Tender Storm

Chapter 20

Aman tried to understand the woman in front of him but he didn't think he could. Sakshi always puzzled him and this time wasn't any different.

"You must think I'm crazy" she continued before he could say anything "I've given a lot of thinking to this and decided I'm not going to keep the baby".

"Why?"he asked, irritated "you wanted it so badly that you didn't even want to abort..and now you want to give it to some strangers?"

She fiddled with the pillow for a while before replying "I want to start my life with a clean slate. And I know that's what you want too. This way we both can move on without interfering in each other's lives".

He still looked puzzled and she continued "I'm planning to apply for the research program in Canada so I can get a student Visa" she explained softly "once I give birth and done with the formalities of adoption, we can get separated".

"What about our parents?"he asked "will it be easy for them to accept your bizarre decision?"

She gave a meek nod "they have to..time heals everything and they'll come to terms with it".

He didn't know what to reply to that. A slow silence stretched between then only to be deterred by a soft breeze emanating through the balcony which was slightly open.

The meowing caught their attention as the cat sauntered towards Aman and settled on his lap, much to Sakshi's displeasure.

"Is he going to share the room?"she asked in annoyance, glaring at the cat which purred.

"Yeah. Don't ask me to adopt him too. I simply won't" he replied, ruffling the cat softly.

"Do you always have to be like this?" she seethed "don't you have an ounce of compassion in your vein?"

He slowly turned his gaze towards her "I've had a long day Sakshi.." he drawled "the last thing I want is a conduct certificate from you".

She didn't want to reply to that as she realized her words had been harsh. What was his fault in all of this?

"I'm sorry..." she turned to the other side, wiping the corner of her eye which had only begun to form a small tear "for my intolerance".

The cat meowed, making aware of the eerie silence stretch further into the night. She stared at the ceiling for a long time since sleep was out of the question.

"Where did you get him?"she asked, referring to the noisy pet in his arms; anything to distract her mind from the present.

Even though he looked perplexed, he decided to answer anyway "the cemetery".

The answer surprised her and she craned her head nearer "what were you doing in the cemetery?"she couldn't help but ask as curiosity got the better of her.

"You need not know that" he replied, taking the cat in his arms as he got up slowly "if you want anything, ask my mother". She watched him head towards the door "where are you going?"

He didn't look back "the only place where I can clear my head and think".

She didn't want to stop as it felt like the right thing to do at the moment. The rest could be dealt with later. Tossing back to her pillow, she stretched her feet and closed her eyes in a last desperate attempt to fall asleep.

And that's when the visions started...

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Debu stared at his friend and partner who was crouched on the floor with a grim expression on his face.

"I won't say 'I told you so' again" he began but Aman cut him off "you already said a thousand times so please shut up".

Debu scratched his head in irritation and simply watched his friend in silence and when he couldn't take it anymore, he huffed "you should have eloped when you had the chance".