The Unseen Part Of My Life

The Longing

"What is it with you? Can you never make time for me? Am I even important to you?" Ria yelled at the top of her voice.

"Rihaan?" She yelled again.

"Look I am sorry. I will be back home by 9 pm and we will talk about it okay?" Rihaan said trying to calm her down.

"Flight takes off at 6 pm if you don't make it here. I will leave" Ria said and hung up.

Ria, 35 years old. Mother of 2 beautiful kids. Angira 12 and Samarth 5. Ria married Rihaan 14 years ago. Rihaan a business tycoon and the best father failed at being a good husband. Though he bought her everything she wanted, he failed at being a good supporter and husband.

It was on the 3rd of April. Angira's exams got over and Samarth was already on his vacations. Rihaan had promised her that he would take her on a trip after their kid's exams were over, but because as usual due to some urgent work, he had to cancel the trip end moment, which made Ria angry and she decided to leave without him. It was the duo's solo trip but as he didn't make it on time, Ria decided to leave without him.

She dropped Angira and Samarth at her mother's home and left for her solo trip. She left a letter at her apartment for him.

It read.

"Dear Rihaan,

I have been trying and trying hard for our marriage to work but I cannot see any efforts from your side. All your promises are left broken. I am hoping for a better future. I love you and our kids but I need this trip with or without you. Don't be mad at me. Angira and Samarth are at my mom's place. Take these few days for you and so will I. Let's reconsider this marriage because I don't know how you feel about me after 14 years. Take care. I will miss you. I love you. See you soon.

Your's

Ria"

I have been longing for love for a very long time. I never got that same kind of love again like the one I had. Kids and family kept me busy but I had enough of him today. I hope this becomes one of my best decisions and Rihaan realizes how much I need him. Not as the father of our kids but more like a husband. I stepped out of the cab, reaching towards the security check-up at the airport. A voice inside me said that this was going to make me realize what's right and what's not but I had no idea how.

I finished my check-ups by 5.30 pm and waited to finally board the flight. I bought a pint of beer for the long journey and gulped down every sip to sulk in the pain.

By 6.30 I was half drunk and already regretting my decision. I received a message from Rihaan, it said, "Hey, I am sorry, I am stuck with clients. I love you, will talk when we meet"

I replied, "I am boarding the flight, see you in a week"

I boarded the flight and as usual, Rihaan didn't reply because he was too busy to check his phone. I called my mom after I boarded and asked her to take care of Angira and Samarth.

Being half drunk and hurt was the best combination during college days and waiting for Shaan to come and cheer me up was the second-best thing. A familiar face could be seen from distance, it felt more like Shaan but I thought it might be my hallucination because Shaan cannot be here, he left for London 15 years back. How can he come back? I shrugged off my thoughts and decided to sleep through my flight.

My sleep was interrupted by a voice, it said, "The flight is about to land..." I couldn't hear anything else as I was deep asleep.

An Air hostess came and asked me to wake up as the flight was about to land. I felt a little bit sober now. I woke up and tied the seat belt around my waist.

The flight landed and I switched on my cellphone. There was 25 missed calls alert. It was Rihaan. He is angry. I decided to call him back once I reached the hotel. I took my handbag and got ready to get down, I thought I saw Shaan again. I couldn't believe my eyes, so I rubbed my eyes and looked there again. There he was, looking fine in his casual clothes. He had changed so much. He looked a lot like a gentleman. He did because he lived in London, But what was he doing here? After 15 years? I was stunned, overwhelmed, happy, and sad altogether. He was about to get down when my heart wanted to call him but my mind stopped me. I kept quiet as I thought I would meet him near the baggage counter. So I kept quiet and got down from the plane.

I reached the baggage counter and saw Shaan again. My heart wanted me to run back to him and hug him as hard as possible because I missed his arms, but I couldn't do that. I couldn't because I was married and I had two kids. I wasn't allowed to feel that love again. I wasn't allowed to feel that love again from the same guy. I wasn't allowed to look back, because now I wasn't alone. My kids were there too. He must've moved on too I thought. He might have forgotten me. Forgotten our love and care. I tried to ignore him no matter how bad my heart wanted to talk to him and know what was going on in his life. I got my luggage and prepared to leave and that is when I heard a voice, "Ria?"

The voice I have been longing to hear for the last 15 years.