Subhadra had had enough with Vikram. He claimed to love her and she hated to admit it, but she wasn't getting enough attention from him. She felt like it wouldn't matter to him whether she texted him or not. Whether she talked to him or not.
So, she stopped texting him. The first day was bearable. The second day was hard and by the third day, she couldn't take it anymore. She had to text him. So, on the fourth day, when she texted him, he asked her how her new boyfriend was. She called him.
"Vikram, what the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"It means I'm asking how your new boyfriend is."
"Are you crazy? I don't have one."
"Is it? Come on Subhadra. I hate liars."
"Fuck you Vikram. Oh and by the way, he's fine." She huffed in anger. He was being ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.
"Good." He sounded dejected and resigned.
"Vikram, what do you take me for? You think I have one guy per week?"
"You didn't talk to me in three days Subhadra. What am I supposed to think?"
She deflated. "I didn't think you would care."
"Don't make ridiculous assumptions baby. I do care. I may not have a fantastic way of showing it, but I do. I'm not the best lover."
She wanted to tell him that she loved him, but held herself back. Words were just words and the best way she could express herself was through poems. An idea formed in her head. She would write a poem for him. She never wrote poems for guys and he would be the first one.
So she started writing it on a sheet of paper.
Vikram, Vikram,
It's a surprise I met you.I thought you looked like a player, but now I know you can be loyal.I call you my sunshine,
because I think you're mine.I don't call anyone endearments,but calling you became my sentiment.You think I cheated on you,
but my feelings for you are true.You're the only man I write poems for.I don't know how I can make it mean more.You're special to me,
because with you, I can be free.I can express myself with words.I don't want you talking to other girls.But, I can tell you for sure,
a part of my heart is yours.Don't think I cheated.It won't be repeated.You're my only.
Don't forget that honey.- Truly, Surely, Deeply,SubhadraShe kissed the end of the paper to emphasize her point. She folded the paper neatly and put it in her purse. She would give it to him the next time she saw him.
______________________________________The following day, Subhadra met Vikram.
"Vikram, darling, I have a little surprise for you." She was excited to give it to him.
She took out the sheet of paper and gave it to him. She watched as he unfolded the paper and his eyes skimmed across the words.
"I like the kiss at the end."
She raised a brow.
"That's all you have to say?""I would like the poem if you really meant it. If you really felt what you wrote."
Subhadra narrowed her eyes at him.
"You think I write poems because I have no other work? You think I write emotionless poems? What the fuck is that supposed to mean Vikram?"Vikram closed his eyes and folded the piece of paper.
"I don't appreciate you questioning me. Nehra never questioned me. It was always Yes, Vikram with her. With you, it's a million questions."Subhadra gasped. She was so angry, she could barely contain her anger. How dare he compare her with Nehra. Some girl she didn't even know, some girl who she'd never even met.
"How dare you compare me with her? If you want her so much, why the hell are you with me? Why couldn't you just be with her? Why drag me into this?"
"I already told you. She has her family problems."
"So if she didn't, you would marry her?"
"Yes."
Her heart hurt. This was the so called 'love' he claimed to have on her.
She took the paper from his hands and tore it to shreds.
"Fuck you and your Nehra."
Saying that, Subhadra walked away and Vikram couldn't do anything except kick a rock.
______________________________________After two days of ignoring him, Vikram told her that he wanted to meet her.
She knew she should say no, but she was a sucker for him. Love made you do stupid things. Yes, Subhadra knew she loved Vikram. Right from the moment she started writing that poem for him. It was not a simple thing she could take back either. Her heart was hooked to him.
Love creeps up on you unexpectedly and slaps you so hard in the face, that you won't even know what hit you. It's only after, that you realize, it's hard for you to live without the other person.
She smiled upon seeing Vikram and was flattered when he pulled out a chair for her in the cafè.
Vikram immediately started.
"I'm planning on going to Kolkata. I'll try to meet Nehra and end this confusion once and for all."Subhadra could only gape at him.
"I don't want to have any regrets, you know. I want a clean answer."
On one hand, she understood. She had a clean break with Aslan, so it was fine, but what if she hadn't had a clean break with him. She would feel the same way? On the other hand, she was deeply hurt and very disappointed.
"I don't know what you want me to say Vikram. Honestly, I don't know."
"I don't expect you to say anything Subhadra. I'm just telling you. I want to be honest with you, like I always have been."
"It's up to you Vikram. I can't stop you and there's nothing much I can do about it either. She doesn't communicate with you and you're this desperate for her. I hope she throws something in your face and tells you to go to hell."
With that, Subhadra got up and left.
Vikram had gone to Kolkata and not a single text from him for two days. Also, she only knew he was in Kolkata through his Instagram. He couldn't even give her the courtesy of telling her.Anxiety gnawed at her insides. Did he meet Nehra. Did they hug each other? Did they kiss and make up?"Subha, why are you even worrying about him? From what I've seen and from what you've told me, he isn't worth it. You've got beauty. You've got brains. Why are you stuck with him when you can do so much better?"Subhadra twirled the straw in her drink as she listened to Latha. She knew Latha was right."But Latha, I love him.""Yes, I can understand that Subhadra, and I don't blame you. It's just that you deserve someone much better. Someone who's worthy of you. I mean if I wrote Aryan poems like you do for Vikram, he'd fly in the air and worship the land I walk on. Also, he wouldn't let me out of the bedroom.""Latha!" Subhadra laughed. She had never been intimate with Vikram and had no intention of
"This is Commander Subhadra. I need backup on Line 5.""On it Chief." As soon as she saw her father, Venkat Krishnan, jogging away, she shot a Nerf at him, hitting him square on his buttock.When he yelped and rubbed the sore spot, she burst out laughing."What was that for, you brat?""It was for being too slow, old man.""Old? You call this old?" He started flexing his non-existent muscles.Her Mom, Sangeetha came in the middle."They say I only have one child. They're wrong. I have two children, except one is a man child."Her mom poked her finger in Venkat's chest."Amma, leave Nanna alone.""Devuda." Her Mom called for God.Right then, Subhadra's phone rang. It was Vikram."Hello?""Sweetheart, I'm outside your house."Subhadra contemplated on what to say. The buildings had eyes...in the form of nosy neighbors. She didn't want her father to have a bad name in the neighborhood.But, she could tell them it was a colleague from work."Nanna, my colleague is downstairs. I'll go see w
The next day, Vikram called her multiple times, and he never did that. Calls from him were few and far between. Multiple calls? Never.So, she decided to answer the third time he called."Subhadra, I'm sorry."She rolled her eyes even though he couldn't see her."You know what Vikram? You'd say sorry to me after sticking your penis in someone else.""Subhadra, that's too far and you know it."She did know, but she didn't care. She was too hurt and she wanted to do something crazy."I'm at work. I'll call you later.""This isn't a goodbye right, Subhadra?"She softened at that. "No Vikram. It's not."They hung up and Subhadra wondered if Latha would be up for clubbing tonight. She would need to buy a dress, though, so, she decided to go shopping after work. ______________________________________Subhadra stared at the sequined dress wistfully. She really wanted it, but it wasn't her style and she would never be comfortable in wearing something that short. It was because of the society
Subhadra heard and knew the name Mahendra Varma from somewhere, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. She'd been scratching her head from the past two days, wondering, wondering, where had she heard that name?She opened her Instagram account which was entirely dedicated to her poetry and she clicked on the heart button.There it was! Mahen_Vrma. She was positive it was him, so she clicked on his account. It was him. Most of his posts were about Transition. Actual photos of him were few. One was a candid shot of him looking at the sky with his shirt half open. A Rudraksh necklace hung from his neck. She was immediately intrigued, but she exited from his profile.This same guy was the very first person to read her poems. To encourage her. To comment on her poems, all good things of course. Hmm. Maybe he wasn't such a bad guy.She decided to message him through Instagram.Subha_Kr10: You!She didn't expect a reply so soon, but she got one nonetheless.Mahen_Vrma: You! You stalked
Nehra looked at the woman in front of her. Long, black hair, light brown skin, and kind, dark eyes. She was short, but so was Nehra, so she was no one to judge her.She was pretty. Was she Vikram's girlfriend? Her head hurt just thinking about it.Subhadra took both her hands in hers. She couldn't help, but like it. She acted as if she had know her since forever. It was probably because of Vikram.On one hand, Nehra felt bad for Subhadra, for her having to listen to Vikram always talk about her. But, one the other hand, Nehra felt triumph. Vikram had had a pretty, kind woman in front of him, yet he couldn't stop talking about Nehra.It was enough for Nehra to know the depth of Vikram's love for her."Nehra. You have to marry Vikram. He's going crazy without you.""Don't you love Vikram?"Subhadra smiled. "I do and I want him to be happy. He'll only ever be happy with you."Nehra thought about it. "You know it's not an issue with me. My parents would never allow it.""Is there any way
On their way to the beach, Subhadra got a call from Latha."Hello?""Subha, where are you?""Going to Digha Beach. Why?""You owe me a video call.""I'm so sorry Latha. I'll call you as soon as I'm back. I have lots to tell you.""I'll be waiting for your call."The call ended and they reached the beach.She and Nehra talked for sometime and for a second, she couldn't believe who she saw.What the hell was Vikram doing here? Moreover, how did he know she was here. There was only one explanation. Aashalatha. Nehra saw Vikram and gasped. She held on to Subhadra's arm.Subhadra nudged Nehra in his general direction. "Go. Share the great news with him."Nehra looked at her for reassurance and Subhadra gave her an encouraging smile.Subhadra felt a little bittersweet seeing them together, but it was fine. She would get over it. She saw them talking and smiling, and took it as her cue to leave.As she was walking along the shore, she wanted to do something crazy. Something wild."Subhadra
Subhadra saw Vikram and Nehra approach her and Mahendra. She saw Vikram questioningly look at Mahendra. "That's right. I forgot to introduce you all. Mahendra, this is Nehra. My friend." She winked at Nehra. Mahendra just politely smiled at Nehra. "This is Vikram...Nehra's fiancé. Vikram, this is Mahendra Varma. My friend and the owner of Transition. The club."Mahendra didn't smile at Vikram. He simply smirked at him and watched as Vikram clenched his fists. "So when are your parents meeting hers?" Subhadra asked Vikram. "I just introduced her to them through video call. Nehra gave them her parent's numbers.""Awesome. I have to go now though."Subhadra looked at all of them. "How will you go?" Mahendra asked her. "I'll just get a cab.""Nonsense. I'll drop you off. I have a car. You're okay with it right?""Of course, but only if it's no trouble for you."Mahendra shook his head, so Subhadra waved at Nehra and Vikram and followed Mahendra to his car. She observed that he di
The next morning, Mahendra woke her up and informed her that he had to leave.Subhadra just nodded because she didn't want to talk with morning breath.After he went, she brushed, showered, and got ready. She made sure that all her bags were packed and she wasn't missing anything.After triple checking everything, she took her suitcase and keys and locked the door.She dropped her keys off at the reception desk and almost laughed when the receptionist was blatantly checking out her neck. She was probably checking for hickeys."Foundation works like a charm, doesn't it?" Subhadra winked at her and in return, the receptionist looked at her in disgust.Subhadra got into a cab and told the driver to take her to the airport. She opened her phone to text Mahendra, to find there was already a text from him.Mahen_Vrma: Did you check out?Subha_Kr10: On my way to the airport. Receptionist was checking for hickeys on my neck. Lol.Mahen_Vrma: Haha. You should have walked awkwardly. Let her thi