The Last Love Letter. By Pankaj Sharma

“What’s this Pankaj? You are still sleeping? How can you forget; it’s my birthday today? Get up and write me a love letter.”

Pankaj opened his eyes, surveyed the surroundings; with the words he’d just heard still echoing in his ears. He lifted his back, picked up the specs from the side table, wiped its glasses with the bottom-edge of his white kurta, and put them on. Through the transparent layer of specs, he could see an old clock, hanging on the pink wall, signaling 11:00.

She’d chosen the color for walls. Pink had always been her favourite

He turned his gaze towards the side table. There was a spiral calendar lying at its edge, reading July 11, today’s date.

One hour later, it would be July 12, her birthday, his Shona’s birthday. Suddenly his focus shifted back to the voice he had heard a couple of minutes ago when he was probably asleep. It could be a dream but the voice was familiar, very familiar that used to be the music to his ears, melody of his life, hymn of his happiness; it was the voice of his wife Shagun…his Shona.

A sudden flash of lightning illuminated the trees outside the window pane for a second, followed by a supersonic thundering of clouds. He tried to look through the window pane but all he could see was sheer darkness; instead the window pane reflected his own face, reminding him how lonely he was. He tried to recognize him in the reflection; grey hair, bald patches on the scalp and around temples, the wrinkles carved by age.

“You are an old man now, Pankaj” she spoke again!

No, she didn’t. How could she? But he’d heard her loud and clear, like he was hearing her for past 30 years.

“Yes, I am an old man now; an old man of 60 but I wasn’t once, precisely 30 years ago” he lost himself somewhere down the memory lane.

It was her birthday; July 12, 1984.

“Come on Shagun! It’s been 3 years since we are in this relationship and six months since I have proposed you for marriage. My parents are ready, your parents have given their nod but it’s you who is yet not convinced. Stop being mulish now,” he was very frustrated.

“OK! then impress me with a love letter” she said, wearing a cute smile that made her look more beautiful and him more desperate to make her his for lifetime.

Pankaj looked at her. She was beautiful. No she wasn't. She was something he’d never imagined, not even in his dreams. Eyes refused to look away after she fell into the sight. Ear refused to hear anything when she spoke. She ruled his mind, his senses. But he was in different mood today

“You know, you are making a fool of me. I have already written 60 love letters in last six months but couldn’t please the princess. What do you want me to do now? Should I write in blood for you” his frustration was growing.

“No my dear future husband; just write it in words but in special words that would make me fall for you, though I have already fallen for you” she giggled.

“Ok my dear princess. This time I have given my best shot. Let me read this one for you. After this love letter, you would pack your bags even for honeymoon,” I teased her.

“Let’s see”

He put his hand in the right pocket of his trouser, pulled out a folded paper, unfolded it and started reading it out.

The day when I first saw you,