He stood there before the line. Nothing could stop him from crossing and yet this was his whole life crushed into one moment. The past came rushing to him and hit like fresh wounds again, gaping holes unleashed the wounds again. He looked back at the present, the small world he would now stake for that painful past filled with uncertainty, betrayal, lust and possibly more pain.
He imagined his sweet wife waiting at the small hut door, praying to the good lord, conducting pujas for his wellbeing and fast return. He thought of how she would defend his honour in his absence. And of all things, she might have to cross the bars of the house and work at the nearby post office to feed Arun junior - their lovely child. He raised his hand to wipe a tear drop on his cheek and disgust filled him. The sky's were watering, not his eye, not a drop escaped him. He wondered how so many years had done nothing to him? How one bit of the past could ruin him but the loving present couldn't. He had many years back realised it was in his nature to run for what he couldn't have with ease, he thought maybe that were human nature.
He worked hard on his mind to keep it here, to feel pain, to remember that one moment when he deeply, truly loved this life, any part of it. Finally, he gives in to the natural thoughts.
Diana's curls fill his mind, the watery eyes, the wavering hair, the beautiful figure seated in a Ferrari V6. His was a poor ragged guy just out of college with his little saving from the coffee shop he worked at. Rosewood gave him a reason to stay. A young guy he was, unable to restrict his virtual behaviour. A tall fair guy gets in the car and laughs at her, says a few things and positions to drive away. Arun quickly walks up to the man and congratulates him for his fiancé. The guys bursts out laughing, slut shaming the girl while he showed him some notes. A shocked Arun restlessly said, "How much, leave her to me man".
The guy was equally surprised. It was clear Arun couldn't afford her. However he got double his pay and finally settled a deal. This was Diana, his only love. How? He hadn't known....lust could end up in love. He too wanted the same things the man before wanted. The only difference was he paid off his savings for her, in fact he wanted to save her one time, maybe because it made him feel good or maybe there was more.
And may be can sometimes end in a mess, his painful past....something he never spoke about, something that went down the grave with his diary, something that will take him back to where it all started. Rosewood was calling, the town he hated and loved just so much!
P.S. Part 2 will unfold Diana's story. Comment below to mention your thoughts and how you think about it!
