ODIO AMOR

POIGNANT PAST

The twelfth board results are out and the boys have done tremendously well. Every single family member was celebrating except a girl. Sanyukta was sulking in a corner. She knew now her brother will be gone abroad for further studies and along with his brother there is certain someone who will be gone as well.

Sanyukta gripped her juice glass tightly and went to the balcony. Abhimanyu too followed her but maintained a healthy distance between them. He leaned on the balcony door and watched her sulking.

He wanted to move ahead and talk but he knew their reality. Sanyukta who was born and brought up in a joint family and he who is an orphan, are poles apart.

There is always this hesitation inside him regarding the idea of family, which prevented him from expressing his feelings.

Abhimanyu turned around to leave when Sanyukta spoke, "kuch kahenge nhi?"

"Nhi"

"Mein kuch kahun?", she asked

"Hmmm"

She walked near him, reducing the gap and wishpered in a broken voice, "wahan ladki wadki ka koi chakkar nhi chahiye mujhe aur .........i will try not to miss you"

Abhimanyu chuckled and mumbled lowly only for Sanyukta to hear, "I will miss you too"

Both of them were staring at each other when Kartavya caught them. That was the day since when Kartavya started teasing Sanyukta about Abhimanyu. While she kept avoiding his teasing but never denied them.

FEW DAYS LATER

Their jet was ready for departure. Three of them along with other family members have already reached the airport except Adhavan.

Adhavan was standing in Abhidnya's room. He had a hunch feeling that something bad is going to happen. For some reason he was excited for a new phase in his life but not happy to leave his country.

He couldn't name this pull he was feeling towards Abhidnya. They didn't talk. They kept staring at each other with a painful smile on Adhavan's face and a longing smile on Abhidnya's face.

"Hum agar kahenge mat jaeye toh kya aap ruk jayenge?", she asked

"Ruk jaun?", he asked in return

Abhidnya chuckled, "aapke piche hum badal gaye toh .......kisi aur se pyaar kar baithe toh?"

Adhavan stared at her for a moment. Taking a deep sigh he kissed her forehead"mujhe meri.......i repeat meri Abhidnya pe khudse zyada bharosa hai"

Abhidnya clutched his shirt and closed her eyes to feel the moment. It was after all their first kiss. She had no cousin brothers, no male friends, for her Adhavan was the first in giving every tingling sensation.

"Hum jis pe zyada bharosa karte hain woh hi humara bharosha tod jata hai", Abhidnya said with a shrug, unknown to the fact that this was going to be true in the near future.

"Darra mat yaar mujhe", Adhavan hugged Abhidnya tightly to his chest. Both of them stood still without saying anything and slowly swaying in each other's arms. This was their first hug as well.

"Jaldi laut aeyega.....hum zyada intezar nhi karenge", Abhidnya mumbled. Few drops of tears left her eyes.

Adhavan hugged her more tightly and kissed her forehead, "zyada intezaar nhi karwaunga, jaldi aa jaunga"

Time came when they had to depart. Adhavan was standing at the portico, when he looked up, he saw Abhidnya waving at him. He felt as if he is not only getting away from his nation but from his love as well.