That first visit set the tone for something we both seemed to need without realizing it. Before we left that evening, we’d made a quiet pact—to meet at the same cafe every Saturday.
It became a ritual, one that didn’t demand much of either of us but gave us a space to be ourselves. Saturdays turned into little islands of peace in the middle of chaotic weeks.
Life didn’t change much beyond those Saturdays, but in a way, everything changed.Chapter: A Day of Revelation
Urja’s voice, gentle yet brimming with excitement, broke the silence over the phone. “Are you free tomorrow? I really want to watch the new movie that just released.”
“Sure,” I replied without hesitation. “I was actually thinking about watching it too.”
The plan quickly came together. I booked a 2 o'clock show, proposing we meet at 12 for a late brunch. When I shared the idea, she readily agreed. “Sounds perfect,” she said, her voice carrying a hint of warmth.
That night, as I lay in bed, my thoughts wandered to Urja. One of my quirks—call it a habit or perhaps an oddity—was analyzing the personalities of people I spent time with. Not to judge them, but to better understand their situations and respond with empathy. Urja intrigued me. Her vibrant exterior seemed to mask a quiet sadness, something I’d noticed in fleeting moments. Yet, I never pried. If she wanted to share, she would. Until then, it wasn’t my place.
It was well past 2 a.m. when I finally drifted to sleep, resolved to finish my paper the next morning before our meeting.
---
The next day, I woke early and dove into my paper, determined to meet the deadline. However, time slipped away faster than I anticipated, and I found myself running late. I messaged Urja, letting her know I’d be half an hour behind schedule. Surprisingly, she didn’t reply immediately—a rarity.
When I arrived at the newly opened restaurant we’d chosen, I spotted her seated at our reserved table. A middle-aged man stood before her, his posture rigid, his voice low but intense. Then, without warning, Urja’s face crumpled, and she began to cry. Before I could process what was happening, the man stormed off, leaving a trail of anger in his wake.
I rushed to her side, heart pounding. “Urja, it’s me, Nilabh,” I said softly, placing a comforting hand on hers. “What happened?”
She looked up, tears streaming down her face, and without a word, leaned into my shoulder, sobbing quietly. Seeing her in pain was like a dagger to my chest, and I felt utterly powerless.
After a long silence, she finally spoke, her voice trembling. “I’m sorry for this.”
“Don’t apologize,” I replied gently. “That’s what friends are for—to lean on when things get tough. I’m here if you need someone to talk to, or even just someone to sit beside you.”
Her gaze lingered on mine for a moment before she nodded. “Can we talk?”
---
What followed was a revelation that left me grappling with a mix of emotions—admiration, sadness, and a deep respect for the strength she carried within.
Urja shared her story, every word laced with pain and resilience. Her mother, an orphan, had fought against the odds to raise her alone after Urja’s father—a callous playboy—abandoned them. To provide for her daughter, her mother had taken on multiple jobs, including one she was often judged harshly for.
“That man,” Urja said, her voice breaking, “was an ex-client of my mother. He… he said I was just like her and demanded…” She paused, tears threatening to fall again. “He demanded I sleep with him.”
The air between us grew heavy. I clenched my fists, anger simmering beneath my skin, but I forced myself to focus on her.
“My mother worked herself to death for me,” she continued, her voice quieter now. “Last year, she passed away from exhaustion. She was my everything, Nilabh. And now…”
She looked at me, her eyes pleading. “People judge me for what she did, or they see me as… as someone they can use. I thought everyone was the same until I met you.”
Her words hit me like a tidal wave. I took a deep breath, searching for the right thing to say. “Urja,” I began, “you and your mother are warriors. From where I stand, she gave everything to give you a better life. That’s not shameful—that’s heroic. And you? You’re a kind, strong soul. Don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise.”
She smiled faintly, her cheeks damp with tears. “You know,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper, “I think I’ve fallen for you all over again.”
I froze. My mind raced, but words eluded me.
She laughed softly at my stunned expression. “Don’t worry, Nilabh. I’ll make you fall for me too.”
---
By the time we checked the clock, it was nearly 5 o'clock—we’d missed the movie. Urja immediately started apologizing, flustered and guilt-ridden.
“It’s fine,” I assured her. “I’ve already rebooked a 7 o'clock show. Let’s grab some food in the meantime.”
After a quick lunch, she suggested we spend the remaining time at the beach. “My mother loved sunsets,” she said, her voice tinged with nostalgia. “She used to take me there whenever she had time.”
The beach was serene, bathed in the warm hues of the setting sun. We sat in silence, the waves lapping at the shore, lost in our thoughts.
When the time came, I asked, “Are you sure you want to watch the movie? We can reschedule.”
“No,” she said firmly, her eyes glistening with determination. “I feel better now. Let’s go.”
---
The movie turned out to be a gripping spy thriller, with a twist that left us talking about it for hours afterward. We grabbed tea from a beachside vendor and sat under the glow of a full moon, discussing the director’s past works and promising to explore more of his films together.
As the night wore on, I offered to drop her home. She accepted with a grateful smile. When we arrived, she hesitated before getting out of the car.
“Thank you for everything today,” she said, her voice soft. “And for listening to all my blabbering.”
“Anytime,” I replied. “If you ever need someone, just call me.”
Then, to my utter shock, she leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to my cheek. Her face turned crimson, and before I could react, she murmured, “I love you, Nilabh,” and darted away.
That night, as I lay in bed, her words echoed in my mind. Was it real? Was this love? Or was it something else entirely? I didn’t have the answers, but one thing was certain—this day would remain etched in my memory forever.
Please log in to leave a comment.