A New Beginning

It had been a month since Hiten and Vidhi had broken up and Vidhi had moved out of their two BHK flat, but Hiten had been feeling so low alone in the flat that he decided to shift to a smaller flat. The day before yesterday when Vidhi came to collect her belongings, she had been immaculate from top to bottom, looked like a doll dressed in her best, and no trace of remorse could be seen on her visage, and here he was, lounging in his pyjamas, eating like a glutton to overcome his suffering, not at all looking like a successful executive of a renowned company.

Her glowing face had made him think how could he fall in love with this stonehearted girl. Hiten realized that he had been used and thrown into the dustbin like an object that was no more needed. When today morning he informed his parents about Vidhi’s departure and end of their live-in relationship, they weren’t surprised at all as if they knew this coming. Hiten had idolized her, but she proved to be only human.

Lost in sad melodies of past, he was brought back to the moment by real estate agent Riya who stood silent trying to read in between lines. Hiten told her that he needs to have a place where he can live in peace, away from trendy scene of hustle and bustle, something idyllic. As Riya spoke about the societies and localities, he observed her. She seemed an unmarried woman of around thirty with no wedding ring on her finger, without any marital embellishment adorning her forehead, and looked very confident and was at ease as she talked to Hiten.

Riya was the youngest among her sisters, all happily married and her parents had tried their best to make her understand that she too should get married but she couldn’t find an eligible man in Mumbai. Most of the men she met talked about marriage or sex in the very first meeting which was enough to put her off. Finally, she had decided to live a single life chasing her dream to be independent. Looking at Hiten’s drooping spirit, she on an impulse asked him “Do you want to eat cheese sandwich? There is a cart nearby. There sandwich is mouthwatering.” Hiten said, “That sounds great! I haven’t had cheese sandwich since ages. Actually, my ex was very calorie-conscious.”

They both enjoyed the sandwich and as he wrapped the wrapper of sandwich and threw it in the dustbin, he felt that he has thrown the extra baggage he had been carrying undesirably. Riya left, promising Hiten to find one BHK for him soon. Hiten felt at ease, light and released. Back home, he rearranged his things, filled the vacant spaces, humming his favorite song “Jeevan Chalne ka Naam….”

Next day, when Vidhi came to pick her remaining belongings, her presence didn’t affect her. Now he felt liberated and decided to go and have cheese sandwich at the cart.

Dr. Ritu Kamra Kumar