Aditi, a 24 year old shifts to a different city for work where she accidentally relives the memories of her college and her unrequited love, Shri. Being a hesitant and modest girl, she keeps it all to herself throughout her whole life. Peep into the...
What does it feel like, when destiny snatches every single person, every moment, and everything you love? How does it feel to never have to know when's the last moment you'll ever get to see someone or talk to them? In these twenty-something years of life, I've seen, I just knew that we'll never be able to seize a moment, the life once lived can only be cherished but cannot be lived again.
Somehow, I was never good at bidding 'Bye', whether it was goodbyes or the bad ones. It all started when my appa(father) left for serving in the army when I was four. I can still clearly see the day before he left with my eyes closed.
I was dressed up in my little pink frilled frock I've always adored. Mumma dusted half the talcum powder in the tin on my face; one can smell the sandal on my face from a mile's distance. Adding to it, she put a big black bindi which was placed exactly in the center of the forehead, close to the eyebrows.
With an ear-to-ear smile, I asked "Appa! Shall we go!?" My dad looked at me with his moist eyes, smiled proudly, "Aditi, You look so pretty, my child!" he gave a peck on my cheek and I giggled with my teeth wide open.
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With the roads hustling and bustling, he held my hand tight, and there I was jumping and dancing in joy, I began telling him what's all on my little head. He was nodding and smiling at me now and then keeping the focus on the busy market street. A few vehicles passed by us honking and there was chatter spread across the road.
Few furlongs away, there stood a young man holding something bright pink. Immediately, I asked Appa for it, then he carried me on his shoulders and walked there. I was tied the pink sweet in the shape of a watch on my hand, my eyes twinkled with delight.
I began licking the sweet happily with my arms tied around my Appa. Then, throughout the dusk, he carried me on his shoulders, smiling. I don't remember him talking much, but whenever he does, I listen to him with my gaze fixed at him.
I still reminisce those last words "Do whatever your mumma says, Don't make her sad or angry while I'm away." I nodded in agreement.
That night, I had a sound sleep that I couldn't feel that last kiss on my forehead nor I could hear him whispering the last goodbye in my ear.
I still owe you a goodbye, Appa.
With the train honking, I realized I was lost in thoughts waiting for the train which was delayed for more than an hour now. I'm moving to Mumbai as I was posted to work there. Checking if all my luggage was okay, I logged into the railway's website to check if there's any more delay. It showed that the next train arriving on the platform is the one I've to board on. I heaved a sigh of relief and got ready for the journey.
