1115 words
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"My first date and I am late.", I slapped myself inside my head several times. From a distance I could see him dressed in lose blue t-shirt sipping coffee and eyes on his watch. As I came nearer I was stunned. He was wearing shorts and slippers! I couldn't help but chuckled. He looked confused.

"Hey alien, you shouldn't be wearing shorts and slippers when you meet a girl. I think you better start taking advices from your assistant." I said as I made myself comfortable on the chair.

"Is there any such rule written anywhere? And Dont forget I have seen you wearing weird dresses on family functions." He retorted, his arms folded and and eyebrows raised high over his forhead. Disgusting! He reminded me of the previous meet. "By the way, have you made a plan with your boyfriend for a date, today? Just look at the layer of makeup on your face. And wow this new suit and chunni!" He railed me hard.

So he was not dating me, confirmed. But i was loving him. Loving him for the way he sat loosely on the chair, the way his hair fluttered in the evening wind, the way he entertained me with is bawdy remarks, the way his eyes spoke to me than his lips could ever do. I was loving him and would keep loving him for a lifetime.

We had some snacks and then moved out for a stroll. I could see the brown leaves scatered in the ground. The wind gently replacing their position. The ones which were on the branches never seemed care about the ones fallen down. Such is the decretion of nature. Some are lost some are built, some are scattered and some are fixed. Life is under no obligation to give you what you want.

"Hey, you got your nose pierced! Are you married?" He interrupted my deep conversation with nature.
I gave him a frosty look and said "yeah, i am having two children and my husband dropped me here to chatter with you." We both laughed together this time. "It was my cousin's marriage and i was tortured along with her to get it pierced." I said laughingly.
"Farha, do you remember the day you got your earslobes peirced? You were crying the whole day." He said, somewhat nostalgic.
"Yes, and you were given the charge by your mom to entertain me till the wound healed." I said, tugging my hair behind the ear so that my earrings were visible.
"So i was quite successful. These danglers dont hurt your ears now." His eyes rested on my earrings.I could follow his gaze and felt that now his eyes shifted from my ears to neck.
"Yes, your care had a permanent healing effect", I dont know what made me say that. He looked disturbed. I shifted the topic. "How is your mom and dad?"
"Good, dad is now retired and mom is as employed as before. Taking care of each and every little thing in the house." He said with a smile.
"Is humaira appi married? And what does rehan bhaiya do." His face looked pale and his eyes moaned as i enquired him about his older brother and sister.
"Humaira appi is a widow now, and rehan bhaijaan is no more."
I was blank. Each of his words penetrated my mind with great difficulty. I didn't know what to ask next though i had prepared a long list of queries last night.
"Rehan bhaijaan, faizal bhai - my sister's husband and fariha - my neice were returning home. The Car collided with the truck and fariha lost her father, uncle and her eyesight... forever." He exhailed an air of despair. The corner of his eyes were wet and his cheeks lost its lusture. He continued, "doctors have suggested for an operation when she is 8-9 years of age."
"Can you show me her picture?" i pleaded. He took out his phone and showed me a picture of 3 year old girl, her face clearly resembled humaira appi's countenance. I stared it for some moments contemplating about the pain his family went through. Deep inside my heart i knew how broken he was. His brother was his ideal, his mentor, his strength, his pride and everything which i saw in ayan for myself. Its hard to sympathise and even harder to empathise with the person you love. I didn't knew how to comfort him. I gave his phone back to him and suddenly he got up to leave.
"Come, i will drop you back to hostel." He said. The covey of birds were heading towards thier nest in the diminishing light of the sun, reminding me of my cage. I wanted to be with him for a little longer. His presence was my freedom. I didn't protest. I walked with him. None of us spoke. Sometimes silence is the best answere. I presumed and erased all question of him from my mind. We came to the main road. I was busy walking beside him examining the number of moles on his arms.
"Whatch out!" He cried suddenly pulling me backwards as hard as he could. He grabbed my wrist and his fingers digged inside my nervers.
"Ouch!" I cried. He immideately left my hand.
" you dont know how to cross the road. want to die?" He roared like a lion. So he fears death, maybe not his own but probably of his loved ones.
"I am sorry." I said, as i groaned with pain. He felt remorse, i knew he didn't wanted to hurt me.
"Did that hurt?" He asked, apologising over his impulsive action.
"No, not at all, i am immune to such attacks." A mixture of crossness and sarcasm in my tone. I could see him tittering. This is what i yearn for. His heavenly smile is more intoxicating than the best wine. He held my hand to cross the road. He got responsibility and I got contentment. Universe now began to make sence.

We walked together. I was cautious this time. It then stricked my mind that he never iterrogated me. Was he not interested to know me? Starting the conversation i said, "My parents remember you often."  I wanted to give him a good impression, maybe.
" Why so? Have they disowned you?" He said sharply revenging me for the previous sardonic reply. He laughed hysterically this time. It made me sulk. I left him there and marched forward alone inside my hostel gate. I could hear his faint voice calling my name from a distance. I didn't turn back to see him and when i did, he was gone.
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*Will Ayan let go off her or hold on to her?*
Hey readers, was I able to make you smile a little? If so, then please vote for my story.
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