May be forever

F I F T E E N

I didn't walk away from you,
I dragged myself away from you.
Then, I picked up my feelings
  and ran from you.
                 -Pierre jeanty

             It was raining outside when she stepped out of the meeting room. Sky was pitch black and gloomy and it was drenching earth passionately.  Lightning flashed the sky and thunder boomed across the area. She clutched her backpack close and stood there chewing her lower lip.

It was past nine and her phone was dead. They were busy preparing everything for the annual event of Smile Foundation, an NGO which promoted quality education for under privileged children in Mangalore.

Vinny started volunteering there after her mom's death. Being with those kids and teaching them , brought her so much joy that she felt close to her mom somehow. It was a big day tomorrow, the kids and the faculty were going to meet there benefactors and this event held the key for those kids bright future. She came there right after her college , everything was so busy that she lost the track of time. Now it was late and the rain seemed persistent about keeping her there for another hour.

' Hey Vihani? Do you want me to drop you home? It's raining cats and dogs here ' Lokesh, one of the staff member asked her smiling affably . He was short and stout guy with a square chin and kind eyes.

She knew him for a long time now that it didn't took her more than a minute to accept his offer. After twenty minutes drive , he dropped her Infront of her apartment that she shared with her friend Kriti, who was visiting her parents in Bangalore today.

She fished the keys out of her backpack. It was still heavily raining and she was shivering in cold.

' Oh... finally you got home ' the gruff voice came from her side made her jump a little.

' Rishi? What are you doing here?' she squinted her eyes to get a look on the guy who was standing there, leaning on the wall.

' You didn't get enough time to see me or talk to me, so I decided to pay you a visit..' his voice was gruff but slurred in the end.

' Rishi , I told you that tomorrow is a big day for the kids in the NGO and I was there till now. I couldn't come to your office party, I am sorry..and there will be more parties anyway. Don't make this an issue' she said softly , her eyes pleading.

' But you also told me that you would try to come to the party. You didn't show up at all and didn't took my calls either..' he walked closer to her , his tone full of accuses.

' I am sorry Rishi. My phone was dead and I was really busy. Come inside , it is really cold..' she opened the door and stepped inside and turned on the lights.

' Ha.. yeah you were busy , I saw that. You came with that Lokesh right? Who knows what happens there in your NGO?' he let out a humourless chuckle.

Rishi had been possessive about her all along, but sometimes he made uncomfortable , just like now.

' Rishi I told you before too, he is just a friend, a good one. Don't read into things , when you don't know anything' she said placing her bag on the table and turning towards him.

Rishi was still in his office clothes, his hair disheveled, eyes blood shot red.

' Yeah I don't know anything, you keep your contacts hidden , but you like to hangout with a bunch of idiots..' he slurred again.

' Are you drunk Rishi?' she crossed her arms Infront of  her chest. Rishi doesn't drink unless in parties, but when he did he scared her.

'Yes I am, because my so called girlfriend is busy with other men and don't have time for me...'