Be Careful of What You Wish For

Gurkeerat and Ekalavya's love challenged their cultural divide. It was what modern legacies were made of. Sailing through college fests, stalking social media, incessant cups of coffee dates and dinners later, they moved in together. There was no question of marriage, as neither family would understand. It would lose them precious time, and with their full-time jobs, they couldn't afford the drama of anticipation, exaltation, and lack of resolution. Having spent a winter together, spring announced the extended lockdown. 

Their Sunday was same, uneventful. Their Sunday nap was same too, shared with a common dream. The field was shining golden, and the sky was swaying with green leaves. From afar, they could both see each other on the field together, racing towards a well. The rusting bucket yielded them with two unassuming India-Post envelopes. Addressed "Gur" and "Luv", the neatly handwritten names took them by surprise. Who could know them by the names they called each other?

'ASK FOR A SUPERPOWER AT YOUR BEHEST.' Gurkeerat, tight-fisted, clasped her eyes shut to look for clarity.

'ASK FOR A SUPERPOWER AT YOUR BEHEST.' Ekalavya, tight-fisted, smiled at his own clarity. 

"Are you ready to ask, Gur?"

"Let's, Luv."

Luv asked for freedom. He could think of nothing better at that time. Gurkeerat completed hers.

The evening had spread out with no deliberations of an ensuing Monday. With the second sip of tea, they found out about their same dream. Mildly taken aback, and not knowing whether to believe the other, they stretched into time's silence.

"So what did you ask for?" He hurriedly added, "I bet you said something like flying, or becoming invisible, my sweet Gur?"

Sure, just like with your commie attitude you couldn't have thought of anything better than elusive freedom! As Gurkeerat smiled, Luv interrupted, "Oh wait! I know what you are thinking!" 

"Tell me, Luv, what was I thinking?"

Luv enacted out her mannerism, "Luv knows me best! Should I really tell him that I did ask for my favorite superpower - to become invisible!"

Gurkeerat broke into a riot of laughter. Her prayer was, "Luv should never be able to read my mind."

Do dreams come true?

Sweet Gur was going to ensure a peaceful end of lockdown where Luv didn't have the slightest inkling about her long phone-calls with Hasan. And once it was over, Luv would have his freedom from the web of lies she had weaved. Be careful of what you wish for.