THE BROKEN HEART

The following story is based on a real life experience. However the names of people and places have been replaced to respect their privacy.

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In the midst of a very cold night I was lying restless on my bed changing sides and trying to sleep but somehow I couldn’t, my mind was stormed with all the incidents that had taken place the previous evening.

16 December 2007@ 6:15 PM Dadar CCD:

I was all prepared today to finally convince her, not long before I proposed her two days back, she had asked some time to think over it, but I was sure for a much affirmative reply today. Time was passing very slowly as my patience were tested to wait for her, my eyes all set on the entrance of the café, at the same time I was rehearsing in my mind for how I am going to speak to her how I am going to convince her finally.

Finally the long wait was ended as she entered the café, wearing a blue chiffon dress she was looking like an angel, her curls falling on her forehead just adding that special spice to her beauty. As she headed towards me I got up and greeted her to the table. The early few minutes were completely filled with an awkward silence, which I finally broke as I took her hand in my hand and with a ring in another, proposed her “Will you marry Me?”By then my hands had already gone cold, but I tried to remain cool as I didn’t want to look nervous and lose my composure.

Then she looked at me with those beautiful eyes, and as smiled filled her face, she replied “Yes I will”. Just trying to get the feel of the moment I was completely lost, still trying to make sure it was not a dream I was on the top of the world. Love is forever and ever was my belief and this was beginning of our new life. By then I knew the battle is half won as we had to still convince our parents, but I was optimistic as always, to do so, all I wanted was her by my side.

22 January 2008@ 7:20 PM Dadar CCD:

As I was trying to sip in my café frappe the discussion was more intense on how we were going to go about the preparations for our engagement ceremony, I had my pen ready to jolt down all the "To-Do Lists". She was busy telling me about friends we need to invite and people we needed to ignore. By 9:00 PM finally we finished somewhat with our rough planned list of things to be executed in coming days. As weekdays were really severe on both of us as our working schedules were tighter and hectic than traffics jams of Mumbai city, all that we were left was the coming weekend and anyways 14 Feb was not much faraway -yes our engagement day!

24 January 2008 Early Morning 6:00 AM:

I was well engrossed in my sweet dreams when suddenly the ugly ringtone of my cell got me searching for my cell. Still half asleep I got hold of my cell churning my eyes so that I could force them open to see who was dying to talk to me so early in the morning. It was an unknown number which made me more irritated, anyways I had to pick it up to end the screeching tone. I was surprised to hear Neha's voice on the other end and before I could even wish her morning she interrupted me and told me that we need to postpone our shopping plans to next weekend. Obviously shocked and curious to know the reason behind this abrupt popup I queried gently "But Why?? Is everything alright??" to which she replied "Yes everything is fine its just that yesterday our regional Manager informed our team that we need to visit our Chennai Branch for our new product launch, and you know being the marketing- manager  I have to be there". I Kept silent for few seconds, trying to get the hang of the situation and my rational mind already working on how to react to such a sudden unplanned event! "Its' Fine!!" is all that I could utter.

27 January 2008 Sunday afternoon:

I was wondering what Neha would be doing right now, was she eating on time, getting rest properly because it was already two days that I had contacted her. I did try, but her cell was out off reach, yes she could have tried contacting me from landline number, my rational mind poked me time and again, but I suppressed its revolt saying she might be really busy with whole product launch stuff, after all she was specially invited for the same purpose.

Two more days passed I was busy staking my files on the shelf's, ready to finally leave for home from my hectic work. Walking on the crowded streets of Mumbai-Central station road I was lost in thoughts or should I say a sort of War between my Positive and Negative Thoughts. Each one trying to out question the another, my mind was stormed with thoughts of all sort..."Why is she not contacting me?, she didn't even replied to my call or messages? what has gone wrong? Is she alright? Should I leave for Chennai right now??" I was getting irritated now, unable to find answers to any of my questions. Anyways I had no option I had to wait till she comes back, and then and only then I could have got answer to all my queries.

1st  February 2008 Morning:

I was busy leaving for my work when suddenly a message beeped in..

"hey Hws U? Cal me soon".

Finally a message from Neha made me leave a sigh of relief, without wasting much time I dialed her number eager to hear her voice "Hello Neha How are you? I was worried Why didn't you contact me?" Before I could end my list of lined up questions, she interrupted me "Yeh I will tell you everything, just meet me in the evening, same CCD ok...even I need to leave for my work catch you later bye"

I was amazed by this changed behavior from Neha, Something was wrong for sure, but I need to wait for the evening to finally know whats cooking. I had already waited so long than why not another few hours, I tried convincing myself.

 "What?? Why?? How come suddenly???" I was in a shock and who won't be, when someone makes allegations against you that too a person you love and are about to get married to in few days. She made allegations of me being unfaithful to her, me going out with someone else in her absence. "This is ridiculous!! who told you this crap?" I flabbergasted.

 "I need some time to think about our relation" were Neha's final words for that evening which left me speechless and stunned.

5th February 2008 :

After five days finally my clueless mind finally accepted that Neha wanted to break up with me, but the way she did it, hurt me more than the action itself. She blamed me and my family for this breakup. She alleged my family for asking dowry. I really can’t take it anymore. She doesn't want to be with me, that's fine, but then why the hell is she accusing my family? Where did I go wrong? She wants me to be blamed for our break up! why? Thousands of questions were running through my mind. My mind was full of queries and slip ups. Was this the same Neha I loved? I wondered!!

I had no answer; I closed my eyes trying to dissuade my mind. I wanted to run away somewhere. I wish I could…. Because I really love her, she can’t do that, she can’t leave me like this. I have never hurt her, I never shall.. then why is it happening to me? I comprehended that I was again engrossed in those thoughts and that night went restless… with bunch of unanswered queries….

14^th February 2008 night:

I was supposed to be engaged today, if Neha wouldn’t have thru that drama then, tonight would had been sheer dream come true for me. ‘But’ yeah there is always ‘but’ in exultant moments…unfortunately it’s exclusively altered. I got news of her engagement with her boss today, the same guy whose family belongs to Chennai. I was collapsed, It was deplorable for me to believe but thanks to Neha her latest feats enforced me to consent this veracity of her, this move at least bit rapider than the former one.

I got up from bed, went to bathroom, to freshen up my face. I looked in the mirror, my haggard face was abundant to direct me. ‘This is the right time to move on’ I plumped. ‘Yes it is’ I said to myself. One more sleepless night conceded like previous ones but it was last one indeed…I was determined… I had enough, I should live my life … I don’t know how.. but I shall… at least I’ll try …

After 2 years (2010):-

Neha was a nightmare in my life but luckily nightmare never last longer. Well she didn't. My life was changed .. My diligence procured me at peak of professional accomplishment. I was promoted as a new project manager for Kohinoor. I was delighted with unforeseen evolution in my proficient and personal life as well… life was smooth going and customary until one day ….

5^th February 2010:

I was driving home. My new Kohinoor project was at Dadar , the most crowed area in central Mumbai. I was just getting used to traffic and those roads. It was 6 pm I was late. Everyone was waiting for me at home and I was super thrilled to discourse with them. But then signal spun red and I was stuck once again. I elicited burger and started guzzling. I must say its conceivable to do many things when you are stuck at mumbai’s traffic. I turned on FM to pass the time .. My favourite RJ meera was speaking incessantly… ‘her poor partner’ I thought and smiled but today was something unusual about her. She was chatting about her birthday celebration with listeners. 

And then she said “5^th February” my favourite day in whole year. I got numb, my nerves were frozen. It’s the same day when Neha broke up with me, worst day of my life! I turned off FM and exasperated to deliberate of something else. I looked outside, and what I perceived was last place and last person I would like to see in my life. My car was standing outside the exact same CCD and neha was sitting at same table where we used to spend hours. It was alike abode where I and Neha had pooled sweet and bitter memories. I tried to calm down but its never so easy to confront your past. It wasn't for me either. I was stunned how come she is here and why? I was muddled. My train of thoughts interrupted due to guttural of horns. Signal has become green again. It was signal to me to move ahead in my life by my destiny. I drove my car.

Is that really neha or someone else look alike her? I probed to myself… ‘no it was her though I had banished her…I knew how she looks. I tried to rewind that moment. She was sitting on same table near the entrance of ccd , with our usual frappe in her hand, her apparel was so diverse now with black Indian kurta. I realised that I am again lost in her thoughts…

Once again my night went in fidgety…

13^th February 2010:

Its been a week, my schedule was unaltered. I used to pass through same road and same CCD. I repelled myself to look at place where my life was tumbled down but I couldn't, she used to be there every time and session of my sleepless nights resurrected so at last I decided to kill my curiosity and had to pry. I frantically got out of my car and started heading toward her. My heart was beating faster after each and every footstep of mine.

Finally I reached there, she was sipping her frappe, I still had no guts to pledgee the talk so I just cleared my throat to grab her attention. She looked up; her face was serene, disenchanted and anxious at the same time. She stood up to greet me; but couldn’t utter a single word. She just offered me to sit by her action

Suddenly every moment disbursed with her flashed in front me. Our first date, her touch, kiss, proposal, our wedding plans. Every damn thing was still thriving within me. I fondled like I’ll lose my control and will forgive her if i join her at the same place but then our last meeting flashed and my mind returned back to present. I thought her deeds, her back stabbing… everything was abruptly tidied up.I was in dilemma whether I should sit or not…

At last I made my mind by discerning about my present-day, it reinforced me to gather courage. I sat and placidly spoke “hi, hows you?” 

She was eyeing at me. I repeated my question acting as if she couldn’t hear me whereas I knew she did. “I am sorry” she retorted.

“What?” I asked as if I couldn’t understand why did she apologise ..

“Yes I am, I know its not enough but it would unburden me a bit.”

Tears started rolling over her cheeks, I silently waiting for speak up, We both knew that she wanted to… her laconic nature was too familiar to me but now situation was different, I was different…. I wasn’t settler anymore.

“He left me after 3 months for his girlfriend, he never loved me. He just wanted to marry me to make his parents happy so that he’ll get their property soon and he left after that. I was trapped, I was being cheated”

Her last line had stuck a knife into my heart. ‘Yeah you were cheated’

She wiped her face, took long breath and continued

“I am sorry, I really am.. I realised that how pathetically I behaved with you and your family. You never deserved it. Please forgive me. You know I always come here and cherish our memories. You were the best thing that happened to me. I am guilty”.

She bent down on her knees and what she did was totally wicked. She held my hand and uttered “Is there any chance that you could take me back in your life? I really love you … I  will never leave you again. I promise”.

I knew what I had to do next. I drew out my hand and held her shoulders to make her sit again on chair. She was expectantly looking at me. I opened my bag and removed envelope from it. I gently kept it on the table.

“Wedding card?” she exclaimed

“Yeah, I am engaged and getting married in few days. I have found my  ‘The ONE’. I hope  you understood what I meant.”

I zipped my bag and got up to leave “All the best for your life!”

I left café by deciding that I would never turn back now and all she could do was keep staring at my wedding card…..

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-Sujal Wade (SW) & Aditya Kasar (AK)