You've Got Mail!

8. I Chooseth Thee

"You are my heaven on earth"

Natasha

"Wait. What do you mean that Romeo has asked to meet you?!" Ajey asks as we both frantically walk on the footpath, on the way to the mall. I definitely need the perfect outfit this time.

"Duh. You know what it means. Anyways, can you believe it?! I mean it's for real this time!!"

"Yeah!...yes," he replies weirdly.

Ajey

"Ajey what's wrong?" Tash asks with a look of concern on her face.

I have to express my feelings to her as Ajey, before doing so as Romeo. I just don't know how to.

When I look into her eyes, all I see is excitement and love for Romeo. Even though I am Romeo, that is not me. And on top of that, I know she will have a mini heartbreak if I confess my feelings for her.

"Um..nothing. Never mind"

I couldn't do it.

"Okaaayyy....So can we focus on picking a dress for me?" Tash said. She was bloody excited.

"Yeah," I continued, "Hey I was thinking that maybe you should go alone to meet Romeo. Me being there might make it awkward."

Natasha

"Of course I am going alone! It's a date!"

Oh my god! Ajey is such a dumbo!

"Oh yeah...yes," again he replies weirdly, as if he's lost in his own world.

"Ajeyyyy," I stare at him.

"Ok fine. But you know what, we'll talk about it after the shopping. I don't wanna spoil the mood."

"Is it that bad?" he's behaving really weird, like REALLY weird.

"I don't know, maybe"

"Anyhoo, let's see your shopping skills today!"

"You are definitely gonna be disappointed," he says. I already know that lol.

We finally find "thee outfit". I don't know why but I wanted it to be similar to the one I wore the other day when Romeo hadn't come. Guess maybe I was mentally preparing myself for some kind of déja vu.

Ajey

"Hey, can we go to the cafe and talk?" I say.

"Sure"

We reach and order for ourselves.

I guess it's just me but there's a kind of tension in the air. I can't believe it. The moment has finally come. It's like a do-or-die situation. I have a feeling that if I don't do it now I am going to regret it for my whole life. So here it is.

"Tash I wanted to tell you something before you go to meet Romeo"

"Uh huh...you are honestly really creeping me out!"

"It's just that if all of this hadn't happened, I would have loved to go out with you for coffee sometime," I really don't know if I got it right or not.

"Well, you are out with me for coffee! Wait. Do you mean-" Her eyes grow wide in realization.

"Um..yes," I look down towards the table. I honestly don't know what to say or do right now!

"Okay-Um-Yeah...I don't know what to say. But Ajey is it possible that you are saying, or feeling this only because you are afraid to lose me, now that Romeo's in the picture?"

"I knew you would think that and I don't blame you, but believe me it isn't because of that. I have loved you from the very beginning Tash, it's just that I realized it when you were away. I loved you so much that I was ready for you to hate me in order for you to be happy. You are my lighthouse Tash! I very well understand if you do not accept me now. But remember, I'll always wait for you, 'cause I want no one else," I am on the verge of crying.

Natasha

I don't know what to do, whom to choose. The words Ajey just said - they were so....sincere. But one word struck me. Lighthouse. It's what I called Romeo. And I definitely don't remember actually showing Ajey our mails. Maybe it's just my overthinking or maybe, just maybe it might be that. But you know what, it isn't possible.

"Ajey, but what about Romeo?" I am hating this. I am hating the fact that I have to choose between two people I love. I just wish I had someone who would tell me what to do!

"Don't worry about me, you go and meet him. I am alright I swear," he's in pretty bad shape right now.

"You know I am not leaving you like this. Romeo can wait," I am firm.

"Tash please just trust me when I say that you have to go!"

"But Ajey-"

"Go!"

"I'll be right back," I leave him half-heartedly. I still wouldn't have gone if it wouldn't have been the fact that I have never seen Ajey so firm about anything.

Ajey

As soon as Tash goes, I take a moment to calm myself and then rush towards our meet-spot. It's a garden this time. Upon entering, the fragrance of wet soil is mesmerising. There are a variety of flowers, people feeding the birds, a fountain, and a few benches for people to sit on. On top of that, the weather is really pleasant. So overall, things are going well.

I go and sit on a bench that is far away and not noticeable. I don't just wanna barge in and surprise Tash, I want it to be simple.

Natasha

I reach the place, which is very beautiful. I don't know how come I have never come here before.

I have no idea how am I going to recognise him, how the hell is he going to recognise me. What if he doesn't love me the way I do? What if he loves me as a friend or...or just as a pen-pal? What am I gonna say to him when we meet?.....What about Ajey?
All these thoughts going on in my head are making me panic. And I know that this is really neither the place nor the time to do so. I am just overthinking.

Please calm down Natasha!!

I go to one corner and sit under a tree, away from all the people and the noise. Right now, I want peace.

Ajey

I see Tash come and sit on a bench not far from me. How could I forget that we both literally think the same way!

She's looking beautiful. She always has.

Well, I guess it's go time!

Natasha

I was staring into nowhere when I heard a voice behind me, that too a very familiar voice.

"Hey lighthouse!" It was Ajey.

I turned around to see him standing with a huge smile on his face.

"No-wait-no-are you-?"I tried hard not to stammer, but it didn't work.

"Yes Juliet," Fuck.

"Oh my God! After what happened at the cafe today, I so badly hoped it was you," I say and I go to hug him tightly.

I am crying, and struggling to hold myself back. Ajey is Romeo! It means he has always been there with me! It means that Romeo had come the other day after all!

"But you are still such an asshole!! Why didn't you tell me it was you?!!"

"I had to know what you felt about me you know-"

" -and then you had to express your feelings as Ajey too," I complete the sentence.

"So you helped me pick an outfit for a date with you!"

"Umm...yeah you could say that"

"Oh my God Ajey! I love you!"

"You know I do too"

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