Keeping the Promises (10 page)

“This is the only thing I’m so good at, so couldn’t take any chances. Hope you like it,” Dhruv spoke the first words with a generous smile. M, without looking at him, nodded and fed herself another piece. Dhruv stood up, reached where M was sitting and placed his hand on hers without moving it from its place.

“Let’s get to the point M! I’m a terrible student who barely manages to pass, a gym freak who spends his productive hours in gym to pump his muscles, an irresponsible guy with whom no girl would want to spend an entire life, and a completely spoiled brat. And this spoiled brat is in love…in love with a girl who is an extraordinary student for starters, a girl who is mature and nearly perfect in taking her decisions, who understands life and its value really well. Basically, a perfect girl whom everyone desires to be with…and this irresponsible spoiled nerd is madly in love with you. Can you come to his life and give him a purpose – a purpose to live and not just breathe.” Dhruv proposed by looking straight into her eyes, giving her a shot of trust, commitment. At first, M couldn’t believe that the moment of truth had arrived; he had finally said it. Not by kneeling down, not by doing any cheesy stuff or funny business, but by looking straight into her eyes, indicating that this was the romance he preferred – by just holding her hand, giving her a shot of faith indicating that he was
now ensured and ready for the commitment; that this was not the infatuation driven by lust. This was the desired dream of growing old together. She tilted her head to one side, as a hint of smile was playing on her lips. Her accelerated heartbeats slowed down and she finally uttered some words.

“Do I have any other choice? I too am madly in love with that crazy, stupid, idiotic nerd, and I will till my last breath.” Just as Dhruv was waiting for the opportunity, he took her in his arms and hugged her. Before she could come out from the sensation of that heavenly hug, Dhruv planted his lips on hers. M, by the time had completely forgotten that she was supposed to stop him. The only thing on her mind was that this was the end of her sleepless nights. She had the first kiss of her life and that too with the person who loved her completely. She had no doubt about her feelings for him because for over a year they had tested their feelings for each other. She was completely carried away in the wind of his love that came as a twister and was now showering its love on her lips, leaving her entire body shivering. After that everlasting smooch, they knew they had to stop themselves, they knew they were not ready to make love from their souls even though their bodies, wandering and floating in lust were demanding it. They parted their lips with heavy hearts and embraced each other again. Later that night, when M invented the suffix ‘Mithu’ for Dhruv, she knew that he would like this name as much as she liked it for him. Ansh and Angie, who were suspecting this, decided to catch them red handed. So, after Dhruv went to a sleep, Ansh stole his phone and read all his romantic conversation with M, which Dhruv being a lazy lad had forgotten to delete. The next day, before the newly committed couple could confess anything in front of them, Ansh and Angie had enough stock to laugh at them and as always, to make other spectators envious of the fantastic four.

For the first time that day, I saw Ansh and Angie smiling together. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t hide the affection and care towards each other. I could see their love underneath Angie’s disappointments and Ansh’s anger. They were trying to restrain themselves from looking into each other’s eyes, but were consistently failing.

“Ansh, Angie, can you please wait outside for some time? It’s our promise time,” M mumbled. Without saying a word, they left the room.

“So now, what’s the order for me, ma’am?” I sneered.

“Promise me! You won’t die single. You’ll fall in love again and will give your full commitment to her like you did to me.”

“I’m already in love baby! Is it possible to love two people at the same time?” I said sternly.

“I know you would not fall for anyone, but you’ll have to. This is the end of my life, not yours. Please understand Mithu!” A pleading sense was there in her voice.

For over five minutes, I said nothing. She too didn’t bother me. She knew I was taking my time to think and this wasn’t easy back then. It isn’t easy even now.

“Only at one condition,”

“What condition?”

“You promise me that you’ll send someone for me.”

“I promise Mithu!”

“Don’t make the promises you can’t keep, baby! You are not going to keep it,” I said without slurring a word. She too noticed it and frowned.

“But you’ll have to. I will be there to look after you. I’ll be somewhere in the flashlight, I will be there in the sunlight you’ll feel in the morning. I’ll be inside those breezes which will make you feel alive. I’ll be inside your heart to make you feel happy about little
things. In your successes and failures, in your ups and downs, I’ll be there to provide you strength. I will be there to watch you keeping your promises. Get it, Mithu?”

“Yes, ma’am.” I coyly nodded.

When I was trying to sleep beside Ansh in the guest room, the only thing running in my mind was,
I don’t think I’ll be able to keep this promise
.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to keep that promise,” I hold his hand as he says.

“You will, trust me.” That’s all I could say.

“It’s easier said than done, Nilu!” Harshness in his voice makes me frown. But I don’t react; I know he doesn’t mean it.

But he goes on…

“Sorry Nilu, but you should not comment on something you haven’t experienced.” That was it. I couldn’t take more

“Dhruv, you think I’m here for any personal gain?” I look straight at him, to remind him that this is not something I deserve.

“I didn’t say that, Nilu!”

“Didn’t deny it either, Dhruv! Let me tell you one thing clearly. Yes, I can’t see you like this and I want you to move on in life, but I would never ever coerce you to feel anything for me against your will, and I mean it. We are best friends, we grew up together, so the first thing I want for you is to be happy, even if your happiness lies in someone else’s arms.” This is the last thing I would desire, but yes, what I said was true.

“Sorry Nilu! I know I’ve been a jerk. You have been my true friend and no matter what life brings to us, you shall be like that, always.” I don’t find his words consoling. May be I am tired of being just a friend. May be…
“I need to go now Dhruv! Can you mail me the next part?” I say and stand up.

“Okay, and Nilu! Sorry again! I wish I could ever repay what you’ve done for me so far.” He says with his head down. He is guilty; I can see it in his eyes.

“I’m not doing it to get anything in return, Dhruv! I’m doing it…” I didn’t finish the sentence,

“Because I love you.”I mumble without checking if he heard me or not – wishing that he did. Back in my house, I open the mail Dhruv has sent me.

6 February

“B
ecause I love you.” My morning commenced with those beautiful words. No, they were not from M; my best friend was uttering the words for the girl he loved. I knew if I’d open my eyes, they would stop talking and probably it was the first time they were actually talking to each other. I was in no mood to be a party spoiler, so I kept my eyes closed and let my ears do the job.

“The only reason I’m mad at you is because I love you. I should hate you for what you are doing. I should tear you apart from my life, but a part of me still loves you and you are not the one I’m angry at… it’s myself that I want to kill. I should be stronger, but the part of me that loves you is making me feel weaker and helpless.” There was a minute of silence after Ansh said that, maybe they were checking if I was awake or not. I just didn’t move an inch, nor did I open my eyes.

“Ansh, you were the one who supported me in this at first. Was it a lie when you said you would sacrifice anything – even me for my father?” There was a cry in her voice that struck me hard in my chest.

“Yes, I said that and I meant it when I said it. I’m not angry because you are going away from me. I’m angry at the thought that
you are ready to marry a guy who almost killed your father? You know if anyone else would be there, I’d happily let you go without regret, but sorry, I cannot be a part of this crime you are committing. You are cheating your father and me. I cannot smile watching you do that,” Ansh snorted, as if he was squeaking hard with his remaining voice after screaming the whole night.

“I wasn’t a cheater, Ansh! I just wanted to be a good daughter and a good lover, but I failed as both,” Angie’s sad voice faded away with those lines.

I stood up. Ansh wasn’t surprised at seeing me awake, as if he already knew.

“You heard that right?”

“Not much, and don’t worry, I won’t be bothering you. Tell me, where are my orchids?” He gave me the orchids, fresh, odourless and beautiful – just as she liked. I prepared the envelope and settled everything on the white tray. When Angie met me on the way, smirked by seeing this incarnation of mine – and I simpered at hers.

I again ran my fingers on her forehead and kissed it. M was just waiting for my touch and slowly opened her blue eyes and…miracle! That was the only suffix that could suit her eyes. I was playing with the envelope, knowing what was inside which her sixth sense had already noticed. She tried hard to snatch it from my hand, but there was no way in heaven I’d give her that before the morning kiss. Just after licking away every bit of sleep from her mouth, I handed her the envelope.

It read,

Your pink panoptic lips, throwing an everlasting smile all the time,
If only I knew I’d lose them,
I’d never stop myself from kissing you,
I’d never stop my tongue from exploring every available taste
and then finally meet your tongue,
If only I knew that…
You still cannot take that away from me
.

She gave me a quick signal that she wanted to be kissed, she wanted me to put all my words into reality and I followed her signal with obeisance. Only then did I get the energy to make the perfect omelettes for everyone.

Ansh and Angie both went home in the afternoon, promising to come again the next day. They couldn’t hear the part I was writing – at least not now, in each other’s presence. We had a howling family time in the afternoon. For the past few days, lunch and dinner sessions had been quiet in the presence of Ansh and Angie. In a terse manner, they had been spoiling our family time. M was ready to hear me at seven. Usually the narration begins at nine, but that day was special. We both were alone there, without any interruption, without any ignominious glance and without any broken stripes.

And I started reading.

Ansh’s head started spinning when he woke up and found himself alone and that too on his birthday. He was already agitated by not having a call from his love, Angie. He knew the conversation went cheeky but he deserved it after a year of being in a relationship. And for god’s sake, it wasn’t for the first time! He tried to recall the conversation of last night before the clock struck twelve.

“Tell me Ansh! What do you want on this birthday?”

“You know very well Angie! I want you.”

“Shut up, Ansh!”

“It’s been a year now, Angie! I can’t be so unromantic like you.”

“You are not being romantic Ansh, you are being desperate.”

“What? How can you say that? Well, maybe a little, but I think I deserve it.”

“Okay, I’ll think about it.”

“Please, my love.”

“I told you I’ll think about it Ansh. Don’t push me. And who’s in a hurry?”

“I am. And someone else is too,”

“And who is that?”

“Come here, I’ll show you. I can’t wait to introduce you two.”

“No, keep it with you. It suits you better. I have work to do Ansh, bye.”

And she hung up. Didn’t call him; didn’t even text him. That was awkward. They’ve had more cheeky flirtations than that and each time she fully enjoyed it.

‘
Then why is she ruining the big day?
’

He called Dhruv but got no response from him as well. After having cake bath last night, he must have gone to drop their friends to the hostel.

“Friends are friends, you can’t spoil all my day Angie!” Groaned Ansh and stepped down to eat the remaining cake and to make some omelettes. He didn’t know he would be astounded enough to lose his breath once he stepped down and saw Angie sitting on the dining table with a new cake, candles and rose petals around it, covering the cake with its heart shape. Dumbstruck Ansh couldn’t do anything other than to just stare at Angie, who was waiting for him since eternity. Ansh was cursing himself for thinking unfavourable things about Angie in his mind. It was his birthday; there had to be a surprise. Without saying a word, he sat beside her quietly.

“Happy birthday, my love…” She said with twinkling eyes.

“So, this was your plan. Where are Gajju and M?”

“To get some coffee, and to bring lunch for us,” she coyly replied.

“Oh Angie! You choreographed everything for me? How sweet!” Ansh giggled.