The Strangers - Across the Silent Heartbeat-Chapter 8: Moments of Love

The air sizzled with something awfully expectant, charged, as he sat at his work table, the visions of Ayesha keeping the insides of his head hot, churning with activity. He had last talked to her days ago, and in the moments in between, she seemed to grow distant, yet closer than ever. One missed the presence, the thing she did to the dark days, with her laughter, her soothing words amidst chaos.

In Arjun's mind, it was to make this video call special; for the next, he restlessly prepared. He really wanted to bring warmth and closeness despite the miles that would naturally separate them. With a soft sigh, he set up a video call; his heart was racing with excitement mixed with a little nervousness.

Ayesha blipped onto the screen, and for a moment, she looked more settled than she had in days. Her smile was soft, but in her eyes, there was something tired. It was enough for Arjun, who felt his heart go out to her; he wanted to bring at least a little cheer into her life.

"Hey Ayesha," Arjun said very softly. "You've been on my mind a lot these last few days. How are you managing all the while?"

Ayesha inhaled deeply and looked at him with softening eyes. "I'm okay, just trying to be positive and focus on treatment. Your messages and calls mean so much."

Arjun smiled, his heart filled with love. "I'm really glad to hear that. I have been doing something special for you. I wanted to share it with you today."

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He reached out for his laptop and grabbed the one video he had been working on: an animated montage of his favorite moments they had spent together. It spliced together portions of the conversations they shared, bits of the inside jokes he had, and pictures capturing the emotions of moments in time.

The video played, and her eyes welled up. It was matched not by the tenderness with which Arjun had made this gesture, but by the wonderful message accompanying it. She would clutch at her chest; it overwhelmed her emotionally.

"Arjun, so beautiful," she would finally speak through her quivering voice, "thank you so much. Never ever have I felt so loved and cared for."

Arjun's eyes had moistened as he watched her face. "Absolutely any love you can possibly fathom, Ayesha, you deserve. I wish I could be there physcially with you; at least I am hoping this might be helpful enough to make you feel a little closer to me at present."

The sharing then followed through the rest of the evening: hopes, dreams, conversations that plumbed new depths of intimacy. Arjun began to talk about his aspirations, things that he would like to do and projects with hands stretching out, grappling at them with eagerness to have his very soul. Ayesha talked of dreams and how she had found his strength in every day.

The conversation got all the more deep, and Arjun, as he got nervous, deviated to the running thought on his mind: "Ayesha, a lot is running through my mind with what the future holds. For us, I mean. I know we have spoken of being strong and watching each other's backs, but now I need some sense of what you feel about our future."

Ayesha was a little silent, may be because she was collecting her thoughts. She looked thoughtful. "Arjun, I too have been thinking a lot these days. It is not easy for me to concentrate on the long term future while so much is happening with me presently. But really, I want you to know that you mean a lot to me. You making part of my life made all the difference.

Hope and anxiety, the feelings ascending in Arjun's chest. "I feel the same way about you, Ayesha. You're the light in my life. I do want to prepare a good life with you, but at the very same moment, I would want to give you your space and respect your needs."

She turned towards him; her eyes glittered, but her voice was quite level, though it rang with emotion. "I know whatever may happen now, we shall battle it out together. Your love and support mean everything to me. If things don't turn out as we want them to, then I want to tell you that I am grateful for every moment spent with you."

It was a raw, honest, and vulnerable conversation. With every word, their connecting went on to take a real turn. Arjun and Ayesha find solace in each other's presence; it is in this troubled time that their love for one another became even stronger.

Now, as the call got dropped, there was some deep pause between the eyes of Arjun and Ayesha—the thoughts of what all could feel, think, or believe together in their minds. It was this nexus that acted like a ray of light amidst life's uncertainties.

That night, as he lay on his bed, came the first thought to his mind of Ayesha. He couldn't help thinking how intense their feelings were and how strong the bonding would be in this relationship. He was also aware that no matter what ended up happening in the future, there would always be one thing to serve as a lighthouse through all storms: their love.

Days continued on, each day changing, yet so very memorable and indeed so very special. That of Arjun and Ayesha was the kind of relationship that goes on to show how much love and resilience really can do—all the more day after day.

In quiet moments of these two different worlds, they drew strength from this common bonding called love; because even a distance of miles cannot make the hearts beat differently. It was a journey together that faced the trials of life with comfort and hope in each other's presence.

Well, towards the end of Episode 8, it got much deeper and richer in the travel of Arjun and Ayesha. Indeed, their story of love was a testament in its own—be it for that glue that cements people together or finding strength in the harshest adversity.