Laila (click to read more)

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Dear Laila,

Do you remember- how we met at the movie theater? On a non hindi speaking land.

I knew nothing about their language. I was afraid.

I remember- it was Marvel's Black Panther- 3rd day evening 6.30 show.

I was alone.

Waiting in a queue for popcorns and coke.

As were you. Also alone.

In that red skirt with brown eyes and a gentle smile.

You read my face.

You helped me with the order. I was glad. 

I introduced myself, you introduced yourself as Laila.

I knew, that was not your real name.

After the movie, I spotted you.

You were beautiful. You understood their language.

Still you were alone.

I asked you.

You replied- I understand their language doesn't mean I have friends on this unknown land.

Then, we laughed and laughed.

We had a pizza, coke and choco lava cake together at the food court.

I asked you again for your real name. You just asked me to guess it.

I failed. So you were a Laila for me.

We talked about all the things in this world and people seating in that food court, except ourselves.

It was fun.

We were strangers but not strangers anymore.

We shared our numbers.

Now, you were just a Laila to this Majnoo.

We met again and again and again.

But then, after exactly 5 months and 27 days of our unplanned, un-imagined, impossible first date,  I had to move out of city.

Permanently.

At the moment, a thought came to my mind.

What if we become strangers again?

We both were sad. We promised to keep in touch  Always. 

For the lifetime- no matter what happens.

I was heartbroken. I guess, so were you.

After I departed, we did speak for some more days.

We had a big fight that night.

I lost my mind. I deleted your number and every other way to contact you.

I was angry and shattered.

If you are reading this, I want to tell you.

I'm sorry. 

On the first unplanned date at a movie theater- we spoke about people and their ego too.

I know, you don't hold grudges. Our fight was just because of the situation.

Did you also delete my number?

Though, my fear became truth. We are strangers now.

Please come back. We can start this over again. Just as those two strangers.

Was it end of the story for us?

- pritamwrites