Flipped apart

28. Turmoiled Feelings

Neha's POV:

After leaving Ayesha's office, I took an auto to the studio. It was already close to evening, and the sun was gradually sliding towards the west, and there was a cool evening breeze was being sensed along with heavy traffic of school buses indicating that students were leaving school and going to their house

"Bhaiya, stop here." As the auto turned towards the street of my studio, I noticed a small park and a few children were playing in the sliders. Not having energy to meet anyone, I stopped the auto and walked to the park.

Sitting on an empty bench facing the sliders, my mind began to contemplate all the recent events. 

Meeting them four years ago and being devastated, then later getting to know Afsha bhabhi and her family, and finally getting to see both of the boys after four years—everything seems  too overwhelming.

At times, certain situations cause us pain, and we wish to avoid encountering those people associated with those. 

I never wanted to see them again to avoid reminding myself of my turmoiled feelings, but I guess destiny had other plans. It brought them in front of me in an unthinkable way.

To be honest, I have moved on from those memories a long time ago, but I can not forget those times I spent with him and her. I lived with them for almost two years; even though I met Sameer eight months after moving to Mumbai, they were still family. I also remember Adil well, and how he used to visit us all and bring a lot of snacks and sweets, especially Mysore pak. 

Now that, Adil is supposedly going to be my future perspective groom. I don't know, how to react. He is a friend of the person I used to like four years ago.

"Siya, get up from here. I want to play see-saw with Khushi." As I was in my own thoughts, I saw a girl of about 10 years old yelling at another girl, who may be 6 years old.

"But Di, I want to also play see saw with you. You can play with me ", the other girl, named Siya pleased

"No, I don't want to play with you now; go play the swing."  Siya's sister made her get up and sat on her spot while Siya came and sat on the bench, next to me and started to cry.

I became even more upset when I saw the little girl sobbing. Her tears were streaming down her face as she watched her sister play see-saw.

"Siya Beta, Why are you sitting here?" A lady quickly came towards the girl and worriedly sat beside the girl; may be she is her mother.

The little girl broke down in tears, expressing her turmoil, "Mamma, I hate Khushi Di because she has taken my Riya Di away from me." 

Seeing the little girl's turmoiled situation reminded me of myself, the Neha from 4 years—call it childishness or whatever, but it hurts to get one sided; it hurts to act oblivious when you clearly see your friends are hiding.

If it had only been a matter of love, I would have ignored it, but it was a matter of betrayal.

They had the right to be secretive in their relationship, which I did not mind, but lying and betrayal makes it feel that you are unwanted.

I still remember the day when I got the letter of promotion and the opportunity to go to New York.

Flashback starts - 4 years back

"Dada (Brother in Marathi) , can you pack 250 gms of sugar free kaju katli (Indian sweet made with cashews)."  After leaving the office, I headed to a sweet shop to pack sugar-free kaju katli for Sana, who had a shoot tomorrow and would be going to Bangalore, so I bought sugar free delights to savour them guilt free.