Holding all those unsold flower bouquets, I was taking all of them back to my room. The streets were clear as it was afternoon time. I was joyfully walking back to my room.
Suddenly, a stone came from behind and hit me. I yelled in pain. I looked back to see who was that. I could barely see anyone near to me. I was puzzled and then I started walking back. After some time, again a stone hit me. This time little hard. I couldn't understand who was, I started walking briskly to my room. I thought someone is tricking me. Suddenly my face was covered with cloth and someone was catching me from the back and started hitting me harder. I couldn't either see who he was or I could shout because he covered my face tightly with a cloth and banged.
How dare you sleep with my wife! he told in a very angry voice and banged me.
You, holy piece of shit! next time if I see you near my house. I m gonna kill you.
Suddenly woke up from my bed, my pulse was rising and covered with sweat all over my face. It was a bad dream. Very rarely I get these bad dreams.
Drank some water. It's morning at 3. I couldn't sleep. I tried a lot to sleep but I couldn't. I've opened the main entrance and went towards the balcony. The cold breeze was rushing pushing my hair backward.
The hair on my hands started to lift upwards. I sat on the chair, closed my eyes, and started to think. The words of Mrs. Lucy were still rotating in my head. I need to make a decision. I need to end these confusions, anxieties, guilt from my heart. After an hour, I decided what I am gonna tell her tomorrow. I have justified myself and I felt what I'm gonna do will be good for both of us.
Cuckoos started chirping at morning 7 itself. I woke up and my eyes turned out a bit red, as I couldn't sleep properly yesterday.
I need to get back to work because I have to meet my daily targets. I finished my daily chores and went back with my bouquets to the streets. My fellow vendors already started selling their goods. I started using my vocals to attract people passing by me to buy these flowers.
In between, I used to watch her window so that I could also see at what times she was noticing me.
Seconds passed like minutes and minutes like hours.
I have sold all the bouquets and I m done with my first target. The leftover target was going to Mrs.lucy's house and tell my decision.
I've opened the gate and was about to press the doorbell, she immediately opened the door.
(She was smiling, showing her thirty-two teeth. I just smiled at her.)
I thought I will not see you inside the home today. (kept a sad face)
Ok, I will leave then. Sorry for disturbing you.
She gave a serious look. I smiled and sat on the couch.
I could smell something pungent in the house. Did you burn anything, I asked her?
Honestly, I thought of making a variety dish for you but It turned into a disaster.
I laughed at her innocent face which she kept while telling. I couldn't control my firmness.
We went into the kitchen, the smell was very strong, I couldn't breathe properly. I've opened the windows, slowly the strength of the smell was lowering.
Today I'll show you my cooking skills, told with a chuckle.
Really? U know to cook also!.
I gave her a stern look by seeing her.
She giggled. Sorry sorry. ok, do whatever you want to but don't spoil my kitchen and laughed.
Very funny, Now You go out and sit I will finish cooking and will serve you.
No, I won't, and she started tickling me and hugging me from the back.
I took her to the dining table made her sit on a chair and tied her.
She was biting me when I was bundling her to the chair.
Wow, I can smell your food. It's lovely. Untie me I can't wait for more. Voices came from outside.
If you don't stop blabbering now, I'm gonna plaster your mouth too.
She was crying childishly.
I brought the dishes to the table.
I served food on her plate. I was feeding her with my hands. I could see those happy tears on her face. I wiped them off.
The food is lovely. I don't know you cook this delicious!. I love it.
Thank you, madam
Who taught you all this?
Life taught me, said with a smile.
I untied her.
She jumped on me and started kissing me.
Not in a mood right now. Please.
She wasn't hearing me, she was biting my ears.
I pushed her aside and went to the bedroom and laid.
She came slowly and started massaging my foot then slowly started getting on me.
No Lucy. Please stop, not in a mood right now.
She was acting deaf which made me angrier. I pushed her to the other side of the bed and shouted don't you understand what I m saying!
Later, She bent down her head and sat on the other side of the bed.
(No one spoke. She was expecting a sorry from me. Of course, I need to apologize because it was my mistake to scold her)
I m sorry, Mrs. Lucy I didn't mean to hurt you. It was not purposeful.
I need to tell you something, but you shouldn't say 'no' to that. You should not interrupt me until I say finished.
She said ok in a low sad voice.
I gave a pause.
I m going to Lucknow. I know I should have told you earlier itself but I didn't.
I m going there to start a food business. My friend called me two days earlier and said he got a place to start the business. We both are going to start this. You already know right, setting and settling up there is a bit tough. So I don't know when I m gonna come back. It could take a year or more. I cannot promise you whether I will come back or not. I can't make a call. I won't be having any contact with you. I am sorry Mrs. Lucy.
I am done talking.
Her eyes were fiery, the moment I've seen them I hung my neck down.
Is this completely true?
Are you only going because of business or because of yesterday's debate?
I nodded my head
Won't we meet again?
I don't know Mrs. Lucy
She did not utter a word
Fine, when are you leaving?
Today night at 10 pm.
Wow, So you have already decided to go!
Then why are you acting? Why are you even asking my opinion? Do whatever you want to do, I'm an idiot why do you even ask me.
I'm sorry, Lucy
Please don't say anything, I m getting annoyed by hearing your voice.
I stood and was going to leave.
Will you come again while you are leaving?
If you say, then I will.
She kept an irritating face, come by 8 pm.
I went back to my room. I was dying from inside. I felt guilty, that I did not tell my actual explanation for leaving this place.
I was leaving this place only because she would be happy later. I know the love which we had for few weeks isn't going to stay for a long time. I know I m not the one for her. Because I know after few more days I may not be the same person which she met the starting days. It was just an attraction between us. Although, if it was not an attraction then definitely we will meet again. Also, I don't want anyone in society to treat her harshly because of me. She's having a soft heart. She can't take this society's cruelty. Her life was already ruined. I don't want to be an extension for that. That's why I decided to leave this place. I know for few days she will be having a rough period. But she can overcome. I may be a cheater for her. She may be hating me by now. But it doesn't matter, all I want is she should be happy in her world.
At least I have saved her from this poisonous society.