It may seem like an unlikely title, a rude one considering the sensitive, emotional climate we live in. It’s an unlikely title, because everything leading to this point made good sense and it had good vibes all around. A good, smart girl who knew what she wanted, a loving family and a sign of approval from mine. This felt so right.

X2 and I continued our conversations over the web, and on the phone. This arrangement had to work for now, because she couldn’t just resign from her job in Bangalore immediately. She had things to wrap up. The first step of the plan was to put down her papers in a month or so, because she had enough of this company, and her heart was back in Mumbai. She wanted to get back in touch with her family and spend quality time with them. That, and it would also be good for us to be in the same city, as we prepared for the wedding and our life together. I was glad too. I would be in a relationship, without the fear of judgment, harassment and more.

…

I call her X2. Unlike my first ex, I met her on a matrimony web site. This happened nearly a year after I started looking out on Shaadi. After being declined several times, I think it might have been X2 who contacted me. I call her X2 because of her nature, which would unravel itself through the year I spent understanding her. Our first chat conversation started on a Saturday afternoon, and our conversations were natural.

…

A little after two years of trying to get over my ex, and that deep sense of regret and guilt, I maintained a policy of zero-interaction at home, and minimal social interactions elsewhere. Back at my previous work space, a colleague had created a Shaadi.com account for me. It was meant to make fun of me. I always took these pranks from my team, in good spirit and I laughed along. When they’d tell my ex about it, she would laugh too and suggest more cliched bits to add to it.

…

Red. The flames were bright enough to burn through his eyelids, like red-hot iron. Pain. Searing pain, the likes of which he had never felt. His flesh and sinew was slowly being cooked. Darkness beckoned at the back of his head, and he welcomed it eagerly. Nothingness engulfed him and he knew no more.

The first thing he heard was an electronic beep. He stirred and groaned. Immediately, he heard hurried footsteps and a soothing, female voice told him to relax and rest. He opened his eyes; blearily he saw a woman in a blue top looming over him. The darkness returned and he went back to its bosom.

…

Life introduced itself in all kinds of surprising ways. After being submissive and meek all my life, a late bloomer of sorts, I had blossomed, but into a man. I was in control of my life, fearless and unstoppable. I made friends and with friends came their friends. And that’s when I met my girlfriend, now my ex-girlfriend.

I hated the idea of people having an ex-girlfriend. I had ideals to be met. I was distant from any form of cheating, lying, and manipulation. Hard work and honesty were the way to go, and it earned me the respect of others. I had told myself I would only meet someone once I was financially stable and mature. I would only meet someone, if I thought I would marry that person, if she was that special kind.

…