"I .. the train has arrived .. I am getting late ..."
"It won't leave the platform for next 20 minutes, Sid. Don't dodge my question? Why have you been lying to me all this while?"
I tried to say something but words barely escaped my mouth. It was an awkward situation. I was getting torn between two choices - telling her the truth or try to force my lies. She watched me struggling with my thoughts for few seconds and then spoke up.
“I had seen you long before you saw me Sid; when I had entered the platform. I couldn’t understand why did you go and sit in the farthest corner of the station, far from any person. You loved being with the people, making new friends whenever you got a chance. That’s why I sat at this bench because I knew that eventually you would pass from here and after seeing me here would stop. Then when you begin to talk, I could clearly see that you were lying. Is everything right between you and Radhika?”
I took a deep breath. She had clearly seen through me; lying was of no use now “Nothing went right after college. Everything fell apart. I tried a lot but couldn’t do anything.” I said shaking my head.
“And that’s what you have done to yourself? Do you remember a Priyanka who used to get into trouble with every person, who was always so arrogant and selfish, someone whom everyone hated? Look at me now. Is there a even a slightest trace of Priyanka left in me? Who brought this change into me? You did. I always wanted to be like you. A person whom everyone loved and adored. A person full of life rather than hatred and frustration. A person who didn’t find fault in everything but who appreciated even the small things of life. I ... I liked you but I was jealous with you and Radhika at the same time. You people were together and had everything I wanted to have....ever."
She continued like she hadn't spoken in years. "Then college ended and for the first time I faced the hardships of life away from the home. My nature always produced hurdles in my life and then one day I thought about you and decided to change myself. Look at me now. Whatever I’m today is because of you.”
I didn’t say anything. She paused for a second and then continued.
“I don’t blame you or even Radhika. Sometimes the relations just don’t work out. But it looks like you are blaming the whole world for everything wrong that has happened with you. I don’t know but I feel like you have moved away from the social life of yours, your friends and may be your parents. I don’t know this pessimistic, cynic Sid. I always knew one Sid and he was always cheerful, happy and ready to mingle. I don’t want to give any speech. But look at me. If you can bring change in me without even knowing it why can’t you change yourself…?”
Priyanka was interrupted by the shrill voice of the announcer. Her train too had finally arrived. She took a deep breath and said "It was so nice catching up with you after so many years. I always wanted to do so, but the memories of the dreadful Priyanka always stopped me. Good bye Sid."
She didn’t say anything more but picked up her luggage and soon disappeared in the crowd moving towards the train. I too stood up. Train was about to leave and I couldn’t afford to miss it.
THREE MONTHS LATER
I had returned home after three months. It was February and the morning breeze seemed so nice. My parents didn’t know that I was coming and I wanted to give them a surprise. I had just moved out of station when I found myself face to face with Rajan, once my best friend, and his wife.
There was a silence initially as our eyes met. No body moved. Then I smiled and threw myself on to surprised Rajan. We had hugged each other after such a long time that we stood like that for many seconds. When I moved away, I could see a small tear in his eye.
“It has been such a long time.” He said
“Well, I’m back” picking up my luggage I quoted a dialogue from my favorite movie.
“It is so good to see you back, Sid”
I looked at Radhika. Two tears had rolled down her eyes. I was seeing her for the first time after that altercation which had ended our relationship decisively.
“Thank you.” She said
“Don’t thank me.” I answered smiling. “Reserve this thanks for someone else.”
"It won't leave the platform for next 20 minutes, Sid. Don't dodge my question? Why have you been lying to me all this while?"
I tried to say something but words barely escaped my mouth. It was an awkward situation. I was getting torn between two choices - telling her the truth or try to force my lies. She watched me struggling with my thoughts for few seconds and then spoke up.
“I had seen you long before you saw me Sid; when I had entered the platform. I couldn’t understand why did you go and sit in the farthest corner of the station, far from any person. You loved being with the people, making new friends whenever you got a chance. That’s why I sat at this bench because I knew that eventually you would pass from here and after seeing me here would stop. Then when you begin to talk, I could clearly see that you were lying. Is everything right between you and Radhika?”
I took a deep breath. She had clearly seen through me; lying was of no use now “Nothing went right after college. Everything fell apart. I tried a lot but couldn’t do anything.” I said shaking my head.
“And that’s what you have done to yourself? Do you remember a Priyanka who used to get into trouble with every person, who was always so arrogant and selfish, someone whom everyone hated? Look at me now. Is there a even a slightest trace of Priyanka left in me? Who brought this change into me? You did. I always wanted to be like you. A person whom everyone loved and adored. A person full of life rather than hatred and frustration. A person who didn’t find fault in everything but who appreciated even the small things of life. I ... I liked you but I was jealous with you and Radhika at the same time. You people were together and had everything I wanted to have....ever."
To say that I was surprised would be an understatement. Someone who had spent whole 4 years with this girl in the class would understand my state of mind at that moment.
She continued like she hadn't spoken in years. "Then college ended and for the first time I faced the hardships of life away from the home. My nature always produced hurdles in my life and then one day I thought about you and decided to change myself. Look at me now. Whatever I’m today is because of you.”
I didn’t say anything. She paused for a second and then continued.
“I don’t blame you or even Radhika. Sometimes the relations just don’t work out. But it looks like you are blaming the whole world for everything wrong that has happened with you. I don’t know but I feel like you have moved away from the social life of yours, your friends and may be your parents. I don’t know this pessimistic, cynic Sid. I always knew one Sid and he was always cheerful, happy and ready to mingle. I don’t want to give any speech. But look at me. If you can bring change in me without even knowing it why can’t you change yourself…?”
Priyanka was interrupted by the shrill voice of the announcer. Her train too had finally arrived. She took a deep breath and said "It was so nice catching up with you after so many years. I always wanted to do so, but the memories of the dreadful Priyanka always stopped me. Good bye Sid."
She didn’t say anything more but picked up her luggage and soon disappeared in the crowd moving towards the train. I too stood up. Train was about to leave and I couldn’t afford to miss it.
THREE MONTHS LATER
I had returned home after three months. It was February and the morning breeze seemed so nice. My parents didn’t know that I was coming and I wanted to give them a surprise. I had just moved out of station when I found myself face to face with Rajan, once my best friend, and his wife.
There was a silence initially as our eyes met. No body moved. Then I smiled and threw myself on to surprised Rajan. We had hugged each other after such a long time that we stood like that for many seconds. When I moved away, I could see a small tear in his eye.
“It has been such a long time.” He said
“Well, I’m back” picking up my luggage I quoted a dialogue from my favorite movie.
“It is so good to see you back, Sid”
I looked at Radhika. Two tears had rolled down her eyes. I was seeing her for the first time after that altercation which had ended our relationship decisively.
“Thank you.” She said
“Don’t thank me.” I answered smiling. “Reserve this thanks for someone else.”
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