I pretended to look busy, swiping down the notification bar on my phone and then restoring my home screen. The irksome horns of cars somewhat irritated me. I glanced at her and saw she was busy looking for our cab.
"How far is it", I asked.
"He is near us. Can you see a White Fiat", she replied.
I looked for the car and found one across the street.
"There" and I grabbed her hands, while we crossed the road. I saw her smiling and I quickly withdraw mine and searched my pocket for my handkerchief. I hopped towards the car, while she followed me. I was about to get in the front while she grabbed my hand.
"Please", with a pleading look she said.
I sighed and sat with her at the back. She fumbled with her phone and bags. I ignored her and looked out of the window. I heard a tired voice telling the driver the OTP. I felt a tap on my hand and I faced her.
"Once. Please."
"Can we just keep quiet for a while", I rudely answered her.
She nodded and I could see tears glinting on her eyes.
After a while she spoken up again.
"For the last time, please listen. You stuck with me for a long time, all I am asking for few moments. This ride is all I have. So I am begging you", and tears finally escaped her dark eyes.
I closed my eyes and just nodded. I felt her hand on mine and I didn't react. She slowly turned my hand, placed her palm on mine and locked her fingers with mine.
"Here. Put this earpiece. And can I ask for one last request?", her fragile voice rang in my ears.
"Yeah", I said in a gentle manner, afraid to hurt her more.
"Just listen to this song. And please hear me out. Just once. And I promise I won't follow you anywhere. If you tell me to get lost, I will do so. But please give me one last chance."
I nodded and she played the song.
I lose my breath whenever I see you. You stole my heart, what is it that you do?
"I still remember the first time I saw you. The tuition classes. Dressed in black. God! You looked appealing. But those eyes, the gentle ocean of emotions made me fall for you. I swear I kept glancing at you, but you were sitting at the back, and I cursed myself for not choosing the empty bench beside you. Still, I kept an eye on you. Your laughter kept ringing in my ears and trust me, it gave me sleepless nights. My heart imprinted your smiling face and it provided me with immense euphoria."
My life was grey, till you added colours.
" I am a very timid person. I never trusted anyone. I dealt with a past, a past which drained all the colours of life. I was literally a shade of grey. Dull and depressing. Then you came. At first I thought it was an innocent infatuation which would last for only for a little while. But you treated me patiently, painting a beautiful sketch in an empty canvas. You heard all my ranting, you were always there for me. And slowly I started living. You taught me to fly again. With you, I was again me."
Like the moon needs the sun, we don't care 'bout the others.
"I am moon and you are my sun. Without you I will lose my shine. I still remember the day after we rifted apart. I was never the same. Till today, there is no night that I slept peacefully. I cried for you and cursed myself. And yes it's me who is to be blamed."
"You taught me to live in my own manner. Fuck others as you say. This quote of yours sums me up now. I am strong now. I literally don't care about people who judge me. I just need you. Help me get out this mess that I created"
You set my world on fire,
You're my heart's desire.
" The day when I proposed you. Ha! I still remember chanting all the time, "Now or never". A card and one chocolate. And that smile on your face melted my heart. The trace of an innocent child can still be found in you, do you know that. You lifted me in your arms, and I don't know why I cried. Happiness gripped me and knocked me out of my senses."
I just wanna love you,
Just wanna hold you,
Just wanna be with you till we grow old.
Just tell me you'll stay or take me away,
I want you for myself every single day.
You set my world on fire,
You set my world on fire.
"Our first kiss. The gentle lips on mine and I touched heaven. The essence of it still lingers in my mind. I tasted dizziness. And our souls interlocked. And just when I thought it was all over, a sweetest peck on my lower lip, made me intoxicated to you. You fired my world up. Each and everyday, I just wanted you. I dreamt of a life with you. A happy ending which included us in a single frame."
I don't know what I'd do without you.
You make me smile, what is it that you do?
My life was grey till you added colours.
Like the moon needs the sun, we don't care 'bout the others.
You set my world on fire,
You're my heart's desire.
"It has been over a month without you. I realised what it feels to be without you. You are my drug and with no you, I can't live. I feel suffocated. I feel hollow. You have an impact in my life. You made me smile no matter what. I literally miss your stupid jokes. I need my drug back. I want to live, laugh, love, smile, cry and lots and lots of other things, but only with you."
I just want you, I just need you,
I don't know what it is you do.
"Its just the truth. I am sorry. I. Literally. Am. Sorry."
I just wanna love you,
Just wanna hold you,
Just wanna be with you till we grow old.
Just tell me you'll stay, or take me away,
I want you for myself every single day.
You set my world on fire,
You set my world on fire.
All this while, with my eyes closed, I listened to her while emotions were trying to burst out of my heart. I clenched my fist in order to restrain my tears. But I lost control and a drop of tear escaped my eyes. I felt her thumb tracing the path it made and wiping it off. I could feel her hand shivering as her gentle touch ruffled my hair.
I slowly opened my eyes, all red, and saw the driver pulling up beside my house. I glanced at her, and she was sobbing uncontrollably. The car stopped.
"Thanks for the ride", I said soberly and I left the car.
I entered my house, headed for the stairs and my eyes betrayed me and I couldn't control my tears back. I sat heavily at the stairs and cried. After a while, I wiped my face climbed up. I saw the door locked. I searched my bag for the spare key. With the key, I unlocked the door and headed towards my bedroom. I laid in my bed until darkness descended all around me. All this while, the flashback triggered my emotions and my heart let out all the pain it hid from the last month.
I took out my phone and opened the gallery. Through my blurry eyes I saw pictures. Pictures of us. Happily enjoying life. And then my memory triggered.
"You are just an emotionless swine."
"Just leave me alone"
"You are a curse. Please fuck off"
"Love? You loved me? Oh! Please"
"You are just a fake person"
Each and every word she spoke the night when we rifted apart, pierced my heart. Her slap never pained. But the way she never heard me out, did. People were jealous of us. They added fuel and burned our relationship. Her word didn't sting as much as her actions did. She trusted me. But where was trust all this while?
I imagined her in pain. Crying. Sobbing. Blaming herself for all this.
With my jaws tight, I dialled her number.
Two rings and she picked it up.
"Hello", and her voice were replaced by sobs.
A long silence and I broke down.
Both of us cried all night long.
And the tears washed our pain away.
Author's Note: The lyrics are of the song: 'You Set My World On Fire' by Loving Caliber. Do listen to this beautiful song. Thanks for sticking!