It was half past six in the morning as the alarm went off. The usually annoying sound of the alarm bell didn’t sound as annoying today to both George and Linda. They swiftly got out of their beds and made their way out of the room.
George was reading the newspaper as Linda came out of the kitchen with two cups of hot coffee. The strong smell of coffee filled the entire living room, that George closed his eyes, as though he had forgotten that he was reading a newspaper, inhaling the strong aroma. He reached out to Linda, just as he was about to kiss her, and whispered into her ears, “You make the best coffee in the world, Linda”, rolling her curly hair onto his fingers. Linda blushed. And all of a sudden, George raised from the sofa, facing her, he yelled, “I love you!”
“Sssshhh!” Linda said, frowning a bit.
“Natasha is still asleep. You might wake her up” said Linda, pointing to their two year old daughter.
George was a tall and sturdy man. Linda, on the other hand, was not as tall as George. She had that stunning curly hair, as silky as her eyes, and may be that’s why George fell for her while they were at college.
That morning, one conversation led to the other and suddenly the clock was pointing at 8 o’clock. Having realised that, they both rushed to get ready.
“Get ready soon or we’ll be late” yelled George.
Linda wore a stunning blue gown with a white pearl necklace and a seducing perfume. She made George’s eyes pop. He looked at her as though he saw her for the first time.
Natasha had woken up by then and care-taker Mathilda was feeding the baby. Mathilda was a trust-worthy woman, with whom George and Linda left their daughter when they were out of house.
As they climbed into their car, Linda leapt and kissed Natasha on her little hands. The pair bid bye to Natasha and Mathilda.
“Aren’t you excited that we would be meeting all our college friends today after one long year?” asked George.
Linda smiled vibrantly and nodded.
They drove for half and hour, away from the busy streets and dusty roads, reaching the city outskirts. And then something suddenly seemed to happen.
Everything looked hazy. Foggy.
Stopping the car, they peeped out of the window and saw tombstones all over. It was a grave yard. But why would anyone plan a college get together at a grave yard?
Still sitting in the car, they saw that their friends had already arrived. Linda felt so happy seeing them all. All men were wearing black suits and all women were wearing black gowns. And to their surprise, Mathilda was there too! And she was holding Natasha!
In pure commotion, Linda asked George, “How could this be possible? We just saw them off at our house moments ago!”.
Linda also realised that Natasha seemed grown up than usual. They were not the same little hands she had kissed moments back. May be all of this was her imagination.
The pair climbed out of the car and walked towards the gathering.
Linda and George yelled to their friends but nobody seemed to care. All were busy holding roses and lighting candles. Even Natasha didn't smile or laugh seeing her parents. Nor did Mathilda greet them, instead their eyes were looking at one particular tombstone. Linda had a strange feeling that everything was fast forward one year.
With her mind reeling in turmoil, Linda reached out to George, asking him what exactly was happening. But George was in no mood for that. His eyes were transfixed on something. A banner of some sorts.
Pointing at the banner with his cold hands, George said to Linda, “Read it”.
Linda became pale, as she read out, “Remembering George and Linda on their first Death Anniversary. May their souls rest in peace.”
THE END
- Aditya Arun
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