Marriage was a promise, a promise to stand with each other through thick and thin. Marriage is a connection of hearts. A bond so pure, that one should fight to protect it.
******
I went and opened the drawer of the nightstand. There was nothing in the drawer except two halves of a broken heart pendant. I took the pendant and twisted the steel chain around my fingers. The pendant was a continuous reminder that all broken halves could not be joined, they can only be forgotten. I wish so badly that I could revert back time and join the broken halves. Fifteen years ago the halves were one, but a lot has changed since then.
Fifteen years ago
I kept on filling the plain sheet of paper with colour, what form the colour was taking was still a mystery to me. I suppose it was a portrait of my family. However, my attention was elsewhere. It was on my mother.
My sister sat comfortably on her hips, supported by her slender arms. It was indeed quite fascinating to watch her move. The elegance and grace with which she moved was bewitching. She was like the free-flowing water, the kitchen was her river. With one arm she held my sister, while with the other she cooked, cleaned, arranged and fed my sister. This made me confirm my faith on the fact that my mum was a superhero.
After two hours of loitering in the kitchen my mother finally stopped moving and looked at the dining table, pleased with her work. A satisfactory smile played on her lips. She then turned her gaze towards me, "Honey, can you please take care of your sister" and placed my one year old sister onto my lap. I saw her sprint up the staircase. She was very excited.
An hour later the clock struck 6 P.M. It was time for my dad to return home. As soon as the clock chimed my mother ran towards the door, her blue gown flowing in the air. As she was about to turn the door knob, the door bell rang, announcing my father's arrival. It was like they could feel each other's presence. They were always in sync, like two halves of a puzzle.
My mother lunged at him and wrapped her arms around his neck, while he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Happy Anniversary!" they both said at the same time, they stared at each others for a while. Soon they broke into fits of laughter.
My dad walked into the house, his hand still holding my mom's hand. He kneeled down to our height, "So how was your day?" he asked, his voice dropped low so that it was barely audible and said "Do you know if your mother planned anything for me?" The only response he got was in the form of my sister's baby noises and my silence. His shoulder slumped and his head hung low. "Well I guess I have to find out," his voice sounded defeated. My dad hated surprises almost as much as he loved my mom.
"Oh don't sulk, I worked hard for it," her face had an expression of mock hurt.
"I am sure honey, whatever surprise you planned would be amazing" he kissed her on the cheeks. Apparently my father knew exactly how to pacify mum, a very useful skill. She gave him a charming smile and led him to the kitchen.
The kitchen was lighted up with numerous candles. The table was decorated with food,plate, cutlery and did I mention food?
"Honey, this is beautiful. Thank you" my dad said to my mum. He enveloped her into a hug and kissed her forehead. My mother's cheeks were pink by now. The sight in front of my eyes was truly beautiful and very cute.
My mother told me, "Your dad was my prince charming, my knight in shinning Armour." Her voice always held some pain in it, but she never delved into it. Now that I look at them, I know that my mum is a princess while my dad is a prince charming and like every fairy tale they are going to have their happily ever after too.
"I have a gift for you both," I announce. They raised their in interest and their lips formed a smile.
"Elizabeth look your sister has a gift for us," said my mum to my baby sister who was sitting mightily on her high chair. Her face held boredom, she could not care less.
I brought the radio and placed a cassette in it. Soon the speakers of the radio came to life and the music started to play.
"When I get older losing my hair
Many years from now
Will you still be sending me a Valentine
Birthday greetings bottle of wine
If I'd been out till quarter to three
Would you lock the door
Will you still need me, will you still feed me
When I'm sixty-four
You'll be older too
And if you say the word
I could stay with you
I could be handy, mending a fuse
When your lights have gone
You can knit a sweater by the fireside
Sunday mornings go for a ride
Doing the garden, digging the weeds
Who could ask for more
Will you still need me, will you still feed me
When I'm sixty-four
Every summer we can rent a cottage
In the Isle of Wight, if it's not too dear
We shall scrimp and save
Grandchildren on your knee
Vera, Chuck and Dave
Send me a postcard, drop me a line
Stating point of view
Indicate precisely what you mean to say
Yours sincerely, wasting away
Give me your answer, fill in a form
Mine for evermore
Will you still need me, will you still feed me
When I'm sixty-four"
I was singing and dancing to the song. Though my singing had improved , my dancing not so much. After my tiny performance I took a slight bow and looked up at them with a toothy grin. They soon erupted into loud rounds of claps. " Well done ! sweat heart," said my mum.
"Well now my gift won't even stand a chance next to Evellyn's," my dad remarked sheepishly. "Nonetheless, I will give it a try" he walked up to mum and took something out of his pocket. It was a heart shaped steel necklace. "I will always love you," he hooked the necklace around her neck and then proceeded to kiss her on the lips. Her eyes were glistening with tears of joy. She kept on touching the pendant which was resting on her chest. She whispered a "Thank you."
My sister decided that it was the right moment to announce her gift. "Mama" she uttered, soon followed by "Dada." We all were staring at her as if she had grown another head. After good amount of staring, my parents erupted into joyous laughter. "Best Anniversary ever," my dad announced, he had such a huge grin on his face that you could see his laugh lines. I was still silently staring at my sister. I tell you she had the most impeccable timing.
The entire night passed by with us eating and my parents bantering about who my sister and I love more. I could only stare at the little angel sitting beside me and contemplate the power her two little words held.
Present
That one single pendant could bring tears of joy, but it could not wipe the tears of sadness. My heart broke when I remembered those happy moments. It brought so much of pain, I want the pain to end. Glue might be able to fix the pendant, but what about my broken heart?
I clutched the pendant to my heart. "I wish I could fix everything," I whispered. I desperately wish everything was as it used to be. Fates had played a cruel game on us. I give the pendant one last glance and shove it inside the drawer. I fish out a key from under my pillow and lock the drawer.
******
Hello Readers,
Another one of my reminders: Life is too short to be angry and to have grudges. If you are in a healthy and happy relationship, maintain and cherish it. Now is the time to tell them what they mean to you. If you are not in a healthy or happy relationship, then I think you should just leave it and save yourself from a lot of pain. Just be sure that when you look back you do not regret anything.
Thank you for reading! I will try to update every Friday or Saturday. Don't forget to vote and comment.
P.S. the song is When I'm 64 by The Beatles
Spread love,
Thedreamer64