शिद्दत

1

I reached the airport for my flight to Mumbai. I have a book reading session day after tomorrow. I looked around and catch the sight of my friend- Karan. I wave my hand to him and he starts walking towards me. He is like my guardian angel. He is my friend for the last ten years but in the last two and half years when I was suffering from the pain-

Don't go there.  

My subconsciousness immediately stopped me and I clear my mind. I don't want to go there. "Hey" Karan spoke with a smile and I smiles at his childish attic. "Hi" I replied. "Chale fir Mumbai lootne" Karan spoke with a laugh. I chuckled. "Sure". We walked to the departure. " By the way did you sleep well last night ?" His voice is a full concern. I got quiet for two or three seconds before showing my fake rolling my eyes. " Lag ni raha kya?" I sarcastically replied. "Gotcha." He replied and I turned to security. 

After two hours of flight to Mumbai from Delhi, I reached my hotel. Once I reached the hotel lobby all the stress of my journey evaporated. The hotel lobby is illuminated with soft and welcoming light as if it were sunshine in a gentle pastel hue. We reached the reception area and were greeted by a young lady. She is wearing a green color saree with a name tag- Aarti. " Good Afternoon Sir." She speaks sweetly and I feel like puking. The reason behind this is the way her eyes raking at Karan was so weird that when I see his side he was looking irritated. I suppressed my smile and like a good friend, I come to his defense. "Good noon Aarti. " I said with arrogance. I know I don't have that kind of glory but duniya ko dikhane mein kya jaa rha h? Her eyes turned to me. With a tight smile, she greeted me. "Khanak Verma" I mentioned my name and she start searching for my room number on her computer. " Room 796" She handed the keys to me and turned again to Karan. "Karan Singh," He said and she again goes back to her computer. "Room 794," She said again with an extra sugar-coated voice and I laughed but soon covered it as I coughed.

We stepped inside the elevator and soon I burst into laughter. "Very funny" he mocked me but soon joined me in his laugh. "Nahi tumhe dekhna chaiye tha kaise uski aakhein tumhara haran kar rhi thi." I said between our laughs. He showed me his tongue and soon we reached our floor. We stepped out and looked for our rooms. We reached our room door. His room is opposite my room.

"So shall we go somewhere in the evening ?" Karan asked politely and with a big smiley face, I nods. He smiled back and stepped inside his room. I stepped in mine and look at the room. The walls of the room are painted with ocean color. I move to the window and drew aside the curtain with strong motion. The light-flooded in and revealed the scorching heat of Mumbai. I signed. Mumbai is just as I thought. Congested and busy life. But why does it bother me? I m just here for two days and then I will be back at my place. With my love.

I unpack my things and arrange them. The last thing which come out of my luggage was my best memory with him. I always carry this and I don't know why but whenever and where I go I always carry it. I looked at the photo frame and admire it. A lone tear escaped from my eyes but I immediately wipe it and put it with my other things.