How desperate my eyes were. I loved to talk, to see those sights I wanted to forget—but destiny simply refused to accept it. I saw them every day, reflected in the form of moonlight.
"Let's go together, Ishwar," Tuhina said in a calming voice.
"Where are we going at midnight? Don't you know it's dangerous to go outside? We should go home, Tuhina."
"Come on, we are adults."
She loved the color of darkness,
And I bore the tyranny of happiness.
Our sketch became a spiral of roses,
Perhaps thorns were our destined brushes.
She feared the beauty of petals,
Lost in the color of redness.
She thought she was the rose,
And forgot me—
As if I were only her canvas.
Yes, I loved her so much. I didn't even know how to tell her, but her hands were soft and gentle. I wished that moment would never end.
"Tuhina, where are we now? It's so cold here," Ishwar said.
"I know, I know, kiddo. Just wait a moment."
It was like a jungle—so cold I could clearly hear the winds crawling in my ears. It was a blue moon night, filled with stars. What a beautiful starry sky. She wore a red frock, looking like a princess. Her eyes sparkled with a shining light, as if she owned the night. Her face carried confidence, touched by a little smile.
Her hands were soft, holding mine like a never-ending promise. How desperate I was—I had fallen in love with such beauty.
"See? We finally arrived… ah… huraaahh! Wowww, we're finally here. Don't you think it's beautiful? Hahaha, just look at yourself—your pants are all dirty. Hahaha, you really are a kid… Now sit here and see."
I didn't say anything. She was smiling, and I was cherishing her. I saw a big lake with two swans gliding across the surface. The scenery was breathtaking. Hidden in the heart of the jungle, the lake glowed as if the moon had come down just to scatter its grace upon the water. It felt like a dream.
A cold breeze passed over us. I sat beside her, holding her hands, as we watched the swans together.