Soulmates Need Not Marry As Life Partners Do...

I was dozing in my cosy bed while the cool breeze gave me a morning hug and the glints of the sun were kissing me good morning just like it used to happen with me four years back. It felt like today I am going to live those incredible days again. With my closed eyes, I said ”Good morning, Rhythm”, waiting for his response but, soon I realised I was hoping something that can never happen. I and Rhythm parted ways four years ago as we respected each other’s thoughts and decisions but could never blend them together. I pulled myself back to reality with tearful eyes telling myself that, we neither see each other nor exchanged a single text in all those years. I woke up from my bed and went to the mirror who has always been my best friend. I sparkled gazing at myself in the mirror thinking of all those enormous sunrises and at the very same time my eyes were moistened, whom he used to term as sparkling pearls. I still remember he used to love my eyes and always confessed that they are like ”sparkling pearls” which nobody could ever ignore if they see once.

All of a sudden, my phone rang interrupting my feelings. It was an indication to visit my favourite mall, where I and Rhythm had countless great memories. I had to go there to purchase a gift for him, as it was his birthday a few days later. I used to buy gifts every year on his birthday, which I knew I can never give him. I didn’t know why but as if the morning was still singing to me. I was feeling as I was on cloud nine and could not conclude what was happening to me. I stayed with those emotions for a while sipping my morning coffee. Then I got rid of my thoughts and equipped myself for the mall. Today, I chose to walk to the mall and not drive as I wished to sense the magical mother nature and celebrate my own company. This was occurring to me after a long time and I did not want to neglect this feeling, so I started walking to the mall.

As I took each step towards the mall I began to feel butterflies in my tummy. This sentiment accelerated with every step I moved forward towards the mall. I still kept stepping ahead and as I reached the mall I felt terrific and wonderful. I had all the varied emotions at the same time. I couldn't tell what I was sensing. I looked on all the four sides in the mall as if I'm looking for someone, soon my eyes noticed ”Clara Jewels” outlet. I walked in and there was a mesmerising titanium ring kept in the presentation which I noticed. Oh my God, it was the same ring that I wanted to get for Rhythm as he adored it once. It was the same unique ring which I vowed myself to purchase for him on one of his birthdays. But that ring was never available in the stock after that but today it was there. As if the universe expected me to purchase it for his birthday. When I saw that ring in the presentation I ran down the memory lane and began reckoning those extraordinary days smiling like an idiot. I battled to stop my tears from rolling down and paid for the ring and collected it from the billing counter. I purchased it for him though I knew I can never gift it to him now.

I moved out carrying the ”Clara Jewels” bag which contained the ring and initiated moving in the corridor making an effort to walk as fast as I could as I didn’t want to weep in the mall. I was walking too fast that I didn’t look anywhere and crashed into a guy. As I bumped into a guy the bag of the ring fell down from my hand and the box opened to express itself. I grabbed it saying sorry in a shivering voice but didn’t look up, though I felt the guy’s touch very satisfying and personal and started walking again. I imagined a low pitched voice from behind ”Gazal, isn't that the same.....???” He left it incomplete. I supposed I was imagining Rhythm’s voice. Still, I couldn’t restrain myself from looking behind. I turned over to ensure if it was really him or I was just visualizing. I saw him, I pinched myself as I looked into his eyes. I had a smile on my lips along with tears and respect in my eyes for him, though I can’t deny he too had the same reaction. He too had those precious pearly beads of water in his eyes, it was hard to conclude that were they the tears of joy or suffering. We both kept gazing at each other but neither of us approached a single step. Finally, he started walking towards me yet I remained still as I couldn’t believe that it was he who was straight in front of me after four long years.

He came close to me, he came too close that I could feel his nose puffing on my cheeks. I shifted backwards looking into his eyes. He kept coming close till I hit the grill of the balcony and could not move backwards anymore. I kept looking into his eyes without even blinking once because I did not want to miss a single moment. Not to tell an untruth I was even scared to blink as I felt if I blinked this fascinating dream will come to an end. He clutched me in his arms right there paying attention to nobody, I sensed like he's hugged me to never let me leave again. I could not prevent myself from hugging him back. I hugged him after four long years, I can not specify those emotions in phrases. It appeared like he is back but I realised within moments, that can never happen as we both have moved on in our individual lives. Thinking of it tears started tumbling down my dimpled cheeks so I closed my eyes supposing that he will not see my tears. He rubbed his hand in my hair and then touched my chin to lift it upwards and leaned down to kiss my forehead. That kiss was so magical that it relaxed me completely and I felt like he kissed away all my unfavourable emotions that were dancing in my head just within a second.

I gathered all my strength and opened my eyes and pushed him a little away from me with a sweet smile. I held his hand and said,” yes, this is the same ring... and I bought it for your birthday”. Without explaining anything further I placed the ring on the bench beside and kissed his hand whispering ”Happy birthday in advance, you are the tune to my poetry. (I paused and further added) Never forget Gazal and Rhythm are soulmates and unlike life partners, soulmates need not connect by marrying each other. They are bound forever by the universe. Love you till the end of the universe.” He nodded with approval and I left his hand and ran away from there so quick that I might not get a single chance to turn behind and look at him as I knew I would not be able to abandon him if I turned around.

I took a cab and went straight up to my secret hideaway in the town which knew all my secret emotions. It is a place full of mother nature, I sat there under a tree to jot down the entire episode in my diary. As I stood up from there I heard a middle-aged lady chuckle and she announced: ”SOULMATES NEED NOT MARRY AS LIFE PARTNERS DO”. I realised that I was narrating loud enough while I penned down the whole experience in my diary. I giggled and delivered a nice smile to her and wandered in the woods for a while before I walked back home.