Forever Yours

As the result of a bitter experience, Siddarth despised love. He believed that ‘true love' is nonexistent and merely a myth.

"I hate Valentine’s Day," cursed Sid. He owns a small florist shop and all of his staff had miraculously fallen sick that day.

"Of course, they would! Those liars!" he thought. He very well knew that every one of them would be partying somewhere, celebrating this purposeless day with their lovers.

The only good that this Valentine’s Day had brought him was the increase of demand for his flowers. But unfortunately, he was the only one present at the shop just like the previous year, so he had to work the entire day, nonstop. He had to run, to and fro, from the shop to his customers, delivering bouquets. Despite making several excuses for the delay in delivery, he still had to endure the colorful swear words of his angry customers. He had a feeling that even the fresh flowers were mocking his tiredness. So after finally closing the shop, a completely exhausted Sid went home to relax for the day. But fate seemed to have different plans for him.

Soon after reaching the apartment, Sid received a call from his roommate.

"Sid, get out of the flat and don’t come back until nine. I am bringing Reethu over," informed his arrogant roommate. Letting out a frustrated sigh, Sid thought, "He has no authority to order me around!"

But his treacherous conscience readily replied, "Of course, he has! He owns this bloody place."

But he chose to ignore it and had decided to take a walk to the beach.

Sitting on the shore, he waited for the evening to pass, observing the movements of the waves. It was then that he had noticed a large glass vial floating on the water. Tormented by torpor and piqued by curiosity, Sid dived into the sea and retrieved it. After several failed attempts of uncorking the ancient vial, he had finally succeeded. Inside the vial was a fragile piece of a very old parchment. Carefully unrolling it, he read,

"Beloved Rick, my only love,

Beneath the full moon and to the ocean’s whispers, you have asked me a question.

Unknowing my reply, you have ventured onto the vast waters, honoring your duty to the flag.

Every day, I pray that the next would be our day; the day I unite with you; the day that brings the dawn of the victory— victory of our nation and of our love.

But my dearest, I now fear that the destiny would fail us, for the riots here had turned gruesome. If my fears come true against my prayers, I wish for you to be aware of my answer— yes, my love, I would be honored to don your ring.

Henceforth and forevermore, I shall keep pleading the ocean, to drift this message towards you.

Forever, only yours,

Cynth."

Mesmerized by the letter in his hands, which was a literal proof for the existence of the eternal love, Sid had smiled for the first time that day. 

"True love indeed exists," he thought.

As the night took over, wondering about Cynth and her Rick, Sid began his walk back to the home.

That day, invisible to the naked eye, the ocean too had smiled with content. It has finally delivered the letter, albeit after a lifetime.