Rishi was gone. I had realised that long back. Yet, I was not ready to move on. All I could do today, a year after my son had left me was look at old pictures of him. Everyone did oblige to my request and stayed away. I wanted to mourn in peace. What I hadn't expected was a call from Amit. It wasn't just one call, he kept on calling since I wouldn't pick up.

"Don't you get the message that I don't want to talk to you?" I asked my phone as if it was Amit.

After hours of solitude I was ready to face the world again. Not at the moment, but yes I was.

I took my painting kit and set the canvas. I had drawn an outline of what I wanted when my phone rang. My facing the world began by answering Maya's call. It was unexpected since she had said she wouldn't call.

"Amit, he is here again." She said as I answered the call.

"Oh."

"I am sorry, I wouldn't have called. But, I was worried and that guy doesn't have a bit of remorse. I couldn't control myself." Maya could be temperamental at times

"It is fine Maya. I am better now; I think I am ready to move on."

"Are you? Then I would suggest you come here and give your ex-husband a piece of your mind."

"What would that get me Maya? Nothing, but I do have something in my mind."

"At least will you tell Gaurav the reason you aren't here? He is not in a good mood."

"I think I will." Well, she had to tell him someday so that he would keep his distance knowing she wasn't ready.

Just then, Maya's office phone rang.

"Hold on a sec Kavya." She said before she attended the call on the landline.

"Sure Gaurav." She had said.

"I think Amit left, I am going to Gaurav's cabin now. Hold on a minute."

"It is okay, I can call you later." I tried to tell her. I don't think she heard me, I could make out she was walking to his cabin. I put the phone on speaker and kept it on the table while I continued painting.

"Great, I want you to type out Kavya's termination letter." It came as a shock for Maya and to me. Well not really, Gaurav's tone was dead serious when he told me he would fire me yesterday.

"What Gaurav, what did you say?"

"You heard me Maya."

"But, you cannot do that, it isn't fair." She argued for me. I knew I shouldn't listen to this, but something told me to keep listening.

"Believe me Maya, I can. Her recent behaviour is unacceptable, be it from her, from you or anyone else. She has been taking this for granted. Well, you might not know, I warned her yesterday when she asked for leave. I told her if she wouldn't show up today i would fire her." Gaurav seemed agitated as he spoke those words.

"I am sorry to do this Kavya, but I have to now. After all this, Gaurav, you deserve to know the truth."

Was she going to tell him, was she? It turns out she was.

"She should have told you this long back, but she chose not to. So let me tell you, Gaurav the guy who left your office a few minutes ago, he is Kavya's ex-husband, Amit Mehra. Last week she didn't attend the meeting, it was because she saw Amit and didn't want to face him. She told you she wasn't well and went home, well was with me when she called you. She saw Amit and rushed to my desk."

I hoped she would stop, but, I was in no luck. Gaurav started to say something but Maya didn't even give him a window to speak.

"And today, you are mad at her because she didn't show up for work, let me tell you, it is her son's first death anniversary today. She is mourning. I think that is a good enough reason to ask for a leave. And about the last week, she probably wasn't feeling good. Who would in such a situation?"

"I didn't know; god, what did I do?" Pity was evident from his tone. I didn't want his pity, that is why I never told him about the things going on in my life.

"I knew it was the same Kavya." Amit spoke. When did he get there?

"You." Gaurav said, his voice raised.

"I forgot to take my phone, but I think my timing was perfect. I got to know the truth. I guessed it was the same Kavya when she didn't show up for the meeting that day. Again, she was on leave today, I knew it had to be her. The day is too important for her. Why else do you think I preponed the meeting for today?"

I couldn't listen to it anymore, so I ended the call. Without even me realising, tears started flowing from my eyes. What kind of a person was Amit? I couldn't believe I loved him once, even the thought of being with him repulsed me.

I tried not to think of everything that happened. It was easier pretending I didn't know what happened in the office. Amit tried calling me again and again. He might've left KR, now that he was calling. I didn't bother even looking at it.

After a while, the doorbell rang. If I pretended I hadn't hear it, would the person go away thinking I wasn't home?

Then my phone rang, again. This time I felt whoever was in front of my house was the one calling me. I checked my phone to see it was Gaurav. I decided to answer it.

"Open the door Kavya, I know you are in there."

When he said that he was the one at the door, I was a bit relieved. I was thinking it would be Amit.

When I didn't respond, he continued "I can see the lights on. I really need to talk to you."

I contemplated on whether or not to say something, and then said, "One minute."

He was in a dishevelled state when I opened the door.

"Hi Gaurav." I didn't even bother inviting him in.

"Can I come in?" Do I refuse? I didn't want to seem impolite, so I said "Sure."

He came in and sat down on the sofa. He seemed like he was carefully deciding what to say.

"I'll bring you some water." My words seemed to distract him from his thoughts.

"Eh.." I guess he didn't hear me the first time, so I repeated my words.

"Thanks, that would be nice."

I set the glass in from of him, in the coffee table.

"Thanks." He said and gulped down the water in one go.

"There is something I wanted to say."

"I know Gaurav, I know what happened in the office today." I said before he could say further.

"Maya told you?"

"Actually, I was talking to Maya when you asked her to come in. She thought it'll be for a minute and asked me to hold on. But then,..."

"You heard me tell her to type your termination letter."

"And I also heard that Amit realized I am the Kavya working for you. I couldn't take it anymore, so I stopped listening."

"So, you didn't hear what happened after that?"

"No, I didn't want to."

"Maya got really angry and asked him to stay away from you."

I didn't know what to say too that.

"Maya didn't have to do that for me. Amit is a part of Shyam's company, a client. My personal matters shouldn't affect KR Associates." I said.

"No Kavya, we value our employees dearly. I did talk to Shyam and he said he would find someone else to co-operate with us on their behalf, Amit won't be coming back."

"Nor am I Gaurav." I don't think I'll be go back there.

"Why not? I know I came off a little rude yesterday. Who am I kidding, I was harsh. I admit I didn't understand your situation. You didn't want to open up to me, never wanted to tell me the truth, that is why I said those things. I am sorry for my behaviour. But you really are very valuable to us. Kavya, please come back."

"Gaurav,..."

"Don't refuse now, take your time and decide. Though, I'll be really happy if you show up for work tomorrow."

I tried to smile. He stood up from his seat, "I think I should get going." I walked him out.

Before he left, he turned around to say, "think about it."I nodded before closing the door behind him.