YOU'RE MY LIFELINE

In the middle of the night, I'm standing near the window. Frogs are croaking, and I'm looking outside with the hope that my husband will come up behind me and hug me. I miss his warmth and his touch that melts me. This rain reminds me of drinking hot chocolate made by him and the song he would always sing for me, still ringing in my ears. I raise my hands outside the window and let the raindrops fill them. I can still inhale his fragrance as I'm wearing his jacket, hugging it tightly. I rub my hands because I feel cold. I move outside, letting the rain wash away the pain that is killing me. The silence and my refusal to talk to anybody since he left are overwhelming. I miss his deep voice. I cry silently as my eyes fill with tears. I walk slowly, with sadness clouding my mind, and my dress and hair become wet. I stop when I reach the coffee shop that is open 24 hours. I go inside, looking at our reserved table where we used to spend our special days, and the waiter's voice breaks my trance.

"Ma'am, your order, please?"

"Cappuccino," I say with guilt, as he, my love, would always order for me.

When I sit on the chair, I remember how he used to sit near me. He would take the tissues with his opposite hand, move them across to me, and our eye contact would fill my stomach with butterflies. He would act as if he had done nothing. I drink the coffee in a single gulp.

We used to share our coffee, and sometimes, in my hurry, I would take the ceramic cup and burn my fingers. He would kiss my fingers and squeeze my hand. I want to live that moment and remember it for life. This coffee shop witnessed his care and love for years.

The soft music fills the room in a romantic mood, but I am really worried, thinking about him. I look at the glass that has frozen droplets of rain on it. With curiosity, I start to draw on the glass that has frozen, and I draw an incomplete heart, hoping that he would complete the other part. I see a man running in the rain who stops at the glass where I drew the half heart. I can't see him clearly, but I know it's him. I rub my eyes and pinch myself to check if it's a dream or real. He completes the other half of the heart. I am curious to see him. I rub the glass and see his black eyes, his hair drenched in the rain, and his sharp nose. His smile flashes his dimple, and I cry, wondering if this is real. I trace his face on the glass, and he blinks his eyes to assure me he is there.

Instantly, I start running to the exit and look for him near the glass. But he is missing. Then I smell his fragrance as he slowly comes up behind me and hugs me. He kisses my neck, and I turn to face him and kiss his forehead, eyes, nose, and cheeks. He lifts me and twirls me. He is looking at me as if it were the first time.

"Vikram... How did you come here? You should be working now in France, right? When did you book the flight? How did you come tonight? I missed you so much."

"Mrs. Amirtha Vikram, I quit my job for you, my darling. I can't leave you alone. I can't live in peace. Every night I miss your cuddles, every morning I miss your coffee, every evening I miss our romantic hot chocolate date. Our home doesn't feel lively without you. I can't live without you because you're my lifeline. I have earned enough for our living. I will search for a job near our house."

"But that was your dream job, right? I can manage my life without you. Why did you quit the job for my sake?"

"I quit the job for my sake. And no more lies, my dear. You've lost weight, and I want my chubby Amirtha back. Did you manage your life without me? You have dark circles and your eyes have lost their moisture from crying. Do you think I wouldn't notice? You made a big mistake by neglecting the health of my wife. You will get your punishment tonight, my babe!" he says with a smirk.

"And I'm ready to get the punishment from my hot hubby!"

"What are we waiting for? Let's go!"

We interlace our hands and run home. I'm no longer lonely, and I feel like my life has come back to me after the year I suffered without him.

________________________ THE END________________________________