Love Me, Simply Be.

After three years of getting to know each other, we had just started dating.

I had graduated and joined an NGO.

He still had a year to go.

I worked in Adyar.

He lived in Tambaram, close to college.

I signed off at around 6:00 pm every day.

He finished college by noon, went home and worked on his assignments till 4:00 pm.

I would take the side exit on to a quiet lane outside my office.

He would be waiting there, under the blooming tree, for me.

Holding hands, we would walk to the nearest bus stop and sit there until a fairly empty bus arrived. We would then sit next to each other in the bus, and just be...

...till we had to get off and board a share auto, where we'd do the same.

Sometimes, we'd take a quick detour; a stopover to grab a coffee or ice-cream.

On other days, it was just the simple commute.

Reaching the stop closest to where I took my last connecting auto home (phew, yes), we would bid goodbye.

A smile, a knowing nod, and a hug that says "I don't want to leave" later, we would finally head out in opposite directions.

Within the next ten minutes, I would be relaxing at home.

Within the next hour or two, he would be too.

In the meantime, we would text.

All was good with the world.

For him, it was an act of service - his love language - to escort me home.

For me, it translated to quality time - my love language - to simply ride with him.

For both of us, the physical proximity of just sitting together, or holding hands, or sharing a hug - was also a language of love.

Both of us were satiated. Both of us could sleep well now.

"Until tomorrow, my love.

Until then, I'll see you in my dreams."