Love Unlocked

That drawer was left locked for as long as I could remember.

“What’s in it?” I had asked him.

“Nothing Shreya. Leave it.” He had said.

Tapan and I have been friends since the last ten years. We passed out of the same college and now worked in the same company. Since our office was in a different city far away from our home town, we lived in adjacent rented apartments. We usually partied at his place as I did not want any bottles to be left behind in my apartment. My parents loved to surprise me and almost choked me with them. I was not willing to take that risk.

Every time I was at his place, I asked what was in that drawer of his bedroom cabinet. He always avoided the question. No matter what I did, he kept mum. Two years passed, and the drawer held his secret. But I was determined to get an answer to it, the minute I stepped into his house as his girlfriend. Settling my bags in his room, I turn towards him.

“Hmmm… Now I need the answer. I’m your live in partner now.” I say cheekily.

“Answer to what, my darling?” He asks innocently.

“This damn drawer, what else. Today I need to know what is in it. Come on, give me the key.” I stretch out my hand.

He thinks hard for a minute and then smiles.

“Sure, here it is.” He hands me a bunch of keys holding the right one for me.

“That’s it. You give in? Wow, I should have been your girlfriend earlier.” I tease him as I unlock the drawer and open it.

It was empty. Not even a speck of dirt was in it. I look at Tapan with a confused face.

“Happy now?” He smiles and sits beside me.

“I was all excited for nothing then. What a prank Tapan. You are so mean.” I get up to leave.

He hold my hand and pulls me back.

“This was not a prank. I saved this drawer for you.” He kisses my forehead.

“What nonsense. This drawer has been locked since the day you moved in here two years ago.” I argue.

“That’s why I’m telling I saved this for you. I cleaned it every day with the hope that someday you can keep your things here.” He says looking into my eye.

I’m filled with emotions and I can feel my eyes well up.

“Oh! So you knew… I mean.. You were…” I couldn't finish.

“Yes, I have been in love with you like forever. I wasn’t sure if you would reciprocate. But there was a hope in my heart that someday you will. Hence I saved this space for you here.” He says coyly.

“You are too much!” I say and jump into his arms.

This post has been written for Write Tribe's Wednesday Prompt - 8.

~ Soumya