Unforgettable Rainy Evening ---- Part I

He came back to the classroom after a winning some rounds at the TT table in the college gym, picked up his bag and was just wondering, if she could have waited, then he would have got company for having food and then a long walk back to the station, as he was thinking, suddenly he heard her voice from behind saying "HII.. So you are back!!!!” the voice jolted him... Surprised, he said, “YESSSS she’s here…!!!!” to himself and then said “hmmm lost the match!! so had to make way…. Winners to stay!! u know right!!!. What are you doing in the college till now!!!! “. She said to herself, "Idiot waiting for you...can't you understand!!!!" and then found herself struggling for reason. “Was studying in the library, needed some reference books”, came the patent, standard reply.

He always enjoyed the special treatment from her whether it’s his share in her lunch box to his share in her life. She had made him an integral part of it. The only glitch here was he named this friendship and never realized that it was lot more than that.

But today was different, there was something unusual about it, both of them were together with no one around. Just the 2 of them!!!!!

They went to the canteen for food and sat opposite each other. This was the first instance wherein he looked at her so closely, she was beautiful, and her smiling, radiant eyes were sparkling with happiness. He never saw her being so happy, the intensity was felt by him for the first time. He was in his own world, trying to contemplate, rearrange a jigsaw puzzle that has started to fall in place. Her making him feel special, her sharing so many things, and more importantly her being there whenever he wished or wanted was all of suddenly making a new meaning for him.

She was pointing her fingers at the canteen service counter where their order was ready but he did not seem to be listening. She shook him, and he instantly came back to life. While she was still touching him, he felt her for the first time, but again his mind went into overdrive trying to get to reasoning as to what was happening to him. He got up as if being in a trance and got the food. He was probably on the verge!!!! On the verge of a startling realization called LOVE!!!

The order was consumed taking as much time as possible and now it was time to go home. The way was a long walk to the station and then 2 different trains in opposite directions which she wished could be in one in the near future. They both walked down the stairs and reached the gate when suddenly the heavens opened up and welcomed them. She quickly pulled out an umbrella and handed it over to him to hold it over their heads. She very well knew he was without one but the time that they had spent in the college canteen, it was improbable to wait somewhere for the rains to recede. Anyways the rains were also not in mood to recede, it was like they were in a mood to celebrate the togetherness that they were witnessing.

They both were desperately trying to stay in the umbrella as much as they were trying to stay apart from each other. Seeing them some what achieve this, the wind pitched in. The wind made sure that both came in the umbrella, more close to each other. The susceptibility, hesitance of touch was more felt then never before. They both were uncomfortable but yet happy at the intimacy they were experiencing courtesy of the weather. In between he was trying his hand at some petty humor which was greeted with over hyped laughter by her. He had seen her smiling umpteen times but never realized that she had such a beautiful smile. They both looked at each other and her face had a glow and droplets sprayed all over like the morning dew on a flower. He simply couldn’t take the eyes off her. The rain and wind got heavier which drew them close to each other and for the first time they touched. They both felt the warmth in this wet and chilly breeze. They both looked at each other and did not realize that they have already walked half way through the station. He put his arms around her so that they can be comfortable inside the umbrella. The touch, the closeness was never so wanted, was never so felt, never it raised the heart beats to this unprecedented levels, never it made them breathe so fast, as to get out of control. Everything felt so divine, so celestial, so pure. They both were not at all feeling the rusty weather, what mattered to them was, they both were together.  The silence between them was unnerving them and by the time he mustered courage to speak about this enchanted experience, they both could see the railway station in front of them. The reluctance of being so intimate was gone long back and his arms around her were the most comforting feature of the walk. He wished this would be endless. The visual of the station in front seemed as someone waking them up from a dream.

They entered the station, closed the umbrella and just stood there speechless, recounting in their minds , sinking in what they just experienced. The only thing that mattered to them was whether it was mutual and who is going to confess that it was indeed mutual, but for now they just wanted to savor this walk for their lifetime. They bid each other good-bye, against much of their will and parted ways.

He’s condition was now the same as it was hers and the last piece of his jigsaw had fallen in place when they parted ways? The separation more profoundly emphasized to him what he wanted. As he got into the train he very well knew that she was the one. He decided to himself that tomorrow was the day he’s going to ask her. The togetherness did not make him realize the storm and rough weather that prevailed but made him pass through it. This simple fundamental can be true for his whole life as well. he thought. This made his decision more strong. He exactly knew what he wanted in his life. He was looking forward for the next day like never before,  meeting her, telling her, listening from her. The time was slow to turn over and  slowly and  steadily each every aspect in his life was now being filled by her existence.

The next morning he woke and wanted to be at his best on the day, but was also thinking how she would have wanted it to be. He wanted to say what he feels but in a manner in which she wished to hear it. He did not understand that what he wanted to say is what she wishes to hear. He was thinking and working on being perfect for her but in turn he failed to understand that she was madly in love with his imperfections.
He reached the college and the first thing his eyes were looking for.....was her. She was nowhere to be seen, and as soon as he hit one of their common friends he asked about her. The friend gave him a stunned look and asked whether he got a call from her house last night. He replied in negation and was curious to know why.
“She died in yesterday’s bomb blast at Dadar station!!!!!”, the friend said. He was so engrossed in what he had planned to say to her that initially it didn’t even register in his mind what shocking revelation was made to him. After a second he turned around and got the friend by his collar and asked him to shut up and not make such fun and it’s not at all appreciated. His friend realized the situation and asked him to seat and said that he was not joking and that’s why the mood is so somber.
His friend then told him that her family was searching her in the night and the last thing they knew was she was with you in the college so they were trying to call you but probably by that time, they had her news. She was standing at Dadar station when the Karjat train that entered Dadar station had a blast in it and she was hit by a ruptured part of the compartment that was blown off. She was found battling for her life at the hospital in Dadar where the injured people were taken and she succumbed to the injuries late in the night.

He dazed in an empty space, did not know what to do, his world had came crashing down like a landslide.His mind failed to believe what he was hearing.He searched her in the classroom and near by areas but to no avail.He had so much to tell her, so much to hear from her, so much to share and now he couldn't. He wanted her to know how much he loved her and wanted to know how much she loved him. The memories of yesterday came rushing to him and he thought if he would have stayed a while longer with her, said to her what he wanted to, this never would have happened. All the ifs and buts started to trouble him. He was completely devastated by this current and shocking string of events.
The contrast that life had thrown in front of him was cruel joke to the say least. One evening he was made to think everything was an eternal bliss, everything was so innocent, pure, divine and the next day all was hell.

He came back to the classroom the next day after some “violent” games at the TT table, picked up his bag and as always was thinking about her when suddenly he heard the voice from behind "HII.. So you are back!!!!” the voice jolted him... Stunned he looked back. It was some other girl, he kept looking at her shocked with tears flowing through his eyes. He just replied ,” yes,” and took the bag and rushed out. He ran downstairs with many trying to stop him but he was unstoppable and as he ventured out it started to rain again. This time as the previous evening the rain came for his help but it was to hide his tears.

He thought he just had to go back a day in his own life before the realization of love and everything would be just fine but he very well knew that to go back by that one day will now take a lifetime.