Let's Meet After School

CHAPTER 20: LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP

The one thing which I hate that people do when they are in love is... not communicating clearly. Now hear me out, okay... these people who refuse to share their real feelings with the person they love the most it's something that sounds so weird and illogical. I mean those people can think of lying and portraying themselves as the person they aren't just to make up for that love. We try being someone else because we don't want to hurt our love... we create a perception that we are invincible in love, we say that we aren't like other couples... we talk, we care, respect, and understand each other. But the reality is that we become weak sometimes, we aren't clear with our own things, and we tend to not understand the other person but we show them that we do. Why do we have to lie to our people... just tell them that you aren't perfect... there are imperfections in your love and that is completely normal. Have a healthy fight with each other, tell them that you feel jealous, show them your possessiveness, show them that sometimes you feel low on energy and can't match up to theirs just to make them happy, just be real... just be yourself.

Ankita saw a different side of Aarav the last time they met each other. He was defensive, he was being cocky, and was trying to keep a distance from her. His actions and words were clearly telling her to back off from this relationship. Now we have to see what he has to talk about this time when he meets Ankita again. Was there a reason for his behavior yesterday? Or he was showing his true emotions for her?

3rd December 2015

Ankita is walking all alone on the streets after her school. It seems like she's zoning out on the way to her home. As she's walking ahead... suddenly Aarav appears out of nowhere.

"Ankita... Would you mind hearing me out?" he says.

"Sure," she replies in a low voice.

They both walk towards the nearby garden and sit on a bench nearby.

"I don't know where should I start from... that day I was a jerk... I accept my mistake... I did that on purpose. Actually... there's something that I came to know few days back and that was the reason that I behaved with you in that way."

"What was the reason?"

"I'm leaving our school and I will be completing this academic year in a different school."

"What? But why? See if the reason is due to those rumors in the school, then yaar please don't go... we will do something about it... we can go and put up another complaint, we will find that rumor guy and talk to him... we will do something... but you stay naa... please don't go." Ankita says this in a way that feels like she's about to tear up badly.

"Chill... It's not due to those rumors that I'm leaving... It's because those rumors are true and I have to leave."

"What do you mean by saying rumors are true?"

"I mean that the rumors are true that my parents are getting a divorce... and I will be living with my mom in a different city... she has got a transfer order from her company and it's a good opportunity for her. Dad is granting the divorce too... they both seem relieved with this decision... they think that this is a good decision."

"What about your feelings? What about your decisions, your choices... why are they being so selfish?"

"Anku... they are the ones who are working day and night to bring the food to our table. To be honest, I don't hate my parents... I'm trying to understand them... I just hate when they fight... now... there won't be any reason to continue their fights... so I guess we're good... this isn't what I wanted but I shouldn't complain now... should I?"

"Aarav... this is not acceptable yaar... so why did you behave with me in that rude mean way last time?"

"Before you came to visit me... I was in a different zone... I wasn't in my right mind, there were thoughts of us breaking up in the future because long-distance relationships don't work out... I planned everything but all of that seemed like we won't be able to make it. It's tough to stay away from you for even a day... and you want me to stay away for years now? I mean I get it we can meet each other sometimes... but with us going to college, last year school, and then career... I don't know if we would be able to keep up with each other. And I didn't want to hurt you... I want you to succeed in life and make a good career... I don't want to be the reason for your fall."

"Why are you being like this... why would you be the reason for my fall?"

"Our last conversation... the moment you said that you are unable to concentrate on your studies due to my absence, I was suffering through something, and that made you suffer as well. Because of me, your grades were going to be affected... I don't want that... I want you to be happy and successful wherever you go, it doesn't matter if I stay or go... for me what matters is that smile stays on your face for a lifetime... you understand me—"

"Shut up... don't utter any word now... why did you think like that... you didn't even care sharing with me that your parents have made this decision... then you didn't even think telling me your own decisions... we are a team naa... why are you making decisions for the team alone... why didn't you asked me about my feelings, my choice... I don't want to stay away from you even for a day... I'm just like you now... I want this to be there for a lifetime... I don't how our future looks like... but I want to be a part of yours and I want you to be a part of mine as well. It's easier to break up and say that long distance doesn't work... but it's tough to prove that long distance can work... we will make it work, Aarav! The decision is ours... do you want us to stay a long distance and continue loving each other... or breakup at this very moment, saying goodbye to each other and living our lives separately."

"I... I'm going to meet you on Saturday, I will be leaving in the evening but we can meet in the afternoon after your lectures are done... meet me near our intersection... I will give you my answer then."