Because I Love You

'Will you marry me?’ Sid asked subtly while he held Aru's hand in his. They were on the Howrah bridge, the famous cantilever bridge in Kolkata, India, where both of them met for the first time and fell in love. Her innocence and beautiful smile conquered his heart and his loving gaze and efforts made her heart flutter.

‘I can't marry you. I'm leaving,’ Aru screamed. ‘Don't turn back, don't, don't...’ she repeated to herself while she sprinted to never meet paths with him again.

‘One chance, that is all I am asking from you. Don't leave me. You vowed to love me. Then why?’ he questioned her, as he embraced her warmly.

‘Don't you know why? Let go of me. I made an abiding mistake by loving you.’

He pleaded as he clenched his fist, his knuckles cracked and he senselessly stood on the railing of the bridge, ‘Stop! I adore you and I can prove it anytime anywhere. Please be my wife or else I will jump off.’

‘Are you off your rocker? Do you have any idea how difficult this is for me? Neither can I abandon you nor can I stay with you. You deserve better. Someone who can be next to you and support you forever. Who can be your strength, not your fear and weakness like what I am right now.’

‘I don't want to hear all this, just answer me,’ he retorted without a pause, ‘yes or no?’

‘Come down right now!’ She dragged him down and looked genuinely concerned.

‘All I care about is you.’

‘Do you recognize how dangerous it is?’

He leaned down to wipe the blood that rushed out from her mouth. He replied, ‘I am sorry, it's all my fault. Don't be mad at me.’

‘How can I not be? Do you think life is a joke? Jumping off will convince me to marry you, you wish.’

He gently rubbed her back to mollify her. ‘Calm down, I will never force you to marry me, I promise. Do you remember five years ago on this day, right here, you-’

‘Yes, of course, I recall. It's the day I confessed my love for you and promised to stay by your side forever. Sorry that I can't keep my promise anymore. Looks like god has other plans for me.’

Both of them stayed quiet for some time and stared at each other. It felt like their eyes spoke and there was no need for words in their conversation.

Later on, he added, ‘I beg you, let me stay with you. Keeping me away from you won't be able to diminish even an ounce of my love for you, in fact, my concern and feelings will grow deeper and deeper every minute. I want to give the whole world's jollity to you and cherish our time together even if it's only for a year, a few months, or even a day.’

She was on her knees and coughed continuously. Tears cascaded down her red cheeks; each droplet of tear denoted how guilty and helpless she felt.

‘My heart races unresistingly as you move closer to me,’ she whispered and unwillingly continued, ‘what is the benefit of this love that can only convey your pain? I can't afford to see you in agony after I die. Forget me.’

‘But-’

She held his fist with both hands and requested him. ‘I plead you to forget me and start a new life, where you get love in return, not grief. Because for a fact I know that, the more I hold onto you, the more I will hurt you. It's my last wish.’

He crossed his fingers and hid his arm behind his back and nervously mumbled, ‘Fine, I will obey your words and erase you from my memory. I know it won't be simple, but I shall try to be happy.’ He kissed her forehead and smiled at her.

‘I love you.’

‘I know…I love you too.’

‘I know.’

The end of their love or the rise of something much deeper and stronger? Fair or Fate?

True love. Passionate. Tender. Unconditional. Inevitable.

The tale that started with two strangers, will it also complete with them as just two ordinary strangers? How ironic would it be to encounter the birth of such passionate feelings, fade away in the middle of the chaos and crowd that revolved around the Hugli bridge?