Part – 1 “Him”

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My first memory of you includes snow, and you always knew how much I love the color white. I distinctly remember you sitting on the entrance stairs of our new house, upset because we had kept you waiting and irritated because you had to skip your dance class to welcome us. Our flight had been delayed for half an hour and migrations had eaten up another two, it was late evening when we finally arrived to notice you, sitting on the stairs with your head resting in between your knees. My dad thanked you for being so kind and I was told that you were his friend’s daughter and that you lived a couple of blocks away. When we entered the house i finally caught a glimpse of you, of your black and soothing eyes. Your hair was brushing your cheeks and playing with them. The mole on the tip of your nose stood apart, the heavy snow and the unceasing cold had freezed everthing. But the mole with its black color stood aloof and apart from everything that was red and cold. I remember you smiling and asking me if I was tired. My mom wanted you to dine with us but you declined the offer ever so gracefully. The new house and the unknown surroundings were making me very uneasy. I was told that before we moved in you used to live here. Your father got promoted and you moved to a bigger and better house up street. I chose to spend my first night in the room which belonged to you. Your bed was mine and resting there with my eyes closed made me feel next to you. I was not uneasy anymore because I knew you were there with me, the night was peaceful and I slept well. You were the reason for it.

The first time you ever spoke to me was because you were amazed to know that I had left my school midterm and was on a six month long break. It had been a few days since I had first met you and the mole on your nose had been completely forgotten until it reappeared capturing me with its elegance. I was told to take a trip to your school to familiarize myself with the surroundings and you. My parents wanted me to befriend you so that I won’t feel lonely and to make sure that my studies would not be affected. You were always the quiet and brilliant kid, a kid I was supposed to despise, hate and frown at. When my mother threw her first volley of accusations comparing me with you, I wanted to do the same. I wanted to hate you, but the more I tried; your mole kept drawing me to it and to the fact that how it made you look beautiful.

Our cycle ride to school was the first time you ever touched me. I remember you were scoffed at the very idea of letting me ride your treasure but when you tried to tug both of us on the same bicycle you failed and we fell down. I had scrapped my knee and it did pain a lot, You made sure I never felt the pain. You brought your lips close to it and prayed. My agony disappeared when end of the prayer was marked with a cool breeze escaping your lips and touching my knee. I could not feel the pain anymore. After my scrapped knee taught you a lesson you never complained. I happily rode your bicycle and you sat behind tucking your arms around my waist.

We had learnt to enjoy each other’s company. The ride to malls and movie theaters were fun with you. The more I was with you the more I wanted to be with you. Days were sailing fast and I had learnt to accept your presence in my life, probably even demand more. I loathed the fact that I could see you only in the evenings, You often dropped in with your parents making it very difficult for me to communicate. I always used to find excuses to run to your house and when I finally ran out of them, I learnt to take the longer route to the super market making sure I always crossed your house in the evenings. You used to water the plants and all my “hellos” were greeted with a warm smile across your lips.

Then it was your birthday, I had waited for 3 months counting each day and saving each penny for it. I was very excited and to impress you I had used my father’s kit and shaved. The after cologne on my cheeks bore an impression only to captivate your beauty. I had run down the street late evening to buy you flowers and your favorite chocolate. Your birthday party was full of people and in its prime when I arrived. I was awestruck by the first glimpse of yours. You were wearing a white evening gown with glitters all over it. The light had its own reflections and it made you my angel. An angel I wanted to be with forever.

I kept staring at you and you kept smiling. You grasped my hands into yours; I was electrified by the touch. You wanted to show me your room and the gifts you had received. Your room was a beauty in itself, from the white walls to the well tucked blue bed, from the stuffed teddy to your ear rings placed on the table it was exquisite. I knew I belonged here; the room contained your smell. The same husky mist which had helped me overcome my fears and sleep peacefully.

The curtains were drawn in and when I switched on the lights, the room shimmered as the reflection of the perfect rainbow I had seen last night. You glittered amazingly in the set up and the only thing I could ever notice was the black colored mole and how it felt left out of everything that was sober, classy and white. I took your hands into mine and leant in to show it its perfect place. My lips descended and that was when you screamed. You broke off the bonding our hands perfectly shared to make them touch my cheeks. A slap was presented to both my cheeks as I stood silently, peacefully with my head hung in shame, trying to absorb details of your room, a room I was certain being never allowed to enter again.

My parents came rushing along and that was the last I ever saw you. You glittered in a perfect delicate set up with your tears hauntingly matching the symphony that pre existed, filled and swallowed the room.