Day came when they graduated and decided to start their
career. Stella joined banking sector and Michael, an established IT company.
Physically, distance grew but mentally they got even closer. They would spend
hours chatting on phone, discussing smallest things of life. One thing was
still missing, it was “naming the relation”. It was not just friendship. It was
something more than that.
Michael was on the lookout for a relation that had a name.
He looked for a girl whom he could marry. Michael managed to find a very simple
girl, named Stephanie. They went around for years and decided to marry in the
course of time.
One day, Stella’s mother showed her picture of a guy, named Martin
for marriage. Stella’s world went upside down. Confused Stella told Michael
about this. Unable to read Stella’s mind, Michael asked Stella to move on with the
marriage.
Unaware of Michael and Stephanie relationship, Stella
married Martin. She was married but not happy for her mind being always
occupied with Michaels thoughts. Two years passed, she could not cope up with
her marriage life. She would regularly have arguments and fights with her
husband. On the other side, Michael was planning his marriage with Stephanie.
One day, Stella organized a get-together of some childhood
school friends along with their partners. Stella was in high spirits as she
waited to see Michael. Party turned out to be nightmare when she saw Michael
with Stephanie. She tried to act normal but could not bear the pain of their
togetherness. Green-eyed Stella couldn’t see Michael caring for Stephanie. She
made all attempts to avoid any conversation with Stephanie but continued her
efforts to spend maximum time with Michael. Stephanie quietly watched and
understood what was going on in Stella’s mind. Hours passed on and it was time
to leave. Stella too left but could not sleep whole night. Sight of Michael and
Stephanie together kept troubling her.
Stephanie was clear about Stella’s mind but a little unsure
of Michael’s thoughts. Recalling the incidents Michael cited to her about his
childhood days with Stella and his often missing her even while being with her
(Stephanie), She sensed Michael loved Stella more than her. To avoid any regret
at later state, two months before their marriage, Stephanie asked Michael “If
you have to choose between me and Stella, whom would you choose?”
Her sudden question left him all at sea. He asked her what
went wrong.
Without giving any explanation, Stephanie stuck to her
question.
Baffled Michael asked Stephanie for two days time.
Stephanie’s question badly disturbed him and forced him
to go back to old memories. He could not recall anything about Stephanie that
he could cherish. He didn’t even realize when he was lost in old days spent
with Stella. Those days were close to his heart. His heart was more towards
Stella but he was not sure if his decision to leave Stephanie for would be
right. He knew Stella was not happy with her husband and enjoyed his
(Michael’s) company more. He also knew he would never be able to love Stephanie
like he did to Stella. He understood marrying Stephanie and loving Stella would
be unfair and unpardonable.
Next morning, Michael went to Stephanie. With all his
courage, he held her hand and said, “I like you. You were always an innocent
girl. I respect you. Physically I was with you but mentally I never was. You
made me realize how wrong I was. You saved me from committing a big mistake. I
can’t leave Stella and that’s my choice.” Stephanie quietly listened to Michael
with her eyes filled with tears. Without uttering a word, Stephanie left the
place and they never met again.
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