aryeshh

[aryeshh]

Malibu 1992

“But 20 years it seems you’ve forgotten,

 Malibu ’92.”

 Remember this beach? This is where we carved our names into the sand. We ran into the sea with a kind of drunken joy only youngsters in love could possess- soaked up the warmth of the sun while it lasted- breathed in the smell of the coast. We lived here as we never had before.

  Remember this street? This rose bush? I plucked a flower out of it for you. You put it behind your ear, and strolled down the cobbled sidewalk like breeze in the summer. The trees waved to us. The houses sat silent as we fell more and more in love. The birds sang their songs to serenade us and the cicadas hummed to welcome the spring that the young lovers brought.

  Remember this café? We drank those silly little drinks with the silly little umbrellas here. It was here that we exchanged the promise rings that I bought us- the promise ring that now lays forgotten in a corner of my apartment. We laughed till we were out of breath-what were we laughing at?

  Remember this bench? We sat here for hours that day. I told you everything about me, as did you about yourself. We listened to the ocean make it beautiful sounds as we forgot about our future for a few precious minutes. That day you had a hibiscus behind your ear- the bright red mimicking our lust for life and each other.

  Remember the sky that evening? Light blue, to golden, to bright pink, slowly easing into a velvety black sprinkled with a cascade of stars. We tried to name the constellations- neither of us had any knowledge about astronomy, and we ended up making completely new ones. The bear constellation, do you remember?

Remember the beach? The one where we carved our names into the sand? Who was to know that the waves would wash out the inscription and carry you away, never for me to admire again.

   Inspired by song ‘Malibu 1992′ by COIN. Absolutely spiffing band, by the way.

[aryeshh]

A Week

9th November, 2019:

 AVI:

  I saw him for the first time today. I do not know his name. I saw him while I was sitting with some friends at the park- he appeared in the doorway of the house just opposite.

  He has short hair and the most beautiful dark eyes. Standing in the sunshine, he looked no less than the most exquisite daydream one can ever have the pleasure of witnessing. I don’t think he saw me- I imagine he was only there to get the mail. Still, he left a mark upon my heart.

 RAUNAQ:

  Today my dad asked me to get the mail. He probably did so only to get me out of my room. While I was downstairs, I noticed a boy about my age with long black hair looking at me from the park. He seemed to be staring quite intently at me. Flustered, I took the mail and walked back quickly.

  I don’t think my dad will have to ask me to get the mail tomorrow- I have a hunch I’ll go by myself.

 10th November, 2019:

AVI:

He did see me yesterday. I say this with confidence because today he came out again, glancing around as if he was looking for someone. As soon as he saw me staring, both of us turned our heads away, quick as lightning. I did glance at him again- he was smiling. I take that as a good sign.

 RAUNAQ:

  I was maybe a little too inquisitive today. I think he noticed me looking for him- I can’t be sure, though, because he seemed to turn away as soon as I looked at him. His hair glinted marvelously as it caught the sun’s rays- with those looks, he could be a model any day. However all he seems to do for now is while away his time sitting in the park.

 12th November, 2019:

 AVI:

  I smiled at him today. I didn’t really plan on making this bold move- It just happened. Lucky for me, he smiled back. The prettiest shy grin one could imagine.  Maybe one day I’ll get to know his name.

 RAUNAQ:

  He smiled at me today. I didn’t expect him to- I can’t be sure if I smiled back or just blushed furiously. Either way, he didn’t look at me like I was insane, so I don’t think it was too bad. He really is gorgeous- heaven knows why he’s smiling at a boy as plain as me. I’m not complaining, though. His smile is extremely beautiful. I wonder what his name is?

 14th November, 2019:

 AVI:

 I reached the park before the rest of my friends today, clutching a small piece of paper in the hand. Well, technically, I didn’t go to the park- I went to the boy’s mailbox and put the note there. He noticed the chit and opened it as I looked on- His face broke into a smile emanating pure sunshine. I might not know anything about this beautiful boy, but he knows me name now. Hopefully by this time tomorrow, I’ll know his too.

 RAUNAQ:

  Avijay- That’s his name. That’s the name of all the good things on Earth.

  He sent me a note today. It fell out while I was getting the mail (my dad thinks I have this newfound ecstasy for getting the mail now). It said- “Hey, I feel like I know you so well already, having only exchanged a few smiles with you. Imagine how well we’d be together if I actually found out your name? –Avijay”.  His handwriting is beautiful cursive- sloping, fine, slanted- regal. Just like him. I’ll write back, of course.

 15th November, 2019:

AVIJAY:

  He wrote back. He kept it on the bench where I sit- I snatched it up before my friends could peculate anything. It said- “I’m Raunaq. Nice to meet you, Avijay. Do you think we could actually talk? Or do you prefer sending notes to each other, as in a romantic drama set in the 1800’s? Love, Raunaq”. I read it once I was back home, and I had to dodge some tricky questions from my mother about why I was smiling so wide.

 16th November, 2019:

“Hey, Raunaq, hi.”

Raunaq blushed on hearing Avi for the first time. “Hi, Avijay. You look geat today.”

“Thank you. You look just as beautiful as all the other days. You know, I was considering the 1800’s romantic drama angle- you did have a great idea there.”

“Yes, of course, I know. But it would be more fun to maybe sit on your bench together, you know? More 2019. Maybe I could tell you my name again.”

“I would really love that, Raunaq,” laughed Avijay.

[aryeshh]

Cigarette Daydreams

“You can drive all night looking for the answer in the pouring rain.”

  It’s late. You should have listened to me when I suggested we go home earlier. It’s equally my fault, though- I let you do whatever you want. Now it’s got us waiting under the sun shade of the bakery, shielding ourselves from the rain that is beating down so mercilessly upon it.

  My car is a few streets over- who knew we strolled that far away from it?- and to get back to it we’d have to run through the shower. It’s a chilly night, so I advise against it- I don’t want you to catch a cold.

  But you have other plans. You say we take the chance and run back, and although I’m hesitant, you know I won’t say no to you, Marion.

  You walk out from under the sun shade and start running in the direction opposite to where we should be heading. I run out after you- I think that maybe you’ve got it wrong, but that’s not the case. You slow down gradually, walking in the rain, looking so beautiful. Your hair is pushed back, and you can barely keep your eyes open in the deluge of water. Your clothes sticking to you, you pushing against the storm. You look so beautiful.

  But when you look back at me, your smile is sad. I don’t like to see you sad. I hold your hand, hoping it will make you feel better. I don’t know if I’m right. The melancholy smile still lingers at your mouth. I want to ask you, Marion- Are we looking for answers in the pouring rain tonight?

   this composition is inspired by the song ‘Cigarette Daydreams’ by Cage The Elephant. also, hi, i’m very new here