Sara's Trilemma

Ex On The Balcony

**Dedicated to @Starchild76 for her one hundred plus fun in-line comments on LoF!**

I clutched Sid's hands in mine, loving the securing warmth. The topic was later successfully diverted to their daughter and a younger son who were shifted to California for MS. As the dessert was served. Pooja leaned in and asked in inconspicuous tone, "Dear, do you talk to your parents now?"

I shrugged and looked sideways at Sid, who caught my anxious looks.

"That's unfortunate, dear. I hope they realize that they are missing out on you. Such a sweet girl!" she sighed heavily and looked blankly at the fire. Then suddenly turned towards Sid and said, "You must miss your parents."

Sid acknowledged her question with a nod. "They are good people."

"I am sure they are. So doctors, huh?" she said, smiling. "It must have been a long time since you met them."

"We skype often. And maybe I will leave India sooner than I expected," he muttered to himself. His touch turned a little cold.

"Oh. Is that it? Then how will it work between you two?" she asked and turned towards me. "Are you shifting to DC then?"

"No," I spoke out instantaneously. Then noticed Sid's serious face and added, "We didn't think it through yet. We will work it out."

"Yes. I won't be gone for long," he confirmed and stroked my hair, almost lovingly.

I looked for a longing in his grey eyes, wanting desperately to mirror mine. And perhaps I saw something wavering in his eyes. Was it ache?

Before I could ponder on the issue, the sky started to cover with dark clouds, hiding the pleasant moonlight and twinkling stars. We gathered the dishes and carried it inside the house. Till then the fire burnt the last remains of wood, ceasing to glow.

"Come on, Siddharth, I will show you my medals," Rajdeep spoke, and lead him with a hand on his back.

Wordlessly, I followed Pooja to help her in the kitchen. After all, I owed her for her finest cooking. Even with my troubled mind, I ate generously.

"Let me help you washing those," I offered, moving near her.

"Oh no, darling. Go with Siddharth and Rajdeep. I will finish up here in another ten minutes and join you upstairs." She took the plates from my hand and dismissed me. I turned, reluctantly, admiring her expert hands moving over the utensils.

The wooden floor under my bare feet felt colder, as I made my away upstairs. Admiring the pictures framed on the side wall. Viraj looked different in those pictures. Somebody I used to know, from my earlier days of dating him. An absolute charmer, with passion and talent for his profession. Those days, he knew me so well. He spoke my mind, just looking at my expressions. I adored his quality especially when I felt ill. He had taken care of me, so well. I wondered if that phase of our relationship stayed that way. We would have definitely ended up getting married, at least till this time! I shuddered inside with the possibilities. He was never the guy for me.

As I reached the landing I saw at the left side, Viraj hunched on the railing of the balcony, looking down. He turned and caught me looking at him. He smiled forcefully, his eyes glistening with tears?

My feet followed him automatically. I entered the foyer of the balcony, which was circular with style garden, with plants of wild roses, marigold and Jasmine climbers covering the sides of it.

"What happened?" I asked him, cursing myself to have asked. I sensed it wouldn't do any good.

"Noth...Nothing," he sobbed, looking away. In the background, the clouds collided in the sky, sparking a faint lightening.