Crossing the Mirage:Passing Through Youth

“That's my tragedy.”

“Don't worry,” he said confidently, “I'll make you believe in love all again.”

“You infuse hope,” she said vacantly, “and puzzle me too. Is it not pity at work?”

“On the contrary,” he said spiritedly, “I love your spiritedness. I've loved you at first sight and now I'm beginning to admire you. I shall feel lucky if you agree.”

“Looks like I've lost my capacity to think,” she said thoughtfully. “Now help me put the thorn away and then give me time to think it over.”

“Why not,” he said mysteriously, “I've the rose with the thorn as well?”

“What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean,” he said with apparent conviction. “I would take you with the child.”

“Oh, but why?”

“Life is a combination of circumstances as Tolstoy put it,” he said as she stared at him in wonderment. “Why not we face the facts, if not for the unwanted child in your womb, you wouldn't have had a second look at me, and but for your handicap, I couldn't have dared of proposing to you.”

“Maybe, but unfortunately, looks do matter in choosing mates.” she said apologetically. “But then, as the saying goes, handsome is as handsome does. I suppose you're well-read.”

“I did savor a few drops of the ocean of ideas, that is, the novel,” he said. “And if only you hear my tale, you would know why I want your child in tow.”

“Of course, I'm curious.”

The story of his life, that he narrated to the last detail, filled every recess of her heart inducing empathy for him.

“What a soul I've met!” she said emphatically, taking his hand. “Oh, you've chosen to forego your right to father out of consideration for the unborn! Won't that show your innate capacity for loving?”

“Well,” he said his eyes welling with tears, “I haven't seen it that way.”

“That's the beauty of your soul,” she said touchingly. “I take it as my fortune to become your wife and mother your child. I promise you to give you many lovely children, as many as you want. Go in for the corrective as I get aborted?”

“Oh, how I allowed myself to be mired in the mirage of ugliness,” he said excitedly, pressing her hand. “Know you've led me to the oasis of beauty.”

“In a way, it is the case with me too,” she said holding his hand as though not to lose it ever. “But for you, I would've chased the mirage of disaffection all my life. In helping me cross it, you've enabled me to trace the treasure of my life in you.”