The Chocolate Wrapper

The Last Meeting

So they were headed towards canteen. It all looked like the situations of 7 yrs ago has been come to life. They sat at a table in canteen and ordered coffee. Chotu have two cups of coffee. It was 2 o clock in the morning. Awkward silence. Smiles exchanging. No words spoken. After a bit ,finally Shitija broke the silence ,"So you are doctor now?" Suraj looked in her eyes, "yes kind of going good for my career. What are you doing in Delhi ?" Shitija replied ,"I work as a cashier in bank .My father died and after that they were some hard times so we moved to Delhi."

So that boy was your boyfriend?

No, he is a good friend with whom my mum wants to set me up. But I have no such feelings for him. What about you single, committed or married ,eh?

Me, I had been waiting for an answer for last 7 years. But I guess I am chasing a mirage.

Shitija remembered that day,I am sorry. I always liked you but I was so feared of my family that I couldn't answer you . Also that was not the age and I never thought you would wait for it .

I know some people it's attraction . I guess I had that but guess what that was not temporary.  Suraj skipped a beat.

But why you waited for me, you deserve much better than me. I am already broke. I am such a mess.

If you got to eat panipuri and someone offers you freshly cooked biryani. What will you do?

Eat panipuri coz that what I went out to eat.

See you get it. I like you, no matter what others serve ,I want you that's it . Deserving someone better or not deserving  is not question here at all.

But Suraj I don't see any future for us. I have  responsibilities of my mother and younger brother.

But we can fight that together ,can't we? Maybe I guess I am the one who is lost . It took a toll for me from the day I proposed till this day. And when the day finally is here, what I am hearing is I deserve better. Can you think of waiting for someone for 7 years and after finally meeting them, you say to yourself there is something wrong . She is not the girl I used to love and have waited all these years .

Shitija remained silent

I lived a hell of a life thinking all my sacrifices will be neatly paid. But what I see is I waited for nothing .

Suraj, you are a good guy but I can't spoil your life too. I told you I am mess and totally fucked up. I have mortgages, loans and what not to go through. I don't want to spoil your life more. My final answer is no. I can't be with you .

She spoked in a breath. Her heart was thumping. But it felt like she had being free from some burden.

During this time, a nurse comes to the canteen, and reports Suraj that the mother has been awakened.

Suraj stood up and said,  so I guess I had been chasing out a mirage after all. He smiled with a heavy heart. He informed Shitija that her mother was awake . She went to her mother and assured if she was fine.

That was the last day they talked. After 3 days, Shitija's mother was dicharged from hospital. They went home and never talked with each other. Suraj didn't even went for parting visit.

Today, he stood in the balcony of his chamber,with that wrapper in his hand. With a sigh ,he threw that wrapper in the dustbin after a brief thought. Put on a smile and felt like a free bird.

Shitija had uploaded her marriage pic. The guy was Anant, Suraj saw and was gutted but he was past it . He now was no more chasing that mirage,that horizon (Shitij)....