Sweven

“But can’t we give it just one try?”

“I am afraid, Jia, no. I don’t want to end this chapter in an ugly note. Let’s end this happily,” he said. Her eyes had swollen and dark circles were prominent. Her fair skin was flushed completely and her nose and cheeks were reddish. His eyes too had swollen and his facial features were exhausted, life drained out of them. Anyone could say that only painful tears can do something like this on their faces.

“Nothing will happen. I assure you. I love you,” she said. “What if I cheat on you? Sleep with some other girl? Say ‘I love you’ to someone else? What if…..” He trailed off, unable to utter anything more because he couldn’t find his voice. He looked the other way. His eyes were brimming, tears ready to jump off, the moment the heart signalled them to.

A strange silence followed. Both of them knew they would break down the moment they spoke. It seemed that the bench was shouting out to them,”Get closer”, because it had witnessed their beautiful love since 3 years. Today, them sitting 2 hands apart, seemed oddly disheartening.

“And what if that little insecurity at the corner of your heart covered by years of maturity surfaces after a few days and you want me back? What if you can’t love someone else because you love me as much as the day we first met?” she asked, her voice hoarse. Evident, she was crying. “Anyways, take care of yourself. I will always love you,” saying this, she got up, rubbing her hands as the chilly wind fluttered her hair.

He batted his eyelashes and gulped down his saliva. He couldn’t speak. He just held her hand and uttered,”Stay.”