Raghvi Drabble: A Parting Of Ways

A Parting Of Ways

Raghav walked into his room to see Pallavi sitting in the window, staring outside at the full moon.

“Pallavi listen..”, he began.

“Listen to what Raghav?”, she turned to him.

Raghav sighed as he ran his hands through his hair.

“The man was a cheat. He stole once, he would do it again.”

Pallavi stood up, “So you decided to beat him to a pulp. He was begging for mercy! I could hear him scream in pain.”

“In our business trust is everything. Cheaters don’t deserve mercy. He committed a crime so he must pay for it.”, Raghav moved towards her.

“The law can handle criminals Raghav, not you.”

“In our business, I am the law.”

“In our business, in our business. What is this business you are going on about? Smuggling? Getting naive people to do illegal things, ruining their lives for your so-called business.”, she scoffed.

“It is also the only way they can afford to buy themselves food because the law, that you have so much confidence in, won’t do anything about it.”, he retorted.

“Don’t change the topic Raghav.”

“Everything is a part of this topic Pallavi. You do not get a moral high ground just because you believe in the law and I don’t.”

“You think I put myself on a moral high ground! And honestly this isn’t the point.”

“But it is. You do believe deep down that I’m not as good as you because I like doing things my way and not the lawful way.”

“Your way is hurting people.”

“And yours isn’t? You try to sacrifice yourself every time and follow every rule on the planet but don’t you see how that hurts people. It hurts me, Amma, Keerthi, your beloved Deshmukh family. Yet, that is okay. Yes, I’m selfish and bad Pallavi but at least I’m not a hypocrite.”

Both of them stared at each other, angry, hurt and betrayed. The room itself seemed shocked at the conflict. The only light that entered was that of the moon and the only sound was their heavy breathing.

“I want a divorce.”, Pallavi broke the silence.

Raghav was taken aback, "A divorce. What? Where will you go? What will you do?"

“Back to the Deshmukhs, to Kolhapur, to Mumbai, anywhere. I’ll do an MBA, get a job, start a business, I don’t know. I just can’t stay here anymore.”

“And what about us?”, he said softly.

“I don’t think we can ever truly be us. Tell me.. If I ask you to leave this for me, will you? Will you be able to leave this don lifestyle, some of your men? Will you be able to change?”

“You know why I can’t leave Pallavi. ”

“I know but I cannot watch you make these choices anymore, so please let me go,” tears streamed down her face, but her voice held an air of finality.

Raghav had known deep down known that this day would come. It shouldn't have come so soon but then again he had delayed the inevitable for as long as he could, now it was time to let it happen.

"I have always told you, that the day you want to leave you are free to do so. You don't need my permission." Raghav said.

Pallavi lowered her head, "I'm sorry Raghav. I'm sorry for giving you hope. I'm sorry for letting you think we could last forever. I truly thought we could make it but I'm..", her voice broke as she uttered the last sentence.

Raghav bridged the gap between them.

"Don't be sorry. Some of my life's best memories are from my time with you and they will be with me forever. I knew that we would fall apart someday, but I stayed and I'm not sorry that I did."

Pallavi looked up at him and her lips quivered, "Thank you."

Raghav nodded as he stepped back. He began walking out of the room and paused.

"The lawyer will come tomorrow.", he said without turning back and walked out.

Pallavi stood frozen, staring at the empty door frame in darkness. A cloud had covered the moon.