The Chubby Couple

Sahil, when did you last take a look at yourself in the mirror?

Why? What happened?

Just go and check out yourself in the mirror. You are barely twenty or twenty-two now but look like a thirty years old uncle. Look at your pot belly, chubby cheeks, the dark circles around your eyes, your pale face which used to be fair. You have gained at least twenty kgs in the last three months.

I know you have been working hard for your dream project but you should change this lazy lifestyle into a healthy lifestyle. You rarely move out of this room. The whole day, either you work on your laptop or read books.

I know brother, even I also want to exercise regularly but the laziness inside me is not allowing me.

For now, forget about exercise. Just walk one or two round around the park. Inhale the fresh air of the morning. You will surely feel better. Who knows? You might get some fresh ideas for your business. Come on, get up.

He thought for a moment and then replied, 'You go alone today, I will join you from tomorrow', and he covered his body till his head with the quilt.

I haven't seen someone as lazy as you, Ravi yelled at him disappointed and left for his regular workout.

After an hour, Sahil woke up and thought to look at his five feet body in the mirror. He looked exactly the same as Ravi had described him earlier in the morning. He cursed himself for being lazy and promised to join Ravi from the next day.

Next morning, Ravi dragged the quilt from Sahil's body and threw it on the sofa placed beside the bed. Leave the bed within a minute or I will throw a bucket full of water on your body.

Panicked Sahil, obeyed him obediently and after freshening up they went out to their society park.

It was early October, the sun had just come up. A cool breeze was blowing, alarming the onset of the winter. The environment of the park was quite energizing. Birds were chirping. Squirrels were playing, hopping from one tree to another and sometimes in the green grass in search of food. People from almost all age were present in the park. Some were doing yoga while others were busy playing badminton, football and cricket. Sahil saw an old man around his nineties, walking in the narrow lanes of the park with the support of his walking stick. He felt ashamed of himself seeing the determination of the old man at such an old age. Nevertheless, he started walking behind the old man. He walked his first round slowly enjoying the cool breeze soothing his body. And then after two round of brisk walk, he sat on the bench. He loved the way his increasing heartbeat was calming down slowly. He was glancing around the park when his eyes locked upon a girl standing opposite to him. She was shorter than him but fatter than him. Blessed with a round innocent face. She wore rectangular specks on her small snub nose. She looked exhausted. 'She must have jogged at least five rounds of the circular park', he thought. But there was something more to that girl which his instinct had conveyed to his heart. He kept smiling and staring at her until she passed by him, giving him a mocking smile as if encouraging him to do exercise and lose some weight. He was left stunned by her reaction. He kept taking his eye tonic until Ravi returned after his workout and then they left for home.

'So how are you feeling?', asked Ravi.

Awesome! replied Sahil feeling the magic of love inside him.

Good, your should come daily.

I will!

Let's see, replied Ravi mockingly.

Whole day Sahil kept thinking about that girl, he thought to talk about it with Ravi but postponed it.

Next morning to Ravi's surprise Sahil was ready before he came to wake him up.

That day, he not only walked around the park but also jogged and did some exercises as well. The girl also kept an eye on him. He felt proud that he had managed to attract her. The following afternoon, Ravi had to go to another city for a one-month internship.

Sahil continued his routine but couldn't gather the courage to talk with her. It was around two in the noon, when his mobile rang.

What's up fatso?

I'm good. How are you?

I'm also fine. Are you going for the morning walk daily or back to your lazy routine?

No no, I'm going daily. In fact, I love going to the park every morning, replied Sahil, his voice intoxicated with love.

Hey, you are sounding different, are you in love?

'Umm..yes, I think so.'

What? How? When? With whom?

Hold on...hold on! You remember the chubby girl in the park?

Yes, I had seen you staring at her.

She is the one.

I knew there was something cooking up in your mind. So, fatso is dating a fatty, teased Ravi.

I'm not dating her. Forget about dating I haven't exchanged a single word with her yet.

What? But why?

''Fatt ti hai yaar"

"Abe fattu...talk with her before she leaves you for anyone else."

'Yeah, I will try."

Or wait till I come back. I will talk to her.

Come soon, brother. And they hung up the call.

The thought of leaving scared him and he thought to talk to her next morning. But the next morning was not a pleasant morning. He had barely slept for an hour. He was suffering from cold. He had a mild fever, bad headache and his throat was aching. Had it not been for her, he would never get out of his bed.

Amazing! Isn't it? Love lets you push out of your comfort zone.

He was sitting on a bench in the park for half an hour. She hadn't come yet. He thought she may be late and diverted his mind playing with the squirrels. He threw nuts in the grass, the squirrels came there, picked the nuts with their forehands, took a glance at him, offering their gratitude and then got busy on eating the nuts. Almost one hour had passed but the girl hadn't come. He waited for half an hour more and then returned home sadly. This continued for the next few days. He started regretting and cursing himself for not conveying his feelings to her. It was another morning, he sat alone on a bench, lost in his thoughts hoping that she will come and suddenly she appeared before him. Sahil was surprised and overwhelmed by her sudden appearance.

Sorry, I was ill, that's why I couldn't come for the last few days.

He was still recovering from the surprise so he replied simply by smiling blankly. He thought about saying something but got choked.

Come let's walk together and forever, she said grabbing his left hand.

And since then both of them walked together for forever, both in the park and life as well.