That day…

It was her birthday that day. She was turning 22. But unlike any other girl of her age, she wasn’t exactly overwhelmed. By her judgment, it was pretty much the beginning of a redundant end.

It all started a week after the New Year’s Eve when he confessed his feelings about not seeing them as one anymore. The disaster had happened already, she knew when she had heard this. They were together for a year now, going strong every moment, each day and all these months. They looked good together too. So much that both simply made a perfect pair. They complimented each other thoroughly. Their heights matched; the body type more about similar, skin tone few shades up and down, just perfect for an ideal looking couple.

But for the girl, he was far better looking; she was smitten by his fabulous smile. She had often compared his one sided dimpled cheek to her favorite childhood actor. His smile was the best she had ever seen. And in her eyes, his face was the best ever. He was the best ever. Perhaps, the girl impressed the boy as much. Actually much more…

Though, it was not only about the way they looked. The truth was much above and beyond that. They were both passionate and self-made independent people and their interests about art, music, travel, writing, films, photography, stories and everything else matched. They were very similar, yet very different in their own ways of approaching and appreciating life. This probably held the middle ground for them. Their souls were deeply connected and love was like the air: everywhere. Reminiscent of, they were meant to be.

Considering all this, the girl decided to save their relationship, whatever it may take. Also, she knew it was her time to catch up and fill in for what he had done for them during their entire course of togetherness. She felt obliged to take over, it was her time to stick by… the way he always did, always. Also, because she knew and understood what he was going through, she wanted to comprehend him, help them…

That day though, he was partially hesitant, she was aware. She told him it was alright if he did not turn up. But at the end of the day; he did keep his promise of celebrating her birthday together, the one they were planning and looking forward to ever since. They met in the afternoon and had spent rest of their day together; walking downtown, visiting the museum, eating nachos and sipping lemon iced tea at their favorite restaurant, strolling across the beach, lying on the rugged golden sand, watching the scanty city-line stars and shady clouds, holding hands tightly and feeling the sea breeze softly hitting their eyelashes.

Nevertheless, strange emptiness had hovered in. The hollowness has spelled in. Ever since he confessed his will to disconnect the cord, both of them faced highly traumatic days that were filled with fear, anxiety, anger, nervousness, turbulence, insecurity, obsession, depression, pragmatism, calculation, reconsideration and zillion of rounding emotions. Both were fighting through constant conflict within themselves, among themselves. By now, they were probably jaded. The boy had given up. But the girl believed in persistence and possibility. Or maybe, the girl simply believed…

Within no time, the day had ended and it was time to return home. On the way back, the boy insisted to drop the girl, like always. They sat close to each other after they hired a cab. The girl felt heavy-hearted and clueless about what would follow. She perchance saw slim odds of them becoming better, in affirmation, especially after spending such beautiful day together.

They held hands, as tight as could be. The boy cuddled himself inside her like a small baby who knew was going to loose his favorite toy that he loved more than anything else in the world. She could tell, it was perhaps more harder for him. She could feel his heartbeats racing… pouncing… reaching somewhere… everywhere… nowhere. But she decided to just be. Just hold on to him tightly in reciprocation.

There was nothing left to thrash out anymore. Every single emotion and feeling had been analyzed and discussed verbally. By now, the words had given up too. All of a sudden, she felt some dampness on her hand. She immediately looked at him. Her heart almost omitted at what she saw. Tears rolling down his eyes, one after the other. Everything paused. Tears spilled off her eyes too. She mourned inside, spirit dead. Weeping, they curled themselves into each other once again… in attempt to freeze those together-moments eternally.

They looked into each others eyes. They were red, moist and deep. Intense. They fought together all the universe-existent-emotions hurling over the past few weeks, once again. But this time, only by immersing into each others eyes. Grasping each breath. Tears were still rolling down hysterically. Their hearts melted and feelings overhauled. They kissed. Souls connected. The girl fell in love with the boy all over again. She wished the boy did too. But, she was wrong this time. May be all the time. For, that was their last kiss…

© Manali H. Shah

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