The man next door

To stop or not

The sky changed from minute to minute. From bright orange to hot pink, the clouds were painted in ever-changing colors as the sun was setting far away at the horizon. It seemed so far yet so close. It seemed the sky and the river had finally met and then sun went down into their junction but the grown-ups knew it was an illusion. Just like the concept of a happily-ever-after is an illusion.

Anika was busy telling Shivaay how much fun she had with her parents whenever they used to go to the sea beaches, while having her sandwich. Sneaking a chance, he grabbed her food and ran away. Realising her food was gone, she chased after him like a kid, shouting him to stop and threatening him not to dare to have her food, till finally she caught hold of him and immediately gobbled down her food, even before letting her breathing get stable so that he could not get another chance to snatch her food. 

"Anika what are you thinking?" Nikhil's voice woke her up, taking her back to reality.

Giving him a faint smile, she said, "I was waiting for you" and went to bed.

The night passed.

---------------------------

It was not dawn yet. The sky was still dark. Anika's sleep broke for fifth time that night. She looked at the clock, it was almost 3. The sun would be rising soon. She wondered if Shivaay was sober yet. 

Confirming that Nikhil was still in deep sleep, she went to the kitchen and took two lemons to Shivaay's house. She had not locked the door last night, in case any emergency occurs.

Shivaay seemed to be still asleep. He snuggled in his pillow, holding his blanket tight. Anika made way to the kitchen and filled a glass of water, mixing lemon juice into it. She felt warm arms around her waist. She knew that touch- it was him.

"Go and wash your face. You still smell of alcohol", she said, busy mixing the handover drink. Like an obedient child, he tiptoed to the washroom, trying his best not to break the silence.

Drying his face, he came back to Anika and took the glass from her. "Drink it immediately", she said and took the towel from him. As soon as he took a sip, he was about to spit it out but that one stare from Anika made him gulp it down forcibly.

"Its too sour", he complained.

"Remember the taste forever so that you never dare drink so much again", she said and smacked his head. 

He struggled to complete the drink while Anika grinned observing the changes in his expressions. 

"I should go now", she said and turned to leave. She wanted to go but one part of her heart wanted him to stop her.

"If he stops me, I will continue this relationship otherwise never", she mumbled to herself. With every single step she took, her heart beat increased.

Shivaay saw her retreating figure. She cared for him else she would not have been here so early in the morning. He was confused whether it would be right for him to stop her. She was already distraught between love and responsibility. What they were doing was wrong and he knew it too but he also knew that if they were not together, they would never be happy.

"I love you. I ensure you that I shall never make you break your ties with them", he said in a go.

Anika stopped in her track, she looked back at him, staring into those dark orbs- was he serious? Did he really want to hopelessly love a married woman?