Ex

"Hi. How is Rahul?"

"He's good. He had to leave for some urgent work, something suddenly came up."

 

"Really? I think the more likely reason is me, his ex-girlfriend, with whom it ended quite badly."

"No, some work actually came up."

 

"Seriously?"

"Okay, I guess there is no point in lying to you. You know him as well as I do. I don't think he expected to see you at this party."

 

"Well, these are my friends as well. Of course, I was going to come, and I am sure he knew this as well. Anyway, shouldn't you be with him?"

"I did, but he just wants to be alone for a bit. He said he will just walk around for a bit outside and then we will leave together."

 

"Oh, classic Rahul. Do you know he has been doing this since he was a child? He always uses this technique to cool down. His mother had once mentioned this."

"Yes, I know"

 

“When did you and Rahul start dating?"

"Around 6 months ago."

 

"That is just about the time that we broke up"

"Yes."

 

"Weren't you in his office? I think I remember seeing you in one of his office parties."

"Yes, that is right. I don't think we have ever spoken though, before today. I am in HR, and he is in operations."

 

"Interesting. Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

 

"Actually, would you like another drink? I am guessing he will take at least 15 minutes."

"Sure, let’s have something"

 

"This looks interesting, take this drink. Cheers to Exes."

"Cheers. What did you want to ask me?"

 

"Was our breakup very hard on him? We had been together for quite some time, we were good friends before that; it was difficult for me. Was it difficult for him as well, given the circumstances?"

"It was. You were very close to him, and he hated that he was the reason for the breakup, reason for hurting you."

 

"He had tried reaching out to me a few times after we broke up, but I didn't respond."

"Yes, I had asked him to. I don't think that Exes can never be friends again. It can happen."

 

"I guess, though I am not friends with any of my Exes."

"Can I ask you something?"

 

"Sure"

"When you were dating him or the time that you knew him, did you ever think he could be...?"

 

"I didn't know, I was quite surprised. Many of his close friends were as well."

"Yeah frankly, I would never have guessed either."

 

"Okay too much serious talk to accompany these amazing cocktails. Have you met his mother? Seema Aunty is a fun person to hang out with.”

"I haven't yet. Rahul is still waiting for the right opportunity"

 

"Oh yeah, he took ages to introduce us as well, and now there is another level of complication. But his parents are cool. His mother is really nice."

"I can't wait to meet them."

 

"Oh, looks like he is back, he is waving out to you. It was nice meeting you...I am sorry I didn't get your name?"

"Mohit, Mohit Bhatt. Nice to meet you as well, Kavita. Take care."

Kavita saw the two men leave. She and Rahul had been good friends in college, which had later developed into a relationship. Rahul had later realized that he wasn’t straight, it had been a difficult time for both of them. He looked happy with Mohit now. She was glad things had worked out well for him.