‘Love Respect Companionship’ is an unconventional love story that makes you see relationships in a different light. I had written this piece of fiction some time back and would like your feedback on it. This post is the third in a series of four posts. 

Read the first part of the series here.

Read the second part of the series here.

Their lives soon became independent of the other’s existence. They were no more than a passing reference if anyone inquired about their acquaintance with each other. Anya managed to look at other boys in a way that was abhorrent to her till then while Ved compelled himself into believing that he could’ve possibly been wrong about himself earlier after all.

Years passed. Both Ved and Anya left their reckless teenage days behind and became competent and sought-after professionals in their respective fields. Anya did her post-graduation with honours and was now a tenured professor in a reputed college. She was occasionally called for lectures and seminars to share her knowledge with students and her peers.

She did well personally too. After being pursued and wooed for a good few months she had finally found solace in the arms of Akshay, a successful CEO of a well-known MNC. They had met during a seminar they had both attended in their individual capacities; she as an expert and he as a sponsor. Soon after, Akshay proposed marriage and Anya accepted.

Ved’s passion had many times taken him on assignments within the country and overseas. His was a coveted name in the photography world and clients were ready to accept any price he quoted. On his many international photo shoots he finally let his guard down and mingled with other homosexual men. He didn’t need any more assurances about his preferences but was still a far cry from coming out of the closet. He had many affairs but the dire need of being head over heels in love and belong to someone never got fulfilled.

Ved’s family was a part of Anya’s wedding but his absence was conspicuous to everyone, including both of theirs. For the nth time Anya was asked about the reason behind their bitter spat but she declined to answer. She was glad that her visits to her home city somehow never overlapped with Ved’s presence in the vicinity.

Their lives and paths would never have crossed again; had due to an unfortunate turn of events Akshay not lost his coveted job. Following charges of embezzlement and misuse of company’s funds Akshay had been unceremoniously laid off. The disrepute that got attached to his name ensured him not getting a respectable position in any other company. Slowly, his frustration boiled down to his behaviour with Anya and led to frequent fights between them.

After one such row with Akshay, Anya stormed to her home unannounced one day and to her surprise found Ved sitting on their living room couch. Subconsciously, her mind saw them sitting together on the same couch years ago, and for the first time ever she felt a pang of guilt for the events of that day.

As she went and sat next to Ved she saw in his eyes the same concern that the dear toddler Ved who had generously offered her his toffee had shown. Her mother, worried for her but also relieved at not having to witness a scuffle between them hurriedly went in to make coffee.

To be continued…

(The next post is the last one in the series. Do stay with me for it 🙂 )