Devakshi One-shots/Drabbles/Short stories

Building bridges (Part 2)

Sonakshi sat in front of her dresser and stared at her own reflection, her heart and mind in complete turmoil. Her mother walked in and Sona grabbed a tissue and wiped her makeup that she had so carefully applied today.

"What happened? Did you fight with Dev?" Her mother launched right into the matter.

"What? Why would you ask that? And why would I fight with him? We are good..."

Asha interrupted, "...friends, I got it. You repeat it like a mantra, nonstop. So, what happened?"

Sonakshi breathed out. It was no use pretending with her mother, she could see right through her. "We were at the café and we ran into some woman he had dated previously."

"Okay. So?"

"What do you mean, 'So'?"

"I mean, are you upset.. and by the way, please don't say that you aren't upset, because I know you are. So, are you upset because he dated others? You weren't living as husband and wife, you weren't his lover, girlfriend. And even now, you have said several times that you are only 'friends.' If you are friends, wouldn't you want him to have someone in his life?"

"Ma..." She pleaded.

"Shona, my dear, this is a question you need to answer with complete honesty to your own self. Not me, not Baba, his mother or anyone else." Asha walked away, stopping by the door. "One other thing. Whatever you decide, don't be embarrassed about it. Proudly accept it. Okay?" She left, closing the door.

Sonakshi looked back at her reflection. There was an avalanche of emotions running through her. Now, in the privacy of her room, she slowly decided to take them out and examine them. Why was she so upset? She was still processing the encounter with that model-like woman in the café. She was so beautiful and looked so taken by Dev. Not surprising, he could attract women easily.

Seven years. It had taken her seven long and painful years to move on and reach this point in her life. She remembered that moment when Dev told her to leave and she had walked out of the house. And that night at the farmhouse. Anger burns intensely, but after the giant flames are put off, the dying embers can really hurt. It had been difficult to move forward, like her feet were filled with cement, rooting her. But for Suhana, she had put one foot forward, and then one more and then one more. She had built walls around her heart, allowing no one to trespass ever. It helped her maintain her sanity. Her parents had been trying to convince her to marry Jatin, but no. She didn't love him and she would never allow anyone else in her heart.

Then Dev came along, once again. The other day, in his drugged state, he poured out everything in his heart completely, told her that he was in love with her and wanted to get back together. She had refused him, for that was the wise and responsible thing to do. They couldn't get involved with each other again. For Suhana's sake, he promised that he won't ask her again, but he didn't have to. Dev was Dev, he was doing everything else but actually propose. He was steadily breaking down all of her defenses, chipping away at the walls she had built so carefully.

They were slipping into their old ways, hanging out having long conversations over coffee. It was so easy talking to him. She would catch him watching her, and even though she didn't want to, she would feel an unexpected thrill going through her. She always thought she was over him, but she found herself applying her lipstick extra carefully, picking clothes with brighter colors, checking herself in the mirror one more time before going to meet him. And one look from him, one small compliment, one smile and she melted like an ice cream in the hot sun. Sonakshi berated herself bitterly for falling into the same trap one more time. What is wrong with you? She asked herself. Are you a teenager meeting her first crush, blushing red because he looked at you?