My Beloved - I

"How could you betray me my dear wife? I loved you more than anything, I still do. Where did I lack?" He begged before the gigantic close-up pegged neatly at the front wall of the living room. He stepped closer to the picture, touched as though he would run his hands though her soft brown hair, and slowly ran his fingers down to the dimple on her left cheek. He embraced the picture and stood there for a while.

He turned around and realized that it was the same room they tastefully decorated together after their marriage. He looked around and realized that though she left him long ago, she still lived there more than he himself did. How on earth would he be able to forget her? He looked at the small crystal memento she brought for him when she visited Hong Kong for a two-day conference. He remembered how sorely she missed him already the moment her plane took off from the airport. His wife always loved him. What made her change so drastically? He slid against the wall, until he sat on the floor gazing blankly at the ceiling. The memories of the first day at St. Stephens College flashed through his mind.

He was sitting in the cafeteria when a girl with lowered eyes holding her notebook close to her chest approached him in her soft voice, “I saw you in the class today. Do you mind if I could share the table with you?” He looked at her and then looked around and noticed that no other table was available. He nodded and went back to reading his book. She had a cup of Earl Grey tea and two pieces of muffins. She offered him some, but he declined. He pretended to be absorbed in reading and stole a few glimpses of her subliminally from the corner of his eyes. She had a round face and she looked intelligent in her grey eyes. She was wearing a pink gloss that complemented her fair complexion. She was beautiful.

The next day when he was in the chemistry lab, she came and stood in front of him. He looked up and she greeted him cheerfully. He was glad to see her but he didn’t know how to strike a conversation with her. She explained that she missed her lecture and wanted to take notes. Without a moment’s delay, he gave her his notebook and she left. He wanted her to stay and talk to her but was too shy to ask. He kept looking in her direction until she became smaller and smaller and then disappeared finally.

She didn’t show up the next day and another no show on the following day. He grew curious. He waited for a week and finally took her contact number from the office. When he called, her mom told him that she was down with viral and may be back to the college in a couple of days. He felt relieved.

When she returned, she expressed gratitude for his caring gesture. It was the beginning of their friendship. They spent most of the time studying together. At other times, they spent evenings strolling on a beach. Their relationship continued four years of college even though they went to schools in different parts of the country. Following graduation they married. They were more than in love with each other. He never seemed angry at her or never raised his voice and she did anything he would ask.