As soon as i entered the house, a strange silence fell over me. It was as if i had become dumb all of a sudden. Nothing could prepare me for what i witnessed. Emotions were mixed and i simply did not know how to react.

It all started like as usual. A quick shower, a quick bite and race to the office before the early morning rush settled in. Just like everyday, i greeted him via a text message.
But today was a little bit different. He did not respond immediately like how he always does. I assumed he would be driving so the delay.

As i waited for his reply, i gradually settled down to the day’s work. I work in a very busy environment where every second counts and the boss watches like an eagle ready to pounce on the moment someone relaxes. As I started work, my mind kept wandering to the missing text message that should have been here almost an hour ago.

I tried to forget about that thinking he must be in a meeting. But still the missing text message was on my mind and like how it happens with everyone else, it showed on my face too. I normally smile at everyone who pass by – whether i am sad or not – just to make their moment a happy one. But when things like this happen, i forget to smile and it reflects on my face.

I know him for only a few months, but still i feel like i have known him for long time. I talk to him every single day even if it is for just a minute. And not a day has passed since he did not message me. That’s why today was very unusual. So i decided i will call him during my lunch and speak to him.

As soon as lunch time arrived, i grabbed my mobile and went to the rest room where no one would disturb (and no one would come for sometime since its the lunch time). The phone was ringing for a while before he answered it

"Hey, what a surprise." in his usual non interested voice

"Hi, just like that called you since i did not hear from you" i said.

"Didn’t i message you today?" he said

"No, that’s why i called you to check"

"Hmm… i must have forgot about it"

"Didn’t you get my message"

"No, I didn’t"

"Ok. Had your lunch?" i enquired with a sad tone now visibly apparent.

"No, i have something important today evening so i am at home today."

"What is that important? You didn’t even tell me about it and don’t forget we are going to the new restaurant today evening"

"Restaurant!!! today evening!!!" he replied in a shocked voice

"Yeah, we agreed last week itself"

"I am sorry i cannot come today, something urgent has come up"

"What are you going to see a girl for you?"

"You could say that"

"Ok. Go on."

With that i disconnected the phone and went back to my desk.

Lunch was the last thing on my mind now. I gave the contents of my lunch box to the dog that usually stays near our office complex. As i trudged through the rest of the day’s work, my mind was completely elsewhere. We were not just friends, i had grown completely attached to him and even when he proposed his love to me, i had not committed and said no to him. But strangely though, i started to like him for the person he is. But he never even profused his love again (maybe once or twice, thats all).

And it was quite unexpected of him to behave in this fashion as well, since he is not this kind of person. He tells me almost everything that happens in his life and I also tell him most of what happens in mine. So i was not able to digest the silence and this strange behavior from him.

As i left office and reached home, i did not notice anything. My mind was so occupied in this issue, that i failed to notice the gleaming new flowers near the door., couple of new foot wear outside and most of all a calm over the house. My house is always a bundle of noise with the tv blaring constantly and my parents talking in a loud voice. It was the All India Radio of our apartment. But today, it was very quiet and silent.

The light was not switched on when i entered the house. The moment i switched on, only a small bulb was lit. As my eyes got accustomed to this "twilight", there he was standing on one knee with a bouquet of flowers in his hand with a big banner on the wall behind saying "Will you marry me?".

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just a fiction
any resemblance to anyone present/past/future is purely incidental
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