The one

 An hour to midnight. Raj was driving his week-old sedan back home. The first gift to himself after his promotion. He's usually home by 8, today's delay being the outcome of a casual party amongst his office bros. A typical "NEW CAR party". Raj isn't a particularly sociable guy; an introvert, yet friendly. Still, he had to give in to the constant nagging from his colleagues. And so, a "party".

He drove up to the basement and parked his car. Stared at the beauty with pride. His eyes shining. He hated EMIs like anything, and had been saving for years for his child. After a few more moments of glazing, he proceeds towards the lift. 15th floor. A helpless acrophobic, there wasn't any cheap apartments available.

As the lift ascended(which he felt was absurdly slow), he felt sleepy. Who doesn't after a boring party! And then, somewhere around the 10th floor, he notices a piece of paper peeking out of the carpet in the otherwise clean lift. A good citizen, he picks up that crap, intending to dump it somewhere. But well, the human curiosity. The paper unfolds into a pharmacy bill. For a condom. He smiles and puts it away.

A humble dude, Raj had a few things in his life to cherish about. His car, his apartment and his girlfriend. Sneha. Sneha and Raj had been in relationship for over four years. She worked as a blogger, which was almost always remote. Both of them had moved in together about an year ago. 

Raj rings the bell. "Ding Dong!"

"Coming! Gimme 5 minutes"

Raj stares at his watch. The door opens exactly after 5 minutes 25 seconds. Just Raj being Raj.

"How was your party?"

"Yea fine. Boring rather. What 'bout you?"

"Same old writing shit"

"Here. For you"

"What's this"

"Have a look"

Raj handed her a bag, and went to change.

"Thanks" Sneha says grinning as Raj comes out of the washroom. She'd poured one of the beers out into a glass. Sipping slowly. Sipping and typing. After all, who doesn't like cold beer after a long tiring day! Raj was happy. Her smile meant the world to him.

Sneha finishes her beer.

"You looking incredibly sweet tonight. Isn't this the top from last year?"

"Ah yes! Have you forgotten already?!"

They'd gone on a Goa trip last year, a few days after moving in. That top was Raj's choice. A light blue-green tank top.

"Of course I remember! Let me.." Raj takes the glass away.

"Did you want a sip? Sorry, I forgot!"

"Well, you might as well share now!"

"What do you mean?"

Raj picks her up from the chair, hugs, presses and locks his lips into hers, into the most intimate smooch humanely possible!

"You crazy?! I got stuff to do, Raj!"

"The beer was nice! Let's do it again!!"

"Please no. I got wo..."

"You can postpone that for later. No worries!"

Raj slams the laptop shut and picks Sneha up. Carrying her to the bedroom. Sneha jumps down.

"Why don't we just do it here!?"

"As you say, babe!"

She pushes Raj onto the sofa, and jumps over him.

"Wearing that, aren't you?"

"Of course!"

This was't the first time they're having sex(well, obviously). They remain busy in their work for most of the time. A weekly intimacy doesn't hurt, eh? 

Next day. 8 AM. Sneha was already up, typing in her laptop. 

"When did you wake up?"

"Not a sleepyhead like ya"

"Ah okay"

Raj was ready by 10. Had his breakfast which Sneha had already prepared. Ate, kissed her and left.

A happy Raj takes his seat. Turned his workstation on(they referred to the computers as "workstations"; funny terminology, he always thought). He catches a faint smell. A very well known one! 

Sneha's perfume from yesterday!!

------X------

Sneha relaxing in a sauna. All sweaty. Barely had her towel on. With Kushal.

"Were you alright?"

"Yea.. barely managed to escape. It wasn't that close to be honest"

"How's he?"

"Cheerful as ever"

"Did he seem to know anything"

"I guess no. A pretty gullible dude, he is"

"Are you sure?"

"Of course"

Kushal dragged Sneha onto his lap. Hugging her from behind. Sweaty all over, his hands on her breasts. Kissed her on the neck, licking some sweat off her.

"Who do you think is better, Sneha?"

"I don't dwell on first impressions, Kush"

Kushal is Raj's colleague, and although elder in years, his junior. They share the same room. Apart from some diplomatic bitterness, they had managed to keep their mutual relationship clean. He didn't however attend Raj's party, stating health issues; and worked half-time in office the next day.

That day Raj brought home Sneha's favourite cheesecake. She wasn't home though. Was out on a girls' night out. She returned the next day. Much refreshed than ever.

"Had a massage?"

"Nope. Spa. Me and Preeti"

"I see. I kept your cake in the freezer"

"Oh thanks!"

Weirdly enough, Sneha was a bit restless. Raj noticed that. Maybe her work. He didn't think much about that. Packed his stuff, kissed her, and left for work.

Two weeks passed by without much happening. Kushal had a presentation, but was missing. Without notice. No one has heard from him since two days. Raj had to replace him, although he was a his senior. He was naturally pissed off. In fact, even Sneha was out. Writing a travel blog. Some company had sponsored her trip, apparently. Her mere presence was enough for Raj to keep calm. Stuff that happens when you love someone, maybe!

Raj handled the presentation, still pissed off at everything around him. Was relieved when it was over. Returned home and ordered a pizza. He's into his third slice, when he calls Sneha. 

"Where are you?"

Sneha is in her towel. In some sort of a changing room.

"What do you think?"

"Bathing?"

"Nah. Sauna. I got to write an overly detailed blog"

"I see. Had a morbidly difficult presentation to give. It was Kushal's in fact. Dunno where that rat's been. Been missing without a notice!"

"Why are you fussing over a presentation?"

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing!"

"Never mind! When are you returning?"

Sneha was visibly irritated at this point. "Why don't you just let me work in peace?! Okay. I know what you're upto."

She drops her towel. Raj keeps staring. Expressionless. At the curves. Of the human he loves. Naked. He has seen her before. But something just wasn't right this time..

This isn't what he ever asked for. But...

"You happy now?"

She doesn't wait for his reply, and hangs up.

Something's visibly not right. Sneha has never been like that before. She isn't someone who would postpone her work for a sauna. But anyway.. He was dead tired, and fell asleep on the sofa itself.

------X------

A week later, Kushal returned. Distributing sweets and stuff. "Had a puja back home", he said. Raj, however smelt something fishy. He was still pissed because of the presentation, but had the sweets anyway. Got back to his work as usual. Didn't tell Kushal anything, though.

Raj returned home to see Sneha waiting for him. In that same old tank top. Her features brighter than ever. 

"When did you come?"

"About 10, I suppose"

"How's your work?"

"Well, I promoted a couple of travel agencies, and they paid a handsome amount. Some 3 lacs"

"That's so cool!"

"Hey Raj.."

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have talked to you like that"

"Oh forget about it! It's okay. Wanna dine out today?"

"Sure. This one's on me!!"

Kushal returned home late that evening.

"Where had you been?!" It was Meera, Kushal's wife.

"Had some office work. Now please shut up and let me be in peace"

They had been married for over two years. Arranged marriage. Meera loved Kushal, which, unfortunately, was largely one sided. Kushal was forced into marriage. He never liked Meera. Neither her "figure" or her dressing sense. He despised their marriage so much that nobody, not a single outsides had any idea of their marriage.

They, however tried to have kids, but failed. To make things worse, Meera never had any pleasure in sex. Heck, she couldn't even fake an orgasm. All these were enough to drive Kushal crazy. He usually remained frustrated most of the time. Never talked to Meera. Used to hire escorts. Even dated a few ladies. Eventually, he met Sneha. The lady of his dreams, who apparently took an interest in him, too.

"You still didn't tell me where you had been!"

"Don't you understand? Office chores"

"Fine. You don't have to tell me. Shall we go out?"

Kushal agreed, for some reason, "Fine with me"

It was almost midnight that they sat down for dinner at a motel. Raj was there too, smoking.

"Ah that's what your puja all about, then!" 

He'd seem Meera. Kushal lost color, thinking his secret would be out. He was relieved soon after, when he realized Sneha wasn't around. 

"You alright?"

"Um yes"

Raj was gone. He had more important stuff to attend to. Sneha.

Sneha lay lazily on the sofa when Raj came in. She'd eaten too much. 

"Sleepy?"

"How could I sleep without you!"

"Aww.. so you never slept during your trip! OMG!"

"Stop kidding. Let's get to sleep"

"You know, I just met a guy from work who had vanished for three weeks. He's returned with a wife!"

"Really?!"

"Yea. Infact, he rejoined us today itself. Was giving out sweets"

Sneha began to shiver. She realised what was going on. Felt dizzy. Nauseating. Felt like crying.

"Are you alright?"

"Hmm.. I'm sleepy"

Raj carried her to their bedroom, and laid her on the bed. Stroked her hair and kissed her cheeks.

"Good night babe"

"Good night"

------X------

The next day. Sneha was making their breakfast. Angry as hell. But couldn't react, or Raj would get everything. Anyway, he had a meeting outside the city that day, and won't be back until the next day. 

"You coming with me?"

"Nope. Tired af"

"Fine. Take rest"

She loses it the moment Raj exits. All of her emotions storming inside. She's crying. Tears her hair apart. Banging stuff. Kushal had, after all, been using her all this while. Calls him up. There's no reply. She realises she's never asked his address before. "LOSER" she screams.

Kushal, however had already guessed what might happen. The moment he got home, he drugs Meera to sleep. Throws his SIM card away, packs his stuff and leaves. Sends his resignation letter, confident that his qualifications would get him one job or other. 

That day evening. Sneha had not moved for a long time. Fainted, probably. The emotional ordeal had been too much for her. Raj had called her but well, she didn't reply. He got worried. Hurriedly set off that night to check on her. It was almost two when he reached home. The door was locked. Knocked, but there still wasn't a reply. Got a spare key from the security. He opened the door. It was dark. Switched the lights on.

He is stunned. Hair lying on the floor. Blood marks, broken glass everywhere. Furniture turned inside out. A few steps ahead, Sneha lies facing down, on the floor. He walks up to her. Notices a small crack on the wall. The paint has chipped off. He turns her upright, and feels a bullet straight through his chest. Sneha's face is smeared in blood. Her hands bleeding. With glass pieces. In her skin. Everywhere.

Raj had always been a fairly practical guy with really cool nerves, and this was something he could never think of happening. And yet that had already happened. And then his intuition kicks in. Feels her pulse; it's faint but still there. He sprinkles water, shakes her, but she doesn't bulge. Realises there's still time, however less. Calls the ambulance and gets her admitted.

Raj was waiting outside the emergency ward. It was almost 3AM. Not a soul in sight. Walked to the cafe to grab a protein drink. Not because he was hungry or something, but Sneha might require blood. He could be the donor, they had the same groups, which was a relief. 

Things were O.K. for Raj until then. He had been smart. He had been fast. And then his emotions kicked in. He had always been ready to part with anything, but Sneha. His eyes moisten up. A tear rolls down his cheek. He sobs. But there ain't no time for these. He blows his nose, and washes his face. There. Sneha would be alright.

He was allowed in after about an hour. She lay senseless. Still. Had hit her head hard on the wall, and had a concussion. And a cut. Luckily enough, the clot happened fairly early and she didn't lose much blood. There were bandages all over her. Palm, hands, cheeks, feet and head. The glass pieces had been removed. The wounds treated. He felt like kissing her. But the hospital rules won't allow. He brings himself close and blows gently. Her eyes twitch. Not much; only a tiny bit. Raj smiles. And then he left.

It was already 5 in the morning when he reached home. Mailed that he won't go to office. Drank cold milk. And went to sleep.

He woke up at around 11. Cleaned up the rooms and went to the hospital. Sneha had gained her senses back. Her bones were intact. No fracture. No infection as such. She did, require a couple of units of blood. They stare at each other for some time. Soon after, Raj leaves and heads towards the blood bank.

------X------

Raj returned from the blood bank. Somewhat weak. Grabbed a glucose drink and a protein bar from the local pharmacy. Got home. Sneaked up into the sofa and lay there lazily. He pondered over the events that had been taking place over the past few weeks. Sneha's attitude towards him, Kushal's bizzare behavior- something's definitely fishy. Does Sneha know Kushal? Or is it something else he had no idea about?

Raj didn't realise when he fell asleep. Woke up to find it's 9 pm. Nice. He slept for over seven hours. Stretched himself. And went out for dinner. The place was well known for it's restaurants. 

It wasn't until 10:30 that he was done. Came outside to face a considerable crowd, not far away, on the other side of the road. Boredom and curiosity got the better of his introvert self, and he joined the crowd. Didn't talk to anyone, but managed to figure out what had happened. A lady's corpse was discovered. Someone had smelled something fishy and had called in the police; after which the body was discovered. Eager as he was to see the face, he couldn't. It was covered, and the constable in charge wouldn't open up either. He, still tried to strike up a conversation.

An hour later, a wiser Raj returned to his apartment. He'd learnt enough to see the dawn, finally. The woman was in her thirties. No signs of injury. No visible signs of poisoning. She had a keychain, bearing her photo with a man. Presumably her husband. The constable didn't have the keychain, which he desperately wanted to have a look at. He picks up a book from the shelf, trying to while away the otherwise boring sleepless night. With no Sneha to hug. To kiss. Or to make out and play around with.

Sneha was still admitted. Some twenty hours from her release. Her head was hurting, and her neck stiff. She tries to wiggle her numb fingers. Her knuckles and wrists were still on fire. 

Sneha thinks about Raj.  He might not know a thing, and yet, didn't for once question her. Or he might know everything, still decides not to leave her on her own. 

What if Kushal calls her?! Raj has her phone now. A chill runs all the way down her spine. A machine, somewhere connected to her squeaks.

She was losing it yet again. A mind shattering thought dawns upon her. Kushal was a handsome hunk of a dude. She lost all her wits before him.

She keeps on blaming herself. Weeping bitterly. On the inside.

Realises she lost herself to a dude who was good in bed, oblivious to the love her boyfriend had for her. Has. He still loves her. Only she didn't. 

She feels overwhelmed. She isn't worth Raj's love. Maybe she should kill herself. One sharp pull, and goodbye Oxygen!  

She prepares herself for that moment. Breathes in and out heavily, hyperventilating herself. Tries to clench her stiff fists. The wrist hurts. The palm hurts. Her eyes flooded. One sharp pull. Just One! 

And then it hits her. She must not die. She could never die in grief. She's a brave girl.

If ever, she had the audacity to cheat, she might as well have the courage to confess. Well, she must!

Sneha smiles. Her eyes still in tears; but her body beginning to live again.

About the same time that day, Raj meets the constable outside his office. They recognise each other.

"How ya doing?"

"I'm fine sir!"

"How's the case going"

"That was pretty simple. I won't give you the names yet. The lady died of drug overdose. Her husband was probably driving drunk, when he crashed"

"That's so sad. Did you see the crash?"

"Yes"

"Do you have a picture of the crash? Mind if I have a look?"

"Sure. I clicked this one myself", he pulls out his phone. "Spot dead sir"

Sure enough, there was nothing left of the car. Except that 1. Raj has never seen the car before,  2. The rear windshield was still intact, and 3. It had "Kushal + Meera" in some fancy font written on it.

"Oh my God. There's no way anyone would have survived that!"

But Raj got everything he was desperately waiting for. Things began to take shape. The scattered dots connected. A thoughtful Raj went back home and immersed himself in his scribble pad.

Sneha was released the next day. Raj helped her in, she was limping. 

"How do you feel?"

"I'm good. Thanks Raj. I owe you a lot"

She's about to say something. But stops midway. Blushes. Raj sees it. 

"Yes?"

"I'm... y'know Raj, I'm.. I'm sorry..."

"Oh nevermind. Kushal's no more. Died in an accident yesterday. Or maybe the day before, I don't know. But before that he'd killed his wife. Drugged her to death, What was her name.. ah yes. Meera."

Raj blurts out. Without a pause.

Sneha listened. In awe. Raj knows everything. Still...

"Listen Sneha. I'm not annoyed at all. But I give you one chance. Make a decision right now"

Sneha breaks into tears. Hugs Raj. Tightly. Crying into his chest.

"I'm sorry Raj. I'd been a miserable person. I'm so sorry! I'll stay. Forever. I  promise"

His eyes moisten too. They had been intimate before, but this hug hit different. It feels different. Ten times cozier, and a hundred times more sincere than ever. He smiles.

"So will I", says he pulling her closer. The two souls merge into one, for the first time in a while.