As she got up from the couch, she said, “Could you please read the next page out loud so that I don’t miss any word of it, I’ll prepare coffee for us”. I just stared at her in admiration long enough to see her disappear into the kitchen, and when she was no longer in my sight, I stretched my shoulders for a few seconds so that she could lay comfortably once again when she returned. Turning the page, I read out loud, “Walking towards the mountain-top they called home, it was evidently clear that nostalgia had once again taken its toll on them and they could feel the memories of 4 years ago in everything they saw. And when they reached the mountain-top, she turned to him and asked him, ‘Do you truly love me?’ Before she could say anything, he held her hands and looked into her eyes…” And before I could read the next line, she jumped onto the sofa, and snatched the book away from me, and before I could say anything, she spoke softly, “I know it’s kind of silly, but can I ask you a question?” I was confused at first, but I just stared into her eyes and said, “Yes’. She took me by my hands and asked quite innocently, “Do you truly love me?”
Here’s what came pouring from my heart –
“Hey beautiful,
-I remember perfectly how the sound of your voice on the phone every morning made everything seem alright when we were away from each other. And only after hearing your voice on the other end would my day start.
-Every single time you hold my hand, I feel the kind of warmth that is felt when we sit around a fireplace during cold winter nights.
-Your smile works wonders. Even during the worst of times, your smile seem to bring about much comfort and new hopes.
-And every time you hug me, I can only feel comfort and care. And all worries seem to fade.
-The way your eyes locks into mines makes me realize how beautiful life is.
Right from the moment my heart locked onto yours, I knew, I have to love this woman as much as I can for as long as I can, and I can never stop loving her, not even for a second. I carried that lesson through every stupid fight we ever had, every 5 am Christmas morning, every sleepy Sunday afternoon, through every speedbump, every patch of jealousy or boredom or uncertainty that came our way, I carried that lesson with me. And when sometimes things turned to the worst, all I could do was thank God, thank every God there is or ever was or will be, and the whole universe and anyone else I could possible thank, that I have you.
And no matter how many times you ask me the same question in the future, the answer will still be the same. Yes, I truly love you.
For I believe that we are made of particles that have existed since the moment the universe began. I like to think those atoms travelled 14 billion years through time and space to create us, so that we could be together and make each other whole.”
And as I held her close to me, I could feel her heartbeat resonating as one to mine. I kissed her on the forehead, rubbed away her tears and helped her lay on my shoulders again. Taking the book in my hand, we continued from the same page again.
