Valentine's day had begun with a lot of hope for Aditi. But now, as the day was about to end, her hopes came crashing down as well. After waiting for Rahul's call, her patience finally gave away around noon. At last, to keep her heart distracted, she ventured out of her home.

After spending the evening in a park, she devoured her favorite panipuri on the way back. But everything that she tried drifted her thoughts back to him. The times when they had strolled in that park hand in hand. That day when he had fed her panipuri. Everything she saw, everything she heard reminded of him.

Maybe I was better staying at home, she thought. But still, her heart didn't allow her to isolate herself. It dragged her to a theater to watch a romantic flick. It didn't work as well. More than the movie, she kept checking her phone. No calls. No message. Nothing.

The stars had already adorned the sky when she stepped out of the theater. Their special day was about to end and yet, her stars were yet to shine. They were still waiting for their moon to come out. But that moon never came.

Finally, with all the hope dismissed, she started her journey back to her home. I guess it's just you and me, dear heart. Just you and me.

With a heavy reluctant heart, she opened the main door. A darkness similar to her soul greeted her. Aditi's hand involuntarily darted to turn on the light. Nothing. Darkness prevailed.

"Great, just great," she shouted, "The whole world is filled with colors, and here I'm, clinging to this never ending darkness."

She was about to head out again when a flicker of light caught her eye. A flicker of light. A flicker of hope.

A lone candle burned where her dining table should be. A hint of confusion was still settling in when another group of candles suddenly came to life. Within the next second, she saw a little heart burning on her dining table.

Who is in the house, her mind tensed, I know who this is, her heart replied.

And her heart was right. It was indeed him.

Still standing in the darkness, Rahul started to recite a poem he'd written for her.

"Don't be afraid of this darkness
I'll light the world for you

I really tried so hard
But how could I ever leave you"

She couldn't see his face, but she could feel the expressions in his voice. His words always had the magic in them. And again, like a magic wand, they mended her broken heart in an instant.

"Where are you Rahul?" she asked in a sweet voice.

Though he didn't speak anything, she could hear some ruffling around her. Before she could get a hold of what that noise was, she felt a light touch on her back.

His hands engulfed her in a hug from behind. "I'm right here baby," he whispered. She could feel his breath on her neck as he spoke.

Leaving all her inhibitions, Aditi leaned back into her safe heaven. But Rahul moved away. He circled her from the right and now stood in front of her. The candles shone brightly, but she was still unable to see his face.

Aditi felt his fingers tightening around hers. Holding both her hands firm, he pulled her lightly. He kept on taking some steps back and dragging her with him. Her feet kept on hitting something smooth along the way. Balloons, she thought.

And she was right.

With every step she took, the room started to illuminate with little red lights. Slowly, the whole room revealed in a red glow.

She could finally see him now.

Clad in simple jeans and a shirt, he had the sweetest smile she had ever seen. Red and white balloons were scattered all over and floor. As a child, she had dreamt of celebrating a valentines day with her lover. But she was sure that those dreams weren't this beautiful at all. Because none of them had him in them.

For her, just his presence was enough to make this world beautiful.

Everything after that happened in a slow motion.

She saw his right-hand escape in his pocket, while his left still held her. He bent his legs and slowly he was down in his right knee. The hand which held her loosened its grip as it went to meet other which now held a little box in it.

Opening the box, he recited the words again...

Let your heart be a bird
I'll be its cage
Let your heart be the words
I'll be their page

Let you eyes be an abyss
I'll lose myself in their gaze
Let your eyes be a labyrinth
I'll lose myself in your maze

Tell me oh dear
Tell me you'll be mine
Accept this little gift
And be my valentine

He proposed again.

"Will you marry me Aditi? Will you be my other half?"

And this time, she nodded.

"Yes, Rahul. I'll marry you. I'll be your other half."

***

Whatever happens, love always finds its way home

***

That's the end readers.
Thank you for your lovely support.