Recap:
Pip, against his principles, falls in love with Rachel who joins their school in the 8th standard, at the very first sight. He holds his feelings to himself for 8 years even though he doesn't even see her for 5 years after school. And now he is all set to propose her. His thoughts wander through all his school memories with her as he waits for her arrival, sitting on a park bench.Contd...
Waiting for her…
That is what he has been doing all these years. ‘Waited for this moment for over 5 yrs. Waiting another 30mins, when you know it is going to happen, is not going to be a tougher task’, he told to himself. He enjoyed even the waiting. He dreamt about the beautiful days ahead. He dreamt about how happily he would take care of her. She was so precious to him. Not even the thought of missing her was tolerable. He dreamt to see her happy all his life. ‘Would never say no to anything she asks’, he thought. He dreamt to drench her in whole lots of surprises. He dreamt to be romantic. He dreamt of their kids. Obsessed in love, he has been a dreamer for over half his conscience years. ‘I have everything a girl wants in me. I am smart. I am intelligent. I am doing good in life with good education. I am always active with good sense of humor. I help my mom in all household work so I know that too. Above all I have been committed to her since over 5 years without even seeing her for these long years. I must be one of my kind in lovers’ he thought. His confidence
overshadowed all apprehensions. He consciously avoided apprehension as it was unbearable for him.
“Im strtng… Wll b thr in 10mins” No longer than 5mins from his previous reply, his phone received this message.
“k” he replied.
He quickly put the rose and greeting cards in to the backpack and while leaning back on to the bench, started wondering how she would look like now. She was stunningly beautiful in school days.
He remembered the day, way back in 9th standard, when she gave a solo dance performance on stage. She looked the best that day. It was during morning assembly for inter-House competitions. The song still runs in his mind.
“Parde Mein Rehne Do Parda Na Uthao
Parda Jo Uth Gaya To Bhedh Khul Jayega
Allah Meri Tauba - Allah Meri Tauba..”
She danced for over half the song holding the saree pallu, which was running over her head from behind, in front of her face with both the hands. It was only towards the end that she removed the ‘parda‘ and exposed her beautiful, naturally flamboyant face. Pip couldn’t help himself from applauding her in spite of being an opponent house leader. He fell in to green house while she was in Yellow.
He also remembered their last meeting and wondered if she would look the same. It was in school, on the day when he went to take his memo (Matriculation Memorandum). It was the day when he started believing his love. The belief that he lived with since then.
All he needed then was an omen from nature that he should proceed with his deeply embedded feelings. And it came in the form of a totally unexpected but most anticipated meeting as she too went to the school, along with her little sister and dad, to collect the memo, on the same day and at the same time.
He would remember all these days for ever. They are the defining moments of his love.
“Pip!” questioned Rachel standing just by the bench he is sitting on.
to be contd...
to be contd...
