the day of december

December was on its end. Our new semester was starting next week. We all were going for our 6 months internship with great hopes for job. I clearly remember that the day was Saturday when I was sleeping and my phone beeped up. It was message written “meet me at lake at 11”. It was from her. I 

had no idea about why she called me. I reached the lake sharp at 11. It was really cold, Specially when u reach an open place like lake, but thanks a lot to sun which was on its bright side that day. You could see couples sitting at bank of the lake hugging each other and enjoying the sun. As I entered the area I was on to call her when I saw her sitting on one of the stairs. I moved towards her but then stopped. I remembered she use to drink coffee in her spare time. So I moved towards the nearby coffee corner grabbed to cups of coffee then approached her. Standing behind her I said “yes the view is peaceful, can I enjoy this with you?” without turning back she said“ Firstly tell me, how come you know that I need coffee?”

I smiled and sat beside her. She took the coffee from me and said

She: do you have any idea why I called you here?

Me: No. but I am sure it’s something important.

She: we all are leaving our college. We will be moving to different cities for internship. I will be somewhere else and so as you.

Me: Yes , and there we will be getting our jobs and will get settled.

She: then what about us?

Me: US?

She: don’t try to fool me. We have been studying in the same class since last three and half years. We are that close that everyone used to think we are a couple. People used to tease us saying we are made for each other.

Me: I know all that but how does that explain US?

She looked intensively into my eyes and said

She : just tell me one thing, what u feel about us? The way you took care of me in these past years, the way you used to panic whenever I was not well. The way you made me feel comfortable and safe with you is not something someone does for his just friend.

Me: you noticed all those things?

She: do I look dumb?

It seemed like everything has stopped. The way she was looking at me I was thinking over and over without having any idea what say on this. I gathered myself, hold my breath for a split second and hold her hand. She gripped it tighter.

Me: yes I have feelings for you. It’s not from now but from the very first day when I saw you on the fresher night. The way you dressed up. The way you were talking. The simplicity in your behavior. The stability in your mind. The broadness towards the open world. That really fascinated me. and after being friends the more I came to know you the more I got obsessed. I was with you not because I liked you. It was because of your own ability to keep people attracted towards you.

She: why you never shared this before?

Me: honestly I wanted to propose you after this internship. I planned it long before. I thought after this internship I will get a job and will come back to you and will show you my placement letter and will ask you if you can be with me for the rest of my life.

She: but why after all this. Why not now? Why not three and half years ago?

I smiled and said: very common saying “no money, no honey”

She: what if my parents marry me somewhere else? Have you ever thought about this?

I was quite. I had no answer for this.

Me: I assumed that you might be getting married after graduation!!!

She: assumed!!!!!!!!!! How could you assume things in this matter?

Me: I want to marry you but at least I need to make myself capable to handle a family. I want you but on the time when I will be earning. I don’t want you to struggle with me. I want to give you a comfortable life.

She: do you really love me?

Me: I do. I really do.

She pulled out her hand, grabbed her belongings and moved out. I was sitting there looking her going out. I wanted to know what she was thinking so I called to stop her. She cut it off.

I sat there for a while. Then I got back to my place. I was restless, tried her phone for a number of times but she was not answering. i evening i was trying to watch TV by changing channels but had no idea what to watch and my cell beeped. Its showed a message.

“Promise me one thing.  After marriage no matter how badly we will be in our internal fights. The dinner we will have will be in one plate.”