Kiran inhaled deeply, watching the stars light up the night sky through the haze of cigarette smoke. Ash sprinkled across the floor when he flicked the filter, each floating piece a remnant of his former self.
The comfort he ached for had finally returned.
Stubbing out his cigarette into a nearby ashtray, he picked up his cognac glass of wine from the wrought iron table and strode into his bedroom.
The curtains fluttered with the night breeze, but became still when he closed the French doors. Tipping the glass into his lips and draining the wine inside in one gulp, Kiran unbuttoned his collar and collapsed on the bed. He raised his arm and covered his face. Only by doing these vices could he finally fall asleep.
This time, his dream was one of the good ones.
She lay beside him, peacef
