Chapter 17

It took some doing but Mark borrowed Sujoy’s Opel Astra for a few days. Both Shaira and he had to do a lot of convincing, but Sujoy eventually gave in to the desperation in Mark’s eyes and his obvious love for Daisy, and her comfort. Mark didn’t want Daisy to walk to the stone in the cold. He knew, as stubborn as Daisy was, she wouldn’t agree to change the meeting point even for a single day. After all, it was an unspoken rule that they met there every day and he knew she would never break that rule. Mark’s bike would freeze her, so the Astra was their only choice. He picked her up everyday and drove down to the stone to watch the sunset, if only in principle, because the sun was usually covered in thick fog.

"The sun is setting only we can’t see it," Daisy said, "close your eyes, Mark. Feel it."
Holding each other’s hands, they sat on the stone with their eyes closed, feeling the sunset… picturing their favourite ball of fire go down once more. They knew the sight well enough, having seen it for so many months every day. They just needed to think back to previous day, or the day before, when the fog wasn’t this cruel.
"Are you cold?" Mark asked, as he noticed Daisy pursing her lips.
"Not really," she said, clearly shivering.
"Let’s go to Alasia," Mark said, helping her get up.
"Mark, I feel like having a drink today," she said, on their way. Mark did not have the courage to say no to her, he did not want to refuse to let her do things that she wanted to in the little time that she had to do them in.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Yes. Just one."

They walked to the bar in Alasia, which was totally empty except for Malhotra, who sat in a corner nursing his drink.
"How are you Daisy?" he asked sympathetically, as he saw them walking in. "It’s good to see you."
"Good to see you too Mr. Malhotra. We just wanted to have a drink. It’s very cold outside," she said.
"Of course!" he said genially. "It’s your own place. Drink as much as you like."
"Just one will do Mr. Malhotra," she said, still shivering.
They sat near the fireplace and Daisy ordered a large rum with lukewarm water for both of them.
"I’d almost forgotten what alcohol tasted like," she said, taking her first sip. "Feels good!"
About an hour and two drinks later Mark touched upon a topic that was on his mind for some time now.
"Daisy?" he said nervously.
"Yes?"
"I want to say something."
"What?" she asked, almost terrified about what she will hear. She didn’t like the weightiness of Mark’s tone.
"You might get very angry," he hesitated.
"Say it Mark," she said edgily.
"I just want you to know that I mean it from the bottom of my heart, and I’ll be indebted to you forever, if…"
"Mark, say it. You’re scaring me now."
"I want to make love to you."

For the first time ever since Mark and Daisy met, silence was not comfortable. He knew Daisy would be shocked but she looked absolutely astounded and even angry.
"Have you completely lost it!" she shouted. "Are you crazy?"
"Daisy, do you love me?" he asked.
"No I don’t," she spat the words out. "You get that straight. I do not love you okay?" she said. "Mad bloody man!"
"I want to feel what you feel."
"That’s the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard in my life," she said looking away in apparent disgust. "And if you ever repeat it again, Mark, ever… that will be the last time I will speak to you. You won’t know if I am dead or alive."
"You’re lying that you don’t love me!" he finally said, and started crying. "I see it in your eyes everyday."
"I don’t love you, Mark. I don’t love you."
"That’s a lie! I know you’re lying! You know it too."
"Mark, listen to me," Daisy said sincerely, "if you think I do not feel the urge to feel you inside me, you’re blind. But think, Mark, think. Think about what you’re saying. I will never, not ever, let it happen. You are the sweetest person I have ever known, and you are the only reason I don’t fear what’s coming. I know I’ll live, because you’ll live. Promise me, Mark, you will never even think of such a thing again. Promise me."
He nodded his head sadly. "I promise," he said slowly.
"Then come here and give me a big hug."
Mark moved closer, buried his head in her chest and started crying uncontrollably.
"I’m sorry baby," she held him and cried too, "I’m so sorry. But I promise, if I ever come back, I’ll seek you out, and I’ll breathe for you. I swear I won’t leave you then."
"I’ll wait Daisy," he sobbed, holding her tight. "I’ll wait for us to come back together again. I know we will. Nothing in this world would be able to separate us. I won’t let it happen again."
"I won’t let it either," she said in a whisper, consoling him… and herself.