November rain

Coiled threads of memories intertwine with jumbled emotions just like my fingers on his hair.

Nothing has changed over the years. He still sleeps like a smiling angel.

Wasn’t it just yesterday when I set my eyes on him? Love at first sight?
No, I was already in love even before he made his dramatic entry into my life.

I have always loved November rains for the calmness they exude in spite of the heavy torrents. Wasn't it on one such night that God bestowed this gift?

The rumble of the thunder pierces my swirling thoughts. I walk to the window and stretch out my hand to catch the first few drops of November rain.

It sure is a symbol of new beginning.
Or is it a perfect ending to the relationship we share?

I curse myself for such thoughts. How can I be so doubtful, so selfish?
This relationship can never be tainted. The oozing drops of any other color, even if it is red, will just beautify it more.

But hadn’t Vani told me how things changed?
I feel torn. I am not sure any more.

I watch as the rain pours down in torrents just like my tears.

I don’t see him walk up stealthily to me. It is only after he holds my hand that I realize his presence next to me. He clasps my hand tightly and looks at me.

“Just like old times”, he says as he smiles.

We both stretch our hands into the rain together, just like the hundreds of times before. Time seems to have flown by in a jiffy.

But, he is still like the November rain- gentle, tender and loving.

“Nothing will change about us, even if I fly half away across the globe. I promise, Mom”, he says.

****

P.S : Wrote this in a jiffy and published it even though it did not turn out how I wanted it to :/

Picture : Link

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Something was different today.

This was not the first time that I sat with him.

How many times had we sat on the fresh green carpet in nature’s lap leaning against the tree overlooking the pond?  Countless.

Yet, something was different today.

He dint forget to greet me by my nickname.

  Yet, something was different today.

I punched on his tummy like I always did when I greeted him. 

Yet, something was different today.

He dint forget to bring my favorite chocolate and cream donuts. It has been a ritual.

  Yet, something was different today.

I mumbled how good they tasted while I dug into the donuts and even dropped a few crumbs all over my dress, while the chocolate syrup stuck around my chin and cheeks as usual.

  Yet, something was different today.

I bent my head to lean onto his shoulder, like I always did when something troubled me.

Yet, something was different today.

His head dint lean back on mine. Neither did he brush away the crumbs off my face.

Nothing had changed over the past 14 years. We came here every Sunday. This was our spot. The tree by the pond. We discovered it ages ago and we had even made our mark on the bark of the tree as kids. Every single tree in this park, every blade of grass, ever petal of the flowers, and every ripple in the pond knew us.

But today, they seemed to alienate us. Like they were mourning something.

The pond was still. It was very different. I threw a pebble into the water trying to disturb its penance, trying to make it look normal, trying to set everything right.

And I heard those words “Alicia, I am leaving for university tomorrow. I won’t promise that I will keep in contact because over the time I might not be able to. I won’t promise that I will be there for you always because I might not be able to be there for you when you need me. I won’t promise that I will come back for you because I might change. I won’t promise to address you as a hedgehog whenever I see you because I might see you as a lady, almost a stranger a few years from now. I won’t promise something I won’t be able to keep up. All I promise is to hold your memories close to my heart, for you have been my best friend over the years.”

But he hadn’t uttered a single word.

The only sound was the plopping pebbles in the pond emanating cascading golden ripples by the setting sun.

He wrapped my hand around his like countless other times.

 Yet, something was different today. Or maybe forever !

****

P.S : Inspired from a real place but a slightly different context :)

Pic courtesy : weheartit.com 

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