UNIVERSITY ARC
|"Kusuman, do you still love me? If it's true, I'm willing to forgive everything."|
My voice barely above a whisper, heavy with both doubt and hope. Kusuma's face lit up, her eyes gleaming with emotion. Her voice quivered as she spoke.
|"Yes, Manoj! How could I ever stop loving you? My love for you is real. You are the very heart of my existence, Manoj. I can't imagine my life without you."|
My resolve wavered as her words stirred something deep within me. Sensing the softening in my expression, she reached for my hands, clutching them tightly. Tears streamed down her face, her sincerity almost palpable, and I found myself slowly melting under the weight of her affection.
|"Manoj, whether you have money or not, I'll stand by you. Nothing, and no one, can come between us."|
Gently, I wiped away her tears and stroked her hair, feeling a warmth return to my chest.
I began hesitantly.
|"Kusuma, there's something I need to tell you—something I've been hiding from everyone."|
She looked at me, her brow furrowed in confusion.
|"What is it, Manoj? I don't understand."|
|"Not here. I want to take you somewhere special, a place where I can share my happiness with you."|
I hailed a taxi, and we set off on our journey. The destination was a park, my personal sanctuary, where I often went to clear my mind during moments of loneliness or introspection. As we neared the park, I noticed Kusuma's expression shift, her initial excitement giving way to disappointment. She had expected something more extravagant—a luxurious hotel or perhaps a grand surprise. But this was my refuge, and it was here that I needed to talk.
As time passed, I shared stories of happy memories, moments of joy, and how much I had missed her during our time apart. She listened patiently, though her heart was waiting for something else, the words I had yet to speak.
|"Kusuma, gesturing to the park around us. This is where I come when I feel lonely. It helps me find peace."|
She smiled, but there was a hint of irritation behind it.
|"Manoj, don't you remember? You said you had something important to tell me."|
I laughed awkwardly
|"Oh, right! I nearly forgot. But before I do, I need to ask you something."|
Kusuma's smile faltered, her expression shifting to one of concern.
|"What do you mean, Manoj? Ask me anything."|
I hesitated, searching her face for answers before speaking.
|"Why do you still love me, Kusuma? Please don't misunderstand—I'm just an ordinary man, struggling to make ends meet. I can't give you the life that Aadish could."|
She looked at me with tenderness, her concern showing in her eyes.
|"Manoj, don't talk like that. I know your situation, and I don't care about your status. I love you for who you are, not for what you can offer."|
Relief washed over me, and I couldn't help but smile.
|"Thank you, Kusuma. I'm glad you understand. I've always trusted you."|
She squeezed my hands gently, her eyes softening.
|"Manoj, I trust you completely. Now, please tell me what you've been hiding."|
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the revelation.
|"Kusuma, there's something I've kept secret from everyone. Actually, I…"|
Before I could finish, a young girl approached us, interrupting the moment.
|"Sir, we're from 'Hopeful Horizons,' a child health and education organization. We're collecting funds to support our children's education and healthcare. Would you be willing to help? Your donation could change a life."|
I smiled at her.
|"Of course. Do you have an account number or phone details?"|
The girl handed me her details with a grateful smile. I quickly made the transfer. When she saw the amount, her eyes widened in shock.
|"Sir! This is… a lot of money. Thank you! Your generosity will go a long way in changing these children's lives. We are truly grateful."|
As she left, I could sense the tension building in Kusuma, though she masked it with a smile. A few moments later, an elderly man, accompanied by the same young girl, hurried over to us, his face filled with awe.
|"Sir, you're the one who donated a million to our organization? Please, could you give us your name and address? We would love to honor you in front of all the children and staff."
Kusuma's tension grew palpable, and I could feel her unease radiating beside me. I waved off the man's request politely.
|"I'm sorry, sir. I'm not interested in recognition. I just wanted to help."|
The man nodded in admiration.
|"You're a rare kind of person, sir. Many seek fame, but you… you are truly selfless. We will respect your wishes."|
They left, thanking me profusely, but Kusuma was no longer smiling. Her confusion now overshadowed everything else.
She began, her voice edged with disbelief.
|"Manoj! did you really just donate all the money you had from the test?"|
Feigning surprise, I replied.
| "Kusuma! I wanted to surprise you with this news. How did you already know?"|
She still looked at me in disbelief.
|"A million, Manoj? You just gave away a million rupees! How could you do that?"|
I smiled softly, trying to calm her.
|"What are you talking about? Before I took that exam, I didn't have any money. Now, I'm in the same position. Nothing has changed, except now I have you."|
Her frustration boiled over.
|"Are you out of your mind, Manoj? You gave away a million without even thinking?"|
|"Kusuma, please calm down. That money will help those children. It's worth so much more to them than it ever would be to me. An anonymous benefactor helped me when I was young in this same way, and I'm only repaying that kindness."
But she wasn't listening anymore.
|"What are you planning to do in the future, then? Are you going to keep donating all your money?"|
I smiled again.
|"If I can, yes. I'll help wherever I can."|
Her expression darkened, her anger morphing into disdain.
|"You're a fool, Manoj. A complete, mindless fool."|
|"Kusuma, I told you from the beginning—I had nothing before, and I have nothing now. This is who I am."|
She began to show her true nature by changing her tune. Her voice rose, cutting through the quiet of the park.
|"You're a worthless idiot. It was a mistake to come back to you."|
I began, my heart sinking.
|"Kusuma, you promised that I was more important than money. Can't you even keep that promise for a moment?"|
She turned abruptly and stormed out of the park, leaving me standing alone. I dialed a number on my phone. After a few rings, a familiar voice answered.
|"Manoj, did she leave? I'm so sorry for…"|
|"Geetha. you don't need to apologize. You did nothing wrong. In fact, you helped me more than you know. I never thought Kusuma could be so shallow and again try to show her cheap behaviour."|
Geetha sounded relieved.
|"Thank God! I hope she doesn't come back again. But tell me something, Manoj—why didn't you just end things with her earlier? Is there a part of you that still cares?"|
|"I just wanted to give her a chance. I won't punish and fate only must deal with her soon enough."|
|"It's your call, Manoj. Take care. Bye."|
She hung up, and the silence of the park surrounded me once more.
I watched Kusuma's retreating figure, the anger in her steps echoing in the fading daylight. I sat down on a nearby bench, feeling the cool breeze wash over me, the evening sky slowly turning into a deep purple. The chaos of the moment seemed to dissolve into the peacefulness of the park, yet my mind remained a storm of thoughts.
I thought to myself.
"Kusuma, how much money did you see? Was it worth throwing everything away for? It was nothing more than a single drop of water in an endless ocean. You could've had so much more if you hadn't let your greed blind you."
If only she had seen beyond the momentary wealth, beyond the illusion of security that money brings. I had been ready to give her something far greater than money—a life filled with love, trust, and companionship. But she had let it all slip through her fingers for a temporary escape.
If you weren't like this, Kusuma, I would have shown you a life you could never have imagined. One filled with genuine happiness, the kind that doesn't fade with the rise and fall of fortunes.
Memories of her betrayal resurfaced—those moments when she had chosen someone else, thinking they could offer her what I couldn't. All for what? A few fleeting moments of luxury, perhaps. Yet now, when she had the chance to truly stand by me, to prove that her love was genuine, she had failed. She had cheated on me not just for another man, but for something far less valuable: a mirage of wealth, an illusion that could never compare to the bond we once shared.
I could've forgiven everything, Kusuma. I could've looked past the mistakes, the lies, the betrayal. But not this. You didn't just betray me—you betrayed yourself, your own values.
I had imagined a future with her by my side, but that dream had shattered long ago, even if I hadn't fully accepted it until now. Her actions had drawn a line that could never be crossed again.
Kusuma, maybe you never really loved me at all. Maybe you just loved the idea of me, the idea of security, of being saved. But love is not about taking, it's about giving too. And you… you couldn't give even the smallest part of yourself.
I stared into the distance, my thoughts fading into the silence of the evening. Somewhere deep inside, I knew this was the end—not just of her presence in my life, but of the illusions I had clung to about what we could be. It was time to move on, to leave behind the shadows of the past and embrace a future where love meant more than material wealth.
Kusuma had made her choice, and so had I.