2 Sides

Reconsider...

Kunal tried to comfort Kabir by saying, "Bro, what happened between you guys?"
Kabir was trying to stop crying. He wiped his tears and said, "I really don't know."

***

Palomi reached home and her eyes looked tired. She changed to her pajamas and sat on the bed to call her mother. At first she was unsure whether it was wise to call her mom, but she wanted to talk to someone. After her mom answered the call, she told her everything.
Her mom said, "Why did you break up with him? He was a very nice child Palomi."
As odd as it sounded, Palomi's mother was a highly educated woman and she had met Kabir several times. She was happy with Kabir and Palomi and she wanted things to move forward.
Palomi said in a hesitant tone, "Mom, I just screwed it up. I know I messed it up like always. I'm like not a good person. He..."
Her mom cut her off in the middle in a very angry tone, "Palomi stop going back to those thoughts. Please. How many years of your life are you going to ruin by under estimating yourself, self - criticising and self - pitying? I think you need to visit a doctor soon."
Palomi replied in an angry manner, "Mom no way I'm going there again. Please. You know I thought you'd understand and you know, support me but I was wrong, as usual. Bye mom. Good night."
Palomi threw her phone on the bed and supported her head with her hands.

***

Kunal was driving his car while Kabir was sitting next to him in a very tensed frame of mind. Kunal broke the silence and said, "Kabir don't stress. Bro we'll figure something."
Kabir reacted in a violent way, "Kunal! What do I do now? How can she think of a break up? How do I suffice her now?"
"Listen. Just go and talk to her. And don't forget to touch her."
Kabir found that vulgar. He shouted, "What the hell are you telling me to do?"
"See bro. Women are sensitive to touch. Like if you grab her shoulders, keep your hands on her cheek or maybe grab her by her waist. They start to feel what someone tries to convey and they understand feelings quickly. Just maybe hold her hand or give her a hug or kiss..."
Kabir snaps, "Okay that's it. I'm not going to seduce her. She called me a molester! I can't touch her now. No way!"
"I don't think she'll even remember saying that."
"Of course she will. Her mind is worth keeping in the museum. You know she even remembers the last time we had sex! Can you imagine?"
Kunal chuckled and then he apologized. Kabir said, "It's not funny. Who remembers all this stuff man?"
They reached Palomi's building. Kunal said, "Don't worry bro. I'm sure things will workout."
"Actually, come up with me. You could help out there."
Kunal agreed and accompanied Kabir to Palomi's house.
Kabir opened the door with his spare key and saw that the house was dark. When he switched on the lights, he saw that she was in the same position after she had called her mom. She looked at both of them and looked away.
Kabir glared at Kunal, who told him to talk to her.
Kabir walked slowly to the bedroom and he sat at the edge of the bed.
Palomi didn't move, which scared Kabir. So he looked behind and Kunal gestured him to touch her.
Kabir swallowed and got closer to Palomi. He kept his hand on her shoulder. Palomi still didn't move.
He said in a soft tone, "Pallo, please just look at me."
Palomi looked at him. They both saw that their eyes were swollen. She asked as if she was demanding something, "What?"
"Baby please just think about it again. We'll try to improve our relationship. We can do it. We have been dating for over a decade Omi. We have pulled it up great till now. We both have the potential to grow as a couple."
Palomi looked at Kunal, who nodded his head to agree to what Kabir said.
Kabir rubbed his hand throughout her upper arm and asked, "What's bothering you? What are you afraid of?"
He brought his head closer to hers. He looked into her eyes and saw fear and tension. He could sense that.
Palomi said softly, "Kabir. You are a very nice guy. I already told you that I am not a nice person and I'm crazy and stuff like that. But when you look at me, you see some good things in me which I have never identified with my personality. They just don't match. Either you are blind to see evil or... That's it. You cannot see evil anywhere. Whereas I see evil all the time. You're optimistic in life. I'm always negative in every little situation. Do you get the difference?"
Palomi looked genuine and made eye contact with Kabir. Kabir glanced at her lips and then looked back at her eyes. But Palomi moved back to maintain some distance. She grabbed Kabir's hand gently to stop him from seducing her but Kabir didn't withdraw his hand. He still met her eyes and demanded an answer.
Palomi continued, "I don't want you to date a mad girl like me. I drive everybody crazy. I drive myself crazy. I'm not a good influence on anybody especially you. I don't have any control over my thoughts or my assumptions. My mind has taken over me. You're getting it right?"
She looked at his eyes again. Kabir asked, "Palomi are you taking your medicines properly?"
Palomi got distracted and she looked away from him. Kabir got the answer and said, "Palomi how many times do I have to tell you this? Why are you not taking your anti - depressants?"
Kunal was shaken but he chose not to interrupt.
Palomi complained, "I hate to take them Kabir. I forgot to take it for 2 days and then I saw no change in me. I was normal. So I thought I didn't need them."
Kabir started scolding, "You thought? Palomi its the doctor's job to decide whether you should stop them or not. You shouldn't have left therapy. I shouldn't have let you do such a big mistake. So that's the reason you're behaving like this."
Palomi got angry and said, "This is my life and if I don't feel like going to that shrink then I won't go. You don't know how it feels like to go there every week and crying like hell out there."
"Maybe I don't know. But I do know for sure that you were getting better. I could see that happiness in your face. You know you had a glow on your face and you were fresh all the time. And look at you now. Now you've moved back to square one."
Tears rolled out of Palomi's eyes. She was sick of crying in front of Kabir and Kunal but she couldn't stop herself.
She said in a broken voice, "We both are different. I don't know myself. I don't know anyone. I feel useless all the time. I don't want anybody to be involved in my life because I ruin everyone's life including my own. And I don't want to ruin your life."
"Then stop this. Listen to me and take those god damn medicines. Also start going to that Kruti. She's a very good counsellor and I'm sure she'll treat you well."
Palomi cried more and said, "I don't want to go. Why is nobody able to understand? Leave me alone. Just leave me alone."
"Pallu you are ruining yourself. You're causing serious damage to yourself and to people who love you. I won't let you go back to that dark shell of yours. I know it very comfortable in there but its just a self - loathing shell. There is nothing wrong in seeking help. Help is good for you."
Palomi said stubbornly, "Just leave Kabir. My decision is not going to change. Just grab your stuff and your ass and leave!"
Kabir was confused. He didn't know what to do...

What do you think happens next? Stay tuned for the next chapter...