It was pouring heavily that evening. The sky was rumbling with thunder and lightning that occasionally would scare away even the cats and dogs in hiding under the staircases and rooftops. The roads were barren with no sign of any human existence except sometimes the horns of the speeding cars and bikes on the main roads which would disappear even before they were seen.

 All shops were closed that day except Ramukaka’sdhaba which stayed open almost all day irrespective of the seasons. It was quite famous amongst the collegians and the office goers who would often have their chai-pe-adda and relax after a long day at work. However, that evening nobody was there except for a couple sitting under the shades enjoying the rains in their quiet and romantic way.

Naina looked out of her window and across the streets with tears in her eyes. She could see the couple and it pierced her heart even more. She imagined herself there with Rajat. Rajat was her love since school. At first they were neighbour’s which transformed to being best friends. In no time, their friendship had bloomed into love. She never could imagine anybody in his place as  he had seemed to be Mr. Right in every way, until that one Saturday when everything changed.

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Naina sipped her coffee and smiled as she saw Rajat come up to the terrace. She couldn’t hide her excitement any longer and as soon as she saw him.,She ran and hugged him tight, “Guess what! I just received the offer letter for my Masters in Biotechnology from one of the best universities of America that too with full scholarship. Isn’t that great? I can’t believe this is happening Rajat. I am just so happy.”

“You mean to say you will be leaving soon for U.S? I thought we were planning to get married after your graduation and then settle down in Mumbai. You never told me about this.” Rajat said slowly as he looked straight into Naina’s eyes.

“Rajat, I know we should get married but certainly that could wait for another two years. My career is important too. I cannot miss this opportunity and then it’s for us, if I get a better job later then it would benefit us.”

“I cannot wait any longer. I am well settled. I have a job and can feed my family without you even working. So what’s the need?

Look, if you do want to go then I won’t stop you but then you need to forget me because your fetish for your career would only delay our wedding for which I cannot wait. Choice is yours!” And saying so he stomped out of the house as Naina stared at her empty cup blankly. This was not the Rajat she had known.

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While she looked through the window, she remembered this conversation. It was hard to even think of a break up. It was hard to imagine a life without Rajat. It was hard to convince her heart that she had to make a choice between her love and her career. Time was running out and what was right had to be done. She had every reason to stay back and every reason to go. After thinking over it day and night she had finally made her choice.

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 “Rajat?I need to talk to you.”

“So, you thought over it. Huh?!”

“Yes, I have accepted the offer letter. I am leaving next month.”

Silence.

“I thought you would have made some sensible decision. But it seems you are out of your mind. Well, when you have decided what is best for you, we know what is best for us right now. I have nothing more to say. Goodbye Naina.”

She silently wept as she heard the click of the phone. It was all over.

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She constantly pondered over the talk they had the last time over the phone and she knew it was time to move on.

She was leaving the next day and she was done with all her packing. She had never travelled abroad and that made her jittery. She tried to calm down and focus on everything except Rajat. There had been no communication between them for the last one month, and it hurt to realize that it didn’t bother Rajat at all. That night was the last night in her hometown and she couldn’t sleep at all.

The next day was chaotic with her entire family hustling and bustling around to make sure she had everything that was needed. It was an overwhelming feeling with unbound emotions that threatened to pour out of everyone’s eyes as she entered the cab. She looked one last time at her parents and her sister and waved towards them as the cab started to move. She looked on to the other side of the house where Rajat lived hoping to have one last glimpse of him though she knew it was pointless. The hope of a goodbye kiss crashed, for the closed doors and windows said it all.

With a heavy heart Naina reached the airport. She was pretty early and out of habit she reached out for the novel she carried with her all the time when suddenly she heard her name from behind. She looked back and saw Rajat standing there grinning with roses in his hand. Naina had no idea what was happening, she kept the novel aside and stood up to face him.

“Naina, I know I made a big mistake. I was wrong, I misunderstood your dreams and your aspirations. But this past one month had been the most dreaded time of my life. How can you imagine me living without you forever? I was selfish to have even stopped you. Instead of being happy I hurt you for the wrong reasons. If it is not too late will you still forgive me?”

Naina smiled and then laughed out of happiness and wiping off her tears of joy she went and hugged Rajat, “Somewhere, I knew you would come back Rajat.”