“So?” His voice quivered.
“So, guess this is the last time I see you from here.” She completed the sentence in a go.
“Hmmm...”
“You can be relieved that thereafter there will be none to pester you; to peep out of your home, to wave while leaving your home; to look while you enter and...” Her eyes were filling up.
“Will you please shut up?” and Beep... Beep... Beep...
She was as disturbed as he was and even more. Her parents had looked out for a home a few streets away and they were shifting the next weekend. he had come to Chennai on an official trip and thereby was at his home. They were talking to each other over the phone; looking directly over the road and the intermediate walls. She was a bit more restless because he would not be available the next day when she would be leaving the home... finally... That home - which had been the main reason for their relationship. Hadn’t she shifted there in 2000, they wouldn’t have been together now.
The last few weeks of the relationship between them weren’t a cake walk. Having told the elders about their liking for each other a year before and their negative stand till then, complicated the situation of long distance relationship. Both of them felt extremely insecure in the other’s absence and the longing for being together increased exponentially.
They met that day in a coffee shop, expecting a lot to happen over a cup. Silence and solitude filled the air till he opened up.
“So, you are going...”
“Hmmm... Yes. The shifting is almost done. May be we have to shuttle a few times through the week for things like AC, Netlon covers, geyser etc. But apart from that...” Her eyes met his and her words froze. She couldn’t continue further. She just looked deep into his eyes.
“Don’t go. Please.” His voice was feeble.
Tears trickled down her cheeks. It pained in her throat and she felt suffocated. She wanted to say something but she hardly could.
“Please...” His eyes became moist. It was paining for him too.
“I don’t want to. But...” She couldn’t finish the sentence. Her lashes fluttered and lips shivered in the controlled emotional state.
He stared at her for a few seconds. He then removed eye contact with her, winked away his tears and spoke out...
“Anywhere you go, I am there with you. We are made for each other and we will live together happily. Don’t worry. ” She was astonished by the sudden emotional twist. She was surely feeling better.
He continued. “Every time I come to Chennai, I will walk through your home and you will still be the first dear one who I meet in Chennai.” He paused and rose to his feet. He took her in his arms and whispered into her ears.
“I'm there for you...”
