The man next door

Things better when not realised

Anika was so much engaged in reliving her good old days that she did not realise when it had turned 12. She was badly wishing that Nikhil had managed the situation at home. Gauri had left for the airport. Anika was trying her best not to make any noise, else the stray dogs might start barking in the middle of the night.

She was about to open the door of her house when she saw his door was open and the lights were on. Curiosity soon overpowered resistance and Anika peeked inside Shivaay's house to see him sitting on the kitchen counter. 

Empty beer bottles were lying on the counter and he seemed to be hugging a photo frame, hiding his face in his sleeves. She could hear him sobbing. She had entered his house even before she had realised, and went closer to him. He seemed to be murmuring something too.

"What happened?" she asked him, putting her hand on his shoulder.

The next moment he was on his knees infront of her, his head was bowed down. Anika was shocked by his action. Nobody had ever done something like this infront of her. She never even let kids go near her feet. She was still in the state of shock when he said "SORRY", his head was still bowed down. 

Shivaay did not dare to look up. He had never been so rude to any woman and his past actions towards her were unforgivable. Anika sat on her knees beside him and held his face with her palm, looking straight into his eyes. His eyes were red, filled with tears. He seemed broken. 

"Everything will be alright soon. You are strong, I know", said Anika, thinking maybe he was facing some professional problems or was hurt by someone's words.

"I was wrong. I have no position to judge you", he said, holding back his tears.

"You are sad because of that day?" Anika was amused. If he would give her a sincere apology, she would have forgiven him. He did not need to cry over it.

"Its okay. Misunderstandings occur", she said trying to make him relax.

"I thought you were like my mother and I could not control my anger. I am sorry", he cried out.

Seeing him cry, Anika immediately hugged him and was stroking his back, trying to calm him. She had no inexperience in handling such situations. "What happened to your mother?" 

"She killed my dad", he stated. His voice had no emotion anymore. 

"What?" Anika reacted, moving back. She was confused whether she heard him right.

"She murdered my dad, she broke his heart" he said. His eyes were blank, it seemed as if he was stating just another fact.

"You must be mistaken", Anika tried to convince herself that it was just his drunk talk.

"My dad was in army. She was cheating on him. Years after years she went on having affairs. Dad was busy protecting our nation, she used to send me out to school, tuitions, picnic, games and outing frequently. One day dad planned to surprise her. He even told me about his arrival. We went in with her birthday cake that day and saw her kissing another man. I was 14 years old back then. Dad sent me out and then confronted mom. They were fighting a lot. I could hear their screams and the noise of things breaking from outside. Dad had a heart attack right there. He was taken to the hospital and then got paralyzed. When my dad was finally home, he could no longer move around. I hate her for this." His voice was shaking.

She had no words to say. She was no one to comment. Shivaay was already shattered, she wanted to console him but she could not justify cheating.

"I don't need any sympathy", he said looking into her eyes. Anika felt as if he was looking right into her soul and could not speak another word.

Shivaay quietly put his head on his lap and stayed silent. For the first time, Anika did not see him as the stubborn man everyone thinks him to be but as a frightened child, shivering in pain. For her, he was a broken vase whose pieces were somehow put together. 

"You hate her a lot?" she asked stroking his head.

"No I hate that I love her. I love her even after this. She took care of me when nobody else was there. My dad was an orphan and her parents did not support her decision to marry a soldier. She not only did all the things a mother does as well as fulfilled a father's duties. Dad used to come only twice a year. However she never let me be envious of those kids whose father were beside them always. She loved me a lot. Really a lot", he sounded happy.

"She might be a bad wife but she is a good mother", Anika replied.

"If she hadn't cheated, we could have been a happy family", he sighed.

"We are in no position to blame our parents. She loved you and thats what matters", Anika looked at him and smiled.

Her smile brightened up his world in an instant and thats when he realised their proximity. He immediately sat up and moved away to apologize once again, "I am regretful for my past actions, I hope we can look forward to a sweeter relationship." Anika nodded and looked at her watch only to say,

"Shit. Its already 2. I need to go. Bye" and ran towards her house, closing his door on the way.

Meanwhile Gauri had just returned from the airport since her flight was postponed for 12 hours when she saw Anika hugging a crying Shivaay. Anika's posture showed no hesitation. If it was someone else she would have easily told it was sympathy but in Anika's case, it was much more complicated. Anika herself had not realised she had let someone to be so close to her. 

Anika, a girl who had not even hugged her best friend in the most emotional situations. She who would always use her power of words to heal her friends after heartbreaks, a person to move away from her parents' hugs too. Therefore it was evident for Gauri that her emotions for Shivaay was different, but what confused her more was that from Anika's earlier words, Gauri had not felt anything such. At last Gauri comes to the conclusion its best for everyone if they realise nothing.