--IV--
“Can anyone ever look this gorgeous!" my aunt exclaimed, and I smiled. “Karan and you are a match made in the clouds”. True, we had been good friends for years now. Charismatic, witty, intelligent, he was every girl’s dream come true. When the offer came, I did not hesitate to agree.
“Fine, I’ll get going. Take care, you. Diya will be landing tonight, she’ll call you as soon as she reaches”. With a nod, I closed the door and walked upstairs. Dad and mom had gone to a relative's place and I'd stayed over to give my aunt company. I’d always been very fond of her. I drifted back to the days her daughter Diya and I would swim in the cold waters, climb trees till our joints ached, fight over sweets, run backwards across the dry sands, what fun we used to have. Now here we were, all grown up. She was soon to land with her husband and son to attend my wedding. One week to go…
Was that the phone? I walked across the room, wondering if mom was calling to say she was on her way back. I picked it up and the measured “Hello” made me tremble involuntarily. “Oh, hi!” I managed. Four minutes dragged by, one second at a time. Things had changed, and yet, they hadn't. I placed the receiver back and left the stifling room as soon as I could, to the balcony.
I opened the door and a pleasant breeze brushed my face… I closed my eyes. The same soft breath of fresh air; it had been years now… I could distantly see him, sitting on his porch, that weird smile drifting across his pearl white face. I opened my eyes and looked up at the moon. Sohrab… As the palm trees’ leaves swayed, I saw his nimble fingers weaving magical words that could make one chuckle, laugh, ponder, cry…
Years had gone by, but somehow, he’d managed to stay right where he’d always been – in the very depths of my heart. He wasn't every girl’s dream come true, but he was something much more significant. Sohrab was a senior in college - quite well known, but not quite liked by everyone. We’d met at the college’s Editorial Board and in time, we were real good friends. Weeks became months and I found myself falling deeply in love. Behind mischievous eyes and a devilish smile, I saw a spirit unlike anything I'd ever seen.
The doorbell rang. My parents had arrived. My father left to the drawing hall to catch up with Star News while my mom and me walked to the kitchen to make dinner. “Come dice the tomatoes. And wash the Rajma to your left”, she continued, “My God, your cousin has been up to such nonsense lately. You know what she...” she went on for an hour so. He loved Rajma. We never made it at home. And she had to ask me to wash them today. After all the pains I’d taken for years now, here I stood, still trembling, with that voice ringing in my ears…
Those were the days… We’d meet up for silly reasons and call up for no reason at all! He’d dress up for every date and I’d feel flattered at the very thought. He’d surprise me with the most unusual gifts; like a bag of tea that he picked up from Kerala while he’d picked one up for his mother! Our conversations, they’d go on for hours with lapses of silence that would fill my heart with unheard melodies. He’d fill in my insecurities with hope, let me know how to go about things the logical way; and now and then he’d surprise me with bouts of immaturity that would remind one of a dreamy-eyed school boy. It often felt like a roller coaster ride; and yet, with him, I felt cared for - and safe. And I thought it would last forever…I was so wrong.
I recalled the day I let him know that my insecurities were taking over. He told me he did not want to lose a good friend – and it seemed like the whole world collapsed as he said it. ”You don’t love me, do you?” There was a pause and then he said,” You want to know the truth?” “Yes”. Yet another pause, and I let my eyes close as he mouthed the word “No”.
“Are you crying? Oh my God! She’s crying! Don’t worry love… Karan will take good care of you. And we’ll always be there for you”, my mother hugged me. “I know mamma. Thank you”. With that, I washed my face and started chopping the mushrooms…
--III--
“You must be feeling on top of the world, Karan is a definite catch”. “Very funny! Frankly speaking Karan, I sometimes wonder why I agreed to get married to you in the first place”. A chuckle, and the voice on the other end of the line softened,” I love you “.
Sohrab… The number times I’d dreamed of how he’d tell me that he loved me. I’d hear his voice spelling out those three words and tremble with delight. “Feeling shy, wifey? Well then, wait till tomorrow. Once we're married, I'll have you repeat after me - all life long”, Karan’s voice crackled over the phone. “You wish!” I managed.
--II--
I woke up with a start, leaned over and reached for the light switch. That was when the phone started ringing. “Karan has a strange sense of humor” I mumbled, as I picked it up, “Hello”. Two minutes later, I lay on my bed, wondering who this silent caller may have been. “A member of your fan club, I suppose”, Diya giggled. “Diya, I’m still in love with Sohrab”, I blurted out. “That creep? What’s wrong with you?” She had been the only one to see me cry over my pillow every night, and knew how shattered and bitter I’d felt for years after.
“Karan is a great guy. Don’t let your foolishness ruin your marriage. Could this caller be him?” I shook my head, “I don’t know… Most probably not.” “Has he called you recently?” “Yes, a week ago”. Her eyes narrowed, “So that smart ass is trying to ruin it for you”. “Diya”, I interrupted,” He doesn't know I’m getting married. I did not tell him”. ”And thank goodness you didn't. Did you see the way our mothers danced this evening? They love you and they are happy. Good night sweetie”. With that, she went to sleep. She was right. Even if she wasn't, it was too late now. A sigh escaped my lips as I let the real world fade away…
--I--
The clock struck eight and the groom's procession arrived. “You're so beautiful, my brother is blessed”, Shweta chirped. I let my cheeks go pink and muttered a “thank you”. Soon, people were taking turns to say hello, to complement the bride as they should as I thanked them, wearing my wedding-smile. Maybe Karan and me were meant to be. Maybe Sohrab was just a passing cloud. He never did feel strongly enough for me. Our relationship wouldn't have survived anyway. Maybe… “It's time! Bring the bride to the mantap”.
I sat, my garlands and jewelry weighing me down. As my parents sat beside me, completing their customary rights, I could see flashes from the past – grandma's macaroons, playing with Diya, school, college, Sohrab! I stared ahead, shell-shocked. There he stood – near the last row of seats, his arms crossed, a stern look clouding his radiant face, tears welling up in his lovely black eyes…
“Can anyone ever look this gorgeous!" my aunt exclaimed, and I smiled. “Karan and you are a match made in the clouds”. True, we had been good friends for years now. Charismatic, witty, intelligent, he was every girl’s dream come true. When the offer came, I did not hesitate to agree.
“Fine, I’ll get going. Take care, you. Diya will be landing tonight, she’ll call you as soon as she reaches”. With a nod, I closed the door and walked upstairs. Dad and mom had gone to a relative's place and I'd stayed over to give my aunt company. I’d always been very fond of her. I drifted back to the days her daughter Diya and I would swim in the cold waters, climb trees till our joints ached, fight over sweets, run backwards across the dry sands, what fun we used to have. Now here we were, all grown up. She was soon to land with her husband and son to attend my wedding. One week to go…
Was that the phone? I walked across the room, wondering if mom was calling to say she was on her way back. I picked it up and the measured “Hello” made me tremble involuntarily. “Oh, hi!” I managed. Four minutes dragged by, one second at a time. Things had changed, and yet, they hadn't. I placed the receiver back and left the stifling room as soon as I could, to the balcony.
I opened the door and a pleasant breeze brushed my face… I closed my eyes. The same soft breath of fresh air; it had been years now… I could distantly see him, sitting on his porch, that weird smile drifting across his pearl white face. I opened my eyes and looked up at the moon. Sohrab… As the palm trees’ leaves swayed, I saw his nimble fingers weaving magical words that could make one chuckle, laugh, ponder, cry…
Years had gone by, but somehow, he’d managed to stay right where he’d always been – in the very depths of my heart. He wasn't every girl’s dream come true, but he was something much more significant. Sohrab was a senior in college - quite well known, but not quite liked by everyone. We’d met at the college’s Editorial Board and in time, we were real good friends. Weeks became months and I found myself falling deeply in love. Behind mischievous eyes and a devilish smile, I saw a spirit unlike anything I'd ever seen.
The doorbell rang. My parents had arrived. My father left to the drawing hall to catch up with Star News while my mom and me walked to the kitchen to make dinner. “Come dice the tomatoes. And wash the Rajma to your left”, she continued, “My God, your cousin has been up to such nonsense lately. You know what she...” she went on for an hour so. He loved Rajma. We never made it at home. And she had to ask me to wash them today. After all the pains I’d taken for years now, here I stood, still trembling, with that voice ringing in my ears…
Those were the days… We’d meet up for silly reasons and call up for no reason at all! He’d dress up for every date and I’d feel flattered at the very thought. He’d surprise me with the most unusual gifts; like a bag of tea that he picked up from Kerala while he’d picked one up for his mother! Our conversations, they’d go on for hours with lapses of silence that would fill my heart with unheard melodies. He’d fill in my insecurities with hope, let me know how to go about things the logical way; and now and then he’d surprise me with bouts of immaturity that would remind one of a dreamy-eyed school boy. It often felt like a roller coaster ride; and yet, with him, I felt cared for - and safe. And I thought it would last forever…I was so wrong.
I recalled the day I let him know that my insecurities were taking over. He told me he did not want to lose a good friend – and it seemed like the whole world collapsed as he said it. ”You don’t love me, do you?” There was a pause and then he said,” You want to know the truth?” “Yes”. Yet another pause, and I let my eyes close as he mouthed the word “No”.
“Are you crying? Oh my God! She’s crying! Don’t worry love… Karan will take good care of you. And we’ll always be there for you”, my mother hugged me. “I know mamma. Thank you”. With that, I washed my face and started chopping the mushrooms…
--III--
“You must be feeling on top of the world, Karan is a definite catch”. “Very funny! Frankly speaking Karan, I sometimes wonder why I agreed to get married to you in the first place”. A chuckle, and the voice on the other end of the line softened,” I love you “.
Sohrab… The number times I’d dreamed of how he’d tell me that he loved me. I’d hear his voice spelling out those three words and tremble with delight. “Feeling shy, wifey? Well then, wait till tomorrow. Once we're married, I'll have you repeat after me - all life long”, Karan’s voice crackled over the phone. “You wish!” I managed.
--II--
I woke up with a start, leaned over and reached for the light switch. That was when the phone started ringing. “Karan has a strange sense of humor” I mumbled, as I picked it up, “Hello”. Two minutes later, I lay on my bed, wondering who this silent caller may have been. “A member of your fan club, I suppose”, Diya giggled. “Diya, I’m still in love with Sohrab”, I blurted out. “That creep? What’s wrong with you?” She had been the only one to see me cry over my pillow every night, and knew how shattered and bitter I’d felt for years after.
“Karan is a great guy. Don’t let your foolishness ruin your marriage. Could this caller be him?” I shook my head, “I don’t know… Most probably not.” “Has he called you recently?” “Yes, a week ago”. Her eyes narrowed, “So that smart ass is trying to ruin it for you”. “Diya”, I interrupted,” He doesn't know I’m getting married. I did not tell him”. ”And thank goodness you didn't. Did you see the way our mothers danced this evening? They love you and they are happy. Good night sweetie”. With that, she went to sleep. She was right. Even if she wasn't, it was too late now. A sigh escaped my lips as I let the real world fade away…
--I--
The clock struck eight and the groom's procession arrived. “You're so beautiful, my brother is blessed”, Shweta chirped. I let my cheeks go pink and muttered a “thank you”. Soon, people were taking turns to say hello, to complement the bride as they should as I thanked them, wearing my wedding-smile. Maybe Karan and me were meant to be. Maybe Sohrab was just a passing cloud. He never did feel strongly enough for me. Our relationship wouldn't have survived anyway. Maybe… “It's time! Bring the bride to the mantap”.
I sat, my garlands and jewelry weighing me down. As my parents sat beside me, completing their customary rights, I could see flashes from the past – grandma's macaroons, playing with Diya, school, college, Sohrab! I stared ahead, shell-shocked. There he stood – near the last row of seats, his arms crossed, a stern look clouding his radiant face, tears welling up in his lovely black eyes…
16 comments:
Whoa!!
:) whoa?
I think her whoa is with respect to the tragic turn this story takes in the end...and yet there is nothing like tears welling up on a radiant face is there...?? :-)
He stands there with his arms folded, the welled up tears trickle down but he makes no attempt to brush them away. He looks at her, his head drops a little, a deep sigh and he looks up again with his trademark half-smile, turns around and walks away.
"he looks up again with his trademark half-smile, turns around and walks away..."
how convenient :P
Good read.. Its true that not all love poems rhyme.. Most relationships do not have a solid beginning and a great end:(...
:) Most relationships never end Sreeji, do they!
I'm glad you refrd to this as poetry - that's just what it is and it takes a poet to recognise it!
interesting read , both this one n the lake thing.
:) Thanks Bala! Am I glad to see yu here!
Woaaaaaah ... Looks like a scene right out of some hindi Soap !!!
:P
You've been watching too many soaps eh Anjana ?
Interestin comment there..."most relationships never end..."
Its better then for one 2 make sure that he/she puts an end to such relationships cos all they bring along with them is tonns of grief n heaps of sorrow.
n trust me...people that like to stay in the last row with tears welling up in their eyes r doin good to nobody...wot business do they hav to show their sorrows jus wen their loved one is gna embark on a whole new journey????
-ayush
Ah Ayush :)
Just what I thought you'd say buddy!
But tell me - do you personally think relationships end for good?
You are Suraj - you probably didn't know how much you loved Kajal until you lost her to someone else. You must remember Kajal hadn't told Suraj about her wedding at all.
And if you were Kajal - perhaps you'd be better off knowing your first love had after all been reciprocated.
What happens here is not ideal, not fair, but then what is!
it could also be that suraj had a thing for diya, which is why he dumped kajal in the first place....and he is the biological father of diya's son....and the tears well up because he sees his son for the first time.....
hmm... first love had "AFTER ALL" been reciprocated... u kno anjana...dis "after all" makes all the difference in this world... cos after all can take ages...in fact i ll refer to the forward that u had sent to me...
"Saying the right thing, at the right time, can be priceless!!"
suraj failed to say the right thing at the right time... nd so " after all" did make all the difference!!!
-ayush
it could also be that suraj had a thing for diya, which is why he dumped kajal in the first place....and he is the biological father of diya's son....and the tears well up because he sees his son for the first time.....
:) Hillarious
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