Two Exes, One Roof and a Bottle Between Us

So here we are, me and my ex-wife, back at our rented place in Bangalore, clearing it out. We’re still on good terms, strangely enough. Sharing the same roof again, hugging like it’s no big deal, and kissing—not the shy peck-on-the-cheek kind, but not full-blown French either. Just a soft kiss on the lips, which, let’s be honest, is a hell of a big deal for divorced couples, or even most people dating in India.

But here’s the kicker: we’ve both turned into alcoholics since the divorce. I used to drink occasionally, but now I’m at it nearly every night. She? She didn’t touch a drop before. Now, she’s drinking every other day.

I get my drinking. I’m still in love with her. Still knee-deep in the denial phase of grief, clinging to what’s left of her, of us. But her? She says she doesn’t love me anymore. So why’s she drinking? What’s eating her up from the inside?

It doesn’t add up. If this whole divorce thing is killing her too, why did we even go through with it?

Why are we tearing ourselves apart, drowning in this mess, when neither of us seems at peace with it?