When Love Lasts✔️

Chapter 8

Mankirat Singh

"Oh Sukhi, the dorms are so far away from here, and it's already getting quite late," I said with a concerned expression. Sukhi frowned, clearly not thrilled about the prospect of a long journey back to the dorms.

Trying to come up with a solution, I suggested, "Why don't we spend the night at my parents' old house instead? It's just a short 10-minute drive from here." Sukhi's face brightened up at the idea, nodding in agreement.

With Sukhi's approval, I started the car and headed towards my parents' abandoned house. As we drove along the familiar streets, memories of my childhood flooded my mind. The house had been empty for years, but it still held a special place in my heart. I hoped that spending the night there would bring some comfort and familiarity to both of us.

It was a pleasant surprise when she gave me a call after her car broke down. I was taken aback, but at the same time, I felt overjoyed. Being in her company always brings me immense happiness. There's something about her that makes me feel comfortable and content.

As soon as I heard her voice on the other end of the line, I knew that I had to help her out. I quickly got dressed and rushed to her location. Seeing her standing there, looking worried and helpless, made me feel even more grateful that I could be there for her. 

As I drove up to my childhood home, Sukhi was left in awe. The house was a grandiose structure, a testament to my parents' success. However, tragedy struck during my first year of college when they were killed in a car accident. The inheritance they left behind was now mine to manage.

The memories of my parents flooded my mind as I stepped out of the car. The house was just as I remembered it, but it felt different without them there. I couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility for the legacy they left behind. It was up to me to honor their memory and continue their work.

As we walked through the house, Sukhi marveled at the opulence of it all. But for me, it was a bittersweet reminder of what I had lost. I knew that I had big shoes to fill, but I was determined to make my parents proud. With their guidance and the resources they left behind, I was ready to take on the challenge of carrying on their legacy.

I spoke up, "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there's a slight issue." She looked at me with a raised eyebrow, waiting for me to continue. "We only have one bed," I said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

She paused for a moment, thinking of a solution. "Well, I suppose we could share," she suggested, a hint of hesitation in her voice. "We could always put a pillow barrier between us," she added, trying to make light of the situation.

I couldn't believe my luck. Sharing a bed with Sukhi? It was like a dream come true. I wasn't being creepy or anything, it was just that her presence gave me a sense of comfort and warmth. I couldn't wait to snuggle up next to her and drift off to sleep. 

As I stepped into the bedroom, my eyes fell upon her diligently constructing a pillow barricade. It was a rather peculiar sight, but I understood the reasoning behind it. You see, we weren't a couple, just two friends sharing a living space, so it was only natural for her to take precautions to ensure we didn't accidentally invade each other's personal space during our slumber.

The room was dimly lit, casting a soft glow on her as she meticulously arranged the pillows. It was as if she was building a fortress, a barrier that would safeguard our individual boundaries while we slept. I couldn't help but admire her thoughtfulness and consideration. After all, it was important to maintain a certain level of comfort and respect in our living arrangement, even if we weren't romantically involved.

I watched her for a moment, marveling at her determination to create a physical divide between us. It was a testament to our friendship, a testament to the unspoken understanding we shared. We both knew that crossing that invisible line could potentially complicate things, and neither of us wanted that. So, she took it upon herself to construct this pillow barricade, a tangible reminder of the boundaries we had set for ourselves. It was a simple gesture, yet it spoke volumes about the dynamics of our relationship.

As the night settled in, we found ourselves in our usual sleeping positions. She always preferred to sleep facing one direction, while I, on the other hand, found comfort in facing the opposite way. It was a routine we had developed over time, a silent agreement that allowed us to have our own space while still being close. The pillows acted as a gentle barrier, creating a subtle divide between us, yet serving as a reminder of our shared intimacy.

The soft glow of the moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle illumination on the room. She lay peacefully, her face turned towards the window, as if seeking solace in the night sky. Meanwhile, I nestled into my side of the bed, my back turned towards her, finding solace in the familiar darkness. The pillows nestled between us acted as a buffer, a symbol of the unspoken understanding that we both needed our own space, even in the intimacy of our shared bed.

In the quiet stillness of the night, we found our own unique way of finding comfort in each other's presence. She slept facing east, her body aligned with the rising sun, while I found solace in facing west, towards the setting sun. The pillows nestled between us acted as a gentle reminder of the boundaries we set, allowing us to have our own personal space. 

Maybe one day we can sleep holding each other. Only God knows.