A Kiss To Moonlight

(Wrote in 2000)

CHARLES WANDERED IN SOLITUDE. Night had slipped in and he kept walking aimlessly. How could providence sneak in with such a twist of life? He was rich, handsome, and well-mannered and of course had a girl of his dreams but… He kissed moonlight one last time
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It was a valentine’s day. Love was on the air. He had gone to rent a book – Love Story, a book written by Erich Segal. There was just one book in the stands and before he could place his hands on it, a girl early in her youth had hers on it.

“Do you mind if I have it” she asked with an apologizing smile

“Sure, you can” he replied out of sheer courtesy. He wished with all his heart he had it.

“Can you inform once you finish reading it. I will collect it as soon as you return. I don’t want it to change hands before I have mine”

“Sure. Can I have your mobile number” she enquired

“9846854122 and my name is Charles” he replied

“Nancy. Nice meeting you” she gave her hand
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A day had just passed and the mobile ranged. Charles received the call.

“Is it Charles?” a female voice enquired

“Yes speaking. Who is this?”

“This is Nancy. I have finished reading the book- Love Story. I am intending to return it in the evening”

“What time?” Charles enquired

“Around Five” Nancy replied

“I would be there and how was it”

“Excellent” Nancy sounded enthusiastic

Charles collected the book after Nancy returned it to the librarian. Charles had felt an attraction for this girl; after all she was beautiful and had the same taste as far as the book was concerned.

‘What a handsome fool. He probably would never meet her’ Charles thought

Charles decided to take the risk. ‘What had he to lose’ he thought

“Can you give me your phone number; I mean if you don’t mind?”

“Oh sure” Nancy replied

“9153145877” Nancy continued

Charles scrambled for a paper. At last, he found refuge in an old note from his wallet. He had forgotten to take his mobile. She carried a pen in her leather bag.

It was while reading the book that an idea struck Charles – ‘Why don’t I ask Nancy for a date. She was sweet and adorable. My dream girl’

But Charles had never asked a woman out. He felt shy and ashamed for being that. But he brushed aside his incompetence and searched for the note. He couldn’t find the note.

‘Had he given it at the grocery shop?’ he questioned himself.

He changed his clothes and rushed to the nearby grocery shop

“I had given a note to you in the morning. It contained an important address. Can I have it? I would replace it.” Charles asked

“It may have changed hands. There are stacks of notes. I don’t think I could let you do that” shop owner replied

Charles left disappointed. ’How could he do this to himself? He should have taken good care of the note. At least he should have written it somewhere else’ he scolded himself

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Suddenly his mobile rung

“Is it Charles?”

“Yes, Charles is on”

‘I want to ask you out. Do you mind?” Nancy’s familiar voice appeared

‘Wow what a girl!’ he thought

“I was going to ask the same question to you. But I misplaced your phone number”

“Well great let’s meet at A La Planche at 7 PM sharp”

“Sure”

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The candle sprayed golden rays towards them. They had their eyes locked. Their eyes were speaking more words than what they could have talked in an hour. They were having a candle light dinner.

“So, what made you think I would fall for your suggestion for dinner” I interrupted

“You are single, have eyes that understand love, heart that loves romance”

‘Oh really” Charles smiled

There was something enchanting. Maybe it was her physique, maybe her soothing voice, maybe her ability to act her heart out. Maybe she had a smaller cerebrum.

“What are you doing?” Nancy asked

“I am doing major in electronics but now doing my bachelors in romance” Charles answered

“So cute; I am doing Journalism”

They continued conversing and it required the restaurant manager to inform that the restaurant was closing to part them
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One day one morning, when day swept the darkness and the sun lifted its head; it saw; it’s the season of love. Its heart bled and life flooded up. Half asleep half-awake it saw a handsome man meeting a beautiful woman with hearts beating like cannons shots…It understood waves of time had passed – its season of love

It was spring – a time for love. Love bound more couples than ever. Even nature was in love with itself. Flowers bloomed and fruits mellowed. They met each other more fervently than ever.

“You know I can’t spend a day without talking to you. But with studies we can’t meet every day’

‘Then you should do one thing: AT NIGHT LOOK AT THE MOON AND REMEMBER MY FACE. THEN YOU WILL SEE ME SPEAKING TO YOUR HEART”

“I will surely do. But not only that I will kiss you goodnight”

“So how should this set forth” Charles asked

“What?” Nancy lovingly asked

“Our love story”

“Providence can only tell” Nancy smiled but she was flirting
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They had written their love story. There was no providence but just two of them. They had married – Perfect end to a fairy tale. They had their wedding photo framed on the wall.
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It was five months since their marriage. Nancy had not returned. Charles felt a sense of alarm. She had gone to the college.

He had a call on his mobile. We got your number from the diary.

“I am sorry. Your wife, I suppose is critical. She met with an accident. A gas tanker had collided with her car.”

Charles rushed to the hospital. There Nancy was lying with strange tubes and machines.

“I love you very much. I don’t think I will meet you again. If you want to talk to me look at the moon and speak to me. I will be waiting there” That was her last words

Nancy lay unconscious. A narrow thread held her to life.

“Only a miracle could save her” Doctor responded. Charles left the hospital with his heart pleading to all Gods for her
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Charles wandered in solitude. Night had slipped in and he kept walking aimlessly. How could providence sneak in with such a twist of life? He was rich, handsome, and well-mannered and of course had a girl of his dreams but… He kissed moonlight one last time
He could never marry again. Five months with her looked like a lifetime. Those memories would last for a lifetime. That touch of her hair, words they had spoken together, that soothing kiss was enough to spend rest of his lifetime even in hell. But what about the child he could never see?