Posted:
Part 2-Walking Away
Two months had passed. It was autumn and winter. The Lake Town always witnessed the two seasons together. During the day it felt like autumn, cool breeze blew causing the paths of the town to be covered with leaves of various shades and color.
The two had found friends in each other, that they really never had. It was overwhelming for the two to be able to pour out what their heart held somewhere where it was all understood. Walks by the lake, together, was something each looked forward to. It had become more than a necessity than just a routine.
Somewhere the two knew, this was much more than friendship. It was something deep, something beautiful, something that left their hearts with peace, which never happened before!
He walked down the leaves-covered path. She looked up as she heard the sound of crushing leaves. Automatically, a smile curved up as her eyes finally met his. He reciprocated the smile. It involuntarily made its way up. She was like an angel. One glimpse and your heart felt at peace. She was dressed in a simple peach colored dress. Her arms were folded and she was continually caressing her arms, providing them the necessary warmth agains the cool breeze which was growing colder by the minute. He wondered why she dint consider wearing a jacket or a sweater, well aware of the towns drastically changing weather.
"Hi!
"Hi! she smiled. They started walking, looking around.
"The leaves look beautiful don't they! he remarked as he looked down a the path ahead.
"Everything that falls always looks beautiful! Her voice had emotions that he sure din't miss. He looked aside. She was still slowly moving her palms over her arms. She was looking ahead at the leaves falling before her eyes. She did know he was looking at her.
"Be it a star, be it the waters, be it the snow or be it this leaves or for that matter a heart falling in love or a soul! She now tilted her head slightly looking aside, "Everything that falls is beautiful!
He sighed. Her pain was still there. But he could say considerably less. The pain he had felt in her voice, seen in her eyes, first time they had met, had dwindled. Maybe just like he felt himself much more alive and light now, she did too. Maybe.
He finally could hesitate no more, he took off his jacket and put it around her, indicating her to wear it. This time she din't argue like she always did. He smiled, a wide knowing smile. He couldn't keep the temptation to speak aloud his thoughts. This had been a routine since a few days. She would be cold and he would offer her his jacket and she would finally accept after hesitation. But, today, she dint hesitate.
"You do it on purpose don't you! He smiled cheekily at her. She smiled a little, more blushing. "You don't get yourself a jacket or sweater on purpose!
"You know, that I do? she met his eyes.
He blinked. Silence followed as they perched by the huge tree, which was their regular spot. The view of the lake from that spot was spectacular.
They occasionally looked at the other but none spoke today.
"What if...
She turned to him. She knew, he knew. She had known him so well to know that he knew.
"I don't bring two sweaters along despite knowing that you wouldn't bring yours! He finally turned to her completing his sentence. He knew, she knew.
She smiled. "It's mutual then!
He smiled wrapping his arms around her bringing her head to rest on his shoulder. While his rested on her head. Their gaze remained at the lake.
She din't make the efforts to put on a sweater or jacket, on purpose. It reflected her mind. She din't want to make efforts to love herself anymore. But wanted to be loved! She had given up loving herself long time ago, two months back, on the day of the Lantern Festival, when she had walked right into the lake to perish herself!
Then he came by.
He wanted to love someone. Someone he could live for. Someone who made him want to live again! Someone he could rain his love, care and concern on. Someone, who completed him.
Then he found her!
He waited for his hesitations to wipe away so that he could quickly offer his jacket to her. Just like he had done that day when he had pulled her out of the dark waters of the lake.
He wanted her to live. He wanted her to give life yet another chance. He wanted her to get what she deserved and was never given. Love!
Today, was the day! Or it would be never again.
He pulled slightly away.
"Gauri!
She straightened her head and turned to him.
He held her hand in his huge ones, "Let's Live- again!
She gulped looking straight into his eyes, knowing that he meant what he said. But was she ready? To leave her past, to leave her pain, sorrow and grief. She turned her gaze to the lake again.
The lake would never let her. it would be a constant reminder of the life she had lived rather tolerated so far.
"Somewhere away, away from this lake. Let's move to the city. Let's move to London Gauri!! He spoke as though reading her thoughts.
She looked at him and nodded. She was tired. Tired of- sorrow, pain and grief. She wanted change. She wanted happiness, love and joy. She wanted to live, to love than just a mere existence.
"Will you marry me, Gauri?
She was surprised. She din't expect this so fast, but somewhere down she knew, she was aware that both of them had harnessed a love for each other. But, then it was Shlok she thought about. Won't she be cheating him?
He knew she was thinking about the captain. He could not get himself to open up the truth in front of her. She had been loving him even when he was gone. He couldn't break her, he couldn't scar her love, he couldn't make her regret her life. He couldn't tell her the truth!
"You can take your time! I can wait. I will wait. Even, if that means forever! He said honestly and got to his feet. The night had got darker, they were there ever since the evening!
He outstretched his arm offering her help to rise up. She looked at his hand before her eyes. No one had ever cared to pick her up when she fell in life. Here he was offering her his hand and willing to wait until she held his hand. She couldn't keep him waiting to love her. She couldn't give him the punishment of waiting.
She placed her hands in his, and got to her feet. He started to walk, but she stood rooted, her hand still holding his. He looked back.
"I will marry you! The brightest smile made to his face, as she said those words.
"But, you must give me a little more time to love you like you do! she added, smiling fondly at him.
He took two steps to her and kissed her forehead. He knew she felt his love. I love you, Gauri! he confessed knowing that there was nothing to, hesitate now, that she had decided to move on.
And for once, a sweet memory, perhaps the sweetest, was associated with the lake.
She intertwined her fingers with his as they started walking away. She turned to give one last look at the lake. She would never turn back again to see it. She was leaving behind her past. She was stepping into a new chapter of her life!
He was with mixed feelings. He hadn't revealed his past to her. He was moving into his future leaving his past. Her past was linked to his. Her own past had left her with enough wounds, he din't want to add to those by revealing his past to her. More than that he knew the darkest secret of her past that she din't. If he revealed it to her, he was afraid she would drown in regret, and maybe never believe in love again! He would never let her that she loved a man who dint deserve it, she waited for a man who never thought of her when he was away, she felt she belonged to a man who never really belonged to a single woman! Indeed, Shlok was a charming captain, his charm dint stay loyal to one woman but many. He was marrying a simple girl so that his wife would never question him, just wait for him to return after voyages and mend his broken self. He was a selfish man! He would never let her know, that her love was one-sided. The one she cried for, the one she lost herself for, was the one who never cared!
To add, a little part of him was afraid, he would lose her if she knew he was on the ship that day! He survived while the one she wanted din't! Maybe that was how it was supposed to be. Fate had his ways!
But, the past was a devil if not made peace with! He should have known!
------------------
P.S
Sorry for the delay.
It's really different when you are reading a story continued by another writer, and when you are writing something to add to what was written by someone. I feel you all yaa!
I hope I did justice to the Part 1! (Fingers crossed)
ROS I m awaiting your response, like crazy! Hope I twisted it well-enough with no damage to your part 1!
Hope all you readers liked it!
Waiting to know what you felt!
And of course looking forward to see how this story meets its end!đł
Mr And Mrs Parshuram
Health and Fitness
Fan Fictions
Anupamaa
