Returning
from the Diwali holidays, journey back to college was dipped in the hot curry
of Mrs. K’s delicacies and her sweet protective love. And the sound of silence
was heard deep within. Life gives everyone enough time and memories to rethink,
remember about and plant a smile on their modest faces. This journey was the
best time for him to remember the rights that somehow he did wrong. Vivi, the
school journey, Chotelal’s jalebis,
the cricket matches, every boundary and every century had built a permanent
nest on the tree of his memories.
When he was a kid, Mrs. K never let
him out alone, not even to the gates of the colony. Secretly, he did exit the
gates. Never told her! Today, when he had to travel kilometres, cross cities
and boundaries alone she couldn’t stop him. Instead, she cooked the best food
at home, also for the fourteen hour journey. Our way of caring for our loved
ones also changes with the ever changing time. Strange! Isn’t it? Home had
become like a resthouse. Members of the family ame and went away after a short,
busy and unfulfilled stay. But Mannu had found time to visit the old usual
destinations. The bike was made easily available for an excursion. Mr. K too
didn’t object. Vivi’s request to eat at wahid
biryani every alternte day was agreed to by Mannus parents and he was paid
extra pocket money so that things remain safe and good.
After an average result in the class
twelth exams, Vivi had decided to drop back and prepare for admission in Law
school. Studying aptitutde had made him quick and witty. Mannu had to tell him
about Pia. Vivi could.make out that there was a girl in his life. He was pretty
sure of that but was waiting for Mannu to tell him. It made Vivi sad that Mannu
had hid this from so long.
“I wanted to tell you, but it kept
on being delayed. Sorry yaar” Mannu
gave his excuse while riding back to home on bike. With a paan in his mouth Vivi replied,
"Rehne
de yaar...bhul gay tu mujhe"
Is tassavur mein jee rahe
the
ke jeena aa gaya...
Aankh khuli to mehsus hua
Ye jeena bhi koi jeena
hai...
Mannu sat silent. He knew that his
wait would hurt Vivi. What worried him more was the thought he hadn't seen Pia
yet and calling her the love of his life would be unbelievable for Vivi. And
the same happened. As soon as Mannu told him that she was not his class mate
Vivi stopped the bike abruptly near a paan shop.
"Then how come...."Vivi
questioned, removing the helmet in disgust."you know her?"
"I met her on Orkut i mean uhhh
I know her through Orkut." Mannu spoke scratching his head and hitting the
tyre in disdain.
"Is she your batchmate?"
Came a usual query.
"She's a friend of Pavni. After
that classroom spat..I hope you remember..."
"Ya..Ya Vivi came out promptly
but in a disinterested expression."
"After that I got a scrap from
Pia..." Mannu continued. Vivi was silent and mesmerised. He purchased a
packet of sweetener and ate all without even making an offer to Mannu.
"I don't know...mmm I never
expected the relation to evolve like this. It just happened."
"It happened because you wanted
it that way. Leave it yaar. Be practical."Vivi's voice was harsh. Mannu
could not defend himself. How could he? He had not even seen Pia, once.
"How long will it last? One, two,
five months. That's it. After that will you just keep calling her, asking her
when will you meet me, what are you doing etcetera etecetra. You're a science
guy Mannu. Have you forgotten that? Come on uhh tell me how.long will it last?
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