Though February was only a week old this year, the dark, desolate and oppressively cold winter had already gone and the warm sunny spring was dancing to the beats of Myra's heart.
The wicked arrogant wind had been playing with her senses all day- now ruffling her hair and caressing her: now pricking her with its chill, then again soothing her and teasing her heart with its sensual play.
But Myra did not mind, she had learned to let herself go along with it. She had learned to accept this mild tingling in her heart, learned to enjoy it without imagining or worrying what the next moment might bring.
She had finally come out of the dark dungeons of fear and doubt and her life was finally taking a turn into the brightness of faith and love. She need not hold herself back anymore. Never again will the future oppress her because she had reserved it all for him.
Him? - A m a n - her fingers were carving his name in the sand. She looked around, the sun had already retreated and the night had spread its reign. Everything seemed magical to her today, even the dark waves that were threatening to engulf the very ground she was sitting upon.
But what is it? why does her heart tickle so?
"O Aman, you mustn't, really!" - she exclaimed clutching her skirt as she ran through the beach to the garden; then through the lobby, climbing the long flight of stairs, she headed straight to her room just in time to answer the buzzing phone...
"Love you too!" – she said into the receiver, panting heavily, trying to calm her heart but in vain;
"Why, what's wrong? why are you panting?" he was concerned
"Did I never tell you that my heart tickles whenever you think of me?" said Myra boldly. "It became ticklish moments ago and that made me run back to the house. I knew you were thinking of me and would call soon."
"Does it now?" – he teased,
"Yes it does; you may laugh all you want but there are things you cannot believe unless you have experienced them." – she said in defiance.
Somehow, Aman could never contradict her convictions, even though he had no faith in them. They were all too endearing and added to the feminine charm.
"Did it tickle even when we were far away from each other?" he said, indicating truce.
"No, it was gloomy then."
"How long has it been ticklish?"
"Ever since you made that promise" – she said shyly. Aman could not help but chuckle,
"Laugh all you want..." – she said in annoyance,
"It's not what you say Myra, but how you say them, makes words sound so comical!"
"... if only you knew how my heart beats, how it leaps out of its cage every time I think of you... if only you could feel its throbbing..." She sighed. What words can express the intricate movements of the heart...its desires and even passion?
"But I do." – he protested vehemently; "My heart has been ticklish since eighteen years, it has been calling your name ever since I first met you. Only, you couldn't hear it back then as you do now. Since you have begun to hear its desires and passion, let me show you what life truly is and what it means to live in love and with love."
"I have already begun living in it..." she said dreamily
"Yes, you have. A few more days my darling, our trials will soon be over!"
Suddenly she was all alert; "Is it time yet? Shall I switch on the television?"
"There is still some time...we haven't reached yet... " he replied. Then, thinking something, he said: "Your movements will be restricted from now on. You know it, right?"
"I do. But, I really don't mind."
"It's all temporary. Our lives change from here on. We are about to enter the most beautiful phase of our lives..."
Myra's house had been turned into a fortress with guards patrolling all around making it inaccessible to all. Its most prized inhabitant -Viraj Singh, the Prime Ministerial candidate for the Young Indian Party, had been pacing about in the library since dusk. He has had numerous meetings, countless briefings and endless rounds of discussion since past two days: all in anticipation of Aman's address to the democrats and their supporters.
Another phone rang in the library; Viraj instinctively knew who it was from. His restless heart grabbed the receiver and spoke penitently in a voice laced with remorse - "Will you ever forgive me for not standing by you? For all that you had to endure because of my selfishness?"
Aman smiled; "I have already forgiven you. I am neither bitter nor sorry for what happened back then. Your support now is most precious. I am grateful for that."
"Is it absolutely necessary?" –Viraj spoke in a while, "must you renounce? After all you've worked hard for it."
"It's the only way I can be with her." Aman responded, "Speculations are rife, the reporters are already digging their knuckles into it."
"But there is an alternative..." Viraj was saying but was sharply interrupted...
"There is no other way." Aman was firm. "Besides, it was Myra who had persuaded me into public service. I have merely made her wish my profession. When she was taken away from me, work was my only solace. They cannot keep her away from me anymore and expect me to slog for them. She is the very life I breathe."
"Is that cheering for you, have you reached the stadium?" Viraj had caught on the loud cheering noise in the background.
"Yes, we have. Viraj, have you secured everything?"
"I have tried to use my influence as extensively as possible. I have had meetings with all major news channels and requested them not to put weight on the story. Even so, there will be some damage done."
"It will all be over soon." said Aman, "I can promise you that. Well, it's showtime! Bring her to the television, I want her to hear me."
Viraj went upstairs to be with his sister. Together, they watched the live telecast straight from California, US.
Aman came out of his car and waved to the thousands of supporters who had gathered there to hear their future leader address them.
"You remember what we have talked of before, don't you?" – said the brother as he saw tears brimming in her eyes. "You will need to hold on to your nerves."
"I do, it's just the thrill of seeing him after so long." – she wiped her tears off. "I am not naïve anymore; I have learnt how not to get caught in other people's emotions. You need not worry about me."
"I have already informed the guards," – Viraj patted her head; "they will tighten the security and will keep those dogs away."
"Don't say so," she remonstrated; "They are only doing their job."
"Their job is to report news, not our lives...not you." Viraj was angry.
"Brother, haven't you realized, that I am caught between two most influential men of the two most powerful countries? How can you expect them not to jump ankle and knuckles into it?"
"You seem to be quite enjoying the attention." –her brother was surprised and relieved that she understood the game well enough.
"No, it all means nothing to me, I have just learnt to see things from multiple perspectives and have learnt to accept them."
"Multiple perspectives, my foot." – her brother smirked; "Do you think these people care about morality and righteousness?"
Myra looked at him blankly and her brother sighed - "All they care about is power and money. So forget about perspective and just be yourself."