Love Beyond Everything

He rushed to the cabin, noticing her through the glass window.

"Hey. You here? A long time. Seven long years. When did you come? How are you?" He asked in one flow.

He dragged the chair and sat looking at her, keeping his hand on the table.

" Yes. I'm fine. How are you?" She replied, slowly looking at his watch.

"All good." He smiled, taking a deep breath.

Maybe he pretended to be normal, though she felt his restlessness. His emotions and happiness were reflected in his eyes. After all, they are meeting after seven years.

And, he is in front of her...

The same shirt and the same black watch with a blue dial she had gifted him on his birthday, his smile worked as an add-on spark to that moment. He still wears it, she wondered.

She smiled back. She was nervous to toes. It has been seven long years, and still, she is unable to make eye contact with him. Not because of a shiver, but because a feeling of nervousness acquires her each time they meet. She worships him. She adores him.

"I think it's high time. You can at least look at my face now while talking. Why so till now? Is my face very ugly?" He teased, observing her nervousness.

" No, Sir. I'm sorry. "She replied.

"Crazy girl, still you are childlike. I was kidding." He added.

" Any work here? All of a sudden, you are here after years. And, we never talked within these years, too. Your wish it was, and I was bound to follow. I had heard about your marriage. " His voice lowered.

She nodded yes.

...........

A flashback took her years back. How madly she was a stalker! Eventually, he realized her feelings! But, there was the wrong time to be together, and how they parted ways away. Maybe she was afraid of carrying the responsibility of a relationship, and she couldn't fake promises. She was never a selfish person. His happiness was her everything and beyond.

That afternoon, she kept a pen on his table, which she borrowed from him a few minutes before. She started leaving the room, and he held her wrist, ''Wait. I want to say something. Please, listen once."

"Please say." She turned back to him.

" Two years! I know you were not joking. No matter what your mouth utters, your eyes express the truth. I can read it. All the things you have done for me are not crushing things. I admit, I took years to realize, but why are you running away from all these excusing this as a stupid random crush." He firmly asked.

" Trust me, Sir. It was my crush. No such hard feelings. I just enjoyed the time. This was beautiful. " She faked a smile.

Tears started filling the corner of his eyes, and he gently pulled her by her shoulders.

" Tell me the truth, for God's sake. Why are you doing this to us? I can't live without you. Cut the crap. Stop calling me, Sir."

She was shivering in his hold. Their eyes glued and fixed on each other. Their hearts were discerning a quake.

" It's hurting." She voiced.

He sensed her pain and loosened his clutch. " Sorry. Look at me once and say, "I was your crush." You never loved me."

She turned to hide her tears.

"I got my answer. By the way, I did not want to know your answer as I knew it from day one. I can't stop you. But, remember, I'm all yours for life." he confessed.

"Your dignity matters. I loved you always. But, we can't be together. I don't want anyone to blame you as we belong to a sacred forum. And, you realized my feelings after your marriage got fixed. Don't you think it's too late? You will break it, but what about that girl? What's her fault? So it's better to break everything between us. Swear on me, you'll do this for me if you love me. That's it." She replied and left.

The next day, he texted her. " Can we meet today for the final time?"

"Okay." She typed back.

In the evening...

"I'll marry. I'll obey whatever you say. In my whole life, I have never met a girl like you who can do everything selflessly without thinking about anything. The way you love me is irreplaceable. You want me to get married and I'll. I promise I'll keep her happy with all my heart, though it'll take some time. But, promise me, you'll choose someone to always be happy with him. Your smile is all I want. It is my precious asset. Please, don't let it fade away." He expressed.

"Hmm. I'll. After a few years. " She lowered her eyelids.

 "If possible, please come to my marriage. " He said.

"I love you so much that I can let you go with someone else too. My love is not weak. But, I'm a human, and I can't see this in front of my eyes. And, I will not invite you to my marriage too. I'm leaving the city this month with my family. "She smiled.

"Can I hug you for the last time?" He fumbled.

"No." She got stuck in tears.

"Please...," he insisted.

She strode to his chest, murmuring no.

He circled his arms around her. They both were crying.

..........

"How is your husband?" He asked.

"He must be happy. We are not together now." She replied.

"What! Are you joking?" He was surprised by her reply.

"No."She smiled and briefed the matter.

He walked towards her chair and came on his knees, holding her hands,

"You don't even think of me as your own. You promised to be happy always. You suffered all these and did not even think to inform me once. Why? Didn't I deserve to know this?''

They both were in tears and looked at each other.

Her phone rang, and she picked it up.

"Yes, Maa. I'm coming back this evening. "

She stood up and started walking towards the door.

"Anushka, please, let me hold your hand again. I did not get married. I could not ruin her life. I told her everything and... " He said without staring at her.

She, to her utmost surprise, looked at him.

He ran and hugged her tight and broke down to the ultimate level. She had no clue how to reciprocate him.