SECOND CHANCE

She went out for an early morning stroll thinking that a "new" day has finally arrived and  quite determined to make it stop. The fresh air helped her soothe and drain her stress away. She took herself to a hillside and steadied her pace as she saw the sun making its way up. She stood there facing the beautiful horizon and the radiant sun, and inhaled deeply so it hits to her core. Closing her eyes and tilting her head slightly backwards. Soft, chilling breeze pushed her hair back and she loosened up a little, felt lighter.

"I had enough of this life. Now I have to leave. I have to change. I HAVE TO CHANGE MY LIFE". She affirmed to herself, repeatedly. She decided from this moment on, she couldn't be the same anymore. She sat there and closed her eyes, concentrated on her breathing, tried to listen to the sounds around, the birds, the silence.

The sun was up when she opened her eyes and felt warmer in her body. She had slightly dozed off. She could hear the city's voice, who was preparing to get ready for the day ahead.

She got up instantly and walked towards her house with clarity in her thoughts. He was already up when she reached there, probably had been looking for her. She sauntered straight to the kitchen and brewed coffee for both of them. Took the cups to the bedroom and placed it on the table while looking towards him who was standing at the balcony.

"Hey, good morning," she said, tried to sound cheerful. He seemed dispirited and couldn't manage to even look at her. And then she noticed a tear roll down his cheeks. She took a deep breath and glanced towards him thoughtfully.

It had been a year now from the day they had fallen in love. And in this one year that they shared, she had found him dating another girl. Another incident when he slapped her for no specific reason but his ego. And last they had a fight on small random issue, after which he left the house saying unpleasant things to her. He returned around midnight, when she still was sobbing silently. But he had slipped slowly beside her showing no concern.

In the morning when he woke up, she wasn't there and panicked a little.

After their fight that day, he went on that same hill and broke into tears instantly. Nothing was working well in his life causing him to lose control of himself. He was treating his girlfriend in the worst manner. His mother had been sick for quite a long time. And last evening when one his friends called him a loser, he punched him on his face. And then all of his other friends started shouting at him in anger and frustration, that he's a coward, and he should be dying instead of his sick mother.

When he came home, he took it all out on his girlfriend. He was so infuriated that he even threw her on the bed and was about to punch her when his mother's face appeared in front of his eyes. In a moment, he got up and thundered out of the house.

While on the hillside, he slowly tried to face all that he had done in the past one year. And he gradually realised that it all happened due to his own insecurity and trying to prove something to someone. He cried and whimpered in pain thinking about how she had been so patient with him all this time. And now, he was sure, that she'll leave her. He felt heavy thinking about it. Deep down he knew, he loved her but also knew at the same time that there was no way he could stop her from going away.

IN THE MORNING

After placing the cup, when she moved towards him hesitantly, and put her loving hand on his bare back for one last time, he couldn't control anymore and fell on his knees, crying, his eyes red.

"Please don't leave me. I know I have done unforgivable things. I have now realized and accepted that I'm a coward and insecure person. But don't leave me. You can take your time. Do whatever you need to do, but please don't leave me."

He was crying like a child, and soon she was on her knees crying with him. She couldn't stop herself from falling into his arms and feel him again.

They rested peacefully in each other's embrace and there was no need for words. Words had been thrown and now emotions had to be communicated. After a while she began, "I love you but I have to leave but thank you for realizing what you did and feeling sorry for it, and letting me come to you with ease. He kept listening and his tears never stopped.

And then he looked up and asked her with sincerity in his voice, "can you give me some time. I beg you. I'll be on your parole. I will become a better person, and then you can see for yourself. Because it all had been happening for a year. My parole would last for two years. Double." She sensed the urgency and truth in his words. "Will you help me in becoming a better person?"

"Yes, I'll be with you in making you a better person, I'll always be with you." She bursted out into tears. Now, they were both hugging each other while still on their knees.

Finally, she got up, took his hands into hers and made him stand. She smiled at him and moved closer to him and kissed him on his forehead and then threw herself on his chest and felt immense peace. They stood there for a long time which also happened after a long, long time.