Matsya

Chapter 17

The roads the stores the benches all remained the same but time refused to stay still forcing this moment into a locker called memory.

8 am

Anoop stops by Manohar's place

Manohar - Hey what brings you here so early .

Anoop - Do I need a reason jack@ss ?

Manohar - Savitri aunty called you didn't she ?

Anoop - I'd still be here if she hadn't bro you know that .

Manohar - Thanks man but it's good you're here you can say bye to Sanidhi before she leaves .

Anoop - it's not to late to tell her .

Manohar ( banging his fist ) - I said it's for the better.

Sanidhi - Hi Anoop glad you stopped by too bad you're late no breakfast for you .

Anoop - Heard you're leaving today ?

Sanidhi - Yeah I'm leaving this evening .

Anoop - I might be able to drop you I'm frrr .....

Manohar stamps Anoop's foot before he could finish the sentence.

Manohar - She's leaving early in the evening I'm pretty sure you're busy around that time , Hey Sanidhi do you mind can we get some coffee ?

Sanidhi - No problem .( proceeds to the kitchen )

Anoop - Wtf was that for @ssh0le ?

Manohar - Why are offering to drop her idiot?

Anoop - I was trying to help why do you have to stamp me for that?

Manohar - cause I want to drop her , one last time .

Anoop - Ahh she's not even yours yet and you're so possessive.
Manohar - I'm not possessive I just want to spend as much time I can .

Anoop - tell that to my leg here B@stard .

Sanidhi - Here's your coffee, Anoop you were telling me if you could drop me?

Anoop - You know I might actually be busy , I'll give you a heads up.

Sanidhi - Uhuh Sure..

5:00 pm

Sanidhi - Hey did you book the cab I don't want to be late .

Manohar - Yeah he's gonna be there any minute .

Sanidhi tells her byes to Savitri aunty and gets on the cab but gets surprised to see Manohar getting in as well.

Sanidhi - What are you doing?

Manohar - Ah I'm dropping you to the Railway station I guess .

Sanidhi - Dropping me? On a cab sure..

Manohar - Umm I can leave if you want to ( Manohar tries to get up )

Sanidhi ( Holding his hand ) - Stay .

Manohar - OK

The train station arrives Manohar helps Sanidhi with the luggage and joins her till the platform .
Sanidhi - Huh so this is it .

Manohar - Yeah thank you for everything.

Sanidhi hugs Manohar tightly - it's alright be well okay .

Sanidhi boards the train and sits on her seat , she closes her eyes for a minute only to find a sweaty Manohar panting to catch his breath .

Manohar - Hi again .

Sanidhi - What the hell are you doing here , and did you just run you're not supposed to be running yet ..

Manohar - You didn't have food good afternoon so I got you this .

Manohar helds a cup of Cheese Maggi in a aluminum foil .

Manohar - Eat it while it's still hot .

Sanidhi who had composed herself till then couldn't hold her tears back .

Sanidhi ( wiping her tears ) - I saw you stamping Anoop's foot when he offered to drop me .

Manohar - Ah I don't know what to say .

Sanidhi - Don't say anything .

Sanidhi stands up hugs Manohar tightly and places a gentle kiss on his cheek .

Sanidhi ( Sobbing) - You're crazy you know that ?

Manohar - That I am .

Sanidhi - Be good okay , never lose that smile again .

Manohar - Sure stay in touch okay , bye .

Manohar goes out of the train but waits by her window till the train leaves . Both wave their hands at each other as the train departs .

Manohar looks up at the sky .

Manohar - God I know I haven't prayed a lot, but if you're listening to me please hear this .

Let our paths cross again.