You Are Never a Stranger

by Surakshit Markanti

  It is my first long trip on a train, it is quite inconvenient to sit with so many people in a single bogie.

  But Aria who sat opposite to me preoccupied my thoughts. I wanted to start a conversation, but I couldn’t openly speak amongst all the people in the bogie

  I took my wallet and gave some money to them and asked them to find some other place. Their anger in the face is quite visible, but I didn’t bother to spare them anymore.

  Aria interfered and told, “Give me all the money, ” she snatched all the money from my hands and kept them in her pouch. And apologized to everyone for my rude behavior.

  She came close to me and whispered in my ears, “You have made a mistake, apologize to them.”

  I didn’t know the reason why she termed it as a mistake, but I apologized for being rude.

  They said, “It’s okay,” and slowly started being friends and smiled at me.

  There is some magic in a person’s smile, this made my heart relive, and I wouldn’t have gotten more happiness even if I had got the solitude I thought to buy. I am now, gradually able to differentiate between staying with the people and staying with good people. It is a simple incident, but bestowed huge impact on me. I became friends with them. I didn’t show any of my money manners to them. I felt happy I made good friends in less time.

  Everything happened just because of her. I am becoming a fan of her.

  “There is a life beyond money and partying, I want you to experience the real life,” she said and smiled.

  We went on speaking all day long and I had a good time with my new friends.

  9. Long Walk to Heaven

  “We are happy to launch our new product, THE MAGNET SENSOR,” I told representing our company at MITHRA GROUP OF INDUSTRIES.

  “Our product detects vehicles during emergency courses and takes diversions to avoid accidents,” I started the speech at the meeting.

  Aria and I are representing our new product; no other seniors accompanied us, it is a great deal with my father to entrust us and we decided to keep his trust up.

  I went on explaining how our product is going to be manufactured and how useful it is to cut accidents.

  There were many questions I had to take on. And by the end when I was about to end the presentation; a man raised his hand and asked: “How could that, happen what if a vehicle from rear tackle ours?”

  “That wouldn’t happen, sir, our sensors take diversion based on all the vehicles in surrounding 50 meters,” I answered confidently.

  Everyone clapped, including her, my angel, Aria. I impressed her; she waved a smile at me and congratulated me with her eyes.

  I felt happier because of her smiles more rather than my success of the first project.

  “MITHRA GROUP” accepted our proposal and their chairman requested us to wait for a celebration he planned at our success.

  Aria and I accepted with a mutual smile.

  

  “I want to ask you a help,” Aria said calmly while we are returning to the hotel.

  I would fight the entire world if you would ask me to do; my inner-soul told me.

  “Yeah, sure,” I said with a boyish attitude.

  “Actually, this party is an unexpected course. I do not have any party wears. Would you go with me for shopping,” she asked slowly.

  I felt as if it is a dream. I wanted to jump out of the car and dance like a mad man, but I controlled my emotion and I said sluggishly “Yeah sure, why not!” with attitude.

  

  “How about this dress,” she asked.

  Every dress suited her. Each time she came out of the trail room in a new attire; she is more and more stunning. But I lied intentionally that nothing is suiting her. Just to watch the hidden beauty in my angel.

  “No, very glossy,” I lied again.

  “You are very choosy,” she told irritated. Her cuteness is admirable, even in the mode of irritation.

  No words passed my mouth. I completely became a speechless person. No man on Earth would ever lie that she isn’t looking good. She is in a golden saree shining like a golden angel.

  Sarees are the best attire in the entire world. No dress could compete a saree ever. My surprised and spellbound expressions told her the answers. She smiled and left.

  I always hated parties like this, but this party seems to be the most excited party because of her company.

  Chairman of MITHRA GROUPS, the boring guy I ever saw; he went on praising my talents on stage and to every person he met. I do not understand what did he find so much in me, but I hated it.

  The way others are boozing is tempting me, it became difficult for me to control my feelings. I lost rheostat over my body; unable to eat anything, my tongue desiccated. I even forgot Aria.

  I didn’t know how to control myself, my head started to ache and nothing is clear any longer. The only thing visible to me is that ‘I wanted to do is fag and drink.’

  “Have it,” Aria gave me a mini peg.

  I had it without control and felt a little relieved. I wanted to drink more and more. I about to seize a bottle from a waiter.

  “Do you trust me?” Aria asked.

  Unable to answer, I remained silent.

  “Do you trust me,” she asked again holding my hands.

  “Yeah, I do,” I said slothfully, trying to divert myself.

  “Come with me,” she told.

  She held my hand and took me away from the party; we walked straight on the main road.

  We walked straight without out conversing with each other for about a time. I then got back to life and able to think usual. I looked at her, she is gorgeous in that golden saree, and smiling at me all the way long.

  She started the conversation “How are you feeling now?”

  “I broke my promise,” I told regretting my behavior.

  “You didn’t do anything wrong. You did your best to resist, and that’s what a promise means,” she consoled me.

  Her verses made me feel happy, my walk with her witnessing the moonlight, I felt as if I am walking into the heaven.

  “Will you promise something,” she asked sweetly.

  “Of course I will,” I smirked at her.

  “Try to reduce your anger,” she looks straight into my eyes. I replied with a smile.

  “It’s too chilly,” she told.

  “And I love it,” I said.

  “I heard you never feel the heat at all or never sweat,” she smiled.

  “So, you inquired about me?” I mocked her.

  “We are from the same college, you are a fool,” she laughed.

  Am a fool, I felt happy to hear that she is comfortable to scold me. Yes am a fool, my inner-self told.

  We both laughed, gossiped and understood the each other. Both of us enjoyed every moment we spent now, unknowing our destiny, we continued our walk. I wished our walk never ends.

  “Doesn’t that moon look well?” she smiled, gazing at me.

  “I don’t see any moon over there,” I said.

  “What else do you see?” she asked shocked.

  “I see you there,” I told frankly.

  She gazed at me for an instant and smiled. I didn’t know how to continue the conversation,but we went on walking.

  “Come with me, I have a surprise for you,” I woke up Aria and took her out.

  “Where?” she continued to ask.

  “Come,” I forced her to follow me, and showed her a charter flight,

  “Oh My God,” she said, laughing aloud.

  “This is a small piece of surprise for you, I am not showing my money to you, it’s just for fun,” I explained.

  “It’s fine,” she smiled in her routine style.

  “So,” I said.

  “So, what?” she questioned.

  “Where are we having breakfast?” I mocked.

  “In your flight, I hope,” she returned.

  We both laughed. I wish I could surprise her every day and keep her happy for her enti
re life.

  We started our journey back to our home. We enjoyed our return journey. I understood that she isn’t a girl who loves luxury. She was happier when we walked on the streets rather than sitting in this costly trip, money can’t buy happiness, I learned this too late.

  10. Open Your Heart

  “Congratulations to my son,” my dad said happily after I reached home “Where is Aria?” he continued to ask.

  “Thanks, dad. I dropped her,” I explained. My father is happy for my petty achievement. This is the 1st time my dad felt happy from the fathom of his heart because of me.

  “You should have gotten her here, I want to thank her in person,” he told

  “It’s fine, uncle invited us for dinner tonight and I agreed to it,” I laughed

  “I can’t come,” my mom told entering into the room; with a coffee cup held in her hands.

  “Why?” both father and I asked in unison.

  “I have a meeting at my office. I can’t afford to come,” she told utterly.

  I held my mom’s cheeks and told: “You are, my dear Mamma,” I laughed and ran from their room.

  Excited to see her again at dinner soon, many questions still unresolved. I need to frame criminal ideas to meet her at dinner in private; My brain is already obsessed with criminal thoughts. I smiled at myself looking at my face in the mirror. I stared at the mirror thinking of our conversations from the past few hours, while everything seemed to be dwelling in my eyes.

  Past few hours.

  “How was the trip?” I asked a formal question.

  “I loved it,” she said, her surprising reply made me happy.

  I accompanied her, while she got down from the flight. We walked straight towards the exit door. We didn’t even converse. I stared at her smile, enjoying her beauty. Dad sent a car to pick us, we got into the car.

  “Don’t stare at me in my dad’s presence,” she giggled.

  “No, I am not staring at you, I was just looking the other way around,” I lied.

  “I would have fallen for you if you would have told that you stared at me,” she said laughing.

  “I didn’t get you” I got confused and unable to understand the puzzled deluge of her.

  “I won’t repeat,” she told bluntly.

  Everyone praises me for my reasoning skills, but these girls are more complicated to understand than anything else.

  “You look beautiful,” I started to flirt with her.

  She smiled and remained still.

  “You look beautiful though you remain silent,” I continued to flirt.

  She turned towards me laughing and thought for a while to utter something.

  It is the right time; my inner-self reminded me to propose.

  “We reached home. Let us get in,” she invited me formally.

  “No, I have to leave,” I did a formal conversation.

  She left the car with a smirk, asking me to come in, I walked behind her and uncle invited me with a good morning. After so many formal conversations and formalities uncle told “Boy, your parents and you are invited today for dinner at my place,” uncle invited us.

  “Yes, uncle sure,” I told on my parent’s behalf, am so sure that my parents would never say a no to me.

  “Yes, uncle sure. Can I take leave for now?” I said, but I wanted to stay there in their house with her; talk to her; stay with her. I cursed myself for leaving. She accompanied me till I got into the car and asked, “Shall we meet elsewhere?”

  My face glowed like a lamp; but she continued, “But am tired”

  My hopes ran down, I thought I would get some more time to spend with her, but I didn’t want her to be tired. I killed my desire for her and told, “Yeah, then will meet some other time. I promise I’ll keep up my words,” I assured her.

  I would have easily manipulated her and convinced her to come out with me, but I want her to take a rest.

  “I’ll be waiting for you to be a good boy soon,” she smiled.

  “You won’t wait long,” I continued to smile.

  Most of the time, we communicated through a smile. She didn’t wave a bye while I left. I wish she did not want me to leave.

  I came into existence, staring at my face still in the mirror. I could only see her charming face and reminisce every second I had to spend with her.

  I have checked the time once in every 5 minutes, waiting for it to be 8pm.

  Finally, after a long, desperate waiting, the right time to start had arrived. My mom and dad being punctual, they were ready by then and we started to Aria’s home in my car which I rode as fast as possible.

  Once I reached I could see more than 50 cars are parked already. I got surprised to see all those cars and sensed something is fishy.

  Mom and dad entered the house along with me. And I got stunned to watch the overcrowded Aria’s house. I didn’t even expect her house to be so vast which can accommodate more than 100 people at once.

  “Why are so many people in here, papa?” I asked my dad like a kid.

  They smiled but didn’t answer.

  “Tell me,” I poked again.

  “Aria’s engagement,” mom replied.

  It is far more than a simple shock. My face turned pale, without any expressions, tears rolled down. Both of my parents left me alone in this melodramatic solitude; to meet other invitees. I stood like a watchman at the entrance. I stood staring at everyone not knowing what to do.

  My criminal brain made tactics for flouting the engagement. I wanted to see who the bridegroom is, the unseen villain of my life and I wanted to hit him hard until he runs away from this city.

  In the meadow of un-understood thoughts, a spark inflowed into hall walking down from a flight of steps exactly in the same way I saw her for the first time at my home. The spark is Aria, the most beautiful girl I have ever seen on earth.

  She wore a red half saree, a blunt diamond necklace, and a priceless smile. She brought grandeur to the entire hall, and a huge cake is kept waiting for her; it is her birthday.

  I was tricked by my parents. I hated my mom for giving this mental pressure, and I got a hard hit from behind.

  “Mom; am not a kid, don’t hit me in public,” I said to my mom angrily “and I hate you. Why did you trick me?” I continued to be in anger.

  “I know you love her,” she smiled and continued “Win her love, I’ll talk to your father,” she supported my love.

  “I love you mommy,” I laughed and kissed her.

  “By the way, how did you manage to know about my love?” I asked her.

  “You really are a big question bank,” she said exasperatedly.

  We walked to Aria and wished her formally for her birthday.

  The entire mob of youngsters accompanied a small gathering. Everyone was cracking jokes and enjoying the atmosphere. I hated this weather. I hated this gathering and my heart was unable to enjoy.

  Aria sat beside me enjoying the gathering. She whispered in my ear “Don’t be hasty. Try to be one of them, and then you will know what joy is, what fun is!”

  Everyone was in a full swing to speak about their love stories. Then came my turn, I the man who is never into this kind of conversations, but I wanted to express my feelings.

  “Yeah, I was in love. I fell in love not just once, but every second I do fall in love but with the same girl. And I can’t fall in love with anyone else.

  I did not love gazing at her beauty. Neither, because she is rich nor because of her sweet heart, I do love her because she made me hate myself.

  You heard it right. She made me hate myself.

  Now am desperate to see her. I hate that feeling.

  I can’t even live a second without her presence. I hate that feeling.

  My eyes search for her every second. I hate myself for that.

  I hate myself because I am a fool, why should I search for her; why can’t I live without her; why should I be desperate to see her.

  If she is already filled in me. She is in me wi
th me all the time,” I signed off. I got emotional when I ended my word.

  Aria might have understood that I meant it about her. There lay a pin drop silence for 2 minutes, and I doubted if I over did it.

  Then there came a loud moment of applause. Everyone clapped all of a sudden and praised me for my love for her and started poking me to let out her name.

  The respect I gained, their smiles, the fun, the love, the joy and impure happiness is never seen in any pub nor I enjoyed more at any other parties.

  I mistook life to be left in the money of rich people, which overtook my character and made me a slave to it. I became a victim of this world’s stereotypical mentality where everything is money made. But I do understand what the real smile means just like what I did when I was a kid at the orphanage.

  I missed a lot of my life. And I’ll repay every moment I missed with her hands in mine.

  11. Love Is in the Air

  A new life, a new beginning. I sat in the private class, when my father suggested me to take an extra management and entrepreneurship training. I sat in class for the first time without Mayan and my other friends. Everything seems to be so strange. I sat in the last row and waited eagerly for her to come in. I agreed to join the coaching only after I came to know that Aria takes the same course.

  She walked in accompanying many other girls. She wore tight jeans and a loose top; her hair loose; anybody would start a war to win her. I looked at her and waited for our eyes to contact but she has been busy smiling at everyone in the class didn’t make it happen.

  “Hey!” a guy beside me, poked me. “Hi,” I told wanly.

  “It’s strange that you are here,” he said firmly.

  Angry at his talk, I wanted to kick his butt. But I promised her to control my anger. So, I tried for a second to control my anger and told, “Even I felt the same!” and smiled even he laughed and made the atmosphere friendly.

  If I would have scolded him, it would have ended up with a fight and my relation with him would have not even been born. Every relationship in this world is to multiply the happiness so we just need to be friends and good; nature will pay you for being good.