Language of Love [P9]

I woke up hoping for a normal day, but the day had something special for me in my notification panel. It’s from her. Just a "Hii"

I quickly replied, "where were you, buddy?"

"By the time I was home, I was completely exhausted; mentally and physically. So I took a break from everything for a while. That's why I wasn't around "

“I don’t know why or is there any point in telling this, but I missed you”

“Ohh…so where are you now?”

It felt like she didn't miss me at all.

“At home, preparing for a shoot"

“Shoot!! Like a film?”

“no no... sometimes I travel just to take photos"

“Nice! I wish I was a boy like you. My entire lifetime is done within these 4 walls”

 "Why would you have to be a boy to travel!! You can still do that"

“It's easy to say, but for a girl, it’s not that easy to accomplish. My dad is always working plus it’s Dubai. So I literally don’t have anyone else to take me out. In fact, I don’t like it here. There is nothing special to see here, except the buildings. I like it back there.

 “so why don’t you come here then?"

"Actually I may come there soon. I'm thinking about higher studies and dad is all in for doing it there "

“Ok. So, did you tell him about what happened here?”

“Yeah. I told him everything. First, he was enraged but he calmed down and told me it’s ok and talked to me for hours about it”

“Wow..you have the coolest dad…like ever"

"He loves me a lot"

"Here I'm not even on talking terms with my dad after I decided to quit my job"

"It will be ok. After you reach a certain stage they will start talking to you. There will be a struggling period for everyone and many have worse situations than this. So don’t complain ok"

"Yeah"

The conversation went on. she is very talkative and I liked that.

Days passed. (I really don’t know how can someone ask good morning? had food? and all daily. How are they not bored!!) I never had time for stuff like that and she was also busy. Even though daily conversations weren’t there, the connection we had was thriving.

I realized that she is an excellent writer. Her short words with implicit meanings left me crazy for days and her paintings were excellent. There were hidden details and meanings in everything that she painted and I loved discovering them. We are not in love but I liked being with her and wanted to know her deeper. Whenever I tried to know her, I felt like there are so many things that I don’t know about her. Sometimes I laughed at the fact that she is still an enigma to me.

We talked for hours about science, future techs, new films, books, etc. She loved the world of fiction and made me read books like Life of Pi, The Harry Potter series, and many others that weren’t popular but had good content. Gradually she started watching movies and I had to suggest movies that suited her mood and send her the link also.

We had very similar tastes in music. I mostly listened to Ludovico Einaudi, Hans Zimmer, and AR Rahman. The fact that she was a big fan of Zimmer just blew my mind. Can’t blame her right!! He is an extraordinary musician.

During my trips to shoot, I wished for her to be with me. I really did. I wanted to show her the places I have discovered and have long conversations about anything under the sky during the journey. I got used to the habit of sending her the pictures that I captured. Whenever I did that she described my pictures with her eloquent writing skills and those words were enough to make me feel like I am made to take pictures like this. I always received messages like ‘ wow ’, ‘ not that good bro ’, ’ nice try ’, or some random emoji for my pictures. So I can’t be blamed right!! She was the only one who believed in me and kept me going. She always tells me "you will reach higher I know." and that was all I ever wanted.

 

Time went by as she prepared for her exams. One day she informed me that she has done her best and she is going to be here soon if she can clear the exam (which I know she would with that excellent brain of hers). Both of us eagerly waited for the result. To be honest, facing every day ahead in my hell felt easier than waiting to see her again. After a few days (like I predicted), she cracked the exam and was ready to come here for higher studies. I felt a little insecure when my mind compared the fact that she is going forward with her studies and here I am roaming around with a camera. But who knows what destiny has in its bag!! Her dad bought a house near her uncle's house and within a couple of days, she was well settled to be a free bird. And we decided to meet in person.

Today is the day. I used to be a man who didn't care about the dress he wore but here I am trying my shirts one by one. I laughed seeing how pathetic I am when I try to make an impression. Finally, I selected a white shirt and black pants as they were the only ones that felt good on me. Everything was perfect, except my messy hair and that brought to my mind that I haven’t used a comb for ages and I don’t have one. Who needs a comb when they have a hand!! I did my best and left early for the mall.

The place was crowded and my eyes searched for her in all possible directions as soon as I entered the mall. She found me as I approached the escalator. Seems like she arrived early too. She smiled and waved at me. She looked gorgeous in a blue plain churidar with that sweet smile of hers and eyes blooming in happiness.

She approached saying "Heii Shinu! you changed a lot yaar"

"Me?" I wondered what that would be as I never noticed any change whatsoever

"Yeah you" she at me looked again

"Maybe” I shrugged “shall we sit there"

"Yeah"

As we walked together it came to mind that she has my height and finally I can talk to someone straightly without looking down

“So Shinu how’s life?"

"Nothing changed. Still in a loop"

"Can I ask you one thing?" she asked me and pulled her lips inward giving me a playful smile.

"Yes,"  I was ready to answer with my eyes wide open.

"Are you trying to impress me?" she formed that sentence and started laughing.

I was shocked, confused, and a bit shy at that moment. But I concealed everything as much as I can and I replied

"Why would you ask something like that?"

"Nothing. just felt like asking"

I looked at her, she still wanted some answers from me. (ok…now I need a subject to change this topic)

"Shall we go and watch a movie?" she asked.

I was aware that she hasn’t seen one since she started preparing for her exams and she really wanted to see one. She wanted to enjoy after all that time with books. I really wanted to spend time with her let alone a movie. But I only had enough change for the bus fare and watching a movie would be a luxury in my current situation. I refused and told her I have some other work and I have to leave in a while. My mind signaled me to escape from there asap. We walked a few more steps in silence. Then I turned to her and said

“Actually, I have to go now. Will see you later ok” and walked away

Before I could take a few steps she called me from behind

“Shinu…”

"Yep?"

"I know you are a good actor. One day you will be able to act in films. But don’t even try to act in real life ok? Now look here, I know you are unemployed and don’t have a single penny with you. I have already booked 2 tickets. Now just lose that attitude and come with me"

I was completely stunned and was at a loss for words for a moment.

"Shahana...I am…"

She looked at me again as I struggled for words and we walked towards the ticket counter.

It's been months since I went to a theatre. I used to watch every movie on my phone for free because that’s my situation. She had booked a Marvel movie. It felt nice to be back. Unlike me, I spend more time watching her than on screen. The way the screen light was changing the color of her face, her laugh, her curiosity, her fear…. She had her full focus on the movie. The movie ended really fast for me as it’s said time flies when you feel good. She finally took her eyes from the screen and asked me

"How was it?"

"Yeah good" my reply was in two words as I didn't watch it properly.

But it was worth it.

We sat there for the entire end credits.

As we came out she talked but her glittering eyes caught my attention and I gazed at her with amazement like she was some a slow-motion movie.

"So you came by bike?" she asked me.

"Nope by bus yaar" it took me a second to find myself back

"I need a scooter"

"Why? the bus isn't nice??"

"Just wanted to roam around"

"Hmm, so where do you wish to go?"

"Somewhere near to house"

"Cool"

We started walking towards the bus stop that is within walking distance from the mall. We had to get 2 buses to reach home.

"Shinu?"

"Yes"

"Can I ask you something personal?"

"Yeah, why you are asking permission? you can ask me anything."

"What happened to you? I can understand that you can't talk freely and you are hiding everything inside. There is really a lot more inside you than you let everyone see right?" she stopped walking.

"I used to think you are an introvert but clearly you are not. I figured that much. You really want to talk to everyone but I don't understand why are you being silent and hiding from the world? What happened that made you this reticent?

That was the hardest question for me to answer. Everything that killed me ran inside my head and I was again at a loss of words.   

continues.....