Chapter 44 - Reunion (2)

"I have missed you," Firdaus said. "I have spent many hours looking at your surveillance videos these past seven years."

"I know. I did, too."

Firdaus and his estranged wife stared at each other.

"I am sorry, Jagadhaatreyi," Firdaus said quietly, his eyes brimming. "You were the best thing in my life, and I threw you away because I stupidly thought it would keep you safe."

"I thought you didn't love me anymore – lower classes and their silly expectations of fidelity and all. You were sleeping with Nivedita, and you sent me away to Kolkata. And then you told me to leave you alone..." she broke off, looking away.

"I wanted to keep you safe...instead, I sent you into the jaws of death. What were you thinking, Jagadhaatreyi? Running headlong into danger like that – do you know how worried we were? Were you trying to get yourself killed?"

Jags looked down. "I had nothing to live for. And I needed to move, or I couldn't breathe."