Together Forever

By Yashti Agarwal

"Chris, L-Let's take a break."

"Huh? What do you mean, darling?"

"I mean, Let's break up."

"What the hell do you mean by break up, Alyssa?"

He was fumming in anger. The hurt, pain, betrayal, lost and confused, all emotions flickered in his eyes at that instant. I still remember that vexed expression of his, and that hurted me, hurted me so bad that I just wanted to turn around and embrace him. But, then could I? No, there was no turning back.

"Look me in the eyes, Aly. I know you don't mean any of these words. Tell me what's wrong? We will solve it, hmm?"

"There's nothing wrong, Chris. I want a break. That's it. I am tired of everything. It's getting hard for me, I just can't keep up. And, also this is my last semester of college, I can't risk it. I should focus."

"We can take a short break or can decide to not meet till your semester ends, but, let's not break up, alright?"

He said those words cupping my face in his palms, and so softly that I wanted to agree to it immediately. But, I knew there was no choice. I refused to meet his eyes because I knew my eyes would betray me and would say otherwise, afterall, eyes can speak the most unspoken words, and he knew that language very well. I also knew if I met his eyes I couldn't stop myself from clutching on him so tight and engulfed in those secured arms. The arms that are the safest place for me. The warmth that radiates from it, none of the blankets could provide. But, I chose against all these odds. I chose to turn back and run away, like a coward I am.

I left him.

Now, after whole 1 year 18 days, we have to bump in each other. Why? Is there any need for destiny to play with us like this? As soon as our eyes met, he froze and for a millisecond I saw those same emotions I experienced that day after my that brutal act. But, it was soon replaced by something that I never saw in those orbs for me. There was hate, rage and anger.

"Oh, who we've got here? Miss Alyssa, the best poet of the time."

"C-chris."

Before I could realise, a drop of tear escaped my eyes. I knew my eyes would betray me sooner or later, and they did now.

"Why those tears, Mil- Alyssa."

The word, which almost rolled out his tongue, how much I longed for it. To hear that sweet nickname from that soothing voice, I would trade anything I possess, but, is it possible? Again as those thoughts clouded my mind, a tear dropped off those eyes.

"Tell me! Tell me, why the heck are you crying, huh? Tell me, Aly. Did you miss me the same way I did?"

His high pitched voice turned into whisper and more droplets made its way to my cheek. Oh, how badly I want to wrap those muscular arms around me and bawl out my eyes.

"Aly, My love, please, please tell me why did you left? I know, study wasn't the reason. Please, share with me."

He never begged anyone, yet here he is, begging me to just let out the words that he 100% deserves to know. So, I decided to tell him.

"C-chris, I missed you. I missed you so much." As soon as those words slipped out off my mouth, he, so tightly embraced me and I cried in his chest. For how long we just stood there listening to each other's heart, which beats for only and only each other, I don't know. He didn't even complained once and holded me, letting me cry my heart out. When I stopped, I knew I have to explain each unanswered question, I left him with. So, I took his hands in mine and walked to the nearby cafe.

"Milaya, will you tell me, what exactly happened that day?"

Oh, such a sweetheart he is. After I left him with so much agony, he is still asking me if I could or not.

"Chris, I am so sorry. I am sorry, love. I am truly sorry. I wanted to fight for us, but I gave up. I gave up on you, on us. I am sorry, I am–"

"Shhhh, it's alright." He pulled me towards him and kissed my forehead so protectively as if he was telling me, he is here with me, to support me, love me and I am safe, which for a fact I know was true. "Baby, we are together. It's okay. I know you would never give up on me. You couldn't. If you wanted to leave, you would've left when I had nothing, when I was broken, but you didn't, and helped me to heal. So, I know you left because you had no choice, but now tell me why you did that?"

"I had no choice, Chris. I would never leave you. You are the only one I had and I have. Where would I go without you, I would have never left. But....but that day..." he squeezed my hand to ensure everything's fine.

"That day, Mr. Reynard, your dad came to me. He requested me to leave you, of course I didn't agree, but then he showed me your project details, he explained me, how you want assets to complete it and I knew how much it meant to you and I knew this project was dedicated to your mother. So, I listened to him. He told me that, Maddox family wants to marry off their daughter to you and they have all the powers to make this project a success. And this is the only way. I still had the doubt, but then he gave me the recording of the board meeting where you guys discussed the project, and members suggested the marriage alliance, but you denied and they all were angry and upset. So, I agreed. I thought it was the best way to help you. You had done so much for the project, I couldn't let you lose it."

"So you let our love loose?"

"I know it was stupid. I knew it would only bring pain, but I thought you would move on with the help of Mr. Maddox's daughter, and your dream would be complete. That was all I could think of. I thought it will pain you for sometime but after marrying her, you will be happy."

"And, what about you, Aly? Are you happy? Without us?"

"No. I am not. It pains me everyday. Thinking that you might have been married, it hurts me everyday. When I wake up and don't find you next to me, when I cook and you aren't here with me back hugging me. It feels too bad. When I think that I can't call you mine anymore. My heart stings. But, I don't regret it, Chris. Not even slightest. It's all worth it if you are happy. I swear I can deal with anything if in return I get your happiness and success."

"And do you think I am happy, Love? Do you really thought I will choose the project over you?"

"No, you wouldn't. I knew you would never choose the project if it meant us apart, that's why I did that, 'coz you wouldn't."

"My love, why do you always hurt yourself? Even if I would be successful I can't be happy without you. You are all I desire for. Baby.."

He wrapped my crying figure in his warmth and my head landed on his chest.

"I love you, Milaya. I can't give up on you. I live only because of you, baby. After mom's death, it was only you. Momma would never be happy up there if that project would be achieved for the price of you. She loved you so much. She wanted us to be happy, love."

"Tell me, why did you decide to be so selfless? You accepted that editor's offer just because you wanted to leave my life. You never wanted that offer. I am so sorry, love, because of my father you have to suffer. He just wanted the deal for himself. He wanted to trade me for his benefits."

"I am stupid, Chris. I know. But, d-did you marry her?"

I asked, pulling myself out of his grasp.

"What do you think? The title of my wife and Mrs. Reynard, is only reserved for you. I can't just give that to any other person."

"I am sorry, Chris. So damn sorry."

"Stop apologising, Aly."

"No, because of me we wasted 1 year–"

"And 18 days. I know, but we are together in one another's arms. Let's drop this topic and think of it as a nightmare."

"You counted the days?"

"Of course."

I smiled ear to ear and he mirrored my smile. We both are so happy and feeling euphoric. It's our home, our safe place. We are here for eachother. We learnt from this mistake, no matter what happens in future, we will hold on to us.

Together Forever.

By Yashti Agarwal