Meeting His Past

Avishek was waiting for me in the car. Our house wasn't that far away. It took maybe around half an hour. I looked at Avishek when he took the wrong turn. He looked tensed and dazed.

"You took a wrong turn." I said.

"I know. We have to go somewhere else first." He said, distracted.

"Everything alright?" I asked, concerned.

He didn't reply. Just looked straight ahead.

Okay, then.

Maybe after 20 minutes, he stopped the car in front of a café. Sunshine Café, it said. Curious, I followed him inside. He looked around the place as if searching for someone when he suddenly went still. I followed his eyes to see a woman, maybe our age, looking at Avishek too. I don't know how long they stared at each other and I was starting to get a sinking feeling in my chest. I didn't like where this was going.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, he moved towards her. My legs carried me involuntarily as well. Standing in front of the teary-eyed woman, cold seeped inside my bones when I saw Avishek's eyes welling up too.

It had to be her.

I felt like an intruder, looking at something I had no right to look at.

"Ruchika", Avishek whispered.

"Long time Avi" she replies smiling as a lone tear dropped from her eyes.

I wanted to get out of there, I didn't want to see my husband's past, but it was as if I was rooted on the spot.

"H- ", his voice cracked, "How are you?"

"I'm okay. How are you? How is uncle, aunty?"

She knew mom and dad too?

"They are good. They just moved in with Rahul" he said, "my son."

It was as if a bucket of water poured over both of them and they finally seemed to notice me. I should have definitely left when I had the chance.

"Is she your wife?" she asked hesitantly.

"Yes", Avishek said no more.

Is he not going to introduce me?

I should leave. It's clear, they wanted to be alone, to talk about whatever the hell they wanted to talk.

I managed a smile and said, "I'll wait in the car", and left before anyone said anything.

I walked out of the café, walked to the car, opened the door and flopped into the passenger seat. She's back. The love of his life, she's back. Whenever my mind wandered about Avishek's past, I had always pictured that girl as this beautiful woman who turned heads when she walked into the room. I was right. Ruchika was beautiful. Even with dark circles under her eyes, messy hair that looked like she hadn't washed it for days, her tired smile, she was still beautiful. I could only imagine how she was when they were young.

Why now though? After all these years? I didn't ask anyone about his past. I simply thought mom and dad didn't know about them, but based on what I heard, she clearly knew them.

I sat there lost in my thoughts for almost an hour.

Idiot, why the hell would he even remember you when he was with Ruchika now. You should've told him that you were going to leave.

Should I leave now? Is he going to worry if he won't see me here?

Yeah, right, my brain scoffed.

Just as I was about give up and go home by taxi, I saw them coming out of the café. It hurt to look at them. They looked good together, she came up right up to his bicep, they looked like the ideal couple, you know that kind where you look at them and go, "no wonder, they are together."

I was so focused on their pairing; I almost missed the luggage Avishek was carrying.

What? Where did that come from?

He opened the boot to place the luggage at the back while Ruchika entered the back seat.

Is she coming with us? To our home? I thought with horror.

"I'm sorry for earlier. We didn't get introduced properly." She smiled at me and extended her hand, "Hi, I'm Ruchika."

I hesitantly placed my hand onto hers and introduced myself, "I'm Seema."

"Avishek said it was okay to come home with you. I hope you don't mind. I have some problem going on at home, I will be out of your hair soon, I promise." How could I say no when Avishek had given his consent?

"I told you, you can stay as long as you want. You don't have to hurry." Avishek said entering the car and putting on his seatbelt.

Right, who was I to say no? I thought bitterly.

"Still, Seema, I am really sorry to intrude like this. I don't know anyone here other than Avishek. I just came back from US today. I will be out of your house as soon as I find an apartment." She rambled.

Am I too gullible or did she seem genuinely concerned about intruding in our house?

"It's okay. Really. Like he said, you can stay as long as you want." I try to smile at her.

She breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you, thank you so much. I was so worried about offending you."

"No problem" I say and turn my head towards the window.

Really, she didn't offend me, she was a stranger. I was offended by the way my husband invited his past in our house without even telling me.

Isn't he a stranger too? my brain mocked.

Shut up.

The rest of the ride was silent. All of us seemed to be lost in our own thoughts.

When we reached home sometime later, I was wondering whose room should she stay on? We didn't have a guest room. Should I show her to Payal's room?

"You have a beautiful house. Are two of you staying alone?" she asked looking around.

"Yes, Payal and Rahul got married the same day few months back, and mom and dad went to stay with Rahul at his new home." I say.

"Both of your kids are married? Wow, that's fast."

"Yeah, kind of. How many kids do you have?" I ask her.

"None. I can't have kids." She said flatly.

I stumbled on my way to the Payal's room. I turned to look at her to see her scowling at the sofa.

Shit! You really are an idiot.

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't know. I didn't mean any- "I start to amend the mistake.

'It's fine." She smiles tiredly.

Deciding to change the topic, I took her to Payal's room. I started showing her the things she might need at night and asked if she needed anything to eat.

"No, thank you. I don't have an appetite. It's been a long day. I just want to sleep." She said opening her luggage.

"Okay, then goodnight" I wished her and turned around to see Avishek leaning against the door frame looking at Ruchika.

Just as I was about to leave the room, I heard, "Guys, thank you. Really. It was an impulsive decision to take a flight to India. I don't know anyone here. I'm really grateful." He eyes welled up and I saw Avishek stiffen from the corner of my eyes.

Huh, are her tears weak spot for him?

"It's okay. It's no problem at all. You should sleep now. We can talk tomorrow." Avishek soothes her.

I just smile at her and we both leave the room. I was just about to walk into our room when I heard, "Seema" from Avishek.

I paused for few seconds.

"yes" I say without turning to him.

"I hope you don't mind her staying here. I got a call from her when we were about to leave Rahul's home. I'm sorry I didn't ask you before inviting her here." he says.

What the hell is happening? I turned to stare at him open mouthed. He is actually saying sorry.

"Uh, it's no problem really. She called you for help. You couldn't have said no. I don't mind her staying here." I stammer.

He stared at me for fewseconds before nodding and entered the room passing me. As usual, I didn't askanything to him, he didn't explain anything to me. We both wished good nightand turned off the lights.

But I doubt sleep came easily to both of us thatnight.

It's a long chapter this time. I hope you liked it and don't forget to vote and comment.