HERE I COME....A SHORT STORY BY ZELAM

This story is primarily inspired from: ROMANCE OF A BUSY BROKER BY O’Henry!

"HERE I COME...."

A SHORT STORY BY ZELAM

I was running and running fast, in the streets of Mumbai, people from my family were after me, police was after me. Not sure whether I would find him in the church or not. I just crossed two churches but I am sure he must not have been here, we both decided to meet at the meeting point, the place of our first meet. Oh God! I am losing my breath, but can’t stop now till I see him.

I have to befool the police so I took a long way to reach at my destination. In befooling them, I completely forgot that I chose a path that I walked before with him from our first date till yesterday when he proposed me for our marriage. Yes, we decided our marriage to be held on a valentine day.

Oh no!.. Mr. Rao... God! I have to hide myself, looking him approaching me I took a sharp turn and landed myself in a gift shop, for a while I had to behave as if I am one of the potential customers there, I loved to shop for him but Poor Me! I am running short of money... In a hustle I forgot to take my purse too. Hello Ma’am, how may I help you said one of the girls in the shop, hmmmm. Actually I will buy this, pointing out at one of the Hats I told her, sure ma’am, she said and brought to me that hat, how much for this?, I inquired with confidence, hmmmm..200/- ma’am..ok Just wait I shall pay you, I just turned and I found that she got busy with another customer, so I hurried and rushed towards the door and ran from the shop, the owner of the shop followed me for some time but I was, so swift and fast that if I had a competition that day, I would have left the Legendary P.T.Usha behind.

Meanwhile, just across the corner of a street, I saw a flower vendor; I hurriedly went on there and took a beautiful bouquet of flowers, these are his favourite, white lilies. Oh! Madam, dedson (150/-) rupayon ka hain yeh..mangta kya?? I gave him a thoughtful look, aree haan yehi chahiye.. lekin shaadi main dena hain so pack it and give me, I demanded him. Ruko pack karke deta hu, and he started seeking for the gift wrapper, slowly I started moving back and when he was fully lost in the gift wrapping, I just threw this hat in his direction and shouted, ye rakhlo, doso ki hain (it’s worth 200/-)..pachaas rupaye tip samajhna...apni badi didi ki taraf se)...and I rushed...from streets to streets..The police and family members now disappeared, still I can’t ease, I have to reach the destination, and he must be waiting for me.

As I was running, I crossed the beautiful Marine Drive, all the beautiful memories stared flooding in and I found tears coming down my cheeks, when I saw a couple holding hands and laughing with each other, thought how happy they are, I too wanna be happy like they are now, so I marched forward wiping my tears...oh! shit...auunnttyyyyy...side please....I screamed out louder to an aunty who was just about to collide me...god I saved myself from falling; as she was a fatso....

Hussshhhh...There...The church...I unclipped my hair, relaxed; and moved further, but in haste. I was fully drenched up in sweat and looked so tired even the kaamwali baai will look good in front of me this moment, I thought to myself, when I happened to have a quick look at the mirror in the corridor of the church.

There he was, waiting for me, ohho! Where were you? I have been waiting for you since too long honey! Saying this, he literary dragged me inside the church. I tried to explain with broken breath, you know I had to run a marathon to come here; he gave me a frustrated look and said, Who told you to do that, I already gave you the option of a traditional marriage..But look at you..!! An adamant fool!! The one who wanted an adventurous Wedding!! He mocked and laughed out louder...

Father was waiting for us!

Come my child, father led us to the stage where he had his preparations ready, he asked us (particularly me, to settle down) still was confused. He handed us two garlands and we exchanged those, and took vows in front of the lord.

Now please exchange the rings!! I was shocked to hear this, and looking at my expressions he said, now what?? Raj... “I FORGOT THE RING”....he was angry now... I looked up to explain...Father I was running, I mean people were after me, I mean I forgot everything, I mean this is the biggest day of my life, I ...I....

Jasmine!! Jasmine!! ...someone shook me...and my reverie was broken... It’s me Raj, he said. Oh yes! Raj...what are we doing here, where is the father gone? Father? He said...You forgot? How can you forget, today is our marriage dear...the day we awaited for too long...I shouted at him.

Calm down honey, he consoled and handed me a photograph, it was our wedding picture; he hugged me and said, Sweetheart,” WE MARRIED LAST YEAR ONLY”. And now we are a HAPPILY MARRIED COUPLE, as you always dreamt of...

Hmm. I see...I was upset and lost somewhere again; when Raj’s mobile rang, Hello, he said. Mr. Raj, I have checked all the reports, I am sorry to say but your WIFE is a MENTAL PATIENT, suffering from Alzheimer and she NEEDS TREATMENT, the psychiatrist said and hung the phone.

Raj came and sat beside & consoled me; took my hand in his, kissed on my forehead and said, “So tell me sweetheart, WILL YOU MARRY ME AGAIN? THIS YEAR!!! “I smiled and looked into his eyes and said, but this time even MORE ADVENTUROUS haan... “BOLLYWOOD STYLE”......

He smiled with tears in his eyes, and said, 

“ja simran jee le apni zindagi”.....