Well, Neil never told me he loved me. Nor did he give me any false promises. I can’t fault him, right? I am the foolish one. I fell in love with him.With that little pep talk, Tanya got up to drink some water. Not wanting to eat anything, she took a warm shower before putting on her favorite pink t-shirt and pajama bottoms. Unwilling to cry anymore, Tanya took out some chocolates and sat in front of her television to binge watch her favorite love stories. Despite her resolve, she was crying again by the end of the first movie. “Oh, damn! Why am I still thinking of that jerk?”
“Because you love him?” The gentle voice startled her.
She looked at her doorway with wide eyes. “How…how did you enter?” Tanya got up, dispersing several chocolate wrappers in the process.
“I do have a key. Did you forget?” Neil’s voice was dry, laced with humor.
Tanya felt far from humorous. “In that case, please give it back to me and get out!”
Neil simply raised his eyebrows. Ignoring her outburst, he came forward. “Tanya…”
“Don’t! Do not come near me or attempt to touch me.” Her eyes started watering again.
“Why?” Neil was treading slowly, as he would approach a skittish animal.
“Because...because you know why.” Tanya cried. “I know you haven’t made any promises to me, but I cannot carry on with a man who’s looking to marry another woman.” She then broke down, her shoulders shaking with huge sobs.
Neil caught her before she fell down, holding her to his chest. He stroked her hair, letting her release all her pent-up emotions. Finally, there was silence, interrupted by occasional hiccups.
“Do you really think I’d do that to you?” Neil continued to talk to her in the same, soft tone.
“B…but that day…” Tanya paused to sniffle. “When you’d forgotten protection, you panicked at the thought of a child. What does that say about your commitment, Neil? And, why did you go to see another woman at all?” Tanya raised her tear-stained face at him.
“I didn’t know any of it. Believe me! Well, I did tell my mom I am open to seeing other women when I was in Mumbai last time.” Neil tightened his arms around Tanya when he felt her stiffen. “But, that was only because I thought you were dating Chopra and I didn’t know how to move on.”
Tanya gaped at him openly at his revelation. “Really?”
“Yes. I love you, you stupid woman.” Neil blurted out, wanting to get over the fight already.
Tanya gasped, before melting into his arms. “Just so you know, I love you too.” Her words came out like gibberish against his chest. She felt more than heard Neil chuckle.
“What was that?” He grinned at her expectantly.
“I said, I love you too.” Tanya’s smile slowly curved into a smile.
Neil suddenly sobered, “Regarding a child…huh, I just didn’t want you to feel tied down because of my carelessness. I would love you to be the mother of my child.” He kissed her forehead. Tanya smiled some more, hugging her man tightly. She squealed when she felt him lift her from the ground. “For all the torture that you have put me through, you deserve to be chained to my bed for the next ten years,” Neil growled into her hair.
Tanya giggled and suddenly stopped as they reached her room. “Wait! You weren’t supposed to return today, were you? How did you know about my er...heartbreak?”
Neil sighed. “Arjun!”
“Eh?”
“Arjun and Mailk are my best friends from college; well, Natasha’s brother too. The four of us are still tight. When you stormed off Nat’s boutique, they came to know about it and Arjun immediately called me.”
“Oh!” Tanya’s face rounded in surprise.
“Oh, indeed. Else, I would have been clueless. God knows how many more months you’d have wasted with your own imagined stories in your head.” Neil rolled his eyes.
Tanya simply poked her tongue out in a childish gesture. “And, before I forget, what’s the deal with Natasha and Arjun?”
“Ah well, I thought they had something going on several years back. They need to sort out their shit and soon. Can’t stand the tension around those two.” He nodded his head in exasperation.
“Can we…”
“Nope!” Neil didn’t allow her to finish the sentence. “No meddling in other people’s lives.”
“But…”
