Pranathi getting hold of her thumping heart, sighs with an expression of at-last-i-have-found-you and inquires Sashi why his mobile phone is switched off. Sashi grins a bit to save some time to think of what to answer. He says that he lost his mobile with a little effort. He finds himself a pro in lying, remembering his experiences with his father and the ease, with which he did it again with Pranathi too. He is sad that he needs to use his special skills for sometime with others too and happy that he saved himself for the moment.
The little boy, who brought Pranathi to the room, leaves with a bit of disappointment as that rude fellow, Sashi even forgets to thank him. Pranathi, not waiting to be invited or asked, comes in and tells him about her surprise visit. Sashi though suddenly became happy, conceals it and tries to manage that this happiness shall not change his decision. He takes a deep breath to change his mood, to reflect that he is not so happy for all she did. He asks her when she did plan all this.
Pranathi ignoring all the general questions, says, "I have been observing you since a fortnight. You seem so dull and detached. First I thought, you are stressed at work but it continued unusually longer, I just couldn't understand the problem. Then one day, probably last Friday, I thought, that we shall meet, thinking it could make you happy and it did. I could see it in your eyes." Sashi, realizing that his efforts to put on the mask of fatigue are gone in vain, relaxes himself. Sashi giving a smile to himself, asks her when she arrived and how she convinced her parents.
Pranathi pulling her brows closer, exclaims "Sashi, I already told you that I came here by 10.00AM and that I am staying with my friend Radhika, the nerdy of our class. Did you remember Radhika? the one who used to scare all the boys, even to look at her. Oh OK, OK! Not again. I know, it is probably, 74th time I am telling you about her. But Sashi, You are still not yourself. What happened to you? Are you angry with me for anything? Aren't you happy for my coming here? Tell me, what's bothering you. I don't mind even if you wouldn't share your happiness with me but in times like this, you should better share. I feel, I can do anything if only you give me a chance. I know, it is too much to say, but I sincerely feel that."
Pranathi takes a pause for few seconds and gets into a different topic not to overburden Sashi with her special feelings for him. She says, how she thought of lying to her dad that she has to attend an exam in B'lore . how she reasoned it to be not worth lying and gave up. and then how for the first time she went to her dad so boldly and asked him for his permission to visit her friends in B'lore. She says that her dad was apprehensive a bit (natural for a daughter's dad), but gave permission. Pranathi continues profoundly "You see, it is all because of you. The feeling of being in love with you gives me lots of happiness and confidence, and I don't find anything to worry about. Everything looks brilliant" She stops again checking herself, how she is getting back to expressing her feelings for him.
Suddenly silence falls upon and they don't know how to break it. It is dark in no time, and observing it, Pranathi stands up to take leave. Sashi insists her to have dinner with him and takes her to Forum. He drops her back at her friend's place after the casual dinner. They make a tryst for the next day @ ISKCON temple.
All the night, Pranathi thinks of everything that could possibly worry Sashi, but coudn't be sure of anything. Sashi, on his way back, calls up his parents to make sure that they don't knock his door next day like Pranathi did that day. and sleeps thinking how he shall give her the letter, whether to post it or to give her directly.
Next morning, Sashi and Pranathi meet at ISKCON temple, take the blessings of Krishna. They make some place for themselves to sit on the stairs. This time, determined Pranathi says "Sashi, I really don't know what is bothering you, I guess, it something serious, I also understand, you don't want to share it with me and I am OK with that. Shall I say something? (proceeds with his nod) No situation is good or bad to handle. No problem is difficult or easy to solve. It all depends on how you handle it, whether you accept and adopt or stand up and fight back or just run away. I just want to tell you to be happy with your decision, even if you feel like running away. I know it is easier said than done. I believe, we all know (almost) all the possible solutions for every problem we face, but often we favor our minds over hearts and vice versa in view of rationality. Excuse me for my lengthy lecture. But be happy always like my dear old Sashi" She hums that filmy song "mujhse naraz ho to ho jao. khudse lekin khafa khafa na raho.. mujhse tum door jao to jao, aap apne se judaa na raho.." and takes his right hand in her hands mimicking a pleading posture.
While loafing around the Brigade Road, Pranathi, pulls out a purple colored T-shirt which says "Avoid hangover, Stay drunk." from the bag she brought with her. She hands him this saying "I am fed up of taking. So this time I want to give you." Sashi unfolds the shirt and smiling at the quote keeps it to his chest as if asking her how he looks. From a near-by shop, Sashi takes a pashmina shawl that compliments her light apricot colored skirt. When he gives it to her, thinking "Perhaps, this is the last one", he thought, he just thought of it, but he actually said it aloud. Pranathi notices this with a thud in her heart.
A happy day passes like a minute. They find that they can't have lunch together as she needs to catch the kacheguda express. They reach the railway station on time. Pranathi settles herself in S1, 59 (she prefers upper berth) while Sashi brings her food and water.
Sashi after so much struggle gives her the letter and asks her to read once she reaches home. As the train starts moving with a whistle, Pranathi, wearing an expresssion of i'll-miss-you-like-hell in her eyes says "take care and be happy". Every time she parts with Sashi, she feels, she is being taken away from herself. Soon her face turns so miserable, as if she has more painful story than Sashi's. Her eyes have a request for him. A request, to be happy, to be like that old and happy Sashi. Her image, through that little rustic train window, gets stamped in his heart as he stands helplessly.
2 comments:
hmm...(with a deep breath) I must admit my inadequacy in english. So beautifully written, capturing minute details like "The little boy, who brought Pranathi to the room, leaves with a bit of disappointment as that rude fellow, Sashi even forgets to thank him.".
Great Work dear.
very well written ... i liked it.
- chaitanya.
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