I never knew a season could have such affects on your mood. At one time I am happy and thanking for the summer to come because it reminded me of my last summer and it also is a reminder that now there is just one more summer that I have to spend alone and then at the same time the bitter-sweet feeling of pain comes and makes me sad reminding of the moments I spent with David.

I was out with my friends on a beach and it was fun but the thoughts of David never left my mind. I remember our walking together hand-in-hand at the beach in Rosedale when we sneaked out and away from others. I could still feel the touch of his palm, fingers in mine.

I was sitting near the sea and was making a heart of sand writing our initials in it when I heard Sarah : "you want everyone to know what you did last summer?"

"Go away teaser. I will stop sharing things with you"

"Buhahahaha I am scared!" She said giving a mock-horrified expression.

I gathered some sand in my hand and threw at her direction but it only made her laugh more.

"Do that and I will run away with your precious snow-balled fairytale love stuff"

"Touch it and I will give you the look Rapunzel had at the end of her story"

"Dare it and I will tell everyone what you did last summer"

"Go weave your story, I don't care, I will cut your locks for sure"

She started to sing :

"I know what you did last summer,

Walking hand in hand with a beast

In his rose garden, you gave him your heart..."

"Sarah, one more word and I will kill you"

"Really? Catch me if you can..." She said as she ran-away from me.

I ran after her and it took me sometime to catch her because few friends was coming in-between to stop me from catching her.

When I finally caught hold of her and she gave you was breathing so hard. I let myself fell on the sands and my visions went to the clouds, sun and my breathing grew hard and deep as I remembered the moment when I was trying to catch David but failed so I tricked him to make him fall but we wall together and I was lying on top of him.

How many times I have envisioned everything every moment I spent with during my last summer, I even lost the count. It's so amazing about memories that the memory that can bring a smile on your face also has the power to make you feel sad and empty.

I miss him everyday but sometimes it gets unbearable and I feel like running to him and saying I don't care about any promise, I just care about you, I want to be with you. That was what the Emily of before last summer would have done but Last summer changed me, my way of thinking, reasoning and reacting to things. I am growing up David, in so many ways and it's all because of you. Because of your presence in my life.

"Hey, dreamy girl let's go and eat something"

Sarah voice cut in my thoughts. "Let's go , hungry bird" I said laughing.

A month passed, it was the day of my final year results at school. I got great grades and mom and dad was very happy. I felt content too that I am doing what my parents and David wants, what I wanted to do for me before meeting him.

I was holding the gift David sent me , playing the music and dancing in my room happily, imagining him with me to celebrate my achievement.

A knock at the door alerted me and I straightened.

Mom came inside.

"I came to inform you that the gift you ordered for David has arrived. For now, keep it in your room and we will get it couriered to David tomorrow"

"It came."

"Yes, Nancy is bringing it here"

"Thank you mom.

"I am going out with your Dad so make sure you don't trouble Nancy with your food issues. We will be little late"

"Ok Mom, bye, Enjoy your time"

Nancy, is our house-keeper and she stays back whenever mom and dad are out till late.

She came in with my parcel and placed it on my bed.

"Do tell me when you want to have your dinner, Emily. I will be in the main hall"

"Ok, Nancy, Thank you"

I opened the parcel and smiled as I saw a beautiful guitar with inscriptions "David" carved on it in gold.

I was worried what dad might say of me sending this to David but mom said it's okay. He already knows that David gifted me his guitar when we left and they sent me a birthday gift too so I wished to send him a guitar. He was okay with the idea. I guess mom is working on what she promised us.

I got down to write a note for him. It was the first time I was ever writing a letter and that too a letter to David. I had no idea how to write a love letter but I decided I would just pour down my feelings. Alter all, that is what counted.

My Dear Beast,

Happy Birthday and I hope your birthday brings you as much love and happiness as you sent my way.

Thank you for the gift you sent. I loved it so much. It's my most prized possession.

Though even a chipped cup from my beast would have made me feel just as great.

Like you, I was also confused when mom handed me your gift. My mom is really awesome, I know.

I was wondering over what to send you and then my eyes went over your guitar, the one you gave me and in that moment I knew I wanted to gift you a guitar. I know how much you loved your guitar. I selected this one for you and I hope you will like it. Music connected us and I wish it continues doing it's job.

Every time in play your guitar I feel your fingers when you used to touch those strings, holding it to yourself. Hugging it, I would say, I feel like I am not holding your guitar but hugging you. I wish you could feel the same with the one I am sending for you.

I have completed my Middle School finals. I know you might already know it but I want to tell you myself that I got the best grades. Feeling proud of me?

Your Beauty is doing everything you asked her not because she feels blinded but because she loves you and wants the same thing as you want for us.

I miss you so much and I wish life could capture us together like that statue in the snowball and we will be together always.

Just waiting for you to come...

Yours & only your's

Emily

Days, months and year passed. I entered high-school. New batch, new people. Thankfully Sarah was with me.

Life at high school runs at it's own fast pace. I made few new friends and I explored more of the world than I did before. Night out was not my cup of tea and not that my dad would have allowed me for it even if I wanted. My only agenda was to focus on my studies, complete high school with best grades and make my parents and David proud of me. I didn't much bothered about what my friends and others were doing, except going out for movies, shows, lunch, beach and stuff.

There were few guys who tried to hit me on my very first day but I avoided and later when I became friends with people I told everyone that I am not single. Everyone wanted to know more about David but I could just say that he is away. It use to make me feel sad whenever I used to see couple hanging out, going for drives, spending time together. I could only wish in my heart that I could live those moments too but then in my heart I knew what memories I gave was the best and cannot be replaced and I can have more and can do all this lovey-dovey things once I turn 18 and David is back.

One thing that I really wanted to do was sing so I took up classes and went through trainings to improve. Dad and Mom was happy that I was taking interest in singing. I didn't knew what made me do this maybe because David liked my singing or because I am a fan of music, I really don't know but I was enjoying it to the fullest and I knew Dad would be delighted to know that I took up singing.

Finally, My 17th Birthday came and I was over-joyed. I invited all my friends and we had a blast at home but I was waiting for the surprise I knew was on hold for me. Last year, I didn't knew so I was surprised but this year I am waiting and hoping that mom soon gives me my gift from David. To my surprise, Uncle Sam and Aunt Martha called mom and they wished me. They told me they are in London with David. I was wishing if I could atleast hear David's voice in the background but no such luck.

After I cut the cake and gave mom a bite she told me : "What you are waiting for is securely lying on your bed, waiting to be opened?"

She said that as she laughed and dad joined in.

Dad? Dad knows too? I felt I was dreaming.

I asked Sarah to pinch me and she pinched me so hard I said "Ouch" so loudly everyone turned at me thinking I got hurt badly. I was so embarrassed. I wanted to run to my room and have a look at my gift but it would be rude to leave guests and leave for my room. I decided to wait and how it was killing me.

After the guests were gone and my parents retired to their room. I hurriedly ran up to my room and my mouth fell open as I saw the size of the gift. It was quiet big and it looked like some frame thing.

I rested it on my bed wall and un-packed it and as I saw it my eyes went wide and was in tears. I was completely speechless.

It was a painting. A painting of my and David's Selfie that he took with his mobile during one of her secret meeting. We were standing near his rose bushes and he said something to me and I was blushing when he took that picture. This was the only picture we have of our time together. I am camera-shy and David understood that. He never asked or forced me. This one picture of us was enough for him. He made that drawn by some artist so that I can have it too. It's so beautifully made. It feels like I can see him eye to eye for real and me blushing and the roses behind. David said, I look as red as the roses when I blush.

I could still chuckle over it like I did back then When he said, remembering his intense voice but a tear come in my eyes now as I think of those times. I wipe it away, telling myself I will not cry today because I hit yet another year away from us.

"Oh, David....If you love me so like this then how expect I not want to be with you and cry for that isn't possible?"

I searched for the letter but could not see it anywhere. I felt sad that there was no letter this time but as I bent forward to hug the painting I found it stuck at the back of the frame.

You wicked beast! I love you. I kissed David's painting.

My Beauty,

Wishing you more love and happiness this year and I hope you loved the painting even though I know you didn't liked the picture when I took it. You look beautiful, Emily.

Thank you for the birthday present you sent. I love your choice. It's a perfect guitar. I play it frequently. It makes me feel so closer to you.

How is your high school going? I hope you enjoying your time. Please do not restrict yourself just to memories of me and give yourself the pleasure of enjoying things you love to do. I really hope you are doing good Emily. I really hope.

I understand if you miss me and feel sad at times but don't let that keep you away from living your life as you should, as your parents want and as I wish for you or all these that we are doing and facing would go meaningless.

Just a year more, Emily. I will be graduating this year , in just about 4 months more and then I will be assisting Dad permanently. I work with him time and off now. I even signed up my contract with the nature care foundation. Things are going great. I wish more and more people join us and we make a remarkable change for the global warming thing.

I visited Rosedale with Mom and Dad this summer too and I felt your presence everywhere. The roses are growing well and looking beautiful though summer is hardly their season but things are being taken care of. All this place needs is you.

See you in a year my rosy cheeks Beauty.

Every day I think of you, you come to my dreams too.The feel of you still lingers in my soul. I never knew I would ever fall in love so bad and when I will, then I had to be without for so long but I am glad we took time and waited. It made us more sure about how much we mean to each other. I never doubted Aunt Amy's decision but now I feel more certain that she really did meant good, she wanted us to know how important we are for each other, she wanted we realise the depth of the feelings we have for each other. She needed this surety not for her and uncle but also for us so that our future together will be built on patience, love, trust and understanding. I have leant this all being away from you all this time and I know my beauty is growing up to be fine and wise lady too.

Always your's, forever more

Your Beast.

Each word that he wrote touched my heart. Even I knew Mom was right. I never questioned her but when I read what David wrote for mom it made me agree much more. My heart is so full of respect and love for him now because he understands and respects my parents and their choices & decisions so much. I really don't know whatever I did in my life to deserve to be loved by him. He is just one of those rare guys, one actually believes doesn't exist but he is real and he is mine.