I could start feeling the perspiration in my hand as I dialed his number for the fifth time and disconnected again. Without thinking any more I dialed his number again and just as expected, he picked the call within the second ring.
“So how did it go?” was his hello.
“Well, if you minus the drama, the yelling and screaming, I would say pretty much okay.”
He didn't say anything to that, and I had nothing to offer either.
“We had expected this would happen.” I say after the silence that seemed to last for eternity.
“Yeah, of course we did. So what do they want?” he asked partially frustrated and partially worried.
“Doesn't matter”
“It does, what is it?”
“There's absolute ridiculousness and black-mailing. Nothing important.”
“Would you just give me the exact words?” he almost shouted.
“They want me to stay, okay? They want me to stay with them, marry someone and they seem pretty sure I will find love again. How about that?”
There was silence again and this time I had no intention of letting it stay any longer.
“Apparently I'm all they have. Well you won't disagree. What say, sweetheart? Shall I stay? Won't that be just absolutely great?” I shot back at him sarcastically, a reaction triggered by the extreme pressure life was putting me under.
“What do you expect me to say then?” he yelled again.
“You have said enough and I did as much I could have. Now, we go by my plan. And I need no argument from you. Is that clear?”
“Yes. Okay.” he said slowly.
“I'll see you at office on Monday, keep your passports ready.”
“Okay.”
“Hey, I love you”
“I love you too”
***
I didn't call him since Saturday night and he didn't try either. We both needed that little time to process what we were going through and for what we were going to do. I picked up the bottle of wine I had saved up for a special occasion and rushed to office. Its been a long time we had a good meal together. Maybe we'll drive to his favorite dhaba for the meal.
I hurriedly walked into my cabin and dumped my bag on the chair and was about to leave for his cabin when I saw a wine bottle already on my table. It was holding a green paper beneath it.
Hi Ashwin,
I truly don't know how to start but an apology would seem appropriate. I'm really sorry for not listening to you once again and this time I can only hope that you would forgive me some day. Before you read any further, I just want you to remember that I have loved you beyond anything ever and letting go of you is the most painful thing I have done so far in my life.
I took a transfer to Amsterdam. I had been discussing with our CEO about this since a while. I took an early morning flight today. I'm sure you could take the next flight and reach here. Only I don't want you to. They're your parents, Ashwin. They were there everytime we needed them. I don't think you should deny them the one time they need you. I'm not saying this because I lost my family, I just know you won't be able to take it if you had to lose them too. No matter how hard you try, I know you cannot stop caring about them.
So, I'm leaving you here to do that job and do it right. Now don't you think I'm asking you to marry a woman, have kids and spend your life without love. I will always be waiting for you. But just come on the day when your parents understand what you really love and are truly happy to see you with me. Until then, please don't stop fighting and I promise I won't stop waiting.
Here's me hoping that someday I would wake up beside you in a land where our dear ones accept us just the way we are, here's me hoping a forever with you, here's me hoping for you to come take me back home soon, here's me hoping you'd forgive me sometime.
With love and longing,
Yashwant
***
3 years later...
"Sir, whom should I say is here to see him?" The receptionist asked holding the phone line.
"Ashwin Sagar. He said he would be expecting me."
