A Crushed Rose

A Crushed Rose - A Short Story

'Touch your heart and say, will you ever leave me?'

'Unless and until I lose my sense and go insane, leaving you is non-existent!'

'Hmm but I'm so scared hun. I wouldn't be able to think of a day without you.'

'You know what? The common old-fashioned I LOVE YOU is not my way.'

'Haha you sound unique! Okay then tell me your way..'

'Ahem. I would say, I BREATHE YOU! Coz without breathing one cannot live and likewise I need you to live my life.. how's it? Is it cool?'

His love for her was beyond any words can ever say. The word, 'Love' utterly failed to express the depth of his bond that blended with her. The whole world around him seemed like a paradise as if everyone was in their happiest mood. Even the hottest days of the summer lost the battle to get rid of the coolness in his heart. Being the king of his own kingdom, he was dreaming of crowning her as his queen showering the best of the love in the entire universe, only second to the Prophet (peace be upon him), upon her.

A wind that blew through the huge mango tree, rattled the leaves on its way. One of the falling leaves landed just beside his stretched feet. Rifkhan was taken back to the present world from those painfully sweet memories that has been stabbing every inch of his being for the past eight years. He was recalling the past sitting on the front doorsteps of the rented house in which he resides to go to work. It has been almost six years since his favourite career began. His profession has made him popular among the people who follow the news daily on television and social media. Amidst of hectic schedules, he didn't lose time to scribble a poem or a note to post on his facebook page. Writing has been his passion and hobby since adolescence.

Rifkhan enjoyed his career to the fullest even though he had a three-year delay to complete his degree in journalism because of the tragic accident he met with. It eventually crushed his dream of holding her arms as her beloved husband. Doctors had predicted that he wouldn't be able to walk for the rest of his life as his legs were frozen and lifeless. Even after doctors gave up all hopes, Rifkhan remained confident that he will walk soon one day. The unshakeable faith in his Lord the All Mercy kept his unwavering courage booming with each dawn. The endless waves of prayers by every soul that loved him swept all the hardships away from him with the mercy of Almighty. After going through the severest of pains being in bed for almost two years, Rifkhan miraculously felt life in his legs! "Allahu Akbar! (God-Is-Great)" he screamed. Doctors who failed in their predictions raised their shoulders and brows in disbelief of their knowledge.

When he got back on his feet, he received the news that has been still shattering him into pieces-'She got married two months back.'

He leaned his head slowly against the door frame. The ripen mangoes that were dangling in between raw ones up on the branches attracted flocks of birds to the tall mango tree. Today he took a day off to ease the stress off from his timeless work. Sitting on the doorsteps of his rented small house and staring at the mango tree, which was standing majestically on the compound, was one of his favourite things to do on rarely available off days.

For four years he fought a losing battle to convince the minds of her parents. During the period of his undergraduation, he was unable to make a promise to her that he will succeed in a career. Her parents were in a hurry as though their daughter was aging too faster. Since he was well aware of the impermissibilty of premarital love in the religion, he had never wanted to continue the affair until he gets her through legal means. The unique nature of her character and the unmatched beauty of her heart mesmerised him.

Rifkhan let out a deep sigh. The more he recalled his pricking past, deeper the hurt he felt at the depth. He narrowed his look to see the time on his iPhone. It was 4:56PM. Even when the sun was moving towards west- towards the backside of the house, the heat waves have not ceased much. His tongue was getting dried up. Rifkhan got on his feet and stretched his arms to let out a long yawn. He wobbled towards the kitchen to make a cool drink. Opening the fridge to take the water bottle and the Tang drink powder bottle made him feel ease a bit from the hot weather. He kept open the fridge door till he makes the Tang drink he loved. Once the chilling drink was ready to be sipped, he marched enthusiastically towards the verandah and sat comfortably on the sofa. The first sip revived his dying tongue once more to dance in joy. The drought-striken mouth had an orange-flavoured shower drenching all the corners of it.