Anbu sat at a small table at the bustling ikan bakar stall in Asia Cafe, his eyes scanning the menu as the aroma of grilled seafood wafted through the air. At 28, he was a successful software developer, but his quick temper sometimes caused problems in his relationships and at work.
Sangeetha, his 25-year-old girlfriend, sat across from him, her petite frame perched on the plastic stool. She looked at him with a concerned expression on her face.
"You really need to work on your patience, Anbu," she said. "Your short temper is causing problems at work."
Anbu sighed and nodded, feeling a pang of guilt. "I know, Sang. I have a hard time controlling my anger, especially when things don't go my way. But I've come far from the person I was before. I'm willing to work on it. Just give me more time."
Sangeetha reached across the table and squeezed Anbu's hand. "I'm here to support you. Let's start by taking some deep breaths and counting to ten before reacting in situations that might normally make you angry."
Anbu and Sangeetha's relationship seems to have a deeper level of understanding and trust. They are not just a couple but also partners in each other's personal development.
Anbu nodded and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "Okay, I'll try. It's worth a shot."
Just as Sangeetha was in the middle of her therapy, Anbu's phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and his expression changed to one of concern. Sangeetha noticed the shift in his demeanor and stopped talking.
"I'm sorry, I have to take this call," Anbu said, standing up from the table.
Sangeetha's expression turned to one of confusion as she watched him leave the table and step outside of the restaurant. She couldn't help but wonder who could be calling Anbu at such a critical moment and what could be so important that he had to leave the table in the middle of their conversation.
Anbu hesitated before answering the call, not sure if he was ready to confront his past with Ilakiya. His heart began to race as memories of their tumultuous relationship flooded his mind. Ilakiya was his ex-girlfriend with whom he had a bitter fallout. The hurt and betrayal still stung, and he wasn't sure if he was ready to face her again.
But eventually, he mustered up the courage and answered the phone.
"Hello?" Anbu answered the call and moved a few steps away from the entrance, his voice low and urgent. Sangeetha tried to listen in but the noise from the restaurant made it impossible. She watched as Anbu's expression turned serious and his body language became tense. She could sense that something was not right and her concern for him grew.
"Anbu, it's Ilakiya," a familiar voice replied from the other end of the line.
Anbu felt a wave of emotions wash over him as he listened to Ilakiya's words. Part of him wanted to hang up the phone and never speak to her again, but another part of him couldn't ignore the hint of desperation in her voice. He glanced over at Sangeetha, who was watching him with a concerned expression.
"I'm at a restaurant with my girlfriend right now," Anbu said, trying to buy himself some time to think. "Can it wait until later?"
"No, it can't," Ilakiya said, her voice urgent. "Please, Anbu. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important."
Anbu took a deep breath and glanced back at Sangeetha, who was now standing up from the table and walking towards him, a worried look on her face. He knew he had to make a decision quickly.
"Fine, I'll meet you," Anbu said, trying to hide the reluctance in his voice. "But this is the last time, Ilakiya. I'm in a good place now and I don't want to go back to our past."
"Thank you, Anbu," Ilakiya said, relief evident in her voice. "I'll text you the details."
Anbu hung up the phone and turned to Sangeetha, who was now standing in front of him, her arms crossed over her chest.
"Who was that?" Sangeetha asked, her voice tight.
Anbu hesitated, not sure how to explain the situation. "It was Ilakiya, my ex. She's in some kind of trouble and needs my help."
Sangeetha's expression softened and she reached out to touch his arm. "Anbu, I understand if you need to help her, but don't let her bring you down. Remember, you're working on yourself and your issues."
Anbu felt a wave of relief wash over him. He was grateful for Sangeetha's understanding and support. "Thank you, Sang," he said, giving her a hug. "I'll make it up to you, I promise."
Anbu quickly paid for the meal and they left the restaurant. As they walked out, he couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. He didn't know what Ilakiya needed his help for, but he knew it would be a difficult meeting.
As they made their way out of the restaurant, Anbu couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that he may have to confront his past with Ilakiya again. He remembered the pain and betrayal he felt during their final moments together. Sangeetha, noticing his distress, spoke up.
"Anbu, you've never fully told me what happened between you and Ilakiya," she said. "I know you don't like to talk about it, but I think it's important for me to understand why this phone call is affecting you so much."
Anbu took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. He had avoided this conversation with Sangeetha for a long time, but he knew that she deserved to know the truth.
"It was 2007 and we met in a mIRC chatroom," Anbu began, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "We hit it off right away and started talking every day. Eventually, we decided to meet in person. She was in college and I had just started working at the time and we fell in love quickly."
As he spoke, memories of his relationship with Ilakiya flooded back to him. He recounted the events that led to the downfall of their relationship, the lies and secrets that had been kept from him.
"It was a difficult time for me," Anbu said, shaking his head. "I felt hurt and betrayed. I said some things I regret and ended things with Ilakiya."
Sangeetha listened patiently. She could see the pain and hurt in his eyes as he spoke, and she knew that this was not an easy conversation for him to have.
"I understand why you would feel that way," Sangeetha said, placing a hand on Anbu's arm. "But you have to remember that everyone makes mistakes and that you can't hold on to that anger and hurt forever. You deserve to be happy and move on from this."
"Anbu, I understand that it's difficult to revisit the past," Sangeetha said, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "But I'm here for you, every step of the way."
Anbu looked at her, grateful for her understanding and support. "I know, and I appreciate it," he said. "It's just hard to let go of the pain and hurt from the past."
Sangeetha nodded in understanding. "I know, but remember that you don't have to face it alone. We'll get through this together," she reassured him. Anbu felt a sense of comfort knowing that he had Sangeetha by his side to support him.
"Thank you, Sang. I really appreciate it," Anbu said, his voice filled with gratitude. He pulled up in front of Sangeetha's place.
Sangeetha smiled and replied, "Of course, Anbu. I'm here for you always." She leaned in and gave him a kiss on the forehead before getting out of the car.
Anbu watched her as she walked towards her apartment before he headed to the TBS bus depot to pick up Ilakiya as per her instructions in the text.
As Anbu pulled up to the TBS bus depot, he spotted a familiar figure standing nervously, checking her watch. It was Ilakiya. She looked different than he remembered, with her hair styled differently and a maturity in her eyes that wasn't there before.
Anbu stopped the car in front of her and lowered the window. "Ilakiya, get in," he said, trying to keep his voice steady.
Ilakiya hesitated for a moment before opening the door and sliding into the car. Anbu couldn't help but notice the nervous look on her face and the faint bags under her eyes. He wondered what could have brought her to this point, calling him after all these years. He remained silent as they drove to their destination.
"What's going on, Ilakiya?" Anbu asked, trying to keep his voice calm. "Why did you call me?"
Ilakiya took a deep breath and looked at Anbu with tears in her eyes. "I'm in trouble, Anbu," she said. "I really need your help."
Anbu's eyes widened in concern. "What's going on?" he asked.
Ilakiya hesitated before answering. "I can't go into the details right now, but let's just say that I'm in a difficult situation and I don't know who else to turn to. I'm sorry to burden you with this, Anbu, but I really need your help."
Anbu's heart went out to Ilakiya. He knew that he couldn't turn his back on her, not when she was in trouble.
Anbu's heart sank as he saw the tears in Ilakiya's eyes. He knew that whatever trouble she was in, it must be serious for her to reach out to him after all these years.
"Ilakiya, I'll do whatever I can to help you," Anbu said, his voice filled with concern. "Just tell me what's going on and how I can help."
Ilakiya hesitated for a moment before answering. "I can't go into the details right now, Anbu. I just need you to trust me and come with me. I promise I'll explain everything once we're away from here," she said, her voice trembling with emotion.
Anbu nodded and started the car, ready to help Ilakiya in any way he could. He couldn't help but wonder what kind of trouble she was in and how he would be able to help her.
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