I'LL TRY

CHAPTER : 2

Author : Kirtida Dhar.

“What are the pursuits that can give you that kind of perfection? Ambition? Wealth?  Love?”

- Robert (Puzzle)

 All our life we chase for perfection. Do you know what happens in between? We happen to fall for imperfection. 

She also chose love over anything in her life. But those whispers of imperfection  used to roar inside her. She was losing to life and was getting accustomed to the imperfection. He was not the perfect one or a romantic boyfriend. But those little flaws about him attracted her the most. The void that was deepening day by day in her life because of the feud between her parents, seemed less burdening after he came in her life. Those wrangles bounded her to hide behind his calming words. 

Lalita never confessed to him about the disputes in her life. She never wanted to gain any kind of extra sympathy. Her fault was to dream of a perfect relationship and to be loved indefinitely.

Every morning is not the same. Sometimes the mornings are quite gloomy or sometimes they are joyous and sunny. Lalita was freaking happy today. Just a ‘single text’ and she is back to her routine.

Lalita came back from the walk and was sweating hard.  

“Ohoooo someone is looking very happy today?”

Lalita tapped Ron’s head from behind, “don’t  you have an exam today?”

“Have you forgotten about the so-called curfew today?”

“Oops”

“Do you really have to go outside today? I don’t think it’s safe out there?”, Mom said.

“It’s important...I will be back soon”

Everything was planned. How would she scold him for being so busy? Firstly, she would hug him as tightly as possible. It has been a year and she almost forgot his smell.  

She went to her room and checked her phone. 

8 miss calls from Anirban. She could hear her heart thumping heavily. She sat down for a moment, then ringed him back and started biting her nails vigorously.

Trringgg triiingg .... it rang  five times and then he picked up.

“Hey”

“Hey”

“Good morning”

“Whats up?”

“Just came back from the walk”

“That’s like my girl”

Lalita was still biting her nails. She could feel a tension which was not unknown to her. 

“Piku listen. Mom was telling about this curfew and all”

“Are you going to cancel the meet again?”, she interrupted. 

“It’s not safe na”

“You really wanna...” her voice choked and she could not say anything. Both of them didn’t say anything for few seconds.

“Lalita I am sorry... I’ll try next time, pakka”

 Lalita couldn’t utter a word. “ Actually I also had this conference so.....”

She hung up the call without saying anything. Why did he make the plan at first if he can't make it? 

Is managing half an hour that difficult?  He did love me, right? Does he still do? Am I forcing him too much in this relationship? Clouds of thought started hovering over her head.

“I jinxed it...” she was sobbing hard and lied on the floor,” I jinxed it. It’s all my fault”

 

Triiing... triiingg... 

“Hello Mr handsome. Are you ready for the date?”

“I am having fever Lalita. Mom strictly said I can’t  go outside.”

“Ok”

“Only okay”

“Aren’t you mad at me?”

“Absolutely not”

“Are you alright?”

“Any doubt?"

“You don't seem normal.”

She grinned like a Cheshire cat.

After half an hour, the doorbell rang. Anirban opened the door.

“Tadaaaaaa. Your date is here Monsieur”

“Oh my gosh! Are you crazy?”

“No I am not. My mom got me checked up. Don’t worry.”

“What if my parents come back?”

“ Will you please stop scaring me and concentrate on our date?”

Lalita came in and started decorating the table. 

“Lalita, we are going to be in a great trouble”.

“Shhh” she shushed him with her finger held on his lips.

She came closer to him, checked his temperature and looked at him with her deep black eyes. She knew he couldn’t say no to these eyes. Holding his hand, she started circling on his palm with her fingers.

“Actually I planned a surprise for you. How can I forget your birthday tomorrow?”

He hugged her. She started losing her nerves. When he hugs her, she becomes the weakest person on this planet. She gripped  her tightly burying her face against his chest. He was burning with fever but somehow Lalita was enthralling this warmth.

“These are not necessary Piku”

“No it is. So that you never forget me.”

“And why will I forget you?” Anirban said rubbing his cheeks against hers.”

“Because you are a very insensible and heartless man”

“Since I mortgaged those to you”

“What?”

“All my senses and my heart”

“Ewww... so cliché,” Lalita mocked.

“You look so beautiful with that bindi”. He pulled her closer, brushed her hair to the back of her ear and whispered softly to her ear, “I am in love with the craziest girl in this World. The girl with a big nose.”

“You are so mean Ani”, Lalita started beating him. 

“Di.... di...” Ron shook her up.” Are you ok?”

“Yes. Tell Mom I will not be leaving today”

“Ok” 

3 missed calls from Anirban. She didn’t call back. 

It was not about the distance but he had gone too far from her radius. Her life paused after he left this city while he started getting more tangled on his own big circle. Circumstances were the very same as before but his voice was not welcoming anymore. As if the two were playing the same chords on different instruments. Lalita said to herself, “Enough is enough. This can’t continue like this.”

She decided not to call him ever in life. It’s better to do away with her stupid dreams.

“I WON’T DO LOVE ANYMORE." 

“Wear this mask. It’s not safe outside.”

“I am just going for a walk.”

“I didn’t ask you Lalita. Wear it”

“Okay, Mom.” She rolled her eyes.  

 While walking by the lane, she heard a voice from behind. “May I join you Madam?” 

“Ani!”  Lalita stood still in amusement.

He came and cupped her in his long arms. She couldn’t move. “I am very sorry. I know you cursed me a lot. Forgive me for one last time. I promise I’ll try.”

She freed herself from his clutches and ran back to the house.                      

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