The Winter Evening

The hustle of the city traffic wears down once you enter the relatively older part of the suburb. The river side has this aura of magnificent hue of peace, which is barely present within the busy peripherals of the city life. The setting sun puts a minuscule crimson within the horizon. Tiny dark umbrage of boats, carrying the fishermen skimming towards the culminating part of their voyage is an enticing sight in itself. The fading chirps of resting birds, around the vast branches of the surrounding greenery, yet aphotic trees are a measure of waning melody to the ears. Salubrity is hardly a common trait among the city dwellers but the brisk evening promenade is a healthier sign for the weary heads.

'Aditya. Hey!'

Throughout the cosmos, far out-reaching the ends of any chronology, both theoretical and real time, the artistry and glamour of that voice truly makes his heartbeat pace up and down. It is second to none. A semblance of pacifism filled all his senses with well-being. Wow. Such is the power of union of two souls, born on this one planet, completely unknown to each other.

'Hey! How're you doing, Ananya?'

'I am doing good. In fact, bloody cool.' She said, clutching a book by her bare hands.
'Bloody! Aha, sounds very steamy.'
'Oh please! That's the least brutal word I can use.'
'So?'
'So?'
'Have you read it?'
'You can bet on it.'
'And?'
'Read it. Completed it. Loved it.'
'And?'
'And what? It deluged my sleep. For once in years, I loved my sleepless night and, for this, thank you.'

'And so you brought that book along. Won't you like to keep it'

'Yes, of course. I would love to. The context of the fiction in this is so dazzling!'

Undeniably. Only it wasn't meant to be simply a narrative. At least for him. For him, the characters weren't just part of that novel. The male and female protagonists were a symbol of metaphor in his lively heart. How long he had wished to say this to her but he just won't. He couldn't afford to lose her. Not that the clout and power of his love wasn't colossal but he was timid. She was this amazing and wondrous lady who meant the world to him. Her smile alone was lavish enough to eradicate melancholy from this world. The idealism and elation she radiated gave him euphoria and joviality. He felt complete with her. He felt home. The zeal of eternal glee in her presence was impossible to put down with mere literary alphabets. Words fizzle to debut from his lips when they met. She was the only one he felt serene with. Reticence was a trait he couldn't help with and the truth, well stayed a few steps outstretched. Always.

'What are you holding?' She asked, pointing to his hands.

'Oh that's nothing. Just mom's capsules that I picked up from the medic along the way.'

'Is she all right? What are they for?'

'Perfectly fine. Couldn't be better.'

'Wish her all the good health and perfect condition.'

'I will, surely.'

'Let's move along. I have this small party going on at my place. I slipped out through the guests to meet you. It won't be long until they find out I am missing.' Giggled Ananya.

The chary within his face gleamed like red obsidian. The blush would be visible from light years ahead. Such was his mirth.

'Goodbye, Ananya. Always an honor and bliss to meet you!'

'Eh, don't say goodbye. This isn't the last time. Also, pleasure's all mine, mister.'

Goodbyes are tough. Every time. He wanted to see her, again. That very time.

'Can we stay a little bit longer?............I wanted to tell you....' He said this in his mind, knowing well enough the supremacy he held over his conscience.

Their eyes met. She smiled. His eyes shied away. His heart skipped a beat, almost. The silence felt magical. She turned to progress. He wanted to hold her hand. He didn't. He resisted. She walked down the street and advanced her way around the corner until her presence faded. He took a deep breath. Her companionship was the best thing that has ever happened to him. It was simply mystic. There was no explanation to this. It was natural. Some things are artlessly flawless. Allegiance and affection are few of them.

Among the dead end of the dusk, he had almost forgotten the most crucial thing in his itinerary. Clasping the wrapping of the package, he took out a couple tablets and gazed through the prescription under the dull street-light. The doctor had asked him to take them three times routinely. It was supposed to be his last course. Time, as they say is relative, and it was failing him. He didn't have much.

Holding down tears and grappling the letter which he had brought along for his charming lady, he embedded it inside his pocket, gulped down his pills and took off towards the twilight.