MIHIR’S LOVE…..

#Mihirslove

#Disclaimer: This is an original work of fiction. Any relation to any person or organism living or dead is purely coincidental. This story cannot be published, copied or reproduced elsewhere without the consent of the author Rhituparna Chakraborty. This is a work of imagination with no intention to hurt anyone.

#RhituparnaChakraborty

#Completeepisode

Mihir loved Jasmine. No, it was not infatuation. He waited for long to understand whether it was love or mere infatuation. It has been 3 months. He could not take Jasmine out of his head nor from his heart. How did it all start? Well everyday on his way to work he would see Jasmine taking care of their pretty garden. The road in front of Jasmine’s home was usually not very crowded. There was a level crossing a little ahead of Jasmine’s home. Whenever the crossing gates would shut down, Mihir would stop his bike right in front of Jasmine’s home. With his helmet on, Jasmine barely saw him. However he ensured he saw her. Jasmine had long strands of curly hair. They were so long that they reached her waist. She had bright eyes which twinkled every time she smiled. Her skin shone like a dew drop on a leaf with the sun glistening it further. While watering the plants, she would hum a song or smile. The smile warmed Mihir’s heart.

Mihir was an executive working in a small firm. He had just moved to this new town. He was 28 years old. With a height of 5 feet 11 inches, lean structure, wheatish complexion, a sharp pointed nose, crew cut hairstyle and black rimmed, rectangular, thin eye glasses, Mihir looked handsome. He had a wonderful dress sense. Usually he would wear formals to office. Fridays he would wear smart casuals. He had a big league affinity towards branded dapper shoes.

The first day he saw Jasmine, he could not take his eyes off her. However, he did not take off his helmet. He waited at the level crossing till the light turned green. He wished the light never turned green and he never had to leave that spot. He looked at his watch. It was 9:00 a.m..

Next day, same time, he was there. Jasmine was busy taking care of some flowers in the garden. Sometimes watering them, sometimes clipping off some dry leaves from some plants. Mihir thought, Jasmine should see him. He took off his helmet and nonchalantly looked around hoping Jasmine would look at him. No. She did not. The lights at the level crossing turned green and Mihir had to leave.

For the next couple of days Mihir tried to get attention of Jasmine but in vain. Suddenly, one fine day, Jasmine looked at him. She was working on the flower plants adjacent to the gate of her home. Mihir’s joy knew no bounds. He smiled at her. She smiled back at him. Mihir then said, ‘You have a beautiful garden.’ Jasmine smiled and said, ‘Thank You!’. Mihir then said, ‘You put in a lot of effort, don’t you? Look at those smiling roses, the happy jasmines, the beaming sunflowers…’. Jasmine smiled and said, ‘Thank you! Well, usually my mom takes care of the garden. But since my parents are out of town these days, I tend to the plants.’ ‘Hmm’, said Mihir. He then looked at the house behind and said, ‘You have a huge house. Don’t you feel scared to live alone?’. Jasmine laughed and said, ‘Not at all. This is a very safe area.’ Mihir smiled and said, ‘I know. I stay in New street. That’s a commercial area. This area is very peaceful. Completely residential.’ Jasmine said, ‘Yes.’ Mihir then said, ‘By the way, I am Mihir.’ Jasmine smiled and said, ‘I am Jasmine.’

From that day onward, Mihir would talk to Jasmine on his way to work. Jasmine’s parents were still out of town. The garden was always spotlessly clean and splendidly beautiful. Mihir usually got 10 minutes everyday to talk to Jasmine. He wished to talk to Jasmine forever. But he could never muster courage to ask her phone number. Jasmine would smile and talk to him.

Days passed into months. Jasmine and Mihir would always talk at the front gate of Jasmine’s home. People who passed by would stare but Mihir and Jasmine never bothered. Off late Mihir realised that he missed Jasmine a lot. At work, at home, everywhere, he longed to be with her and feel her. Those 10 minutes every day meant a lot for him. He analysed his emotions. Was it just crush? Or was it love? Had it been crush, Mihir would have been happy interacting with all the pretty girls of his office. But, that was not the case. He looked for Jasmine in the crowd. Once he was home, he looked forward to the next day. 3 months was long enough to realise that this is love. He had to tell her his feelings. He decided he would tell her.

Next morning, he wore his best shirt and his best pair of trousers. The sky blue full sleeve shirt, the pair of black trousers, the formal black shoes, Mihir looked dapper. He looked at himself in the mirror and said, ‘There, all set Mihir.’ Mihir reached Jasmine’s home. As usual Jasmine was taking care of the garden. Mihir said , ‘Hi’. Jasmine turned around and said, ‘Hi Mihir.’ Mihir hesitated and then said, ‘ Are your parents home?’ Jasmine said, ‘They will come tomorrow.’ Mihir then said, ‘Umm Jasmine, there is something, I need to tell you.’ Jasmine looked at him and said, ‘What?’ Mihir said, ‘Well Jasmine, I don’t know how to say this, but I think…’. Jasmine looked at Mihir without blinking her eyes. Mihir said, ‘I love you Jasmine.’ Jasmine looked at Mihir and without any expression, said, ‘Happy to know that Mihir.’ Mihir was surprised. This was not the answer he was looking for. Mihir said, ‘Jasmine, you won’t say anything?’. Jasmine went ahead to water the plants and said nothing. Mihir asked again , ‘You won’t say anything Jasmine?’ Jasmine said nonchalantly, ‘No.’ Mihir was surprised. All these days he thought Jasmine felt something for him too. Mihir asked, ‘Jasmine, all these days, did you not look forward to seeing me the next day?’ Jasmine looked at Mihir and said, ‘I did.’ Mihir then said, ‘Then? Don’t you feel the same for me?’ Jasmine smiled and said, ‘Yes Mihir. I do feel something for you. But I never take my decisions. My parents take my decisions.’ Mihir said, ‘Jasmine, I am not ready to marry as yet, but I want to spend time with you and know you.’ Jasmine looked at Mihir and said, ‘I understand. But, to go out with you, you have to seek the permission of my parents.’ Mihir fumbled, ‘What if they say no?’. Jasmine said, ‘If they say no, I can’t date you.’ Mihir knew there was no point discussing this further.

Jasmine had said that her parents were arriving the next day. Next day, Mihir took the day off from work. He knew he could never ask Jasmine’s parents directly, but he could at least get himself introduced to them.

Next day morning Jasmine waited for Mihir. But Mihir did not come. Mihir had other plans. He was planning to go there by evening so that Jasmine’s parents could get some rest in the morning. After all they would be arriving that day morning itself. They should get sometime to rest.

Come evening Mihir went to Jasmine’s home. Clad in a pretty pink dress Jasmine stood at the gate. The moment Mihir saw her, he could not take his eyes off her. He said, ‘Were you waiting for me?’. Jasmine smiled warmly and said, ‘Yes, I knew you would come.’ Saying that she blushed. She then said, ‘Come on in. Meet my parents.’ Mihir followed Jasmine to their living room. An aged couple sat on the comfortable sofa. The gentleman was reading a news paper and the lady was reading a magazine. Jasmine gestured Mihir to greet them. Mihir cleared his throat. The couple looked at him surprised. The gentleman got up and said, ‘Who are you young man?’. Mihir said, ‘My name is Mihir. I came to meet you.’ The lady said, ‘How do you know us? We never saw you before.’ Mihir said, ‘No, we have not met before. It’s just that while going to work, I always meet Jasmine. That’s how I became friends with her and thought I should meet you too.’ The lady and the gentleman looked at each other and then they looked at Mihir and said, ‘ Have a seat please.’ After Mihir sat, the gentleman said, ‘You met Jasmine?’ Mihir said coyly, ‘Yes.’ The lady broke down to tears and said, ‘We always wondered who kept our garden so prim and proper when we were away. I knew it was our darling daughter Jasmine. After all this garden meant the world to her.’ Mihir asked confused, ‘I did not understand.’ The gentleman said, ‘Jasmine loved a boy. We never agreed to that alliance because he was from a different religion. She never agreed to marry anyone else and out of grief one fine day, she suddenly died. We could not stay in this house anymore after her death. Our neighbors used to call us and say that the garden was always well taken care of by someone. We could not believe them. One gentleman had even told us that he had seen Jasmine here once. We never believed him.’ Saying that the lady broke down. Mihir froze there. Shivering, he looked behind. Jasmine still stood there smiling at him……..