Unrequited Love

By Sunitha Punniyamurthy

Rajesh had just logged into his office laptop when he got Suchi’s call. At first he didn’t want to attend the call, recently he had been avoiding everyone. Reluctantly he picked up the call only to be surprised that Suchi was waiting for him in his office lobby.

He had no clue why she was there. “Hey what are you doing here on a weekday”. She smiled “I had some leaves saved so I came over to surprise you and spend days at home. Now call in sick so we can leave and do something fun.” He got little irritated “I am already in office, how can I call in sick plus I have lots of work.” “Who else is in office at 6 am in the morning, just call your manager. Work can be completed some other day, I will wait here whole day but I am not leaving without you.” He sighed and told her to wait by the car exit gate.

He knew how adamant she could be and he would have scolded if this was someone else. She was his best friend for past 8 years. First they went for a movie she had already booked, then lunch and then bowling. He was zoned out during the movie, this was his first movie without Jiya on his side. It was almost 3 months but it felt more painful with each passing day. They had been a couple for an year and every place, every shop, every food reminded him of Jiya. He wanted to run away from the mall and be alone. Post Jiya leaving, work was the only thing keeping him sane. He was the first one to reach and last one to leave office. He went home just to sleep but sleep eluded him. Her memories, her promises, her last words kept him awake whole night. Weekends he spent holed up in his room, skipping meals and playing video games.

When they started bowling he became little relaxed. Suchi’s competitive nature made him more interested in playing. She was quiet on the drive back home. Before she got down she told him that there was something she wanted to talk to him about. She will come over to his house tomorrow and they can go for lunch.

After she got down all he could think was what did Suchi want to talk about. Why was she here all of a sudden. What was today all about. Why didn’t she mention Jiya in any conversation. Jiya was always suspicious about their friendship. Was her suspicions correct. He didn’t want to lose a friend. Today he couldn’t sleep for a different reason. In his heart he knew Suchi will never think of him that way nor can he but he was also curious with her sudden visit.

He got ready and waited for her. She came around noon to his room after talking with his parents downstairs. “Hey , you look ready. Let me tell your parents to get ready and we can leave.” He thought they were going for lunch alone so they can talk. “Are they coming with us?” he asked little disappointed.

Sensing his disappointment she sat down on the bed “ I thought we can go for a drive after lunch but now seems like a good time to talk.” He sat down next to her anxious. “why are you torturing yourself like this when the other person for this situation is living happily.” “You don’t know Jiya and how difficult this decision was for her.”

Suchi got a little angry “ I am not blaming Jiya, whatever decision she took she stood by it and is planning her future today with her husband. I will always be your best friend and I cannot see you self destruct. You had an entire life dreamed with her and whatever happened is sad. But what about your future, leave about you. What did your parents do in all this. Do you know how many times your mom fainted due to low BP in the last 3 months. How many times your dad took her to doctor. How many times a night your dad climbs up the stairs trying to talk to you. You pretend to sleep or work as soon as he opens the door. You leave the house before they wake up, come home late in the night. Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately. You have made yourself a prisoner in this room . But what you did not realize is that two more people are feeling all the pain you are experiencing. They are not asking you to move on or get married to someone else. All they want is for you to eat and sleep properly, may be smile once in a while. You lost the love of your life whom you had known for a year but they are losing a son they raised for twenty four years. It’s painful to see someone you love move on but it’s more painful to see someone you love not being able to move on. They are worried that you will never be happy again. When I told them what we did yesterday, they felt happy as if they themselves had gone out. Start being your old self slowly. Don’t do it for you or me, do it for your parents. For their unconditional love and support. You don’t have to hide your sorrow just try to share and slowly think about an alternative future without Jiya. Show them at least fifty percent of the love they shower on you. Let them not deal with unrequited love at this age. I will wait downstairs, decide if you still want to go lunch with us. Message me I will make an excuse accordingly.”

She got up and closed the door behind her. Twenty minutes later he went down and sat next to Suchi facing his parents. “So where do you want to go for lunch.” “There is this new restaurant near the airport heard great reviews. Little costly but food is good.”

His mom said “Let’s not waste money, I will cook something you both like.” He touched his mom’s hand and said “Let’s go mom. Tomorrow you can cook for us , we both will help.”

His mom became teary eyed. Suchi got up and pulled her “Come on auntie, you need to change into something fancy. I will help pick.” As both of them walked away, he saw his mom smiling for the first time in may be months. His dad got up and patted his shoulder. Rajesh felt he was back home after a long time.

By Sunitha Punniyamurthy