I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU...
Dark circles under her eyes, hair unkempt, holding her phone in her hand, Pooja stood listlessly at the door, ringing the door bell. It was difficult to know if she was calm or dead inside. She looked exhausted.
The door opened. It was Niharika, her best friend. It’s hard to say what it was maybe a sight of a familiar face or just the presence of another human; like a broken dam, Pooja started sobbing, big round tears rolling down her cheeks, spoiling her kohl.
She jumped to embrace Niharika saying, “You were right Ninu...you were right!! I’m so stupid...I’m so stupid..!”
Seeing her best friend like that, something broke inside Niharika. Opening her arms, Niharika just said, “Ohhh...I’m so sorry sweetie...I’m so sorry that I am right!! I wish I wasn’t... I really wish...!”
Letting go of the embrace, still sobbing, Pooja said, “I should have listened to you Ninu. You told me, ‘Stay away from married men. But I didn’t listen. I mean, how stupid could I be? No married man would ever leave their wife for a girl he met in a metro. It’s simple logic!”
Niharika, wiped the tears off Pooja’s face, she said, “Love is anything but logical sweetie...love is anything but logical.”
Pooja calming herself, with said with determination, “That’s it. I am done with relationships. Now...it’s just you and me! That is enough! That is enough! You don’t ever leave me. You promise...okay!”
Embracing Niharika again, Pooja gave a weak smile. Niharika hugged her back, a little tighter this time, her eyes staring down at her own ring finger, on which a beautiful engagement ring made it home that morning.
Niharika with a lump in her throat, just mumbled, “I promise!!”
By Priyanka M (Coffee_pen_and_paper)
