Doorbell rang!
With him on my mind, I rushed to take the door. And indeed he was, with some satchel kind a thing he was trying to hide.
“All set?”
“Not really, just packing up stuffs. It will go on till the last minute.”
Though reluctant, I dragged him up. He was not the usual darling today. On those regular hangouts, he kept up the mood and I was always at the receiving end. Today he was offbeat!
Looking at the mess I made of my room, he suddenly retorted, “Whoaaa! I don’t think there’s place for me. I better sit outside.”
“Shut up and adjust yourself on the couch. Or better, help me pack.” And I handed him over this carton of gifts and books.
He slowly pulled in and I started pooling my books for him to set them well in it.
“Gosh you read so much fiction and you want them all with you in Chennai. Why?”
“I have to be there for atleast a year if not more, the job is so. So settling a ‘sansaar’ is necessary for that homely feel. And plus you won’t be there. I need enough distractions you see.”
“Yea, whatever.”
He started piling the books slowly and silently. I din’t understand what was wrong with him. He was just mum. And I couldn’t keep the convo on.
“Hey look what I just found! The card you made me for my birthday last year. Such a beautiful poem this was.
"With the Beloved’s water of life, no illness remains
In Beloved’s rose garden of union, no thorns remain.
They say there is a window from one heart to another
How can there be a window, when no walls remain.”
Still silent! I couldn’t take it anymore. I confronted him.
“What’s wrong with you? Today is probably the last time we are going to meet in months. And all I called you here was to spend this time with you. But lo! You seem to be lost I don’t know where. Okay last time! Speak up.”
He finally left the books. Getting up, he turned to me. There was a hint of sadness on his face and eyes moist.
“What’s the matter darling?” I grabbed his hand.
“Well how can you keep asking me ‘what’s the matter’? As if you have no idea. A year or so you say. Leaving and just going away this easily. Don’t you know how addicted I am to your being around all the time. It doesn’t sound as casual as it seems.”
Tears rolled down, I finally gave way to my emotions. I clutched him tight, like never letting him go. Those memories of the last 2 years we spent together flashed back. Days of fun, outings, camping, date and just doing nothing. We had it all together. Friends for a long time and then falling in love, it was all just magical. And while I was relishing this perfect relationship, came an email order. Shifting bases to their Chennai team coz they wanted people there. Though being in the same workplace, only I received this mail. He tried a lot to make it either for both of us or for none, but nothing worked. And finally we decided to part ways, not for life, but for now.
I was totally speechless. All I did was cry, in his arms, on his shoulder. I din’t want to go. I never wanted to go away from him. I din’t know what to do.
He was teary for a while but suddenly realized I needed him to be strong to handle me, care for me. “Okay okay. Now c’mon don’t cry. We are not dying and it’s just a matter of a year may be. It will fly by before you blink. And by the way, still you have a messy place and we need to pack up before the train. Coz I have no plans of rushing, or may be you can just go all by yourself then lady. Think about it… Me or no Me. Your take.”
That instantly brought back my smile. He knew how to make me smile and that was the reason we are together. I pushed him off and placed a peck. We started getting things in order meanwhile giving glances to each other. Finally packed for the train with a few hours still at hand.
He then took me out. We drove through the city and I had an extra bag added with all the fun things like chocolates, cupcakes and much more. Lying down on his shoulder at the lake, I wished then the time halts or atleast the train breaks down, giving me more time with him. He took my hand into his. Tracing my fingers with his, he grabbed me tight. “You know, this is how I wish us to be always. Like lying beside each other and feeling blessed!”
I knew at that instant that we shared a relationship beyond words. We never needed those long, daily talks. It was the silence which could convey him what I was feeling like. He was the best thing I had in my life.
The Sun was coming down. The dusk was beautiful. Water sparkled in the lake as I came over him and asked, “How much do you care for me?”
“Ah well! Quite difficult to say this is. But let me put it this way. I care for you as much as I love you. And I love you as much as I want you. And I want you almost like I want the entire World’s happiness in your feet, the entire smile on your face and all the love that it lasts you for eternity. And I care for you so much that I wish this moment pauses and I hold you till the end.” And we kissed, like never before.
I wished he went on and on. His words always were magical. Pulling out romance of a weirdest thing was his style. And I was at my happy best .
“But it ll be too uncomfortable to lay on the grass all the time, right. So then, get up, I want to get rid of you soon now.” This time I hit him hard. Later getting my bear hug.
We hurried back my place and took all the luggage and reached the station quick. The train’s arrival was announced. He loaded my luggage and instructed me like I was a 12year old which got me laughing. And with the horn, I just gave him yet another tight hug and kissed him goodbye.
“We are meeting soon, don’t worry.” He whispered and I smiled.
The train started moving and I relaxed on my seat. Just while I started recollecting my day today, the phone beeped.
“Well I am sure you noticed this satchel I got in the morning but totally forgot later… it’s in your handbag. Open it. May be you feel thrilled.”
Opening the bag with trembling hands, I started looking for this surprise in store. It was a small thing. My heart was racing, I was confused, excited and behaving child-like for it. Checking through it, I found 2 parchments, one smaller and the other bigger. I read the small note…
“I don’t know how you are going to be there all alone. So the other paper is something I could do the least from here.
I quickly opened the letter. And my joy knew no bounds. It was his letter of appointment at a multinational in Chennai. I was super happy by then, but the note had a line to add too…
And before you start jumping, just check out the satchel deeper.”
Digging through that small bag, I found a small velvet box. I almost was about to faint when I brought this box out with a beautiful ring and a small chit saying…
"Will You Marry Me?"
