Chapter 9 / 51 · 2 min

Uff...

I hesitated for a moment before asking:

“So… have you ever been in a relationship before?”

Nitu seemed surprised.

The silence on the other end of the phone lasted exactly two seconds.

“Does it matter, Mamun?”

“No. I mean… it’s fine if you have. Just tell me. Were you?”

“Yeah.”

Something inside me sank.

Careful not to let it show in my voice, I asked:

“You could’ve told me earlier. How long did it last?”

“That’s a weird question. You never asked before. I didn’t think it was important.”

“How long?”

“Three years.”

“Three years?!”

I almost shouted.

“You never told me about a three-year relationship, Nitu!”

She sounded genuinely confused.

“Why are you reacting like this? As far as I know, you’ve had two relationships before me. What’s the problem?”

I forced a serious tone into my voice.

“Nitu, will you tell me something honestly?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because I know what you’re about to ask. I don’t like talking about it.”

“Even so. Tell me the truth. Did you ever have a physical relationship with him? Don’t lie. People always get caught lying about things like this.”

Nitu was silent for a long time.

When she finally spoke, there was pain in her voice.

“Mamun… you know I hate lying. It hurts my pride. So no, I won’t lie.”

She paused.

“Yes. Once.”

Another pause.

“I was very young. I didn’t understand things properly. He manipulated me into making a mistake.”

At that exact moment, every bit of affection I had for Nitu disappeared.

Every bit.

I started an argument.

Then I insulted her.

Called her a whore.

That single word was enough to destroy the relationship.

And honestly?

I felt relieved.

Why had I wasted my time chasing an impure girl like this?

When I slept with Simi, I had been her first man.

When I slept with Mili, I had been her first man too.

And now, just when I was finally getting serious about someone…

I found out that she…

Uff…