THE BOX

I was cleaning our room today and guess what I found? I found our treasure box in your cupboard. It was carefully tucked away in the bottom drawer behind a stack of books and files. It was wrapped in a translucent sheet of dust.

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I got it out and rubbed it clean with my fingers, sweeping the many memories resting on it along with the dust. I twirled the key in the lock, and it clicked open like my spirit, which I had locked away after you. I lifted the lid with trembling hands and butterflies in my stomach, just like the day it did when you gifted it to me; your very first present to me.

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Inside, lying on the top were few seashells, the ones we collected on that sandy beach where you confessed your love to me. The setting sun had reflected in your brown eyes as it dipped down into the sea, leaving a sky pink and teal blue in its wake. What a dreadful stench they gave when we dried them in the sun as you wanted to make me a necklace from them, creative you!

Next to that was the carved elegant wooden comb you crafted for me during summer breaks. It still had an overlong hair tangled in its tooth. I was lost, reliving that day you tried to comb my hair, pulling them so hard that I cried and then you had kissed my tears, apologising over and over.

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On the side was an ink pen with your initials engraved on it, a good luck charm for your first exam from me. You had kissed it and told me you would write our history with it. You had kept your word and ranked top, setting us on the road to our future dreams.

Under them were the tickets to the first movie we saw together. How cleverly you had chosen the corner seats in the back, you were always playful and smart. How disappointed you were when your cousins saw us and chose to sit next to us, I am smiling thinking of your scowl.

Hiding in the corner under a couple of postcards you wrote me are the handful shards of broken glass from our first fight. I had chucked the wine bottle at you, but you dodged it in time, active and lively you. I still regret ruining that romantic stolen rendezvous over a silly comment you made about my hair.

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Just in the corner, I found that silver ring with a turquoise blue diamond. You had to save all your pocket money for six months straight to buy it, taking the bus instead of the Rickshaw. I still smile when I think of how you went on one knee and slid it on my ring finger, like a true gentleman.

Entwined between all this stuff was a ribbon I wore around my neck the first time we made love. You had kept it as my favor for luck, making me feel so special, so precious.

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The last item in the box was your wrist watch, with a broken hand and chipped glass. I had bought it for you on your birthday. You were always late to arrive, and I would wait for you for hours. I had made you promise me that you'll never take it off your wrist so that you are never late again.

It was returned to me that day, after the accident. My wait never ended, it’s still on, and I know in my heart that you won’t break your promise. You will come for me, and I will wait for you for an eternity.