They called her the quintessence of perfection.
The whole world appeared to be assembled around my chances of running into Sasha. I wandered the faintly lit, wet streets of Kohima; people walking with their umbrellas bent at odd angles attempting ineffectively to fend off the rain as the course of breeze was only as unpredictable as a broken smile.
I threw a momentary look toward a paan shop offering safe haven to people who’d left their umbrella behind, hopeful that I might spot Sasha amidst the bystanders. It was a slender notion but it excited me. I didn’t perceive her. One of the older girls gave me a get-your-eyes-off-my-chest expression which I reluctantly shrugged off.
The gloomy weather only corresponded to my mood when I couldn’t locate her. I stood motionless as the drizzle blew across my face, considering the possibilities of where she might be. I concluded I’d head to the library as she oft spent her time reading. I popped a gum into my mouth as I neared the entrance of the library. Just in case I thought and chuckled under my breath.
My assumptions were precise after all. Sasha sat there, reading Austin’s Pride and Prejudice. My mouth went dry just at the sight of her. Our eyes met for a moment, she looked away nonchalantly. I picked up a book from the upper shelf and pretended to read in the attempt to recover normalcy. Our eyes met yet again and this time she tittered. My cheeks crimsoned to a light shade of red. I stared dead at my book, which I had been holding upside-down the whole time.
I faked a laugh, more embarrassed than amused. She made a slight motion suggesting I come to where she was sitting. I went over and sat adjacent to her.
“Sasha, I am deeply in love with you.” I began as if silence had lost all meaning. That was the thing, I always liked to come to the point at once and I hated myself for it. The librarian threw me a dirty look.
She mused for a while “Can we talk this out somewhere else?” she began, sounding annoyed. “Cappuccino?” I offered. She stormed out, I followed. The people looked about us with an air of conspiracy.
Technicolor café- the apparently aged billboard read. The walls were peeling away at portions; a Beatles’ song played in the background.
“Anything I can get for you?” it was the waitress. The list of available amenities was modest rather than impressive. “Cappuccino and sandwich for two please.” she placed the order. The brilliance of her eyes dimmed the dull lighting of the restaurant. A sensation of déjà vu swept across as I’d pictured this scene in my head ever so often. The clinging of silverware brought me back to the present.
"I got something for you" I said timidly as I handed the viciously draped present to her. "Aw.... you shouldn't have." she said as she grabbed my cheek. I beamed defiantly. "I hope you'll like it. I wrote it especially for you." I said and began sipping my cappuccino nervously.
She undid the plastic wrap with a level of concentration that touched me. She intently examined the first few pages of the book, and then landed her baby pink lips on my cheek.
"You wrote all this just for me? Oh, it’s a masterpiece. I mean how long did it take you? So sweet of you." she said and wore a genuine smile. She locked her exceedingly bright eyes into mine. "Sunang, you're the sweetest person I’ve ever known." she said dreamily. "Is that a yes?" I asked, so much about coming to the point at once. “Yes. Yes, it is” she said, smiling still. I let out a blissful sigh. She placed her hand on mine as she sipped on the last drop of her cappuccino. “I love you” we said unanimously in film-like perfection.
The swift winged hours hastened along as love took over. We transformed the obsolete attic into a miniature studio which became our love nest. Music united the two of us. We spend much time listening to our favorite tracks on the radio. Thinking back, it is amazing how many memories a solitary song can trigger.
She called me Melody and I called her Love as if it were our own names. I finally found the missing pieces to my soul; Music and Love. We were as close to heaven as mortals can be. Times couldn’t get any better, I knew…
…Only worse. The shadows were stolen by the fall of dusk as I listlessly looked out of my window; the December drizzle embracing a thousand impenetrable emotions upset the solemn silence. She stormed into my room, quite breathless. Her eyes were moist; I had a vague hope that no dreadful news would come about.
“Daddy’s got himself a new job. We’re moving out of town.” she said shakily, breaking my chain of thoughts. She was soon overcome with emotions. It felt like a blow to the stomach. I froze in utter dismay. “I understand, Love. Everything will be alright.” I said still, trying to sound hopeful.
An air of tense silence surrounded us, emotions mixed with uncertainty. I took her by the hand and planted a kiss on her forehead. We walked the chilly streets of Kohima, the thought of separation hovering upon us like a dark monsoon cloud. This was our final walk together. I felt emotions I never knew existed.
"You are the most beautiful chapter of my life dear; and I promise you, this isn’t the end." she whispered, handing me a locket with the inscription Music and Love. “It’s only just the beginning.” I said and placed my lips upon hers. And in that moment, everything seemed to fall into place. As I headed home with a sinking heart, I noticed a baby pink guitar in the corner shop whose hue reminded me of Sasha’s pink lips. A sense of nostalgia stirred me as an avalanche of fragmented memories came crashing in. I managed a weak smile as I walked in. The instrument was strikingly elegant. For some reason, I knew she’d love it.
I was woken by a staccato of buzzing bells. The waves of the early morning sun ran through her hair. “I’m leaving, darling” she said as tears streamed down her face. I ran my thumb across her cheek and embraced her like I would never let her go. “I’d like you to have this before you leave.” I handed her the baby pink guitar. “Remember me somewhere along the lines of our love songs.” Her dewy eyes lit up all the more brilliant.
Sasha left; my only aid was music faithful. I composed innumerable songs with the hope that someday we would reunite. I converted my once-obsolete attic into a proper recording studio and named it after the inscription on the locket; Music and Love. But Sasha took with her a piece of my heart and soul I could never be complete without.
Five years after the separation, a soberly dressed young woman with thick spectacles and a hood over her over her head, stormed into the studio. “Excuse me. Do you know of someone called Sasha?” she said, startling me. I didn’t know what to say. I just couldn’t find the words.
“She was the best part of me.” I said more curtly than I had anticipated. “Are you a friend?” I asked and looked into her eyes. Those eyes; I couldn’t mistake them for anything in the world. She was smiling now. I smiled back. She removed her disguise, and undid her hair to reveal a familiar angelic face. “Sasha…” happiness flowed into me like a flooding river.
Our lips met and a familiar tone played inside my head. The last time I checked, it was playing still. I finally found the music to my soul.
Story