Chittiyan.

Finally whole.

Ishan has been feeling a very obvious flutter of excitement in the center of his chest since the moment he opened his eyes this morning, not that he was able to sleep very well, he was almost awake all night, tossing and turning in anticipation of the upcoming day, nearly counting the minutes the sun will grace the earth with its warm rays and the day will finally begin. 

As he walked ahead in the dense forest, everything, though very much familiar, seemed vibrant than ever. The flowers were perhaps more bright, lively, spreading their fragrance anywhere and everywhere, the wind, even more gentle, the flesh of the trees that touched his hands didn't feel as rough, the soil beneath his feet felt like soft, fluffy clouds. His heart was practically soaring high in the sky. The birds chirped more loudly today, the sound almost as a sweet song, exactly like the one his mother used to sing him when he was little. 

He walked, almost ran, eager to reach his destination and meet that special someone, his special someone. 

He reached at the lake and their eyes met, and Ishan felt himself being pulled into a trance, almost hypnotised, his heart so loud in his ears that he couldn't hear anything, the gentle lapping of water on the lake's shore, the wind blowing through the trees, shaking them with a great force, the sound of the birds, he could hear none of it, but only his overwhelmed heart and the sound of his shaking breath. His eyes were completely focused on the man in front of him, and only him, not even wanting to spare a glance at the breathtaking sunset that painted the sky in a beautiful pinkish-orange hue,  even though it used to be something he always looked forward to, the beautiful lake could not capture an ounce of his attention for he wanted to see and hear nothing but his beloved.

This breathtakingly beautiful lake was the place where they had first met, almost a decade ago, just two wanderers who found a home in each other's, becoming each other's safe haven and only refuge for this lifetime and more to come. 

-

Shubman had never been starstruck or awestruck or wonderstruck or moonstruck in his life, but right now he was all of the above and more at once, blown out of his mind, completely enchanted, captivated, bewitched and spellbound. All the wind got knocked out of his lungs the minute their eyes locked together. He probably would've died of the pace his heart was beating at, if the desire to look at his beloved for as long as possible, perhaps forever, to touch him, to engulf him in his arms and never let him go wasn't stronger than anything and everything. The intensity of his emotions would've consumed him whole if Ishan's longing gaze wasn't anchoring him, holding him captive, Shubman was once again reminded why he calls Ishan his moon, his guiding light, his home.

His feet moved on its own accord and before he knew he was standing a foot away from the love of his life. The sight felt like a tranquil oasis for his sore eyes and gentle warmth for his cold heart. 

Both of them said nothing, quietly drinking in the sight they were dying to see since forever. 

“Ishan.” Shubman whispered, his trembling hand, just like his voice, reaching out to touch Ishan's, their hearts bursting with butterflies as their fingers touched. 

Ishan closed his eyes, heaving a shaky, weak breath. The familiar sound of his name, something he hears everyday, had never once felt this comforting, like the sound of flute, a whisper of understanding, devotion, surrender and love. 

He opened his eyes, that instantly swelled with tears, overwhelming emotions flooding his throat as he whispered back. “Shubman.” 

A single word. Just his name. But by the sound of it, coming in a voice that was the reason for his sleepless nights, surreal days, and countless dreams, Shubman felt like he would cry by how overwhelmingly joyous his heart felt.