Short story- The Other Woman

Ashdil Arora was fed up from his daily boring routine. Getting up early, dropping his 5 yrs old boy at school, going to work and coming back. He desired for some kind of excitement but Pragya'

s (her wife) busy schedule did not allow it. Moreover he couldn't expect anything from Pragya except her attitude and feeling of superiority that she was earning much more than her husband. Carrying out day-to-day activities was now like an obligation for him.

Ashdil took a day off on Wednesday not because he had to go to a picnic but because he was not well and met with a minor accident last night. He was alone in his house and thus decided to chat with his orkut friends and socialize a bit. he has logged in his account after about 3 months. 

He replied to a scrap came from Shweta which said, 

"Hey Ashdil! i lyk ur name yaar. But wht dz it mean?"

the scrap was a week old.

"it means a heart that saves life." He replied.

Co-incidentally Shweta was also online at the same time. "So, hw many lyves u've saved?", Shweta scraped. That's how they began chatting.

Both occupied their seats for chatting in a pensive mood, and both wanted to feel gleeful after chatting. He was unhappy at home and she broke up with her splendidly rich playboy-boyfriend just 2 weeks ago.

Both of them began normally, asking the qualification, profession, DOB, the family background and all related stuff. Shweta was of sixteen, a commerce student, coming from an educated family. Ashdil was an MBA, working with an MNC, hailing from a humble family. There was a gap of fifteen years between them. But their interests, liking and disliking were same. They liked soft and romantic music, were passionate about dancing, took out time to sit in nature, liked going on long drives, travelling, shopping and were completely foody. Both were never so lucky in love. The very first day they chatted as if they were not strangers. In such a case, fascination from both the sides was inevitable.

The next day Ashdil especially came online in his working hours to see whether Shweta was online or not. He was already getting lucky; she was on orkut. This time it was more if flirt, just to seek temporary pleasure.

"Ashdil, u told u knw a bit of salsa n ball. Will u be my dance teacher?"

"Who would not like to be yours, mam."

The new friends chatted for hours together and conveyed their true feelings while flirting. They did not want to end their talk. When Shweta said," Its long tym, I must leave now." She got a reply,"Are you going? Will miss you dear."

The spark was present in both but Shweta resisted it. She thought 'its only infatuation...it snot practical loving someone on orkut..someone who is 15 years elder to you. How can i put so much trust on someone so soon. I cannot bear one more betrayal.

Ashdil was open about his feelings. He believed that Shweta can bring back the missing zing and the lost feeling of being loved in his life.

After chatting for three hours, the third day Ashdil hesitantly asked for her number. She refused to give and gave him a curt reply. The reason behind this was not the fear of betrayal but negligible hopes for future. Months passed in this fashion and now Shweta was emotionally attached to Ashdil. She could not live even for a single day without chatting with him. She always expressed her deepest of emotions that he dominated her thoughts and she wanted a man life him. But every time he asked for her cell number, she indicated her unwillingness to give.

It was Ashdil's birthday. They were again chatting. "hey Shweta, Where is my b'day gift?"

"Wht gift u wnt frm me?" I will happily giv to u."

"I want to hear your voice."

Ultimately she called him up and fulfilled his desire. Her heart melted when he proposed her,"Shweta, I love you. My life was dull til I found YOU. Your friendship has coloured my life. I need you to complete my picture."

Shweta failed to oppress her sentiments. Thus confessing her love for him. Now she was serious in her relation. They talked, made fun and met each other and their relation successfully completed 3 years.

"Ashdil, will you marry me or not?"

For a while he was nonplussed, revived and answered, "No hurries. I want you to build your career first. I am all yours. Can wait for a few more years."

"But i cant wait. You know my parents wont accept this relation."

They planned for a court marriage at present and a ritual marriage after few years. Shweta decided to they would leave the city after marriage and asked Ashdil also apply for his transfer. At times Shweta felt sorry and cried that she will leave her parents. But Ashdil's love made her blind.

The day arrived and Shweta eloped leaving a last note on her bed which said,"I love someone very deeply and I am going with him to get married."

Shweta reached court on time, but Ashdil was missing. She waited for half an hour but he was still missing. She rang him up.

"Hello!", said Pragya.

"Hello! Who's that?"

"I am Pragya. You wanted to talk to Ashdil?"

"Yes. Where is he?", asked Pragya.

"He's taking bath. I'm his wife, you can leave me a message."

"What?? His wife?"

"Yeah..and may I know who is on the line?"

The call was disconnected and Shweta said in a shocked state, "I am the other woman."