A talk in the train! Meet-up 3(ii) !
I
If he had no friend, then from where did he learn things; how he knew that world worked like this or world worked like that. What was the basis for his understandings. Who was he, within his heartiest chords? Yes, there were people who impressed him, yet there were people whom he disliked. He had a great interest in films, to watch his favourite actor’s film and feel great about the story portrayed in the film. On the other hand, he quite understood how people mocked at him, how their interpretation of his weaknesses made him even weaker. For, how long could he be friends with himself. For how long could he be unchecked by the reality, because reality was what was there; other stories that he dreamt as he watched the films were the fantasies. That, his life would be as beautiful and colourful as the film’s main protagonists' life. That was much to ask, wasn’t it?
The winter break had started in school, Raghubir had started playing hockey and he played it very well. Everyone applauded him for his attack on the field that his coach was his fan, that in a matter of few days, Raghubir had been the favourite of his school hockey team. This was the best moral boost-up he had felt after long-long time. His classmates now talked of Raghubir, his name being the first; when the boys were dividing teams before the play started. This innocent, this introvert boy had his way to everyone’s heart.
Similarly, there was another set back to his life, when after three years of being captain of the school team, he had an injury on his leg; that wouldn’t let him run as freely as he could all those years. Boys sympathised with him, but he knew; he couldn’t take his game to the highest levels but still he played. Raghubir had played always for the spirit of the game, it was sportsmanship for which, he was well known and regarded both in his school and elsewhere, including the evening coaching he went for. His coach was impressed by him, on how; he was amongst the first boys to be on the field, in the mornings. Whether it was fog, or severe cold the early morning, he would be right there; running and stretching. He was a senior player, and now he had shifted his place on the field from being an attacking player to being a player at the defence. He was a flexible player, not many were as capable as him on the field.
The morning time, she had come to practise 'javelin throw’, and she was found more interested to look at Raghubir than to concentrate on her game. After the practise and the game that Raghubir played, she walked up to him and simply praised him for his dedication for his game. She said, “Hey, Raghubir. Till now, I had heard great things about how good a player you are, but today it was such a pleasure to see you play. It’s for the first time, I saw you in the colours of your sport, fully concentrating on your game. You’re good.” It felt great to listen to her, he replied her with a smiling face, “Thank you, thanks for coming to watch my game.” She answered back with a spell of laughter, when she looked even beautiful that wintery morning. “Hahahaha.. how do you know, I came to see you only?”, Raghubir was hit a a ‘scoop' now, in his hockey dictionary. With a gentle smile on his face, he answered; “Because you were looking at me, all the time.” She giggled and they shook hands, soon they left for their respective changing rooms.
II
Raghubir had not known it that Archana was a member of the school team, her event being 'Javelin Throw’. He saw her for the first time on the field, with that determination; when it was her turn, to throw the javelin, and those were the preliminary rounds for the sports day qualification. She did well and sooner Raghubir congratulated her on having qualified for the finals of the Sports day meet. She smiled and thanked him for watching her play. She knew, he was a star in the school; now that girls talked about him. How time changed, he thought, while she might have thought the same.
The same day, the boys and girls from all sports had gathered near the 'Banyan Tree’, in the school, it was a rich afternoon; with sweet winds, touching everyone and making them hide their faces inside their blazers. Well, few did it actually only to laugh at one another for doing so. After the meeting got over, which went on for an hour; it was the time to leave for their homes. Raghubir had an idea that Archana lived nearby his home because he had seen her once, in the yellow bus; and coincidentally that was also the sports day meet, and now again; were the preparations of the sports day, getting along. Everyone was leaving, but then and there Raghubir asked Archana if she would like to walk with him, in the play field. She agreed and she had given him a look, that expressed how she had wanted it to be quick, as the day was getting darker. They slipped through the boys and girls and went to the field, where the grass was cut to nearly perfection. The chill drew them to feel each other’s breath, but sooner they had nothing to say, but quietness in them followed them.
Maybe, they were reminiscing, their even younger days in the same class. When Raghubir couldn’t say but a word to her and she had to leave his way with a smirk.
They liked each other’s presence, and exchanged how changed Raghubir had been now. It was beautiful a feeling to listen to her voice, he felt; he had liked her still. Just he didn’t want to say her that, because he had known that she already knew his heart. But, why did he feel so; when she didn’t care for him in those past days. Past was past he thought, but still he feared getting so closer to someone, and to Archana. Still, he wanted to give sometime; he knew, they could be very good friends and that to express her his love, may dampen their bond of friendship. He wanted to keep it pleasant as it was, he feared losing her as a friend. But, why did he fear so? Mad so, he was in love. He feared love. He feared those feelings to be broken, to be dissipated. For him, love didn’t happen everyday. But, he saw in her eyes, what he saw in his own eyes. What could he do, what could he not. He was in such a fix.
III
The Sport’s Day was a success. That was one day, when they were again talking and walking in the same place as before. The place they liked the most, they happened to be there once more.
"Few hello’s remained to be, a greater part of one’s life. While few hello’s weren’t meant to be so enriching and amicable throughout. Few people whom we liked a lot, and few people from whom we maintained a distance.”
That was one day, when Archana and Raghubir were walking down the field. The first class was about to start, when this shy boy had bent down on his knees to present to Archana, a rose. He proposed to her, while she smiled and their eyes kept intact as if that was a calling from the wonderland. Wonderland where they were happily sailing, with where there was nothing to fear about.
"I respect your feelings Raghubir. And you’re a great guy Raghubir. You know, don’t take me wrong; but we are best as friends. We should keep this bond as beautiful as it is today, forever.” This was her reply, and quite heart-broken, yet made to feel alright with her gentle touch, as she held his arms to let him stand up again. She felt, if he was embarrassed, but soon; she expressed him, that there is one bond of love which is so special and spiritual. It’s that connection which we can have only with very less people in our life. Or just a selected few. She told him, that he was a special person and a good friend. That she had known him for years, as a soft guy at heart; but she told him, that it was right to cherish their friendship.
They walked past the basketball field, then entered their respective classes; promising to go back home together. Where Raghubir had been confused, there Archana cleared his confusion’s. In a way, he had gained a peace of mind. He didn’t feel bad any longer. He was happy, that she expressed her honest heart. Honestly was the greatest virtue. Things went beautifully in their friendship, and that was the story Raghubir had. The story of his love for a girl. The only girl.
In the next meeting with Ratan, Raghubir narrated him his story. This time, they had met in a coffee shop after their work and then boarded the Metro Rail, to get back home.
Gagandeep Singh Vaid
Gagandeep Singh Vaid
Comments
Post a Comment