C U 2MROW @ 9 (November 5, 2016)

They didn’t need words to express themselves. They couldn’t find words to express themselves. It was all being done by the eyes. Mannu and Pia had done it for their love, a journey that had brought them together for the rest of their lives, bonded them forever, strengthened their mutual trust and completed the happiness of Pia.

He’d have no pain in his eyes if his life ended now.

She was standing straight in front, hiding away the wars she was fighting behind her innocent smile. No, she moved a little towards the right or did he move towards his left?

Oh God! What was happening? Where was he going?

Mannu looked outside again. She had gone much further now.

They could still see each other... yes, even now.

She wanted to say something.

Oh! Somebody take him to her.

She still had an unspoken word on her lips.

Mannu hung out again, but this time she had gone away, far away.

Seconds later his cell phone beeped.

One New Message: Pia.

C U 2MROW @ 9 (November 4, 2016)

“What...you’ll miss the train...and you..you are smiling.”  

“I will be so so happy to miss the train, I would have you with me for more time.” She slapped him on his thigh. They were very close together. Thigh to thigh. Arm to arm. Mannu rested his head on her shoulder. He felt sleepy as she started patting his cheek. The auto was running faster than usual. Pia was simultaneously pressing him to run fast.

“Take good care of your health Mannu... and please eat something in the train...” She spoke, stopped for a while and spoke again.

“Call me as soon as you reach Jaipur. Promise me.” Mannu stayed silent, looked deep into her eyes and made the promise.

“I love you, Mannu...” She whispered.

He kept looking at her and went so close that their lips touched.

Oh, what was that? What am I doing?

Mannu questioned himself.

It was for a fraction of second and they parted. He looked at Pia again. Her eyes truly showed what she had in her heart and Mannu kissed her again. They were two bodies, but one soul. It lasted only for a few seconds, but they did it with passion, never cared about the world and the look of the auto driver. As their eyes opened they were near the bridge that connected the platform. It was 7:20 pm and the train was to depart after three minutes. Mannu held her tight and together they ran towards the platform. Life had changed, time had changed. Now Mannu was faster than anybody on the station. Pia was breathing heavily as they halted on the platform at 7:21 pm. All the eyes were on them, some filled with suspicion, some with disgust. They were but carefree.

“Come come come...”She spoke and pulled Mannu further to check the PNR status.

“Mannu Mannu Mannu....Mannu.” She found it out. The seat was confirmed. Bingo! Pia’s words had again proved right. But it was the third coach. They faced the ninth. Again Pia pulled him towards the coach number three. Their hands were locked tight. Breath was heavy, but it was only for each other’s comfort. The gates of the train were empty as passengers had already occupied their seats.

“We would have just missed it...” Pia spoke, breathing heavy.

“We didn’t...” Mannu spoke amid his heavy breath, with a smile on his face and a pain in his heart. For the first time they looked at the moon together. She was pushing him to board the train. The lights could turn green any moment. He finally stepped in and clung to the exit gates.

It was their last minute together. 

C U 2MROW @ 9 (November 3, 2016)

“I’ll read them all when you’ll not be near me.” Pia said, putting the diaries back in Mannu’s bag. The love gift she had sent him was also waiting its turn. Pia’s anxiousness was clearly visible by the way she kissed it, hugged it and loved it. They read the love letter again, arm in arm.

The sun had gone. Mannu had clicked only seven photos.

No, he never wanted to go. Pia was busy packing Mannu’s bag and she had even tied his shoe laces.

“Baby...” She spoke.

The bag was packed. Mannu said nothing, just tried to hide the glow in his eyes.

“What happened?”

“Nothing.” Replied Mannu, amidst his mild sobbing.

 She came near and touched him with her open palm. It took away all Mannu had hidden from so long and he burst into tears.

She rested him on her shoulder, wiped Mannu’s tears again and again, but the more they came.

“Stop crying my baby. Talk to me.” She said, lifting him by his chin.

“Can’t you keep me with you forever?” Mannu questioned Pia

“Oh! My baby... you’re forever in my heart. Now no one can separate us only if you stop crying. And I promise we are meeting again soon.”   

Mannu agreed with her words and tried hard to smile. They were one by heart and soul. All the doubts had vanished. Yes! Pia and Mannu were one. They had found each other in this big world. There was truth in all that had happened in the past eleven months and eight days. Pia was there in real for Mannu and so was he for Pia.

  

“What’s the time?” Pia questioned Mannu.

His watch showed 4:00 pm.

She immediately took out his cell phone to check the correct time.

It was 6.40 pm. She held him tight.

“What happened?” Mannu questioned.

“We’re late, Mannu. We need to run or you’ll miss the train.” Pia said, and even in the darkness the sweat beads on her forehead and her upper lip were visible. Mannu took the pleasure to wipe them. There was no time left to ponder upon what to do. They had to rush to the railway station. Nothing else! Mannu bundled up all the bad feelings and, holding her close, walked to search for an auto. They easily got one. This time Pia enquired the auto driver. 

“It takes a minimum of thirty minutes to reach the station from here. And I pray we don’t encounter a traffic jam...” Pia said, wiping her sweat.

Mannu was smiling now.

C U 2MROW @ 9 (November 2, 2016)

The togetherness between them had found its way. The gulf of real and virtual worlds had come to a closure now. They were trying to be as close together as they could be. For all of this was just a matter of few hours. No moment was wasted in other indulgence.

They sipped, drank and bit the red, yellow and blue coloured ice slush, which was the top favourite in Pia’s list of seven. Seven had made Mannu lucky today, or hadn’t it?

Only three hours were left before his watch would show seven. Without telling Pia, Mannu stopped it that very moment, praying to God to stop the time, just for a day. He didn’t want to leave her so early. She held his hands tight and Mannu understood that she had again sensed his inner feelings. With the silent watch on his wrist, purchasing balloons and a new flavoured slush, they moved for a romantic sit in the garden, not so close to the Borivali station.

The soft coloured roses had close resemblance with Pia’s gifts. She never gave Mannu a single gift. They were several together. The first he had received was a message diary. After reading all the fifty-two messages on the glory of love, Mannu couldn’t stop himself from kissing her palm. It happened just by chance. Mannu, this five letter accessory for his mobile was a second one. It had become much dearer to him than the cell phone. The soft breeze in the garden made the exchange much more romantic. There were no words with Mannu to express himself.

“Close your eyes...” Mannu requested Pai. They were sitting on the grass. She had preferred it to a seat.

“Why?mmmm Ok...”

As soon as Mannu went ahead to express himself she opened her eyes again.

“Trust me...”spoke Mannu instantly and she closed her eyes again.

He took the ring from his pocket and gently ringed Pia’s ring finger.

“Now open your eyes...”

She was mesmerized. Awed by its beauty and glitter. She kissed his, hugged it to her bosom.

“You purchased it so quickly and ...how do you know the size?”

“You liked it naaaa”

“Sssss liked it very very much...its the most beautiful gift I’ve ever got...Thank you thank you... ”

 She kissed it from everywhere and Mannu just longed to be under her lips.

“I’ve something for you also...last one...”She spoke holding her ring finger with the other hand. Again Mannu got a heart shaped pendent.  She hugged the two message diaries, which were all dipped in her love messages. Reading the messages aloud, she laughed to herself when she read her passionate message kisses, some even three lines long. She took out the pens, laughed a lot after counting the finished ones and wrote the messages that she had sent yesterday. All was written in the same way as Mannu had been doing for the past five months. Mannu just kept looking at her.

C U 2MROW @ 9 (November 1, 2016)

“This in one secret place in the openness of the skies. Only a few know about it,” Pia said, digging her feet deeper in the mud. She had a belief that if anyone dug his feet in this mud and wished for something with eyes closed, it would definitely come true.

“Mannu, here I wished for a walk with my love on this sand, holding hands in hands... don’t you see the magic?” Pia spoke with her hand on Mannu’s shoulder, imagining the nostalgic moment.

“Really??Ok then...mmmm” Mannu obeyed her again and closed his eyes for a prayer. Opened them next moment to see Pia. She was praying very sincerely. Mannu closed his eyes again before Pia could see him doing the mischief.

“Kya maanga?” She spoke anxiously.

Mannu hesitated to tell.

“It won’t fly away if you tell me...this is not that wish...this is different...” Pia spoke childishly. Mannu was more in love with the little child inside her.

“Really...” Asked Mannu.

“Hmmm...”

“I asked that you come back to Jaipur. ..that we can live in the same city...meet every day...at least see each other every day...And you??”

“No I won’t tell...Girls don’t tell...”

“Piaaaaa” Unable to control his emotions he pinched her cheeks.

“Aaaah...oohhh...Even I asked the same...how are we even praying same things Mannu..how....oooh leave my cheeks.”

And Mannu left her abruptly. Shyness rolled over again. 

“I love you darling.” Mannu spoke, but this time in a whisper. Finding trust, understanding and love had really vanished from today’s world. But today their world had changed.

“I’ve cooked something for you...I woke up at five in morning...just to cook it...else Mum would have asked many questions...” She opened the tiffin box. As Mannu had requested she had cooked pasta for him. It was delicious, warm and saucy.

“How do you know such a good recipe? Did it watch it on TV?”

“Na Na...learnt if from a friend...she takes cookery classes.”

C U 2MROW @ 9 (October 31, 2016)

I need you Pia...Hold me close..

He murmured to himself, closing his eyes tight, but they opened up the next moment, wide enough to see the world in a single look. Her palm was on his, finding a way to be in, to be closer. We looked at each other and I could see in her eyes the emotion which had clouded my heart. They needed no words. Mannu picked up the bag from between and pulled her near. On a lonely night Mannu always dreamt of this moment. Her thigh was touching his, her arm was on his arm. Both didn’t know when they had locked hands.

Being so close to Pia, Mannu could fancy a perfect future. Two children, a girl and a boy. A cute little Pia and a naughty little Mannu. Still they both were looking not at each other. Her hair smelt of honey. The wind blew them onto his face, into his mouth. She piled it up to the other shoulder, locking them between her forefinger and thumb. Mannu was in love with her grace and her hair was more in love with Mannu. They flew back again for his kiss. Mannu had never enjoyed life so much.

In around thirty-five minutes they were at their dream destination, the Juhu Beach. The cool wind had a flavour of salt. Pia pressed Mannu’s hand to show how happy she was.

“This is what Jaipur can’t  ever give...” She spoke as they both gazed at nothing but the blue waters, the clear skies. On Pia’s words, Mannu removed his shoes to feel Juhu better.

“We come here at least once in a month...can’t live without....and in Jaipur you can go to temples...that’s a different feeling too...”She even splashed some water on him. The mud mountain of silence between them was getting dissolved.

“We play snooker...have noodle rolls and soft drinks....That’s our favourite outing...Sai baba mandir is only where we go every Thursday...”Spoke Mannu looking at her happy face. Quietness on their faces gradually washed away.

“Here...you see...here there are live performances in late evenings...But till that time you will be gone...” On these words of Pia, Mannu preferred to be silent. She pulled him by wrist and dragged him to a certain point on the beach. The mud at that point had a darker colour. Maybe the cracks in the log of wood that rested there for a decade had imparted it.

“Come sit naaa...don’t worry about your jeans...It’s that one naa which you bought after a fight with mummy...hmmm???”

“Ya...no..not after a fight but after failing to tell her how decent it is...”

“And yours is the same purse that you brought on your birthday..right?”

She nodded in acceptance, putting it Mannu’s lap to have a closer look. He didn’t open it up. Just touched it and let it rest there. They made themselves comfortable on a thick piece of log. Pia dug her feet in the mud and held Mannu’s hand.

“What’re you doing Pia?” Mannu questioned her.

C U 2MROW @ 9 (October 30, 2016)

One place where Mannu always longed to go with Pia was the Juhu Beach. It was Pia’s dream that he was dreaming today. Coming so far to Mumbai he wanted to live it.

“How far is Juhu?” He asked Pia.

“Not as far as the distance you have covered to see me.” Her words touched him from within.

“Since you’ve told me about Juhu and your....uuhhh strange connection with it...uuhhh...I want to go there...” After a moment of silence Mannu spoke again, “Shall we leave?”

She nodded her head in confirmation. He felt very embarrassed to know that the bill had already been paid.

“Why did you pay? It is my birthday...I am giving the treat naaaa...”

“It was a little gift from my side...Don’t worry...Come let’s leave...there is nothing mera tera between us... ”

What next? They stepped out for Juhu. Mannu still couldn’t believe he had found so much love in a city where people get lost. Her every step and gesture strengthened their bond. She took Mannu’s cell phone and gave him hers and straightaway ordered him to take it from her when he would leave for Jaipur. She didn’t say, but it was clear that she was very insecure about Mannu leaving her side.  

The auto-rickshaws were lined up at the front street.

“Ask him if he’ll go to Juhu.” Pia said to Mannu. Like her good baby, Mannu went ahead to enquire.

“Juhu beach challenge kya? Would you go to Juhu Beach?” Mannu questioned. The driver said nothing, shaked his head, signifying a ‘No’.

“Don’t talk much... just say Juhu. They’ll understand.” Pia said as they moved towards the second auto.

“Hmmm...” Again Mannu agreed with her words.

“Juhu?” He questioned.

The driver agreed at once. Amused, Mannu called Pia near.

They started their first journey together. She sat in the right corner, Mannu in the left and his bag sat between them. The only sounds audible were the engine and horn sounds. Mannu looked outside to feel the zephyr, memorized again what all he had to ask her to keep the talk going. It gave him a little confidence. Being a boy, he had to show courage. They were still silent and he feared that they’d reach Juhu soon and miss this golden moment where Mannu could only see Pia and she could only see Mannu. Deliberately shifting more towards the end and looking outside the auto he forwarded his right hand towards her. No, he couldn’t do it by looking at her. A few seconds had passed and Mannu had still not felt her touch. It worried him.He thought he had done it too early. But when a beautiful girl sits near you, you’re sure to forget when and how the time drifts away. Now he couldn’t pull it back even. He had to wait.