Under The Stars

“Hey, did you see that?”

“What?”

“A comet! It just passed by. Oh! I forgot to make a wish”

“Do you believe in those things?”

“Not until I met you”

“And what made you believe now?”

“Perhaps, I have something precious and now I don’t want to lose it”

“You know, you’re the one who’s leaving me, and it was the plan, to begin with. That was your first condition in the contract. Dude, don’t tell me you fell in love with me at last?” He laughed hysterically.

“Am I crazy? Hey, do you remember the day we first met?”

"How could I ever forget that historic day?" I've always wanted to ask you this question. Why did you accept my proposal? I later learned from your sister that you had never accepted a marriage proposal before mine." He looked perplexed.

"Hmm... I think your "partner description" on matrimony got my eye. "Someone to chill my life with" Boy! You were such a child."

“Okay. Who is talking here? The great mature woman who made a deal with her future husband on the first day they met to enter into a contract marriage so that she could satisfy her parents and society while focusing on her dreams and fly away one day"

"I had no option. But why did you agree to it in the first place? You could have rejected me instead of wasting your life.

“You know I like unusual things. I just wanted to see where it goes. Honestly, I don’t think it was a bad decision. Here you are, finally achieving your dreams of becoming a researcher and settling in Europe. And here I am, genuinely happy for you”

"I don't think I could have done this without you. Actually, I admit you'd make a great husband. I was truly a lucky woman till yesterday."

“So, how are you planning to discuss the divorce with your parents?”

“Probably after I arrive in Europe. Dude, you should accompany me to the airport tomorrow."

“Should I?”

"Of course, you should. Bro, don't tell me you have a date just after we got divorced”

“I think I have to cancel my date with my ex-wife.”

"I know you're joking. Even though the contract allowed it, you never went on dates while we were married."

“There is something you should know. I am always loyal to my woman – fake or real. That’s why I’m afraid I will miss you in the future.”

“I had no idea you were loyal enough to not go on dates. And I’m sure you will miss me as I am the charming one”, she smirked and commanded, “Hey, pass that beer bottle!”

“Oh, drama queen! I was joking dumbo. Who will miss you? Perhaps, our 70-year-old pervert neighbour will.”

She snatched the bottle from him and said “Go away, stupid”. 

“Hey, girl! You have reached your limit. Are you planning to cancel your trip by getting super drunk?”

She ignored him and gulped whatever was left in that bottle, wrapped her hand around his neck, pulled him closer and said,

"Do you see how those three stars form a line there?" That's the Orion belt. Orion was a hunter who fell in love with Artemis, Zeus's daughter. They were so deeply in love, but the same Artemis killed Orion due to a misunderstanding. So, she placed Orion in the sky with the stars so that everyone on the planet could see it from anywhere. Isn't it a tragic love story? I've always wanted to be a star in the Orion belt, -Alnilam, the middle and brightest of the three. You know I always wished to be in a deep genuine relationship. But my toxic relationships and trust issues proved me wrong and kept me away from people. I didn't really believe in marriage or love when I met you. I reasoned that being in a mutual fake relationship was better than getting hurt in the end. And Tada! here we are in a contract. It seemed to work well for us. I am so happy to have met you. You gave me the best moments of my life. So, when you miss me, look up at Orion and find me among the stars. Whenever you feel lost, I will be always there for you.”

He could feel the corner of his eyes struggling to keep the tear from falling. He turned away from her, wiped away his tears, and returned with a smile.

“What about you? What will you do if you miss me?”

"I'll call you. I'm not stupid to look at a star and think you're there. I think there will be times when I might miss you more. So, calling you every day would be expensive, wouldn't it? Should I take you to Europe? Oh! I'm so drunk!”

He knew she had a habit of spilling her true feeling when she is drunk. That's why he didn't stop her from drinking past her limit. You could call him selfish, but he wanted to know her real feelings today.

“So, you think you will miss me every day?”

“Every minute, to be exact. no! no! every second! every second I will miss you”

Even though it was drunk talk, she said what he had been longing to hear.

“So, you love me?”

“But first, tell me why you have a ticket to Europe in your suitcase. Do YOU love me?”

Her half-closed eyes met his with the affection she had harboured for three years. He cupped her face in his hands and looked into her tired eyes with his teary eyes. Everything was a blur to him. He leaned forward till he could feel her breath and then whispered "Yes!". He looked at her the way she looked at the Orion every time in love. He cradled her in his arms, and she slept like a baby, dreaming about their future under the stars.