0002 A Few Hundread Year Old Adults

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting warm orange hues across the fields that bordered the small village nestled beside the National Highway. Two boys ran ahead, their laughter ringing through the crisp evening air. Behind them, a young couple—both in their mid-twenties—walked at a leisurely pace along the dirt path.

The man, Shakti, seemed uncharacteristically shy, while the woman, Reema, exuded confidence. She smirked mischievously, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Why are you reacting so much to his joke?" Reema teased, her tone light yet playful.

Shakti flinched, his expression torn between indignation and embarrassment. "What? Who? Me? No, I'm just angry because he's getting more unruly and mischievous. Today, I must punish him," he declared, puffing out his chest, though his voice wavered near the end.

As his voice softened to a murmur, he added nervously, "By the way, don't take his nonsense seriously, okay? And...would you be willing to come with me and...uh..."

Reema's grin widened as she tilted her head, pretending to consider his words. "Well, it's not nonsense. He's quite honest and good-looking. In three or four years, he'll grow into a fine young man. Who knows? I might just agree with him then..."

Her teasing was cut short as she felt her hand being grasped. Startled, she turned, expecting to scold him playfully—but the determination in Shakti's eyes stole the words from her lips.

The air grew still, heavy with unspoken emotions. Shakti's aura shifted, enveloping the moment in an almost surreal silence. Even the animals seemed to hold their breath, the chirping of birds and the hum of crickets fading into an unnatural stillness.

"Reema," Shakti began, his voice steady yet trembling with emotion. "I...I love you. I may not be the perfect choice, but I promise to love you for eternity—even to the end of time."

Reema's eyes reflected the depth of his emotions, a mixture of grief, longing, and an overwhelming love. A different aura radiated from her, gentle yet powerful, like the embrace of nature itself. The stillness broke as life returned to the surroundings—leaves rustling, birds chirping once more, and the faint hum of crickets filling the evening air.

"I love you too," she whispered, her voice soft but resolute.

Tears welled in her eyes as she stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him. Yet, before the tears could stain his shirt, they evaporated, as if her emotions were too profound to be contained in the physical world.

"I love you too, Shakti," she repeated, her voice trembling with sincerity. "And I just hope that this parting will be shorter than the last."

Shakti, back to his timid self, awkwardly patted her back. "D-don't worry. I'll come back next week, right after settling the boys in town. Besides...I'm not leaving tonight. I'll go tomorrow evening."

Reema released him from her embrace, offering a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Sure, dummy," she replied, her voice laced with affection and sadness.

But Shakti surprised her, boldly taking her hand. "Let's go, or they won't even wait for us," he said with newfound confidence.

As they continued walking toward the village, Shakti's nervous chatter filled the air, masking the heaviness that lingered between them.

Beside him, Reema's gaze turned distant, her abyssal eyes shimmering with memories that stretched far beyond the lives they were living now.

"I truly do hope this parting won't last long," she thought, her heart aching with unspoken truths. "At least not like last time—when we were already a few hundred years old."

As they walked hand in hand, the golden hues of the setting sun painted their silhouettes against the village's vibrant horizon. Yet, as the world seemed bathed in warmth and light, Reema's thoughts drifted to the shadows of her past.

In her mind's eye, she saw glimpses of a life long gone—fleeting images of battles fought side by side, promises made under ancient skies, and moments of solace in each other's arms amidst chaos. Her heart ached with the weight of memories Shakti no longer carried, and she clung tightly to his hand, fearing that even this fragile connection could one day slip away.

Her steps faltered, and Shakti turned to her with a questioning glance, his expression full of concern. She smiled gently, concealing the turmoil within her. "I'm fine," she reassured him, her voice steady despite the storm in her heart.

But deep inside, a single thought echoed, reverberating like the toll of a distant bell:

The bonds of love may be eternal, but time itself is a relentless adversary.

As they approached the edge of the village, the sight of Nile and Frost waiting for them brought her back to the present. For now, she pushed the visions aside, focusing on the fleeting moments of peace before the uncertainties of the future came crashing down once more.

As the group approached the village outskirts, the fading sun bathed the surroundings in a warm, golden glow. The distant chatter of villagers mingled with the soft rustling of leaves. Nile, ever the bundle of energy, darted ahead.

"Reema, I'll take him home," Shakti offered with a lighthearted grin, gesturing toward the village. "You two take your time."

Reema hesitated for a moment, her gaze flicking to Frost. She nodded, her smile tight. "Alright, but don't let him get into too much trouble."

Shakti laughed. "I'll do my best." With that, he followed Nile, the two quickly vanishing into the winding paths of the village.

Reema stood still, her arms crossed, watching their retreating figures. She felt Frost's presence beside her, steady and unyielding.

"You've been awfully quiet," Frost remarked, leaning casually against a nearby tree. "I'm guessing it's not just about Nile leaving."

Reema let out a soft sigh, her expression clouded with worry. "You know what's going to happen tonight, Frost. It's hard to ignore all the feelings I developed as a sister and a daughter, even in moments like these when we need to do what we waited for all these years."