Before Daybreak

The night was clear, and a moist wind was blowing. The silence engulfed us except for the crashing of the sea against the dark rocks. We were lying on the beach. Darkness prevailed, but it was rather soothing with the mellow lights from the beach restaurants and the occasional lantern that couples wished upon and released. I lay on the beach under the star spangled sky beside him. We did not do anything even close to what couples usually do. In the evening he had told me he loved to drive at night, especially along the long stretch of the beach. It was beautiful. He wanted to be on the driver’s seat, as all men probably want to, when they are taking their women out. But since it was a bike, there was no other option too, I guess. So I give him the benefit of the situation.We drove along the lonely road with the luminescent sea keeping us company like a broad belt of light. It was flickering as the waves came in and went. He said he loved it, and that is why he preferred driving along the “Marine Drive” than splash about in the sea. He was driving full speed and I loved every moment of the wind blowing against my face.

We parked at a secluded spot. He led me down a rocky path to the beach. We walked up to the sea where we stood for a long while letting the sticky wind beat against our faces. I half expected him to turn up behind me and put his arms round me... but he never does what is expected. We got talking about nothing particular…maybe school, our families, and contemplating the opportune moment when to open the Heineken. The night passed us by. Tired by the overwhelming situation that we were in I lay down and this time he followed. We lay there together….just the two of us on the deserted beach, looking up at the star spangled sky, when he took my hand in his and held it for several moments. From the corner of my eye I could make out that he looked at me, and then gently put my hand to rest on his chest still having his fingers interwoven into mine. That was the only physical contact we had that entire evening…which was wonderfully meaningful. !Right then I knew it, I just knew it that we did belong together and these were some of the most beautiful moments that we were spending together. We lay there for how long we did not know for he had asked me to leave my watch back at the hotel. He too had done the same saying that he didn't want to be bound by time. It was true for there in the middle of the desolate beach, where one could only hear the distant crashing of waves and the whisper of the wind from the sea, time did stand still. There was no motion. Only some occasional couple who walked by hand in hand, kissed and hugged. It was like fantasy………..very mystique. The only movement was the beats of our heart. I know it for I could feel it as my hand rested on his heart for how long I cannot measure temporally, but all I know is that even to this very moment it is still there. We spoke, we laughed, we loved and we rejoiced in the feeling of togetherness before we returned to the bike. I wanted to drive but he wouldn't hear any of it. Once on the two wheeler we again disappeared into the darkness for another long drive, for there were no strings attached And this dream in my heart, it left me warm enough to last me an entire winter.