Beautiful Night

The sky had already grown dark, and it was already late in the evening. Ram let out a sorrowful sigh and began to drive home. He arrived at his residence in a matter of minutes.

He opened the door to his room and turned on the lights as soon as he stepped inside. He then turned on the lights in his room as well.

He immediately went to the restroom to freshen himself after that. He recalled all that had transpired today as he turned on the faucet in the washbasin to wash his face. However, he shook his head to put that awful experience out of his mind. Then he went about his nightly business as usual.

While waiting for Seetha to join him, he went about his daily activities as usual, with the exception of eating dinner. So he sat at the dining table and waited for her. As time went on, he gradually started to feel drowsy. Thus, he slept on the table with his head resting on it.

After spending the entire day with Tarok, Seetha finally made her way into the house. Upon entering the house, she caught a glimpse of Ram dozing off on the dining table.

She didn't want to wake him up at that moment, she approached him carefully and silently. She could only see one side of his face when she got close to him because the other side was on the table and out of her line of sight.

Silently, she drew the chair over to him and took a seat close to him. Looking at him, a doubt aroused on her mind which is nothing but the doubt of whether he had dinner or not.

Therefore, she leaned closer to him and called his name to allay her concerns. There was no answer from him when she called his name. So, she gave it another go.

Seetha spoke softly: Ram.

He has yet to respond, though. As she said "Ram" once more, she considered giving it one last try.

She put her hand on his shoulder carefully this time and gave him a gentle shake.

He closed his eyes and said, "Mm," which startled him a little.

Seetha: Ram. Are you awake?

Ram: Mmm.

Seetha: Did you eat dinner?

Ram was just answering in his sleep the last time, so he didn't respond now. She made the decision to depart because she no longer wished to disrupt his sleep.

She thought to bring his blanket from his room was her idea. She then got out of the chair. Ram took her hand at that moment. Seetha halted her motion and faced him.

His grip on her hands intensified as she noticed he was muttering something while closing his eyes. With a painful hiss, she hurriedly covered her lips with her other hand. So that she won't wake him up with any noise.

He was murmuring something all the time, and his hold on her hand only tightened. Thus, without further ado. She pulled the same chair which she pulled few minutes ago and sat back.

She then listened to his murmurs by putting her ear near his face.

Ram in a sleepy voice said "Don't go…Please don't go."

She had no idea who he was referring to. She nevertheless made the decision to reply because all she wished to do is to comfort him.

Seetha: Okay, I am here. I won't go anywhere.

Ram: mmm…don't go.

Seetha: Okay, okay. I am all here. Okay?

Ram: You always said that but…you left...you left me alone.

Still perplexed, Seetha questioned, "What? When?

Ram: Hmm.

Seetha stayed silent as she thought he got quiet because he stopped dreaming or he might got back into the deep sleep. But she gussed wrongly this time too.

Ram: Don't go…Leela.

Hearing the name 'Leela', Seetha now understood what he was dreaming about. He misunderstood her as Leela in his sleep and holding her hand tightly so that he won't feel lonely.

Seetha got hurt. This time, it is not because of his hold but it is because of seeing him in this helpless condition. She thought he was completely moved on from her but today it doesn't seem like that.

Somewhere in deep down, he still searches for her and craves to be with her. He was also feeling lonely within himself.

Seetha knew that it's not easy for anyone to forget someone whom they cherished forever. And that too for an orphan like him who always wanted to have a family which he never had. So, it was definitely not a quick thing to happen.

All she could do is console him and make him sleep without thinking about anything. So, she acted like Leela.

She said "This Leela won't leave you at any cost." She paused for a second and continued "So, sleep well."

Ram stopped muttering after that, and he also relaxed his hold on her hand. After carefully releasing her hand from his hold, she placed his hand on the table and walked away.

She returned to him in a matter of seconds, with two pillows and two blankets. Then, she started setting everything on the table.

Then, she gently raised his head and placed one pillow beneath it. She also covered him with his blanket. After getting his pillow and blanket, he moved slightly because he felt comfy.

She eventually took a seat close to him and rested her head on the other pillow that was placed on the table. She used the other blanket to cover herself. She turned to face him now. Then, she slowly closed her eyes and fell asleep.

When she noticed his anxiety and considered how he was feeling, she forgot to prepare dinner for them. She slept there as she felt bad to leave him alone on the dining table. So, she gave him company by sleeping there.

The night passed quietly. They both slept without any disturbances. Their faces began to be caressed by the refreshing balcony breeze.

At first, it felt nice. But, in midnight it felt cold and made them shiver. So, they both unconsciously moved closer to each other and hugged each other. At that time all they wanted was a warm sleep.

Ram had Seetha in between his arms now. His hands were on her shoulders, and hers was on his ribs. As they hugged each other in that manner, her head was on top of his hand.

They made no gap for the cool breeze to enter between them as they subconsciously wanted to eliminate all the cool air which is constantly coming out from the balcony.

The night unknowingly passed beautifully in the dining table for them.