Ladies I am back with the second part. Hope you like it. It is a short one. Next would be longer I think.
It has been a week. A week since he sent the divorce papers. A week since she had locked herself away from the world. A week since he was waiting for the signed papers from her. But there was nothing and with each passing second his hopes of them being together again burned a little brighter which he suppressed ruthlessly. He won't be able to take heartbreak again.
He was uneasy. He had not seen her since a week. Not even Krish had seen her- only one from the family who kept in touch with her and who she kept in touch with. He had imagined her to come herself with the signed papers and haughtily tell him that she is happy to be free of him. But this absence- he wasn't prepared. Yet she would soon be totally absent from his life. His heart broke again at the thought. He cannot remember a time without her in the vicinity. Each time he has pushed her she comes backs again but not this time.
This time it had been a push too hard. He hadn't meant to speak that way with her. He had seen her expression change from anger to disbelief to shock to fury. And then she had slapped him. She who had never raised her hand on anyone. And he had seen her glance at her own hands with disbelief too- as if she couldn't believe what she had done. The slap fuelled his anger and he broke their relation. They had walked away in opposite directions. The confrontation at home didn't help matters either- he had again told her to get out of the house. He knew she was hurt too much to come back this time. Maybe it's for the best - now they can both separate easily.
Easily? Who was he kidding?
Words. Words can leave a person wounded and bleeding without anybody knowing. Since he has known Raavi's weak spot, each time they had met he had screamed at her that she can go away with her friends. Each time there was outrage in her expression. And no forgiveness.
12 year old Shiva had thrown gola on her new dress. She was back to normal in a few hours.
13 year old Shiva had taunted her if she had no other friends. Always hangs around with them.
Maami ki behen ki beti, tu apna alag thikana dhoond na.
15 year old Shiva had stopped her from entering Pandya house- there was no place for her here.
17 year old Shiva had told her that she looked like a total chipkali when they had met at a wedding function and she actually looked gorgeous. Raavi's face had fell but she bounced back again in no time.
Hadn't she always? Always she came back.
First time Shiva had feared that he would lose her was when he ruthlessly traded her for his mother's kangans. He hadn't spared her a glance throughout the ceremony because he knew he would fall weak if he looked at her. He had seen her hurt. Her expression screamed betrayal. Then she was angry and furious refusing to come back. He thought it would be the end for them. Yet she understood what he had tried to do; seen his motives more than his actions and came back to him again without fuss. Shiva had felt a strange peace engulf his soul seeing her back in their room and he just stood at the door happy to see her back.
But this time he had gone too far. Forget coming back, she didn't want to see his face any more. He did not want things to end on such a bitter note for them. He missed her terribly but didn't know how to apologize. She had always forgiven him and he had taken her forgiveness for granted.
Maybe it was for the best? Raavi would be free of him. But would he be free of her ever?
The question stumped Shiva. He left the things he was arranging at the store. He wanted some fresh air. As he turned, he saw her coming towards him.
She looked pale and maybe she had lost some weight too. Raavi, what did you do to yourself? Where is the Raavi I have known throughout my life?
She was coming towards him. Shiva alone knew what it took to not take her in his arms straightaway. Hope reared its head again- is she coming back to him again?
Stop Shiva. Maybe she finally signed the papers and this is the end of them for good.
His heart ached at the thought. He drank in the sight of her. Who knows what will happen next?