It all started at Akash’s Parents’ 25th anniversary celebrations. Pakhi was his 2nd cousin and I was his best friend. So I didn't take me much time to strike a conversation with the most beautiful girl for the evening. It made me smile every time I remembered that evening when we first met. I was staring at her openly, unabashed. She seemed so beautiful but her eyes spoke a different language,a defying attitude. Akash being a lovely friend understood my feelings and introduced me to her. Soon we were having a conversation but I don’t even remember what we talked about because I was already drowning into her large pool of big black eyes. Before I left, we exchanged phone numbers. Something in me said that she seemed to develop a certain liking for me. I called her a few days after the party(though I wanted to call her the very next day but the better side of my understanding restricted me).Soon we started to talk more often and planned to meet up sometime someday. I couldn't wait more for that “someday”. We never realized when we fell for each other but acceptances of the fact came from both the sides very soon. Our sail on the ocean of love took off. Those days seemed to be the best time of my life. Her presence seemed to completely transform my life. I was living every moment, cherishing them for a lifetime. Those stolen kisses, those ‘sex’capades, those romantic sensual conversations were the only things on my mind. And like every other mushy couple helplessly in love, even we had our share of future planning, like how our house would look like, how many kids we would have, deciding names for them and every such stupid thing one does when they are young and head over heels in love. Soon after, I got into a b-school. The result was I couldn't give all the time I used to give her but still we managed to keep the magic alive for the first year. But early in my 2nd year the worries of getting placed in a reputed firm became my primary concern. As a result I got busy with my projects and internships. She understood and never complained. Heart in heart I just felt so grateful. I couldn't have asked for a more understanding partner. She had been with me through and through, all the ups and downs for the last two years. Whatever it might be, I never felt alone. Somehow her invisible presence seemed to be shadowed by my side.
But I suppose god had different plans for us. One fine morning I got the shocking news of Pakhi’s father’s death. But the greater shock came from Akash after a few days when he said that Pakhi and her Mother were shifting to their ancestral house in Kolkata and she was to be married off soon to some NRI. I couldn't believe a word of which Akash said. Pakhi had tried convincing her mom about me but her mom was adamant. She wasn't ready to give off her daughter’s hand to someone who doesn’t have a job yet. And since her husband had passed away, it was her responsibility to marry her off to someone who could properly take care of her and not just someone who’s still still struggling. And by Indian norms, she had already attained marriageable age and they couldn’t wait any longer. My perfect world was falling down before my very eyes and I couldn’t do anything to help Pakhi out of this situation. Her cellphone was switched off. I couldn't go to their house, that might land Pakhi in a trouble. And within a week they were gone. My pakhi, my world was gone. I felt orphaned, as if a greater part part of my soul was taken away from me. People say time is the best healer. But I realized something else. It isn’t much of a healing. With time you just get accustomed to the pain. And that was the end to my love story. But it never really had an ending even after it ended…
In order to forget her I got busy with my career. After few months I got into of the reputed MNC’s. Years rolled on and I moved on with my life,never trying to think much about her. And today just a glimpse of her had me thinking of the bygone times. Suddenly my cellphone started vibrating. It was my wife calling,”Honey,you seemed to have forgotten one of your important files at home. Shall I ask Jai Bhaiyya to give it to you on his way to office?”. And I’s suddenly brought back to the present. There stood Seema, at the other end of the phone, my wife. Someone who’s a part of my life and who would be,for years to come. I dreamt of a life with Pakhi, but the reality is so very different. I am not complaining or regretting about anything,but its funny how things turn out to be.
All of us start out as strangers… Strangers who go out to become friends…friends who go out to become strangers once again…familiar becomes unfamiliar…unfamiliarity seems to be the only familiarity in this vicious circle of life….
