Monday morning brought warmth , strength and a little solace. I attended all the classes , clarified my doubts and relaxed a bit with Simone Castillon. “Sia it seems as though the night won’t be dark anymore because people have started loving the moonlit backdrops than a perfect sunshine.” She sounds more like a poet than a psychology freak. “Wow ! I love nights too. Candle light dinners , gazing at the twinkling little stars and wondering what they are. Hahaha.” I elaborate the poetic usage. “What ? I’m discussing a serious topic and you are mocking the statement which I think made a whole lot of sense.” Simone was a pensive person although her first impression is that of a happy-go-lucky person.” Gustave enters the scene. “Hi Simone. Wassup ?” The cousins share an endearing hug. “Gustave ! I’m doing great. What about you ? You are my friend’s Professor now.” My face turned paler as he laid eyes on me. “Ya. I know her. She’s an obedient , disciplined and incredibly smart student. “OMG ! You think so ?” I glare at her. “She definitely is.” I couldn’t stand him so close to my chest. “I gotta go. See ya later.” I walk quickly so that Gustave doesn’t stop me. I could hear the cacophony of the black clouds uniting over the welkin to pour gelid rain drops on the ground. Simultaneously , Gustave whoops my name in a hurry from far behind. I choose to ignore him. Still he keeps following me and seemed unstoppable. “Sia ! Sia ! Wait. You need to talk to me.” He blocks my path urging me to talk a word or two at least with him. I could sense his desperation so intensely that I felt like I have entered his body.
“I don’t wanna talk with you. Please get out of my way.” I didn’t want to resurrect my cravings yet again after a month of emotional struggle. “Sia you don’t have a choice but to listen.” A drop kissed my right hand like a snow fleck. “I love you Sia !” And it started raining heavily plus the thunderbolt conducted its orchestra. My ears were oblivious of the clamor as I only hear 4 words which were – “I LOVE YOU SIA” now even louder. Finally , my love has proved its worth. Mom Gustave has proposed me , Dad your son in law is here all wet and sexy ……omg Gustave de Balzac has proposed me. “Sia ! I know that you were having the same feeling initially but I failed to interpret. I don’t know what love is until yesterday when my Mom called me to enquire about my well being after 7 years and I expressed my emptiness with her. You know what she said ? She told me that we feel dejected , depressed and spineless when we lose something precious to our heart. Then I did realize that I lost my heart to you.” He clasped my palms soothingly and wept like an infant. “Sia tell me that you have forgiven me. Say that you love me.” My eyes couldn’t resist anymore and tears made a dashing entry. “Yes ! I love you to the power of infinity. I fell for your irreplaceable eyes , alluring smile and melodious voice the very first day at college. I couldn’t see any other woman near you which is why I quarrelled with Kiara Thomas. Anyway thank god I did or else you would have never reciprocated my feelings.” He smiles and wipes my tears with an affectionate ease. “Now let’s bury the hatchet here itself with rain as our witness.” Gustave was sizzling in the wet avatar. “Yes Sir.” I salute and then quickly cling to his arms.
I jump into my bed in exhilaration still trying to believe that I’m officially in a relationship with a French Professor , 14 years older than me but super hot , super sweet and super tenacious. Haruka begins her interrogation session. “Hey ! What happened ? All is well right ?” I place my hand behind my head relaxing a bit spreading both legs. “All’s well that end’s well.” I smile further widening my teeth. Gustave calling on my phone. “Hello Professor ! How may I help you ?” I could imagine him blushing at the moment. “Its Gustave. Next time we meet I want you to address me as Gustave.” It’s a tad difficult for me as I’m used to calling him Sir. “Okay. Do you mind if we meet sometime ?” He hesitates to respond. “As in a date ?” Thank god he understood. “Exactly. Tonight ? If you don’t have other plans then maybe.” Gustave was nervous but wasn’t reluctant. “No I’m ttttotally cool with it. Where shall we have our dddate ?” I just enjoyed every bit of the post confession conversation especially the stammering. “In your house. I wanted to revisit your beautiful home sweet home as I got addicted to the interior décor , flooring and warmth of the place.” I didn’t know how he would react to my demands.But I knew one thing that loves me as much as I do. “That’s great. At 8:30 sharp. I’ll be waiting for you.” OMG ! my first date awaits me. Excellent. I asked Haruka for help ensuring that I don’t disclose my relationship with Gustave. I convinced her that the guy with whom I’m going for a date with is a class fellow. She straightened my curls briskly while I was applying make up. I wore a classy red dress that landed upto my knee hoping to impress Gustave who was a native of the world’s fashion capital.
ANTICLIMAX
Gustave lived in a perfectly maintained two bedroom apartment that had a spacious living room , an open gourmet kitchen and a lovely dining hall where he placed the dinnerware in an arrayed manner. Previously when I came to this place I could barely notice anything but his cosy bedroom where I slept. I wanted to forget that disastrous day which caused so big a rift between us that we had to stay away from each other for a month altogether.
“Welcome Sia !” the host looked gorgeous. “Hi !!! OMG I just can’t believe it Gustave that I have found my better half and I wish my parents were alive to witness the special moment of my life.” Gustave is astonished. “What did you just say ? Your parents ….. (Pause). “ I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about my parents death. I was very small when my mom & dad died in a plane crash. My aunt took the responsibility of our family business and myself. I never received parental love in my growing years which hurts me miserably even today. But you know what I have moved on with a positive attitude as I was always an optimistic , determined and confident person.” I could see the wetness that started forming in Gustave’s eyes which became an ointment for my wounds. He stepped forward just an inch away from my chest and despondently placed his palms on my shoulders. “Sia you’re a brave girl. Trust me because I love you to pieces. Even I don’t know about parental love because of the tragedy that struck my life at an early age. But courage , self-belief and almighty have given me company whenever I felt lonely.” His words were overwhelmingly hypnotic. I wanted to swim inside his thoughts and never return. “I understand.” He swiftly fondles my hair and embraces me. “Just a minute.” Gustave plays the erotically romantic song “THINKING OUT LOUD” sung by the fabulous Ed Sheeran in his stupendous music system. “Do you wanna dance with me my lady ?” Awww ! I love this Gustave de Balzac. “Yes ! Your Grace.”
Gustave : Locking hands to never withdraw ,
Sia : Kissing lips to always gnaw
Gustave : Contacting eyes to prevent a flaw
Sia : Embracing arms to abide nature’s law
I never ever thought that a woman would get such a heavenly feeling in a man’s arms. But now I have felt it intensely. All my hunger is gone now that my lover is so close to my body. I bet our smooching scene would trend online if we were celebrities.
“Time for dinner sweetheart.” I deny. “Let’s continue with the french kiss.” I was losing control under his sex appeal. “Listen.” He tries to retract. “C’mon a few more minutes Gustave …plz”. I didn’t realize that Gustave was actually signalling me that I must finish dinner before the clock ticks as I had to head to the hostel or else my matron would smash me into two halves. But it wasn’t my fault that he was so fuckin’ handsome. “Okay fine. But you will serve me and then only I’ll eat.” He nods. I got to know that he had brilliant culinary skills which could make him the winner of Masterchef Australia. Seitan Piccata garnished with capers and chopped parsley was the highlight. I thoroughly enjoyed the Pita bread salad with tomatoes and cucumber. American recipes were too good compared to the English cuisine. “I’d like to rate your cooking 10/10 Chef Gustave.” He smiled. “Chef huh ? That’s a huge compliment Ma’m”. “Hahaha”. I saw the clock showing 10 : 30 and hurriedly kissed Gustave on his lips to depart be
fore my cranky matron shoves me.
I bang the door making a low noise. Haruka opens with a widening smile and a nudge. “So how was the date ?” I sighed. ‘Thank god I made it.” She was dying out of curiosity. “My date was great. I danced with him to an Ed sheeran chartbuster and also had a delicious dinner.” She gave me tight hug. “Wow ! How romantic babe ……, I wish I too had an adorable boyfriend like yours.” Hopefully. “You will be blessed with one don’t worry.” I wanted to call Aunt Simi and inform her about my love life but I was uncertain about her reaction. Me dating a French guy who is my Professor as well. She would kill me literally. She would say Indian ladke mar gaye the kya (Were Indian guys dead or what ?) and confront me.
I had a “Mcdreamy” night . Next day Gustave called me to the staff room during lunch break when there was nobody. He seemed concerned for no reason. “Hey Sia !” he kissed softly. “What happened ? You look tensed.” He cupped my cheekbones with his palms and said “I need to the Global Economic Summit in Moscow. I’ll be leaving this evening and that’s why I wanted to see you.” I could sense an uncanny fear in his breath. Was this some omen or any such thing ? I didn’t know why my heart was pounding continuously. “When are you coming back to Boston ?” His eyes displayed the pain of separation. “After 4 days , I hope you’re okay with it. You know what I didn’t plan to go but since its really important I have to...” I cover his mouth. “I know. You don’t owe me any explanation. Go.” I had to hide my emotions because I didn’t wanna see him cry. I wanted to tell me Don’t go Gustave. Stay with me. I can’t live a moment without you any longer. “Are you sure ?” Not at all. “Yes.”
He leaves my hands disconnecting his fingers from mine and gives me that one last look. I jump over him as my lips touch his producing a perfect liplock in the doorway. I wave him a reluctant Good Bye and he’s gone.
I walk upstairs with messed up hair to my room and suddenly I receive a call from Simone. “Hello Simone !”. She breathes heavily. “Gustave’s dead.” I act like I haven’t heard anything. “What ? Say again.” “Sia , Gustave’s no more. His flight crashed on take off an hour ago.” I collapse on the stairs breaking my phone. Gustave has really gone. He’s gone far far away from me just like my parents. “He’s gone ….omg , omg , omg” I cry out loud. Haruka and other girls rush out of their rooms and begin consoling me. “Haruka he has left. Oh ! god what harm did he do to you , why did you take him away ?” I yell and sob simultaneously. The matron came running towards me outraged at my behavior. “Young lady what’s wrong with you ? Stop creating a scene and cry inside your room. Leave.” I glare angrily at her eyes and hit my bed. Haruka tried her level best to sympathise with my feelings but in vain. My life collapsed like the World Trade Center during 9/11. Just last night we began our love journey and here its over in the form of a plane crash which wasn’t a new incident for me. I turn into a statue for a fortnight not responding to anyone , eating tiny bits of food and lying on a corner of the bed like a depressed soul. The University staff complained to my Aunt about my poor attendance record. I didn’t even talk to her on phone despite all her attempts to strike a chord with me.
Nobody knew that I loved Gustave. Even Simone failed to understand why I would cry for a Professor whom I barely had a conversation with. Haruka was confused too. It was only my lonely heart that bore all the pain with great difficulty. I climb upstairs rushing towards the beautifully decorated terrace of my hostel shedding heavy buckets of tears and stumble upon my feet on the concrete floor. My eyes divert towards the impeccable full moon which was content alone unlike me. I sob like a widow and shriek “GUSTAVE ! How could you even think of separation so early ? I would have stopped you from leaving immediately if I had a damn foresight. It took me a decade to recover from parental loss only because you weren’t beside me whilst I was struggling to rebuild my life single handedly. Is our love cursed or am I cursed ?Whomever I love dies. Don’t I deserve happiness ? Gustave ! Gustave ! Gustave ! How will I live without your warm hands touching my skin ? How will breathe without your sultry peck on my cheeks ? How will I survive without your flamboyant smile ? How ?” I bang my head against the rigid terrace floor pulling my hair mercilessly like a maniac. This feeling that pierced into my nerves was worse than a break-up. But thank god it wasn’t so. Coz it was death. A terrible one. The one that stole my precious diamond – my first love. All I felt was barren , broken and blunt.
The most disgusting element was the evisceration of Gustave into micro particles. I couldn’t even glance at his mortal remains for one last time. Simone paid frequent visits to the hostel to console me and in the process I disclosed my secret love affair with her cousin which didn’t startle her at all. The entire University knew about my short lived relationship with Gustave de Balzac and both of us became gossip item of the year. The only person who was unaware about this happened to be my Aunt. I couldn’t help but reveal everything to Aunt Simi on her first tour to Manhattan. She was baffled initially to hear about my affair which according to her was a blunder that I should have never committed. “Is this why I sent you to Harvard so that you would date your Professor ? Shame on you Sia !” She yelped like a thunderbolt. “Stop all this nonsense right away. You are gonna attend classes regularly got it ? I’m really upset at your reckless teenage behavior. Instead of focusing on your studies you wasted time on “stupid love”. Enough. I’ll keep a close watch on your actions from now onwards and then let me see how will you even dare to cross your limits again.” She was literally bashing me uninterruptedly. No more flow of tears from my desperate eyes. I will be under scanner as if I perpetrated some criminal act. But that didn’t mean an end to “The Story Of My Experiments With Love.” I still loved Gustave with sheer dedication because he was the first love of my meaningless life. His physical absence pestered me every damn moment.
I damn the ruthless force which took him away from me.
I damn the brutal nature which tore him into tiny shreds.
I damn the word “hope” which always lands us in gloom.
RESURRECTION
Pain was no longer my distant relative. We grew up together and realized that we are made for each other. So , now both of us are BFF’s. We are almost inseparable now. I learnt the art of dealing with pain from the miserable deaths that turned my life upside down. I was weeks away from becoming a graduate in Economics from the prestigious Harvard University. My grades were phenomenal despite the traumatic memories that engulfed my mind. Seems like Aunt Simi’s magic worked !!! She wanted me to become a perfectionist in every sphere. Her dream to behold her darling niece marching ahead with flying colours was about to come true. I impressed the panelists during campus placement with my charisma , vigour and intelligence. My preparation strategy paid off pretty well. “Ms. Walia , You’re hired !!” a line which every aspiring employee would love to hear. I will be working as an Economic Analyst for “Malhotra Group of Industries.” It was built in the late 70’s by Late Dr. Sharad Malhotra an alumni of Wharton School of Business , Pennsylvania whose roots laid in India. He was an ambitious man bestowed with extraordinary talent and incredible vision which caused him to establish a whopping business empire across the world. Malhotra Group dealt with real estate , textiles , IT , healthcare , hospitality and humanitarian work . It had 150 branches spread enormously over 185 countries which reflected its mammoth stature in the corporate world. Its founder Dr. Sharad died of heart attack at the age of 35 in his hometown Chandigarh , Punjab. He is survived by his wife Shashi Malhotra and son Raghav Malhotra. It was believed that after Dr. Malhotra’s death the company registered huge losses due to lack of an effective leadership. But Mrs. Malhotra took charge of the Malhotra Industries winning the trust of investors with her academic brilliance. She quit her lucrative job as an Investment banker in Citigroup to cushion her husband’s endeavors. Shashi Malhotra officially handed over the reigns of Malhotra Group to her only son Raghav Malhotra. My future boss was a spoilt brat , brash in speech but sizzling
in appearance. I saw his picture for the first time in the Forbes cover donning Stuart Hughes diamond edition listed as the most expensive suit valued at $892,500. I wondered why he didn’t pursue modelling as a career given his alpha male features which would melt every woman’s heart instantaneously.
“Sia. Congratulations sweetie.” Simone kissed on both cheeks trying to adjust her low cut black dress. “Same to you babe. OMG ! We are graduates can you believe it yet ?” I sigh. “Shall I say no ? But the truth is yessss we are.” (Smiles). “I feel like a grown up Simone. New job , new life and everything is gonna be new. Mixed emotions.” I shrug. “ I agree. We must behave ourselves coz finally we have reached the stage where our age demands self-discipline , determination and accountability. I think I’m sounding like my mother.” I burst into laughter. “Exactly. Don’t be such a mommy ! We also deserve our share of fun.” Early 20’s shouldn’t be forsaken just because we are employed. That doesn’t make us old hags. I would stick to “Play First , Work Later” mantra in the post employment phenomenon too. Since it was our last day as students me , Haruka and Simone planned a farewell party at Rumor nightclub , Philadelphia. I wore a ocean blue corset mini dress while Haruka sparkled in a gold sequin dress with a pleated skirt. Simone was the dancing queen who looked stunning in her brown glittery jacket and skinny jeans. “ Babes we are gonna be separated physically but let’s promise ourselves that we will catch up once in a month even if we are super busy okay ?” Simone hated the idea of work as it meant less partying , diet control and more responsibility. I was no different. Laziness and me are like twin sisters. But when you are married to work the only way to keep the alliance going is bid your twin adieu. “We will stay in touch under all costs. Not at the cost of our job of course.” I mention the limitations. “Both of you are absolutely correct. I have nothing much to add. High Ten !” Haruka nods. Three of us form a high ten star and hit the floor dancing to the narcotic mash up. We consumed the classic cocktail “Bloody Mary” and freaked out like wild children. I was drunk for the first time ever breaking all my rules of “No Smoking , No Drinking.” Thank God I didn’t smoke. I broke my shoulder while dancing and fell on the metal floor. All I saw in dizziness was a tall and handsome guy having a bulky cleavage accompanied with hulking forearms trying to regain my consciousness.
Immortal Love_True Love Never Dies Page 4
