The man next door

The road is endless

The sky was turning blue, the stars yet to show up. The buzzling lights of the city below them, as they stood 84 metres above the ground. The fresh air filled their lungs, slight noise reaching their ears.

Shivaay looked at Anika, adoring her. Somewhere in his heart, he felt guilty to bring her to this path of infidelity but the shine in her eyes made him forget the world. Her mere presence was enough to give him courage to fight against the whole world.

He was jealous of Nikhil- that man knew her more than him. She was his wife, he could give her the respect she deserves, introduce her to the world as his. But Shivaay was in no position to stand by her infront of the world, he knew he always had to be behind the curtains. And if he crosses the limit, she would have to suffer- a thing he could never tolerate.

"My ice cream is over. Didn't you say you will kiss me?" she said, looking at his eyes, trying to look bold.

He gave a kiss on her forehead and left. She gave him a suspicious look and then followed him till they entered lift. 

"I want to kiss you under the stars at midnight" he said thoughtfully.

"Don't you think you are being too wishful?" she replied smirking.

"Don't worry, I won't mess up your life. But my wish will definitely be fulfilled" he said as the door of the lift opened and left.

Their roads were different once again. Anika went back to her house while he took a bus to the resturant.

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"Mom I bought a body oil for you. See if you like its texture and smell. Priyanka see this slippers. Didn't you saw your slippers are worn out. Check if they are comfortable", she said while unpacking the bag.

"Didn't you buy anything for me?" Nikhil asked, being the first one to come out. 

"Ofcourse I did. Do you like this?" she said and handed over him a set of airpods.

"When did you see?"

"What? That your airpods are not working and you keep the speaker of your phone on your ear while listening to the voice messages. You will become deaf like that, Doctor."

"You indeed love me a lot", he smiled and hugged her.

'Such a perfect family I have. How could I destroy it?' she thinks, tears brewing in her eyes. She tries to hold them back but Nikhil had noticed them, "Why are you crying?"

"Your love makes me emotional" she confesses.

He smiles and leaves.

She stares at the guitar keyring she had bought for Shivaay. She knows that maybe she can turn back even now but the truth is she does not want to turn back anymore. She wants to go on walking on this path even if it is a endless journey and will ultimately lead to a destination full of thorns if she is caught.

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Nikhil had fallen asleep long ago. It was her guilty conscience that had snatched her sleep. Anika stood by the open window, the cold winds hugging her. Her eyes were fixed on the stars, he had said he wanted to kiss her under the stars. She smiles and touches herself remembering his warm touch and wet kisses all over her, imagining his voice calling out her name.