Rekindling Love

Chapter 13

Naira’s POV

I was walking along the bridge. They said this bridge was sacred, whoever met on this one, we’re connected for the rest of eternity. And I believed in the small stories, that resided in the nooks and corners of Hrishikesh

I was in love with the stories that resided in the nooks corners  of this sacred city. I was also in love with what this city made me, what it had given me. And now what it had given me back. Kartik.

He had been very patient, never asking, never demanding, only giving. Giving everything I asked, giving whatever I didn’t  know I wanted. Never waiting for any reciprocation, he accepted whatever I was ready to give.

This morning, to see him like that, mechanical, robotic, it broke my heart. How could he of all the people hurt me? He didn’t  have it in him to do that. It was impossible, even I knew that. But I had to give him facts for him to believe it. But that moment I realised, I realised that I  couldn’t do this to him anymore. I couldn’t see him dying and berating himself for something that wasn’t even his fault.

His respect for me, made me fall for him harder. He didn’t take what was rightfully his. He accepted the rejection. He waited, and was still waiting. But I was done with the waiting. I wanted him to know, that I was his, fully and completely his. And that nothing can tear us apart.

I was ready to accept him, I was ready to tell him that.. "Tina" someone called me.

I turned with the brightest smile, he was here. I don't know what took over me, I just ran into him. Wanting to hold him close, never wanting to let him go. I hugged him. He took hold of me, and spun me a bit. Possibly to take care of the momentum, but I didn't mind him. I was happy.

"Not that I'm complaining. But may I ask, what happened?" He said.

"Just." I said. I didn't want to tell him about the storms raging inside me, or at least not like this. I wanted him to be sure, I wasn't acting out of weakness.

He gave me a quizzical look, but let it pass. "I have to tell you something." He said. Almost guilty.

"What" I asked him

"I have to go. There is some work, which I have been stalling since very very long. But I cannot anymore. It will only take me a few hours. I'll be back by the end of the night." He said, tentatively.

He was leaving? But... I didn't want him to. I was ready, I wanted to tell him that. I wanted to cling onto him, and go where ever he was going.

"Hey.. I'll be back by the end of the day. By the time the sunsets I'll be with you. Please don't get upset." He repeated.

"I don't want you to go." I said. And I didn't want him. Some part of me dreaded the what ifs. I wanted him to know that I'm ready, what if he just went and never returned. Before he left he must know, he must know all that he needed to know.

"I'll be back before you can blink Jaan. Don't you worry." He said. I tried telling him, I wanted to speak, but he buried me inside him chest, and rested his face on my head. "I would be back in jiffy Jaan. I would not have left, but I really have to. If I could have waited I really would have, but I can't. You understand right?"

How could I say no? How could I say, I didn't want to understand? How could I stop him? I couldn't. Dropping a kiss on my forehead, he left me. The dread settled, of the unknown, of uncertainty, of insecurity.

After he was out of my sight, I felt weak. My strength, my glue, was walking away. I could stay and fight, I could wrestle the world, but his absence left me empty. What was I to do now. I fell on to my knees.

I sobbed, I couldn't control myself, he said he would be back by tonight, but why today. Why after so long? He never in this whole time left me, he was always there. My heart wasn't ready to accept his loss. That was how Chandu found me.