Lovelorn - A short Story - Part 1

The door slammed as he stormed out, leaving a resounding silence in the house again. As always it was the same subject of discussion that brought havoc into their already volatile relationship. Why couldn't he understand her? Could he not feel her absolute misery? She looked at his coat lying on the sofa and buried her face in it , loving the smell of his aftershave and wanting him fervently to walk back in and tell her its OK. Everything was fading , she felt a piercing pain but now nothing could be done. He was gone and now there was peace .

She really didn't get it , did she? Could she not feel his absolute misery? Sitting on the park bench he looked over at the children playing on the see saw , the joy on their faces as they were lifted high for a brief moment before they touched the ground with a soft thud. How could it go wrong so quickly? This was so NOT the plan. A brilliant photographer, Aditya would always see much more than most people .This ability to capture the most intricate detail and create magic with his camera was what got him accolades ,fame and moolah. He was the best in town and celebrities and models clamored to get him to shoot them . Nalini , an upcoming model walked into his studio and his heart and it was an instant attraction. Thus started an affair that was ill advised. She did keep saying that she loved him , he sighed. But it was better to have said goodbye today . She was a great person who deserved to be happy with someone better .

It was getting late, he needed to get back and face her again .

Inspector Deshpande , a middle aged man with greying hair and dark eyes that had seen a lot over the years was at 102/B of Sunrise Apartments at Bandra . Nalini Sharma's house had been ransacked and she had been stabbed viciously to death. Cash and jewelry along with her mobile was missing. But why would a robber stab someone so viciously . Unless there was some animosity?

Aditya , unlocked the door and was punched in the gut by a storm that was his toddler of 2 years , Rishi. Picking him up , Aditya walked to the kitchen where Sheetal stood making rotis for dinner.

"So, How was your day?" asked Sheetal .

"The usual , completed the portfolio for Femista Magazine " and you ? asked Aditya

"So you were at the studio the whole day? " she questioned again.

Aditya looked at his wife carefully and slowly answered ," um not exactly , had some work at Bandra ".

"Did you now" , was the calm response.

" Why don't you man up and tell me you went to see her! " she snarled . Aditya looked at his wife , who was becoming worked up and knew where this was heading. He could not fathom that this was the sweet caring girl with whom he had a whirlwind romance and marriage. He realized a little late in the day that his wife was not only in love with him crazily but had been obsessed with him right from college days . He regretted not seeing the signs of her jealousy and codependency , mistaking it for love. But she was his son's mother and he did love her in his own way .

" That woman is destroying us, Adi! and I will not allow it" sheetal hissed. Sensing the tension and the high volume , Rishi started crying . Picking him up and cuddling him , Aditya reasoned with her, " Please, Sheetal , can we talk about this calmly ? "

" I love you and no one is going to take you away from me! " , said Sheetal with a tear falling down her cheeks. I cannot think straight when it comes to you. You are all that I have ever possessed and I cannot share you with anyone.You have no idea about the lengths I can go to for you. "

Sheetal paused , as the doorbell rang . Wondering who could come so late , Aditya opened the door to find the police at his door. He was even more shocked when Inspector Deshpande entered with his two constables and started inquiring about his whereabouts of the day.

" Where were you at 6pm today?"

"Sir, why are you asking me this? what has happened? "

"Well , your client, or should i say your "close friend" has been murdered at her apartment"

It took a moment for Aditya to understand that Nalini was no more and that she was murdered. Worse, these cops were sure it was him. Stunned into silence he could only remember the last time he had seen her. Beautiful , with tears in her eyes , her soft hair falling forward like a curtain .And now that beautiful face was lifeless .But who could have done this ghastly deed ?

The cops rounded up Aditya to take him to the police station for further questioning . A baffled Aditya tried explaining the cops that he was innocent. All this while, Sheetal stood transfixed to her spot clutching Rishi who was curiously looking at the strangers in his house.  

"Sir, I admit I had gone to meet her today but I did not kill her. Please believe me"

"Mr. Aditya , why did you go to meet her today? . Were you not in a relationship with her?"

" Yes , I was, but today I told her that it was over for us and that I could not meet her anymore ."

"Sir, I love my family , I cannot even imagine hurting less killing someone like this"

Sheetal's face was white and carved of stone . Something went out like a light inside her and the cold clutched her heart . The only words that resounded in her head were Aditya's " I love my family.."