So... What Next - Chapter 5

Chapter 4


"You look good in this. I like it."

I was wearing the same black t-shirt that I had worn on our last Valentines' Day. She had appreciated it, and I wanted to have an immediate impression. I went to her office and waited outside the gate. It was 5, and as far as I knew, she wouldn't be out until 6. I had one full hour to myself.

I moved to the other side of the road to a local shop. "One Five Star please," I bought the chocolate that she liked a lot.

I used to give her a Five Star daily whenever we met. She ate, and I shared. We were such nice couple.

Why did it have to happen? Why did it all break up?

Suddenly, I saw her. She was there, coming out of the main exit. How beautiful she looked, in that maroon suit, elegant and pretty, her hair woven tightly behind her, and her smile stealing my heart all over again. I loved her, truly.

However, she was with a couple of friends. There was no way she would talk properly with me in front of them. I waited for them to leave, and hoped that they don't pull her with them.

By God's grace, they left soon enough, and Sapna started walking towards the bus stand. This was my moment. I had to talk to her. It had to be now or never.

"Sapna," I called her from behind.

She turned, and her first expressions of shock and wonder soon turned into those of resentment and hatred.

"You? Go away. I have nothing to do with you," she started walking briskly.

I ran and reached nearer, "Sapna. Please listen to me once. Please."

She stopped, and turned her face towards me. The love that I had once seen in her eyes seemed to have changed into burning rage. They seemed so strange and unknown to me now.

"Look Nitin. There is nothing more you have to say, nor do I want to listen anything. It's all over. I waited for you then, but not now. So please leave me. I have a very happy life, without you. Please do not spoil it, again."

I didn't know what to say. Her ruthlessness made me speechless, and I heard my heart crack and break into pieces. A whole year had passed, and her beauty still enamored me. Yet, her words had changed, the soft feathery touch now darted with a piercing force, injuring my soul and wounding the nerves.

I tried to find my voice, "But Sapna, that's why I have come here. I am sorry, and I still love you. Please forgive me. Think about us, the promises, our future. Please forget what happened. Let's start a new life." I pleaded.

She looked away from me, and probably I noticed a single drop of tear near her left eye, shining like a diamond. How I wished to kiss her now, hug her tight, ruling her of all pains, and making her mine again. "The truth is Mr. Nitin," she started, "I don't trust you anymore. I am sorry about my past, and I don't know why I fell for you. I don't want to lose my happiness all over again. I have my own future now, and I wish you all the best for your future as well. Please do not come in front of me ever again. I do not want to see your face ever again. I want my dark past to be buried forever, so please do not interrupt in my quest for happiness."

Her syllables left me stranded, as I realized my dreams were crashing down silently. I couldn't move, nor could reply, as she stepped in the approaching bus, and lost herself among the crowds.

Drops of water fell against my cheek. Umbrellas came out and flooded the road. Were those my tears or the rain-water, I couldn't differentiate.

I didn't want to know.

What I knew now was that she hated me, bitterly. The black t-shirt didn't work.

"I don't trust you anymore," her words lingered in my ears, sharp and crisp. The Five Star melted in my jeans pocket, and was washed along with the melody.


Chapter 6