End of Love - Story

The house was built on top of a hill. From the balcony with a rocky balustrade, the view of the lower Himalayas was scenic. The lawn of the house was green with bright blooming orchids, roses, petunias and variety of vegetables. Sitara rested on her rocking chair looking at the Himalayas; mountains covered with snow and decorated with clouds.

She felt the cold biting and although the sun seemed scorching, it didn't comfort her. She rested her eighty year old wrinkly and dark arms on the smooth balustrade made with a rocky texture. Her mind ran a series of thoughts that nowhere seemed to help her. She was disturbed from within; so much that the peace outside didn't matter/

"Tea for you" another wrinkly arm, this time of a man, joined Sitara in her lonesomeness. 

"Thank you, Agni"

"The view of the Himalayas" he paused to express his wonder, Sitara looked at him in disagreement. 
"This is a perfect retirement, isn't it? A house over the mountains, flowers and food with some very kind visitors. Just how you wanted" he added.

"Thank you, Agni"

"Our wedding anniversary is near, honey" the old man's hoarse voice managed to pick some excitement. 

"I have a little surprise for you. Let that be, don't guess now"

"Thank you, Agni"

"You seem sad about something. What is it bothering you?"

She slowly looked at him. Feelings of guilt and shame welled up as tears in her eyes that fell down her cheeks, seeping in the folds of her old skin. 

"There is something I never told you, Agni. All these years I didn't want you to know. Now I care less about anyone."

"What are you talking?"

"When you met me, I told you that I loved someone else and I wouldn't be able to move on. I told you to get away from me and find someone who would love you as whole. All these years, even in close intimacy with you, the memory of him didn't fade away. It became increasingly hard for me to love you. I didn't want to hurt you. Now I care less and I thought you should know."

"You love me" he scoffed and added, "no?"

"I don't have it figured out. Maybe no." she confessed ruthlessly.

Agni quietly looked at the mountains. He was happy that all these years at least she considered him but remained heartbroken for the obvious. They exchanged an uncomfortable silence.