Innocent Promise

Probably that was longest day in her life.  She was caught unaware.

From the auto stand to her hotel, few furlong took a life time to cover. Legs were too weak to walk steady, almost dragging, as if she was returning from a funeral procession. She was not sure of what was she feeling. Probably mixed. Throbbing pain in heart or numbness of brain. 

Bouts of sudden urge to drift listlessly on the street, and to abandon the city immediately paralysed  her thoughts. 

Loosing friendship can be so sad, she thought.  And she found herself  in the hotel bar. 

"Let me grab some wine", she said to herself. Then walked out of bar almost absent minded.  She pushed herself into her hotel room. She was too tired to reason out why was he so strange. They were getting along so well. They shared so much. What happened? Did I do something wrong? Questions were streaming and adding to both confusion and pain. She realised after few hours that she had continuously cried, but she wanted to cry more.

As evening grew darker, thoughts were getting clearer and pain was aggravating with that. How excited was she to meet him! He had called, "Let us meet". Excitement raced her heart faster. Moving up and down in hotel restaurant she exchanged curious smiles from hotel staff, that she did not mind, while impatiently waiting for him.

Lunch started well. She let him order for both. That is how it was all the time. He was not looking normal. 

"What happened", she asked. 

"Nothing much, i may need to go early", He said. "Why so", she demanded. 

"Well", he said with a  pause, "You remember you had promised me that I could walk off without a reason, it is time for that. 

She braved it, "ok". 

"I need to leave now", he announce. "Would you like to see me off at auto stand", he said courteously. 

It hit her hard. But she followed him on her longest lonely walk to auto stand like a little lamb behind her master, regretting the promise she made innocently.  "And he forgot all promises", she said to herself, without blaming him.