Till Eternity

 It was 2 a.m when her phone rang, he whispered, see you soon she simply smiled.  Vedika had not seen Ahaan   for a year. It was  during the time, when internet was     still an alien word for many of us. The only way to  communicate was via letters or long ISD trunk calls. It  was a typical story, Ahaan was a software engineer and had to fly to a foreign land, Vedika however could not accompany him as she would have to leave her job. Today sleep would evade her; she was later going to get a taxi to the airport with their friends to receive him.   

As she reached airport they checked whether the flight would land on time. It was not the first time Vedika had come to airport, as a child, she used to receive her grandparents who visited once a year. Vedika loved coming to airport, partly because this is where she had last seen Ahaan and also this was one place in Mumbai where she could find a lot of happy faces. People would come to receive and see off their loved ones; she called it ocean of emotions. She would spend hours observing people, some had tears, some hugged, some shook hands, there was laughter there was joy, there was the occasional tinge of sadness. Soon Vedika got engrossed in her own thoughts, as she recalled her past memories with Ahaan.   

Till the last moment she was hoping a call would come and Ahaan would be asked to stay back. They had got married six months earlier and it was an arranged marriage. But in these six months they had grown very fond of each other. They both shared a great bond as they had a lot in common. They both loved to have long walks and long chats. They would spend time chatting with each other, they could speak on any topic and time would fly by. She remembered their sleepless night which they would spent on their terrace chatting with each other. They both loved music, but their tastes in music were completely opposite, she liked classical while Ahaan was a huge fan of Bollywood music. Many times they argued which was better, later they would agree to disagree.  

Her thoughts broke as she saw Aahan step out of the terminal she was ecstatic she wanted to hug him badly, talk about so many thing. Instead she just stood there waiting. His eyes searched her, he saw her and wanted to hug her talk to her tell her everything, their eyes met, they both understood what each other was feeling. Tired of long flight he threw his bag on the floor hugged his friends and characteristically said " Saalo uthaon ab is saamn ko ". And it was only in the end he turned to Vedika and simply took her hand and promised never to let it go again both knew their love would last eternity they had once again found each other. 

Happy Ending

It was the same old story. She woke up and looked outside her window. The sun was shining. Kanika then checked her phone to see if she had received any new messages as always her inbox was full but no one important or she particularly cared about had messaged. As she locked her phone, the calendar notified it was a Sunday. It then struck Kanika that it was going to be yet another dreadful Sunday. 

Kanika heard her mother calling, “Get ready! The guests might come anytime.” Kanika knew that the guests would not arrive till mid afternoon. For the last three years Kanika had spent most of her Sundays hiding her beautiful face, under the mask of her make up, so she could look artificially beautiful.

 

But this Sunday afternoon she had to wait for the guests to come. Once the guests arrived she greeted them with a fake smile. After the initial formalities the guests would then start shooting questions at her. Many had come and gone, many asked the same questions, while some asked unexpected ones, some questions, she thought were really stupid. At times she tried hard not to laugh at and at times she answered them in a sarcastic way. And after spending merely half an hour with her and on the basis of Kanika’s answer they knew whether or not she is the daughter-in-law they were looking for.

Kanika’s diary on the 6th of April, 2014:

Sometimes I wonder whether all the sacrifices I made are worth it. I could have made different choices but I did not. Yes, I love my parents and just don’t want to see them hurt. But it’s been three years that I have been waiting for someone to approve me as their daughter-in-law. It’s a joke right. I know I am not that bad and I also know that I am better than most of them but how long do I have to wait. And how can one decide whether or not I can be a good daughter-in-law when all they do is ask me unnecessary questions. Is this how it’s supposed to work? I want to run away and go far away from all this. You know what hurts me the most is that every time someone comes they bring a hope that may be, this times things will work out and bring an end to all my agony. But look at the cruelty, some of them won’t even call back. And with all hopes are crushed. I am tired, very tired. I simply want to rewind my life back to my college days where I was surrounded by happiness. I want to travel the world. I want to see new places and here I am trapped in my own apathy.

 

Kanika was tired but she never complained because she had learnt to hide that pain behind her smile. She never talked about herself. She never bragged about her problems. She would keep all the secrets to herself and then write it down in her diary. And that made Kanika so strong that even tears had dried out. She just wanted to end this nightmare.

Her mom shouted once again, “Are you ready? They might arrive any time.”

She was looking beautiful as ever. The door bell rang. The guests had arrived. She was called to the hall. She gazed through the room to see who all had come. Everyone was present except the boy. She had never met these people. She had never seen them but they knew everything about her. And surprisingly not many questions were asked. 

Days passed Kanika got busy with her work life. At the end of everyday she would hope to receive some news from the groom’s side. But there was no news came. Kanika and her family waited anxiously to know if the family had approved of her. Then one fine day the groom's father called and informed that Kanika’s horoscopes had matched with their son. And that they would like to hold another meeting to discuss further details. 

Kanika had still not seen the boy. She just knew his name. She was anxious at same time she was happy. Kanika was going to meeting her to be husband next day.  She was having yet another sleepless night, when Kanika’s phone beeped, “So will you marry me?” There was a big smile on her face as she typed a ‘Yes’. Kanika knew who she was going to marry. It was her long lost friend who she had loved dearly during her college days. How did it all happen? How did he manage? She did not bother to ask she had lifetime to find. As for now Kanika was happy once again. 

And today when Kanika narrates her story to their grandchildren, it’s one of the most romantic stories they have heard they say. Though their love was not love at first sight, it was an extraordinary story. May be her wait was just worth it. ​ 

The Last Touch

It was love at first sight. We saw each other for the first time in a sports store. The moment he saw me I saw something magical in his eyes probably his love for the game. He was then an emerging star of tennis world not many knew about him. Next day I saw a piece of news on him on television, he had qualified for a major grand slam. It was his big break, seeded 100 in the world.

 May be it was déjà vu or  sixth sense but when I heard about Castle qualifying for the grand slam, there and  then I knew that he would ask me out the very next day. It was my first date and I was  nervous.  However things went very smoothly, Castle was a rock star. He was kind, affectionate, and funny. After our first date we knew we had found our soul mates.  We knew we would be together for a long time. We shared something special, describing it in words would do no justice.

After our first couple of dates we got to know each other better. We started to spend as much time possible together.  Whether it was off court or on court, what impressed me most about Castle was his passion for the game. Castle had won his first tow match with an ease of a margin. But his biggest lucid test was about to come. Castle was going to compete against his childhood idol James Richard the number one seed and winner of 12 grand slam titles. James Richard was favorite to win the match However Castle wrote his name in the books of history when he beat James Richard.

 After Castle won over Richard, things started to change. Castle became an overnight star. He was the talk of the town, center of attraction every one spoke about him. Even Castle’s professional life had changed from being ranked  70 Castle slowly started to jump in the ranks.  And within no time Castle was the number one seed in the world. He was now the face of tennis world.  It was really a special journey which we both had embarked together so far. Due to Castles’ superstition nature he made sure that I would always accompany him to the match.

It had been seven years since we had been together. It was then that Castle was on the brink of history. One more grandslam win and Castle would have won his seventh grandslam in a row. It was a rare feat not many had been able to accomplish. Unfortunately Castle lost the match. 

It was this lost that changed life of Castle and for the ones close to him. Castle was completely broken after this loss.  Days passed by I would keep waiting for Castle to pick me up for his practice sessions however Castle  kept delaying.  Our long talks were also now muted.  It was on one such fateful day I saw  Castle consuming drugs, which shattered my heart. That was the last time I spoke to Castle. Inevitable   Castle was banned by tennis federation. Soon after our fall out castle met with accident and was gone far away from me. Today I was auctioned and now I sit in a showcase of a rich man who is so called a great fan of Castle. This is my story, story of Wilson the racket. 

The Other Love Story

“Happy anniversary dear,”  Pie says.

“Same to you dear does not seem like  we have met 75 years ago. Anyway, let’s rest. We have a big day tomorrow,” Amulaya says. 

Next day.

“Click click click click I’m tired. Never imagined that so many people might come,” Amulaya says.

“Well  what can I say? Agastya and Kshirin  have left their legacy in the history books of India,” Pie  says with great  pride in his voice.

70 years back

Pie’s story 

It was  in 1934  that Agastya met Krishni,a  young  the then parliament member, had his first

Krishni a young prominent TV personality and a social worker who was going to interview him about his entry into politics .The moment he  saw Krishni, he knew this is the girl for him . Over a period of month or so Krishni and Agastya became good friends. But few months later Krishni got a promotion and was transferred to Delhi. And that’s when Agastya decided to use me his conveyor. I was sexy, stylish and had a great sense of humor. I also had my special place my velvet box. I was a free bird then but something was lacking in life. I felt lonely at times because I was kept in a closed box, always. I hardly had any friends. I was even hardly needed except for  special occasions  . I’m Pie, the pen.

Amulaya’s  Story.

 Why do they complain so much? I have tried explaining them that it’s your fate and we cannot do anything about it. But still they will constantly complain.  How I wish I was locked in some drawer where only silence would prevail. I wish! Someday even I would have ink spilled all over me. All I hope is that it won’t be as torturing as they made it out to be.  What is it with Agastya? Why is he using so may many papers nowadays? I guess he must be using them to write to Krishni. Love makes people do weird things.. And soon I too will land in Krishni’s hand. Can’t wait for that moment.  I’m Amulaya the paper.

The Chance Meeting 

“I know I have to be strong I know its going to hurt a little but its fine,” Amulaya, just takes a deep breath and let it go.

“Opps ” screamed out Amulaya.

“Am sorry am so sorry if I hurt you,” Pie apologised.

That’s how  Pie the pen, and Amulaya the paper met .

“No no it’s just that you are tickling me,”Amulaya says

“No, I am different and that’s why I am special”, reverted Pie.

Ok great to meet you…

“They call me Pie,”brags Pie 

“I am Amulaya,” Amylaya says

 “What’s so special about you Pie?”

“I am kinder than others and more awesome than others,” Pie says flirtatiously.  

“Ok ok I get it.”

“Tell me about yourself,”  Pie asks. 

 “Well unlike you, I’m quite boring, I usually don’t talk much… oh what’s happening? Why are we being locked? I don’t what to be locked?,”

“I don’t know either but I think, we might have to spend the night with each other.”

“What do you mean?”

“Arrey  dumb! Can’t you feel the darkness and the silence? I think Agastya has retired for the day.”

“You mean both of us have to spend night together?”  Amulaya sounds irritated.

So we have no other option. Amulaya and Pie spent the night together only to realize that they were quite different in nature other but yet they were are quite similar too. And that one night changed their life’s as they found each other they found their love in each other. However fate played a little twist with Amulaya being sent to Krishhi. They knew that they could never meet each other. It was late 1975 when Agastya and Krishni, the most loved souls of India were separated but not before leaving their legacy behind. As a tribute to their love a museum is built. Which includes love letters, through which Agastya had professed his love and desire to marry Krishni. Thus through one love story emerges another one…both of being for eternity.