I looked up from my work and gazed at her. The memory flashed into my mind...
...I was walking down the corridor. After all, after going through a lot of frustration, tensions and sweaty palmed nervousness, I had chosen the ring and I was going to propose to my life long childhood friend.
I was dressed intricately and had no compulsions regarding my feelings. Today was the day.
The do or die day.
Sigh, even though my thoughts were all grandeur, my body couldn't penetrate the thick veil of tension.
I wiped my hands against my coat and walked forward.
And then, there she was, running towards me. I smiled and waved while she grinned like a Cheshire cat and approached me like a freight train.
She came near me and jumped on me, while shouting,
"MUTTON, I did it. I confessed to my childhood crush and now he is my boyfriend. Oh, thanks a lot mutton for being my best friend and encouraging me to embrace my feelings."
My hands went cold and clammy in a second.
Sure, I was called mutton, it was all because of my childhood revulsion towards mutton while my neighbouring people relished it.
I forced a smile, yet it never reached my eyes. All my dreams had shattered. I had thought that she loved me. That's the reason I encouraged her.
Argh! The frustration was hitting me in tons. I composed myself before I broke down, and replied,
"Sure thing, girl. I am glad for you. Now, as you can see I was heading out to a family function, I'll talk to you on Saturday? Maybe you'll treat me to a party? "
I faked a grin and started moving forward. She called out and accepted my proposal for the celebratory dinner.
I rushed out of the hallway and went to the parking lot.
I entered my car and slammed hard on the steering wheel.
It was only then the tears started flowing.
I had lost her. She could never be mine, I had to exist as a friend for her now...
"Mutton, what are your thoughts on this? "
I tried my best to conceal the fact that I hadn't zoned out and maintained the pretense that I was listening attentively to her.
I looked at her and asked, "Um, thoughts on which matter? I was thinking about my work, got a bit engrossed in it."
She accepted my flimsy excuse and asked me again,
"Why do you think that all the caring men are taken?"
I looked at her and pondered on how to reply on that topic, but, before I could reply she continued,
"Well, you see, mutton, I have been in a relationship before. And he was a typical 'bad boy' and as I was still wonderstruck by what was going on around me, I admitted my feelings to him and he accepted - just to have me beside him so that I could boost his reputation and standing in his gang.
Oh mutton, why can't everyone be caring like you? "
She sighed, and I looked up from shock.
I stuttered my answer,
"Uh..Can I meet you tomorrow? I..in m.. my house? "
She looked up at me in surprise and murmured her assent.
I quickly winded up my stuff and ran to my apartment.
Lord, I felt on top of the world. She had given me a hint!
My heart was beating like a maniac.
I opened the door to my apartment and rushed to get the ring. The ring which was still meant for her hand, even though 5 years had passed.
I went on to create the perfect atmosphere and went on practicing my proposal. This was my chance. I had to do it. I had to confess to her.
The next day, she arrived at the designated time. For sometime, we made small talk.
After a while, she looked up and said with a tinge of asperity in her tone,
"Mutton, what do you want to say? I can literally feel the tension. What is the confession you want to make? Did you get promoted? Fell in love? Had sex?
What is it mutton?! Tell me or I'll leave!"
She stood up and was glaring at me. I approached towards her and bent down.
I went on my knee and started speaking,
"Hon, we have been together since ages. From the day you took your first step to puking on me while you took your first drink.
We both became friends from the moment we saw each other. Sure, living as neighbours was a benefit, but it was us which made the moment magical.
You were the pole star for me. Heck, you are the pole star for me. The light which guides me out of the darkness. You were with me when you first named me 'Mutton' and I believe that you will continue doing so till the end of my life.
I have these warm gushes inside me whenever I see you, hon.
You are one of the reasons I love to live. You are the backbone and the reason for my strength.
I want to be there with you when you feel low. I want to be happy with you whenever you are ecstatic.
I want to spend each and every moment of my life with you.
From childhood buddies to teenage gossip to the guy best friend and to me as a lover confessing to you,.."
I reached into my pocket and took out the ring.
".. will you be my girlfriend?"
She looked at me with tears in her eyes. I could sense steel in her will and she took a deep huge breath and replied
"Oh mutton, mutton, mutton, you cute guy, you ended up falling for me, didn't you?
Well, mutton my reply to you will always be, No. "
My heart stopped beating. She had rejected me. I could feel tears dripping down from my eyes onto the plush carpet.
I heard the rustling of cloth and looked up. She had bent down and was on level with me, she lifted my head and wiped away my tears. Then, she took a deep breath and spoke,
"Mutton, I know that you have forgotten this, but when we were children, we had made a promise. We had promised that we won't ever become a boyfriend-girlfriend couple.
It was at that moment I thought that I would love to he your wife.
I am so glad that you came forward and proposed to me, because if you hadn't, I was going to do it. I even got the ring with me today. So, my dear mutton,
Leaving apart all the fickle love lines,
Will you be my husband for the rest of my life? "
She took out the ring she had for me.
I couldn't help grinning like a Cheshire cat and accepted.
She leaned forward and we shared our first kiss.
I took her hand and placed the ring on her finger. At last. She was mine. She was going to be with me till the end.
She took my hand and placed the ring on my finger.
Then we both glanced at the rings which we had chosen for each other and couldn't help gasping out loud.
They were the same plain platinum rings with the inscription inside it, 'Together till the end'
Thank you for reading this post. Have a wonderful year up ahead to all you guys!
A very big 'Happy new year from our side' :)
