Espresso Love (SanDhir)

Chapter 15 - The Red Eye

"You what?" Vidushi screamed, shock evident from her wide eyes. "Don't mess around with me Shekhawat. Are you serious?"

"I'm not joking Vidu. I mean I knew she's married and I still kissed her. But it felt so right, you know? She even kissed me back! If it hadn't been for the ring, I wouldn't have stopped," I trailed off, almost questioning why I kissed her even though it felt so right at that moment.

She sat silent for a bit, a look of contemplation on her face. "You know what, as much as I don't like some of the choices she has made, it is true that she isn't the one to cheat. There has to be more to it... Did you ask her about it?"

I stood there, thinking over Vidushi's words. I had thought that then as well, but I still pushed her away. Even after that, I couldn't help but think, how could she possibly justify it?

She understood my look. "No way Randhir!" she yelled out, exasperation seeping in her voice. "What is the matter with you?" she asked me; I question that myself too.

"In my defence..." but she wouldn't have any of it. "YOU knew before kissing her that she was married, didn't you?" I looked away, knowing just how much sense she was making, yet unwilling to let her know that.

She sighed and sat beside me, taking my hand in hers. Inhaling sharply, she began, "It's been a long time Randhir. But you still feel for her! And if what you told me is exactly what happened, then she is in a much too similar of a state as you. You guys had always been so... passionate about each other, but you both lacked in your understanding of each other!"

I bit my tongue, not wanting to speak at this moment. "I don't want to do this right now Vidushi..."

"You are the one who wanted to speak to me!"

"But I don't anymore!" I snapped at her.

"Why bother telling me then? I'm not going to sugar coat things for you Randhir!" she said, as she grabbed her purse. "You know you were just as responsible as she was, so stop playing the blame game. But if you don't want to hear that, then fine. I won't talk about it." She stomped off. "Oh but before I leave, answer one question of mine. If you really understood Sanyukta as well as you think you did, why did you not trust her today? It's not because you think she might be cheating on whoever she's married to. Don't feign that innocence on me because we both know damn well what the reason is here."

She walked off, slamming the door shut in the process. I exhaled... Running after the door, I called out, "I'm sorry Vidu. Please come and eat dinner! I made it for you!" I called out to her in the hallway.

—

"But Sanyukta, you know just how much he loved you. You know he considered you the only person who would always be there for him. Why would you do that to him?"

Tears streamed down my eyes, "It wasn't easy for me either Parth!" I whispered. "I had to protect him. I knew how involved he would get with this whole thing if I had told him. I wanted him to stay out of it. Parth, his parents were getting a divorce at that same time! Do you really think I wanted him to suffer even more?"

"I know what you mean, but you think he didn't suffer when you broke up with him?" he spoke softly. His words pricked my heart. I knew he was right; I had no intention of hiding the fact that I do think what I did was wrong. "I was going to fight for us... Fight to be with him. I never broke up with him, intending to leave him all alone."

Parth put his arm across my shoulder, and I leaned in, wanting to stop feeling so lifeless. "When... when I saw him today, I felt as if I had another shot. But I don't. Everything is over," I closed my eyes and cried out loud.

"Ssh," he said, patting my hair. "Nothing is over Sanyu!"

"He wouldn't even listen to me," I said, looking up to meet his gaze. "I tried explaining..."

"What happened though?"

"I had an interview with him. But..."

"But what?" he prodded me.

"He had already decided to hire me, even before I walked in there..." I was at a loss of words, but Parth smiled. "Did you really think otherwise? Out of us all, he was the one who always believed in you the most." His words made me smile; maybe I had done something right in my life to have had Randhir by my side.

"We kissed..." I put it out there, not knowing any other way to tell him what had happened.

He smirked, until realization dawned upon him... "But you're... Sameer?" he questioned.

"We aren't together Parth. I'm in the middle of a divorce right now," I finally disclosed.

"I'm sorry to hear that!"

But I jumped in very quick, "Don't be! It's for the better!"

I noticed him glance at my ring, and before he had a chance to ask me, I told him the truth. The truth that was the most important thing in my life right now.

"The only reason why I still wear this ring is because he doesn't know..."

"Who doesn't know what?" Parth asked, confused at the sudden entrance of another person.

"Riaan. He doesn't understand that Sameer and I are getting a divorce..."

I didn't know if Parth was realizing what this meant, but I didn't waste any more time by beating around the bush.

"My son Riaan, Parth..."