Arakshi SS - Between the Pages of a Book - *Complete* pg 50 - Epilogue - Page 35

Chapter 12 - Four Seasons of Separation

January

To: books_are_life@gmail.com

From: arjun_s_rawte@hotmail.com

Subject: The moon

Sakshi,

I hope you are studying hard because if not then I might not even bother coming for your graduation. If I say I miss you, then that would be wrong because I don't. You are with me every moment, every minute of the day. I always hear your laugh around me. And it makes me happy. I smile at the oddest possible times, like when I am driving to investigate a case. Rathod says I have gone mad. I had this hollowness inside me when I bid you goodbye at the airport. I knew that we will meet soon but yet, the last glimpse of your face broke something inside me. Like a shard of glass grazing across my skin.

And then something weird happened. Whilst I was on the plane missing your constant chatter, I saw the reflection of the full moon on a lake down below. It seemed like a sliver of happiness that passed over the pool of black. Just a little blob of silver. And suddenly I could feel you around me like that little reflection that fell across the faraway lake. The sparkle was so like your smile that changed something in me. The momentary glimpse of that reflection made me hopeful. Because your presence feels like that reflection of the moon: always there, but can only be seen from one angle.

And so, I wait for your graduation. The day I will meet you again.

Love,

Your stranger.

To: arjun_s_rawte@hotmail.com

From: books_are_life@gmail.com

Subject: Re: The moon

Hi Stranger!

Here I was expecting a love letter, maybe dipped in perfume if you were feeling extra generous and what do I get? An email. Pah! And you called yourself a romantic boyfriend just before you left. Like, seriously?

Ok, all that was a lie.

You don't seem so far away now. It feels like you are near me too. I have started reading the book you gave me and every day I just brush my fingers along the note you left. Because every time I do that I feel your touch. I know this sounds weird. But it's true in a strange way.

When I read about the moon I had to go to my window and glance out. Tonight the moon is full and bright. Somehow looking at it makes me smile now, thinking of you sitting on the plane, staring at a silvery reflection on a lake that couldn't even have lasted for more than a few seconds. The moon is kind of like our connection to each other right?

Yeah, fine I know it sounds cheesy.

Next year seems so far away. But you don't. Does that even make sense?

I finish my exams in two more weeks. Oh! Guess what? The assignment we did together got me a really good grade! We make a great team right? Maybe we should do more assignments together! Ha ha ha.

Scratch all that I said about you being close to me. I do miss you. A lot. So much that I never let go of the book with your note in it.

Forever yours (yeah why not!)

Sakshi

February

To: arjun_s_rawte@hotmail.com

From: books_are_life@gmail.com

Subject: Snow!

It snowed! I know it is February but it snowed! I so wish you were here so we could go for a stroll along the Thames. Since it started falling, I was standing at my window watching the little snowflakes cover the streets below. Aisha brought us cups of hot chocolate and then we three girls were curled up near the living room window, watching the snow fall. Halfway through I got bored and had to go outside (all bundled up in my red coat of course). I was running around with my arms extended and my face towards the sky. I loved the cold soothing sensation of the melting snowflakes against my tongue.

I just spun round and round until my head started spinning.

Why aren't you here now? You missed the snowball fight!

To: books_are_life@gmail.com

From: arjun_s_rawte@hotmail.com

Subject: Re: Snow!

Did Aisha bombard you with snowballs? I hope she did because that's what I would have done if I had been there. And I would have sprinkled some snow in your hair too. Here I am racking my brain on a murder case and there you are throwing snowballs. Some people get really lucky. Wait until you get here and I will make you join our team. Then really boss you around. The clock is ticking by my side. I need to crack on with the case while you enjoy the snow!

To: arjun_s_rawte@hotmail.com

From: books_are_life@gmail.com

Subject: Pah!

Did you just say you can boss me around? Forget about it.

April

To: arjun_s_rawte@hotmail.com

From: books_are_life@gmail.com

Subject: Where are you?

Seriously I won't even bother writing.

To: arjun_s_rawte@hotmail.com

From: books_are_life@gmail.com

Subject: Hello?

Four months away from you and you forget me already? One whole week has gone by and you haven't replied. You haven't been answering my calls either. Are you ok?

To: arjun_s_rawte@hotmail.com

From: books_are_life@gmail.com

Subject: Fine don't reply!

I just spoke to Sameer and he said you are too busy. Too busy? Really? You can't even talk?

Fine, I will just go and read!

To: books_are_life@gmail.com

From: arjun_s_rawte@hotmail.com

Subject: Umm, what?

No wonder people love staying single. At least they don't have girlfriends grumbling all the time about not writing back! Well if you must know, I was involved in a high priority case and was asked especially by the DIG himself to bury my head into the case files until we had the murderer.

And your exams are around the corner - you shouldn't even be reading!

June

To: arjun_s_rawte@hotmail.com

From: books_are_life@gmail.com

Subject: Summer!

Summer is here! The temperature is just perfect to cycle around the countryside and then maybe sit under the shade of a tree and just read. Although, it makes me miss you a little bit so I avoid going to that forest I once took you to. I try not to miss you too much but sometimes it becomes difficult. I usually hug my arms around me so I don't feel the sudden chill at the thought of you being so far away from me. My hands don't have the same warmth as yours. Nor do they feel as safe. And I miss you even more.

I cycled down to another grassy meadow with a book today. The green meadow was dotted with white daisies and dandelions that swayed in the cool summer breeze. It felt beautiful. But that slight chill remained in me throughout the day, despite it being sunny and warm. Even the delicate touch of the white daisy petals didn't comfort me. I just want to hold on to your hand once again. I want to feel your fingers in mine again.

To: books_are_life@gmail.com

From: arjun_s_rawte@hotmail.com

Subject: Re: Summer!

It's boiling down here and you say that you are enjoying summer. Really. Although monsoon is around the corner - my most favourite season in Mumbai. Probably yours too. I love the monsoon breeze, the walks along the Marine Drive under the dark grey skies and the smell of damp earth. There is something so comforting about all of it. It all makes me miss you even more. Sometimes I wish I had the hot air balloon so I could just fly away on it to see you. I wish you were here too so we could watch the grey waves crash against the rocks at the Marine drive, their white spray drenching us from head to toe. I wish you were here so we could listen to the rain patter against my window pane. I wish you were here, by my side, your fingers in mine.

You miss me on a summer's day and I will miss you on a monsoon day but then next year, we'll welcome all the seasons together.

So don't miss me. Just... wait for me.

September

To: arjun_s_rawte@hotmail.com

From: books_are_life@gmail.com

Subject: Falling leaves

I was walking through Hyde Park today, watching the golden leaves fall around me. Watching the leaves sway in the air on their way down make me think of the passing time. It is passing. Sometimes it seems a bit slow and then sometimes I don't even realise where all these months disappeared. Just a few more months and then I can see you again. Another winter approaches. Leaves will fall, the trees will be left bare again. All ready for the winter. Christmas is you. How can I spend Christmas without you?

December

To: books_are_life@gmail.com

From: arjun_s_rawte@hotmail.com

Subject: Christmas without you

A year is over. A year since I met you and everything changed. Life would have been so different if I hadn't decided to travel to London. Sometimes I wonder if we would have met in Mumbai, perhaps, later on if we hadn't met in London. What if we had just bumped into each other? Maybe whilst strolling along the Marine Drive.

I cannot imagine life without you.

I would have gone to visit you but I am not allowed any more leave until March next year. I miss the chilly winter air of London; the smell of spices that drifts through the wind during this time of the year. I miss the lights. Are you decorating the tree?

I miss the magical moment when you switch on the fairy lights and the different colours play across your face. It's a Christmas without you. But there is the hope of the spring with you.

March

To: arjun_s_rawte@hotmail.com

From: books_are_life@gmail.com

Subject: Last sem!

Yes! Yes! Just one more month and then exams will be over and then graduation! I can barely wait. I cannot just cannot wait to see you!

I will stop reading and focus extra hard on my studies so you can be proud when I walk on to that stage and collect my first class degree certificate!

Maybe I will read a teeny tiny book.

To: arjun_s_rawte@hotmail.com

From: books_are_life@gmail.com

Subject: Oops

Oh God! I got absorbed in the book and didn't realise the time! Ok, back to studying.

To: books_are_life@gmail.com

From: arjun_s_rawte@hotmail.com

Subject: Re: Oops

You idiot bookworm. Get back to studying. If you don't get good grades, I am not flying there to see you graduate.

May

To: arjun_s_rawte@hotmail.com

From: books_are_life@gmail.com

Subject: Graduation!

You better be coming! I cannot wait to see you. I think I might jump all across London because I am so happy! Come soon. The bookish girl will be waiting to jump into your arms and fill you with her non-stop banter.

Come soon. I love you.

**********************

Yeah it was rather casual😃 Do leave your comments even though I have been really bad at replying