I didn't understand why my eyes were welling up. But I tried to hide it and smiled softly, saying,
___"Do you love me very much?"
There was a tense silence for a while. He wasn't saying anything. Slowly, he flipped another page of the diary with two fingers of his right hand! I focused my eyes on the writing again. It said…
'""
In life, where permanence is expected, the lack of clarity will always linger slightly! Minor mistakes, complaints, and unrest,
The call of differences will always disrupt the norm! But the hard truth within it will be this—I am yours.
Just as you are yours!
I want to know you, just like you, for a lifetime! I want to feel every touch of your anger, stubbornness, and tyranny,
And build a paradise of love in my heart. I want to accept your weaknesses, toughness, and flaws, and still make space for you—and take space in your life! A space so vast that one day, in my absence, your heartbeat will slow, and your breath will search for my existence even at midnight! From the depths, your trembling lips will utter a phrase,
I love you, I love you deeply!""
I could feel my lips trembling as I read the words, and my heart was stirred by emotions!
I slowly looked up, right into his eyes. I whispered,
___"If I had found the note on the door tomorrow morning instead of now, would you still have been here?"
___"Not just until tomorrow, I would have waited even if it took two more days! But I know I won't have to wait more than a day. You'll come to my call soon enough!"
I covered my mouth and laughed out loud, saying,
___"Ryan Bhai, you speak with so much emotion. It's like a teenage boy who memorizes these lines from movies after falling in love for the first time and uses them to impress his crush! Meanwhile, I'm a master's student, and you're a successful professional in a top-tier job! And here you are, trying to romance at this age? In this old age? Hahaha!"
My laughter grew even louder. I had one hand on my waist and the other covering my mouth as I kept laughing. The light from a lamp near the small shop nearby fell on both of us.
Amidst the intense laughter, I suddenly fell silent. Ryan Bhai was looking at me with a strange, intense gaze. His eyes were magnetic! I lowered my gaze, feeling flustered, and said,
___"Alright, I'm going home."
Ryan Bhai kept staring and took a step closer, saying,
___"You didn't even ask why I called you here, Priliya! You laughed at me for being old—you could have laughed more! I would have stood here all night, mesmerized, just watching you laugh!"
I said in a slightly annoyed tone,
___"Bhaiya, are you saying these things again? Is this how you talk to me?"
He took another step closer, and I took a step back. He reached out his hand and said with a distant look,
___"Will you marry me, Priliya?"
This time, I got really angry. I stepped back and said sharply,
___"How can you say that at this time? You know very well the boundaries of your dreams! Didn't I just read in your diary that you want to understand me like I understand myself? Then how can you not understand when I'll even think about marriage?"
Ryan Bhai said humbly,
___"Tell me, have I ever expressed my love for you all these years? Or tried to make you understand? Yet, perhaps you've understood! But I couldn't hold back anymore. I'm terrified of losing you! I know you have a tough heart—a guy like me hasn't gotten a chance in all these years, and a guy who's made mistakes won't get a second chance. But I'm still scared, Priliya! Will you be mine? I can never think of anyone else in your place, honestly. If I don't get you, I'll fall apart. I know you'll laugh and dismiss these words as emotions, but this age isn't about emotions, Priliya. At this age, infatuation doesn't just happen—it's a genuine desire to have someone, and if it's not fulfilled, one can vow to spend the rest of their life alone. It's not that I can't live without you, but something will definitely die—my heart! Priliya, I'm willing to wait another 100 years for you, just promise me you won't be with anyone else?"
As I listened to his words, I kept stepping back. The sky was cloudy, and it felt like a heavy downpour was about to start!
I couldn't hold myself back. I didn't know what to say! On one hand, I still don't know the truth about Tiyas, and the enormity of what he did to Nuzhat keeps circling in my mind. For some reason, trusting people feels impossible to me. No, no, I can't make such a promise. I won't make any more mistakes. First, I'll find a genuinely good person. I've made too many hasty mistakes in life—no more. First, I'll establish myself, then bring smiles to my parents' faces, and only then will I think about whether I need anyone else in my life!
I looked up and saw Ryan Bhai waiting anxiously for my response. I wiped the sweat from my face and said clearly,
___"How can I make such a promise? What if I die tonight? Then you'll define me as someone who broke a promise. Besides, since I'm not thinking about marriage until I've built my career, there's no need to be so afraid. I need a lot of time for myself and to understand people! You won't have to wait this long—later, you'll see you've grown old, your hair has turned gray, and no one will marry you then."
___"No one else will, but you will, Priliya. And you'll grow old too, won't you? Then we'll both…"
___"Please, Bhaiya, stop saying such absurd things. You've really gone crazy. Go home now. I'm going to my village tomorrow. I need to pack."
With that, I started walking. He was still standing there, watching me. Suddenly, I heard him call out loudly from behind,
___"You didn't say anything, Priliya. You can avoid me now, but you won't be able to later. I love you so much."
I slowed my pace but didn't stop. Hearing his words, I smiled faintly and walked away. As I reached my building, I remembered I was supposed to buy eggs, but instead, I brought back a completely different feeling!
I bought two eggs from the shop and went upstairs.
That night passed strangely. I don't know why, but a mix of sadness and a strange kind of happiness keeps one from sleeping well.
Early in the morning, I got ready and left for home. I didn't have to wait long for the train. At this early hour, there weren't many people around. When I left the house, I only saw a couple of people walking on the road.
Even on the train, I kept thinking about the conversation with Ryan Bhai last evening. The train was moving slowly with a loud horn, and suddenly, I saw Ryan Bhai outside the window, waving at me.
I kept looking back as long as I could see him. The spot passed, and his smiling face disappeared. Did he wake up so early just to see me off because he heard I was going home this morning? Could this love really be so pure?
When I reached the station, I saw my younger brother and hugged him in joy. I knew very well he had come early to get his gift.
I handed him the shirt I had brought for him and asked,
___"Where's Dad?"
As he opened the packet, he said,
___"Dad's been inspecting some problem in the field since morning."
I smiled, looking at his happy face. As we walked, he was already putting on the shirt over his T-shirt. I could tell from his expression that he really liked it.
Before reaching home, I could see Mom standing on the road from a distance. As soon as she saw me, she started walking toward me.
I felt like running and hugging her. I quickly walked up to her. Mom took my handbag and hugged me lightly, saying in a tearful voice,
___"My dear Lia! Did you have any trouble on the way?"
I patted her head and said,
___"No, Mom, no trouble at all. Let me carry the bag."
But Mom insisted on carrying it. I didn't argue further. As we approached the house, Grandpa came shuffling over, crying with joy. Grandpa has a special place in my heart. Every time I come home, he cries with happiness. I don't know if he'll live to see my success, but he'll be just as happy as my parents. He often boasts about his granddaughter to his friends, and his smile fills me with immense satisfaction! It also multiplies my dreams! Grandpa hasn't been pressuring me about marriage since he heard about Tiyas.
He understands that the simple, trustworthy people of his generation no longer exist in this era. Now, behind every good facade lies countless dark intentions!
After freshening up, I ate first. It had been so long since I had Mom's cooking—ah! Every time I come home, I deliberately don't eat beforehand so I can enjoy Mom's cooking! Then, breaking all rules, I ate to my heart's content.
After eating, I took the oil bottle and asked Mom to massage my head. This is a daily ritual whenever I'm with Mom. Even if it's not oil, she has to at least run her hands through my hair.
Mom smiled and started massaging my head. Suddenly, she paused and said,
___"You didn't tell us about that senior from university you like."
I was startled and turned to look at her, asking,
___"Who told you that?"
___"Your Nira Bhabi told me. Tiyas has been saying it. Nira also said Tiyas is very upset about it. Is that boy really good?"
I turned my face away and said,
___"Mom, it's nothing like that. But he's liked me for a long time. I didn't pay attention, thinking it was just a crush that would fade in a few days. But yesterday, I realized he truly loves me. But you know I'm not interested in these things right now. Besides, I'm torn about Tiyas. Is he doing this intentionally, or is there some serious reason behind it? I need to know, Mom. He's committed many wrongs. But I don't know how to find out. That's why I came home."
Hearing my words, Mom smiled brightly and said,
___"Lia, I have a brilliant idea."
My eyes sparkled at her words, and I turned to her, asking,
___"Mom, what's the idea?"
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T/N: If you like it please vote with power stone please. More stones equals faster release.
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