Posted:
14 years ago
I sigh. What am I doing? I had resolved to stay away from him, hadn't I? So what am I doing, sitting in his car, going to some god-forsaken ice-cream place?
Why had he asked me for ice cream in the first place? What does he want to do?
Well, whatever he wants to do, it better be quick, because I have to go pick Amit up from school at 3. I really really hope he doesn't find out about Amit. Because if he does, it's gonna get BAD. And by bad, I mean BAD………
I mean, why wouldn't he be angry! He has every right to…… But then again, I have more right to be angry. He said he would come back, but he didn't.
Arrrrggghhhhh……My life is one BIG mess right now.
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Why is it so quiet in here? Ohh……because she isn't talking to me…….
God, I'll die if she doesn't say anything……….
I tell myself to talk.
"So……..when did you come?"
She answers politely. "Just a couple of days ago."
Okay, we're here. Thank god……….. We get out and start walking towards the store. The lady asks us what we want. I tell her I want a butter pecan ice-cream (without the cone, of course; I don't know how people can eat that) and I look at Nikki to ask her what she wants.
But the reply shocks me. "I'll have a vanilla, without the cone."
She notices me gaping at her, and questions me with her eyes. I immediately shake my head, denying.
What has happened to her? She hated vanilla. Moreover, she hated any plain or "professional" flavor. She always wanted bubblegum or chocolate swirl fudge with gummy worms – always the kiddie flavors. And she couldn't digest the ice-cream without a cone.
As the lady scoops out our ice-creams, I take a long look at Nikki. Her cheeks and face are pale, she has lost weight, and her eyes lack the luster that they had when she used to be with me. The smile, her bubbliness, her childishness………it's all gone. And I know why.
Because of me.
The lady gives us our treats, and after we thank her, we sit on a bench, overlooking the city.
I need to figure out if there is any chance of her coming back to me.
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I concentrate on my ice-cream. I can feel his eyes on me. As I look up, my breath is caught in my throat. We can see the whole city. It looks so beautiful……….
Suddenly, he talks. I turn to face him, and as I turn, he grasps one of my hands.
"Nikki, how have you been?"
I try to talk, but the intensity in his eyes is making me melt.
"I've been better," I say with a sad smile.
There is silence for a while. Finally, his voice breaks it.
"Nikki. I'm sorry. I meant to come back, you know I did. It's just that……Well, there were a lot of problems, and Maa's condition didn't let me –"
I interrupt him before I melt completely.
"Abhi – It's okay. I know you meant to come back."
That's all I can manage right now. Yeah, right. 'I wanted to come back.' If he did, why did he not come back? He was gone for 4 years. He could have called or atleast sent a letter or even emailed me.
But he didn't.
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She had said it was okay, but I know it isn't. Nothing's okay now. But I have to make it right.
I decide to lighten up the atmosphere.
"So," I say, "Have you gotten married?"
She looks at me wistfully.
"No."
She said no. She said no. God, thank you so much for this opportunity. My mind is jumping in excitement. There is a chance for us. This is great………This is GREAT. Fabulous. Mind-blowing. Perfect. Now, I just have to make her fall in love with me again – which shouldn't be too hard, since she did it the first time………Okay, Abhi…Start planning.
She notices me lost in my own land and pulls her hand out of my grip.
Her next line sends my mind reeling.
"I'm haven't gotten married. But," she pauses, then takes a breath, looks into my eyes and whispers, "But…..I have a son."
Edited by AbhiNikiLuver - 14 years ago