I woke up in the morning. It was one of those days, when you tend to wake up without an alarm clock. Finally my girlfriend was landing in Bangalore. I had to pick her from airport. I was so excited with the prospect of meeting her. We had never met and after months of phone talks, I was finally getting to see her. So many things to share. Was getting ready to pick her, suddenly there was a beep on the phone. I ran to get the phone. It was an SMS, not from her but from my EX.

What made her SMS me after so many months? What made her message me just today? All these questions sprung up on my mind before I opened the message.

"I did a big mistake. I am aimless without any goal in life. God will never forgive me for what I did to you. This is why I am not able to be happy".

I now had a mixed feeling. On one point I was feeling sad. I always knew he's gonna dump you. But on your equation between love and money, you chose money. I tried to explain in so many ways. But his sweet talks won over me.
And on the other hand I was happy, she got what she deserved. She deserved this for playing with my heart, my feelings which she had crushed.

Then I reminded myself, I was never happy with her. I was just compromising everything with her. She rarely cared for my likes and dislikes. And I simply did not have enough funds to keep her happy.
Shopping at Shopper's stop and Barbeques at Barbeque Nation were turning out to be too costly affair for me to continue.

I was thinking if I should reply her, or just ignore and delete off the text. My happy morning suddenly turned to a rather confused morning.

It made me restless.
Finally after much deliberation, I replied "Thank you for your mistake, at least I have an aim now. Don't worry, just sit back and relax, God won't harm you. God simply does not have time for b***es like you."

I went ahead and enjoyed the rest of the day.

A year had passed by, I was busy with my small business of my internet cafe. I had also set up a small coaching center at my home. I used to take tuitions for school kids. I was earning reasonably well. My parents were forcing me to get married. Mom used to show me pictures of girls. Majority of them were pretty. But my heart still yearned for her. It has been more than a year. Her voice used to strike me in my dreams. Even though I hated her, at some corner of my heart, deep inside, a feeling for her still existed. I have spent 2 years of my life with her. Even though she was never committed with me, I was, at every moment spent in those 2 years.

I still remember the day she received the friend request from that guy. It was a Sunday afternoon. She had come to my place for lunch. She was facebooking on my computer and had asked me if she could accept it, and I agreed. I had never thought that the same guy will be the reason for our break up, else would have never allowed at the first place. Sometimes I used to repent for my decision. But, how could I ever think of her leaving me for a bald guy in his late thirties, just because him being richer and sweet talks. He was working as a Software Developer and used to earn thrice as much as me. I had never thought that he could take away my girl.

A few days later, we had a major fight regarding some issue. We did not even talk for a few days. But me being weak hearted, could not stay away from her for long. I apologized and tried to sort out things. Even though we patched up, things had changed in these few days. She had started talking with him for hours. Once I remember taking her out for dinner and dropping her at her PG after dinner. I was happy. Once I reached my room, tried her number and it was busy for nearly an hour.

I SMSed her “ Who are you speaking with for an hour?”

I did not get any response. It was midnight and I slept off. When I got up in the morning, I saw an SMS from her “ Sorry, I was speaking to a friend.” It was 2.15 AM, the message timing.

Gradually it became a regular affair. Her phone being busy at night times. Sometime it was her uncle, sometimes her cousin, and sometimes her friend from Delhi. She could even concoct the conversations. I always had a feeling that she was lying. But whenever I questioned her too much on this issue, she used to shout at me telling that I am selfish and that is why I don’t have friends to talk to.

Whenever she was with me, I used to notice her phone ringing at times. She used to ignore the calls. It was always from someone named “Shahil”. On questioning her, she told me that it was her schoolmate staying in Assam. I secretly checked her cell once and got to know it was a Bangalore Vodafone number. There are lots of applications to track numbers, which she was unaware of. Finally with lots of fights, she agreed that it was the bald guy itself. I tried to convince her in all always, but failed. When my temper rose to the highest level, I broke her sim card, thinking that to be the solution. The very next day, I got her a new connection. But that did not stop her from contacting the bald guy.

A few days later, she had plans to go home, to Assam. However she was short of money. She had asked me for it, however I was myself dependent on my parents to book my flight tickets. Bald guy came running for rescue and this became the biggest reason for their friendship.
Everytime I used to tell her about breaking her friendship with bald guy, she used to tell me about how he had arrived for her help where I could not. She used to tell me that he’s the person she trusts the most in Bangalore. I used to feel helpless. She used to regularly talk with bald guy for hours and hours, till her battery dries out. I used to wonder, what interesting topic he used to discuss about, a guy from his late thirties. I often asked her. She used to assure me that he had a girlfriend in Delhi and I should not feel insecure about him. But, how could I possibly? She used to talk with him late nights for hours and expected me to believe that he had a gf. Later I came to know that he had an ex-gf in Delhi, who was in a relationship with some other guy at that time. He still had feelings for her. 

After my accident, my gf who had already broken up with me became closer with Mr. bald guy. They used to often meet up for dinner, movies etc, going to places where I could never afford to take her. But things changed as soon as he knew of me leaving Bangalore, bald guy decided to leave too, to Delhi, stating that he had patched up with his ex gf. A month later, he left Bangalore, leaving behind my girl, whom he had never given any promise or commitment. I was shocked on hearing this. He had screwed up our relationship and lives of 2 persons, me and my girl.

But, more was to follow. Later I got to know that, he had went to Delhi to save his girl. His girl was getting married to some guy from Delhi and he was going to stop that. With his sweet talk, with which he had influenced my girl, same way he did to his ex gf. His ex gf was forced to desert her fiance and came running for him. So, another relationship was broken for the bald guy. 

Few months later, he deserted the girl stating that he was not in a position to accept her as she was in a relationship with someone else for 2 years. I was stoned when I heard it. One guy had affected the lives of 4 people and broken 2 relationships. God knows how many more are to follow or how many were affected because of the bald guy earlier.

I will forever remember the words from the bald guy, the only time we ever talked:
“Relationship and Friendship are 2 different things. I never interfered in your relationship and so you should not interfere in our friendship”. He never wanted my girl to leave me and go for him. He never wanted to commit to anyone. He just wanted to satisfy his selfish needs with the power of his money.

An advice for girls, don’t try to find perfection in your guys, because perfect guys don’t exist in reality. In search of perfection, don’t screw up your relationship and end up with psychos like the Bald guy in this story. You will be left with nothing. Meanwhile he may be still in hunt mode and you may be his next target. Stay safe.

(This is a story of fiction. All characters and descriptions in this story are fictional.)
~By Parthajyoti

She was cheating on me from the early days of our relationship. I was aware of it,
Still I dragged it on and on. But with 10k a month,leave her, I could not make any girlfriend happy.
It was barely enough to bear my day to day expenses. She loved shopping, fond of picking up new dresses every time we visited any store. I was aware of it. But still I thought some day I will be rich, would buy her happiness(clothes). But for the time being, I tried showering her with love.
And then arrived the other guy. They used to often talk, for hours. Every time I shouted on her or was rude, she found a new topic of discussion with her new found friend. With hours of non stop talks, I became a hot topic of discussion. He came to know of my bad qualities and also that I am not that financially stable to compete with him. The times she needed money, he was the first one running to help her, pushing me and our relationship in the back seat. She carried on quite cleverly managing time between her boy friend and her friend. Whenever I raised a question mark on their friendship, it was me who was blamed for it, that I could not care for her so she had to seek care from external sources.

Gradually 2 years passed by, she was steady with both of us. She had to continue with me
for the sake of the society, she did not want to put a question mark on her character and
integrity. Meanwhile I tried by all means, to break this so called friendship which would make me
restless every moment. I was sunk deep in lies, lies and lies. I knew. But, I thought she would change with time, one day. Initially I tried to break them by threatening her, then by meeting new girls on facebook and chatting with them and finally pleading, begging her. I wanted her so bad. But it would hardly matter for her, whenever she found a chance, making full utilization of every opportunity.
So, although she was with me, I used to feel at times, that I am actually sitting with a stranger.

Then one fine day, my phone beeped. It was her. Rarely she found time to text or call me, which was busy with the other guy, so I was quite surprised.

"I am still in talking terms with him. I think I love him and not you. I do not want to keep you holding by any commitments. Bye"

Even though I knew this from a very long time, my life came to a stand still. I tried her number.
Late nights used to call her from office, finding it busy as usual. This was not strange.
However I did not get any return calls like earlier when she used to state that she was busy with her relatives back from home town.

My break up has taken a toll on my health. I was hardly able to sleep, tired of my wet pillows.
My appetite was lost, could hardly have a chapati. Meanwhile at office, every one around started questioning me. Asking me where I lost my smile. They missed my jokes and pranks. I used to sit quietly in the corner, do my work and return home. Some days I even failed to notice who was sitting right next to me.

She was aware of all this happenings. But it hardly mattered for her. She was enjoying her freedom to the fullest. It reminded me of her saying : "You hardly keep me space, I am choking". But with 2 years of cheating on me and still I gave her the chances of continuing, made me wonder about how much more space she ever wanted.

She was running 2 parallel relationships. One with a tag called "Boyfriend" for her friends and the society and the other called "Friend" to keep herself happy.

Gradually my friends and her friends came to know of our break up, although I had not discussed with anyone. She acted like nothing happened and as usual started blaming me for the failure of our relationship, bringing in mistakes I had done 2 years back. She said that the bitterness still existed.

I used to wonder out of 100 good things that I did for her, all she remembered the 10 bitter ones, that too which had happened 2 years back.

But that happens with everyone, when you break up, you tend to see only the bitterness in the other person.

The next day at office, I got a big surprise. I got promoted. I was really happy.
This is what I was waiting for a very long time. Now, I will have the money to buy her happiness. I was really excited.

Listening to Maroon 5 on my earphones, I was returning home, happier than ever. But due to the lack of sleep
from the past few days, my eyes shut down for a while and then there was boom.

It was complete darkness.

The next time I woke up, I was surrounded by my friends and my parents. I have never been in
an hospital for my entire life. I smell blood everywhere. It made me scared. I see almost everyone, only one was missing was her, the person I wanted to see at that moment.

I had a few fractures. At least my broken bones made me realize what I could not, all this while.
My parents brought me back to my home town. They showered me with love and attention which I
had never received in my entire life. I felt happy.

Two months later while I was still recovering, a friend from Bangalore came to visit me in my hometown. He let me know stories from Bangalore, the place I lived.
He also let me know that the other guy with the "Friend" tag went back to Delhi, patched up with his ex GF. My girl was all alone. It seemed she needed me now.

I had to come to a decision about my future. I chose to stay back in my hometown, with the people who actually loved me and want to be beside me.
Today, I am working part time as private tutor here in my hometown and have a small internet cafe, and I am typing this post from here.

(This is entirely a work of fiction and all characters are fictitious)

It was a moonless night, Bangalore was colder. With lack of sleep and
food for the past few days, I was feeling weak It was more that I was crawling then walking. I was tired of making her understand.
I was tired of my wet pillows. Did I really deserve this? Was I born to suffer? I need an end to this.
I was crossing the silent road, as I reached the middle, I decided to
stop and end this all for good.
An ending for a happy beginning. I did resist all this long, but not anymore. I am unable to bear the pain any longer. I waited at the middle of the road for a while. I saw an SUV speeding towards me at some distance, I felt so happy, finally there will no more of this pain. I closed my eyes and waited for its arrival. The next thing I heard was the screeching noise of its tyres. It stopped a few meters in front of me. I opened my eyes, it was clear to me that I will be scolded badly.

The guy came out of his car, all dressed in white and smiling at me.

The face looked similar.

May be I saw him earlier somewhere. Then I realized, it was him.

“F**k, was I dead already?”

"Why am I still feeling the pain then?"

He said, "What makes you stare at me?"

and I replied "your face seems similar with my gf's first love. "

"I mean my ex gf."

Other guy: "And, does that make you stare?"

me: "Actually, he died in an accident a few years back."

Other guy: "Yes, I am that very guy. I got your prayers and came for
help. You wanted to meet me, didn't you?"

me: " Yes, but is that possible?"

Other guy: " Yes, that's why I am here?"

Me: "Okay, but why did you listen to my prayers? Am I not the one who
hurt her? So, why did you come to me? "

Other guy: "Yes, I know. This is why I had to be around her for so
long. I know you do care, but all you show is your anger. How can she know that you ever care, if you show her just despair?

This is your final call, it's now or never. Have you realized that, idiot?"

Me: "Huh, I am at the middle of the road at this time of the hour,
don't you realize what makes me here?"

Other guy: "Oh, you started again? Still so rude when you are already in a
sinking ship."

Me: "I am sorry."

Tears rolled down my cheeks.

Other guy: " I do understand, that you are the one who can take care
of her life long, but this is not the way to care people. Things will be okay,never be rude. Show her how much you care for her. She will be forever yours. I
promise you that. And even I can stop worrying for her then as I left her alone."

Me: " I understand. I Love her lots. But may be I never made her realize that, as my actions were always meaning the opposite."

Other guy: " Promise me then, that you will never make her cry again.
That you will be on her side, whenever she needs "

Me: "I promise. I can do anything for her and always keep her happy"

Suddenly everything went blank. As if I became unconscious.

After a long blank, I shivered and woke up on my bed.

That was a dream.

I checked the my phone, it was 8.45 AM. Then saw the last text
messages from her. I had never even thought of contacting her again after the things she said to me over the phone last night.

Still, I called her, and acted like nothing had happened, breaking my
promise of never disturbing her again.

And the rest is history.

Perhaps the angel from my dream did some magic, which I could not with all my efforts.

I was crying out loud at my fate
While you were busy planning your date
I was bruised and crying in pain
Still all my tears went in vain
I hit my head hard on the wall
As if I wanted to shatter my skull
I tried so hard and went so far
Now my life is just full of scar
There are plenty of wounds to stitch
I always knew that you were going to ditch
It happens when you think with your heart
My world seemed to fall apart
I was hurt like I never had been before
You were never mine even when you were next door
I howled and cried, unable to bear the pain
While you stood there thinking of your gain
I always dreamt you to be my wife
But I am no longer a hindrance in your life
You are now and always confused
The only thing you remember is being abused
You never realized how much I care
Always wanting an option to carry a spare
Now you have the freedom you always asked
You can now uncover your mask
I am not a Leo but a Capricorn
What can I do? that is what I was born.
My birth date does not make upto six
I never thought that even that will be a risk.
My existence made your life crappy
Atleast now without me you can be happy!!
I am just waiting for the day
Which is not very far away
When I will be amongst the graves
Far away from the mundane craves
It may be in months or may be in years
But I was dead for you the very day
When you made the choice and went away..

I used to love train journeys, they are always fun when you are travelling in a group. This time though, I was travelling alone. The three day journey to my homeland has always been memorable. I was looking around the platform, hoping to find any familiar faces. Till my last journey, I used to look around for girls, checking the reservation list for girls around my seat was the first job. Gone were those days. I am committed now. I have a girl in my life for the past one and half year and I am very happy with her. Since then, I never even tried to have a slightest glance at any girl. I felt it was also a form of cheating on her. She was in Guwahati already, and we have plans to meet, go for movies and a long list, before I go to my hometown. All these thoughts came to my mind. I was never bothered to check on the reservation list this time. Found my seat and sat down, waiting for the journey to begin. Just then a guy came and stopped, I had a glance, a funky looking guy with piercing and tattoos. He was on my opposite seat. I never used to talk with these kinda guys; moreover my gf hated these kinda guys which made me hate them even more. So, I ignored him, trying to go through one of the magazines which I had brought for my company. The journey began, and gradually but unknowingly, I started to interact with the guy. A bong guy from Guwahati, which somehow made me closer to him, as my Gf was bong too. We talked of our lives and love stories. I found his gf was equally committed to him like my gf. He got innumerous calls from his gf, which made me feel jealous. But somehow I felt connected to him, which made me happy. I thought my magazines would give me company, but his company made the journey shorter. Two days passed by, the next morning we are supposed to reach home, I was having goose bumps on my skin; at last I am reaching and meeting her. So many plans for so long for this big day. He asked me to show my gf’s picture. I didn't have any laptop or a Smartphone, so I couldn’t. But I promised him that me and my gf will definitely meet him in Guwahati. He replied “My laptop is deep inside the baggage bro, but will take it out and show you our pictures tomorrow morning. I smiled. We both were eager to see each other’s girlfriends as we have heard and told so much of our love stories. Next morning he woke me up, "Bro, we have reached Nalbari" and passed me a cup of tea. He was already doing something in his laptop. He called me " Bro, check out my latest Birthday pictures, she had got a pretty cake for me. Isn't she cute?” I came down from the bunker bed, stood beside him and looked at the picture. I rubbed my eyes again.

I was shell shocked, as if somebody had forced me to jump from an aeroplane. The plastic cup dropped down from my hand. He kept staring at me. I silently walked away; I really needed a breath of fresh air.

(This is a work of fiction, any resemblance is purely coincidental)