Dear AT (just noticed many using the same to address you),
40 words, yes 40 more words, (compared your word count with the previous drabble, Maybe) is what it takes to truly make the character, introspect and turn his dream into reality.
You eloquently and beautifully transitioned his feelings with regard to her hands, eyes, skin and her hair, smile. He had missed all of that and then... a simple touch had him mesmerized by her beauty which he intially had different views about. This is the power of that simple touch, that allowed him to notice the minute changes in seconds and before you know it, he happily accepted the same and realize that he was living his dream, right there at that very moment. just like that!!
Her smile is the only constant in this wondeerful transition, she is totally unaware of his changing views, and yet has happiness in anything he feels, or says or does. It is such a standstill moment, a kodak moment filled with such purity in her emotions, it simply does not matter what he thinks, but his presence is her dream, of turning into reality.
"A dream it must have been.
For the man he had been.
But for the man he was now, this dream was his reality."
Amazing use of tenses, totally mind-boggling, intially. But whoa, while reading it the second time, you simply cannot resist from not relating the past, present and future of the character. Very insightful way of connecting his life and emotions, very deep indeed.
I love the way you accommodate his vulnerability, him thinking that he still doesn't deserve all of this. Such is the impact of her on him, emotinally and physically. A simple touch is what makes him realize that how truly he deserves all that she was willing to offer and there is a glint of his indebtness towards her, for making him the man, who he is now, concerned and caring, and not the one who could just only dream but actually have the opportunity to not only turn his dreams into reality by unknowingly,give him the moral support, as well as make him live it, be a part of it with her besides him.
A simple touch is what it takes to make him realize his true value and worth, what his happiness means to her. Her gentle touch is what it takes him to realize that he need to move on, leave behind his past and live in reality and not dreams.
P.S After all ek touch hi kaafi tha to turn Rudra into Major Saab!! Guess Laila's touches ki koi keemat hi nahi rah gayi!! Such is the impact of ek gavah, now turned Mrs Rudra Pratap Ranawat!!
Hope it is understandable, grammar is at it's worst I guess, just kept typing with the flow of thoughts!!
