HOW MY LOVE STORY ENDED BEFORE IT HAD EVEN STARTED (PART 3)

# HE SAID HE WOULD WAIT, SO I HAD TO GO

These sun rays, I hate them. The direct light from the window on my face, I just hate to wake up this early. I woke up and pulled the curtains. Well, it’s a beautiful day today. Even my head feels light. Annupam, I couldn't get his name out of my head though. He said he would wait. Should I go or should I not? Nope, I shouldn't bother about him. I went to the kitchen for my usual morning tea.

Taking a sip of the tea, “why not stalk about him?”, I asked myself. I opened my laptop, all set to figure his history out. I opened my face book account. There goes his name on my search engine. I can’t believe there are so many people with his name. It’s going to be a tough task.

Suddenly, a friend request popped up on my screen with a message. It was none other than Annupam. His message read, “Hey there. It’s me. You’re trying to find me right?” Well, that was unexpected. I didn't accept his request, trying to act as if I had not checked my facebook. Then I got a message again. It read, “I know you have already seen my message. I think you are unaware that the message is shown as seen once it’s checked.” He sent the text with grinning emoticon. It was annoying.

Well, I didn't want to accept his request, but his profile was so private that I had to do it to find more about him. I sent him a text, “What are you doing in facebook this early morning?” He replied, “Waiting for you.” The reply was not convincing, yet it was sweet. I wrote, “Don’t ever wait for me otherwise you will regret.” He wrote in return, “I’ll be waiting for you at the same place where we departed yesterday at 10:00 a.m. sharp.” I didn't reply anything then.

Should I go or should I not? It was already 9:00 a.m. and I hadn't decided yet. I finally made up my mind to go anyways. After all, I had to find out what happened to his mom or maybe it was just an excuse to meet me.

I started to get ready. “What is this? I don’t have anything to wear. All of my wardrobe is messed up with rubbish clothes. I must have bought something good yesterday.” I realized I was talking to myself. I don’t know why I was acting the way I was. It was just a casual meet.

I chose a red dress and put on some make up. I looked at myself in the mirror. My goodness! I looked horrible. The colour and makeup, both were absolutely loud. I washed the whole make up away and picked a light colour T-shirt. I put on a bit of compact and gloss. I can’t even remember how many times I made my hair. I know I was acting absurd but I couldn't help myself.

I didn’t want to be late. I hurried to the place. Before reaching there, I just took out compact from my bag and added it to my face. I know that was not me but I had to act that way.

Finally, I reached there. He was standing at the same spot, looking at the other side. I coughed just enough to draw his attention. He looked at me. He said, “You’re here. I knew you would come.”

He came a bit closer and said, “You look adorable. Thank God, you don’t wear loud colours like some girls do. I just hate that.” I don’t know why but my heart started racing as I was the centre of his attention. For a moment, I felt like he almost caught me. Thank God, I had changed the dress and removed the makeup.

“By the way, you look fairer. Did you by any chance get ready for me?” He blinked his eyes as he said so. I didn't know what to say. I couldn't just deny it. Somehow I managed to give a reply, “I am a girl. Just because you see me once without make up on doesn't mean I don’t put on any at all.”

He said, “Okie ma’am. Let’s sit down somewhere first. I showed him a short wall that was nearby where we could sit. As we were sitting down, he said, “I have something for you.” I saw flowers by his side and said, “I don’t like flowers. They fade away.” He immediately said, “I haven’t brought one. Actually, I was quite bored sitting alone. So, I bought some chocolates. Since you came earlier than I thought, these are some leftovers.” He then gave me a bar of chocolate. That was rude, but I knew he had bought them for me.

We were both looking around and smiling at each other. Maybe we both couldn't think where to start. I wanted to ask him what had happened to his mom but I didn't know how to. After gathering enough courage, I dared ask him, “What happened to your mom?” I could see the colour of his face fade away as he heard my question. He took a long breathe and said, “Well, after the party, we went home. She was talking about you all the way along. Maybe she was impressed by you. She even caught me get blushed while talking about you. She teased me by your name. Maybe that’s why moms are always special. They can figure out what their child wants just in a glimpse.

The very next day, my mom had to attend a meeting. She was in a hurry and I thought of giving her a ride. We were on our way when a bus hit my bike. Next thing I know, I am at a hospital. I came to know it was only me who survived the accident. I was seriously injured though. I couldn't even move my legs. I went through every possible therapy. Doctors said that I recovered fast. I can now walk at least. You haven’t noticed that I can’t walk properly, have you?”

Well, I hadn't noticed.

“Is that why you were at the hospital yesterday?” I asked.

“Yes. I still have appointment with my therapist twice a week. But I have almost recovered now.”

“Thank God. Everything is good now. You’re fine.” I said.

“See, almost a year has passed but I’m still stuck there, the day after the party. Sorry for not being in contact. I was physically incapable so I didn't know if you would still want to be my friend.” He said.

I didn't know what to say. Those were huge words. I just sat there still; wordless and expressionless.

He continued, “My father passed away when I was little. I don’t even remember his face. I have an elder sister. My mom, she raised us. She was a strong woman. She raised us really well. We got to live a life that an average person can never think of. She did everything that a father should do but still I missed him so much. I missed him in my school days, parent’s day, result day. Every day, my friend’s dad came to pick him up. I wanted my dad to come too. I wanted him there when I learnt to ride a bicycle. I wanted him to say, “Son, you can do it” in every step of my life. I desperately wanted to see him on my graduation ceremony and say, “I’m proud of you, my son.” I wanted my father to hear me say, “Dad, I got my first salary today.” But he was never there. But my mom was and now, God even took her away from me.”

 I could see tears rolling down his eyes as he was saying that. After he finished, he started to literally cry. I rubbed his back and said, “Please, don’t cry. I know you are strong enough. Life is sometimes a bad joke but other times it’s meaningful.”

As I said that, he hid his face on my shoulders and started to cry like a child. I didn't know what to say to console him. I don’t know why but tears rolled down my eyes too. I rubbed his back and asked him not to cry. “Please, don’t cry.” Those were the only words I could say him. After a while, we both managed to come out of that emotional moment.

To make things normal I said, “I didn't know you look more handsome being emotional. The bold, arrogant, Know it all attitude doesn't suit you at all.” He smiled and replied.”Well, you too look beautiful when you stay listening to me without acting cranky.”

“Really? Then I think I should just keep listening to you forever.” He smiled as I said that. I was happy because it made him smile.

“There is a place I want to take you. Will you come with me?” he asked.

I replied, “Where? What if you kidnap me? No, I won’t go.”

“Umm… For money. I think I have enough and for other thing I don’t think you are that beautiful to put an effort on.” He said.

“What do you mean by that?” I asked angrily.

“Well, intelligent people understand but as you are dumb, so just follow me.” He stood up holding my hands and started walking.

I shouted, “You…how dare you?” and just followed him.

We took a taxi from the main road. He gave the driver a random location. I had no idea where we were going. After an hour, we reached our destination. It was somewhere far from the city. I could feel it in its fresh air. There was something nice about this place. I think it was the peace. He guided me to a place and after walking few steps we reached an orphanage.

 He said, “This orphanage provides shelter to 125 children. My mom used to fund this place. I have come here with her a few times before.”

 As we entered the orphanage, the kids playing on the ground came to him, like they were waiting for him. They hugged him. Few kids jumped upon him. Then he took out a packet of chocolate from his bag and gave it to the kids. I was wrong earlier, those were the chocolates for the kids not me; and the flowers, were for the lady who looked after the kids. We talked to the kids. He introduced me to the kids. We spent some quality time with them.

As the kids were playing on the ground, Annupam said to me, “I have always wanted to establish an orphanage on my own; and I am working on it. Most probably I will accomplish my mission within a year from now.” I replied, “That’s nice. You have good intentions. You’ll surely accomplish it.”

He continued. “I love kids. I have always been fond of kids. I’ll have two kids, “Tunu” and “Munu” after marrying you.” That sentence came out all of sudden I think.

“Whoa! Hello, who said I’m marrying you?” I said that and walked away from the where we were sitting. “Then we can have them before marriage, what do you think?” he said.

“You are totally sick.” I turned around as I said that. I didn't know he was following me. We collided. It was awkward.

“Yes, I’m sick and I want you to nurse me, will you?” his voice tone lowered as he said that. 

Before I could think of anything, I blushed. 

We just walked together after that. I asked him, “Did you have any girlfriends before?”

 He replied, “Yes, of course. Girls used to die for me since school days. I’ve dated almost 20 girls and I’m still dating one.”

 Well, I wasn’t expecting that.

 He asked, “And you?” 

Actually, I hadn't dated even one but I replied, “Yes, I've dated some. Actually, boys were always an interesting chapter for me to study.”

 He said, “Really?” and looked at me with his suspicious eyes. I couldn't lie more and for some reason I didn't want my image to get spoilt in front of him. So, I replied, “Speaking truthfully, I haven’t dated even one.”

 He smiled and said, “I knew it. I was bluffing too. I have been with a few girls but that was just nothing. I think this is my third date.”

 “Wh..at? What date? This is not a date. This is our first formal meeting. You called and I came. That is it. Date is something different. This isn't what a date is supposed to be” I replied immediately.

“Then how is a date supposed to be, huh?” he asked.

“Do you really want to know?” I asked.

He said, “Of course.”

I took a few steps towards him. He moved few steps backwards. Luckily, there was a wall behind him. He stopped. I went closer to him, ran my finger from his forehead to chin and pulled his chin much closer to mine and said, “See, you haven’t even shaved properly. How is this supposed to be a date? If it was a date, you would at least shave properly.”

I smiled. He smiled too but a bit later. Maybe it took a while for him to figure out what actually happened.

“Let’s go for a date the next time. I swear I’ll come clean shaved. Are you ready?” he asked.

I said, “I’ll think about it.”

“I think I should buy you a dress then”, he said.

I questioned, “Why do you always think of spending money?”

He replied, “Actually, I earn enough but I don’t have anyone to spend on. And it’s hard to handle all this money. That’s why I need a lady to spend it on. It will be lot easier then.

“I think I should be that lady then. It seems to be a profitable deal. What do you think?” I asked.

“I couldn't have agreed more. But you have to promise me that you’ll remain by my side forever whatever the circumstances.”

“I can at least do that.” I smiled as I said that and walked away.

We took a taxi and reached the same place where we had met earlier. “I think this place should be named after us as it has become our junction, what do you say?”

“If this was our private property, I guess we could.” I replied.

“It’s already late. I think I should leave now.” I said as I looked at my watch.

“Wait. I think we should take a snap together.” He took out his phone. He pulled me closer and took a selfie. It was a nice feeling indeed, to be so close to him.

He then asked for my phone too. He wanted to take a snap from my phone so that I would remember him each time I used my phone. That was silly.

 I bid him goodbye but again he stopped me. He said that he had something more to say. I asked him what that was.

He then kneeled down and started singing, “There you are in your perfect way, you've got that little shine in your eyes…………..If I could change your mind how would you want me?......” He was singing making funny faces. His voice was not even considerable. It was actually bad.

Seeing his funny face and hearing his voice I said, “If you sing for a few more second, the foxes around will come and eat us.”I started laughing.

After a while, I realized he was looking at me and smiling. I didn't say a word but raised my eyebrows to ask what. He nodded his head nothing and said, “It’s just that I have never seen you laugh this whole heartedly before. You look beautiful. You have an alluring beauty.”

I didn't know why but before he could finish his words, I hugged him tight. He too hugged me tight and said, “Akrity, I don’t know if it makes any sense as this is only the third time we have met but you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I haven’t felt this happy ever before. I don’t know but I have a feeling that I can rely on you forever. I think I’m in love with you. No, actually I’m sure that I’m truly, madly and deeply in love with you.”

Hearing this, tears rolled down my eyes. I haven’t felt this safe, this satisfied and this happy ever before. I felt I could rely on him forever too. I felt safe in his arms. I didn't know whether it was right or wrong, whether he’ll stand by me forever or not, whether I important to him or not or whether it was just a joke? I just wanted to forget everything and live the moment. I too wanted to tell him that I loved him even more and he was the best thing that had ever happened to me too. But for some reason, I couldn't say. I wanted the entire time to just freeze so that I would be in his arms forever this way.