My Love, My Fate

#15 OUT-OF-TUNE

It was the last year of their college life. Meeting every weekend and sometimes in week days too became a regular routine of their life.

The days they meet, commence with an energized and excited smile and confine with a gloomy face.

That weekend, they spent the day in a botanical garden. It is a beautiful place with full of trees, plants and colorful flowers around.

Hudson and Shafna went for a walk entwining hands together.

"I forgot to tell you. Yesterday was Reshma's birthday. You know what her boyfriend did surprisingly?" Shafna was sharing it with him.

"Oh convey my belated wishes to her. And what her boyfriend did?"

"He came from Chennai and took her for a special flight travel from Coimbatore to Chennai and back to Coimbatore. She spent the whole day with him in Chennai." She kept on talking, she didn't notice the change in Hudson's face.

" Reshma was excited since she didn't expect such a surprise. She was like...." She stopped seeing his worn out face. His eyes indicated that he was not listening her.

Shafna worried looking at his normally sparkling eyes which became dull. "Hudson.. What's up with you? Why are you silent?"

"N..nothing.." He was not alright.

"Did I say something that hurt you? Please Hudson let me know what made you to worry?"

"I'm sorry Shafna."

"Why are you sorry for me?"

"I don't know... Whether I'm the right person for you."

"Shut up Hudson. Don't ever think like this again."

"I couldn't give you any happiness. Till now I haven't given you any gift or surprises. Why am I in such a situation?"

"Stop talking like a fool. Did I ask you for any gifts or surprises?"

"You won't expect anything from me. I know that. But I feel very bad that I'm incapable. Can I keep you happy throughout your life? I wish you to live like a princess." He was feeling inferior hearing about Reshma's boyfriend.

Shafna dragged him to a bench surrounded by pine trees. She made him to sit there and she took the place next to him. She took his hands and wrapped it within her palms and looked intensely into his eyes.

"Listen Hudson. I'm really sorry since I hurt you. I don't know about other girls. But I never expect you to surprise me with gifts and a luxurious life. I want only your love and care." She carefully chose her words to make him understand her.

"If you wish to gift me something, I need only one gift from you." Shafna told him firmly.

Hudson was looking at her keenly.

" I need your time. I need you to spend more time with me. The most valuable gift that you can give someone is your time. In love, small things matter a lot. A costly gift from you will never be equal to the happiness I get when I hold your hands and lay on your shoulders. "

She paused and then continued.

"You know what's the best surprise I experienced in my life? It was on the day I returned back from home, you were waiting for me in bus stand since early morning. Nothing else can match that surprise."

"I don't want to live a luxurious life rather I need a happy and contented life which is possible only if you're with me. I didn't love your status, I love you Hudson. Can't you understand that?" She was frowning in anguish.