In today’s world of short term relationships, “I love you” has become just a temporary phrase. We say it multiple times to different people for our own gains. Here’s a short story from my life. We met at work. I was in Sales, and she was in HR complete opposites. We met at an office event. Her smile captured me immediately, and I fell for it. We started talking, and soon it became a daily routine. I’d miss my cab just to wait for hers, and then board it with her. We wouldn’t talk, as I sat one seat behind her, but she would slip her hand to the side of her seat, and I would slip mine our souls would meet through that one touch.
On our first date, I took her for a beautiful bike ride. It was a warm, sunny afternoon, and I still remember riding a long way before it began to rain. We found a little tea stall (tapri) and had our first date over cups of chai, pakode, and laughter. That evening was magical. Later, I dropped her home, and all I got was a sweet little peck on the cheek. That was enough. These beautiful moments continued for a year, and we connected heart to heart.
One morning, she suddenly collapsed at work. They rushed her to the hospital. I was on a business trip and got the call later. She was under observation, and the doctors said she had stage 3 brain tumor! I was devastated… there had been no previous symptoms. I stayed by her side. She was eventually shifted to a regular ward, but the doctors warned us to limit interactions. My mornings and evenings were spent visiting her at the hospital. She would look at me with weak, teary eyes, and I would softly sing to her.
Then, one evening, as she lay there, she suddenly held my hand and whispered for me to come closer. As I leaned in, she whispered, “I love you,” and gave me a sweet peck on the cheek. Tears flowed down my face as I held her close, and then she flew away to heaven in my arms. I felt her grip go limp and realized she was gone. She had said those beautiful words and left me, knowing that in every lifetime, she would be mine.
Today, sitting at a chai ki tapri, watching the rain, I remember the lines I wrote for her: “Aaj mujhe ek kahani yaad aa gayi… chai ki tapri waali jawani yaad aa gayi.” Today would have been our 5th anniversary at the tapri. All I wish to say, dear readers, is that if you say “I love you,” mean it forever. Otherwise, don’t say it at all. God bless.