शिद्दत

2

At six in the evening, we reached the marine drive. We saw locals walking near the coastline. We parked the car and start walking like locals. My mind starts getting relaxed and I forget the nightmare. Crisp wind blowing and sea waves can be heard along with the chattering of locals. "It's good to be here". Karan speaks. I turned to him with a smile. "Yes, it's relaxing. Idea acha that tumhara." I replied and looked to the sea. Sea waves claiming my nerves and making me forget all things which going inside me. I never want that Karan should see that Khanak again. I made a promise to him but I know how much I tried to become normal and feel like I move on but still I m stuck with him. In my past memories whether that was painful but I can never forget those. Cause somewhere those my best memories too.    

"Kya soch rahi ho?" Karan's voice brings me back to the earth. "Nothing" I replied plainly. "Then start thinking. I got a message from a World book publication they want a draft of your new book."  I breathe heavenly. "Ok. Mumbai ke baad no book session tour then". He grinned but agreed. Had I forgotten to mention apart from being my friend he is my manager too. He handles everything which involves me very cautiously. With silence, we just walk near the coastline while my heart is humming along with the sea waves. 

We make our way to the rooftop restaurant. An open and clear sky was above me but without stars, it was all dull and down. We ordered normal north Indian thalis. Mine was pure veg thali and his was chicken thali.  It's not that I don't like chicken but I made a promise that I will have chicken with him only. No one else. And here I m still vegeterain. Twenty mins later our food arrived.  We jumped on our food like hungry animals. And seriously when the first morsel I gulped and then I realized how much I was hungry before. And also made me realize I didn't have anything in the morning or in the evening.