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About That Night
Part 1
Prom night 2005
We fought again. I hate fighting with her but it's just that we can't help but argue about everything we never agree on anything but still love each other like crazy at least I do she swore 10 minutes ago that she hated me. She is looking so beautiful tonight that my stomach turns every time I see her, I feel my chest tightens and my breath hitches. She is wearing a white saree and she takes my breath away even when she is giving me those murderous glares. I chuckle when I realize her reason, it's because a girl is standing too close to me. It's amusing actually when she gets territorial about me and I'm sure if I don't put my distance now from this girl Madhu will come and kick both our asses. So I walk towards her and she gives a smug smile. I know I should apologize to her because I had a little too much drink before we came here and that was the reason we fought. But this time of the year I can't help but give in to temptation I like to feel numb because somehow it just leaves me so dazed that I hardly feel the pain. 1 year ago a week from now my parents died in a car wreck. I was in a bad state though my parents were financially stable and left me a lot I still joined part time jobs to save money for college. When I not in school or working I was drinking I even started drugs but it never took the pain away. Especially when the next day I used to wake up with a splitting headache and the emptiness inside my chest it felt awful. I even contemplated suicide but then I looked at my parent's photos and realized they had not been provided with the choice of living or dying it was taken away from them. Had they been given such a chance they would have chosen life. So I decided not to be a coward and go on with my life but my addiction stayed. I was back to getting good grades and getting my life back on track when a new transfer student joined our class. One look at her and I knew I was gone with jet black hair a small face porcelain skin and warm honeyed eyes this girl took my breath away. Then I found out she was my neighbor. After my parents death this was the first time I even wanted to see anyone or talk to anyone. But I just couldn't do it. So one day I was walking to school since I sold my bike to save money, a car zooms past me and then stops and comes back. She only said two words but I knew they were life altering "Hop in". Since that day we have been together she is my anchor of life she keeps me grounded I don't drink to numb the pain anymore but now it has become more of a habit. But 1 week from now it will be 1 year without my parents. My biggest fear is that in the future I'll forget them they'll be wiped from my memory I'll forget how my mother used to hum while cooking I'll forget how my father scolded me but most of all I'll forget the love that was between us. That is why I drank a little too much tonight because when I think of Madhu I feel as if she will be taken from me too.
"Rishab now stop staring at Dips and start dancing with me otherwise I'll make a hole in your eyes with my heels" Madhu teases.
"Gladly my dear whatever you want to do with this lowly servant of yours" I say with an exaggerated bow. She laughs and it sends down a shiver down my spine. It never stops amazing me how much I want her.
"But know this my love that my eyes seek only you and no other they can only look at you" I said honestly. She blushes and ducks her head.
"Want to dance?" I asked. She nodded and took my hand.
"I'm sorry Madhu. I shouldn't have drunk so much" I say sincerely.
"I'm sorry too for shouting at you" she says. I drop a soft kiss to her forehead and she turns red as a tomato. She doesn't like public showing of affections but when we are alone she is so not shy.
At the end of the party we ride along in her car to our neighborhood. She is driving as usual I still can't bring myself to driving. This is another one of our fighting reasons her reckless driving though she tamed down a bit after she understood the root of my fears.
"Rishab our school life is ending have you thought of anything? I mean I know its hard to decide with everything that's going on but still you should decide." She said
"I know actually I was thinking about b.com in accounts you know I'm always good with figures and maybe then a MBA in finance" I replied
"Oh that's a great idea wow well you know what I plan to become a doctor and help all those unprivileged people" she says enthusiastically.
"Rishab I know this is not the time to ask but what is going to happen to us now that we are going to different paths?" she asks tentatively.
"What is going to happen? Nothing I'll love you till my last breath. I think I'll love even after my last breath" I said.
"I know but how are we supposed to maintain our relationship?" she asked.
"Don't worry we'll figure something out" I reassured.
"But know this I'll love you forever and ever Madhu" I promised.
Eight years later: Present day
And in these past 8 eight years I never stopped loving her even though we are not together anymore.
The day has finally arrived for which I've waited a long time. I'm excited and terrified at the same time.
I tie the knot of my blue tie and check my reflection one more time in the mirror.
I'm ready to see her again, eight years has passed since I stepped a foot in my school. But after so many years I'm going back for the school reunion for the batch of '05.
Shiv Shakti
