APART

It is been six months since I and Krish drifted apart. He has also sent me a signed divorce paper to me three months ago. I stare blankly at the ring wrapping my ring finger, the void in my heart expanding. It was the ring with which Krish proposed to me as Abhishek. My lips curve into a smile as the memories start playing inside my head. It is too painful at the same time happy to think about it. The only things I did these months were wake up, take care of Aaradh, eat, cry, get comforted by people, have a minimal talk, sleep and repeat. Mathew was around me everywhere. He took care of Aaradh most of the time and also took the best care of me. He made sure I was healthy. He tried all the ways to distract me, though he knew it won't help. Thoughts about Krish were stuck to me like a leech.

Catherine was a best companion to me. She cried with me every time. She loved me like a sister. Sahana was cheerful like always. She never failed to bring s smile to my face, every time I was sad. She always came up with new ideas to entertain me. She also missed Krish but she never showed it to me. She always avoided the topics which relates to him. She was an exact copy of Mathew.

Shrey visited us every weekend. He always gets some new baby products for Aaradh every time. Though it has only been hardly few months since he met me, he takes care of me like his sister. His wife always sends me homemade sweets and he always brings me a bar of chocolate. He tried distracting me in his own ways, like talking about some new interesting cases. He purposefully acted dumb so that I could forget things for some time while scolding him. He was now an added member of my family.

Riya was five months pregnant now so the couple was in Pune with Rachel's parents.

Akash makes sure to meet me every day or at least call me. That kid was now in love with his colleague. He had gotten better in modeling and has also signed for a short film now. He loved Aaradh like his own kid. He eagerly waited for weekends so that he can take care of him. I know that he is the reason why Krish has not lost his mind still.

Aaradh, the cute little son of mine was the sleep spoiler of our house. Every night he starts wailing once everyone is sound asleep. After a session, of playing with all of us, he will sleep peacefully with no idea about how he has spoiled our sleep. Right now he was speaking in gibberish to Sahana, sitting on the floor. She was acting as though she can understand everything. He speaks a few words now, and the first meaningful word he said was 'papa'. I wanted to see Krish's reaction but my bad I can't.

Mathew was getting ready to drop Aaradh at Krish's place. It was Friday today, but still Mathew wanted to drop my son there because he has planned a blind date for me. I know it is ridiculous to go on a date with a random guy when my mind, body, and soul were filled with Krish and Krish only. I couldn't even stop his visuals even in my dreams. Those dreamy eyes, that smile that could mesmerize anyone, that smooth and silky hair in which I loved to run my fingers, that voice that automatically produces butterflies in my stomach, and the strong pair of hands which always held me securely and everything about me haunts me. Listening to music was the last thing I wanted to do because every time I heard the music it reminds me of him singing songs.

I dutifully got ready for the date, the only thing I could do was listen to Mathew. He has done so much for me. I was in my white turtle neck T-shirt and black pair of jeans. I let my loosely fall on my shoulder and wear light makeup. He drove me off to a rooftop restaurant, the location of my date. Once he parked the car, a tall man who is my date tonight came to escort me to the table. Mathew hugged me with a smile and took a leave.

The man and I sat opposite each other. The table was filled with dishes I like, I know it was all Mathew's idea so I get impressed by the man sitting in front of me. Though I was physically present here in front of a guy who is my date tonight, my mind wandered around the thoughts of Krish. I remembered the dates he has taken me to. I remembered the times irritated him, scolded him, had illogical fights with him, etc. The wine bottle in front of me reminded the way he prohibits me to drink even wine because I am a lightweight.

"Hello Megha, I am Levi Cruz", the man in front of me introduced himself, pulling me out of the memories.

"Nice to meet you", I said with a small smile

"Mathew said to me about your past. I guess I can take care of Aaradh and I don't care about Krish..."

"But I do care. Let me tell you something Levi, I am here only because I don't want to disappoint Mathew. I still love Krish and I will never even imagine anyone else in my life who is not Krish Malhotra. So yeah things will never work out between us. I am still and will always be Mrs. Krish Malhotra", I said

He was dumbstruck and analyzing everything I told him. He then understood what I feel and agreed to inform Mathew that he doesn't feel any connection with me. I had dinner with Levi, maybe he could be a good friend to me. I left the place after wishing a stroke of good luck for his future.