“Can you introduce yourself. I hardly know anyone in the class,” I asked the guy. I really missed Mayan a lot. My inner-self cried Where are you my friend Mayan.
“I am Rony,” he said and smiled.
“Do you know my name?” I asked like a fool.
“Yeah, I do. Aria told you were joining the class from today,” he told and guessed “Do you like Aria?” he asked frankly. I became comfortable to share my feelings with him “Yeah, I do.”
“She is a sweetheart. Everyone would like her. If you want her, you should win everyone’s heart,” he suggested me; he seems to be a good guy.
Meanwhile, Aria occupied a seat in the front row. She didn’t even recognize me.
‘Hi, good to see you in class,’ she texted me.
‘Hi,’ I replied with loads of happiness; this is our first conversation and am glad that she texted me. I felt happy, we went on texting till noon; though faculty came in and left we did not bother.
‘Let’s bunk,’ she texted.
“Ha” I smiled.
She didn’t reply from then on and came to me at lunch.
“Am serious,” she told widening her beautiful eyes.
“Yeah, okay. Where shall we go?” I asked her.
“Come with me,” she said
I said okay. Bunking is nothing new for me. I did that for the past six years, but this time, a new excitement accompanied as it is Aria.
She took me to the port area; we got into a ship and traveled for three hours.
I asked “Where we are going?”
“You will know soon,” she replied.
We went deep into the sea and the ship paused at her command and I couldn’t witness any land nearby, nor a sense of mankind. I doubted if we are lost in the water in this world. She asked me to get into a lifeboat.
I told “It’s very dangerous. Please, let’s go to some other place”
“You come with me,” she told candidly, we got into a lifeboat and traveled for 30 minutes in the opposite direction. Now things got even worse, I could not even see the ship.
“Why are we here? It’s getting dark,” I said.
“Isn’t it beautiful here?” she smiled and she started taking bits and pieces from her bag, she took a small plum cake, a candle, and a knife.
She lighted up the candle herself and told, “It’s my birthday now.”
“It’s already gone?”I questioned her;
“It isn’t my birthday if it’s not with you,” she said romantically.
Cold rose high and we began to shiver. Unable to see anything except her face in the candlelight; which I love the most, water around us roared like a tiger and cool breezes waved me to propose her. Did she intentionally arrange this so that I could convey my feelings; I know girls are very unpredictable. What do I do; I stared at her.
“Do you love it here?” she questioned me.
I did understand what she meant, but I know girls won’t compromise until we give what they expect. So I said “Yes.”
“I am glad you are here with me,” she said and smiled.
Her smile made me overlook my fear and I started to enjoy the air.
“Did you love it here?” she asked the same question again.
“Yeah, it’s awesome; this water, the breeze and the moon and everything are awesome just like you,” I said, she smiled again.
“Cut the cake,” I suggested.
She cut the cake after she put off the candle light. The moon is shining in the water; the magnetic reflections of the moon seemingly appeared to be shining with the waves of water. With every wave trying to fight our boat to mismatch the contact of our eyes, but failed every time.
“Do you really love someone?” she asked.
I said ‘yeah, I love you,’ my inner-self told, but I scared to say it out. “Yeah,” I said with a tremor.
“I know you love someone,” she smiled.
But does she know that it’s her, I quizzed myself.
“Why do you love her?” she questioned.
I couldn’t control anymore, I was about to say that I love her but she continued.
“Is that because it’s me?” she asked.
She understood that I loved her; I wish I could jump into this ocean of happiness and swim with her forever.
“Even I love you,” she told directly.
The girl who I loved, proposed me. No boy would win a better achievement than this. I laughed loudly and shouted “I love you,” she continued in the same loud voice, where cool breezes and moon witnessed our love.
“You know the reason why we are here?” she asked.
“I don’t know,” I told frankly.
“To make our day a memory of our entire life,” she told.
“It’s forever and we will live like this forever,” I promised her.
“You promised me a lot more,” she reminded me.
12. Call a Lost Friend
“What are you thinking?” she asked me. We met for lunch in a restaurant.
“Tell me,” she insisted.
“I miss Mayan. It’s been very long time since I spoke to him,” I said dejectedly.
“Why aren’t you speaking to him?” she questioned me.
“Because my father took an oath from me that I shouldn’t speak to the members of my gang, including Mayan, because he have a misconception that they are the reason why I was into the addiction of liquor and fag,” I said sadly,“to be frank am the one who rotted Mayan character, I got him into this.”
“Your father restricted you from being part of bad deeds and people who make a fuss over you; he didn’t mean if it is Mayan alone, as you are able to change, even he can change and you would be happy being friends with him” she consoled me.
“Hopefully,” I said.
“Pick your phone and call him,” she smiled.
“But,” I said.
“Do it, you can call him,” she exhilarated me.
I dialed his number. He lifted within the second ring,
“Hello,” he said in his soft voice.
I said, “It’s me.”
He abused me, all the bad words he knew and it continued for minutes. A smile grew on my face.
“How are you?” I stopped his scolding,
“Where are you? I want to hit you!” he rebuked.
“We will meet today. There are many things I want to tell you,” I asked
“Yeah, sure,” he said and signed off.
“Are you happy?” she asked me slowly,
“Am happy that I got you,” I praised her.
I waited for an hour for Mayan to arrive, and he came with no regrets. Because of his delay, we met each other after a long time. His attire, attitude; what not, everything changed. I expected him to slap me but he removed his shades and smiled; then gave me a small hug.
Both of us occupied our seats and started our conversation very artificially. It is no more like the way we used to have in the past.
“How are you?” he passed a simple question.
“I am good. How about you?” I continued in his synthetic style. I did not want it to be like this.
“Am cool,” he said with haughtiness.
Maybe people might have felt the similar kind of irritation, when I was arrogant like him. I regretted my past.
“How are things going, what are you doing now?” I asked.
“Well,” he paused and continued, “I am in the diamond trade, working for Simon Robs Company, am earning handful,” he told conceitedly.
“Well, am taking up dad’s business,” I said.
“I have been searching for you since 2 months,” he told.
“Searching?” I asked, shocked and continued “You could have given a call.”
“Yeah, of course, I would have,” he told pale.
I didn’t understand his intentions.
“Do you remember, you were getting so many invitations from Simon Robs Diamond Company?” he asked.
“Yeah, I did. I was irrita
ted. They went on calling though I overruled twice. So I started to ignore their calls,” I added.
“It was me,” he said proudly. I didn’t know what is so proud of it and he is expecting me to regret.
“Oh, I didn’t know. How are you into it?” I interrogated.
“That’s a lame story,” he laughed.
I wanted to end this conversation; I came this far to meet my friend Mayan not this arrogant guy. Though my Mayan had so many odds, he was true in the past.
“How did your meet go?” Aria asked me when we were on call.
“Not very good, he has completely changed,” I said sadly.
“People change,” she stated.
“Change should be positive,” I told her.
“You had so many people, to guide you. He might not have gotten anyone,” she said.
“I can change him,” I said, but I had the least hope that he will change.
“What’s up for tomorrow?” I changed the topic.
“My parents want us to get engaged, soon,” she stated unexpectedly.
“Of Course, we will. But why now? Don’t you think we are too young for marriage?” I said.
“My grandmother wants to see me engaged, she isn’t feeling well,” she said dejectedly.
“Okay, let’s talk to our parents,” I smiled.
“Be a good boy. Don’t mess it up,” she suggested.
13. Talk a Boo
I regard every happening in my life to you since I was 10, my dear diary. Now I’m 21, too young to get engaged. But I would love to do it for Aria. I know how my life was at an orphanage and what changes took place till now. I still didn’t inform Aria that I was an orphan; should I tell her?
I am confused and unable to decide.
‘Aria lets meet at the Oma beach’ I pinged her.
‘Ok,’ she replied.
She waved a smile at me expecting me to wave back, but I stood looking straight at the sky, which touched the ocean somewhere far from us. I wanted to go there; “It is lovely,” I said sluggishly to myself.
“Hi,” I said while the breeze flowing towards her. She walked towards me cutting the wind opposing her, with flapping hair; tight top & jeans she is modern, but always beautiful.
“What’s the matter?”she asked once she came to me.
“Look there, isn’t it beautiful,” I asked her indicating the plug where sky and ocean come across.
“Yeah, it’s very beautiful,” she said, smiling; her eyes shone like sparks carrying the reflections of the moon.
“I need to tell you the truth of my life; just like the sky & ocean, which just seem to be met and never meet, even my relationship with my parents is the same. I was an orphan and not their true son,” I told frankly.
She took my hands in her hands and said, “I don’t bother about your past; I want you to be with me in my future. Look at the sky & ocean, which do not meet, but looks infinite and that is your parents love which is never-ending” she told serenely and happily.
“Even Mayan was an orphan. We were best friends from those days,” I continued.
“Don’t tell that you were an orphan. You have me, you have your parents and Mayan. Most importantly, you have yourself. You are no more an orphan,” she comforted me.
“I’m happy that I have you,” I said, looking into her eyes; waves touching our feet in ecstasy.
“Even I am,” she told & started playing with the water.
“Dad, I have something important to talk,” I asked my dad entering into his bedroom, but he is busy working on some files.
“Yeah,” he asked seriously.
“You know Aria, right?” I asked him and about to continue speech, but he interrupted and said “yes,” stridently. I got scared to continue, but I promised Aria I would get permission from them; Aria would never be rejected by my parents.She is such a sweetheart.
“Aria is such a sweet girl right?” I spoke unremitting.
He put his pen down & stared at me angrily and told, “Come to the point directly.”
“I love her dad and so does she” I said abruptly. I did not stare at the ground or at the roof like any other boy when they confess about their love; I raised my head proudly.
“Are you serious?” he asked.
“Yes, I am,” I told toughly.
“Does your mom know?” he interrogated.
“Yes,” I said.
“Since when?,” he asked again, he has been an another question bank just like me.
“From the day we met,” I said.
“Oh, what should I do now?” he questioned.
“Don’t scare me please,” I requested.
“What shall I do now?” he repeated.
“Our engagement,” I told and didn’t utter a word.
Everything seems to be so frightened; the silence of my father is scarier; he took his pen and started to write.
“Dad,” I poked him.
“What?” he asked seriously.
“What about engagement?” I asked deliberately.
“Well, do you think you deserve Aria??” he asked.
“I don’t know,” I answered candidly.
“You still need to change a lot. You haven’t reduced your temper. Yes, I accept that you have shown tremendous change, but you still need to” he suggested.
“Of course, I will do anything for her and mom,” I slipped, he looked at me angrily and I said “for you too my lovely dad” and he smirked.
“Dad,” I jumped, surprised.
“Aria is no fool, like you. She informed about your relation from the very first day,” he smiled.
“Mom,” I shouted loudly; she came into the room after a minute.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I shouted at her happily.
“To surprise you,” she laughed happily.
“I am very thankful to you,” I thanked her for the whole enchilada.
Mom hugged me and said, “Be happy with everything.”
I started distributing my engagement cards all by myself. I met all the people from my gang. They didn’t change much, but they were happy the way I am now. I offered them a party. They drank themselves, but didn’t force me.
I went to Mayan’s to invite him in his new formal panache. I guess he would be surprised that I am getting engaged at 21.
He opened the door after 2 minutes after I knocked.
“What a surprise!!” he said, but seemed more shocked.
I got in and sat in his hall, we use to always jump directly into his bedroom and have fun. I never experienced this formal conversation and lame behavior from him. I couldn’t resist any further and asked, “Why have you changed so much?”
“Did I?” he posed a question in return.
“Yeah, you did change,” I told outspokenly.
“Change is good,” he gave a weird smile.
“You are my best friend from childhood; I don’t want to miss you,” told frankly.
“I never felt so,” he told frankly. This has hurt me a lot. But I regarded him angrily and said,“I really loved you.”
“Is that the reason why you left me when I was in the claws of depression?” he stated his reason for anger.
“Am sorry,” I said, unable to wash out my sin.
“Your sorry won’t change the impression I have framed on life now. Your old Mayan is gone. I lost all the hope in love and friendship. I did understand the truth of life is not about love, it’s about money and desire,” he told bluntly.
Mayan, my innocent friend who questions every relation because of his immature brain, every minute aspect of life; but was in the claws of depression for years, and I spoilt his life initially by making him an addict to bad habits, later I left him during the most important days when he needed a friend’s help, and the result is this. He lost all the hope on not me alone, but on friendship all to itself.
“I will change you,” I said
“Money will change you,” he said
“I am out of this money’
s magic now,” I said
“Stop this conversation and tell me the purpose you are in,” he said irritated
I threw my invitation card on the table and said “You are no Mayan now, I don’t know how and when, but I will change you. The way you were, the cute Mayan; I will find him somewhere in your disbelief formed and I am sorry that it is all because of my selfishness,” and I left the room, I guess he threw the card right after I left.
I didn’t expect him at the convention.
14. Lured to Addiction
Have a small peg Aj forced me. “No,” I said with a smile. Aj, 3 of my friends and I met at a pub and it’s been a long time since we met. Though I was with them, I missed Mayan; he is too busy to attend. I wanted to change him, but I do not know what have to be done.
“Drink,” he forced me again.
“No,” I said sadly.
This smoke, smell, my friends, this culture, and lifestyle are attractive and called me to be like the old me I was. I loved those days, I loved myself, but everyone loves me the way I am now. I want their love.
My friends still hanging out, totally boozed, shouting loudly, laughing and enjoying their time. Even I wanted to drink. I wanted to be the old me for some time and enjoy.
Aria said having few pegs doesn’t matter. I broke my dad’s promise now for the second time and I had a peg. I loved it, nothing new to me though. I drank hundreds of times; but a drink after a long gap is energizing. Next one should be the last according to me, but I couldn’t control; one after other I went on drinking until I lost, what I am; until the animal in me rose. I made merry with them, I started laughing, and I went through a phase where even I couldn’t picture myself.
“Are you still drowsy?” Aria asked me.
“Yeah, I am,” I said. We are in a shopping mall to buy our wedding rings. It is a solace shop, all the jewels are shining brightly; diamonds, rubies very attractive and shining, no girl could resist buying one; after looking at them.
“You know what happened, the last night?” she asked and took the rings set showed by the shopkeeper.
You Are Never a Stranger Page 6