TOXIC LOVE

AFTER 20 MONTHS

There was a low buzz of whispers around the room until a short stout man came in. " Now be silent, he will be here in just 5 minutes" the man announced. Suddenly there was a hush. As if I could hear even the sound of our breaths.

HE ENTERED, with the same irresistible charm as he had entered the stage three years ago. I could feel a sudden shiver in my nerves. Yes he was Manik. My Manik..... I mean ......maybe. He strides still had the same rythm but this time he was of course not carrying a guitar but a black leather file.

Wait !!! What ??? Manik...is in front of me. Okay he is my boss ... excuse me ! Whaaatt ??!

He was gazing at the file and stood in front of the chair just vertically opposite to mine.

Finally he looked up.

"Good mor.." he stopped. He looked into my eyes just for few negligible seconds and then looked around too everyone.

"Good morning everyone" he said clearing his throat and completed the sentence this time.

I was staring at him blankly all this while but his wish brought me back to sense .I blinked and gave a faint and fake smile, looked away and sat down.

Wait ! Just this ?? Did he not recognise me ? MANIK did not recognise me ? We were together for twenty four months which is more than twenty months of our separation and he did not even react seeing me after all this time .... I thought we were i love, but am I so insignificant for you ??

"Ya so that's it. All the best." His authorised tone once again brought me out of my deep thoughts.

Everyone stood up and was shaking hands with him.

It was my turn now.

I hesitantly stretched my hands towards him. I wasn't looking at him coz I remember how easily he used to read my eyes. We shook hands. I could feel my body trembling. I looked at him and was surprised and hurt to see him absolutely unaffected by the touch. My lips seperated to utter something just when he uttered "Okay then all the best" . He left.

Tears started rolling down my cheeks and I hurriedly wiped them off.

How did u move on so easily Manik ? Don't u remember anything of us ? Maybe I won't get u back ever but I need a closure Manik. I need my answers that my heart has been searching for since twenty months. Are u pretending or u have actually forgotten me totally ? Has Manik forgotten Nandini ? How ?

That night was sleepless. My mind just had Manik Malhotra all over it. My tears rolled down to the pillow. Manik, this time I need all my answers. I took out the crumbled letter from my purse. Some of the words were blotted by my tears.

Manik, this letter isn't enough for my heart. My heart requires all your answers okay.

My eyes closed, hence shutting this never ending day.

Yo third update on the same day, short one though - as I told I will be updating such small segments but very regularly. Pleaseeee pretty please drop your comments and ine vote if u think it to be deserving. I have ample time todat, so I may publish the next part tonight itself or maybe not.