Akash was very tired after a long journey from USA to Kolkata and he was suffering from jetlag. Just then the phone rang and Ronie was there on the other side. Ronie used to be Akash’s one of the good friends during college days. Ronie informed him of the Alumni Party the next day at the college ground. Akash was very excited at that because after so many years he would be able to meet his old friends. Lighting one cigarette he tried to memorize the faces of his batch mates.
He instantly remembered most of them. But whom he distinctly remembered was not his batch mate but his senior and none other than Kavita. But he was a bit confused whether she would come at the party or not. Akash was looking very handsome as he has changed a lot from his college days. While driving he tried to recollect all the moments he spent in college. Some made him laugh all alone while some depressed him. All his friends had already arrived and the program had started. Raman said “ Hey Akash you are again late. After so many years you have not changed man.” They moved towards the ground. A popular band was performing on stage. Though Akash was among his friends he was a bit distracted.
It was very usual because he had came all the way here to see Kavita, the girl whom he loved, the girl whom he loves, and the girl whom he will love forever. She was the only attraction of the party for Akash. Akash set his mind today that after so many years there was no barrier of senior or junior between them and he will not hesitate this time from expressing his feelings. “ We will meet again Akash.” – These words were beating him. Akash separated him from others and took a seat round the corner only after realizing that Kavita had not yet arrived there. Then he lighted one cigarette and puffed the smoke.
Looking up at the college building he started remembering of his first day in college. Then the seminar where he first saw Kavita. Aaksh was a bit tensed because there were all seniors round him. Though his classmates were there still the hall was appearing very gloomy to him. But soon it was lighted as Kavita entered the room. Akash thought that she would be from his year but God is so cruel! She sat with the seniors. All hopes were shattered all of a sudden. But he kept on looking at her. Almost after 9 long years the incident was fresh in his mind He could remember how beautiful she was looking in that yellow salwar, her hair was just below her shoulder and it was casually tied. Her face was so sweet and polite aloof of all cruelties and misdeeds of the world.
She was the most beautiful girl Akash had ever seen and congratulated God for such a creation. Her eyes were deeper than ocean in which Akash sank at the first sight. But she left the hall pretty soon. Akash was on the time machine and traveled 9 years back. He desperately wanted to know who she was ? She came and disappeared like a meteor. For months he was unable to find her. It threatened Akash. Then one morning he saw her on the stairs. As Akash saw her he was about to fall, but he was smart enough to balance himself. Kavita looked at him. Her lovely face and cute smile killed Akash. All the day he was pondering about what happened in the stairs. Her smiling face became static in his eyes. As the days were rolling Akash saw her here and there within the campus and everytime he was unable to move his eyes from her. He tried to chalk out when and where he could find her. But still he did not know her name and any details about her. Gradually he came to know her name – Kavita. She was the dream girl of the college.
All the guys died for a date with her but she maintained a high profile and never encouraged anything like that. She had refused all the proposals. But Akash was desperate. He gathered more and more information about Kavita. At the waiters call he was out of his trance. He picked up a glass of soft drink from the tray. Then unmindfully he was again back to his college days. He learnt that it was almost impossible to approach her. There were several reasons for that and if he went forward it was obvious that he had face the bitter consequences. But he never stoped dreaming of making her his partner for life. He remembered for 1 year he had not spoke to her. He laughed unmindfully. And then the pen borrowing incident flashed in his mind. “ Could you lend me your pen please”- said Akash. Kavita replied “ Sure” Her voice was so sweet and charming just like her face.
Akash smiled at himself thinking how many times he hesitated before asking for the pen. Oh! How shy he was? Akash was not all shy anywhere. He was very smart dashy and extremely frank with all. But he was a compulsive introvert. Only Ronie knew about his feelings towards Kavita. Ronie was responsible for making Akash believe that he was in love with Kavita. Ronie asked Akash to propose her but he was afraid. Akash even dared to talk with her but he never stopped moving about her. By now he knew all the footsteps of Kavita. He remembered once in a program they sat next to each other but was completely silent for hours. Akash cursed himself for that later because he missed a chance of breaking into communication with her.
Akash started believing that eyes can tell what words sometime fails. So he decided to express his feelings in that way, but god knows what she understood. He used to say then – :Pyar to aankhon se bayan hota hai.” Akash remembered about the day they followed Kavita to her house. Akash was visualizing all the incidents as they were rolling one by one. and he 0kept on smoking one after another. Akash memorized the day he was engrossed in copying notes. Rising his head abruptly he found Kavita in front of him. He was so mesmerized that he was not able copy a single word after that.
Ronie advised Akash that he could ask for notes from kavita but he was always on the backfoot. Akash remembered how many classes he bunked and waited outside Kavita’s class only to get a glimpse of her because which could make his day. As he entered the college every morning he ransacked the college only to see Kavita for once. But he was so helpless that he could not ask anyone about her. Akash again picked up a glass after lighting another cigarette.
Now he started looking for Kavita and he was lucky this time as he spotted her. She still looked as beautiful as earlier but now she has put up a bit of weight which made her look as a perfect woman. Akash was transfixed at her and kept on smoking. Then he thought that Kavita must have got married by now. At this he felt a pain at his heart and the whole world started spinning. He immediately managed himself. Just then Ronie interrupted. He asked Akash not to waste anymore time, this is the best chance to express his feelings for Kavita. Ronie relieved him saying that she had not married yet.
Akash got back his ground once more. After Ronie had left Akash started walking towards Kavita. He won’t care for any consequences today. He will definitely talk to her now. As he neared Kavita, she looked up at him and smiled, this drew all courage out of Akash. He smiled and came back to his seat. He failed once more. He thought what was there in her eyes that he looses all control as she looked at him. He was known for his personality and dignity in the industry but everything shatters in front of her. “Why this happens to me?” Akash heard someone saying “ Because you love her Akash!” “Who said this?” Akash looked all around but was unable to find anyone who could say this. Akash slowly muttered ,“Yes ! I love you Kavita and I love you the most.” Then Akash remembered of the farewell party of Kavita’s batch. Then also he made up his mind to propose her but he failed that time also.
That day was extremely painful for him because that marked a separation between them. He won’t be able to see her from now. His teachers would be very happy as he won’t bunk any class. That day he burst into tears but he was unfortunate enough as he had to accept all happening around him. He rocked the dance floor that day to forget all, tough it was impossible for him. Kavita said him, “Don’t cry Akash. The world is round we will meet again.” She was right they have meet again.
Akash’s eyes had became misty once more. 5 years had passed away but he had always remembered her. Suddenly he was out of his trance as he felt a touch on his shoulder and someone said, “Hey Akash how are you?” He at once recognized the voice. With misty eyes he turned round and to his utter astonishment he found Kavita standing next to him with that typical smile on her face and her eyes sparkling like diamonds. Slowly Kavita took the seat next to Akash and looked straight into his eyes.
He felt something in that look, something was hidden there. Kavita spoke, “I have never thought you will take 9 long years to express your feelings. I also waited for so long thinking you will say some day. If you are taking my endurance test then I am glad to fail. “ Kavita paused for few seconds and restlessly said “Won’t you say anything?” Akash smiled clasped her hand and gave her a kiss.
He was really short of words this time and not in a state to speak a single word when he realized his dream come true. He had so many things to tell that he got confused about where to start from.
He only said, “ If I had a ring with me I would have trapped you in that forever.” They were separated in one party and united in another. Akash found Ronie showing thums up to him.
– Niir, 40, Kolkata
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