I couldn’t sleep the whole night. The words of every woman I’ve ever met about my career and Arjun’s words especially, kept echoing in my mind. Why did he have to return now, right when I finally decided to build a name for myself?
I lay on the mattress, lost in thoughts. Arjun would be coming to the restaurant to meet me tomorrow. He seemed like a genuine man… but Rakesh had looked just as sincere when I first met him and he turned out to be the demon who destroyed my life. I can’t afford to fall into another trap.
The face of the girl from the NGO flashed in my mind and reality hit me like a slap. I need to chase my dreams for girls like her. And with that, I finally decided what I would tell Arjun tomorrow.
The next morning, I arrived at the restaurant but my eyes kept drifting toward the entrance every few minutes, expecting Arjun even though I knew he wouldn’t show up at six in the morning. Shanthi sister nudged me and raised her eyebrows, silently asking why I was so restless. I simply shook my head, deciding to explain later and continued with my work.
It was around ten when Arjun finally walked into the restaurant. The moment I saw him, I became hyperaware of my surroundings. We couldn’t talk here, not with the staff watching. He waved at me with a bright smile and I quickly glanced around to make sure no one noticed.
I hurried toward him and his smile widened. “Good morning, Meera. I know the mornings are crowded here, so I came a little late,” he said.
“We can’t talk here. This is my workplace. Please wait at the nearby temple. I’ll be there in five minutes,” I said firmly and walked away before he could respond.
I informed the manager that I’d return in twenty minutes and stepped outside removing my cap.
When I reached the temple, I saw him waiting for me.
“Thank you for coming, Meera. You don’t know how happy I am to finally talk to you. Did you think about what I said?” he asked eagerly.
I nodded. “What do you know about me, other than my name?”
“You’re a very kind, simple, humble girl, Meera. I know you live alone, and… I don’t care about anything else,” he replied.
I took a long breath.
“I live alone but I am not an orphan. I have parents and siblings. I work to support them and myself. And… I was married once. Divorced. I was his third wife. I was physically, mentally, and sexually abused by him. Before that, I was sexually harassed for four years until I completed secondary school. I lost everything, even my peace. Now, I’m trying to rebuild my life and find an identity of my own.” I said and his expression froze, but I continued.
“I’m not someone you should consider as a life partner. Please move on and find someone who matches your expectations. I’ve decided to study and build a career in the police force. I want to help women who have suffered like I have my entire life. So… please stop following me. Let this be the last time we meet. I need to focus on my future.” I said and without waiting for his reply, I turned around and walked away.
I felt a strange sense of peace after finally telling him the truth. At least now he would move on instead of wasting his time following me. After hearing about my past, I was sure he must have regretted spending an entire year chasing me. God knows what he must be thinking now. I shook my head and pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on my work.
During lunch, I explained everything to Shanthi sister and she immediately frowned.
“Why did you do that, Meera? What if his feelings were genuine? Why didn’t you stay to hear what he had to say about your past? Maybe he would have accepted you,” she said and her concern was clear.
I shook my head firmly. “No, sister. I have a long journey ahead, and I can’t let any feelings ruin that.”
She still didn’t look convinced. “Is there a rule that dreams can’t be achieved with a supportive partner? What if he wants to stand by your dreams?”
“I don’t think any man would want a woman like me, someone who was abused and harassed,” I said quietly and washed my hands, signaling that the conversation was over. I wasn’t ready to argue about it anymore.
I returned home at my usual time, only to freeze in shock on seeing Arjun was standing in the exact same spot as usual. I clenched my teeth and walked past him, determined to ignore him, but he hurried after me and stepped in front of me.
“Why are you always in such a rush to run away from me, Meera?” he asked, breathless yet calm. “If you think I would regret my feelings or move on after knowing your past, then you’re wrong. In fact… my respect for you has only multiplied. You are incredibly strong, Meera and I’m proud of you.” he said and I glared at him, but he continued before I could speak.
“I understand it’s difficult for you to trust a man again. I know your wounds are deep. But please… give me a chance. I will prove that not all men are like those bastards who hurt you. I will never stop you from chasing your dreams. I’ll help you in every way I can. I’m ready to wait, no matter how long it takes. Just let me stand behind you, support you when you need it and watch you succeed. I swear, you will never regret giving me a chance.” he said.
“Why don’t you understand? You’re wasting your time chasing me. Please… go away and live your life.” I snapped softly and turned to leave, but his voice stopped me in my tracks.
“Go ahead, Meera. Live your dreams. But remember this, I’m not leaving you alone. I’ll be there, following you, not to trouble you but to support you. The day you achieve everything you dream of, I will be right there, proud of you. I’ll wait for you, Meera… however long it takes.” he said and walked to his bike and rode away.
I entered my house and sank down against the wall, holding my head between my hands.
“What is God planning for me now?” I wondered, overwhelmed.
I changed into my nightclothes and lay down, but sleep refused to come. Arjun’s words kept echoing in my mind, circling again and again, refusing to let me rest.
Three weeks passed in the same pattern. Arjun stood at his usual spot every night, but he never approached me but only offered a small, gentle smile. Maybe a few more days and he would finally give up, I told myself, pushing all thoughts of him aside and focusing on my work.
That evening, the manager called me to his office after my shift. My heart began to race, fearing something was wrong with my job.
“Congratulations, Meera, you’ve been given an increment of 2,000 rupees. Are you happy?” he said with a warm smile.
I froze. This was good news but I needed something else even more.
“Sir… I have a request. ‘m planning to continue my studies. So if you could help me… please cancel the increment and allow me to work the 6 to 6 shift with my current salary. I would get some time to study my lessons. I know it’s too much to ask and there is no compulsion for you to support an employee’s education but I would be forever grateful if you could help me.” I said carefully and folded my hands, anxiously waiting for his response.
He looked slightly surprised. “It’s rare for staff to ask for help to study, Meera. If this is what you truly want, then go ahead. I’ll cancel the increment and you can continue with the 6 to 6 shift on your current salary.” he said immediately.
My happiness overflowed. “Thank you… thank you so much, sir ” I said, almost breathless, and turned to leave.
“What do you want to become after completing your studies?” he asked suddenly.
I hesitated to answer. What if he fired me after hearing my dream? What if he thought I was using this job as a temporary stepping stone?
But he waited patiently.
“I… I want to become a police officer,” I said finally.
A look of surprise flickered across his face, followed by a warm nod. He didn’t say anything further, but the smile told me he wasn’t going to fire me. I felt relieved and I quickly left the restaurant.
As usual, Arjun was standing at his spot, smiling softly. I ignored him and walked past without a word.
“It will take at least four years to achieve my dream. There’s no way he would wait four years.” I thought as I closed the door behind me.
I received a call from Zarina madam asking me to meet her at the NGO office. Since it was Sunday and my shift ended at 12, I went straight there. She was watering the plants when I arrived and a few other women were engaged in a deep discussion. She introduced me to them, and each one greeted me with a warm hug.
Zarina madam then led me to her office and handed me a bag. I opened it and froze. Not the scary kind of shock, but the overwhelming, heart-thumping kind. The bag was filled with books.
“You should start preparing, Meera. Once the university starts issuing admission forms, I’ll get one for you,” she said with a gentle smile.
My voice trembled as I thanked her and I left the office feeling lighter than ever.
By evening, I dressed up in a beautiful saree and went to the nearby temple. I offered my prayers and sat quietly in the premises for a while, feeling an unusual sense of peace. But when I returned home, I stopped in shock.
Arjun was there in the usual spot.
“How did he even know I would return at this time?” I wondered. He was smiling more than usual. Maybe this was the first time he’d seen me all dressed up, with flowers adorning my hair.
“If I were already a police officer, I would arrest you for stalking me,” I said, narrowing my eyes.
He raised his hands in surrender. “Arrest me and please lock me up in your heart forever, Meera,” he said, in the cheesiest tone possible.
I rolled my eyes and walked past him… but I could still feel his gaze following me all the way to my door.
I opened the book and it felt like a dream. I had always been a smart student back in school and I loved studying so I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face as I flipped through the pages. Before I knew it, hours had passed with me completely lost in the lessons.
That night, I made myself a bowl of Maggi for dinner and decided that the next day I would buy notebooks and pens to start extracting notes from the chapters.
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