Love, A War

                                                                

Her hand in his, they slowly climbed up the stairs. She was, inherently, overjoyed by the thought of his coming home. Not every woman of her age and stature had that benefit. But she, surprisingly, found herself blissful with just the feeling that the empty shack with memories of young love hung on its door would not remain so empty anymore. Or rather, his existence would fill the indelible void, in pursuit of which she had lost her way. This moment felt unreal and just that should have been a hint enough. But, no, his hopeful eyes always overshadowed her cynical mind, and she walked at a pace so gentle, only for him and because of him.

Her mind, every now and then, sneaked out through the back door and left her fazed with a jigsaw of memories. Some with eroded edges and others simply missing. The past year she had spent burning the midnight oil for him and now, she felt, it was his time to stop her from having to do so. 

But, Present. She needed to stay here with him. She couldn't let him become a figment of her imagination like always. 

It's time, he thought. His eyes dim with fear, a burning anxiety sparked in his gut as his eyes looked at her with an evasive passion. 

He looked down and she felt the butterfly churning in her stomach transform into a breathless fury. The door behind him opened and she knew where he had gotten her. Before his mouth could utter the symbolic words, she hugged him, and began to sob. Not to stop him, for she knew there was no way he could stay, but rather because she could not bear to keep it in for a one more year. He kept whispering, "I love you. I will be back. You have to go now." repeatedly, but the uncertainty of his words struck her worse than the pang of foretold death. Her body clung to him, taking in the sweet scent of his ironed blazer that he so proudly wore. His body felt like comfort even with so many layers on. But it failed to give her strength. She would, if she could, breathe in the claustration of his existence for the rest of her life, than in the mesmerizing air of solidity. 

But time is time, and it was time to go. Again.

As he let go off her, she realised how he had been the one holding on to her, contrary to what she thought.