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PART 2 : A story by Mysteroid l Monday Blossoms
Tears were brimming in her eyes, threatening to roll down her ruby cheeks. But she is the stubborn, adorable girl who wouldn’t let that happen in front of him.
“It’s not, Ash…” Rosh said softly, sniffling.
“You are a liar!” She yelled and ran out of the house.
Ash couldn’t believe the sudden news broke out by him. Rosh chased behind her and in the end, consoled her. In front of Rosh, she played strong but in his absence, she went berserk. Just when she started believing in life, it turned her back on the wounding path of hell. It became the turning point of her life when Rosh had planned a thoughtful gift before leaving for the US. He asked her to meet him, one last time, on September 12, 2011, before his departure. She reached his place at their agreed time.
Rosh said excitedly., “Today, I’m going to give you a surprise!”
“Really, what is it?!” She asked in her child-like tone, beaming with joy.
Her friend, who will leave the country the next day, was going to give her a gift. The thought only made her overjoyed.
“Ummm… It will be our best memory, I promise.” Rosh said with seriousness.
Although he was a kid, to him, Ashley was his only best friend, because he found her in his bad time too. When everyone else had denied his existence she took him in.
“Thank you!” With sparkling eyes she replied.
Beaming inwardly because of a covert gift she had prepared for him. It had always been said, children’s affairs were the most difficult yet the simplest ones. They just resolved the toughest knot very casually among themselves. In the same way, these two tubbies became each other's strongest pillars in their time of trial. They set out for Fickleturn using Rosh’s bicycle. When they reached there, it was almost post afternoon, almost going to dusk. Parking the bicycle they mounted themselves on the golden-brown bench.
“Wow, Roshy… This place is so beautiful!” Ashley squealed seeing the beautiful canopy of Maple Trees.
“I knew, you would love it,” Rosh’s voice was filled with contentment. They were chatting endlessly, tickling and laughing, carelessly. Truthfully, childhood was indeed a blessing in disguise.
It was going to be Autumn soon, the leaves of the Maple trees started fading their colours. They varied from bright red to various shades of yellow. The view was mesmerising and awestruck from the eyes of lovers. Those little creatures went there to make a promising memory. For the sake of their friendship, they overcame every obstacle along the way. Eventually, they reached Fickle Turn successfully. But, who would have known what destiny beholds, except God? That their entangling fate would bring them back to the same place after a decade.
Over the years of atrocities, Ashley became a twisted child. The absence of love and nurture played another factor as well. Her teen years were horrible but she managed. Turning her weaknesses into strengths she joined the martial arts on a whim. Training non-stop, in just four years, she became the black belt holder. That’s where she had channelled all her pains, emotions, miseries, faith, and hope. It was the perfect solace in her journey in life. All those years, there was never a day when she hadn’t remembered their last meeting. The place held high regard in her eyes and heart. For the past ten years, she had frequently visited it, regardless of his absence. It reminded her of the last hope she was clinging on to survive. Though a decade had passed, the essence of those words and memories were intact. Clutching to the promise, he did, under the Maple tree in the Buckle Street of Norwood Colony in Fickleturn, Garcinia. She still secretly hoped for his return, despite her reality and circumstances. Albeit, the years passed by but he never returned.
They were not even in contact after that day. She doesn't even know where he resided or what he looked like. But still, she forlorn on his old memories, hoping each day to meet him at some point in life. Ashley was sitting on the same bench in Norwood’s Colony. Observing the surroundings, she chuckled at the irony of her life. Everything was still the same and rooted there, except him.
Seeing the time on her wristwatch, in amazement, she mumbled to herself, “Woah, I stayed quiet long today with mom.”
After visiting Tanya’s grave, she felt relieved, remembering that she had exceptionally stayed over an extended hour at the cemetery.
While adjusting herself, her fingers accidentally grazed over the carved names on that bench. Unconsciously, fresh tears made their way. In the past, she had never shed a drop, but that day, she just didn't have control over them. As they rolled down on their own.
Perhaps, it was because of the new deskmate, whose name resembled her long lost friend. Both of them shared quite similitudes in her analysis. But she was afraid to confront, what if her bubble of hope burst out. Leaning her back against the carving, she cried to her heart’s content.
It was about the time when birds returned to their homes and the sunset at dusk. Its rays still seeped through the cracks of the Maple leaves, filling her face, turning it redder. With annoyance and irritated vision, she huffed and closed her puffy eyes. Resting her head
backwards on the bench’s edge. Her golden blonde hair was open reaching her shoulders and some strands were stuck on the side of her face, due to sweating. With her closed eyes, she hummed, imagining the two little figures, entangling their pinky fingers. Remember them swearing to each other. The boy then hugged the little girl and said something invaluable. It still rang in her ears fresh and pure in his childlike voice, "Wait for my return, here on this bench, Ash."
Inadvertently, tears started to fall on her toned pale face once again. She muttered possible questions to herself, with closed lids, sobbing uncontrollably.
“When will you even return? It’s been ten years, Rosh. I don’t even know what you look like or where you stay? I come here often to revisit our old memories of us. Do you still remember that farewell promise you made to me that day? Do you remember me even, just like I do?”
Upon her last question, she shuddered hard and her voice broke down. There came a soft reply, “Yes, I do.”
She jolted sitting upright, opening her eyes in horror. Turning her tears smitten face in the direction of the voice, stupefied.
“Hey, it’s me, Ash…”
He said gently, waving his hand, holding the old trinket blue necklace. As if to show her his proof that he kept it safe all those years.
“Y…Yo…”
The words stuck in her throat as if she got struck by a thunderbolt. Sitting like a petrified doll blinking at the man and the necklace, continually. Her mind was unable to register the unfolding of the event. The token of appreciation she had given him after that promise, remained. It proved that he was honest.
That Birthday, she was greeted with the most pleasant and fathomless gift. Sitting beside her, was the man she had always waited for.
“Shhh…” He placed his finger on her lips, looking intently.
The mirth of silence was engulfing them in the sweetest pleasure. It felt like the clock had stopped its watch and everything was happening in slo-mo. The wait was indeed worth the pain. Love and friendship knocked on heart’s doors easily, but staying in it was the most difficult challenge. It's the choice one had to make, and being transparent was the only path. Rosh and Ashley drowned in the fiery river of both for ten years. It was just the hope and patience they held on. Irrespective of their situation in life, they never questioned its value.
Just like her, Rosh too was suffering all those years. He eventually hunted for her whereabouts and made his appearance on that exact date, just to remind her. But after the meeting, he became unsure because Ashley had changed a lot. It took him three months of backtracking, to gather her routine details. Then he chose her birthday, to finally reveal himself, in the same place, and subjugate their cruel fate.
Breaking the ice, Rosh flicked on her forehead, and said fervently, “You freaked the hell out of me that day, feisty queen.”
“Oi!!! Roshy…” she yelled in pain, and said sarcastically, “Huh, as if I knew it was you…”
She pouted, finally making a full statement, giggling in the end.
“Sorry!” He looked at her apologetically.
“I won’t forgive you if you leave this time,” she said solemnly.
He complimented her with seriousness, “You have become more adorable, Ash…”
“I Love You!” a whisper escaped her mouth.
“Huh?!” He arched his brow in awe and looked at her raptly.
She smiled foolishly and shyly averted her gaze. Her pale face turned red like a cherry tomato. Nobody would believe that moments ago, she was a lonely mess, and a few moments later, she would get transformed into a complete new bud. Like a Barbie doll, she stood emanating a lovestruck aura. Rosh arched his body, swiftly closing the gap between them. Smiling seductively, he crashed his thin lips on hers. Gentle and satisfyingly, savouring his girl’s strawberry taste. It took him a long time to effectuate his imagination into reality. He embraced her tightly in his arms. Kissing her forehead, whispered “I Love You too, Ash… I promise to stay beside you, forever.”
With entwined palms, they sat there rekindled: bounded by faith, hope, friendship, care and love.