Rosa's Affair

CHAPTER 3

2013

Rose Love Paul

I found that I am not alone in my new-found addiction. Recently my well-formed Kiran too started sipping black coffee fashionably along with me in the shades of the banyan tree. This banyan tree was my first gift from Kiran. It was in third grade, Kiran planted this tree in my lawn saying, it is the symbol of immortality. I don't even have knowledge of the word immortality at that stage of my life. Still and all Kiran's tree made a place in my parent's hearts and they started liking Kiran as their own. Breaking my thought Kiran bought two mugs of black coffee along with some banana chips. That's the worst combination, but I kept my mouth shut.

"Sorry! Did I take too much time?" asked Kiran, noticing my change in facial expression.

"No...It's just that...banana chips and black coffee..."

"I am sorry Rose, I couldn't blame my new obsession towards this combination, you should surely try it and..."

"Kiran!" I hesitated for a second. "Please, look into my eyes and say what you feel. You know you don't have to force this upon yourself. We can sort it out, but I want you to come out on your own."

"This is one of the best plays of all time among all couples and you are asking me again, Rose. Don't you know it?"

"Your option should be completely yours, you don't have to go through this. Just do what you like. You want to be an archaeologist, then you should study archaeology. You don't have to choose my..."

"Rose! One has to be serious about something if one is to have greater amusement in life. And that's why I like archaeology, but remember I like archaeology and I love you. There is a greater difference between like and love."

"No, Kiran..."

"Please don't try to change my mind. I wanted to stay with you all these three years on this campus, besides I also like designing. It's just I need a little more time in adjusting to the field. We are just in the first year of college, by the end of the third year, I would be a professional...so I suggest you not to get worked up."

"So you won't listen?" I asked Kiran taking the last sip.

"Rose, I have no little shame in saying 'I love you'. But even a weak and over-tolerant person has their limits and I am aware of my limits. If I give up now, then I will be like a dead leaf in Autumn."

"Kiran...Don't take it in the wrong way, but you are really good at fixing a messed-up relationship."

"Can I assume...that you are saying that our relationship is messed-up? Rose! I don't want to tell my story in public, I didn't realise how much I wanted this and I am thankful to know that you are struggling in the same way as me..."

Some conflicts can look utterly insoluble. If only I had kept quiet...I tried every single time to change Kiran's mind. Kiran's course of action is not designing, however I will try till the very end. This is the reason I started having black coffee, black coffee to have a normal conversation with Kiran but I was addicted to this coffee. I don't want to sin more. I have a difficult time understanding and internalising the logic of Kiran. It is hard to shake off this disturbing situation. I am stuck with Kiran in the same college, same classroom and same bedroom.

"Rose! Stay there," Kiran said very softly, not allowing me to get up from my spot.

I was sitting under this tree along with Kiran deep in thoughts and within a fraction, Kiran came very close to me and caught the hem of my shirt and inches so closer and kissed me so tenderly that I almost forgot a second to breathe.