Waited For You

Chapter 24

SANCHI'S BALCONY - LATE NIGHT

The dinner laughter has faded. A breeze rustles the leaves of the potted plants. Sanchi stands by the railing, arms folded, clearly disturbed.

Atharv walks out quietly behind her, his eyes on her profile. He senses her distance-although she didn't disturb him and her parents' bonding.

ATHARV
I am heading back.

SANCHI
(sternly)
Why did you say that to my parents? That we're in a relationship?

Atharv sighs, already anticipating this.

ATHARV
(softly but firmly)
Because I am devoted to you, Sanchi. With everything I have. And I was tired of pretending otherwise.

She turns to face him, eyes flaring.

SANCHI
Don't you dare say that again.

ATHARV
(stunned)
Why? Because it's true?

SANCHI
No. Because it's manipulative. You don't get to play the "devoted lover" card when you know nothing about how I feel... or what I've been through.

ATHARV
(taking a step back, hurt)
Then tell me. Help me understand. What did I do wrong?

SANCHI
(angrily)
You CHEATED on me. You broke my trust, Atharv and you have the guts to ask me what you did wrong?

ATHARV
(clearly agitated)
What the hell are you saying?

She looks away, jaw clenched. Her silence lingers too long.

Then her voice comes, icy.

SANCHI
I'll make sure our paths remain distinct. From now on.

Her words slice through him.
Atharv grips her forearm.

ATHARV
I swear on my family Sanchi, I have never cheated on you.
(He rests his forehead on hers.)
I can be anything but not someone who cheats on his most precious relationship; the relationship which taught me to love again, to heal again and to hope again. I am not that spineless.... butterfly.

Sanchi's breath hitched, she knows how much his family means to him.
And just then, Swati calls from inside.

SWATI
Sanchi beta, did Atharv leave?

SWATI
Sanchi ? Where are you?

SANCHI
(calmly, loudly)
I am here mumma, balcony.

Atharv looked up, his eyes reflected that he wanted to say more but he leaves her.
Swati arrives just after that.

SWATI
Atharv I thought you went back to your apartment. It's good that you are hear. I wanted to ask at what time do you leave for you office? I will prepare breakfast and your lunch box accordingly.

ATHARV
(bringing his cheerful smile back)
Aunty it is not necessary. You should not exhaust yourself. It will be tiresome.

SWATI
Ssush! Feeding my children can never exhaust me. And Don't behave like a guest or else I will also treat you the same way.
(She slightly touches his one cheek as if afraid that holding him firmly will erase everything.)
You know it feels like a dream - meeting you here, holding you, feeding you. You are so ..... grown up.
I still remember every interaction with your mother Diya. She was chaos wrapped in silk shawl.
(Swati smiles slightly as if reliving those memories and without her knowledge a lone tear slips from her left eye. She quickly wipes it.)