Chapter 22: chapter 22

SHIVA’S PAST IN HIS OWN WORDS:(only relevant incidents to his current way of living) I was walking in the lobby waiting for Riya to come from the interview room. My interviews were over. I had got job offers but I am not taking any of them.The room door opened and Riya exited. She had a white envelope in her hand. Her face had the satisfaction of attaining the goal she had in her mind. But when she saw me her face fell.“You got the job?” I asked.“Yeah,” she told in a dull voice looking at the envelope. I extended my hand to congratulate her but she ignored it and said, “I have something important to tell you.”We both went away from the hustle and bustle of the interviews to a quiet place.“Shiva, the job is in abroad,” she told.“That is wonderful Riya. You will earn a lot more than here.”“I know Shiva but will you come with me abroad?” she asked.“Of course, when you are settled there in the job and when I have free time, I will visit you. Then maybe after a few years, when you return to our country, we will get married. I will wait Riya.”“I didn’t mean it as a vacation. I want you to accept the job offer and come with me abroad this year. We both can settle down there.”“Riya, I already told you that I have to take care of my father’s company.”“Fine then Shiva, let us break up,” she told. Those words were the most unexpected words of my life. “What did you say?”“You heard me right. If you don’t want to break up, then come with me abroad.” “But Riya, I have a mother and two sisters to take care of. How do you expect me to come with you abroad?” I asked.“Exactly Shiva, that is why I think we should put an end to this relationship,” she told in a cold tone.“Riya, I don’t understand. Why should you end this relationship? I am happy about your abroad job. What is the problem?”“Shiva, the problem is the distance. I want a boyfriend who will be ready to throw away everything and come with me; Not someone who is bound by family drama. If you had loved me then you would have accepted that abroad job letter.”“Come on Riya, I do love you. But I also have a duty as a son and brother.”“Do you think I am an orphan? I too have a family. I have to leave them and go to a new place. But I am ready to do it because it is my dream.”“Of course, Riya, I get it. Getting a job abroad is your dream. But you never told me about it when we were studying. If you had then I would have made some arrangements accordingly. It is now you are saying, I need some time.”“TIME?” she asked throwing her hands up in frustration. “You can’t do anything, Shiva. You have only two choices, either you accept the job offer and come with me abroad or stay here with your family. It is either me or them. Your family only wants your money, you can send  it to them  every month but I need you.”“You can’t say something cheap like that about my family,” I told getting irritated.“Am I wrong? Your father's siblings were money-minded what is the guarantee that your sisters aren’t like that?”I stood rooted to the spot. Is that what she had been thinking all along about my family? I wanted to argue but I didn’t as I know it was not the right time. I don’t want to leave my family yet at the same time I don’t want to lose Riya. I need time to sort this out but Riya doesn’t have the patience for it. I can’t miss Riya in my life. Damn! I can’t even imagine living without her. Every time I imagine my future, Riya was always there but now the reality is not the same as my imagination. “I am sorry Shiva, but if I don’t do this now then I will regret it badly. When it comes to my dreams no one can stop me.”“Riya, I understand and I support you. I never asked you not to go abroad. I just can’t come with you now. Maybe in a year I can,” I pleaded. But she seemed to have taken her decision.“Sorry Shiva, it is over. Everything between us is over. Thank you for helping me with my studies. Without your help, I wouldn’t have gotten this job letter. Goodbye,” she told with a final tone and walked away.✏️✏️✏️✏️GOWRIOH MY GOD! NO. NO. NO. NO. NOPE. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. THEY SHOULD HAVE HAD A HAPPY ENDING.Why The Hell Did I Decide To Read The Diaries?Because Shiva Is Not The Man Whom I Thought To Be.My heart sinks as I read and reread the breakup part. Shiva was so hopeful of leading a happy life with his ex but WHY DID THIS HAPPEN?He only wanted a happy home and wanted to be the world's best boyfriend and live with his ex forever. But. FATE IS CRUELI Am Mad. No, not on his ex. But with Shiva. He had let someone not worth disturb his life so much. He changed because he believed his ex's words about him and his family.If only Riya had some patience everything would have ended well.Fine! Let us not speak about ifs and maybes. Whatever must happen had happened. She broke up with him. But why the hell did Shiva let it affect his life so much?  Ah! How I wish I had met the pre-breakup Shiva? He was funny, sweet, caring and friendly. But the one I know is stone-hearted with no consideration for others' feelings. If I had married the pre-breakup Shiva then I would have definitely fallen in love with him.Wait, Oh my God Gowri, what the heck did happen to you? Why are suddenly thinking about falling in love? That thing can never happen. Love means fights and arguments. Hurting each other. I sigh and close the diary. Alright! I have developed a small crush on the pre-breakup Shiva. But I can never fall for the one I am living with because he is terrible and cold-hearted.🍀🍀🍀🍀