2 Sides

The End

Soon after reaching her house, Palomi took off the seatbelt in a hurry.
Sushant looked at her and said, "Bye Palomi. Take care."
Palomi paused and stared at him. She asked, "Aren't you coming upstairs?"
Sushant was confused. He asked, "Was I supposed to come upstairs?"
Palomi nodded her head and said, "I don't know what I'll end up doing if I'm alone. I don't even trust myself now."
Sushant gave her a small smile and asked, "And you trust me?"
Palomi sighed and said, "I know you will not harm me and you won't let me get harmed."
Sushant looked at her and said, "Palomi I'm glad you trust me but I don't think you should trust someone so fast. I mean, I won't do anything to you but what if I were a bad man. I could've taken advantage of you."
Palomi gave him a serious look and said, "Okay now you're making me not trust you."
Sushant said quickly, "I just want you to be safe. You're right. I won't let anybody harm you but everybody's not like me, right? Please don't call random people in your house. You never know what they might end up doing to you."
Palomi nodded her head and gave a forced smile. She said softly, "Okay then. You're right. I'll go then."
Sushant smiled and said, "Palomi have faith in yourself. This is not the end of the world. You're fine. Your life will be fine. I'll call you tomorrow?"
Palomi nodded her head.
Sushant continued, "Okay then. Good night. And take your medicines."
Palomi glared at him but she knew he was right. She left the car and waved goodbye.

***

Kabir was in the bathroom. He was washing his face. After sobbing and arguing. He thought of cooling down a little bit. When he came outside, he saw that Daniel was fast asleep.
Kabir smiled and was happy that Daniel was okay. Things were neutral between them. Though there were millions of misunderstandings in their relationship, they both wanted to work it out.
Kabir lay next to him and he was thinking about how he would confront Palomi the following weekend. Soon, he fell asleep too.

***

It was the weekend. After coming from work, Palomi was exhausted. While she rested on the couch, she realized that exactly a week ago, she saw Kabir, who looked happy. She was reliving the past again.
At around 11pm after having her food and endlessly staring at the wall, there was a knock on the door.
Palomi forced herself to get up and when she opened the door, she was awake from her lethargy.
It was Kabir. He was standing outside with an apologetic look on his face. Palomi shouted in shock, "What the fuck! What are you doing here?"
Kabir said in a concerned tone, "I've come here to apologize."
Palomi looked at him briefly and said, "Just leave Kabir. Please. I don't have the energy to argue with you about the past."
Kabir snapped, "I'm not going to argue. Trust me. We'll talk properly this time. We will clear up things from both ends and move on. Please let me in Palomi. Please?"
Palomi was angry, yet she let him inside. Kabir came inside with a small backpack and looked inside the house to see if anything had changed. He looked at the couch and asked, "May I?"
Palomi nodded and Kabir sat on the couch.
Palomi sat across him and said, "What do you want?"
Kabir let out a deep breath and said, "I know I messed everything between us Palomi. I know I shouldn't have cheated on you. I hated myself for doing that. I still do."
Palomi raised her voice a little, "Then why didn't you tell me that you didn't want us to be together?"
"Because its not easy. I love both of you. But when I'm with you, its another type of love and when I'm with him, its..."
Palomi nearly chocked. She asked with shock, "Him? Him? You're gay?"
Kabir nodded his head with shame. He said, "Yeah, I guess."
Palomi looked at Kabir with disbelief. He looked away from her and said, "Its a different kind of love when I'm with him. And its different with you. They are definitely not the same. I know it doesn't sound right but it feels right for me."
Palomi said, "But you can't have the both of us! Its so... So unethical."
Kabir continued, "I know it does. But it pains to think that I've lost you. I've known you since childhood. Its like I've lost an arm."
Palomi felt like crying. But she couldn't show that she was weak especially in front of Kabir. She commanded, "Then leave him. If you really want me, then leave him."
Kabir clicked his tongue and said, "I can't. Dan is an important part of my life."
Palomi snapped, "Dan? You mean Daniel? Your flatmate?"
Kabir hummed. He said, "I'm sorry for not being a trustworthy person Palomi. Sorry is just a small word. I don't know how to tell you how bad I feel to let you go through all of this."
A tear rolled out of Palomi's eyes. She wiped it and said, "Why do you love me Kabir?"
Kabir shrugged and said, "How can I answer that? Its so difficult."
Palomi said, "Just brainstorm and answer."
Kabir thought for a while and said, "You are like my best friend. I care for you a lot. And I know that you care for me too. We know each other from the back of our heads."
Palomi didn't look satisfied but yet she asked, "Why do you love Daniel then?
Kabir groaned, "You don't wanna hear it!"
Palomi said, "Its time to be frank and honest with each other."
Kabir huffed and said, "He's my man. I feel good to live with him and sharing everything with him. I can't see him sad and it kills me when I make him feel bad."
Kabir had a grin on his face. His cheeks went red. Palomi noticed it. Kabir continued, "I don't know how to express myself. But I love him so much. We fight too but we know that we love each other."
Palomi thought for a while and said, "You love Daniel. Its only him."
Kabir looked at her with surprise and said, "Palomi its not like that. I love you too."
Palomi cleared her throat and said, "Of course you love me. But the love you have for me is not that of a life partner. You love me like your best friend. But with Daniel, you love him like your life partner."
Kabir was confused. He said, "I don't get it. How can you be so sure?"
"Because I know you since childhood. There is a thin line difference between love and friendship. We loved each other thinking it as the real love. But we just love each other like friends. The love that you have for Daniel is more than just best friends. You are 'in' love with him."
Kabir chuckled and said, "Its actually true. And I proposed you. So, I was the person who thought it all wrong."
Palomi smiled and said, "We can only show our love by being friends and not by being in a relationship."
Kabir smiled and said, "You know what, you're right. That's why I loved the both of you in a different way!"
Palomi nodded her head in agreement. She said, "Though I don't appreciate you cheating on me."
Kabir's face became apologetic again and he said, "I'm so so sorry Palomi. I know I shouldn't have done that. I'm really sorry."
Kabir looked genuine and honest this time. Palomi said, "Its okay. Now leave."
Both of them laughed. Kabir said, "Thanks for... For telling me the right thing."
Palomi said, "What are friends for, huh?"
Both got up and gave each other a hug. Kabir let go of Palomi and said, "I will come next time with Daniel. You two haven't met each other yet."
Palomi nodded and said, "Sure."
Kabir asked, "You okay?"
"Yes. I'll be fine. Don't worry."
"I have to worry Pallo. Are you sure about all of this?"
Palomi nodded her head and said, "Yes. I'll be fine. Afterall, its true."
Soon after saying their goodbyes, Kabir left her house. They both promised to be good friends...