Meera was stunned by his words. She looked at him in shock. So he really doesn't love me she thought sadly to herself. If he loved me he couldn't watch me leave him. Meera sat dumbfounded. She knew if she spoke her voice would choke and she would start to cry again. Then he would realise she desperately loved him. Dharam was also in shock. He couldn't believe he had just told her to go. How would he carry on without her. She was so different to any other girl he had met. He couldn't just let this pagal ladki go. But he knew if he truly loved her, her happiness should come first. Above all else. Dhara took meeras silence as confirmation she wanted to go home. He cleared his throat.
So we shouldnt waste anymore time. Pack your bags. I will drop you home tomorrow.
He tried to sound cheerful but there was a question in his voice "Ok Meera"?
Meera looked at him surprised. That was the first time he had ever called her directly by her name. her eyes filled with tears again. Still she remained silent.
Go to sleep now. I will drop you first thing.
The morning came. As Meera packed she looked sadly around the room she had come to love. She looked forward to the evenings they spent alone in this room, laughing until they cried. She had attempted to teach him English, he had shown her some wrestling moves. "My mirchi needs to learn to defend herself" he would say. "Do you honestly believe Meera Suryavanshi couldn't defend herself" she would reply...anyway there was no point thinking of these things. All hope had died now with Dharams words last night. Her hopes and dreams had died with those three words, "Meera, go home"...
Dharam cleared his throat. "Ok Meera Modi are you ready to go home"? Meera faked a smile. "Yes I'm ready, challo lets go".
They drove in silence. Occasionally Meera glanced at her husband powerfully gripping the steering wheel. His knuckles had turned white he was gripping so tightly. She turned to look out of the window. Her sadness overwhelmed her.
Dharam spoke. "Of course we need to divorce" he said. "I don't want to tie you down and I don't want you to waste your life either. Live it freely and be happy" He looked at her face looking for any sign only clue that she might have feelings for him. However she say there emotionless, her expression unmoving. She felt numb at his words. She felt like screaming at him "how dare you make me love you then send me back to that house"!
They pulled into the Modi driveway. "Please drop me here" Meera turned to Dharam. He replied "but I wanted to come in with you, explain everything to your family, I wanted to see you were ok"..."no I need to do this on my own". Meera climbed out of the car. Dharam walked around to the boot and removed her suitcase. "Well I guess this is it. I will miss having you around". "I will miss being around" Meera replied. She moved forward to hug her husband but hesitated. "Come on give me a big hug" Dharam smiled and gave her a huge bear hug. Meera loved it when he held her like this. It made her feel so safe as if she belonged in his big strong arms. "Ok I'm leaving now" Meera said Trying to be strong. She pulled away from him. "You'd better go or you will be late for work". Dharam looked at Meera for what he thought would be the last time. "We shouldn't stay in touch. Let's make a clean break". "Naturally" Meera replied. "No calling or texting". "Of course not". Meera felt her voice turn hard. How could he be like this? "Ok good bye". She turned and wheeled her suitcase down the huge Modi driveway. Dharam watched her for a few moments, "if she looks back it means she loves me" he told himself. He was looking for any clue, any sign to run after her but it never came. He climbed into his car and slowly drove away. He watched her in his wing mirror as he left both of them seperating further away from each other. He felt like his heart was breaking and for the first time in many years he cried like a baby.
When Meera heard Dharams car leave she stood still. Motionless. She couldn't return to the Modi mansion. Too much had happened. She knew she would never be happy there again. She turned around and walked back down the driveway towards the exit.
Edited by ninag - 10 years ago