Thane
'I don't like you Kaashvi but I am grateful that you exposed Ariana. We owe you one but keep
your best friend away from my family.'
'You don't have to worry ma'am. I'm taking Mahira to London. She won't be a problem.'
Wait did I hear right. Mahira is going to London? But why? Why now when I just lost my wife.
Well it's not her fault that Ariana turned out the way she did but why is she going?
Mahira was falsely accused because of me and I need to fix things with her. After all that
humiliation I put her through, she didn't deserve it.
I don't know why it hurts me that Mahira is going away but I don't want to let her go. I want to
keep her close. I need to stop her from going to London.
'Mahira!'
I ran towards her'
'Mahira, please don't go.'
Kaashvi stood in front of her serving as a shield…from me. I tried to look over her shoulder to
get Mahira's attention but her head was bowed low.
'Listen here Thane, you had seven years to claim Mahira as your own but now is not the time!'
Kaashvi looked at me, her eyes unwilling to back down, her voice dominant and cold. Somehow
getting through mahi was always easier than getting through her friend. Unlike Mahira, Kaashvi
was stubborn.
'Mahira, I know you love me. Please. Look into my eyes and tell me you still want to be with me.
I am willing to give us a chance. Tell Kaashvi that you don't want to go.'
It was wrong of me to use that against her, but I had to talk to her. I looked through kaashvi
trying to get a proper glimpse of Mahira. Mahira looked down and hid behind Kaashvi.
'Mahira doesn't want anything to do with you. Now move aside.'
Kaashvi pushed me aside and took Mahira's hand, leading her to the car.
I will try to make things right Mahira. I promise.
My family went home but I went to a restaurant for some time alone. Before I could enter my
phone rang. I wonder who is disturbing me right now. I answered the call, it was Mahira. 'Hello.'
'Mahira, you called. Please can we talk. Please.'
'Can we meet at the park, please.'
She hung up. I got to the park first and waited. I spotted her at the gate a few minutes later. She
wore a pink saree, her hair tied up and she looked tired but she looked beautiful. When Mahira
got to me I hugged her.
'Mahira, please don't go to London.'
'Why Thane? Why shouldn't I go to London?'
Good question. Why did I want her to stay? That wasn't a question I could answer now.
'I know you still love me Mahira. Don't go away please. I'll give us a chance.'
Mahira pulled away from my embrace.
Tell me something Thane,' tears welled up in her eyes.
'Do you love me?'
I didn't love her. That's the thing, I didn't love her. I had no feelings for her and even if I did, I
don't think I was ready to accept them. I needed time.
'I don't love you but then…'
Mahira interrupted me before I could justify myself. She tried to smile a bit but her smile was
overpowered by the tears rolling down.
'You don't love me. It seems like I am a fool. You can't love me. I am going to London tonight, I
want to start afresh away from. you should do me one favor though tell Elena that I love her.'
'please stay.'
I held her hand so as to pursue her but she yanked it away from me.
'Fuck you Thane!'
Mahira screamed which drew attention from onlookers who were passing by.
'Fuck you! For seven years all I did was love you but all you ever do is push me away. All I ever
did was love you. But you always choose someone else over me. In high school you chose
Aliya, you chose Sifra, you chose Nikki but you never chose me. You don't even know what you
want but you are holding me down. I feel so suffocated because of you.'
Mahira turned around and ran away.
I was left alone with my thoughts. Why was I so selfish, why was I being so selfish. I shouldn't
be holding her down. She's right, she didn't deserve this. Funny how I always chose someone
else over her.
I was stupid. I love her though. Yeah I think I do love her. I want her here with me. I want to be
by her side when she fulfills her dream. Maybe it took me a little longer but I love her. All the
years I spent gathering information and pictures of her, it wasn't to keep Elena safe, I just
wanted to know as much as I could about her.
All these years I've been lying to myself when all I wanted was her.
I went after her hoping I'd find her still at home. The apartment she lived in was expensive and
beautiful, I'm sure kaashvi was the one who paid for it. I enquired about the floor Kaashvi lived
in and the security guard finally told me but it was too late, she was already gone.
Mahira was gone. I guess Kaashvi was right. The day Mahira would leave me I would realize
her worth. Mahira was so heartbroken when she left me in the park but her question lingered in
my mind for a while. I was so stupid. I just let go of the woman I loved. I wonder why I never
thought about it. In high school I used to think she was childish to be honest. She was pretty and cute too but I
thought she was way too childish and not ready to handle me.
She was way too young and I doubt she would have been ready for what I needed from her.
Mahira is gone now but I want her back.