her guilt finally overtook her as she started to apologize but he spoke before she could even say a word,"It's alright", he said. "But...", she retorted back."I don't need it. It's not your fault. It was I who pushed too hard. Just keep the happy memories alright.", he responded sipping on his drink.
This meet was just too uncomfortable for her. They were introduced to each other by a mutual friend at a party and they clicked instantly. She was from Mumbai and he hailed from Hyderabad but the distance did not seem to matter much to them. From sharing the same month of birthday to their love for food to their love for the city of dreams,Mumbai, their wavelengths synchronized almost like water and sugar. Whenever she had a fight with her boyfriend, he was the one she felt talking to which helped her feel better. Not even distance across countries could keep them apart as they had been in touch even when he was on his foreign visits. Things did take a turn for her one fine day in April when he proposed to her on video call. Her relationship with her boyfriend was already on a rocky stage and she did not know how to respond to him. He knew what was going on in her mind as he always did and before she could reply, he said, "Look. I know what's going on in your mind right now and I'm really sorry for doing this. It's just one-sided and I honestly do not expect the same in return. We will still be friends no matter what." The topic was never picked up again until a few weeks after her breakup she expressed her feelings for him agreeing that the feelings were mutual.
"So...", his words brought her back to reality, "How's Mumbai treating you these days? The rains seems pretty bad and it's not even July yet", he said. "I know right, it is as if somebody has turned on the shower up there and has since forgot to turn it off",she replied with an awkward expression on her face. Several questions ran in her head. Why was he here after whatever happened between them a few weeks back. Why is he so calm? She had expected him never to call back but this was just not what she had even dreamt of. Is he here for some kind of revenge. As if reading her mind, he reassured her saying,"Don't worry. I'm not here for any kind of revenge. I repeat what I said earlier I just wanted to meet you before moving on." She sipped on her almost empty coffee and nodded.
Hailing from different backgrounds and also from different cities, she just could not put together how they will turn up with each other but for him it was just a dream come true. He loved her unconditionally and he made his first priority to meet her once he returned back to India. As always, life started being cruel to him even before he landed up in India. At the last minute notice, she had to go back to her hometown for a family function just a day before he landed up. He rescheduled his entire itinerary without showing even a slight disappointment on his face even though he was disheartened. But they were destined to meet and as fate would have it, she was sent for an assignment down to his city for a few days. Their first kiss was still fresh in her mind. Even though she was stinking of onions, having eaten a few for her meal, it was the most passionate kiss she ever shared. He was happy meeting her even if it had been for just a few hours. He had always been smiling even though she could not make time for her every time he visited her city to meet her and then the inevitable happened. They fell apart. They moved their separate ways but still keeping in touch with each other.
Finally two days back, he called her up, asking her about her current status, about their current status. She had to do it. She confessed that she was never in love with him. He was nothing more than a rebound for her. He was still calm. He was not angry and he disconnected without showing a hint of frustration. For two days, her guilt had been eating her but she just could not pick up the courage to call him and apologize. And now he was here and she still could not do it.
"Here we are", he said finally jolting her out of her memory, " I think that's your apartment right." She pushed back her tears and nodded. "But where would you go?",she asked him. "I told you I'm just here for a few hours, I'll manage." He bade her goodbye and walked ahead. She wanted to stop him but she knew he would never come back. She went back to her room switched on his favorite song and logged in on facebook. As tears rolled down her eyes, she realized that she has finally known what it is like to love someone when she saw her R.I.P message drowning down among others on his timeline.
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