Meera

Chapter 23

'Will you marry me, Meera?' — Arjun had put forward. I could hear the announcement fading into the background, sitting in the parking lot with him as he sprung up the question onto me. My mind had just went blank. What if he was doing this in desperation out of the recent circumstances. The recent events may have rattled him up. I looked into his eyes for surety, to know that he meant what he said. His eyes screamed what he felt. I knew it was coming sooner or later. He seemed determined and firm with his decision. I wanted to say yest too but felt as if we were moving fast. But then what's the meaning of timeline when you are dating a soldier. I wanted to spend all of the time fate had to offer me with Arjun. I could feel tears filling my eyes as my hands moved towards Arjun's hands on the gear lever, letting the warmth of his hands seep into mine as I rested of head on his shoulder as I gazed on to the setting sun.

I turned my tear face towards him wiping my tears with the back of my hand.

'Yes.' Loud and clear, I said it. Tears made their way again, the difference now that they were in his eyes well. So we sat there in the car holding hands, in the parking of railway station in silence. Who thought a parking could have such a memory attached to it. Only my Arjun could do it. Only he can make a railway station parking romantic.

'So, what now?' — I asked him.

'Well, let's get you to Delhi. Mam se baat bhi toh karni hogi aur sir se bhi. Ab unki beti meri hone wali hai.' — He finished playfully touching my nose, which managed to cheer me up but the mention of my father did not settle well. Even with whatever I had, I could not see him in the same light ever again. Not after what Aunty told me.

[I have to talk to Sir and Mam. Now, that I am going to take away their daughter]

He had gone silent again, maybe, realized that he had said something that did not settle with me. He did not stretched the topic further as he pulled out a ring from his pocket. Did he walk around with ring all this time? He lovingly held my hand as he slid the ring onto my finger. I was engaged. I wanted to scream. I wanted to call Khushi. Oh, how she would put it, 'I told you so.' 'You both have fallen into the pit of love together.'

God, I missed my best friend. I hate that guy sometimes, Siddharth.

Arjun leaned in towards me. He was leaning in to kiss me. I shifted in my seat to reciprocate his actions as his hand came onto the back of my neck and with the other hand had just cupped my face. I closed my eyes to calm down and keep myself glued to the ground. His thumb running alongside my neck, made a shiver run through me and within moments I felt his lips on mine. As inexperienced as I might be, I was glad that we were not standing other wise I would have fallen. His kiss made me feel weak in my knees. My mind hazed, isn't this what I thought of all the while that he was away. That I wouldn't let him go once I got him back. He pulled himself back and I did not have it in me to look at him. Suddenly I felt very shy, in a good way.

Settling back into our seats, Arjun started to drive towards to Delhi. He was not my boyfriend anymore, but my fiance and he meant so much more. I kept stealing glances at him. No wonder, given how my day started. I could not have asked for a better day. He looked tired after driving three hours straight. Rightfully so, he had just returned today from his duty and here I was making him drive for six hours. I kept a hand on his shoulder making him look at me for a moment.

'I think we should rest for sometime. We haven't had anything to eat in four hours. Rok lo na kisi dhabe pe. I need to freshen up also.'

[Stop at a Dhaba, no.]

He let out a chuckle at my exaggeration as he stopped the car near a Dhaba. He had already called Aunty explaining her the situation and she was all, 'I told you so.'

I looked at him and saw creases on his forehead. Asking him what happened as the fear gripped my heart again. Did his duty call him again? Will I keep feeling what I felt these last six months over and over again, everytime he leaves, all my life. Didi I just embrace this uncertainty?

He did not say anything to me about why he was worried so I let the topic go. I pushed the menu towards him as gazed intently at it.

'What do you want to have?' He asked

'All that I am craving for is Chai, you order something for yourself.' He just shook his head at my answer. What problem did he have with my Chai? Even he drinks it when enveloped by the cold mountains of Kashmir.

'Ek Chai and aloo paratha' He said to the boy that stood at out table and he had immediately turned around to head towards the kitchen. We were left in silence of the night as Arjun gazed intently into my eyes. His face was unreadable and then he asked a question which I had not even anticipated.

'Are you happy, Meera?' My hands stilled which playing with the sleeves of Kurti as I looked up at him. Why would he ask that?

'Why are you asking this? Ofcourse, I am happy, Arjun. I love you.' I said in one breath. He reached out to hold my hand as he began talking.

'I know it's not easy but if you marry me, wouldn't you always be in dilemma. Looking at the door, hoping that I walk through it.' His words made a sob reach up my throat as my eyes started to hurt. He was putting in words what I had felt for six months.

'I don't want you to waste your life on me, Meera. There is a lot for you to see and feel. If one day, I don't come home at all, I don't want you to feel lost. My duty is very uncertain but it is my priority and you are my priority too. So, I would understand if you don't want to marry me.' He finished as he wiped a tear from my face. Oh, I was crying.

'No matter what Arjun, I will marry you. Don't you say otherwise. I have loved you and cherished every moment for the waking day since I have met. You are the only one for Arjun. Even if that means waiting all my life. There would be no other like you.' 

I finished as I leaned in to kiss him. 

A/N 

She is alive and well. Sorry for this extreme delay. College was hectic. I will keep in touch and post whenever possible. 

For now, read this wholesome chapter and don't forget to drop in comments. 

Love,

Sonali