DeanNo. No, not her. Not Bianca. I had already ended it with her. The universe had to be really twisted to make this true. Not after I had finally managed to break up with her and things were going so well with Artha.“Aren’t you gonna say anything?” She was looking at me like she was judging me on the inside.I shook my head at the possibility that what she was telling me could be true. “Bianca, if this is a joke… I am not in the mood to play games with you.”“Dean –”“I was busy when you called. But I decided to drop everything and come here. So if this was your plan…”“I wish it was a joke.”
12.45pmPreetahI watched Tommy walk out of the house and then rushed back into the room. I grabbed my phone and went to stand at the balcony. Tommy was talking to Steve in the driveway instead of leaving. I felt like yelling from here for him to leave. Was he not thinking?I went to my contacts to find his number that I apparently have ‘since day one’. Under ‘T’ in all caps, I found his name. Tommy. I called it.He turned and stopped at his bike and then pulled his phone from his leather jacket.“Hello?” He hesitated.“Tommy.”He turned and looked straight at me. He smiled.“You need to go.” I told him.He nodded, slowly taking the phone away from his ear.I hung up.He held up a hand, bidding goodbye, I reciprocated.He then climbed onto his bike and the gates slid open slowly. I watched him wear his helmet and gloves and then make a U-turn.The motorbike was loud and left clouds of smoke as he drove out. I sighed a heavy sigh of relief. I was about to turn away but got a mini hear
Arjun“Therapy?” The very word left a bitter taste on my tongue. As a man, coming from where I come from, therapy is not a word exchanged so lightly amongst men. I imagined myself sitting across the desk from some woman, talking about my family issues. I didn’t see it happening.“Yes, Arjun, therapy.” Dean reiterated. “I think it will really help you just… connect and heal.”I arched my brow. “Connect and heal?” It sounded so feminist. “You need someone that will help you confront all that trauma. I am afraid I lack the professional ability.” He pulled out his phone and began tapping away.As I watched him, my mind trailed off. I wondered what Preetah must be thinking at this moment. I left her sleeping. My phone chimed.“There, I sent you contacts of three of the best therapists in the city. You can pick the one you like.” He said, placing his phone on my desk. “But I really think you should give it a shot.”“Besides cultural views on therapy, I think I am beyond fixable.”“Three
RoshniA car that had overtaken the second car from us had collided head to head with another moving in the opposite direction.Junior stopped the car and was undoing his seat belt quickly.“Where are you going?”“To see if they’re okay. Call an ambulance.” He rushed out, leaving the key in the ignition.I grabbed the keys and ran after him. My fingers, which were normally fast on the keyboard, were fumbling three little digits: 112.The driver that had overtaken had a deep cut on his forehead, with blood gushing out. I had never seen that much blood before. My heart began pounding faster. As I spoke to the operator, I watched Junior pull his plain white t-shirt over his head and hold it ag
DeanI was adjusting the settings on the aircon when the doorbell rang. It was a chilly Saturday morning, with the clouds looking dark and angry, as if it would rain today. I am not one for checking the weather so I had no clue whether or not it would actually rain. I didn’t have any plans anyway, so it didn’t bother me.I grabbed my gown and threw it on as I made for the door.I opened and saw Elza hugging her chest on my doorstep.“It’s cold.” She grinned“Elza?” I frowned. “What are you – how do you know where I stay?”“Paper work.” She beamed, as if I had to understand what that meant.I looked her down to her white furry heels. “Well, can I help you?”“It’s cold, Dean, won’t you invite me in? Coffee perhaps?”“I don’t have coffee.”Her smile dropped. Okay, maybe that sounded a bit rude. But then again, what was she doing here? Besides in meetings, we’ve never said more than two words to each other, the two words being a greeting.I stepped aside and let her in.“Nice place.” She
Preetah The scratching of the golden pen against paper was audible even in this loud atmosphere, I watched Arjun doodle his signature with natural ease, indicating strong muscle memory. He then went on to initial the bottom of all the papers. “Here.” He handed me the pen. “Sign here and then initial under every page. I can read you the document just in case you think you’re signing your life away.” He smiled. Was that supposed to be a joke? And at a time like this? I didn’t take the pen. “I just don’t get it.” I spoke. “The gifts this morning, the apology, taking me out tonight, what was all that for if you knew that you’d end the day by making me sign divorce papers?” He sighed. “The apology was genuine.” “You could have done all this at home, you even picked out a dress for me, Arjun –” My voice broke. “I wanted to take you somewhere nice, but you wanted to go somewhere I wanted to, I agreed because I thought about it like a last ask –” “You can’t be serious.” More tears fell