Nasaza

XV

𝕊𝕒𝕟𝕤𝕜𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕚

"You are the sun to my moon, the air I breathe, and the love of my life. If you were a planet, you would be Saturn, the most magnificent, beautiful, and enchanting planet in the universe. If you were a color, you would be a vibrant yellow, filled with life and energy. If you were a bird, you would be a majestic, graceful eagle, soaring through the clouds with utmost freedom. If you were a bird, you would be a singing, captivating nightingale, whose melody is so soothing and healing. If you were a star, you would be a brilliant, shining, guiding light, leading the way through the darkest of nights. You are all these things combined, and more. I love you, my dear." I gazed at the love of my life, near to me, near my heart, lying on the bed beside me.

"I love you, my darling." I laid there staring at the badminton racket in my hands. It was one of my most cherished possessions.

I ran my fingers over the wooden handle, feeling the smooth surface of the racket. It was the most beautiful thing in the whole world.

I loved this racket. I loved how it felt as I swung it effortlessly. It was the love of my life, my partner in crime.

"You are mine and mine alone. I love nothing else as much as I love you. Nothing else can compare to the way you make me feel. I love how you fit perfectly in my hands. I love how you glide effortlessly through the air, always coming back to me. I love how you respond to me whenever I command you. I love how you understand me and my passion for the game. I love everything about you. I love you. You are my life, my everything."

I close my eyes and press my lips against the net of the racket.

Yeah, I'm crazy. So what?

I smiled and opened my eyes to see my mother gaping at me in surprise at the doorway.

Seeing everything.

For a moment I was mortified. I had been so wrapped up in my thoughts about the racket that I hadn't noticed my mother standing at the doorway.

She raised an eyebrow at me.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

My face flushed, and I quickly looked away from the badminton racket.

"I'm....nothing," I fumbled.

"Really, nothing?" Mumma said with a skeptical expression. "You were just kissing your racket."

"I...uhhh...I'm just..."

I fell silent, unable to think of an explanation.

"Just what?" she asked. "You don't have an explanation for such ridiculous behavior, do you?"

"You know how crazy I am..." I chuckled awkwardly, trying to diffuse the situation.

"Yeah, I know how crazy you are. And it seems like your insanity has reached a new level. First you're obsessing over a badminton racket, now you're kissing it? It's not even a person, Sanskriti. It's just a piece of wood. It will never love you back, you know."

I sighed and looked down at my badminton racket. I wasn't insane. I was just passionate and emotional. But there was no point in trying to explain that to my mother.

"Your father would be dropping you off to school today, as the bus might be late. We can't have you be late to the match and potentially miss it right? I know you'll probably jump off the terrace or something if you miss the semi finale." Mum sighed and left.

I smiled. My mother knew me well, I guess.

She was right, I would have a meltdown if I missed the semi-final. It was the most important match of the season, and I couldn't miss it.