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“ I will always love you.” The voice was tender, magical, rich and vibrant. It sent the blood pulsing through her veins like fire. She sat motionless. Slowly the camera shifted and the heroine came into view. She felt numb as she saw the inevitable happen.

The kiss was wonderful. Starting off with a strange kind of passionate languor, like a hand gently dabbling in the water of a still lagoon. And ending like the warmth of the sun glowing like a drop of blood.

The young man next to her took her hand. Hot tears filled her eyes. “Don’t cry darling,” he whispered. Dimly she realised that other couples were sitting around them, and in each case they were similarly affected by the scene. She grew hot and angry, identifying in some obscure way the difference between their emotion and hers.

She knew then, as the camera shifted back again that she loved him. Loved him, loved him. Every fibre of her body thrilled to the fact. Yes, he was one of the most famous actors in Hollywood right then. Yes, she would probably never ever see him in real life. But the emotion that he aroused in her made her feel that her entire life was meaningless without him. When he spoke, the feeling in his voice, his looks and every little gesture seemed calculated to drive her mad!

Their tears were insignificant. They were merely moved with pity by the scene. Hers were of passion.
She wished he would release her hand. He was trying to comfort her now. He thought that she was simply affected by the scene. Just like any one of the other girls in the audience. Oh! How could he not guess what she felt. But he was like that, nice, friendly and reliable. Everyone had said how lucky she was when they had announced their engagement and how well suited they were. She had liked him very much and was attached to him. She couldn’t hurt him for the world. But her thoughts were in utter disarray as she analysed her new feelings.

The lights suddenly came on. The play had been played out. The movie was over. They got up to leave just like everybody else.

She was rather silent on the way home. He was in great spirits. He had had a wonderful day and had enjoyed himself. He didn’t even realise that she was upset. They had reached her home.
“Good bye dear,” he said. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow then.” He kissed her good bye and waved his hat gaily as he drove off.

The night was cool and fresh. She sat down on the stairs. “Tomorrow…”. The thought hung heavily in the air. Like some eastern drug clogging her senses. Her mind was filled with a hundred doubts, trepidations and fears. Should she break off with him?

And then suddenly the absurdity of it all struck her and she burst into a peal of laughter. She got up and started climbing.
The memory of the film was already growing dim.