Darkness and Love!

Darkness was illumined the pale moonlight, outshining the stars and making things scarcely visible. I could hear the deafening silence interrupted by the crickets and my own rhythmic heartbeat. I took a step forward and heard the noise as I crushed the dry leaves. He said that he’d be here but there was nothing of him. I wanted to go back to the safe corner of my room but I was determined to know why he had called me here.  

I could hear his footsteps treading lightly, nearing me. I knew it would be him, I had the insight it would be him. All kinds of emotions flushed into my face. I turned around, facing him looking at his bright blue eyes, making the stars look like they are not shining. Then he took my hand into his and he said, “I’m really sorry I made you wait this long.” I said it didn’t matter but he could still see that worried look on my face.

He made me sit down on the bench nearby, and he sat beside me. My hands were still holding onto his and I didn’t know why. Taking a deep breath he said, “I know I’ve been ignoring you for quite a long while. I know you want to know the reason why but it’s now that I have the answers. You are my best friend and I just couldn’t keep anything from you. After all I realised you were the only one who could understand me!” Saying this I thought I knew where he was heading.... He continued without looking at my face, “I have kept things from you and there are many things I would want you to know about me. I have been hiding things for quite some time, but you are the only one I can confide into and the truth is.....”

I closed my eyes and parted my lips to speak. That’s when he shushed me and I tried to question him but all my attempts failed. After a few minutes what I saw had taken my breath away. The moonlight mitigated darkness had been overcast with small twinkling lights on every tree and plant of the park. I was mesmerized and awestruck by what I saw I expected something else but all I could stare into was the monster sitting beside me. Shocked and surprised as I was, I realised that I was shivering too. I took my hands back and they were resting on my knees, glistening with sweat. I couldn’t believe what I saw. Trying to look away he saw the frightened look in my eyes and immediately came back to his human form.

I got up from the bench and said, “I’m really sorry but I have to go!” And with a steady pace I started walking away from there. He started following me, trying to stop me. I was holding myself together, wrapped myself tightly around my elbows, trying not to fall apart! I just couldn’t think straight and I ran back to my house. To the place I would be comfortable and alone. Running past those buildings and trees made my head feel dizzy. I reached home at last and I just banged open my door, went and sat at the end of my bed. Holding my head in my hand with my elbows on my knees and that’s when I just fell head down on the floor.
Getting up a few hours later I realised that I was hallucinating again. Feeling really tired I lied back down on my bed. My phone buzzed to life and picking up the call I realised it was him. Saying that he wanted to meet me at the park in 30 minutes. Getting all ready I realised I really didn’t want to face the stress. I went to the park and stood there again waiting for him. Every scene from my hallucination started replaying again.

Seconds turned into minutes. I stood there wondering what to expect and what not to do. Turning around and facing him was the only moment I felt relieved. “Where were you all this while? I have been waiting since so long?” Holding my hand and calming me down he said, “Sorry for making you wait this long, I just got caught up in something. Come sit with me, I need to talk.” Taking baby steps and trying not to freak out. Keeping my distance I sat beside him. Still holding my hands I started wondering again what if my hallucination came true. I was hoping it was only an illusion but could that be possible after all of them came true one day. “I know you’ve been wondering what is all this about. I will get to it. But there are things I have to clear out and I need to get my story straight.” And that is when he said it, “Aaliyah I love you! Will you be mine? I know I’ve been ignoring you for quite some time. But I had to get this straight and I thought ignoring you would just make it go away but my life became miserable.”

My heart skipped a beat! Unable to breathe I gasped for air. I looked straight into his eyes and could see the truthfulness in them. All I could think of was him. I saw his face and he sat there still just waiting for my answer. I couldn’t speak, with my mightiest effort all I could say was, “Yes!” We sat there looking at each other. I wondered if he knew that it was such a perfect timing I’d turn 19 and he’d turn 21 tomorrow... Yes, our birthdays were on the same day! But he was 2 years older than me. He brightened up like the sun lighting up the day.

He held my hand, and we started walking around the park hand in hand. That is when I told him,” Sid I love you too but here’s the thing you can’t love me. It’s not going to be right you are only going to be in pain. The truth is I can see the future and all of it comes true but only some parts differ. I’d like to be honest with you but before you called me I hallucinated and I met you in the same park and u were late, I was worried and you revealed to me what you actually were a monster. I freaked out and went home and later I realised it was only my imagination... But part of it comes true like you see. And one more thing the more I hallucinate, the more chances of me dying faster because it affects my mental state and the doctor says that it might get me into a coma and after a few hours I end up dying.”

It all came out in a rush and he stared at my face without even blinking. He held my hand tightly and without saying anything just hugged me. It felt good being in his arms like I was safe. But all good things come to an end. He looked at my face and told me, “Aaliyah listen to me now. No matter what happens I will always be there with you and for you. I will take care of you and spend every minute that I have with you. You don’t have to worry about anything now as long as you have me I will try to protect you. And please don’t ask me to leave you it already caused too much trouble to stay away from you.” Saying this he looked at me for an answer and warm tears of joy came running out of my eyes and burned my face. He held me closely to him and deep within my heart I felt that I was with the right person.

Euphoria was finally kicking into me and I headed towards home after spending an amazing time with him. Spending our birthdays together was a perfect birthday gift. The time we had been a once in a lifetime experience and I believed that the perfect day had a perfect ending... Days were flying whenever I spent them with him. Months turned into a year and we had a great time each day... I was surprised when he took me to the park and set up a picturesque scenario in front of me. I was mesmerized and awestruck. Not knowing what to say he understood my silence said everything. Every scene from our first night was replaying and I realised that I haven’t had an illusion for exactly a year.

Surprised I went to the doctor and he said maybe it stopped and that was a good sign. Returning back I told him about what the doctor said, and he felt happy for me. That night we celebrated together and while dropping me back home I collapsed into his arms. Screaming out my name he tried to wake me but nothing happened. I was admitted into the hospital and I had all kinds of MRI Scans. But the results showed nothing but that I was in a coma.

He sat beside me every day at the hospital and just holding onto my hand letting me not slip away. He prayed all night long for me to just get up and call out his name... Days changed into a month and one night I flickered my eyes open staring in the blank ceiling making my mind feel serene. I saw that he was asleep and I held his hand tightly as if to not ever let go of it and just said a word for which he was praying me to say, “Sid...” He nudged his eyes open and for the first time I saw tears in them. He kissed me on the forehead and went and called my doctor. After a few tests and scans the doctor said that I was out of danger.

 After a few days of being under observation I was let off to go. He welcomed me home with all the care I needed and I was made to believe that I’d never have illusions again. I don’t understand why people say that happy ever afters exist only in fairy tales. I was living my own dream and had a happy ever after with my prince charming!