A Love Letter

All those words, I left to hibernate deep under the valleys of my mind suddenly started to overwhelm. Words that accumulated through all these years were enough to decorate my love as a whole. I ran as fast as I could, heading towards my classroom. I gained enough courage to disclose it today. A letter may sound a bit old-fashioned. But it will suffice. Atleast it would assist my heart, which is now throbbing at an alarming wing-flapping rate.  

"Seems to be in a hurry.?", asked Roshan.

"Lyrics for the last stanza.", I winked.

"Wow! Then we'll sing it together for the college fest.", he smiled.

"You're always welcome bro.", I had no time for a conversation.

I rushed into the classroom and searched eagerly for a fine paper and a pen. As soon as I found them, I sat on a bench and started to pour my words upon the paper. But I was struggling to convey a tank full of ideas through a needle tip. It was a herculean task. But now or never.

"Dearest Ikshit", I started.

"I have no idea how to unfurl my feelings. To be frank, I'm out of words. I have no idea about the exact moment when this attraction started to sprout in my mind. Or was there such a moment.? I was quite amused in the beginning to glance through a unique name. And as I learned more about you, even before making a pretty good company, I started to admire your long list of talents and skills. And it was the same admiration that led me to the college football team selection where we had our first meeting. 

I was knocked out in the first round of selection and you were the key player of the men's team. But I was immensely happy to fulfill my only wish in joining the trials. 

But since the first meeting, the integrity of our bond started to escalate exponentially. I started to write your assignments while you sketched all those diagrams in my record. I had several sleepless nights doing nothing but gazing the beauty of your drawings.", To others, this is just an ordinary story and it actually is. I won't complain, since they merely gulp down the words and cannot digest its emotions.

"My days were usually filled with atrocities that Peter used to create. He wanted to outsmart me in everything. But whenever he fails, he's frustrated, bringing tons of annoyance and disturbance. And finally a heated-up war of words. Frustration brings nothing but failure. When it feeds on failure and forms a self-sustaining loop, you're doomed. Like being trapped in a whirlpool...", I was diverging away from the subject. It often happens. I convinced my mind to stay on track and continued. 

"Those hard days Peter offered me turned so feeble after your entry. You found the organization skills buried under my self-interested mind. 

Morning walks and games turned out to be my inevitable companions. 

I would never forget those cold nights on the cliff, where we drank and sang the whole night, peacefully.

And above all, your phone call after winning the tournament. 'We won', those words are still echoing down there.

Even those moments when you delivered me with pain are now just laugh things. I do remember that day when you asked me to meet you at Topaz Lake, the lover's zone, where they reveal their love and enjoy the picturesque sunset laid before them. I was so excited but it broke my heart when you revealed that you were in love with Ishani. 

I was sniveling the whole day recollecting your 'I-I bond'. 

But I laughed like nothing after realizing it was a prank and Ishani was actually your cousin.", I laughed thinking how delicate my mind was.

"I would laugh louder after perceiving the fact that the only books I've completed so far are about depression. And the objective was to advise you when you were low.

I couldn't forget our chats, duo trips, secrets, and jokes. All these years I wanted to express my love but hadn't had enough courage. I even bought a gift and a letter on Valentine's Day. But the fear within ordered me to gift the watch on your birthday which came a week later.", I could now hear the throbbings of my heart again.

"I don't know how much I love you. But I know the fact that it has reached a point that a life without you is unimaginable. The fear of denial always kept my mouth shut. 

I was different. I never wanted the society to accept who I was. I accepted it myself. I never want society to accept our relationship too. I just need you to do it.

Yours,

Krishna"

"Hey man.", called Roshan. "So it wasn't the song. Right?", he was there the whole time and I failed to notice him.

"Oh..! That's a letter.", I replied.

"A love letter? Who's the lucky one, dude", he interrogated.

"Err... That's Ikshit."

His lips curved in disdain but somehow managed to throw a fake smile.

"Ok. I'm leaving. Bye bro.", he quickly disappeared through the door.

I had no time for spectating his uneasiness. Just one mission ahead. I folded the letter and took a deep breath. Ready for it.!

I hurried through the corridor and a muscular hand blocked my path. It was the last person I wanted to meet- Peter. 

"I heard that you're preparing to propose Ikshit. Yeah, that's none of my business. But your complaint on the 'nuisance' is my business.", he flashed an evil smile and it was evident that he was rolling up his sleeves for a fistfight. 

"All others wanted me to complain. Everyone had to pay for your nuisance. The power grid to the lab is down...", I couldn't complete it as my face received a mighty blow.

"I've warned you not to interfere with my issues. Don't you remember you fucking gay.", Peter roared.

He punched hard on my face and hit hard on my kneepit. I pushed him away and slapped him back. Only to receive a powerful kick on the abdomen. I lost my senses for a couple of seconds.

"Stop it! Peter, stop it!", the voice seemed familiar. Ikshit.

"Oh, Romeo.", Peter grinned. "I don't want to mess up with you. But if you..."

"I get it. I'll talk to him. You better leave."

I don't know why he decided to recede. Probably realizing the fact that we had outnumbered or preferably, Ikshit's Muay Thai.

Ikshit saw the love letter, which was torn in the fight. He took it and placed it in his pocket.

"Buddy, can you walk.?", he asked.

"Hardly.", I said.

He gave me a helping hand. His presence relieved the pain. 

"Let's get some fresh air.", he said.

"Where to.?"

"Topaz Lake", he smiled.