CHAPTER 14. WARMTH

The sun was bright, there was delight in my heart ; While making steady steps, I emancipated myself from the pernicious past. Indeed it is accessible for people to assert their callous opinion upon other people, but it is onerous for them to comprehend the other person's predicament. They often say, quote/unquote, " If that person decided to abandon you, you should just let go ; If that person yearns for another, you let them go".

Yes, it is easier when said, but arduous when acted.

Certainly, it was impossible to obliterate the memories of the person you loved for so long, but I was making substantial progress in the process.

My father, Robert Shay resigned from Mcstream group and opened a business of his own. He invested in the textile industry. Although it was at the initial stage, yet it bestowed success on my father. My dear parents began to be happy again.

Gleefully, I picked up my bag and began moving towards the exit door. I had a dazed and anxious expression on my face as I needed to be at the hospital soon. Since I had made my decision for abortion, we figured that it will be better the sooner it is done. Since I was really panicked to even think about it, my best friend Eva decided to accompany me. I got in the car of Eva and we were ready to leave. Since it was a stressful time, we chose not to speak at all. Eva was driving, and I was sitting beside her. While peeking out of the window, I glanced over to see the bustling and humming life of the city. The city stood unchanged, though I did in few weeks. From being a married woman to a divorcee, from being a troubled woman to a carefree and from being the reason for someone's misery to the happiness of many. Soon enough, I will be a woman without an offspring. It ached my heart to even think of this measure, but life isn't always merciful. I would have loved to have the child if Seth and I were still together. When I got to know about the child in my womb, I thought of hypothetical situations. I thought of a reality where Seth didn't abandon me, a reality in which we were in love, a reality in which I was a mother and he was the father. We both would come back from our strenuous day, and still be glad that we have someone waiting for us. That would have been our child. The child would have been our reason to fall for one another again, to realize all the promises we once made. My thoughts really affected me on serious levels. The more I indulged myself in the thoughts, the more I found myself drifting away from the reality. After realizing the earlier thoughts were nothing but fragments of my imagination, I tried to turn my attention to the life that is yet to happen. Then, my thoughts were occupied with the intention of leaving the city. I had decided to start working in another city.

Thereafter, my train of thought was hindered the moment we arrived. Nervousness and unsureness clouded on my mind, and an abrupt fear began to evoke in my heart .

"I am feeling kind of anxious. I just want to go home, I guess", I exclaimed while trying to calm myself.

Eva held my hand in hers and responded with assuring eyes, " It is okay, you'll be fine".

We went inside to meet the doctor. I was given some liquid to consume and then, after some considerable time, they informed us for the operation. It transpired without any complications.

Eva is a sweetheart. Although she was tired, she drove me home. After reaching my home, I informed my parents about the deed I did and their response was that they would like to support and respect my decision. Then, they informed me that they were heading out for a party which was organized in the honour of the blooming business. I decided to stay back as I needed to leave the next day.

After taking a bath, I went over to sleep. The moment I try to shut my eyes, my phone began ringing. It was Seth again. I turned it to silent and went on to sleep.

It was late in the night, I felt being surrounded by huge arms. The drowsiness and the fragility took over my body, and I drifted to sleep ignoring the caress I was receiving. The warmth was very familiar. The fragrance of fresh mint prevailed around me. I felt tingling sensations in my heart. The warmth was as comforting as a warm quilt in an arctic winter. In my sleep, I averted towards the source, felt warm breaths , and then I rested my head on the chest of the comforting figure. I felt a sense of belonging, the one that I hadn't been feeling for quite some time. The arms that clutched around me began to compress me. Before dozing off, I felt a cordial laugh.

In the morning I woke up to the same warmth. I didn't wish to leave, but I had to. So, I woke up and astounded by the unimaginable presence of my ex husband, I yelled in grieve and rage.

I tried to slap the bastard, but he held both of my hands in his. He sat on the bed and made me sit on his lap. I tried to jerk away from him, but he captured me in his arms again. While sitting on his lap, I was captured by the hands of the scoundrel. He kept his hands on my stomach and whispered in my ear, "Take good care of my child, if you wish to live in peace. Otherwise the consequences could be dire , and you wouldn't be able to escape".

I picked his hand and bit him. He screeched in pain, and bit my earlobe.

"eeeeehhh", I gasped in rage.

I averted my gaze towards him and screamed, " I aborted the baby. We don't have anything that's holding us together anymore. You can leave now. I don't wish to be with you".

Seth seemed pensive. Though he was in deep thoughts, he still held me in his arms. I threw his arms away, got up and cried, " Go back to your Rose. Don't make life more difficult for me. I have just began to move forward. Moreover, we are not even married now".

He got up, moved towards me with steady steps and inquired, "Did you ask for my approval before getting it done? Who gave you the right to do so?"

I removed my gaze from his face and asked him to leave.

He neared me more and said, " Now that you have hurt my baby, you'll give me another".

I gaped at him with astonishment inhabiting my eyes and my mind and responded, "How could you be so shameless? Make your Rose do that for you. I am not your slave. Since, it is my body, I have all the rights to decide anything I wish to do with it. Moreover, you are not my husband anymore. So, leave now".

He kept both his hands on my arms and claimed, "Forgive me for all the griefs you encountered because of me, but I just can't let you go"

He brought me close to his chest and whispered softly, " I don't know what it is but I can't seem to forget about you. Though I have Rose now, I still feel so empty. It is as if I gave away a whole piece of my heart. The day I saw you on Evans's wedding, I was smitten and I couldn't stop thinking of you. Every gaze at you reminded me of the mistake I committed. In order to gain something which I thought would complete me, I gave away something which already did. If I could return back to the past and do it all over again, I would make amends. Just don't leave. I can't live without you".

Gawking at his audaciousness , I began to simper.

"Oh dear god, just how much of a fool do you think I am? You abandoned me when it was convenient for you, and now you're eloquently talking about rebound. One simply can not fix the shattered pieces of glass, cracks will always persist. That is today's dilemma. Since women are merciful and accepting, the men try to influence their reasoning on women's judgements and decisions. I am not a mere object that can be thrown and retrieved".

Seth neared his face towards mine, and kissed my cheek, I retained all of my cursed memories. I pushed him away and told him to leave.

Ignominy rewards humiliation. As the time ensued, I got ready and took my luggage. Consistent forgiveness can turn a man into fiend.

Forfeiture for unseemly behaviour will defend you from worthless inconvenience.

After gathering my luggage, I waited for the cab. My parents weren't back yet. I called my mother and inquired her about her whereabouts. She clarified the cause being the insistence of their good friends who made them stay at their place only for the night. I told her about my flight, and soon the cab arrived.

With eyes full of desire for a pleasant life, my lips curled into a huge smile . This year had been nothing but dismal, I hope the one waiting ahead will bestow bliss on me.