C U 2MROW @ 9 (July 22, 2016)

Every human out there was eager to reach his destination as soon as possible, but God had again played a strange game. Neither was Mannu able to stay here, nor was he able to leave. The train was to arrive at any moment. He raised the volume of the music player to equanimize himself. Mrs. K sat sleepy and silent. Channu was also bus with his music player. Sleep had over passed his eyes.

“Mannu...?”Mrs. K spoke just as Mannu removed the headphones.

“Hmmmm...”replied Mannu, partially busy in winding the wires.

“Listen carefully...Now you’re going out...Don’t spend lavishly...And call home twice a day. Eat properly...And did you take some aspirin???”

“Yes mummy...”Came Mannu’s dull reply.

“Good...take care of your headache...Study hard and sleep on time and...

“Ok...Ok mummy...Relax...I’ll be fine...You have already given these instructions so many times. I know mummy.”

Mannu was both anxious and a bit upset to enter a new life. Every debt was clear. Even Vivi had forgiven 400 rupees.  The inbox of Mannu’s mobile phone was filled with Pia’s messages. Since evening she was curious to know the happenings.

‘Did u keep everythn jaan???’

Message 238:

‘At what time u’ll reach 2morow???Did d train come and did u eat nethn???’

Message 250:

‘U’re alryt jaan???reply plzzzzz....u know your silence keeps me awake... ’

Mannu scrolled through the inbox to keep himself calm. There was something in every message of Pia which made him forget rest of the world. Unknowingly, reading her messages again and again had become his habit.The night had opened every door to welcome the morning. The three were totally exhausted. The watch showed 04:00am. Every other moment mummy said,

“Don’t go today Mannu...” and he just repeated “Ek na ek din to jana hi hai, I have to leave one day or the other...”Pia’s messages still kept the mobile vibrating.

The hustle at the station had subdued. People were asleep on their baggage, some who lived nearby had left back home. The waiting hall was full. All the eyes around were sleepy, devoid of hope. The journey had become a nightmare. Mannu had also fallen asleep in bits. Dreams passed him in the fifteen twenty minute long naps. A long time ago when he was away from the stars, he wanted to have one. He asked God about its cost. He smiled back, but gave nothing to Mannu. Few years later, God asked him to have one. Mannu was delighted. Mannu’s smile gave Him some answer, only He knows    what and the magic started. The world started shrinking. The star was coming near Mannu. Mannu’s old wish was just one step away from being his reality. That old star for which he had longed for years was calling but Mannu was unable to move. Only one question revolved in Mannu’s mind,

“Now, do I want it or not?”