Almost

Prologue: Nobody knows when time began and when it will end. Time is infinite. The Introvert believes that it is one of the most powerful forces in the universe, it causes change, and once changed, nothing can be done to revert it back. We all wish that we could change something or the other in our lives, and this post is a story about "He" who wants to challenge time and change something so that "He" can be with "She" till the end of time.

It was a windy December night. The Royce was cruising through the empty roads at 100 kph. He didn't like the air conditioning and asked his chauffeur to roll the windows down. The cold gust blew his thick black hair, and he loved how it danced in the breeze, falling over his face, blurring his vision. His inner child was still mirthful. As the car sped through the highway, he slowly put his hand out, feeling the wind pushing it back. His Rolex glimmering under the street lights, his unbuttoned sleeve flapping freely in the furious wind, beautiful blues playing softly on the stereo, it seemed to be a perfect reason for him to smile. His work and lack of social life had made such occasions rare. The smile faded quickly, as he realised he would be home soon and there would be no one waiting for him. He took his arm in, pulled the windows up, and began to wonder, "If only I would have someone to love, someone who would free me from this loneliness, someone who would love me like her." It was one of those days when he missed her immensely. She always told him that she'd be a call away, but somehow he always disconnected before it would ring. Many times he even expatiated his feelings in a mail, only to add to his drafts. He looked at his watch, a beautiful steel body, jet black dial with the crown logo engraved in gold. There were small diamonds in place of the numerics which amplified the beauty in darkness. This was his favourite watch, it had to be, after all, it was one of the few things she had gifted him. He noticed that the time was of another timezone, so he lazily took it off to correct it. He began rolling the screw backward. He didn't realize that he had spun the screw more times than necessary and continued to do so groggily. His mind was inundated with her memories, the first time he saw her, the first time they spoke, the time she hugged him, the time he fell in love. As he unceasingly spun the hands of the watch backward, everything around him began to rewind.

At first, he didn't understand what was happening, things around him started moving at lightning speed zooming past him in the opposite direction. He saw the sunset and rise many times, and his surroundings were beginning to fade. Slowly everything was becoming a blur, a bright light shining ahead of him, he could barely see or make out what was happening to him. For a moment he was blinded by this flash of white, its intensity at its peak, he shut his eyes to avoid it. When he thought the light had died down, he opened his eyes, only to find himself in a familiar room. He was clinging on to his watch, and the time was the same as it was before he had tried to fix it. He was puzzled by this sudden change of environment and wondered what had happened to him. "Am I dead? Did I meet with an accident? Is this the afterlife?" He was in his pajamas, and his head was throbbing. He got out of the bed to investigate the room. He had been in this room before, it was very familiar, and when he looked outside the window, it dawned on him where he was. "I'm.. I'm in my hostel room! How's this possible? This was many years back!" His eyes bulged as a preposterous idea floated into his mind. He turned to look at the table and saw a laptop. He switched it on, and the numbers on the screen confirmed his fears. He was petrified as the date on the screen was of the past. "I have traveled back in time?? How is it possible??" And the answer was in his right hand. It was the watch. The watch she had given him. His watch had got him to the time when he had fallen for her. "Am I supposed to change something? Is that the purpose of her gifting me such a watch?" At that instant, he felt an uncanny emotion, like he had been given a second chance by the cosmos like they could read his thoughts when he was in the car. "I don't want to be lonely for the rest of my life." A tear was trickling down his cheek as he decided to do something that he wished he had done. He slipped into decent attire and bolted out of his hostel.

He knew where he was going; he knew where he would find her at this hour. He sprinted across the library entrance and stopped when he finally found her sitting peacefully reading a book at one of the tables. The morning sun rays seeping through the huge library windows accentuated her sharp features. She was too engrossed in reading to notice him approach her. He sat on the empty seat in front of her, baffled by his presence, she looked up and smiled. He took her hands in his, looked her straight in the eyes, and said, "I'm not perfect, I have these stupid whims that are annoying, I have moods worse than a woman who PMSes, and I don't know what will I be tomorrow, but there is one thing I'm absolutely sure about, and that is not to be alone. I want to laugh and cry with someone, love and be loved by someone. I want to live with someone whom I can't live without. For me that someone is you! I want you to be my beginning and my end. I want to give you all of me. Will you give me all of you?" She was speechless. Amazed by his words she just sat there motionless staring at him. It was unexpected. He was nervous, chiding at himself for such an impulsive decision, his heartbeat reverberating through the empty library. She looked down, and he knew he had made a mistake, a grave one. Then, he felt something wet drop on his hands. She was teary-eyed when she looked up at him, her face radiant with that beautiful smile. "You idiot! I've waited too long for you to ask me that. Yes, I will give you all of me!"

Many years passed, he was still in that Royce speeding through the highway. This time it was different, she was sitting beside him, sleeping with her head lying on his shoulders. The window was down, the stereo playing beautiful blues, but today he didn't need a reason to smile. He was genuinely happy and was looking forward to everything in his life. He still wore that watch; it was his favourite indeed. He wondered if there was anything he would change in his life, but nothing came to his mind. "I am complete," he thought, "She was the missing piece of my puzzle." He kissed her on the forehead and slept as the car glided smoothly past the city.

He was awakened when his Butler opened the door for him. "Sir, your bedroom is ready, do you want anything before you sleep?" He looked around in the car, only to find his coat hanging on his shoulders. She wasn't there by his side. It was only a dream. "I'd like to have something to eat and quick!" he said, menacingly looking at his Butler for bringing him back to this harsh reality. The watch was in his hand, he handed it to his Butler and commanded, "Get this one fixed, there's something wrong with it!" He got out of the car to enter his manor. He threw his coat over the table and rested on a chair before checking his mobile. There was a message from her. This was enough to lighten his mood. He hastily checked the message which read, "Thanks for being there for me today. So happy to see you after so long. Loved the gifts. Goodnight and take care. You know, I'm just a call away" His heartfelt heavy, his throat swelled, he fought hard to keep the tears at bay. He smiled sadly and replied, "Glad you liked the gifts. Hope you have a happy married life ahead!"