LOVE THAT LIVES

After an anxious and wakeful night, he was not fueled enough for his usual morning run. Slurping a cup of coffee, he imagined how the day is about to unwrap. Love, girlfriend, date nights, long conversations were too unfit for him, he had always thought. Yet one by one happened and swept him away. But this, for which he is right now getting ready, has never even been in his dreams.

He took a slow, deep breath and looked at the mirror as he wore his black blazer over the crisp white shirt. Except the swollen, tired eyes, he was perfect. A few seconds he spent staring himself and with a smirk, he left home. On his way to the florist shop, he almost called her as usual. They both had a habit of having a quick conversation while heading out to office. But not today, because he is not going anywhere but to her. He was almost sure that his smart girlfriend would have guessed his arrival.

He slowed down the car, as a floral shop caught his sight. She has always loved flowers, but he never gifted. He always chose presents like chocolates and champagne, clutches and watches over bouquets for her. But this time, he knew he had to buy flowers over others. Because, it is her day.

It was his first time to a floral shop. Though he knew nothing about the flowery world, he did not wait or stumble to pick one.

“I love pink peonies”, she had said during their date after the Christmas eve.

They were all arranged in different styles, in purple and pink, like a fashion parade. He grabbed one fresh bunch that was clubbed with a purple ribbon. The fragrance of the flowers, a wave of warm breeze and the unstoppable thoughts of her, took him to their beginning.

It was the month of February. He was inside the Chihuly glass house, Seattle, after a chaotic week at his office. There was a decent crowd around him, all standing with their heads up and gazing at the colorful and sunlit sculpture over them.

The beauty of the sculpture took him over and as he moved, like a man following his kite, he felt a jolt over his shoulders and there she was, picking her fallen phone in haste.

The screen had a bold crack. She stood there, with a stern look, like a threatening mother. I knew a heart-felt apology is what she wanted, but I wanted more. More of her time, maybe more of her too.

She looked chic in her cherry red turtleneck top and crop jacket, paired with an ice blue denim jeans. Her kohl-black hair intermingled with burgundy streaks were flowing smoothly over her shoulders. Her cashew-y complexion fleshy cheeks, lush pink lips and the almond eyes captivated me for good few seconds.

“Hey…Sorry. But… I know a sorry won’t be of any use.”

He hesitantly continued.

“Why not we both go, change the screen and I will pay for you?”.

She looked at him, as if she scanned him.

“Hmmm… Why not?”, she replied and as she uttered, he could see her eyes softening and a thin ray of smile blossomed from her tight lips.

Her smile hinted him that she knew his plan. But he was not ready for the embarrassment coming after.

As they walked towards the car, she asked,

“So, we are goanna give the phone, and of course, they will tell us to come after few hours and you are right now planning for the right place to spend together. Right?”.

He turned to her in utter shock, and exclaimed, “Gosh… You are stripping me naked!”, and both could not stop laughing.

“Elena… Elena…”, he laughed loud, and wiped his teary eyes, as the car reached her place.

His heart beats were raising as he walked nearer and nearer to her.

“Here you are”, he whispered and knelt down with the flowers.

Inside the coffin she laid. His heavy heart could not control the tears and he wept like a baby, mumbling, “Elena… Elena…”.