OK Kanmani ^_^

I am waiting for his return. It is a beautiful day with mild soundless rain pouring like a charm. The climate is chill and perfect to sit near the window pane with a-cup-of-coffee-with-a-novel and look at the rain drops going hither and tither. But, there is a tension filled in the air, I can hear my heart pounding faster. As soon as he enters, I want to hold him tight and break the news. I know that he will respect my decision and will say ‘yes’. After all, he is such a sweet heart! We have been friends since childhood (Think, two decades). We grew up together in the same orphanage along with so many other people who are our close friends now. There has never been a celebration without him and even now, after all this has happened, he has been my strong pillar of support. All along he has been, that one friend for lifetime, if you want me to put it in simple terms.

                            I called him almost ten times since evening. He said he had work and would be back once it’s done. I didn’t want to sound tensed. So I maintained calm because he would unnecessarily leave all the work that he has got unfinished. I didn’t want that to happen and neither did I want to reveal it through text (though that would save all the embarrassment). Let him come home!

                             Doorbell rings! Alas! I get up from my bed, keep aside the pizzas that I had ordered and rush to open the door. He smells divine. Yes, he looks sick and tired yet this smell of his makes me go wild. He hugs me as soon as he enters with a broad smile. He goes to get freshen up; meanwhile, I make the table. We settle to have pizzas. I think of blurting it out, but, yeah, let him relax for a while. He is surprised to see all the efforts that I had made to light candles, keep the flower vase (most importantly, to clean the table). He kisses on my cheek in happiness when I open and serve his ‘extra cheesy, capsicum topped pizza’ from Dominos. I also have my favorite garlic bread and regular veggie pizza with extra toppings of spices. He pours the wine into the glass as I begin to talk.

                      ‘Stevin! Let’s get married noooowwwww!!!’ I say and get back a shocked face from the other side. He begins ‘Are you alright? Don’t get drunk more than this….I promised you a vacation to Mauritius during this summer and let’s get married there, sweet heart. Wasn’t that our plan? Stop all this drunken talks and finish your pizza... Give me that last piece of garlic bread.’

                                      I knew all this. Who wouldn’t want that perfect holiday wedding? We even have our flight tickets ready. But, I can’t wait now. We still have solid 6 months for the summer to come. ‘I know, but listen, can we file a case against the company? We can’t right? It’s not in our hands. It’s over Stevin. You can’t escape now, get me that ring’ I wink back naughtily. Now it was the second shock of the night for him. ‘What? What did you just split out? Are you? Oh Jesus! I can’t just believe it Swetha’ he yells out loudly in happiness. I tell him I don’t want the fetus to be aborted and he accepts it without asking or demanding any questions or explanations.  He says ‘ Ok kanmani !’ He is as excited as I am.

                                      ‘Can’t we wait for the sun to rise? We’ll meet the father at the church tomorrow and get married, Swethu!’ he says sweetly. I had already made up my mind to get married today and I ask what is wrong today. ‘Rain-climate-you-me-our baby, everything is just perfect right now. Isn’t that all we need? We’ll exchange rings now and get officially registered tomorrow. Plus, you know right? I always wanted to get married on a rainy evening. Today is the day and now is the moment. Go and get ready’.  Now that I have explained so much, he can’t tell no for it.  We get dressed up in our best outfits. We stand near the balcony, gaze at the sky, pray to god and exchange rings which we had bought for our wedding at Mauritius. And Tada! We are married. How crazy is that? We click selfies and share the craziness. For a girl, who was grown up in an orphanage all her life, Stevin was more than a god’s gift! He is my savior and now I am his wife. Woooaaaah!! How exciting does it sound? It is time to celebrate!!!...... He opens up the champagne bottle and suddenly when the sparling white wine oozes out, I wake up.

                      Ouch! I pinch myself. It was a dream. Doorbell rings, Alas! I get up from my bed, keep aside the pizzas that I had ordered and rush to open the door. I don’t recognize his smell coz it’s his friend Lee and not Stevin. Did I tell you that Stevin lives with god? Heaven, yeah, he doesn’t live here, with me. Lee has been with me all along. We are living together ever since Stevin left me. Six months have passed since that fatal accident. He is here to take care of me coz he knows I will do something mad thinking about Stevin. Lee looks quite fresh; I serve him pizza and break the news. It’s not that, we both wanted each other. He completely knows me and also believes in my love. My eternal love is for Stevin. He knows that I wouldn’t love anyone else but Stevin. The wine and the memories about him made me go crazy that day and things went out of control. We both know that was a mistake. He readily accepts my decision to abort the fetus though it could have been a little Stevin out there. I don’t want a child if it’s not from Stevin. He holds me tight, as we stand near the balcony, gaze at the sky and search for Stevin’s smile and his winking nod….