Shadows of the Past

Chapter 2 Blender

One day, Rajesh received a message from Jayanthi out of the blue.

"Rajesh, can we talk?"

His heart raced. They hadn't spoken since graduation. "Of course! How have you been?"

"Can we meet?" she replied.

They arranged to meet at a café they used to frequent. When Rajesh arrived, he spotted Jayanthi sitting at a corner table, looking both familiar and distant.

"Rajesh," she said softly, her voice tinged with nervousness. "It's been a while."

"It has. How have you been?" he asked, trying to hide his anxiety.

"I've been... managing," she admitted. "But I still struggle with being alone. I've tried therapy, but it's hard."

"Have you found someone to talk to?" Rajesh asked, recalling how he had tried to support her through her fears.

"I'm trying, but I still feel lost," she said, tears welling in her eyes. "I just wanted to see you one last time before moving on."

"Moving on?" Rajesh echoed, a sense of dread creeping in.

"I've decided to take a job abroad," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I need to face my fears."

Rajesh felt a pang in his heart. "I wish you didn't feel like you had to run away."

In the following weeks, Rajesh struggled with his feelings. He confided in Neha about his encounter with Jayanthi.

“Rajesh, it’s okay to feel conflicted,” Neha said, her eyes filled with understanding. “But you need to focus on what you want too.”

“I know, but Jayanthi was such a big part of my life. It’s hard to let go,” he admitted.

Neha took a deep breath. “Just like Jayanthi has her fears, I have mine. I’m terrified of failing in my career, of letting you down.”

“Neha, you’re doing amazing,” he reassured her, feeling their fears intertwining.

One evening, after a long day at work, Rajesh received a call from Jayanthi. “Rajesh, I need your help. Can we meet?”

Concern washed over him. “Of course! What’s wrong?”

“I’m scared. I thought I could just leave, but… it’s harder than I thought,” she admitted, her voice trembling.

“I’m here for you,” he said firmly. “Let’s talk.”

When they met, Jayanthi looked frail, as if the weight of her fears had dimmed her spirit. “I thought moving away would solve everything, but it only made it worse. I feel trapped in my own head.”

Rajesh’s heart ached for her. “You’re not alone, Jayanthi. You never were. You can always count on me.”

“Can I really?” she asked, vulnerability etched on her face.

He nodded, remembering how he had once promised to be her support. “You can. But you need to face your fears head-on, together with someone.”

Jayanthi sighed, wiping away tears. “I don’t want to burden you. You have a life now.”

“But you are part of my life, Jayanthi. You always will be,” he replied, his voice steady.