THE DESTRUCTION

chapter 8

Actually, I have a scarf in my bag. Do you want it?" I ask.

"Yes," he snaps.

I climb out of bed and go to my suitcase and begin to rummage through it. He takes the opportunity and stands behind me and grabs my naked hip bones in his hands and pumps me with his hips. I stand and turn to face him. "I'm not even joking now-stay another night."

He traces his finger down my face and cups my jaw in his hand as our eyes lock.

"I can't," he whispers, his eyes searching mine . . . with something unspoken.

Does he have someone at home? Is that why he hasn't asked for my number? Uneasiness fills me. I'm not made for this one-night stand crap.

I turn my back on him and dig out the scarf and hand it over. It's cream and cashmere, and it's initialed.

🦋.

My mother gave it to me as a gift when I finished college. I did love it . . . but oh well.

He frowns as he looks down at the embroidered butterfly, and I take it from him and wrap it around his neck to cover the huge purple bruise. I smirk as I look at it. I didn't even know how to give a hickey. I must have really been in the moment.

"What does this stand for?" he asks.

"A powerful beacon of growth and new beginnings, the butterfly signifies the power of transformation and the incredible feats we can achieve when we trust ourselves. We all have the ability to listen to our innate wisdom, guide ourselves through difficult times, and emerge better and stronger than before." I smile to cover my disappointment. I don't want him to know that his last comment upset me.

He smiles and grabs me roughly into his arms and walks me back toward the bed. "What an apt description that is." He takes my leg and wraps it around his waist, and we share one last lingering kiss.

Goodbye, my beautiful butterfly," he whispers.

I run my fingers through his hair as I stare at his gorgeous face. "Goodbye, Ocean."

He picks the scarf up and inhales deeply. "This smells like you."

"Put it on every time you jerk off." I smile sweetly. "Imagine it's me doing all the work."

His eyes flicker with excitement. "You know, for someone who hasn't had sex in life, you're a fucking sex maniac."

I giggle. "I'll go back to my drought now. It's safe there . . . and I can walk unassisted."

His face falls, and I feel like he wants to say something but is stopping himself.

"You're going to miss your plane." I fake a smile.

We kiss once more, and I hold him tight, and God, he really is incredible.

He stands, and with one last lingering look at me lying naked in the bed, he turns and walks out.

I smile sadly at the door he just left through. "Yes, sure, you can have my number," I whisper into the silence.

But he didn't want it. He's gone.

............

Twelve months later:

I exhale and put my hand over my heart as I stand on the curbside and look up at the glass skyscraper in front of me. My phone rings, and the name Mom lights up the screen.

"Hello, Mom." I smile. I get a vision of my beautiful mother. She has a perfect long hair and flawless skin, and she's always immaculately dressed. If I can look half as good as her at her age, I will be winning at life. I miss her already.

"Oh, my guddiya, I just called to wish you good luck."

(My doll)

"Thank you." I tap my toe, unable to stand still. "I'm so nervous I was throwing up this morning."

"They're going to love you,beta."

"Oh God." I exhale heavily. "I hope so. It took me six damn interviews to get this job, and I had to move cities for it." I screw up my face in fear.

"Have I done the right thing, Mom?"

"Yes, beta, this job is your dream, and besides, you need to get away from Prakrit. The distance from him will do you good."

I roll my eyes. "Mom, don't bring Prakrit into it"

Darling, you're dating a man who is unemployed and lives in his parents' home. I don't understand what you see in him."

"He's just between jobs at the moment." I sigh.

"Then if he's got nothing going on here, why wouldn't he move to Mumbai with you?"

He doesn't like Mumbai. It's too busy for him."

"Oh, Saanvi, can you hear the excuses you make for this man? If he loved you, he would be there supporting your dream, since he doesn't have any of his own."

I exhale heavily. I've been thinking these things myself, but no way in hell would I admit it to anyone.

"Are you calling me to stress me out about prakrit, or are you calling me to wish me luck?" I snap.

"I'm calling you to wish you luck. Good luck, beta. Go and show them what you're made of."

I jiggle on the spot nervously as I look at the towering building above me. "Thanks."

"I'll call you tonight for a full debrief."

"Okay." I smile. "I'm going to go in."

"Go get 'em, tiger." She hangs up.

I stare up at the building and at the fancy gold letters over the large double front doors.

THE MUKHERJEE 'S PRESS AND MEDIA. (TMPM)

.............

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Razaaali 🎀