Music and Love.

They called her the quintessence of perfection. The whole world appeared to me to be arranged around my chances of running into Shasha. 

I expectantly strolled the dimly lit, wet streets of Kohima; people walking with their umbrellas bent at odd angles trying to fend off the rain. I did not mind the rain but the umbrellas bothered me. "What if she was behind one of the umbrella?" i dreaded.

I looked at a paan shop across the street providing shelter to some young girls. I peered at them hoping to spot Shasha; the other girls started to titter. There was no sign of her presence. One of the older girl gave me a "get-your-eyes-off-my-chest" expression. Damn you, i thought and looked away with a touch of swag.

 I was hoping that i would miraculously run into Shasha and corner her for a minute or so. It was a slender idea but it excited me. 

I headed for the library as Shasha oft spent her time reading. I bought some chewing gums from the shop outside the library. Just in case, i thought and tittered at my ridiculously hilarious thought.

As i neared the entrance of the library the shopkeeper called me back ; i had forgotten to pay. After paying i began to head toward the library when the shopkeeper mumbled something about Alzheimer's at an early age which i rather reluctantly ignored. Mr. shopkeeper and Mrs. "get-your-eyes-off-my-chest" would make a perfect couple, i concluded.

I popped a gum into my mouth and walked into the library. Fate was in my favor; Shasha was there reading Austen's Pride and Prejudice. She was too intrigued to take notice of me. I picked a random book from the upper shelf and pretended to read whilst i stared at Shasha.

Our eyes met for a moment; she looked away and smiled in an unusual way. I tried to retain normalcy by staring dead at my book which i was holding upside down. I faked a laugh and popped another gum into my mouth in the attempt to regain normalcy.

Moments later i caught myself staring at Shasha again as the rays of the sun coming through the semi opaque windows fell on her as if wanting to kiss her skin.

Our eyes met for the second time and she gestured me to come over to where she was sitting. I was abashed but elated at the same time.

I began to talk as if silence had lost all meaning. "Shasha, honestly I'm in love with you." I said rather abruptly intending to come to the point at once. The librarian threw a dirty look toward me.

She mused for a while. "I need some time to think about it", she began in a low whisper. "Can we go out to tea tomorrow?" i asked in the lowest possible whisper to which she gave the briefest possible nod, probably intending to end our conversation than out of earnestness. 

"I'll be off then. These people are looking at me as if I've stolen their kidneys. Technicolor Cafe. 12: 30 pm." She smiled broadly at my statement and i almost patted myself on the back for the accomplishment. As i rose to leave, the people at the library looked about me with an air of conspiracy.

I returned home, almost prancing when i squelched upon a muddy puddle bringing me back to the present.

I was in high spirits the next morning at the prospect of seeing Shasha. I bought her a bouquet of yellow flowers and a hand written book.

On arrival she looked quite mused at my choice of table, which was in the corner of the cafe totally out of sight. The 'blind spot', i called it as even the restaurateur couldn't see us. As she stepped in the restaurant lit up all the more brilliant.

When she came and sat before me i felt a sensation of deja vu as i ever so often pictured this scene in my head.

She ordered cappuccino for the two of us. "Anything else?" she inquired to which i shook my head. "I got something for you" i said as handed the viciously wrapped gift to her. "Aw.... you shouldn't have." she said as she grabbed my cheek. I smiled defiantly. "I hope you'll like the book; i wrote it especially for you." I said. "Can i see it?" she asked to which i reluctantly nodded. I began to sip my cappuccino nervously.

She unwrapped the viciously wrapped gift with a level of concentration that touched me. After she went through the first few pages of the book she gestured me to come closer and the next thing i knew, her baby pink lips landed on my cheek.

"You wrote all this just for me? I mean how long did it take you? So sweet of you." she said, smiling broadly. She looked flushed. She locked her exceedingly bright eyes into mine and began, "Well Sunang I've thought about it and i think you're a really sweet guy." she said in a dreamy manner. "Is that a yes?" I asked rather abruptly. She nodded, eyebrows raised. I let out a faint sigh of pure bliss. "I love you." we said in unison and tittered at the 'film' like perfect timing and sipped our cappuccino.

"I've written some songs on you. Lots actually." i said breaking the silence. "Seriously? I'm blown away. So do you play any instrument?" she asked. "I play the guitar at times, why?" i asked. "Actually i was searching for a tutor for guitar classes so i was hoping you could...". "Of course,why not? Classes begins tomorrow. What say?" I interrupted. "If that's fine by you I'm in. I'll even pay you." she said rather teasingly. "No need for money. A kiss a day will suffice." I said trying to sweet talk my way through. She blushed and placed her hand on mine as she sipped the last drop of her cappuccino. 

Hopefully Shasha was a quick learner and with the passage of a month she could play the guitar fluently.

With Shasha' s helping hand we converted the obsolete attic behind my room into a type of studio which became our love nest. We spent much time together singing and listening to our favorite tracks. Music united the two of us. I finally found the missing pieces of my life; Music and Love. Or so i thought.

Just when i thought times couldn't get better, tragedy struck. Shasha rusher into my room one unfortunate day. Her eyes looked moist and i had a vague hope that everything was okay. After regaining composure she began. "Sunang, I'll be moving out of town soon." she said with a shaking voice, almost sobbing. That felt like a punch on the stomach to me. "Daddy's posting." she managed to say before she was overcome with emotions. I froze in utter dismay.

We strolled the chilly streets of Kohima beloved, hand in hand. An air of tense silence surrounded us, emotions mixed with uncertainty. "What's your favorite colour?" I asked her in an attempt to gentrify our broken state. Without a word she pointed to a baby pink guitar in the corner shop; i observed that it was the same colour as her lips. From the corner of my eye i noticed her dewy eyes glow at the sight of the instrument.

The thought that this was our final walk together was unbearable. As we neared her house she searched her pocket and handed me a locket with an inscription 'Music and Love.'. "I promise this is not our final parting, i mean it." she whispered into my ear. Our lips met and she bid me goodnight. It was impossible for me to sleep that night so i wrote a song for her called 'Dancing in the Rain.'

The first few lines of the song went like this:

                    This is the last page of our story 

                    but it seems like yesterday.

                    That i met you in the alley 

                    and you took my breath away.

                                    We'll keep dancing in the rain

                                    like in a masquerade.

                                    Wash all our tears away

                                    all the pain of yesterday.

The next day i rushed and purchased the baby pink guitar. When i returned Shasha was in our music room.

"I'll be moving out tomorrow." she said as her eyes turned moist. I tried placating but my efforts were in vain and no sooner i was overcome with grief too.  

I handed the guitar to Shasha without a word. "Oh, darling. You shouldn't have. So thoughtful of you. I'm gonna miss you", she said with a lump in her throat. Our lips met and a soothing tone played inside my head. "I wrote a song for you" i said amidst the romance. "Please play it for me darling. My broken heart needs mending; you're my only remedy." she said; my heart melted within my chest. 

I played Dancing in the Rain for her. On completion I wiped my thumb across her cheek and said, "Darling, I'll be waiting for you eternity and beyond." trying to sound hopeful. "I love you. Trust me I'll always come back to you." she said and and left.

Bidding farewell to Shasha felt like signing a death warrant. I felt emotions i never thought existed. It felt like my heart was torn out of my chest.

When she left, my only aid was music faithful. I recorded countless songs for my beloved in the hope that someday we would reunite.

In the span of time I converted my once-obsolete attic into a proper recording studio and named it after the inscription on the locket; Music and Love.

As the swift winged hours hastened by my hopes of reuniting with my beloved were forbidden. I concluded that life was in her favor and she had probably moved on; yet i waited on.

Seven years later a soberly dressed lady with a hoodie and thick spectacles stormed into my studio, taking me by complete surprise. She looked quite breathless. "Excuse me. Do you know of someone named Shasha?" she asked, startling me. Finally a glimmer of hope, i thought and managed a genuine smile and felt warm though it was quite cold outside. "Just a minute" I said in an overexcited manner and rushed to get the keys to my drawer.

I brought out the records I made for Shasha during the period of our parting. "Please give this to her if ever you find her. And tell her i still love her i still love her; in fact more than ever, that my soul is sworn to her. Tell her that she was the music to my soul, that i wrote a countless songs for her." Then reality suddenly struck me, "and if, if she has moved on well,tell her this records are a tribute to the love we once held on to; which I'm still clinging on tight." I said without wasting a breath and my emotions gave way. I wiped my eye in an exasperated manner and continued. "Sorry for that. So anything i can help you out with?" I said to which she smiled. I could not understand how she could gain pleasure watching my outburst; it was like she was rubbing salt over my wound.

At this point the mystery girl removed her disguise to reveal a similar angelic face."Sunang, I still love you, more than ever." she said, imitating me.

"SHASHA! " I was taken aback; happiness flowed into me like a flooding river.

"You thought I would desert you darling? Never again; i promise.", she said as i watched in silent awe; the God's had finally heart my heart's plea.

Our lips met again,  just like old times and a familiar tone began to play inside my head. The last time i checked it was playing still. 

I finally found the Music to my soul. :)