I sat on my knees and peeped through THE keyhole, 'The greatest invention of mankind.' It's shape seemed to be like an inverted drop of water, the most refreshing drop that I ever encountered in my life. I thought I could look through it for ages. For through that tiny hole, I could for the first time see those lovely eyes so closely and for such a long time.
The Magic, that your eyes behold,
A Thousand lovely tales, untold.
The sparkle in your eyes, Oh Love!
Is like the brightest, snow-white Dove.
I wished to say, but I couldn't. I sat there wondering when was the first time I spoke about her to Robins, my best friend. "Ah, I distinctly remember", I said in my mind.
.......................................................................................................................................................................
It isn't even 8 months since she came to our college and she is already an addiction. I never talked to her, actually never got the courage. But I think, at instances our eyes have met. It was on those little instances, that I sipped those odd drops of life, extending my license to live for probably a few more hours. It was in those moments of euphony, that I asked her several questions about her life, about what she thought of me and told her about how much I admire her, love her. I could never speak it out, but I only hoped that I was successful in establishing the mental connection.
....................................................................................................................................................................
I remember this is what I said. But that time seems a distant past now, probably several aeons back. And I have made no progress. In a months time, I will leave this home of mine for a strange territory, which I so fear to tread. I have decided, that I will give it one genuine effort before I finally quit.I sat there, sometimes appreciating her and sometimes THE MOST BEAUTIFUL and definitely the luckiest keyhole I had encountered.
I looked at my watch, it was six, in an hour or two she will go for dinner, I will have to act fast. For a moment I was really confused as to which among the two seemed more magical, more mystical. I looked at my watch, it was half past eight.
I don't remember what she was doing or how her room looked, or where I was. I didn't even remember who I was and how did I come here. "Wait, I remember", I tried to recall my state of mind before reaching here.
...................................................................................................................................................................
Here I am standing in front of her hostel room, outside her door, trying to gather courage, to tell her of my feelings. I know, I have none (The courage I mean). Wait, what's that??
A keyhole.
voice from somewhere: 'No, don't think of it Om, its unethical!!!!'
Uh, right, its unethical, well I don't claim to be a man of ethics. Its just once, just for the first and last time. , 'Everything is fair in Love and War', I guess someone had written that line for me and considering my present state of mind, I can comfortably declare that ITS WAR.
....................................................................................................................................................................
Yes that's what I said. It was virtually a DO-OR-DIE for me. Even that seemed a distant past now. All I really cared for was, I was looking at the most beautiful person on this planet and she wasn't complaining. I couldn't think of any means to thank THE KEYHOLE. The most wonderful moments of my life were only because of its help.
And then suddenly she was out of my sight, no longer in the frame of the magical keyhole, and then I realized how badly my knees were paining. But I wasn't complaining. I remembered a portion of another poem I wrote for her,
The eerie winter dawn
concerneth me no more.
Thy lips-the petals, thy tresses-the feathers
thy eyes-the hearty ripples
on the river's lovely shore.
I looked around at a strange world. Everything seemed so blurred for 5 minutes, I had strained my eyes far too much. And then I saw Robins taking a bunch of Roses to Laila's room, I guess it is her birthday today. "Hey, Wait Robins!!! One of your roses....", I wished to say, but something stopped me. I don't know what it was. I picked up the rose, while still on my knees. The door opened up and there she was standing in front of me and I was there on my knees and then there was this ROSE.
The Sands of time go thinning away,
Black clouds have blocked the silver ray.
Throw off the veil, Let there be light.
For my eyes seek the Friendship of your sight.
I don't have powers nor a magical wand,
My feelings for you ask thee for your hand.
A soul, for friendship is all I seek.
A yes from your side is all I see..............
I wished I could tell her this poem, which gave me company in sleepless nights, for it symbolised her. And believe me I did. I didn't have to do anything after that. We bought a new house last week and guess the name I gave it. You are right, We call it THE KEYHOLE.
