A Promise made in the Storm

                                    

                                          
Ram Kapoor had promised himself that he would never get married in this lifetime.
No, he wasn't a playboy who wanted to live his life playing around different women. It wasn't the reason for his bachelorhood. He was far from that kind of lifestyle. He had been in love with one woman his entire life. When she chose to marry someone else over him, he couldn't see himself falling in love with anyone else. 
It had been raining since last night. Lying under satin sheets, Ram gazed through the window. It's still dark outside. Waking up had become difficult these days. Falling asleep was difficult too. His toxic relationship with sleep had started to take its toll. Rain has been his favourite. Nothing could bring him more joy than the first drizzle of the monsoon. But it seemed like his body was refusing to obey. At the age of 35, it had become hard to keep up. The simple joys that once defined his life now seemed out of reach, drenched in melancholy. It wasn't that he was old, but he felt old. He had once known happiness, but now it seemed like a distant memory. He glanced at the clock on his nightstand. 
5:15 AM.
His mind drifted to one such rainy night ten years ago.
"I can't be with you anymore, Ram. I cannot deceive you. You have been so good to me, but Dad refuses to accept you. You will always be a failure in his eyes."
Ram winced. His recent start-up had failed miserably, leaving him in the worst phase of his life, while Vedika's father was a millionaire. It was obvious he would want a man of his own stature for his daughter.
"I... I can understand," Ram stuttered, though his mind was struggling to process her words.
"Dad has been pressuring me to marry. If I marry you now, I will always feel guilty, like I've wronged him. I cannot bear the burden of doing that to him." A lone tear flowed from her right eye, and Ram felt suffocated.
Dad. He missed his own father. 
"I understand," Ram whimpered, trying to understand Vedika's father's perspective. "I can understand, Vedu. You are a wonderful woman. I'm sorry I couldn't be good enough for you. I respect your decision, Vedu. I always want to see you happy." He reached out to hold her hands, and she clutched them more tightly.
"I swear, Ram. If it weren't for Dad, I would never leave you. Promise me, Ram. You won't abandon me. Please tell me that you'll always love me. You have been so good to me, Ram. I know you'll be good to me in the future as well. Promise me, you'll always be my friend."
"Vedu. You are the only woman I loved. If it will make you happy, then I promise, I'll always be your friend." Ram said softly to her. And made a solemn vow to himself: I will not think about love ever again.