Zephyrs of Reveries

Never Stopped Loving

12:19 a.m. 

He stared at the wall clock and then back at his girlfriend fast asleep in bed.

He untied his tie, slumping on the living room couch. Looking at the numerous picture frames on the wall. Their happy smiles at each destination.

Their story wasn't any sort of whirlwind romance as the world would expect. It was a very raw and real love. Just a pilot and photographer who met through mutual friends. They shared numbers, started hanging out more and eventually realized their feelings.

She was the one who uttered the golden words first. 

It was a trip to the Zanskar River, she was starting internship for a photography company. He was flying his 3rd flight the following week at the Ladakh airport. And they decided to meet up for a hike in the weekend.

Hiking through the frozen river just made her think, when will she get an opportunity to be in a wonderful setting like this with the man you care for next to you while following their passions. 

🥀

'Early flight'

She sighed seeing the sticky note on the coffee flask at the night stand. 

She gazed at the portrait frame on the bedside table as she slowly sipped on the hot beverage that she re-heated in the microwave. The picture of them covered in paint and happy smiles taken during the house renovations.

At first it was really difficult juggling their relationship and work life's. Her being a Landscape and Wildlife photographer and him being a Pilot, they barely got chances to meet.

The first eight months of their relationship ran on face time and occasional once in a month meet ups. But soon he grew tired of not having her nearby and he purchased an apartment in Delhi.

In no time they moved in together and started their live-in relationship. Although they still travelled for work, they had a common place to come called 'Home'. 

Two years pass by, lots of love and travelling and photos later here they are. 

Recently after the virus lockdown had been lifted off, he got quite busy. Flights day and night, long trips. She was relatively free at home with journeys for shoots now and then. It felt like the love they had from the past has been draining and now they were here. Now although they came home to each other at the end, they never had time for each other. And it scared them so much that neither is ready to talk about it.

The phone rang to bring her out the trance.

"Hello?"

"Hi Sivs" Chirped her close friend.

"Hey Sam" 

"Ay why you sound so gloomy?" 

"Nothing yarr" Sivaangi replied trying to sound better.

"Cha I thought we'll go shopping today since you have your day off, but chumma your sad. I'll get the booze." Sammy screeched in her thick accent.

Before Sivaangi could reply she was met with the beep of the dead line.

🥀

"I miss Bangalore pubs bro" Sammy whined trying to pour herself another glass of wine, which was immediately snatched by her best friend.

"Talking of Bangalore, did you tell home yet?" Sammy questioned.

Sivaangi nodded no, just like every time she was asked this question. 

"Are you waiting for Ashwin to propose or what?" She further infuriated .

Sivaangi already had other things to worry about and dealing with a drunk bestie was not on the list.