The man next door

Alone

Flashback continues

"I fell in love", I sighed. I must not have said these.

He took a step back and looked away.

"Nikhil it wasn't intentional. I did not mean to hurt you", I really had no idea what to say. I knew what I was doing every moment.

"You did not mean to hurt me? Are you the same girl I married? I can't recognize you. I saw you changing but I thought that maybe because we are childless, you are doing like this. Never for a moment I suspected you. The number of times you missed my calls or your unreasonable absence from the house- I saw it all but I never doubted you", his voice broke.

I had thousand things to say but I could speak none. Not a single word came out from my mouth. Instead tears had come out unannounced.

Letting out a deep breath, he came near me and started rubbing away my tears, "You know when the delivery man told it, I thought maybe you two are friends and then I took to try that key. Guess what the door opened. His house was decorated exactly the way your room in your father's house. The scented candles, room fresheners, curtains, everything. Every freaking thing was of your choice. Like the ones you had once told me in your college days. How come you never decorated our house like that?", he gave a mocking smile.

I could not look at him any more, I shifted my gaze down. Pushing up my chin, he forced me to look at him and continued, "Even the food in his fridge tasted like your handmade food." Taking in a deep breath, he commented, "Even his bedsheets smelt of you", immediately pushing me away. His eyes had no more emotions.

I landed on the ground. Sitting on my knees, I apologized though I knew it was useless, "I am sorry Nikhil. But I really can't describe how I feel when I am with him. It was like now or never. I tried to stop but-"

God know why the hell I went on saying that. Only a bitch like me could express my love for another man infront of the husband while trying to apologize.

"Did you ever love me?", he sighed, annoyed at my unexpected behaviour.

"I loved you", or maybe not. I said the first part only but it angered him more. It was obvious for him to think me fake but I was truly devoted to him for so many years.

"Get out", he shouted and sat back on his chair like before. I quietly made my way outside and now I am here.

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Maybe it can rain. I have seen in many dramas that it rains in heartbreaking situations. I looked up the sky and realised there was not even a single cloud. Damn life is not a drama. Well my life is no less than a drama too.

He could have scolded me, gave me some slangs, slapped me, kicked me, do whatever he want to throw out his frustation but he kept quiet and thats what killed me more.

I laughed at my situation. Still I have many happy memories to survive.

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Third person POV-

Shivaay's sleep was broken by the repeated door bell. Still half-asleep, he went to open the door. As soon as he unlocked the door, Nikhil barged in and closed the door with a bang.Grabbing his collar, Nikhil asked him, "Where is Anika?"

All the sleep left him in a mini-second. Struggling to free himself from the grip, Shivaay replied, "She is not here."

"Tell the truth bastard", Nikhil shouted, pushing Shivaay towards the wall.

Hit by the sudden force, Shivaay struggled to stand up and said, "She should be with you."

"She has not returned home last night", Nikhil said after pulling up Shivaay.

"What?", Shivaay mind was stuck on the last two words. Nikhil had known it all and she was missing. Where is Anika?