You and I, plus 2 years of marriage!

It is over…?

 {1}

Bhuvan paced in the living room of his flat. He was comfortably dressed in his cotton boxers and vest. He did not bother to look up at the clock again, because it would only increase his restlessness. Deep in thought he ran his hand through his ruffled hair. There was a beep on his phone. It was a WhatsApp alert from his Manager, reminding his juniors about the next day’s meeting with the client. He cursed under his breath and tossed his phone back on the sofa. On the small table nearby was a framed photograph of Uttara sliding a ring onto his finger. It was taken during their engagement. Strangely he peered at it for a few moments. She was dressed in a green silk sari and a smile had lit up her face. He swallowed the lump in his throat and looked away.

Should I really tell her today…? But this can’t go on for long. It is only going to hurt us more. Someday we will have to come to this decision and the sooner, the better!

He let out a sigh and slumped on the soft cushion of the sofa. He was exhausted, both physically and mentally. There was a lovely painting of a valley on the wall.

When was the last time I went on a vacation?

After much thought he realised that it was over a year ago. They both had gone to Coorg for a week. It was during the month of November and the climate had been not only cold but also pleasing. To be precise it was a place meant for sheer romance! Once again Bhuvan questioned the resolve that he had made after sleeping over it for so many days.

I have to tell her. Today.

When he heard the tapping of heels in the corridor, impulsively he looked at the clock. It showed 12.20. Quickly he went and opened the door. Uttara was looking for the key in her bag, when he stood at the threshold. She slightly frowned in surprise and displeasure. Quietly she walked in after giving him a cursory glance. She had not expected him to open the door for her.

‘Why are you late?’ he asked curtly.

‘We had a party in the office,’ she said brusquely. Bhuvan was almost tempted to ask why she had not informed him earlier about it. Instead he chose to forgo that question because he had stopped discussing his evening plans with her long ago. She started walking towards her room without waiting for further questions or comments. She was in desperate need of sleep!

‘Wait a minute!’

Uttara gave him a look of annoyance. She had already used every ounce of her energy for the day.

‘What is it?’

‘We need to talk,’ he said on a serious note.

‘Can’t we have this conversation tomorrow? I am really exhausted,’ she said rubbing her forehead.

‘I am exhausted too! But this is important,’ he said firmly. She left her bag on the dining table and pulled out a chair. She drank some water and sat down hoping that he would not waste more time and finish it soon. Bhuvan put his phone on silent mode and sat opposite to her at the table. He knew the importance of that conversation and did not want to be disturbed. He took a deep breath and fixed his gaze on her, his wife for over three years.

‘Look Uttara, we cannot go on like this for long. I think we have outgrown our relationship and its time to take stock of things. The very essence of our bond is lost. We are no longer happy being together. It is time we end this.’

Uttara looked at him dumbstruck! She took a few moments to comprehend his words. Exhaustion combined with unfathomable anger boggled her mind.

‘What do you mean, Bhuvan? End what?’

‘Divorce,’ he said hoarsely. The confusion was wiped clean from her mind. That one word had indeed put an end to everything between them. It did not invoke any feeling of shock in her, because she had also been mulling over it for a long time now.

‘Are you sure?’ she asked calmly. Her indifference pricked his heart.

‘Yes. Divorce by mutual consent.’

‘So you want to end our marriage, the life that we shared for the past three years, isn’t it?’

Bhuvan once again ran his hand through his hair. Suddenly it reminded her of the initial days of their marriage. She had always loved ruffling his smooth hair.

‘What life are you talking about? We don’t have time for each other! When was the last time that we shared a peaceful dinner? There is nothing that holds us together anymore. It is over!’ he said fiercely. His anger was directed both at her and himself. He was feeling vulnerable and agitated.

What is it that has led us to this decision today? This was not how we began our journey of togetherness. What happened along the way that we no longer see each other eye to eye?

She could find no answers to the questions enveloping her mind. Yet she was certain that they both had drifted apart and they could never come back. It was nothing but foolishness to stretch this ordeal any longer.

‘Alright. Let’s go for a divorce,’ she said plainly. Without further delay, she walked into her room and latched the door. Bhuvan was stoic, unable to express the turmoil in his mind. It was not easy for him to come to that decision but he was left with no choice. They constantly had ego clashes and heated arguments which had robbed them of their inner peace. After a long time they both had a real conversation and came to a decision without any argument. At least now they both agreed on something. Both did not deny that they could no longer live together. The vows during their wedding, the elaborate celebrations, the happiness and love were lost. A decision to end the life of three years had been made in a matter of minutes. It was over…

                                            To be continued...