Page 135 of 12 Years
Liar, liar, liar.
‘I don’t post much though,’ she said.
The airline staffer became impatient. ‘Sir, if you could come with me now, I’ll escort you through immigration. There are other customers who need assistance.’
‘Sure, coming,’ I said to her and then turned to Payal. ‘Bye, Payal.’
‘Bye, Saket,’ she said.
‘Best of luck. Have a good life,’ I said.
Who the fuck says ‘have a good life?’ That was dumb.
‘Yeah. You too,’ she said.
I walked away, feeling the distance between us grow with every step. Every cell in my body ached, as if someone had ripped off my skin. Why did I have to run into her? I had learned to live with my successful career and my low-key depression. I had learned to manage my PTs. And now this?
Why, God? Why?
On the cab ride home, I opened my phone and checked Payal’s WhatsApp profile. The display picture was of her and Parimal, dressed in matching black ethnic wear. His arm was around her waist. I needed to see this—it was a slap, reminding me that she was with someone else now. I zoomed in. Payal was laughing, covering her mouth with her hand. Three and a half billion women on this planet, and yet, hers was the only display picture I blew up to stare at.
Before I could check Payal’s Instagram feed, Mudit called.
‘What’s up, bro? You must be at the airport. Your flight’s on time?’ he said.
‘No, it’s been cancelled due to bad weather. I fly out tomorrow now,’ I said. I left out the bit about meeting Payal.
‘Oh. That’s fine, a one-day delay doesn’t matter,’ Mudit said. ‘Let me know if you need my help to reschedule any meetings.’
‘I can do it,’ I said.
‘You okay, bro? You sound low,’ Mudit said.
It’s scary when your best friend knows you so well.
‘Yeah, just tired,’ I said. ‘Spent so many hours in the airport. And then no flight. But am headed back home now.’
‘Whatever happens, happens for the good. There must be something good in this as well.’
‘I doubt it.’
‘You’re safe. That’s what matters.’
‘Love you, man.’
‘Love you too, bro. You want me to come over?’
‘Not in this weather. I’m tired too. Let me just sleep.’
‘Fine. But do sleep. Don’t check your phone or do work stuff.’
‘Okay. Good night, bro,’ I said, and ended the call.
I put my phone back in my pocket. I didn’t have to check Payal’s Instagram right away. Nothing good would come of it. It would just be pictures of her happy married life with Parimal. Each post would be like a nail hammering into my heart. I didn’t need to torture myself any further.
‘Right there. The building on the left,’ I said to the cab driver as we reached my apartment complex.
‘This isn’t just a Series C investment. This is a vote of confidence in all of us. This is our investors saying whatever we’re doing is valuable. That we, at SecurityNet, have built something they want to be a part of.’
