A Dream Come True

Ting tong!!! The doorbell rang.

How come the restaurant delivery is late today?!, she spoke to herself without a thought of anyone else being at the door. She was used to speaking to herself most of the times now when she was alone at home. Probably she was tired of waiting and hoping if anyone would ever drop in to meet her or care to check on her. Anisha was a single parent to Tina, a caring, vivacious 17-year-old girl. Life and circumstances had brought her to witness this day. Ting tong!! the bell rang again but in 3 quick successions this time. Now she knew who this could be. It was Tina, with a box of cheese cake. Both Anisha and Tina loved the Philadelphia cheese Cake once upon a time. Tina had continued to crave for it while Anisha had given up sweets and confectionaries for more than 2 years now. Seeing Tina, she threw herself into her daughter’s arm at the door itself wondering if there could be a love greater and deeper than the one the duo shared.

They walked into the living room discussing the events of the day so far while they waited for the food to arrive and the doorbell rang again. Tina made an excuse to go to the restroom and freshen up so Anisha went ahead and opened the door.

“Hi Anisha” exclaimed Ritu. Shocked as ever, Anisha asked in a sarcastic tone, “Ah! What a pleasant surprise!!! Finally, you found time to check on me. umm. After like 8 long years?”. Anisha, nearly pinched herself to check if she was dreaming or was her bestie standing in front of her was for real. 

Ritu and Anisha were besties for the last 22 years and studied in the same college. Their friendship was the result of an intercollege debate competition where they were opponents to each other. Unlike the usual friends that go their own way after graduating, Ritu and Anisha chose to pursue Masters in English Literature through Mumbai university and chose the same B.Ed. College as well after that. Both not only pursued the same college and career but also the same work place. Despite having been colleagues who taught the same grades and subjects, Anisha and Ritu never competed against each other unlike the college days. Their friendship had seen all the shades of life, been through all the thick and thins and yet stood strong.

“Jeez. You haven’t changed a bit, Anisha. When will you stop pinching and start believing what your eyes see?!” Ritu grumbled while she hugged her.

“Never. Ever. Period. I am what I am and I love the way I am. I will change or nobody ever, Ritu.” Anisha replied. She smiled though her tone was a little firm.

“Okay, okay, we love you the way you are baby.” Ritu reasserted and went on to share her life she’d lived for the last 8 years when she was completely out of touch with her family and friends.

Fifteen minutes had passed by now and Anisha was famished since an hour almost. Frustratingly she picked her phone to call up the restaurant from where she’d ordered the food. The number was supposedly busy. Impatient as ever, “I’d better cook than order from this restaurant in future.” she murmured. Once again, she dialed the restaurant number and there rang the doorbell. Hurriedly she disconnected the phone and rushed to open the door, expecting it to be the restaurant delivery boy.

To her shock, this time it was her school friend Liya. Speechless once again, Anisha quizzically looked at Ritu who was on a call, checking if it was a conspiracy planned to raid her place that day. Ritu had known Liya as Anisha’s soulmate. A friend who’d been with her like a shadow during all the ups and downs especially during her dad’s heart surgery and her mum’s demise followed by her dad’s within 24 hours. Liya had never let Anisha be alone ever since then.

Liya had married to a white who lived in San Francisco. After marriage, she had to move to the US. Life had changed drastically after Liya had moved base. Anisha had felt lonely then for she had also lost the love of her life, Raj, in the same week after Liya had left for the US. Tragic as ever, life had to be accepted at its face value and Anisha had to muster courage and live life head-on for she had Tina to be nurtured and taken care of. After all, Life was meaningful only because of Tina’s presence. While Liya was away, she never ignored Anisha or her needs. She was always there, just a call away. From Orkut to Yahoo and skype to WhatsApp video calls, they had experienced it all to stay connected.

Liya and Anisha had spoken just 2 days ago but Liya had not informed her about her visit to India. This had made Anisha suspicious about her visit because off late things weren’t going too well in Liya’s married life. Her marital bliss had turned to a curse or so it seemed to Anisha from the way she had narrated her sob stories with Anisha.

“Is everything okay?” Anisha asked as soon as Liya threw her bags in her bedroom and sat cross-legged and relaxed on the Indian seating arrangement made in her living room. Yes, Ani. All is well. So far, so good. Roger has agreed to visit a marriage counsellor and has also promised to see a gynecologist once I return. Let’s hope for the best.”

Anisha gladly took her hand in hers and told “It will all be well. Just don’t give up on hope and have faith in the Lord. He knows what’s the best for you.” Hopeful and optimistic as ever, Anisha had left no stone unturned in sharing the pearls of wisdom and being a great counsellor to her friends always. Yet, deep down, somewhere while spreading positivity and faith, Anisha has lost all the hope herself, that someday the love of her life, his beloved, Raj, would run to her and stay forever. And her own words of hope rang into her tiny little head and she drifted into her own thoughts.

Tired she was of the constant ups and downs in his married life that had led to constant squabbles and intermittent disconnect between Anisha and Raj which had been more frequent then and that’s when she had decided to leave him 10 years ago.

She wouldn’t allow his entry into her life until he would choose to stay with her forever. She’d walked away saying this, boldly and stone-heartedly, for the sake of her peace, her strength, for she had to nurture Tina single handedly after all. It was a difficult path for him, but surely not an impossible one. Yet, Raj had failed to cross the ocean and come over. It was a decade now that they hadn’t seen or spoken to each other. Anisha had lost all hopes and had given up on the bond that was the most precious, the most sacred for her After all, according to her, Raj was her twin flame. Of course they were, anyone and everyone who knew the two would not deny this. Even strangers who saw them starred at them in awe for the love, spark and connection they had shared. But this love and cherished connection was all gone with time as they weren’t in touch any more. Or may b it had just been paused for a while like how one survives when in comatose.

“Hello, hello, hello!!! Where are you lost Ani?” Liya enquired while she saw Ritu walk into the living room. The three friends had met after a long time and had loads to share and unload the baggage they had carried with themselves ever since they were out of radar. Ritu and Liya now knew what they could do to irritate their bestie and started tickling her around her waist and neck like the young adolescents would do when they meet for sleep over or for fun and frolic. Anisha smartly moved towards the kitchen by kicking Liya with her left leg and pushing away Ritu with her right hand and saved herself from their unannounced attack when the doorbell rang again.

This time, hoping it is the food she had ordered, Anisha took her wallet and opened the door while she kept scurrying into her purse for a 500 rupee note and screamed asking for reasons for the delay in the food delivery. No sooner she lifted her head to see why no one is replying to her questions she realized there was no one at the door. Shocked as ever, she opened the safety door and checked left and right. She couldn’t believe her eyes. A huge 3 layered bouquet of red roses waited there for her to notice it. She was at a loss for words by now. The 3 most important people of her life were with her at that moment. So who could this be? Who would have sent this bouquet? And wait. Was it for her or for her gorgeous daughter Tina? She thought at once and looked out for a tag on the bouquet but without any success. She called out for Tina who was in her bedroom and told her to enquire with the security at the main gate.

By now, Ritu and Liya were also standing beside her at the main door with eyes wide and round when they saw the bouquet. Speechless for the moment, for all three of them knew this in their heart how much Anisha had loved the red roses and no one except Raj had ever given her the same. No one ever dared to even gift her the roses for all who knew her knew it well that only Raj had been given the right to gift her roses. While Anisha stood there still, Liya stepped out, picked the bouquet and walked towards the dining table where Ritu had managed to create space for the bouquet.

Behind the bouquet swayed a tiny little card that read-

Yours Forever

Was this happening all for real? Anisha though as she stood there shocked. 2 old friends, then a bouquet from an unknown source. Was it a fortune-fall of love or a planned thing? Unfathomably emotional, Anisha looked up at Ritu and Liya with teary eyes. Ritu and Liya knew very well how to compose Anisha. They wrapped her into their arms and held her tight. Anisha was shivering by now. She was worried already. Was it Raj who had sent the bouquet? If yes, then why had Raj given a comeback?Or was it a new fan of hers? She was silent and numb. Tears soon started flowing down her cheeks for red roses reminded her of Raj and her past she had long ago run away from. Raj was the last person she would have wanted to see that day. She had struggled hard to lock all her memories and emotions associated with him in a treasure chest which she had sealed and buried into the realms of her soul a decade ago. She could now feel the tremors for she knew what was now resurfacing in her mind and soul. With trembling hands, she held her besties and begged if they were aware of anything but her efforts went down the drain.

While Tina returned with the details of the florist from where the bouquet was delivered they heard the doorbell ring yet another time.

This time, Anisha had no courage to check who was at the door so she just gave a look and Tina knew what she had to do. Tina peeped from the eyehole but found no one. Worried as hell, Anisha stood up courageously and opened the door. She looked left and right but she found no one. After waiting for a few seconds, Anisha decided to shut the door. As she turned around to do so she felt a pair of hands cover her eyes using a blind fold and before she could react she also found her hands tied at the back. Now, the potential threat to her life was obvious, so she screamed for help but in vain for her mouth was shut by the person using 2 brand new unused kerchiefs. She tried shouting but no sound would be heard. Were they around? What was wrong? Why was nobody answering? Why was the person so hard on his grip? Why was she being taken into her own house this way? Was she going to be raped? Or was he a goon here to take away all her hard-earned money she had saved for Tina’s future? Scared as ever she walked into her own room with a millions of thoughts.

The bedroom door was shut as soon as she was pushed into it by the person who had been holding her hand escorting her to her own room. She tried hard to loosen the grip of the person but she couldn’t succeed. And suddenly she realized the blindfold on her eyes being untied. Anisha caught up with her breath and slowly opened her eyes. She couldn’t believe her eyes any longer.

Her bed was covered with petals of red roses with a big white heart made of white lilies which had 2 letters A and R made using pink carnations – second favourite flower. Behind the bed on the plain white wall she could see a slide show of her photographs with Raj and their favourite song being played - Perfect by Ed Sheeren.

The French window to her left was lit up with 12 long threads of yellow rice lights that had had a heart in the end which shone in bright red. On her bed side table lay a Diary whose cover page read – The Story of Us. Next to the book was the Maroon Pierre Cardin Pen, a box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates, Lindt, Lindsor, Kisses, a bottle of Beer – their favourite one indeed!!

Right next to she saw was a pale golden envelope addressing – To my dear Anisha. For a moment, Anisha felt like a dream and stood there still. She was still not strong enough to turn around and have an eye contact with Raj. Their last meeting and the last burning gaze was still so fresh in her mind and soul and she did not want to live t yet another time. She wasn’t sure why Raj was there and wasn’t even sure if he would leave them and go away again. The thought of Raj leaving them itself was killing her inside already.

With great courage, she walked up to the bedside table, picked up the envelope and slowly opened it. There was a letter and a solitaire ring. The edges of the letter had a cut-work design in gold. Carefully, she opened the letter and started reading it.

To My Lifeline, Anisha.

 

Will you manage to tolerate this loser guy who’s lost a decade trying to fight all obstacle to be with you today? Will you bear this moron for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and a long life ahead? Will you marry this idiot of yours?

Yours for eternity,

Raj.

 

She read and reread the letter thrice while tears kept rolling down her cheeks. Raj could hold himself no longer. He walked towards her and wrapped her in his arms from her waist placing his left cheek next to her right one. Anish felt the wetness too. But it was not because of her own tears, but Raj. She turned around and held him tight. 

“Together forever, never apart. May be in distance, but never at heart. I love you Anisha. Will you marry me and be mine forever?” He whispered into her ears. Slowly, she moved her head behind to look at him. While tears were still flowing away, softly she murmured a yes while placing her moist lips onto his dry and eager ones. A long and passionate French kiss is what they loved and longed for always and never allowed anyone to disturb them when they indulged into it.

But today was a different day. Tina and Anisha’s friends Ritu and Liya had lost all their patience. They barged into the bedroom uninformed and pounced on the couple locking them up in a circle.  

Ting tong!! The doorbell rang yet another time. This time all of them knew who it would be – the delivery boy with the long awaited food Anisha had ordered for her and Tina.