The Boundaries of Love

● 36 ●

~Not Edited~

As expected, Shravan was in his own elements. When I said I will move next Sunday, he simply shook his head and said if I wanted to stay with him I had to do that today. I had already called in sick and my boss, Mr Shepherd, somehow was in a good mood today so I didn't have to worry about my work.

Stepping into Shravan's apartment with two of my suitcases was a task. I had to convince the caretaker that Shravan himself asked me to move in, but much to my chagrin he called Shravan to know if that's true, after arguing that Shravan hadn't let him know about it. Shravan on the other hand told me that he simply forgot to tell the caretaker about it. But from his light voice, I could tell he did this deliberately. 

"This is childish," Preety grumbles in the phone, "forgetting that you are moving in with him when he is the one who suggested it."

"Hmm." I sigh while putting my clothes inside the cupboard.

She stays quiet for some time and asks, "Sumo, are you sure of this?" That halts my movements, "I mean, what Shravan is doing is highly unacceptable. He is simply blaming you for nothing."

"I know. But,"

"But what, Sumo?" I can almost imagine her shaking her head, "No man is worth it if you are not appreciated for your sacrifices. You did a lot. You stayed there, you moulded your life for him — Sumo, it's been eight months since we saw you; Papa is very angry, even Arnab isn't happy about it. What are you thinking? And here Shravan is being,"

"That's my point, Preety. I have moulded my life according to his, I am not giving up now. I can't accept that he is throwing away everything we once had. And, Preety," I sit on the bed, "if I know Shravan something is going on in his mind. You should have seen his face when I told him I won't bother him anymore. I don't know why he is being difficult, but I can surely say there must be a reason."

Preety chuckles, "No matter what, you will always defend him." She sighs, "Still, the moment you feel, 'okay fine this is it' come back. You still have a life here."

I smile broadly, "Thanks. I love you." She mumbles a soft 'love you too' and cuts the call. 

After arranging the clothes I fall unceremoniously on the bed. It feels so different here. I don't feel the warmth, the beauty anymore. No matter what I say to Preety, a part of me is terrified of what Shravan would do next. 

Much to my surprise, Shravan comes back home near twilight saying he didn't have much work at the office other than a meeting. He brought food — my favourite Chinese, asked me politely if I needed anything else. We dined together where he asked me if I wanted to watch a movie while eating. But he never mentioned how he forgot to tell the caretaker about me. And I let that slide carefully. The Shravan sitting in front of me has a plan. And why he is going out of the way to make me stay with him when he said he may not be in love with me anymore is still a mystery to me. 

"So, you have work tomorrow?" He asks as I put the leftovers in the fridge. 

"Yes, why?"

"Till when?"

"Till 5. But why?" He skips looking at me and I know instantly another part of his game coming up.