This one is an ode to an old post. It was the second short story I posted on this blog and has been one of my favorite ones. It was titled Bellini, and I hope this new one, too, finds a reader.
The string lights flickered as the smug warm breeze blew over the empty chairs and tables. The fancy chairs were deprived of humans, just half-empty glasses of wine and bellinis left behind. Te guests were already leaving the party that had started not over an hour ago. The evening that began with love and laughter in the air now felt claustrophobic with betrayal and anger.
Sia stepped out through the glass doors holding a small carry-on and her big tote. The same one she had carried precisely a year ago when she moved into the house with Viaan. Their wedding had been a weeklong affair with no limits on alcohol or food. Tonight was supposed to be a replica of that week. One night was total fun with all their loved ones. Sia took the last step to look back at everything she was leaving behind. The memories she had collected with Viaan and her family. Correction, his family. No longer hers to claim. Her gold bangles jingled as she gripped her tote tighter, filled with the few belongings she couldn’t part from. The bangles were a gift from Viaan’s mother the day she prepared a gluten-free meal for the whole family. An impressive feast for them but a regular Monday night for Sia at her restaurant. Her restaurant was voted one of the best in town by customers in the city. Everyone was so happy that night, hugging Sia, and making her feel like she belonged with them. So why did a loving and successful couple walk out of the marriage they most badly fought for on the day of their first anniversary? There were supposed to be many more of these; that was the promise they had made to each other.
Sia felt a pang of breathlessness. Tears were shamelessly falling down her cheeks but her voice was lost. The scream had taken it all out of her. She did not belong with them. Not anymore. Nothing was the same anymore. Her fears were confirmed when she least expected them to.
The night she had started with opening a bottle of champagne and filling up a tower of champagne glasses was now at a standstill. She wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand, scratching them with the bangles that refused to quiet down. The customized glass dance floor that had left every guest in awe was left by itself. She had danced for him on their favorite song. A surprise for Viaan because he was clueless about the celebrations Sia had been planning for six weeks. She picked up the broken champagne glass from the grass and walked towards the main gate. Looking at it, she realized how fragile her relationship was, like this glass she was holding shattered with just one fall. The moment Viaan decided to throw it all away for a sheer excitement of 10 seconds. He had only kissed Myra once, he claimed. It was a harmless gesture. An insignificant playful moment between the two friends. Sia had walked in holding a tray of mojitos she had prepared for all their friends. Viaan had only held Myra by her waist because it was in the moment. Nothing was going on between the two old friends. Sia had overreacted to the whole situation. And she was going to be sorry in the morning. It was Myra who had taken Viaan to a side to wish him properly for how handsome he looked tonight. And then they just kissed. Nothing was going on. But the glass had broken. The cracked glass lingered in Sia’s hand as she walked faster and faster towards the gate, embracing the freedom of leaving it all behind. All that never truly belonged to her. Stepping out, nodding at the very polite watchman, she made a mental note to hire him for her restaurant for special events. He had been remarkably calm throughout the chaos of guests rushing out when Sia slapped Viaan. The guests had not even waited for the music to stop or to finish their drinks and almost ran out. It was as if they knew something like this was bound to happen tonight. No one is genuinely this happy. Everyone has skeletons in the closet they are trying to hide. It almost felt like a betrayal to Sia.
Taxi stopped right before her, and the watchman opened the car door teary-eyed, smiling, “We will miss you, madam. We all will.”
“Thank you, Ravinder bhaiya! You managed the crowd very well.”
“All for you, madam. All of it.”
“Stay happy and safe. Please call us for anything anytime. We are all grateful for the respect you always gave us.”
“Thank you, Ravinder bhaiya.”
Shutting the door gently, she smiled, “And meet me at the restaurant next Tuesday. I have an offer for you.”
The End
Happy Reading!
Black Coffee and Grey Stories 
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