Departure

There it was again. The lightness in my head, which made me, want to slow down. But today I couldn't. I checked his bags again. They were packed and ready by the door, as he always liked them.

He clicked on his phone to book a cab. There was still time.

He pushed his cup away and stood up from the table. The sudden move made his face go pale and he grabbed a chair to steady himself.

“Are you alright? Giddy with happiness?” I said, supplying a good reason.

It worked cause he shook his head and relaxed. I cleared our cups quietly from the table and went to the kitchen.

In the 8 years of our marriage, I had never felt the need to have a child because he kept my hands full. He was always full of stories. We talked endlessly, and laughed at the same jokes. I admired his innocence and simplicity but also worried about it. We made a good pair.

It was a life that I had come to like till he told me about Sheena. She was new at her office and he couldn't keep himself away. He had looked miserable and I wasn't sure that he had the capacity to decide what was best for him. So I did.

I had volunteered to break the news to our respective parents and he couldn't be more relieved. It was his suggestion that I keep the apartment while he moved with Sheena. He would keep the car. The lawyer had assured us that the formalities of separatio

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n would be smoothly settled.

He was looking at his phone again. The cab would be 5 minutes away. The impatience was showing.

“Sit down, there is still time. Should I get you more tea?” I called out from the kitchen.

He slid into the nearest chair. By now his throat would be parched.

“Anita, a glass of water.” He called out as if on cue.

“Sure.”

I continued to crush ginger for tea. As the pestle met the mortar, the sound of pounding echoed in the apartment. I was feeling worn out.

“Water, please” His feeble voice sounded strange to my ears.

He was gasping for breath now.

It was time. I went out and sat on the sofa next to him. I sipped my tea.

There were beads of sweat on his forehead. He made a pathetic attempt to stand but his legs had stopped responding to his commands now.

“It will be very quick I promise. You won’t feel a thing. First you lose control on the body and then your heart stops. I bought the very best for us.” I explained as clearly as I could. My words were getting slurred.

He fell down from the chair. I bent down next to him and put his head on my lap. He must be scared. I held him tightly to soothe him. He was breathing deeply trying to reach the last reserve of energy. I closed my eyes.

I would never have to worry about him again.