The Balcony Scene
*thud* *thud* *thud*
“Come in.” A woman’s voice cooly responds.
A Caucasian butler enters the room, carrying a tray. He strides past the bedroom and out onto the balcony. There sits a beautiful and self-contained Indian woman, clinging onto her shoulders as the crisp fall breeze passes through.
The butler sets the tray down. “On nights like these, I believe a blanket makes the perfect partner,” states the servant matter-of-factly as he grabs the blanket from the second chair and wraps the woman.
“Thanks Peter.” She mutters all while avoiding eye contact.
“A cup of tea always soothes the soul and opens the heart.” Peter mentions as he passes her a cup.
The woman lifts the cup and entangles her fingers around it. She stares at the white steam flowing into the starry sky.
“When they shifted me here, I always wondered why there was a balcony in the bedroom,” started the woman. “Funnily enough, my ex-boyfriend, and boss, chose this apartment for me. Everything was standard except this balcony. It completely through me off guard.”
“Balconies in the bedrooms are common here. Maybe he wanted you to enjoy the street views,” offered the butler.
“No.” stated the woman curtly. “That’s not it.
Peter raises his eyebrows as he sits himself.
“While we were dating, I had this horrendous habit waking up at 3:00 am. I would wander onto my balcony and cry. I cried and cried. Happened every night when I was dating him. Daniel, my boss, was always sound asleep during these episodes.”
Peter eyed her as the woman stared down at her tea. “The truth was that I was crying over someone dear to me. Someone I lost and love. Someone who has stolen every ounce of my attention. Daniel didn’t know of him. I never mentioned him to anyone. Mostly since our love was forbidden. Even the very thought of him brings me to tears. I tried to make things work with Daniel. I gave everything into that relationship. However, five months in, he decided to end things with me. He stated it was because we weren’t meant to be and I believed him.”
The woman shrugs.
“Three months later, Daniel shifted me here. He said he has an apartment ready and everything. I didn’t expect much. But when I first saw this balcony, it finally struck. Daniel knew. That bloody bastard knew the whole time. He felt my pain and loss. Yet, he waited. He waited for five long months. He hoped that my love for him will fade. But it never did. So, he left.” The woman sighs audibly and lifts her eyes. She gazes on to the city lights below. “And now Daniel brought me into this city where I am only a 30 minute drive from him. As if this is all just one huge cruel joke.”
“And now what Ma’am?” Peter jabs.
“What do you mean? You saw him today with her,” she sneers. “He moved on. I am nothing but a distant memory in his brain.” Tears start rolling down the woman’s cheeks. “There is nothing I can do now, but wait for this nightmare to end.”
