Long Distance

That night I actually didn’t sleep. I knew I had to talk to kabir about it. Ever since our relationship status had changed to a long distance relationship things had changed. Phone calls from every minute had changed to hardly talking for a minute, text messages had conversations filled with both of us replying to each other saying, “ Busy baby BRB”. I heard the crows crowing and the birds chirping at around 5:30. The cold December morning still made me get up from bed and grab a cigarette. Lighting the cigarette with the old pink lighter that was a gift from kabir I covered myself with my blanket. Taking the 1^st puff I went back to the memory lane at the time when kabir had called me in excitement, “hey baby!! Have a big surprise. Meet me for dinner tonight? Mainland china? 9? I’ll pick you up! This dinner is special. Love you baby cya!” After this call I had made up my mind that he was going to propose! I knew it all this while because he was talking a lot about marriage and our future. I called up Kinnari my best friend in excitement and narrated the whole story she said, OMG! He is so going to propose! I am so happy for you! I can’t believe it! Please tell me you are going to where the dress we bought from chemistry?”  I was busy imagining how the whole thing would work out; I just cut kinnari’s call and started getting ready. The excitement was killing me. I picked up the best dress, the best matching shoes and the best matching clutch. After a long relaxing hot water shower I heard the doorbell ring. Kabir was at the main door my heart knew that. I was waiting for my mother to open the door and listen to kabir’s voice.  “Hello my hottie” I heard him say. While blowing the smoke in the air I also remembered how my life would light up just listening to his husky voice hi baby! He was a big flirt and was a professional at it. If anyone could make my mother blush he was obviously good at flirting! I ran with one shoe in my hand in a hurry waiting to see him. Both our families were happy for us because they knew we were too much into each other and had a beautiful future. After a quick peck on the cheek and a good bye to mom we left for dinner. He opened the car door for me as usual, he always made me feel special in every way but every normal thing seemed special today, his car usually smelled of the Davidoff cool waters fragrance it always put me in the best mood. This fragrance still reminds me of him. I tried asking him indirectly about the surprise but he said, “Its special baby! But I know one thing for sure it’s going to be best for our future.” Saying this he gave me a quick kiss. We reached Mainland China. This place was special; we both had met here for the first time. We sat and kabir ordered for some champagne. He poured it in my glass. I slyly tried to look into the glass to see if he dropped a ring but he quickly passed me the glass. I looked in to the glass and couldn’t spot a ring in between the bubbles n champagne sparkle. I thought there might be some other way in which he’s going to propose. He held my right hand and said, “Kiara? My dad is ready to finance the project I have been working on. I am shifting to Dubai next month! I’ll set up the hotel ASAP and we can get married. Our future is set once this dream comes true. Just another year or two and you will be Mrs Kiara Kapoor.” My heart stopped beating for a few minutes. Here I was imagining my future with him and he was imagining leaving me for 2 whole years for his dream. I gulped down the champagne without even saying cheers. “Slow down kiara! We can party all night.” I gave him a dirty stare n excused myself to use the restroom.  As I was walking towards the restroom all I was imagining was Kabir dancing with belly dancers around him! I never imagined that he would actually go pursue his dream. I always thought I was his dream.  I couldn’t control any longer and burst out crying. After getting fresh and faking a smile in the mirror I walked out looking really happy. The cigarette butt burnt my finger and brought me back to reality. I looked at the time and there was still time for Kabir to wake up for his meetings. The time distance had kept me awake for many nights. I took a shower and washed away the sleep. Slipped into my jeans and Kabir’s shirt it still had a faded fragrance of Davidoff. It had been a year now that he had left for Dubai; his dream was getting fulfilled in no time. His luck was on his side and there were no major barriers. The only biggest barrier with our relationship was there was hardly any communication, we used to wish each other, miss each other and also kiss each other but only via the emoticons. I had to talk to him today because I had no clue where this relationship was heading. I was in love with him and I would never let go. I picked up the phone and searched his name through the phonebook. I connected the call and a person in Arabic said something, I waited for him to repeat it for me in English and this time he said, “The number you are trying to reach is currently switched off please try again later.” Of all the days it was today that his phone had to be off. Agitated I kept looking at the phone and went through all our old photographs and gave it a thought, “where exactly did we go wrong? My wallpaper had a picture of us lost in our world. It was one of the cutest clicks. We looked so happy. I made up my mind that I have to get to talk to him because I wanted to save our future. Luckily no one was home to bear my madness. My mom had gone to meet dad in Kuwait and left me here handling and sorting my life alone. I picked up my phone to call him again and this time making sure if his cell phone is off then I’ll try talking to the Arab operator to help me out with my problem. This time the phone was ringing but no one answered which left me no option but to leave a voice note. The message had me saying, “Please answer my call baby! I want to save our relationship. I never want to lose you.” as soon as I was done leaving a sad message I heard the doorbell. I turned around to look at the time it was 7 in the morning. I was home alone and obviously wasn’t going to open the door at 7 for anyone. I tried peeping out through the peep hole but the person outside had covered it. I knew it had to be mom so I ran to my room and hid the cigarette packet n threw the ash out. Sprayed some perfume and I was fresh as a daisy. I opened the door and to my shock saw Kabir on his knees asking,” I know you were waiting for this question since a long time but I had to chase my dream to get you this ring with my own money I dint want you to tell your friends that your fiancé gifted you a ring with his father’s money, this is the best ring I could find for you, sorry to keep you waiting for a year. God! You are the perfect thing that could ever happen to me. I am settled enough to give you what you deserve in life…kiara Sharma will you marry me and be Mrs Kiara Kabir Kapoor? “I couldn’t hold back my tears and said yes in a broken tone. He gave me the biggest longest and the perfect hug that I was waiting for. We kissed and couldn’t stop smiling and being in each other’s arms. Just when I thought it was all over from his side and I had to save it, he came back to me with the most beautiful ring and an almost perfect love story…

SAMANAH. RIZVI

20^TH SEP, 2012

00:06PM