UNDO

FIRST SIGHT

 

Talking over phone for days, Mrinali and Dhullah were excited to see other in person. This excitement intervened their sleep cycle and the two ended cooking up scenarios in their heads until their minds got tired and eyelids dropped down. 

Phone beeped a message from Dhullah which read, 

“ I’m elated to meet you, Mrinali❤️”.

 With an instantaneous smile on her face she swiped it open and called him to hear his early morning voice. He spoke and spoke while she thought how lovable he was. 

As per their plan they reached a cafe’. He came to the spot few minutes earlier on however. She pushed the door open and entered in. Though she remained calm on the outside, her heart pounded twice as fast; her eyes kept searching for him in every person she walked past. 

“ Is this him? Is that him ? No ! Is he sitting there by the window ? Is he wearing stripes ? Has he come ? Or is he late ? Am I too early ?”,

 she had hundreds of thoughts racing around one past one.

Dhullah who knew her a bit too much guessed all these from a distance; walked up to her and closed her eyes from behind. Though she was initially shocked she figured it was him. In the darkness, she felt nothing but his presence. Everyone else camouflaged with the background as she turned around and saw his eyes and his wide smile. She hugged him tight and showed how much she missed him without having to speak much. He lifted her up and twirled her around as they both laughed out of joy. The usually quiet one had so much to talk that day, brimming laughter every now and then. 

They walked to the parking area conversing like this was the last day of the world. She wore her helmet, gave him one too and started her bike. She rode them to their favourite spot. Yes, where the sand meets the sea, where the tides kiss your feet like nothing else and where the breeze sings a chorus. 

"Stay, don't move ! Listen! Listen to the sound of breeze! ",

he said. Together, they listened to the rhythm of the wind and speculated the early moon. 

When they rode home playing their favourite song, they were ceased by a mob who were dressed identically and shouted slogans of a sort. It induced panic to both of them. Soon, she realised they would harm him with no second thought. Turning her vehicle off, she stepped down and marched towards them as though she had an armour shielding her. She was determined to one thought which was to safeguard her person. Dhullah who was astonished to see her move, was also overly anxious. However, he  rolled up his sleeves and ran forth to her, moved her to his side and blew the opponents face. 

Back in the time, he had to go through a similar situation where he lost one of his friend. The trauma never kept him the same. The crowds frightened him from thence and he tried to stay away from any party or event that invite many people or loud noise. Now, he decided to fight his PTSD and go save his woman who laid more importance to his life than her own. Though he struggled initially, he was able to cope up and they fought for their life. 

Dhullah opened his eyes too see Mrinali laid down a few feet away. He gathered himself up; reached her; picked her up, held her in his hands and cried his heart out.

" You were there with me when I needed you. Now, I cannot let you give up. Wake up, Mrinali! I will never forgive you if you leave me here. Wake up! Pleeease!! Please, Mrinaaalii! ",

 he sobbed. Her eyelashes moved a centimetre and again this tiny move of hers gave him enough strength to pick her up; carry her to their bike, made her sit in front facing him; embraced her to him with his shirt and reached a nearby clinic. This time he saved his person. He faced his fears to protect his woman. He has never felt this alive in so many years. 

The men need to be protected too like the women are. You do not have to hold a rifle to do this. And it doesn’t always require you standing against a mob to protect him. Many a time, the battles he is fighting are delicate. Few times, those are mental. Sometimes, all he might need is your tiny gesture showing you are with him and that he is not fighting alone. Protect men like they protect you. Not since they did this or that to you, but because they deserve to be.