Echoes of Unspoken Words

**This is the last time we are talking, even this is the last message I am sending...** 

 

Lalit read the message over and over again, his fingers hovering over the screen, unsure of what to say. His mind felt numb, his heart heavy, and his eyes blurred with unshed tears. After a long pause, he finally typed, *"Hmmm... thik hai."* But deep down, he wasn’t ready for this—not again. 

 

It wasn’t the first time Payal had done this. A few days ago, and even before that, she had tried to push him away. But today it was very disheartening. Just yesterday, he had been happy—finally, after so long, they had talked, laughed, shared everything hidden in the corners of their hearts. And now... this. 

 

Her note started with *I love you,* but ended with *I hate you.* .

 

He read those words again and again, trying to make sense of them. The note was filled with explanations—how his presence was ruining her happiness, how his love was becoming suffocating, and how his existence was dangerous for her peace. 

 

*"But still, I hate you."* 

 

The words echoed in his mind like a cruel joke. He wanted to scream, to fight, to tell her she was wrong. His anger surged within him, boiling under the weight of helplessness. But all he could hear was silence—heavy, unbearable silence that filled every corner of his thoughts. 

 

And then it struck him—there had been no mention of him in her words. No mention of how he feels. It was as if his feelings were irrelevant, as though it had all been so easy for her in the past. But now... now, it was so different. Interesting, how things change. 

 

With a deep breath, he typed one last message: *"If my presence is ruining your happiness, I better leave."*

 

He clenched his fists, staring at the emptiness around him. His eyes wandered across the room until they landed on the novel lying on the table. He reached for it, flipping through its pages—because at least it wouldn’t walk away. At least it wouldn’t say, *I hate you.*