A dull ache in the shoulder pushed Ila to stay home that windy Monday of July. She emailed a sick leave and her boss approved it within ten minutes of sending it. Sunday was fun as the whole day she was out with her younger sister Iti helping her shop for her wedding which is due in a couple of months. Ila is happy for Iti. Ila on the contrary had chosen solitude over a chaotic love marriage of four years. It happened all very fast actually back then. She met Vikram in a cafe and then dating happened for a year. Parents were made to meet and things finalised in a jiffy. Wedding bells glorified their romance and within 6 months things just started to spiral negatively. Fights and their demanding jobs had killed it. 

For the past two months this single status is a big high for this bank manager of 36 years. Ila didn’t see it coming but now she just loves it. She thought she would go ballistic but she hasn’t. After work she sleeps for an hour. Wakes up for dinner and then watches something light or hilarious on her laptop. The rainy season lifts her mood a little more as then she makes herself tea and reads. Soon it is time to scribble in her personal diary and it’s midnight. Though the night is still young for her but on working days she just grabs her huge pillow and zonks off without any effort. She does not miss Vikram nor the amazing sex they had in spite of the fights. Intimacy of the mind moved her more. There was no communication for a couple of years and this had changed things for the lovebirds.

Ila on weekends used to feel the serenity of the house. The calm elated her. The same was amiss in her ex-husband’s abode. Silence was not comfortable between them. Holidays were a burden and on weekends they used to go their separate ways. There was no child and this eased the separation. Both loved kids but the marriage just couldn’t come to that. Sex without intimate thoughts sharing had become boring for her. She just didn’t know what rattled Vikram or what made him blossom with bliss. Whether he hated his job or loved it. Who were his current friends and where did he used to hang out when not with her. Vikram must have had issues with her too as Ila had closed herself mentally gradually. This normally happens after decades of marriage but with them it had begun after the first six months of staying under one roof. 

Vikram is a software developer and just couldn’t give time to their marriage. He was a looker no doubt and Ila too was beautiful but there is more to marriage than just regular sex. The spark had faded before time. Stakes were high and his job got his undivided focus. There were days when Ila reminisced about the good times when she was alone in her haven of peace. Unplanned dinners, sitting in the park under the skies and yapping to glory for hours, holding hands and walking in busy streets and tender loving care were missed badly at times. She used to roll over and cry. Sometimes she calls her mother but then it turns out to be more of a lecture so she avoids it deliberately. 

The month of July is her favourite as it’s her birth month. The shoulder ache is a welcome change from the monotony of work. After finishing her breakfast, she went to the lawn and stretched herself on the comfy cot. It is windy and cloudy and a sleeveless top is making her feel a little cold. The milieu is damp as it had rained last night. Her slender arms glisten as she applied some pain gel to cure it. Flowers are blooming and the greenery is just beautiful. Amidst all of this she sees Vikram walking to her. There was no bell ring but he was there with smiles and asked for her wellbeing. She answered by updating him that she is good. Vikram is wearing a sea-green colored shirt and a dark grey coloured trouser with a black loose tie. He looks handsome and she sighs. He was there to check on Ila he shares and she blushes.

That sick leave has turned into a fun day it seems. They make love and sleep only to wake up late in the evening. Unlike him, Vikram cuddles after waking up and they just lie cuddled up for another half an hour. He inquires about her work, how she has this dull ache in her shoulder and she asks him about how things are with his parents. He pours his inputs and she looks relieved. Almost after a year this visit is like the way it used to be during their courtship. There is harmony, comfortable silences and togetherness. Music is on a low tone and it has started raining finally. Vikram plans to stay for the night. They play Ludo after dinner. Discuss the movies they watched while they were apart and cook something delicious to eat. It’s as if the old times have returned. 

Ila stayed single and now she is reaping the benefits she feels. Vikram is back the way he was initially and makes her feel loved, wanted and important. She does not want this day to end but it is slipping out of her hands as it’s finally dawn. Both are very sleepy as the night was all about catching up on years and things that they had missed out. They retire to her bedroom and try to grab a couple of hours of sleep before it’s back to work again. His smell is alluring. His arms around her were reassuring. Having him in that huge bedroom was nothing short of bliss. Faith can move mountains. Distance sometimes brings greater good. Exits sometimes are returns. July is turning out to be special for more reasons now. 

Vikram and Ila woke up from their short sleep at the exact time. They bathed together and went to the kitchen to make their breakfast. In-between there were caresses, smooches and kisses. The breakfast was served and then Ila’s phone buzzed. It’s Vikram’s neighbour on the phone. Ila picks it up with a smile but then it disappears. The neighbour Priyanka greets Ila an anxious hello and says,’ Ila, I am so sorry to tell you that Vikram breathed his last yesterday afternoon. He had a cardiac arrest I guess and only now I could dig your number out of his phone when the milkman rang his house bell and there was no response. Stay brave girl, please come ASAP, I could only think of you to call as his parents are away abroad, see you soon, bless you.’ Ila was numb and tears were trickling down her eyes.