Part 7: Chained to you: Safely

Karrisa’s POV

          Reaching the university and viewing the dream coming true seems like another dream to me. It was a huge campus and I must say the pictures they have on their web never don’t do justice to the grand view and infrastructure they actually have. After reaching inside the campus, I have been dropped near the administrative block, where I had to meet the head of the department. And meeting the most polite, co-operative and a true gentleman was another good thing happened to me. I was really delighted to know that I have got the best things and also that now I am on the right path in my life.

          After a brief meeting with the head, which mostly involved the paper work and other pending formalities related to my admission into the university, I have been directed to my hostel room. And even a better thing was in store for me. I have not only been allotted a big room, which I do not have to share with anyone, but also I do not have to adjust with anything related to space, temperature etc. inside the room. It was just perfect. It really seems that the things have started to fall in place and everything good will follow now.

          It’s been two weeks in the campus and I am coping up well with my classes and other assignments. All thanks to the most humble and understanding faculty of the university. But all that I miss, among rest everything perfect around, is the company of someone with whom I can share things, with whom I can talk about things other than classroom and studies, with whom I can roam around in the city, with whom I can feel like home. That someone, that friend was missing till now. And somewhere I know that it is only because of my present mindset and attitude towards life. It is me who doesn’t want to trust anyone anymore, I was reluctant to be close to anyone and to share the things beyond classroom was not at all a possibility anymore. But I guess that was natural as I have gone through a lot in the past and I never wanted the same things to happen to me again. And it was getting difficult for me to change myself with each passing day. So I guess this will be my fate for the time to come where in I have to learn to adjust to the situations, handling them alone and going through the lonely phase in life now.

          It’s a pleasant Sunday morning but not that pleasant for me as I am in my hostel room alone, thinking that it would have been great to have someone’s company to spend a weekend with. Because it seems even more alone and lonely when you have no classes to attend and you are too punctual to submit all the assignments on time. And when I was in my thoughts, there was a knock on the door, suddenly bringing me back to the real world.

          I went and open it and saw the guy who uses to take care of the common area of our hostel, standing stiff and straight just in front of me. He came with the message that there is a phone call for me on the common landline. I had to confirm from him twice if the call is for me or for someone else. But he was sure that it was for me.

          It made me wondered that it was for me because there is no one, YES NO ONE, who could have called me as I don’t know anyone around and my parents are travelling and also there is no one I could think of, in this whole wide world who knows about my coordinates and this number to get in touch with me. With all these thoughts, which were shocking and surprising at the same time in my mind, and all those confused expressions, quite well visible on my face, I proceeded towards the common room to receive the call from possibly someone unknown.

Part 6: Chained to you: Safely

I have decided to drop out from this high school because I have no courage left to face the wrong choice of my life, in the name of Daniel nor I want to see the most horrible mistake of my life whom I use to call my sister from different mother.

Since I had already made my mind not to go to school so I were locked in my room since a week now. My parents also got worried because of this behavior and change in my attitude. According to them I were going towards depression. But then something unusual happened. I have been trying to get admission into the fashion designing school in California but due to its highest ever marks requirement and also no chance of mine with the scholarship, I could not get into that. Moreover I did not also pursue the opportunity with my whole heart because somewhere in the back of my mind, I wanted to be here in Vegas only with the people I loved the most and had strong faith that I will keep feeling the same for them throughout my life. But, suddenly everything changed in my life. I have lost my boyfriend, my best friend and also the zeal to pursue my studies.

And today, I have received the offer letter from the university in California, which was once my dream university to be in, and everything was as per my requirements. They offered me not only the admission into the best course of the university but also the scholarship, along with the hostel room to stay in. All I had to do was to book the tickets and fly to my dream land.

And it took me no time to decide, what I wanted to do. I booked the first flight ticket, the very next Monday and in the meantime did all my homework regarding the paper work and all here. My parents were also very happy for me. They always knew what I wanted to do and especially after the break up incidence, they were happy for me to know that I may start a new life with the new positive vibes. And nothing better would have come my way than this.

It’s Monday and I am already at the airport with my parents who have come to drop me off. And with the wet eyes but at the same time those glowing with the new hopes, I bid my good byes and waved at them for one last time.

Now it was a time for one more surprise. At the checking counter, I got to know that my booking have been upgraded to the business class without any extra charges. I have never heard of this happening to anyone before. But at the same time I were happy for this change. And now was the turn for me to get the princess treatment (being the business class traveler). I have been escorted to the seat with due respect and the hospitality started, the moment I got settled in my seat.

It was almost the time for the flight to take off and just then my neighboring seat passenger moved in. And God knows why I have been receiving so many surprises since few days coz he came nothing less than a surprise. He is the same man who saved me the other day in the bus.

“Hey, Karissa! Right? How are you doing?” he said.

“Hmm. I am doing absolutely fine Mr. Knight. And I am so sorry for the last time when I decided to run away from the hospital without informing, rather thanking you. Actually I tried to approach you to pay my regards and thank you for the much needed help you provided me the other day, but by the time I’d called to know about you at the hospital, you’d left.” I uttered everything in just one breath without waiting for his reply. Actually I were embarrassed and also feeling awkward to face him because of everything I’d done in the past.

“It’s OK. You need not to even mention that again. I am happy that you are all right now. So are you travelling alone? And if I may ask, what made you that way the other day?” he asked. And that is how our conversation began, which went on and on till the time we reached California.

He gave me his contact details and asked me to call him if I need any assistance or help or anything else. And I reciprocated the same by sharing my details with him. Although it seemed that he never wanted to say good bye to me, but I had to as the college cab was waiting for me to pick me up as per their policy and drop me to the university, all safe and sound.

I must say, it was really nice meeting him. At least now I have someone known in the city also whom I can approach whenever I will be in need. Although I don’t know if I will ever do that but the feeling is soothing to know. 

Part 5: Chained to you: Safely

Karissa’s POV:

I walked out of the hospital… Thank God! Nobody saw me leaving after that nurse…

        I checked my watch and its 10:30pm… I need to go home quickly. I held a cab and sit inside while tapping my foot impatiently.

        When I reached home, no sounds were coming out from there and this is unusual for my home. I entered into the house and saw the lights were dim in the hall. And just besides the hall, on the dining table I saw my mom sitting with her head in her palms. She seemed to be worried with a pale face and body without strength. Dad was sitting beside her and was trying to explain her something which I don’t think she was giving any attention to.

        The moment they saw me, both of them got up from their respective places and came running towards me. The second she reached to me, that very moment she engulfed me into a tight hug and that’s when I felt like home. I were home with the people who loved me unconditionally and selflessly.

        And then was the turn for a most awaited round of questions and answers. Mom shot the questions at me like the bullets out of machine gun.

“Where were you since afternoon? Samantha also came in, after the school to enquire about you, when she couldn’t locate you in the school premises. Even your mobile is switched off! Do you have any sense of responsibility left? Even if you were busy with something important or for that matter something urgent, at least you should have informed somebody so that we could have taken a breath of relief.” Mom was just shouting at her highest pitch without realizing the situation of my heart who has just gone through this much.

“Mom I have been through the toughest time of my life today. As I got to know that Daniel was just playing a bet with my so called best friend Samantha to prove her that I can be trapped in anyone’s love and care. And against which he must have won some dollars but I had lost the faith and love and respect for him and also have lost the friend in Samantha. I think I have not known till now that what is good for me and what is not. You were right when you said that this guy is not a good person. But mom, what wrong I have done to deserve a friend like Samantha? I believed her more than my own self. I considered her as my sister and she have been doing such things against my back. I am completely broken and feel like as if I have lost everything in life.”

“My child! Please don’t lose heart. This is part and parcel of the life we are living. And the early you learn a lesson, the better it is for you to get up again and move forward. Just have faith in God and believe that whatever has happened, it is for good. But I don’t understand, where were you since then? As far as I know, you don’t have any other friend whom you could have been with.”

“Yes mom! I have learnt a lesson that it is not a world anymore where you can trust anyone and everyone with your full heart. You first have to be sure of the person’s intentions and then probably move forward with any kind of relation.” I replied to the first part of mom and my conversation. “And you are right that I have left with no one with whom I can share my sorrows and joys anymore. I were coming back to home via a bus, but then due to empty stomach and crying my lungs out since morning, I think I got unconscious in the bus and when I woke up, I were in the hospital. From there only I took the cab right now and came back home. I think I have been taken there by a nice looking gentleman who was sleeping besides my bed when I woke up in the hospital. But he was in deep sleep so I thought of not waking him up and I left without informing anyone.”

“But Karissa, you should have at-least thanked him for taking care of you when you needed it the most. I think you should call at the hospital and find out if he is still there or if he has left any contact number to be contacted on.” Mom said. And as told by her, I followed. I called at the hospital where I got to know that he has already left and without leaving his details.

I am now in my bed, and all that is coming to my mind is

the scene from the morning where in I have lost every relation of my life which I have chosen for me. I felt like crying for being so nonsense in life and for taking such rubbish decisions in life. Lesson I have learnt in the process is, when your parents are not very confident about your relations and decisions, it’s time for you to give it a second thought and reconsider your decisions. With these thoughts running in my mind, I drifted off to sleep, god only knows when!

Part 4: Chained to you: Safely

Kian’s POV:

This girl is really something… at the moment I saw her, all my problems are vanished in the air… Now all I can think about is why she is sad? What might have happened to her? May be abusive parents! Or may be an ex-boyfriend problem!

This girl has made me do all those things that I have never done or think about anyone, not even for my parents. Of course I were a fool when I asked her about her patient number of the mental hospital, but I were left with no option when she wasn’t talking to me. And when she told me that you can’t judge people from their faces, you can see sadness in her eyes. She tried to cover her sadness by a small smile but that somehow didn’t reach her eyes.

How I wanted to take away that sadness from her eyes! I wonder how her eyes will look when twinkling with happiness. She has very beautiful brown eyes… but sadness covering that beauty.

She is trying to get up for getting down at her destination. And I were tempted to hold her, I don’t know why but all I wanted was to keep her with me all the time. And I know that this is not going to happen anytime soon. Still I can try, with this thought at the moment I tried to hold her hand… with the thud… she collapsed on the floor unconscious.

What the hell has just happened?

I instantly sit beside her, trying to wake her up but no response… I am having so many negative thoughts in my mind. I take her in my arms in bridal style. I told the bus driver to take the bus at the hospital due to emergency. When we reach hospital, there were ward boys with the stretchers. I don’t want any boy to look or touch her. “I will carry her to room, no need for stretcher” I told them. “but… sir…” they said in unisom, “I said no” I said coldly.

This is how I am to the world… cold and ruthless. Except for this sleeping beauty in my hands.

My heart is beating so faster at the moment. I laid her on the bed at that time and a nurse come into the room. “Who is the patient to you?” she asked me while batting her eyelashes at me… trying to flirt with me. “I am her husband” I answered her coldly. Why I did that, I don’t know?

“Full name?” she asked not glad with the information.

“Mrs. Karissa Knight!” I said proudly. And one more thing, I just want a female doctor and all females staff. No male staff… understood?” I told her, without glancing at her, with my authoritative tone.

She flinched at my tone… “yes Mr. Knight” she answered and with that walk out of the room…

I sit on the stool that is placed besides her bed… take her small hand in mine… staring at her sleeping and pale face. With every passing moment… I am getting more worried about her. I hope doctor will come soon or else I will explode with anger.

“Cara, please wake up” I said sadly while caressing her cheek. And then, door opened and doctor came into view… Thank God!!! Doctor is female and not male.

I stood there while doctor checking Karissa’s pulse and eyes etc…

I am sweating due to tension… I hope she is fine and nothing serious. When doctor finished her work… I asked her “how is she doctor? And why is she unconscious?”

“Don’t worry Mr. Knight… your wife is fine, nothing serious… and the reason for her unconsciousness are over stress and empty stomach” she replied with a genuine smile and I sighed in relief.

When she reached at the door… she turned around and said “Mr. Knight, your wife is really beautiful… you are a lucky man” I just smiled at her…

When she completely walk out of the room, I took the seat beside her bed and again take her hand in mine… After a while I drifted off to sleep with the hope that she will wake up soon… my head is besides her on the bed.

Part 3: Chained to you: Safely

Karissa’s POV:

As we entered the classroom, I with Daniel clasped hand together and the trailing behind Samantha.

All the students are chatting loudly and some sit at their seats silently, watching others because they are nerds like me as those spoiled brats refers… that they don’t want any friendship with us.

But seriously!

Whom am I kidding?

Reality is that we don’t want anything with those fake makeup kits and running beauty salons and spoiled brats.

Thank God, Mr. Smith is not yet in the classroom else one more absent for being late. I seriously don’t know what is the problem of Mr. Smith with me? He is always either glaring or irritated on me. Never mind!

But I know you are guessing something and you are absolutely right. Mr. Smith is the father of Daniel aka my hunk as a boyfriend.

I attended my class and as I were supposed to meet Daniel, I rushed towards our common meeting point.

FAST FORWARD

        I am running away from the building of university with tears in my eyes…

        “Hey Karissa! What happened? Why are you crying?” some girls asked me who is in the path of mine but I just ignored them and I kept running where my legs can lead me. I just want to get away from all this shit.

        Keep running, keep running until I reached parking lot, due to running, I am panting heavily and just collapsed on the floor. Tears constantly rolling down my eyes…

“Why God? Just why? Why Me? I never did anything bad to anyone then why this all happened to me?” I asked hysterically crying.

        “I just hate, just hate him!” I said between sobs. I just stand up from the floor and kick sand in the air angrily.

        “Ahhhhh!!! God I hate each and every boy on this earth… I am never going to put myself into this love thing. Never ever.” I yelling.

        Thank God there are no people in the parking. Although I am not even concerned is there is any one seeing me at my worst. After an hour of crying. I am feeling exhausted. I just want to go home. To my mom, to my bed, to my soft pillow. I miss them all terribly.

        Oh God, I just forgot to tell Samantha that I am not going to attend the lecture… I didn’t tell her anything. She must be worried. And also I need the keys of her car to go home. So first thing I need to do is to find her. May be I will tell her everything later.

        I entered the building and passing by locker room, I remembered that I need to get some books from my locker so I entered the locker room and started walking towards my locker.

        When I saw his locker, I don’t want to even name him… that bastard! Tears welled up in my eyes again, I just brushed them off and heard a girl coming into the locker room. Her back is at me.  But when she turned, I saw her face, SMANTAH, with the boy, whose face is also not visible because of his back towards me.

        They are whispering something but I can’t get that what they are talking. They are talking about some video and deal. I just heard some bits of their talks. I am about to go there and then I see his face! Oh my God! He is……! What is he doing here? And what are they talking about at lecture’s time.

        I walk near to eavesdropping their conversation… I am hiding behind bookshelf that is nearest to them, so that I can hear their talks.

        “I did your work, I ditch her. Now please delete my video” Daniel said with fright in his voice.

        He was talking about me. Right, ME! He is literally begging to her.

        “Yeah! Yeah buddy. I will delete your video and I must say that you did a great job.” Samantha said.

        My best friend wants to hurt me, ruin me, and break me. My best friend, my sister.

First my boyfriend and now my best friend. I trusted them the most in my life and what I got back is this. They both ditched me. One in love and the other in friendship. I am completely broken, shattered and traumatized.

        Life is really full of surprises, you never know what will happen in next hour!

        I mean just look at mine… in the morning, my life was perfect… had a lovely and caring best friend… A very nice boyfriend. And now, here I am running away from the people who were most important just few hours back.

Part 2: Chained to you: Safely

Kian POV:

Arghhh!!! I hate my dad sometimes… I mean he wants me to marry. I am just 24 for God’s sake! He wants me to give away my Bachelor life… and I am definitely not going to do that at any cost.

I want to enjoy my life and marriage thing, for sure, will not allow me to have that further. So marriage is a big NO NO! But of course I cannot say that in front of my dad, so I need to find some way to get away from all this carp.

After all I am a CEO of Knight Industries, owns a chain of hotels and bars around the world and with a height 6’2 and a well buit body, almost every girl wants to be with me from young to old. And why not??? So how can I marry in just a click of the finger?

I mean girls are good, but not for marriage but for enjoyment and for taking the stress out of your mind and body. That’s it! But in relationships! I Doubt!!!

Relationship are just a distracting factor for my career and for my life as well. And moreover, how can a person live with just one girl for rest of his life?

I mean I can’t accept this old man’s decision like this. I need to find some solution to this sudden declaration of him.

Every time I see Vegas’s people, having some happy feeling… Like you are partying all the time. I am standing at the glass wall of my office at the top floor, seeing the atmosphere of Las Vegas. It’s around 5 pm here.

I just got over with talking with dad and he just don’t want to take any of my reasons for not getting me married at this early age and that too with a girl who have nothing except that she is a daughter of an industrialist, whose company and name and goodwill, if merged with us can generate a multiple profit. But all I want at the moment is to just run away from my present state and from all the people around me. Because I want to shut down my mind when it comes to marriage and relationship. I am just not ready for it.

And in a frustrated mood, I picked up my coat from the back of the chair and told my PA to cancel all my further meetings and appointments. Moreover I have informed her that I may not be available for coming few days so manage my plans accordingly. And immediately after throwing my orders on her, I called my driver to bring the car and take me away from here. It was getting difficult to breathe in this environment because everything was screaming for me to get married.

Me: Robin, bring the car immediately.

Robin: Sir, you only told me to drop Mr. Kelvin to his hotel so I am on my way to drop him. It may take approximately an hour or so for me to reach back to office.

Me: Oh God Damn! OK go back to your home… I will take the public transport. (And in frustration I cut the call)

          I just want to go to my hotel room at any cost, if for that I need to take the public transport also.

          When destiny want to abuse you, it will do in every way possible.

          I am beyond frustration, I just want to get hold of a cab and want to go to hotel, but there is not even one freaking taxi… this is hell!

          I am gonna take bus, I decided.

          When I reached the bus stop, I saw a bus coming. I took off my coat and loosen my tie. Because in a bus, wearing a three piece pant suit will look weird. Right? Of course it is…

          I settled down in a seat and just my eyes roaming over people, when I see a girl; sorry, a very beautiful girl, in a black summer dress.

          She seems sad… with slummed shoulders and looks like she is in deep thoughts. With red and puffy eyes, I can say that she cried for very long.

At the thought of someone hurting her, didn’t suit within me. I don’t know why? I have an urge to protect her from bad, sudden need to care for her.

This is crazy. I have just seen her, (that too in a public transport) and I am feeling this towards her. What this girl is doing to me?

She is sitting like a statue, without turning her head in any other direction other than the window where her eyes are glued since the time I have entered the bus. In a little confusion, if she can see or if she is blind, I waved in front of her face. And with that she turned around and glaring at me…

Woah! She looked so damn hot while glaring…

After proper look at her face… she is too young for me but I can’t help it. I want her and want her badly. With the thought of her being with any other male, ragging my mind badly. I never felt like this for any other girl. This is a foreign feeling for me and at the same time it feels really good.

“Hi”, I said.

She didn’t even replied. OK! Now, this girl is getting over my nerves. No girl can ignore me.

“Hey babe!”, I said again.

“My name is Karissa, not babe. And what do you want?”, she said finally. See I told you that no one can ignore me.

“And my name is Kian, the same alphabet. Not a bad start, I must say”, I said.

“Excuse me!”

“What is your number?”

“What? And why?”

“I am not asking you about your contact number, rather the patient number, the mental hospital’s patient number from where you seems to have run away from”, I said jokingly.

“DO I look like a patient to you” she replied in a furious tone.

“I thought so because since the time I am in this bus, you seems to be lost in your own world and sometimes the patients behave like this to show the world that they are the most innocent ones around.”

“I am sorry, but I have no such intentions and if you please excuse me, I need to get down at the next stop.”

Oh god! Why does she want to get down so early? Why can’t she be with me forever? I know I have to know about her completely and have to have her in my life to be there forever. There is something special about this girl and I can’t ignore. I am surely going to get her sooner or later.  

Part 1: Chained to you: Safely

Suddenly! The alarm started to ring…

Oh! Who the hell set this alarm? Oh! It’s me only, last night so that I should not be late for class tomorrow.

Hey guys! Let me introduce myself. I am Karissa, 18 years of age and having a good life so far. Living with my parents and attending my high-school which is also an adventurous place as I have my best friend there and also a sweet and handsome boyfriend. These two people are the ones around whom my most of the time revolves and I am having the great time in my teenage.

My high school is at a distance of approximately 30 minutes from home when I travel by the public transport. And usually I am late because I have a habit of sleeping late and hence getting up early is the hell lot of a job for me. My best friend Samantha lives near to my place. Actually we are childhood friends and that is the reason we mingle and gel so well with each other. And since our childhood days, we are going together and at this point in time of our age also, nothing has changed. We go to school together and comes back together. This is why our mom and dad doesn’t feel worried even when we are late.

I have a boyfriend named Daniel. He studies in our school but goes to different class being senior to us by a year. We are dating since last 1.5 years and I feel that my life moves around him completely. I have completely given in the relationship. We both trust each other and love each other even more. My parents know about my relationship and they are OK with it. But my Mom, being mom, is always possessive about me. I don’t know why and what she doesn’t like about Daniel but there is surely something that she doesn’t like. Although she never tells me anything but at the same time she keeps on preaching me with the lessons like, you should not be believing someone in such short time, and neither should you be getting so involved with someone without checking and testing that person in and out and through your all thick and thins. I don’t know what does she mean when she says this but one thing I am sure of that my love for Daniel is true and he also reciprocate the same towards me; and I guess this the only thing a successful relation is based upon.

So life is good so far and I am sure it will be good being Daniel and Samantha at my sides and of course my family to support me in all the situations possible.

68 YEARS of LOVE

Our honeymoon started on June 21, 1947, at the Drake Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I woke up in the middle of the night to a hard push and wound up on the floor. I remember thinking, is there an unspoken message here?

The next morning Sandy and I boarded a train to Miami Beach, Florida. When the conductor asked for our tickets, I handed him our marriage license by mistake. He looked me and said, “This is good for a lot of rides, but not on this train. You’ll have to produce a ticket.”

Later that morning, after ordering pancakes in the dining car, a woman across the table asked why I was pouring coffee on my pancakes. “It isn’t coffee; it’s syrup,” I replied. “They probably heat it up to make it pour easier.” Well, I was wrong and she was right. It was coffee.

When we pulled into Fort Lauderdale and went to our hotel, another surprise awaited—twin-size beds. I immediately called the desk and told the clerk I was on my honeymoon and definitely had ordered a double bed. The clerk told me that they didn’t have a double bed but that I could push together the two singles. I raised my voice and said, “I want what I ordered.” A double bed was delivered—at 6:30 the next morning.

Things were definitely starting to add up, and after I mistakenly used Vaseline instead of underarm deodorant, my lovely new bride expressed a look of concern about our lifelong commitment.

Sure enough, when we returned to Philadelphia, I sprained my back carrying her across the threshold of our new home and spent two weeks in bed.

That was 68 years ago, and I don’t put coffee on my pancakes or Vaseline under my arms anymore. But after reviewing what I wrote here, a second honeymoon would be most welcome.

Source: Reader's Digest

Final: The Billionaire's Desire

Stacy’s POV

        It is the winter evening when I am getting ready to leave from office to home. Zaroon intercom me and asked me to wait for him. He wanted to take me on date and also wanted to talk.

      I thanked God that he asked me for this because I wanted to confess my feelings to him now. I really wanted to tell him that he means the world to me. But due to time mis-management and he being workaholic, never let me have my alone time with him. It is happening since the last time I have asked him for some more time. I knew he was avoiding me because he never wanted to hurt me by asking the same question again and again. So he did it his own way by maintaining the distance from me. And from the day he had started doing that, I felt dragged towards him even more. I wanted to tell him now that I loved him more than anything on the earth but he is not giving me my fair chance now. I wanted to hold him in my arms, staring & diving in his deep eyes and tell him that he is the one whom I have been waiting for and that is why it never happened with anyone else. So finally today is the day.

In the evening after office……

“Hey baby,” I said softly, my heart thundering against my chest. “You are with me, aren’t you?” his eyes darkened imperceptibly as they studied me.

“Where have you been?” I asked, just like he had asked me the first time he confessed his feelings. I leaned closer to him so that my lip almost touched his ear. I felt him shiver. “I’ve been looking for you my whole life,” I whispered, just like he had whispered to me a long time ago.

It was his turn to answer. I held my breath. Whatever reply he would say now would determine if he had forgiven me or not. If he still wanted me or not.

A small smile flitted on his lips as he whispered, “I have been waiting for you.”

I felt like crying.

“Zaroon…”

His palms cupped my face, his thumbs brushing away my tears, “Shall we go?” he murmured, his eyes filled with an emotion so intense and sincere it filled my throat with longing.

“Yes”, I answered.

We were at the beach. It was deserted, like it had been waiting for us all day. Like it has been waiting for this moment. I glanced at Zaroon. His eyes were closed. The breeze blew a lock of his bronze hair on his forehead, and I wanted to brush it back so badly.

“I miss you, Zaroon.” There was no response from him. His eyes kept closed, but I knew he heard me because his chest lifted up slightly longer than his normal even breathing. I took a deep breath, gathering courage, “I met you and you made me feel that no one else ever did. No one else stayed long enough to even try,” I felt a tear fall on my cheek, “until you.”

He held my face, “Rose!” I held my breath, waiting for him to continue. “From the moment I saw you, you have captured me. My body, mind and soul. You have taken everything from me.”

“Zaroon.”

“If I’m to choose my cage,” he said, his voice thick with emotions, “I’d choose you. I am a prisoner sentenced with a lifetime of loving you.” He cupped my face in his hands as his eyes, so sincere, looked into mine. “I love you.” He whispered.

I felt something clicked into place. Like the missing piece in a puzzle finally found its place. “I love you, Zaroon.” I whispered back before he claimed my lips and kissed me under the moon light.

Zaroon’s POV

        We stayed up till late night. I held her in my arms and that was all I needed right now. That was all I needed for long, long time. I missed her so much that it felt like there was a big gaping hole inside of my chest. When she wrapped her arms around me, she filled it up so quickly, so completely, it almost felt like it wasn’t there before.

        We left our shoes in the trunk of my car as we walked along the shore. My jacket was wrapped around her. I pulled her close to me as we walked, with my arms around her shoulders, hers on my waist. When she looked up at me, my heart thudded against my chest loudly.

God, how I missed her.

“Don’t,” she said, her voice a little embarrassed.

“Don’t What?”

“Don’t stare at me.”

I grinned. “I can’t help it.”

She looked down at her feet, tucked her hair behind her ear as she blushed.

My blushing rose. I dipped my head down to kiss her lips. So soft, so warm. Her hands rested on my chest as I felt her sigh. I smiled against her lips. I was too hungry for her, too starved for her taste, her smell, her touch……

AND FINALLY WE ARE TOGETHER BECAUSE WE WERE DESTINED TO BE SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING……AND PROMISED EACH OTHER THAT

“We will love each other until the last breath leaves our bodies.”