IT'S TOO LATE...

In the secluded corner seats at the movie happened their first kiss and she tasted his soul in it. After the movie, sitting outside,she gifted him a couple's ring which they thought would speak a life time promise to each other. The rings had the word 'love' carved into it but both the rings had only half the word and made sense only when kept together.

That perfect day came to an end and he left with a promise to come soon.

And he did come again for her. They watched movies together and he let her rest her head on his shoulders whenever she felt sleepy and she felt sleepy all the time. They made the best use of multiplayer games and he always made sure she wins even though he pretended to be annoyed at that. She loves when he sleeps with his head on her lap and he loves the sensation her fingers give when they run through his hair. Every morning they woke up to each other and she wished that this vacation would never come to an end.

At the airport, she knew it's becoming something which she can't let go anymore and looked at him with so many questions. He was busy getting his boarding pass and checking his luggage. She stood behind the restricted limits and waited for him to come and say a final good bye. He came after completing all the procedures and hugged her tightly, allowing no space for even oxygen. She tried hard to restrain the tears and inhaled his scent deeply. He walked away and with a sudden impulse returned and hugged her once again which made her cry even more. They held hands for one last time and the only thing to which her eyes stayed fixed was on his wedding ring which always made her realize that its not their fairy tale but a romantic tragedy. She knew it will hurt her very badly when he chooses his family over her but she never knew it will feel like a tang of death.

*****

Daily life took its toll and he became busy and she became lonely. The intimate calls became 'just to catch up' and feelings turned into hurt. But they knew it's just a phase and their love is stronger to overcome anything, but reality struck only when she talked about future with him for the first time. He said he need time and she perfectly understood what he meant by that.

After that, she didn't even dared to ask him anything about it because she knew very well that his answer possess the power to break that brittle soul within her. He didn't even dared to mention it ever again because he knew he can't promise her anything and the truth will take her away from him.

Their fairy tale turned into a fantasy and 'the happily ever after' became a long lost dream. She knew her time in that wonderland is limited and he knew he is about to lose that very thing which he never dreamed of losing and the only thing which he experienced close to life. That killed them like Dimethyl mercury, a slow poison where symptoms start showing after months which is definitely too late for any kind of treatment, your mind is wide awake but your body doesn't respond, and you feel your life slipping by but can't do anything to grasp it. You know what's next and that moment you wish you were dead.

The days passed without either of them attempting to think or discuss the seriousness of their situation as if avoiding the truth will make it untrue. The 'just to catch up' calls became painful and hurt became a part of daily life.

The fateful day finally came.

APRIL 2, 2015.

He called and she knew that something is wrong even before answering the call because he never call that late at night. He said it's not going to happen and he wants her to find the love that she truly deserves. But he didn't knew that all that she ever wanted and everything she wished upon every shooting star and every fallen eyelashes is 'him'. She silently cried and he breathed in between sobs at the other side of the line.

"I miss you" he said and her cries became even more audible.

"I love you" she said with a tiny expectation to hear his reply.

"Bye" came the reply shredding her into pieces.

Which started with a 'hello' ended after too long with a 'goodbye'.

*****

She lie in her bed in complete darkness, with lights turned off and acknowledge her tears only after tasting the saltiness on her lips. He don't call her anymore and she don't check her phone even at midnight 3 am for his messages anymore. The disappointment in not getting even a single message and the yearning to hear his voice at least once subsided after so many tear soaked pillows and countless meeting with the counsellor.

They returned back to blankness called life and he let her get consumed by it just like dust by vacuum. He know that there will a situation where they have to see each other once again but have to pass by as strangers, too busy to notice each other. They went their separate ways. But still, every night their souls return to each other to mourn over their love and loss.

******

THREE YEARS LATER.

While looking at the photographs taken at a distant relatives wedding, he spots her once again. After all these years he never thought just an image of her can erupt such emotions within him. The wedding band on her ring finger was the one to catch his attention first. Then the smile which didn't even reached her eyes and then those eyes which stares at him with a plea killing him all over once again.