Of broken conversations, and coloured perceptions…

The phone rang. It was his sister, Radha. She hollered over: Was the fight worth it?

Sharanya, in her new-found self, replied firmly: “Yes, because it opened my eyes and stopped me short from playing that gamble that I was about to play with my life.”

“Being emotionally inept isn’t a crime,” exclaimed Sharanya, further adding, “but I refuse to put up with such passive behaviour for the rest of my life, he remained unmoved by the news that my best friend was in the ICU. All he said, was an ‘Oh!’, what indifference!! The pile of differences is huge to be reconciled. Are we both willing to overlook our differences and accommodate each other’s priorities in our lives?

I guess not. Compromises and negotiations are the brick and mortar that build a relationship, hasn’t this been oft quoted in those ‘lists of things that make relationships work’?!”

A pause ensued, before Sharanya picked up her threads.

She continued in the same tone. “One day he says he loves me, the next day he says he had a revelation that we are not meant to be. That he is not certain that we would be happy together, so he is calling it off. Uh huh!!... And how many days did we know each other? Not even for a fortnight”.

Sharanya thought aloud: Is he whimsical or IS HE WHIMSICAL?! I mean, he owes me an answer for this. But I will never ask. It, now, hurts my already-wounded feminine pride.

“He can go on being a wall, but I refuse to bang my head against it. He can continue being stubborn, difficult, inexpressive, judgemental, egotistical and high-handed in his approach, or then just plain selfish. I am a selfish Jane too, and would rather be with somebody who makes me laugh and wipes my tears, is at least compassionate and respectful of my feelings”.

“Blah! Why am I ranting?! And how does it even matter now. It’s inconsequential and immaterial. The chapter is closed. And for the better. I would say his loss. Goodbye and good riddance,” said Sharanya to the person she saw in the mirror on the wall facing her.

There was no noise on the other side of the phone. Radha was silent---it was unknown whether she was patiently listening preparing her vitriolic verbal attacks in her head or had switched of­­­f mentally or then kept the white receiver on the table and left the room---Sharanya expected a long nasty retort. But all that Radha could offer was SILENCE!