“Can I ask you something Mannu?” Pia asked.
“Yes darling...Ask whatever comes to your heart.” Mannu replied,
rejoicing in the afterglow of his lover’s gift.
“Aaoge na? Won’t you come?” Pia questioned.
Mannu was silent. Where had life brought him today? Probably, in a
garden of roses where more were the number of thorns! She didn’t ask again as
if she already knew that Mannu had no answer.
Whistles, from a security guard, were clearly audible. It was a signal
that the list for examination has been posted. Oh Jesus! Mannu got another life
to think for the answer to Pia’s question.
“I’ll call you back in two minutes.” He said to Pia and rushed towards
the examination wing. Pushing the crowd in front of him, he struggled to be the
first.
Mannu found Nitesh returning from the canteen and he stopped Mannu in
between.
“Get your tickets done bhai. Exams
get over on 28th March. No gap between English and Maths.”
“Arey tell the full list yaar. Leave it. Let me see it myself.”
Mannu spoke and started moving towards the wing. Nitesh took out a copy of the
schedule which gave Mannu some respite. The third week of March was decided for
examination. Scrutinizing the schedule he called Pia again.
“I’m coming.”
“Really...Really...I
love you. I love you...I love you...Are the exams postponed?”
“No..love they’ll be over on 28th...”
“Then how will you reach on 29th love? The train would leave
at around 2...”
Mannu interrupted in a manly gesture, “I’ll manag...the exam will be
over at 12. I’ll rush.”
“But the college gates won’t be open na...And don’t you spoil your exam
in this...No No No...let’s leave it yaar.
You come on your next birthday. It would not...”, Mannu interrupted again,
“Still there is a month to figure out how will I make an exit. I’ll study very
hard I promise. I will stop playing guitar for a month. I’ll just studStill
there is a month to figure out how will I make an exit. I’ll study very hard I
promise. I will stop playing guitar for a month. I’ll just study.”
“Won’t you miss others on your birthday?”
“I’ve already missed you a lot Pia.” Mannu spoke with a sigh.
“Do you really love me so much?” She questioned.
“No...I love our kids more.” Mannu said to her with a quirky smile.
No comments:
Post a Comment