The Affair - Is this Justice?

 Arushi Roy

Life's like a roller coaster. Today you might be having an amazing lottery of a lakh rupees and tomorrow you might end up broke. One can't assume how everything's gonna be. The most ultimate unpredictable thing on earth - LIFE - a 4 letter word. Jotting down sentenced after sentences sitting in the first row of my class, I sometimes feel lifeless. People say "It's really great being a topper, always motivated, always up-to-date with notes, no pressure from parents, blah blah!"
But, in reality, it's not so. I regret being a topper. I even dislike the way my college mates watch me as I walk. "Hey, see Arushi Roy, the BMS topper girl."
Sometimes, I feel like assassinating them in front of the professors. Yeah, they will be heading me to jail, whatever!
It's five past thirty in the evening. I somehow manage to free myself from those so called classmates who runs to me after the class gets over. I jot down notes so that they can chill with their boyfriends and girlfriends outside the campus.
I finally take rapid steps to the Chemist Shop where I do my part time. I really enjoy the environment there. Asish Bhai, the owner, sitting in the cash counter always cracks his underrated jokes about every person  that visits the shop with disgusting writings of the doctor's prescription. My job was to unload the medicines from the vehicles and keep them accordingly in the stocks of the shop. Along with me Mahesh, a fourteen year old kid works. Being the only income earner after his mother who's a maid, Mahesh's life seems tough. It's really grateful of Asish Bhai who takes care of him.
"Didi, life mei koi regret nahi he...bass yeh bewra baap se chutkara chahiye!", he use to say. He works the whole day searching medicines for the customers and in the evening he chit chats with me as we work together.
My work ends by 9:30 pm. And then I head to my room. I, anyway, prepare my dinner as my roommate always comes late. That's nice. Working the whole day in a company and spending the evening with her boyfriend. She's really supportive and funny. I like her though.
It's not that I don't have a person in my life. I too have. Rohit Das, Manager of TVS Dealer, here. He is very determined with his work, cares a lot about his career and right now thinking of expansion of the ownership with two more partners.
But, the problem is we hardly meet. And yeah, I call once in a week. Maybe he isn't interested. And I give him enough space as possible. It's not time that counts, it's the love that's essential.
The doorbell rang. Anamika might be home. "See what I bought Arush! Beers!"
Her boyfriend, Vijay never has a problem with her drinking habits. Lucky girl. Rohit doesn't know about my drinking thing. I thought it's a baseless concept to talk to!
Anamika feeds on the platter of fried rice that I prepared along with some raita. She always says, "Arush, you are my life saver!"
I like cooking...and specially feeding people. It gives me satisfaction.
Completing our dinner we both sat together on the couch with those bottles. And as always, we gossip from career to money to husbands and finally ending up with our love life. As we are talking, I totally forget about my phone. Anamika keeps scrolling on my phone. And till the time I get to know, okcupid greeted me. God! This silly girl. "Marwayegi kya? I have a boyfriend!"
"Who? That dickhead Rohit, who doesn't even care to call you?"
"Anu yaar! You know na, I hate breaking up relations."
"See...just grow up! Rohit doesn't even give a fuck to what you do. How can you be so serious about a guy who don't even ask how you are?"
"Yeah, I know. But that's the life I choose. I suppose. I am happy. You are here. My family who calls me everyday. Asish Bhai. Mahesh. You all are my constant people."
"Abbey chup! Here you go, I messaged a really hot guy in okcupid. Sathvik Das. A bong. Just like you."
"What the hell....! What should I do now?! Rohit's gonna kill me, Anu"
"Shut up and let's see if he replies. Dude there's a 80% match between you two. Just try baby! Don't even say anything to that fucking Rohit."
I snatch my phone from her. I observe the guy. Decent. Writer. Okay.
My fingers follow the message section to see what Anu actually have done.
The message reads, "Hey, Never had an opportunity to know a content writer. Will you allow me?"
"Seriously Anu! I am gonna kill you!"
Even before I tried to delete the message,  his reply came, "Hey, yeah that's really a shock for me as the world says,'Writers are bore.' But, yes I may allow you to help me know!"
"He replied, he replied!" - We both literally shouted. I do feel a sense of nervousness in my body. At the same time, I really feel excited. But, I do have a guilt inside for Rohit.
Gulping the remaining beer. I sat on the couch crossed leg. I started thinking, "Is this a Justice to love and Rohit, with whom I spent almost a year?"