Time For That Drink

The news of moving to London shocked & bewildered him. She shrugged, "What? I want to take things slow this time." He questioned, "Slow meaning long distance? How is it going to work? I need you here with Ayra & me." She let out a deep breath slowly & responded, "Please hear me out. I've been to several places across the world & met way too many people. I have seen marriages & relationships break in a blink of an eye." He interrupted, "It is us, not some random people you met. We know each other better than ourselves. Despite all the highs, lows and time apart for over a decade, we still feel for each other. Doesn't that mean anything?"

She bit her lower lip & responded, "True, but it wasn't enough the first time. Was it?" He held back a few curses but expressed his anger & frustration by thumping his fist on the coffee table. The roaring wind suppressed the bang & the talk. The kids were oblivious to this conversation. He picked up the empty juice glasses, walked out of the balcony & disappeared into the house. She pinched the bridge of her nose & waited for him. He returned with a tray filled with a bottle of vodka, ice cubes, a bottle of sprite & some snacks. He walked up to the kids & gave them each a bottle of water & boxes of homemade snacks. She witnessed his caring & responsible nature. As he poured a drink each, he apologised for his behaviour. He declared, "We need a drink stronger than orange juice." She nodded in agreement & both raised their glasses.

A few sips of the drinks calmed his nerves & stated, "I'm all ears." She sipped the drink & did not utter a word. He looked into her eyes & expressed, "I was angry at myself for not making up with you & putting all of us through such misery. It came out the wrong way. I'm sorry for everything. Now, I'm listening." She sipped & placed her glass on the table. She communicated, "During the work trip when I stayed for six months, I met someone. We were doing well & steady." He choked on the peanuts, "There was a guy?!" She sat back in her chair and raised her hands in a question. He sipped some vodka & replied, "I did not know."

She sneered at him, "I told you about it when we met at the cafe." He stated in defence, "I thought you were lying." She snapped, "Why would I lie to you? I have never done that to you & you know better." He snapped back, "I did ask why you weren't married, about constant international travel & relationships. You lied smoothly." She replied, "I did not lie in any of those instances. I only dodged the question or answered with alternate options." Though the weather was cooling, the temper was up a notch & conversation heated. He voiced, "Again, your game of words. I've said this several times you should have been a lawyer." She laughed, "I chose an even better career option of risk management." He questioned, "Is that how you are approaching this conversation?" She responded, "Well, you had a sales pitch ready at the cafe." He ground his teeth.

She poured a second round of drinks, "If you cannot get past the fact of other men in my life, then we can end this conversation here." He cringed, "Don't jump to a conclusion. It is just that... I was certain that you lied at the cafe. Especially after I watched you cry in the car." He sipped & continued, "It is so naive of me to think that there was no one else in your life. When I had a rebound & then married." She jumped, "There was a rebound?" He tilted his head slightly, "Really? Can't you get past it?" They both burst into laughter. It wasn't clear if it was the alcohol that made them laugh or if they were both mature enough to get past the past.

She shook her head, "Where was I? Ah, it seemed like I found the right one. We spent a lot of time together & stayed over at each other's place over weekends. Initially, everything seemed rosy. However, with time we both realised that one's idiosyncrasies irked the other. As my work trip was coming to an end, ending things with him was easy & amicable. It was a lesson learned." He sipped some drink & asked, "Okay, so where is this going?"

She suggested, "I have learnt lessons the hard way, especially, when it comes to the matter of the heart. We have a second chance & I want to get it right. Why don't Ayra & you relocate to London with me?" He jumped, "Are you crazy? Where is this even coming from?" She continued, "I want us to live together for a couple of years." He frowned, "Couple?" She replied, "I mean two years." He snapped, "I know a couple means two!" She calmly framed, "Ayra & your loss is a massive one. Staying in the same place doesn't help with grieving. Especially Ayra, she may not even know or realise what or how to grieve." She persisted, "I have grieved & coped with our grotesque breakup through travel. I do not intend to wipe out your wife's memory. I'm only trying to ease the pain. Today, when you speak of her, you are teary-eyed. You have to get to a point where you smile at the thought of her."

He fell into silence & munched on the spicy peanuts. After a considerable time, he questioned, "Why a couple of years? She replied, "It will take six months to settle in at a new place. A year to figure out if things are working out. Another six months to see if we can move past the conflicts & take corrective steps. He conveyed, "You don't understand. It's difficult to move everything from here." She responded, "Ayra studies at IB school, hence her admission in London will be easy. Your company's website has an opening in London that fits your profile."

He enunciated, "You did your homework!" She voiced, "I cannot conjure something out of thin air." He asked, "Why can't we try by living together here?" She replied, "That was my first consideration. However, I do not want to live in the prying eyes of society. The focus should be on us as a family without hesitation, social pressure or gossip." She added, "Also, I want to know if Ayra can accept me as your partner & her co-parent. It is easier to do it abroad than here, trust me."

He thought through the conversation over the third drink. He closed his eyes, ran his hands through salt & pepper hair & let out a deep breath. He opened his eyes & asked, "Can I think about it?" She replied, "Of course! We aren't jumping into anything without thinking through everything. After a couple of years, it is up to us to take a call. Either we want to make it official, return here to get settled & married. Otherwise, we can call it quits. I'll stay in London, Ayra & you can return here." He enquired, "You have thought through it all, haven't you?" She nodded & sipped some drink. He asked, "Why are you so cynical?" She shrugged, "While you, a salesperson, are optimistic. I being a risk manager, am cynical. Occupational hazard, I guess."

He pressed, "I get what you are saying. Why insist on a live-in? We know each other." She sighed, "We do know each other of what we were in college. After that, we have both been in relationships & had different experiences. We aren't the same anymore. Only recently, I have witnessed the caring, responsible & considerate side of you. Likewise, there are traits of me that you wouldn't even dream of." He sighed, "To some extent, I do agree with you. I liked your wit & prankster side in college. I loved you then & now. I thought love would suffice." She smiled & leaned forward, "I like spending time with you. I love you immensely. That doesn't mean we are compatible as partners. Does it?"

Take Away: Like, love & life are three different things.

P.S: The story is a sequel to "A Balcony Conversation"