Chapter 8: The Last Goodbye

I didn’t take the room card. I shook my head, pushing it back. “It’s over, Kunal. Let it be.” In the noise, I said, “Tell him, we’re done.” My voice was steady, even as my heart broke. I wanted Kunal to understand—this wasn’t a game anymore.

Kunal blinked, eyebrows drawn in confusion. “What did you say?”

I patiently repeated: “Tell Rohan I’m leaving. We’re done. No need to call.”

He frowned at me. “Are you serious? You know, with him, there’s no such thing as taking it back.”

He never goes back to exes. Except Ananya. He would always wait for her, no matter what.

I nodded, voice firm: “Hmm.” I squared my shoulders, refusing to let my pain show. “It’s okay, Kunal. I know what I’m doing.”

He pressed his lips, looked at me for a while: “You two were fine, why suddenly…” He trailed off, then nodded: “Okay, you go. Don’t forget to move your stuff out of his place. If Ananya sees, it’s not good.”

I managed a weak smile, grateful for his small mercy. I moved quickly. That night, I packed up everything I’d left at his place and took it away.

He gave me a lot of things—scarves, perfumes, handwritten notes. I left them all behind, unwilling to carry those memories. I didn’t take any gifts, not even the watch I’d bought him. The property papers, I left untouched. I placed the envelopes on his desk, scribbled a note: “Thanks for everything. Be happy.”—and walked away.

Since I decided to break up, taking those things would only make me sad. I wanted to remember our time together for what it was, not what it became.

After going back to my PG, I didn’t think about anything, just slept. Fatima fussed over me, making chai, murmuring reassurances. I let her. I closed my eyes and let sleep pull me under.

The next morning, I woke to the sound of temple bells and street vendors calling. For a while, I just lay there, breathing in the newness of my freedom.

When I woke up, I checked my phone. Missed calls, unread messages. Most were from my mother, but one stood out. Rohan had sent a message—just one, sent at ten last night.

I must have just finished talking to Kunal and rushed back to pack, so I didn’t see it. I wondered if things would have been different if I’d replied, if I’d gone to see him one last time.

He said: [Come up.]

Two words. That was all. A final invitation, a last chance I didn’t take.