Life has lost its true color and flavor.Artificiality has creeped in every corner”
Imtiaz scribbled on his notepad.
He further added,
“Every where masks!g
No real faces!”
He was not sure, what he wanted to write. He was a person who lived in his own world. He looked window next to him. There was nothing interesting outside. He had a look at his watch.
“12:50 PM”
It would be lunch break in 10 minutes. The seminar room was quite, except a man’s voice. He didn’t pay attention to it. Somebody was giving a presentation on “advertising is not just selling”.
He shifted his focus back to notepad.
“Advertising is just murdering”, he added.
He has come all the way to Delhi, to attend the two day seminar.He was appointed by his agency ‘Crayons’, to represent company proudly at event.
Seminar took a break for lunch session. Imtiaz was the first to move out. There was a coffee machine at the corner of cafeteria. It would be a rush in short time. Coffee would free him off the hangover of seminar hall. He waited for his turn behind a women. He made up his mind to leave back for Mumbai, as soon as possible.
The women was taking enough time. May be something wrong with the coffee machine. Her face could not be seen. She looked interesting from behind. He had not seen her at seminar hall. He fantasized a beautiful face.
Women turned back with her coffee. She moved straight, passing him. Imtiaz had a look, through the corner of his eyes. Anything beautiful is always a thing of curiosity. A glimpse of her face was managed. It was all in a fraction of second.
It was only a curiosity to see a beautiful face, but the face showed was more than just being beautiful. Imtiaz was shocked. He couldn’t believe. He made sure in his mind if it was the same person. Years haven’t brought much change in that face. He could recognise her. Imtiaz felt his heart beating fast. He had not even in his wildest dream had thought of meeting her again. He didn’t knew how to react. Should he call her?.Better not to. He didn’t knew how she would react.
Time was going. It would kill him rest of his life, if he doesn’t talk to her today. She was moving far. He took a deep breath.
Nanditha!, he called out.
The women turned back to look at the gentleman who called her name. She couldn’t recognize him at first.
Imtiaz closely watched her. He was not sure, if she would recognise him. He waited for her response.
Nandita’s expression changed. She couldn’t believe if it was the same person. She didn’t knew how to react. She had fear, if she wouldn’t deal with the situation properly. It would be destiny that she would have to meet him like this after a long six years.
He was looking at her, with his pretty face.He has put on weight. Nandita watched changes in her old friend with surprise. He has become more charming over the years. Old images from past appeared before her. Everything seemed like yesterday. She could still remember the day they met for last time.
Lajpat Nagar street was busy with the Friday market. They walked past many restaurants. Today both their wallets were empty. They had already dropped their plan to watch a film. Life has been tough since college days. They had to adjust with a plate of fried rice.
It was getting darker. Both of them were walking slowly. They waited for the bus. They didn’t talked to each other from long time. Although engaged in their own world of thoughts, they always enjoyed each other’s company. Silence would be for the things they couldn’t tell each other. If it was not each other’s company, they couldn’t have faced those tough days easily. They got in to the bus. It was only a 30 minutes journey. They were going back home, after the whole day of roaming in the city, to drop their resume in all possible places. It was a tiring day. Nandita took a small snap. At some time she fell over Imtiaz’s shoulder. He didn’t disturbed her.
Imtiaz and Nandita moved together like twins throughout the college days. They surprised everyone with the respectable relation they maintained. It could be said that, they fell in love with each other’s friendship.
The fear of being asked, the status of relationship forced them to stay apart only on valentines day. They silently sat among audience, away from each others, watching others competing for the best couple. Those days were best days of life, Imtiaz thought.
The bus stoped at Maharani Bhag. They got down from the bus. Imtiaz would accompany her till hostel compound.
Again they continued their silence, as they walked. It was only a five minutes distance. Imtiaz could see her beautiful face in street lights. He had doubt in his mind weather it was the right time to tell her. He didn’t want to land in awkward situation. But he had already made his mind. How long he can keep it with himself.
They entered Nandita’s compound. Imtiaz’s heart started beating fast. It would kill him like anything, if he doesn’t make it today.
“Will call you tomorrow, take care bye”, Nandita said in her tired voice. Her small beautiful eyes closed for a second. She showed the signs of weakness. Poor girl would be tired after the hectic day, Imtiaz thought. It was only because of each other’s company, that they could travel such long distances today. He looked at Nandita. He felt happy to have her by his side. He could see her from close. A gentle breeze flew her hair. She looked like a beautiful angel. She was the girl with whom he wanted to live rest of his life. He wanted to tell, how much he loved her.
Imtiaz went and kissed her. It happened in fraction of second. Nandita suddenly woke from her tiredness. She couldn’t believe what just happened. An horrified expression faded in to her face.
“How dare you do that?”, Nandita said in her unfamiliar angry voice. Her face turned redish.
Both of them sat across cafeteria table silently. Imtiaz took last sip of his coffee. He offered Nandita coffee again. Nandita silently said “No”
It was not easy for both of them meeting after long time. Nandita was hardly speaking anything. Imtiaz was not sure where this meeting is going to take them. Maybe she didn’t like meeting him again. She could never forgive him. Imtiaz couldn’t bear it any longer.
“You can leave, if you want. Please don’t feel uncomfortable”, Imtiaz said in his low voice.
“Why should I walk away?”
Imtiaz got terrified by her answer. Nandita was irritated. It meant that, he should leave. Imtiaz didn’t need a thought to stand up.
“Just give me some time”, Nandita said as she looked down.
“I don’t have time”, he wanted to say. But Imtiaz was a sensible man. He knew that, he should talk to her today. It was him who made worst out of situation that day. He could still remember tears off her face, 6 years back.
She didn’t say anything. A gentle tears droped off her eyes.
“Nandita.......I am sorry..I..”, He had tried to say some thing.
Then she broked in to cry. She was shivering as well. She turned back and walked off to hostel.
Imtiaz felt like crucified. He couldnt do anything.
Cafeteria have become empty now. They were sitting on window side facing each other. Imtiaz tried to divert his attention to view outside. There was hardly anything interesting outside. He looked at Nandita. She was silent. He unlocked keypad of his mobile.
“Can’t believe, why we didn’t talk for 6 years”
Imtiaz couldn’t believe the words that came from other side. Nandita had said something at last. He was waiting for this moment. There can’t be a perfect start for conversation than this.
“But somebody didn’t wanted to talk.....”, he said with a smile.
Nandita didn’t answer.She didn’t look at Imtiaz. But there was a mild smile in her lips. Imtiaz had a look at his old friend. She was wearing sari. He wondered how people become strangers, when they are away from each other for long time. He would have made fun of her, if she was wearing the sari six years back. But now sari blended perfectly with her.
“But you could have found me, if you really wanted”
Nandita was becoming comfortable now. Her choice of words blew away Imtiaz. He couldn’t say anything.A joyous tide erupted inside him. Meeting an old friend after long time would be one of the most happy moments in life. He has got his old friend back..He didn’t want the conversation to slip away.
“I couldn’t find courage to meet you”, he said in his matured voice.
Nanidita looked at him with a mild smile.
“But I always missed you”
Imtiaz said it without any hesitation. He could say it from bottom of his heart, looking in to her eyes. Both of their eyes locked each other for a second. That second had millions in it. Nandita took her eyes off. She felt shy to face Imtiaz. They are not the same college buddies now. They have grown up.
Nandita sipped her cup of coffee. Both of them didn’t look at each other. Imtiaz felt very relieved now. A gentle breeze blew inside. Beauty of life is its unpredictability. There couldn’t be anything joyous than meeting somebody special after a long time.
“Nice coffee”, Nandita said to sound cool. Imtiaz nodded his head in agreement. Its been glorious one hour so far. He had a look at Nandita. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. He still couldn’t believe the change in his old friend. She had become a perfect women now.
She would be married by now,he thought. But he didn’t wanted to ask anything on that. He remained silent. People started occupying tables. It was tea interval.
“So what were you doing last six years?”
“Ha haa”, the question made Imtiaz smile.
“Six years if explained, it would be a star plus mega serial”
Imtiaz got excited. The conversation was becoming interesting.
“I mean, what all happened...since that day.......what you are doing right now”, Nandita interfered with a smile.
Imtiaz leaned back on his chair.It was as though he was about to narrate the whole story.
“I was busy pursuing my dreams...”, He looked at Nandita.
Nandita listened very eagerly. Imtiaz continued.
“ By God’s grace, Some how managed to be an ad film maker today”
Nandita looked at her old friend. She couldn't believe, it was the same thin Imtiaz, she knew years back.
“We always knew that you would achieve.....", she said.
Imtiaz smiled, to thank her. It would be genuine compliment, if it was Nandita’s.
“And you?”, Imtiaz didn’t waste any time to ask her.
“I am a copy writer at OM now. Recently done the campaign for surf excel”
“Oh, thats a stand out work. That came out really nice”
Nandita smiled. But there was sadness in her smile. There was always something that troubled her. She would have struggled a lot to settle her life, imtiaz thought. He felt a lot of respect for his friend.
“And yeah, tell me the name of your lucky wife”
Nandita’s question this time landed on Imtiaz like a cracker. He didn’t expect it. Nandita got excited. She eagerly waited for an answer.
“I am not yet married”, Imtiaz replied.
“Why?!”, Nandita was suprised.
“I don’t believe in the institution of marriage”, Imtiaz cracked his ready made intellectual answer.
Nandita bursted in to laughter.
“Hahh! haa..Thats interesting!!”. Nandita couldn’t stop laughing.
It suprised Imtiaz, Nandita didn’t further questioned him.
“What about you, Nandita?”,he decided to ask her.
Nandita’s smile faded. Her lips trembled.
Imtiaz was suprised by Nandita’s silence. It was tough for her to answer.
“Got divorced 1 years back!”, Nandita found courage to say it.
There was a pin drop silence.
Imtiaz couldn’t get words.
“Goodness!, Trouble never gave up with this girl”, he thought.
“I am sorry”, he said her.
Nandita brought a smile on her face. They stayed quite for some time.
Nandita’s maturity beyond age surprised Imtiaz.
She had really learned to face life with a smile”, Imtiaz thought.
Nandita’s phone ringed.
“Hello beta”
“ I am coming in 10 minutes”, Nandita said to somebody with affection.
Imtiaz guessed, it would be her child.
“Bye”, she cut the phone and looked in hurry. She looked at Imtiaz.
“Got to go now...Imtiaz!!”
Oh!, thats ok!”
“Whats name of your child?”, Imtiaz asked, as they stood up.
“Oh!, I didn’t tell you”, Nandita said with a joy.
“I have a 3 year old daughter, Chanchal!”
Imtiaz wondered, how cute she would be.
“You can meet her some day”. Nandita said as she searched something inside her bag. She took out a card from her bag.
Imtiaz recieved address card from Nandita. Both of them looked at each other for last time.
“Ahh!”, Nandita took a breath. she smiled and said ” It was nice to meet you today..keep in touch”
She shook her hands with him.
“Sure!”, Imtiaz said.
A joyous tide waved inside him. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. He watched her until she walked away out of sight
Imtiaz scribbled on his notepad.
He further added,
“Every where masks!g
No real faces!”
He was not sure, what he wanted to write. He was a person who lived in his own world. He looked window next to him. There was nothing interesting outside. He had a look at his watch.
“12:50 PM”
It would be lunch break in 10 minutes. The seminar room was quite, except a man’s voice. He didn’t pay attention to it. Somebody was giving a presentation on “advertising is not just selling”.
He shifted his focus back to notepad.
“Advertising is just murdering”, he added.
He has come all the way to Delhi, to attend the two day seminar.He was appointed by his agency ‘Crayons’, to represent company proudly at event.
Seminar took a break for lunch session. Imtiaz was the first to move out. There was a coffee machine at the corner of cafeteria. It would be a rush in short time. Coffee would free him off the hangover of seminar hall. He waited for his turn behind a women. He made up his mind to leave back for Mumbai, as soon as possible.
The women was taking enough time. May be something wrong with the coffee machine. Her face could not be seen. She looked interesting from behind. He had not seen her at seminar hall. He fantasized a beautiful face.
Women turned back with her coffee. She moved straight, passing him. Imtiaz had a look, through the corner of his eyes. Anything beautiful is always a thing of curiosity. A glimpse of her face was managed. It was all in a fraction of second.
It was only a curiosity to see a beautiful face, but the face showed was more than just being beautiful. Imtiaz was shocked. He couldn’t believe. He made sure in his mind if it was the same person. Years haven’t brought much change in that face. He could recognise her. Imtiaz felt his heart beating fast. He had not even in his wildest dream had thought of meeting her again. He didn’t knew how to react. Should he call her?.Better not to. He didn’t knew how she would react.
Time was going. It would kill him rest of his life, if he doesn’t talk to her today. She was moving far. He took a deep breath.
Nanditha!, he called out.
The women turned back to look at the gentleman who called her name. She couldn’t recognize him at first.
Imtiaz closely watched her. He was not sure, if she would recognise him. He waited for her response.
Nandita’s expression changed. She couldn’t believe if it was the same person. She didn’t knew how to react. She had fear, if she wouldn’t deal with the situation properly. It would be destiny that she would have to meet him like this after a long six years.
He was looking at her, with his pretty face.He has put on weight. Nandita watched changes in her old friend with surprise. He has become more charming over the years. Old images from past appeared before her. Everything seemed like yesterday. She could still remember the day they met for last time.
Lajpat Nagar street was busy with the Friday market. They walked past many restaurants. Today both their wallets were empty. They had already dropped their plan to watch a film. Life has been tough since college days. They had to adjust with a plate of fried rice.
It was getting darker. Both of them were walking slowly. They waited for the bus. They didn’t talked to each other from long time. Although engaged in their own world of thoughts, they always enjoyed each other’s company. Silence would be for the things they couldn’t tell each other. If it was not each other’s company, they couldn’t have faced those tough days easily. They got in to the bus. It was only a 30 minutes journey. They were going back home, after the whole day of roaming in the city, to drop their resume in all possible places. It was a tiring day. Nandita took a small snap. At some time she fell over Imtiaz’s shoulder. He didn’t disturbed her.
Imtiaz and Nandita moved together like twins throughout the college days. They surprised everyone with the respectable relation they maintained. It could be said that, they fell in love with each other’s friendship.
The fear of being asked, the status of relationship forced them to stay apart only on valentines day. They silently sat among audience, away from each others, watching others competing for the best couple. Those days were best days of life, Imtiaz thought.
The bus stoped at Maharani Bhag. They got down from the bus. Imtiaz would accompany her till hostel compound.
Again they continued their silence, as they walked. It was only a five minutes distance. Imtiaz could see her beautiful face in street lights. He had doubt in his mind weather it was the right time to tell her. He didn’t want to land in awkward situation. But he had already made his mind. How long he can keep it with himself.
They entered Nandita’s compound. Imtiaz’s heart started beating fast. It would kill him like anything, if he doesn’t make it today.
“Will call you tomorrow, take care bye”, Nandita said in her tired voice. Her small beautiful eyes closed for a second. She showed the signs of weakness. Poor girl would be tired after the hectic day, Imtiaz thought. It was only because of each other’s company, that they could travel such long distances today. He looked at Nandita. He felt happy to have her by his side. He could see her from close. A gentle breeze flew her hair. She looked like a beautiful angel. She was the girl with whom he wanted to live rest of his life. He wanted to tell, how much he loved her.
Imtiaz went and kissed her. It happened in fraction of second. Nandita suddenly woke from her tiredness. She couldn’t believe what just happened. An horrified expression faded in to her face.
“How dare you do that?”, Nandita said in her unfamiliar angry voice. Her face turned redish.
Both of them sat across cafeteria table silently. Imtiaz took last sip of his coffee. He offered Nandita coffee again. Nandita silently said “No”
It was not easy for both of them meeting after long time. Nandita was hardly speaking anything. Imtiaz was not sure where this meeting is going to take them. Maybe she didn’t like meeting him again. She could never forgive him. Imtiaz couldn’t bear it any longer.
“You can leave, if you want. Please don’t feel uncomfortable”, Imtiaz said in his low voice.
“Why should I walk away?”
Imtiaz got terrified by her answer. Nandita was irritated. It meant that, he should leave. Imtiaz didn’t need a thought to stand up.
“Just give me some time”, Nandita said as she looked down.
“I don’t have time”, he wanted to say. But Imtiaz was a sensible man. He knew that, he should talk to her today. It was him who made worst out of situation that day. He could still remember tears off her face, 6 years back.
She didn’t say anything. A gentle tears droped off her eyes.
“Nandita.......I am sorry..I..”, He had tried to say some thing.
Then she broked in to cry. She was shivering as well. She turned back and walked off to hostel.
Imtiaz felt like crucified. He couldnt do anything.
Cafeteria have become empty now. They were sitting on window side facing each other. Imtiaz tried to divert his attention to view outside. There was hardly anything interesting outside. He looked at Nandita. She was silent. He unlocked keypad of his mobile.
“Can’t believe, why we didn’t talk for 6 years”
Imtiaz couldn’t believe the words that came from other side. Nandita had said something at last. He was waiting for this moment. There can’t be a perfect start for conversation than this.
“But somebody didn’t wanted to talk.....”, he said with a smile.
Nandita didn’t answer.She didn’t look at Imtiaz. But there was a mild smile in her lips. Imtiaz had a look at his old friend. She was wearing sari. He wondered how people become strangers, when they are away from each other for long time. He would have made fun of her, if she was wearing the sari six years back. But now sari blended perfectly with her.
“But you could have found me, if you really wanted”
Nandita was becoming comfortable now. Her choice of words blew away Imtiaz. He couldn’t say anything.A joyous tide erupted inside him. Meeting an old friend after long time would be one of the most happy moments in life. He has got his old friend back..He didn’t want the conversation to slip away.
“I couldn’t find courage to meet you”, he said in his matured voice.
Nanidita looked at him with a mild smile.
“But I always missed you”
Imtiaz said it without any hesitation. He could say it from bottom of his heart, looking in to her eyes. Both of their eyes locked each other for a second. That second had millions in it. Nandita took her eyes off. She felt shy to face Imtiaz. They are not the same college buddies now. They have grown up.
Nandita sipped her cup of coffee. Both of them didn’t look at each other. Imtiaz felt very relieved now. A gentle breeze blew inside. Beauty of life is its unpredictability. There couldn’t be anything joyous than meeting somebody special after a long time.
“Nice coffee”, Nandita said to sound cool. Imtiaz nodded his head in agreement. Its been glorious one hour so far. He had a look at Nandita. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. He still couldn’t believe the change in his old friend. She had become a perfect women now.
She would be married by now,he thought. But he didn’t wanted to ask anything on that. He remained silent. People started occupying tables. It was tea interval.
“So what were you doing last six years?”
“Ha haa”, the question made Imtiaz smile.
“Six years if explained, it would be a star plus mega serial”
Imtiaz got excited. The conversation was becoming interesting.
“I mean, what all happened...since that day.......what you are doing right now”, Nandita interfered with a smile.
Imtiaz leaned back on his chair.It was as though he was about to narrate the whole story.
“I was busy pursuing my dreams...”, He looked at Nandita.
Nandita listened very eagerly. Imtiaz continued.
“ By God’s grace, Some how managed to be an ad film maker today”
Nandita looked at her old friend. She couldn't believe, it was the same thin Imtiaz, she knew years back.
“We always knew that you would achieve.....", she said.
Imtiaz smiled, to thank her. It would be genuine compliment, if it was Nandita’s.
“And you?”, Imtiaz didn’t waste any time to ask her.
“I am a copy writer at OM now. Recently done the campaign for surf excel”
“Oh, thats a stand out work. That came out really nice”
Nandita smiled. But there was sadness in her smile. There was always something that troubled her. She would have struggled a lot to settle her life, imtiaz thought. He felt a lot of respect for his friend.
“And yeah, tell me the name of your lucky wife”
Nandita’s question this time landed on Imtiaz like a cracker. He didn’t expect it. Nandita got excited. She eagerly waited for an answer.
“I am not yet married”, Imtiaz replied.
“Why?!”, Nandita was suprised.
“I don’t believe in the institution of marriage”, Imtiaz cracked his ready made intellectual answer.
Nandita bursted in to laughter.
“Hahh! haa..Thats interesting!!”. Nandita couldn’t stop laughing.
It suprised Imtiaz, Nandita didn’t further questioned him.
“What about you, Nandita?”,he decided to ask her.
Nandita’s smile faded. Her lips trembled.
Imtiaz was suprised by Nandita’s silence. It was tough for her to answer.
“Got divorced 1 years back!”, Nandita found courage to say it.
There was a pin drop silence.
Imtiaz couldn’t get words.
“Goodness!, Trouble never gave up with this girl”, he thought.
“I am sorry”, he said her.
Nandita brought a smile on her face. They stayed quite for some time.
Nandita’s maturity beyond age surprised Imtiaz.
She had really learned to face life with a smile”, Imtiaz thought.
Nandita’s phone ringed.
“Hello beta”
“ I am coming in 10 minutes”, Nandita said to somebody with affection.
Imtiaz guessed, it would be her child.
“Bye”, she cut the phone and looked in hurry. She looked at Imtiaz.
“Got to go now...Imtiaz!!”
Oh!, thats ok!”
“Whats name of your child?”, Imtiaz asked, as they stood up.
“Oh!, I didn’t tell you”, Nandita said with a joy.
“I have a 3 year old daughter, Chanchal!”
Imtiaz wondered, how cute she would be.
“You can meet her some day”. Nandita said as she searched something inside her bag. She took out a card from her bag.
Imtiaz recieved address card from Nandita. Both of them looked at each other for last time.
“Ahh!”, Nandita took a breath. she smiled and said ” It was nice to meet you today..keep in touch”
She shook her hands with him.
“Sure!”, Imtiaz said.
A joyous tide waved inside him. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. He watched her until she walked away out of sight
