“Abhay, she is nowhere to be found. We searched every nook and corner of the city but we couldn't find her,” my father informed me, not daring to look at me. 

“I was afraid this was gonna happen. Everyone warned us that we should wait a little longer,” my mother rambled on. I didn't have it in me to argue about this matter. So, I left my parents and siblings to bitch about my wife. 

I took my bike and rode to the outskirts of the city. It usually took 2 hours to reach where I was standing right now but it took me only half an hour. It was hard to comprehend what the hell just happened to me. I came out here to lighten my mood but as I sat with my legs swinging down the deep cliff, all I could think about was ending my life. 

I got married last week. With a lady who looked so pure and delicate that she made my heart hurt sweetly. I loved the ache that she used to give me. She used to talk to me with respect, and give me smiles every now and then. And alas! Her smile was worth billions. I could do anything to protect her smile. 

That was until two days ago that I found out she had a boyfriend. My friends told me that they were planning to run away together. And I was a fool to trust a nobody, thinking she cared about her reputation and wouldn't take such a cheap step. What she did today was like a slap, hard enough to open my eyes that I was unlovable. I didn't even deserve a chance in her eyes. 

It was 8 pm. All of my relatives and friends had called me in the meantime. What would a depressed person like me do? Yep, ignore the calls. I put my phone on DND mode and started scrolling the photos and videos that I made of her. After an hour or so, I got fed up. I started my bike and went to the local bar. 

I know it was hella stupid of me to cry over a girl whom I had just met. But here I was. Gulping down all the drinks being offered by the bartender. I finished 6 bottles of champagne yet I was fully aware of the surroundings. I couldn't forget her, couldn't see the world becoming blurry. As I finished one more bottle, I saw my friend, Sanju, babbling something. When did he get here? 

“I can't hear you-” *hiccups* “When the fuck did come here?” 

“You damn bastard, we've been looking for you since noon and that's where I find you when it's fucking midnight??!” 

“It's midnight?” 

I saw rolling his eyes. 

“Come on, let's go. 7 bottles are enough for a day.” He came near me and started to put his hand around my shoulder. I slapped away his hand.

“Who the fuck are you to touch me, huh? My wife never touched me and you've got-” *hiccups* 

“Abe o ashiq ki aulad. M koi ladki to hu nhi ki tujhe chhune ke liye maraa ja rha hu. Get up now!” Sanju scolded me and forcefully dragged me out of the bar. 

(Damn you... I ain't a chick who's dying to touch you.)

Once outside, I noticed Preeti, my ex, was standing against my bike. 

“Oh hey babyyy. Did you miss me?” I giggled, failing to balance myself. Sanju was helping me stand properly. 

She didn't say anything, instead she came towards me and slapped my drunk mouth. 

“If it wasn't for your mom, I wouldn't have been standing right here to drag your heart broken ass. You never cried or threw tantrums like this when we broke up. Wh-” 

“I am not crying,” I muttered under my breath. 

“Yeah sure, it's just your eyes pissing, right?” She wiped my tears roughly. She was indeed furious at me. “What was so loving about your slutty wife who ran away with her lover without thinking about the family's honor? Are you seriously shedding tears for such a woman??” 

“Shut up! You don't know her so you don't get to say a word against her!!” I yelled back at her.

“Preeti, it's not the right place to cry about your melodrama.” It was Sanju. I love him, he stood up for me. “You take his bike, I'll bring Abhay with me.” 

×××

“Where the heck were you?!” I was greeted with one another tight slap. By the softness and stinging pain AND the fact that I was still standing, it was my mother who slapped me. 

“Why am I the one getting slapped today? I didn't do anything wrong!” I was now sober enough to stand on my own. 

“Ab yu raat ke 12 baje tak awaragardiya karte rhoge to koi tumhara phoolo se swagat nhi karega.” My father also came towards me with the intention of slapping. He had raised his hand mid way. 

(Now if you'll keep loitering around till midnight, no one's gonna welcome you with flowers.)

“What's stopping you, huh? Why don't you take your turn to take the honor of slapping me as well?!” 

“Are these the manners that we've taught?!” My father yelled at me. "Did we raise you and fulfill your wishes so that you can talk back to us with disrespect?!"

“Then what kind of manners do this show?” I gestured towards my red cheek. “Even after obeying every single demand of yours, I am faced with shame and nothing else. You think only have reputation and respect in the town? Now, I will decide what I wanna do with my life. And I dare you to interfere with my decisions!” 

With that, I went to my room and lay down on the bed. To be honest, I felt like the rebellious main character of the movie. Well, I am the main character of my life. 

The urge to leave this house rose once again. I was so fucking tired of my family. Never in my life did I feel prioritised by them. The flashback of my marriage came back, my heart burned when her face flashed in my vision. 

I abruptly got up from the bed and started rummaging the bedside drawer. Fortunately, I found my contact diary there. I flipped through the pages to find that man's number. When I got that number, I immediately dialed it. 

“Yes, Roshan sir. It's me, Abhay.” 

….

“I need work, any kind of work. I am willing to do even the minimal work. I don't care about the payment, I just need to be away from this place. Please sir!” 

….

“OK, no problem, sir.”