My Unrequited Love DISCONTINUED - Page 15

Six Years Later

"Turn on the TV Rishabh", a frantic Deepali burst open the doors to RK mansion's living room.

"Don't worry about the paparazzi reporting on our split. Bittuji took care of it". RK sat back in his recliner observing the moments of his recently divorced wife strolling across the room in search of a remote.

"Here", he gestured toward the gadget in her hand and she pulled up a livestream from a Saudi Arabian news desk.

"Breaking News: The chief war correspondent for Al Jazeera's Middle Eastern desk has been captured by the Hezbollah militants in the Syrian capital. There are rumours that her husband, Omar's lead actor, Mr. Simon Yager, may have been gunned down by another Shyiat group local to Gaza. Reports are mixed about the location of Mr. Yager but, the Hezbollah have just confirmed the kidnapping of Ms. Madhubala Yager and claimed full responsibility. It should be noted that the acclaimed reporter as well as her husband are of Indian descent and were based in Mumbai until a few years ago when they decided to move to Qatar and later, Saudi Arabia".

Rishabh felt as though someone had pulled the ground from underneath his feet. This half-forgotten memory struck dead center in the heart. His best friend, his other half in life had her life hanging by a thread. Even the last six years he had spent in regret of letting her go fell short when describing this pain. His body was in shock and unable to react. Somehow, somewhere, it was all his fault. Had he listened to her on their wedding night, had he not left that morning, had taken her hints seriously, had he not married Deepali six years ago, things would have been different. She would have been safe.

He finally regained his senses and rushed for the coat rack. "Where are you going?" Deepali called after him, even though she knew the answer all along.

And the scene from six years ago came flying back to her. When Rishabh received the wedding card with Madhubala's name printed as Yager, he stopped breathing. Then, he pretended to ecstatic, thrilled to be the best man at "his girl's" wedding. But not for long. One of those blue nights, Simon gave him a call and asked him not to come. "She wants to be happy, just one night. Don't ruin it for her".

With shaking hands, he put the receiver down and vowed to wed Deepali the same night as Madhu. And it wasn't love, he insisted. It was anger toward his friend for isolating him from her life. It was anger that she went half a world away without saying goodbye. Deepali took his excuse that day and spent the rest of her days regretting that day.

Their love wasn't good enough. Their marriage wasn't good enough because the mere idea of Madhu's relationship was better. Deepali always believed his insecurities drove them apart but now she saw the real reason. It was Madhu. Even miles away, she had a handle on his heartstrings and it was about time Deepali let him go.

Before closing the doors on her, he said the final word, "I am going to bring her home".