CHAPTER1
As the auto-rickshaw pulled to a stop, my mind, which had been immersed in memories, snapped back to reality.
"Madam, we've arrived," the driver said. Upon hearing his voice, I quickly pulled out the money and paid him.
Once the auto drove away, I turned to look at the high-rise apartment building. I felt as if a heavy weight had been placed on my shoulders. No, I won't back down now, I told myself. I had to do what I came for. I could no longer keep this disappointment, betrayal, and anger bottled up inside me.
I made my way to the tenth floor and stopped at the third door in the hallway. I still had a key in my bag, but I chose to knock instead. After the second knock, the door swung open.
the man on the other side looked at me with genuine surprise in his eyes. Was he surprised that I had come back at all, or was it the way I had returned? Only God knows.
"May I come in?" I asked, my voice as cold as if I were entering the home of a total stranger.
He hesitated for a moment when he saw me, then stepped back and said, "Come in, Kural."
I entered the house quietly and stood in the middle of the living room. He closed the door and stood near me, his eyes darting between my face and the floor. "I called you," he said, the words finally breaking through his hesitation.
I could clearly see the guilt etched on his face. I understood why he was hesitant to even look at me after our massive fight that day.
I let out a sigh and spoke firmly. "Don't worry, I am not here to stay. I am only here to collect my things."
"What? Why?" He sounded shocked.
"I don't think I have to explain myself to you after what happened."
"Kural, I think we should talk," he said, his voice now decisive.
"But I think we have nothing left to talk about," I replied, making my stance clear.
"Nothing to talk about? Seriously? After everything that happened? After you completely disappeared for ten full days?" I could feel the heat rising in his voice.
"Don't act like, you care. Did you even know I haven't been home for ten days?" I asked, determined not to let him break my heart again.
"Of course I care. I knew you were with Renu and Divya. I thought I should give you space to process everything."
"Thank you for your concern, but I have made my decision." I pulled a document from my handbag and held it out to him. He looked at me suspiciously as he took the paper.
As he read it, his eyes widened in disbelief. "Divorce?"
"I want a divorce, Raghavan." I had never uttered his name before.
He was completely stunned. "Kural, please let me explain. I know I haven't been a good husband to you, but please... I thought you already knew that I was a divorcee," he said, his voice heavy with apology.
"It's not your fault. It's mine. I was a fool, blind to the truth and too quick to trust the people I loved. I really have to end this. I have no intention or trust left to continue this relationship. I know you only entered this marriage to fulfil your parents' wishes. I appreciate your feelings, but I refuse to stay in this hopeless, loveless marriage. I am tired of trying to force myself to be the person you could love, only to realize you never will. I want a divorce."
Tears finally escaped my eyes and began to fall.
I really loved him. I didn't just like him; I loved him with my whole heart. Even though he never truly considered me his wife, I tried to change myself, for him, for myself, and for the sake of our families. For the past month, I suppressed my extroverted personality to behave like the "proper" newlywed housewife everyone expected. But nothing changed. It was never going to change, especially not after my father, the person I loved most in the world, broke my trust.
He looked into my eyes with the utmost guilt. "Kural, I never thought of divorcing you."
"But it is what it is," I replied, unable to look at his face.
"Your signature." I handed him my pen. His eyes had never searched mine for so long. For a moment, it felt as though he loved me, but I wasn't ready to be fooled again. I wasn't going to change my mind.
He took the pen and slowly walked to the small table nearby. He placed the divorce papers down and looked back at me one last time, hoping I would stop him. I turned my head and ignored his gaze. With a heavy sigh, he quickly bent down and signed the papers.
I took the papers and signed them in my place. "Our hearing is tomorrow. Since this is a mutual divorce, I don't think it will take much time. It's at eleven in the morning; please don't be late."
I went into the bedroom and packed some of my clothes. When I returned to the living room, I saw him sitting on the sofa, seemingly lost in deep thought.
As I stood in front of him, he looked up at me. I handed him the house keys. "I don't think it's proper for me to keep these anymore." Without looking back, I gathered my things and walked out of that house for good.
RAGHAVAN POV
I know I messed up. Not just once, but twice. Another failed marriage, but this time, I am the one who completely destroyed it. I hurt Kural so much. I should have talked to her about my past, but how could I tell her that my first wife eloped with her lover? I felt so ashamed.
My parents had been very clear with me; they insisted they had informed Kural's parents about my past. I truly thought she knew.
But it wasn't their fault, it was mine. I should've spoken to her about it before the wedding. It was my own insecurity that held me back. What am I going to do now? I can't lose her. I know she loved me, even before we were married. I can still remember our first meeting.
My mother had called for the tenth time to check if I had reached the coffee shop yet. "Raghav, are you there?" I could hear the nervous tension in her voice.
"Mom, please stop calling. I'm not a kid, and this isn't the first time," I replied, trying to sound composed.
"Raghav, I understand your situation. Don't worry this time. Your father has already done a thorough background check on the girl. Not only that, but she is a very nice girl. Just look at her; she's beautiful. I've sent her photo to your phone. Talk to her, Raghav. Forget your past and start a new life."
I could hear the deep concern and worry in her voice. I didn't want to upset her any further, so I replied, "Okay, Ma. She had just arrived. I'll talk to her and call you back."
After the call ended, I watched a young woman open the door of the coffee shop and walk in. She was indeed beautiful. When she spotted me, her sweet lips widened into a smile. She tucked her flawless, long, silky hair behind her ear. Her eyes... oh my god. They spoke a million words that couldn't be expressed. I had never felt this way before, not with my ex-wife, not with anyone. I noticed two girls accompanying her; I assumed they were her friends.
"Hi!" Her voice snapped me out of my trance.
"Kuralini?" I asked, even though I already knew it was her.
With a warm smile, she replied, "Yes, it's me."
"These are my friends, Renu and Divya," she said, introducing them. They both looked at me and smiled.
"I'm Raghavan. It's a pleasure to meet you. Please, take a seat."
"No, Anna, that wouldn't be right," Renu said. "You two talk. We'll be sitting over there." With that, they moved to a nearby table, giving us our privacy.
Once they left, I looked at her, and she smiled back at me. "Please, sit down," I insisted.
With a pleasant nod, she took a seat. "What would you like to have?" I asked.
"Just coffee."
I signaled to the waiter. "Two coffees, please. Also, take the orders for those two girls over there and bring the bill to me."
"No, there's really no need for that," she quickly refused, her eyes widening slightly.
"It's okay; it's not a big deal."
"You mentioned you wanted to talk to me?" Her question reminded me exactly why I had asked her to meet me here.
"Did you know our wedding has been set for two months from now?" She nodded silently.
"I really want to know, are you truly interested in this marriage? I know the preparations are already underway, but if you aren't interested, or if your parents are forcing you into this, please tell me. I won't force you into anything. I'll stop this wedding, no matter what."
Did I really just say those words? Cancel the wedding? No! Not after seeing her. Not after looking into those beautiful brown eyes that gazed at me as if I were the only person in the world.
She looked at me intently. "Do you think I'm a kid? Or a teenager? I'm twenty-two years old. I can make my own decisions. Of course, this is an arranged marriage, but I still have my rights and my freedom."
"So, you're telling me that you're okay with this? With everything?" I couldn't hide my surprise. She was so beautiful and clearly intelligent, why on earth did she want to marry me?
"Yes. I agree to this, and I am happy with the match. But what about you? Are you not happy to marry me?" The sudden look of shock on her face made me smile a little.
"No, it's not like that at all. I'm more than okay with this," I replied. My answer brought her smile back, and I was so glad it did. Her smile made my heart feel warm. I wanted to see that expression every day for the rest of my life.
