The Last Meeting-VIII

That night, sleep eluded both of them. The whole night was spent in turning to different sides. All the while, forbidden memories of painful past swept through their minds like unwelcomed guests. All the ‘first times’ flashed through their minds. The first time their eyes met, the first time they held hands, the first time they said ‘I love you’ and yes...their first kiss. But most of all, the morning incident. Both of them could see the emptiness in each others eyes. Sanna was filled with rage to see them together and one can understand what sort of thoughts would have crossed her mind at that time. Though she was very understanding girl but sometimes even the most understanding ones also need a good explanation to understand. Rihan too was bewildered about what to do and what not to do. His heart said to run to Sanna that very instant and tell her everything but his mind said...after so much has happened there was little hope that she understand because somewhere or the other, he was the one who lacked on the communication front. But what could have he done when all this was happening..he couldn’t change the course of events, he himself was victim of the situations. With puffy eyes both expected the next morning to bring a new hope and saw the sun rise from the horizon tearing the dark sky with streaks of golden light.

The next morning everything in Sanna’s house seemed different. Everyone was running in different directions, chaos was the only word that could define the whole scenario. She was unaware of the fact that her engagement was set the very next day and even after she came to know it, it didn’t make much difference to her, actually,  now nothing made a difference anymore. Rihan was in a perplexing mixture of emotions. He tried to call her but couldn’t gather the courage to speak, besides Shagufa was eyeing him with suspicion so he was trying to avoid every single question that she was attempting to ask. The whole day passed in thinking a way out of this misunderstanding but mind refused to work and heart refused to relax. At night, finally he settled on the most comfortable form of confession...a letter. That night all his problems, adverse situations, forced decisions, and all the apologies that should have made long time ago, found their place on a piece of paper, also her favourite perfume was sprayed on it, just to make sure that the apologies were accepted.

The Last Meeting-VII

Standing near the cards rack,Sanna could see Rihan, helping the girl out in choosing the card.Whenever  their hands touched, he withdrew his hand,avoiding every touch...and after sometime he turned around and finally saw Sanna looking at them.

Without thinking and within a second, a broad smile crept through his face, it was as if a very thirsty person had a sight of an oasis...while smiling stupidly he realized that Sanna had no change of expressions  and someone was tugging his shirt, asking.."jaanu, do you know her?.."

Just then reality dawned on him but he couldn't refrain himself from meeting her.so, he started walking towards her while Shagufa was following him like a child.

"Hi!!how are you?" Rihan said in a hesitant voice."I am fine,won't you introduce us?"said Sanna in the strictest tone possible."Oh!she is my..fiance and she is my...uh...college friend"Sanna had watery eyes after hearing all this."HI!!its so nice to meet you..we are selecting valentine cards for each other...but Rihan is so unromantic,he doesn't like any card...Oh!!would you like to join us for a coffee?"

"No thanks I am a little busy,maybe sometime else..nice meeting you too...and all the best for your marriage.."

Sanna tried to keep as calm as possible but as soon as she came out of the card gallery,she was crying silently while continously wiping the tears away.

Here in the gallery, Shagufa had sensed that something was definitely wrong....the way Rihan was looking at Sanna, it was obvious that there was something which was still unknown to her yet...raising suspicions and undecipherable expressions were exasperating her..The way she was looking at him, Rihan knew that he owed her an explanation..But what will he exactly tell her, will she understand?

When Sanna returned home.she observed that the living room was occupied with more people than usual, few new faces could also be seen. Sanna's mother called her aside and handed her a tray of mango juice.After serving.she was made to sit in the only vacant place which was near an unknown man.He had a pleasant smiling face and seemed very calm,his name was Ali.

After the formal introductions, they were forced to ask questions to each other which was very uncomfortable for both of them.Ali had a husky and bold voice but it was pleasant to hear.He asked few questions about her college etc...After an hour of chit-chat the family finally dispersed, greeting farewell more sweetly than required.

Sanna was too preoccupied to notice anything. All this while,flashback of the morning incident were haunting her and she was blankly staring at the carpet.After the departure, the discussion started, Sanna was asked the same question again and again from every family member.."Do you like him?" and every time she nodded her head,silently staring at her hands...

To be continued....

I Will Tiptoe Away

You came in my life with a smile.The smile which was deprived of happiness and full of innocence. I remember those eyes with sorrow and pain and a hint of moisture.
Time heals all wounds..sometimes your dear ones help you through that time,but what can one do if you just push them away?
You want to be in your own little bubble of emotions...so hurt,that every time someone wants to get close,you step backwards.
I just wanted to keep a hand on your shoulder and say.."its OK, I am there for you", wanted to wipe your tears away,wanted to hold your hand your hand in the crowd of the world and say"You are not alone",but I cant find a door in the walls,that you have build around yourself, not even a single keyhole to peep through.Your eyes showed all the deep dark secrets of the past which made you this way...I never required to ask anything because I could already see through you.
I just wanted to be a pal...nothing else,but what can be done if you turn your head away and look to the other side, whenever I try to look in your eyes.I wish things could be better..never wanted to increase your pain instead wanted to be the pain reliever, never wanted to toy with your emotions, and certainly didn't want to worsen your situations.
So,I am moving away,silently,leaving you in your own bubble, from which, once wanted to pull you out.
You are clutching the past so tightly, just like a child clutching the hem of the dress of his mother, who is so scared to see so many people around, laughing, chatting, holding hands...those big eyes filled with tears, displaying naivety, innocence, and most of all...fear of loosing someone.
You don't have to be the this way. Be strong, learn to love again, its not that difficult..I will always pray for your happiness.
I wish i could break all the chains that hold you back, wish I could bring that happy smile back..I just wanted to see the old YOU. Wish I was strong enough to hold you together whenever you broke down...So, I am tiptoeing away from your life.

The Last Meeting-VI

In New York,
Rihan's dad saw his son traumatized by the loss of his mother,running around all day for medications and taking care of everything.He didn't even remember when did he smile for the last time.
In India,
shagufa was Kalim uncle's daughter(a very good friend of Rihan's father) and a very good friend of Rihan.
So,the first thing his dad did after returning to India was to talk to his friend about getting the two children getting engaged,he thought that it was the best way to bring back the lost happiness into the family and also in Rihan's life.The dates were set and the engagement was planned on Rihan's birthday,as a surprise.Due to the presence of so many people in the house Rihan could not explain anything on that day and had to get engaged out of his will.
After all this he talked to  his elder brother about Sanna,thinking that some advise and help might work out.But his advise was to forget the girl to whom he hadn't talked to for 6 months,and start looking forward to his future and happiness of his family...and  moreover it was good that their father had been keeping busy and happy which had improved his medical reports too,this conversation didn't leave Rihan with many of options.
His fiance was a hyperactive bomb of playfulness and immaturity.It was February 14th and she wanted to go to the Archies gallery to buy a card for Rihan..she also dragged him to buy a card for her.....
Sanna had come there to buy an anniversary card for her parents with a friend.She saw Rihan selecting Valentine card and a girl beside him was tugging his shirt,calling "jaanu....how,s this one???"...
to be continued....