That's how I love

The aroma of spices danced in the air as Dev adjusted his tie, a nervous flutter in his stomach. Anika, his date from the dating app, awaited him at a corner table, her profile picture barely doing justice to the vibrant saree that draped her slender frame. He smiled, remembering the witty banter and thought-provoking messages they'd exchanged. He hadn't revealed his past as a psychologist; this was a fresh start, a new Dev.

Anika looked radiant, yet a shadow flickered in her eyes, a hint of the intriguing complexities he'd sensed online.

The scent of cardamom and cloves hung heavy in the air, a sweet counterpoint to the nervous butterflies fluttering in Anika's stomach. Dev, the man from the dating app who had captivated her with his witty banter and insightful messages, adjusted his tie, a subtle flicker of nervousness betraying his calm facade. He was handsome, yes, but there was something more, an aura of depth that intrigued her.

He smiled, warm and genuine, and Anika felt a blush creep up her neck. "You look even more stunning than in your pictures," he said, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down her spine. "The saree is exquisite."

Anika preened, secretly pleased. Attention had always been her fuel, and his genuine praise was a welcome change from the usual online flattery. "Thank you," she purred, her voice carefully controlled. "It's a family heirloom."

They settled into their seats, the murmur of conversation and clinking glasses creating a comfortable white noise. Dev, ever the charmer, asked about her college days, a seemingly innocuous question that sent a jolt through Anika. Those years, once vibrant and carefree, were now tinged with regret and a bitterness she desperately tried to suppress.

"Oh, college!" she laughed, a touch too loud. "Those were the days. We used to bunk lectures all the time, me and my closest friend, and head straight to Sitaram Diwanchand for their legendary chhole bhature."

The words tumbled out before she could stop them, a betrayal of the carefully constructed narrative she'd built for Dev. Anika's heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic bird trapped in a cage. Had she just revealed too much?

Dev's eyes widened a fraction, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face. "Interesting," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "Closest friend, you say?"

Anika swallowed hard, the weight of her past suddenly pressing down on her. "Yes," she mumbled, her gaze darting away from his probing eyes. "We were inseparable back then."

But a lie, even a well-crafted one, couldn't withstand scrutiny. The truth, like a hungry beast, clawed at the edges of her composure.

Dev's eyes held hers, reflecting the flickering candlelight and a curiosity she couldn't decipher. He'd seen the joy flit across her face when she mentioned college pranks, followed by a swift curtain of regret. It was like watching a kaleidoscope of emotions, hinting at a past she kept tightly locked away.

He chose his words carefully, avoiding any mention of her slip-up. "Chhole bhature, then?" he suggested, his voice warm and inviting. "I have fond memories of them from my college days too."

Anika hesitated, surprised by his choice. It was almost as if he'd heard her unspoken yearning, the echo of laughter and stolen moments with a ghost from her past.

Dev's smile, previously warm, now felt like a spotlight on her exposed nerves. He'd ordered her favorite college dish, a seemingly innocent gesture that now felt laden with hidden meaning.

The conversation flowed easily, Dev navigating her academic achievements and professional journey with the finesse of a seasoned interviewer. Yet, amidst the comfortable chatter, his questions took an unexpected turn.

"And your son?" he asked casually, "What's he like? Does he take after you?"

The trap was sprung, and Anika stumbled right in. "Oh, he's definitely more like his father," she rushed out, eager to fill the silence. "Honest, hardworking, compassionate... a true gentleman, really."

The words tumbled out, each one a brick in the wall she was desperately trying to build.As she spoke, a cold dread crept into her heart. She wasn't revealing just her son's personality, she was revealing herself. The guilt she'd buried deep, the manipulation she'd employed, the bitterness that had poisoned their family life – it all spilled out, disguised as compliments for her son's father.Anika's gaze darted around the restaurant, searching for an escape. The vibrant colors, the cheerful chatter, all seemed to mock her, highlighting the hollowness of her words.

However, Dev's smile remained unchanged, but the glint in his eyes deepened. "Interesting," he mused, taking a calculated sip of his drink. "Father seems to have some virtues you are proud of!."

Anika felt trapped, like a fly caught in a web. With every response, she entangled herself deeper, revealing hidden truths she'd meticulously concealed.

Anika squirmed under Dev's gaze, the glint in his eyes like a spotlight on her tangled emotions. "He has some good qualities, yes," she admitted, her voice tight. "But that doesn't negate the pain he caused."

Dev leaned back, studying her with an intensity that made her skin prickle. "Pain is a powerful teacher, Anika," he said, his voice low and measured. "Sometimes, it shows us not just what we lost, but also what we truly value."

His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. Anika felt a wave of defensiveness rise within her. "I don't need a lecture on forgiveness," she snapped, her voice brittle. "I appreciate the good, even in those who've wronged me. It doesn't make me negative."

But Dev's smile remained, devoid of judgment. "It's not about negativity," he countered gently, "but about understanding the complexities of human relationships. We all have both light and shadow, and appreciating both doesn't diminish the hurt, but perhaps allows us to move forward with a little less bitterness."

Anika's carefully constructed facade began to crumble. His words, laced with empathy and understanding, resonated with a truth she couldn't deny. The bitterness she carried wasn't just towards her ex, but also towards herself, a venomous cocktail of guilt and regret.

"It's not that simple," she whispered, her voice laced with vulnerability. "The past is a heavy burden, and sometimes pretending it doesn't exist is the only way to survive."

Dev's gaze softened. "But pretending often comes at a cost, Anika," he said softly. "The truth, however painful, can also be liberating. It allows us to heal, to grow, and to finally let go."

His words were like a key, unlocking a door Anika had kept firmly shut. She could resist, retreat back into the comfort of her illusions, or she could take a leap of faith and trust him, trust herself, to face the truth within.

The silence stretched, thick with unspoken emotions. Anika looked at Dev, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to the storm raging within her. In his eyes, she saw not judgment, but a reflection of her own yearning for peace.

The decision, like a fragile butterfly, fluttered on the edge of her being. Would she choose the comfort of the known, or embrace the unknown journey of self-discovery? As she met Dev's gaze, a single tear rolled down her cheek, a silent testament to the battle raging within.

Anika's tear, glistening like a diamond under the soft candlelight, hung suspended in the air, mirroring the unspoken question hanging between her and Dev. Just as she parted her lips to speak, a flicker of movement caught Dev's eye.

Across the room, at a table shrouded in shadows, sat a lone figure. Their back was to Anika, the only visible feature a pair of broad shoulders and a hand, seemingly sculpted from marble, slowly swirling the last dregs of cold coffee in a glass. An odd stillness emanated from the figure, a deliberate yet unhurried energy that contradicted the sluggishness of the dying drink.

Dev, his gaze trained on this silent observer, felt a prickle of curiosity crawl up his spine. The man's posture, ramrod straight, spoke of unwavering discipline, yet the slow, deliberate movement of his hand hinted at a controlled intensity, a coiled spring waiting to be released. It was the quiet power of a predator, patient and watchful, observing the world unfold from the shadows.

Anika, oblivious to the drama unfolding behind her, continued her internal struggle, her emotions a storm brewing beneath the surface. But Dev, a seasoned observer of human behavior, couldn't shake the enigmatic figure from his sight. Who was this solitary man, shrouded in darkness, sipping his cold coffee like a forgotten memory?

Was he simply another patron, lost in his own thoughts? Or was there something more, a hidden agenda veiled by the shadows? The question gnawed at Dev, a discordant note in the symphony of Anika's words. He knew he shouldn't let it distract him, but the allure of the unknown, the silent observer in the shadows, proved irresistible.

In that moment, torn between the woman before him and the mystery behind, Dev made a silent choice. He would delve deeper into Anika's story.

Anika's tear, still glistening on her cheek, demanded his full attention.

He reached across the table, not to wipe the tear, but to offer her a comforting smile. "Anika," he began, his voice low and soothing, "you mentioned your son takes after his father in many ways. Tell me, what led you to part ways with him?"

His question wasn't prying, not intrusive. It wasn't a demand, but an invitation, a safe space for her to share as much or as little as she felt comfortable with. The sincerity in his eyes, the absence of judgment in his tone, did something unexpected. It cracked open the dam within her, a tiny fissure through which memories threatened to spill.

Anika hesitated, the familiar defenses rising. But something in Dev's gaze, a quiet strength laced with understanding, disarmed her. "It wasn't...one thing," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "It was a slow unraveling, a tapestry woven with misunderstandings, resentments, and ultimately, a lack of compatibility."

Anika's voice trembled as she spoke, the words tumbling out like long-suppressed confessions. "He was...too honest, Dev," she admitted, her eyes searching his for understanding. "In a world where everyone seems to be playing the game, he refused to bend the rules. Even when I encouraged him, pushed him to 'be smarter' like his colleagues, he wouldn't budge."

Dev listened patiently, his gaze steady and unwavering. He sensed the turmoil within her, the clash between her own desires and the values she'd once admired in her husband.

"He took care of his parents, even though they lived separately," Anika continued, her voice laced with a bitterness she couldn't mask. "He showered them with love and attention, while I felt neglected, forgotten."

Anika paused, the unspoken accusation hanging heavy in the air. She wanted Dev to understand, to see the injustice she felt. She craved a man who would prioritize her above all else, who wouldn't hesitate to bend the rules, to climb the ladder of success, all for her sake.

But Dev's response surprised her. "And you didn't like that?" he asked gently, his voice devoid of judgment.

Anika flinched, taken aback by his calm tone. "Of course not!" she blurted out. "He should have focused on me, on building our life together. His loyalty to others felt like a betrayal."

Dev leaned back, his eyes thoughtful. "Anika," he said softly, "love and loyalty are not zero-sum games. True love allows space for others, for family, for passions outside the relationship. It doesn't diminish what you share, but enriches it."

His words resonated within her, stirring a long-dormant unease. Was her need for absolute possession truly love, or a reflection of her own insecurities? Did she truly despise his honesty, or did it simply challenge her own desire for a life built on shortcuts and compromises?

The weight of her revelation hung heavy in the air. She had exposed the ugliness within herself, the part she had kept hidden even from herself. But in Dev's gaze, she saw not disgust, but a flicker of empathy, a shared understanding of the complexities of human relationships.

"Perhaps," she whispered, her voice barely audible, "I didn't love him the way I thought I did."

The confession, a fragile seed of self-awareness, had been planted. Would it blossom into acceptance, or would the familiar bitterness continue to consume her? The answer, like the figure in the shadows, remained shrouded in mystery, waiting to be unveiled as their story unfolded.

As Anika's confession hung heavy in the air, Dev's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. He hadn't expected such a revelation, especially about her ex-husband. The weight of her words settled between them like a heavy fog, the gravity of her actions sinking in.

"Anika..." Dev started, his voice barely above a whisper, "you... you did that to your ex-husband?"

Anika nodded, her gaze still downcast, unable to meet his eyes. "Yes," she admitted, her voice barely audible. "I... I screwed up his life, Dev. I put false cases on him, got him jailed for twelve years."

Dev felt a surge of conflicting emotions — disbelief, anger, and a deep sadness for the pain Anika must have carried all these years. He reached out, hesitating for a moment before gently lifting her chin, urging her to look at him.

"Why, Anika?" he asked, his voice filled with a mix of compassion and confusion. "What led you to do something like that?"

Anika's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she struggled to find the words. "I... I wanted to get rid of him," she confessed, her voice trembling. "I was... scared, Dev. Scared of facing the consequences, of being blamed for our failed marriage. I thought if he was out of the picture, I could start over, have a clean slate."

Dev's heart ached for her, the weight of her confession hitting him like a punch to the gut. He could see the pain etched in her features, the regret that had haunted her for years.

"Anika," Dev said softly, his thumb gently wiping away a tear that escaped her eye, "that's... that's a lot to carry. To have made such a grave mistake out of fear and desperation."

Anika nodded, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. "I know," she whispered, her voice filled with remorse. "I know I was wrong, Dev. I was... I was so lost back then, so consumed by my own pain and anger."

Dev pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as she cried. "Shh, it's okay," he murmured, his voice a soothing balm on her raw emotions. "You don't have to carry this alone anymore, Anika. I'm here for you."

Anika clung to him, her tears soaking his shirt as she finally allowed herself to release the burden she had carried for so long. In Dev's embrace, she found solace and a glimmer of hope for redemption.

"I'm so sorry, Dev," she whispered between sobs, her words muffled against his chest. "I never meant to hurt anyone like that."

Dev held her close, his own heart heavy with the weight of her pain. "I know, Anika," he said softly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "I know you're not the same person you were back then. And I believe in second chances."

Anika lifted her head, her eyes searching his for forgiveness. "Do... do you forgive me, Dev?" she asked, her voice trembling with uncertainty.

Dev met her gaze with unwavering compassion. "I do," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "But more importantly, I hope you can forgive yourself."

Anika felt a wave of relief wash over her, a sense of liberation she hadn't known was possible. In Dev's forgiveness and understanding, she found the strength to forgive herself, to let go of the burden of her past mistakes.

As they held each other in the quiet intimacy of the restaurant, the unknown figure from the table behind Anika seemed to stir. Dev, sensing movement, glanced over Anika's shoulder to see the shadowy figure wearing headphones. The man's breathing had become more pronounced, almost panting, as if he had been listening intently to their conversation.

A shiver ran down Dev's spine as he locked eyes with the mysterious observer. There was something unsettling about the way the man stared at Anika, a predatory intensity that sent a chill down Dev's spine. It was as if he had been waiting for this moment, for Anika to reveal her darkest secret.

Anika, sensing Dev's tension, turned to follow his gaze. When she saw the figure behind her, a gasp escaped her lips. "Who... who is that?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Dev's grip on her tightened protectively. "I don't know," he admitted, his voice low and cautious. "But something tells me he's been listening to every word we've said."

Anika's heart pounded in her chest as she stared at the shadowy figure. Who was he, and what did he want? The restaurant suddenly felt suffocating, the air thick with tension and unease.

Before they could react, the figure rose from his seat, the scraping of the chair against the floor echoing through the hushed restaurant. He took a step towards their table, his movements slow and deliberate, like a predator stalking its prey.

Anika's breath caught in her throat as he approached, his eyes fixed on her with an unsettling intensity. She could feel a cold sweat breaking out on her skin, her instincts screaming at her to run.

But Dev remained calm, a steady presence beside her. "Anika," he said softly, his voice a quiet reassurance, "whatever happens, I'm here with you. We'll face this together."

Anika nodded, her heart racing as the figure loomed over their table. He was tall, imposing, his features obscured by the darkness. In the dim light, Anika could make out a scar running down his cheek, a jagged line that spoke of violence and danger.

"Anika Sharma," the man's voice was low, gravelly, sending a shiver down her spine. "You thought you could escape me, but you were wrong."

Anika's blood turned to ice in her veins. "Who... who are you?" she managed to choke out, her voice trembling with fear.

The man's lips curled into a sinister smile. "You don't recognize me, MOM?" 

As Anika's heart raced with fear at the sight of the looming figure, the man stepped closer into the dim light of the restaurant. Anika's eyes widened in shock as the features became clearer, revealing not her ex-husband, but her long-lost son, Aarav.

"Aarav?" Anika gasped, her voice barely a whisper. "Is that... is that really you?"

Aarav's eyes, once bright with innocence, now held a storm of hurt and betrayal. "Yes, Mother," he said, his voice dripping with bitterness. "It's me. Your son, whom you abandoned years ago."

Anika's heart shattered into a million pieces as the weight of her past actions crashed down on her with a force she couldn't bear. She had left Aarav at a boarding school hostel years ago, thinking she was giving him a better life, but in reality, she had left a wound in his heart that had never healed.

"I... I thought I was doing what was best for you, Aarav," Anika stammered, her voice filled with desperation. "I wanted you to have a good education, a bright future..."

Aarav's eyes burned with anger as he cut her off. "Don't you dare, Mother," he spat, the words dripping with venom. "You abandoned me, left me alone in that hostel while you pursued your own happiness. And now... now I hear the truth."

Anika's heart pounded in her chest as Aarav's words pierced her soul. "The truth?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Aarav took a step closer, his eyes blazing with accusation. "I received regular letters from Dad," he said, his voice trembling with emotion. "He wrote to me every week, telling me he loved me, that he was fighting for our family to be together again."

Anika's breath caught in her throat as the weight of Aarav's words settled over her like a suffocating blanket. Her ex-husband had never stopped loving their son, had never given up hope of reuniting their fractured family. And she... she had been the one to tear them apart.

"I... I didn't know," Anika whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I didn't know he was writing to you, Aarav. I thought... I thought he had abandoned us."

Aarav's eyes softened for a moment, a flicker of the boy she had once known shining through the hurt and anger. "He never stopped loving us, Mother," he said, his voice filled with grief. "He died in that jail, alone and brokenhearted because of what you did to him."

Anika's world spun as she heard the truth, the magnitude of her actions crashing down on her with a force she couldn't bear. She had destroyed her family, torn them apart with her own hands, all in the name of selfishness and fear.

"I'm so sorry, Aarav," Anika sobbed, sinking to her knees in front of her son. "I never meant to hurt you, or your father. I was... I was so lost, so consumed by my own pain."

Aarav's expression softened slightly as he looked down at his mother, the woman who had once been his rock now crumbling before him. "I know, Mother," he said softly, a hint of sadness in his voice. "But sorry isn't enough to undo the damage you've done."

As Anika wept on the floor, her heart breaking into a million pieces, Aarav turned away from her, his gaze distant and pained. "I... I need time," he said, his voice barely a whisper. "Time to process all of this, to come to terms with what you've done."

Anika watched helplessly as her son walked away, his figure disappearing into the shadows of the restaurant. She knew she had lost him, perhaps forever, and the weight of that realization was like a dagger to her heart.

As she sat there, alone and broken, Dev knelt down beside her, his presence a comfort in the midst of her turmoil. "Anika," he said softly, his voice filled with compassion, "I'm here for you. Whatever you need, whatever you decide to do, I'll support you."

Anika looked up at Dev, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I... I don't know what to do," she whispered, her voice filled with despair. "I've lost everything, Dev. My family, my son... I don't know if I can ever make things right."

Dev took her hand in his, his touch warm and reassuring. "It's never too late to try, Anika," he said, his voice filled with hope. "You have to believe that."

As Anika clung to Dev, her heart aching with regret and longing, the restaurant around them seemed to fade away. In that moment, there was only the two of them, bound together by the tangled threads of fate and redemption.

But as they sat there, lost in their own world of pain and heartache, a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness of the restaurant. It was Aarav, his expression hardened with determination and grief.

"Mother," he said, his voice ringing out through the hushed restaurant, "I know what I have to do."

Anika looked up, her heart pounding with fear and hope. "Aarav, please..." she pleaded, reaching out to him.

But Aarav's gaze was steely as he turned away from her, his eyes locked on Dev. "I'm sorry, Dev," he said, his voice filled with resolve. "But I can't let her get away with what she's done."

And with that, Aarav turned and walked out of the restaurant, leaving Anika and Dev behind in a cloud of uncertainty and despair.

As Anika watched her son leave, her heart shattered into a million pieces. She knew she had lost him, perhaps forever. And as she clung to Dev, her world spinning out of control, she couldn't help but wonder what would happen next.

—***—