A Cup of Coffee with Life

Lives Woven Through Time

The airport terminal was too crowded. Amidst the chaos, a slender woman, in her late twenties, was struggling to drag her luggage through. It was too heavy for her. So heavy that she had to focus herself completely on the luggage rather than where she was headed. A camera was hanging loosely around her neck. On that, her name was elegantly embossed, Aditi.

A few yards distant, Dheeraj was walking swiftly, completely engrossed in a conversation with a woman accompanying him. He was in a hurry that the world around seemed entirely immaterial.

In seconds, Dheeraj and Aditi collided hard, almost knocking themselves over. Both are taken aback, not knowing whose mistake it was.

"I'm sorry", both Aditi and Dheeraj said at the same time.

The expressions on their faces quickly changed into a pleasant smile.

"Aditi?"

"Dheeraj !!"

"Hey Aditi. It's been a long time. You're alive at least". The excitement on his face was overwhelming.

"Yeah....", said Aditi. "It's been 4 years".

An awkward silence filled the air suddenly.

Breaking the silence, Aditi pointed to the woman beside Dheeraj with her eyes.

"Oh yes! Sorry. She's Aahna. My lovely wife. And Aahna - Aditi. We used to be umm..college mates".

Aahna let out a forceful smile. Clearly, she felt a bit uncomfortable.

"I'll go buy a bottle of water", said Aahna and left for the nearby stall.

"So, you're headed to Delhi too?", asked Dheeraj.

Shaking her head slightly, Aditi replied, "No, I'm going to South Africa to shoot a documentary".

"That's great. Tell me when it airs".

"Sure", said Aditi.

They saw each other's eyes for a minute and looked for what they had to saw. They went back to their college days, silly fights they had and all the memories they created together.

Aahna interrupted in between. She scanned Dheeraj's eyes and tapped her watch twice. They needed to attend for the meeting scheduled.

"Don't mind Aditi. Keep in touch", said Dheeraj, getting hold of his luggage.

"Okay....yeah...sure", Aditi said pausing in between. Both knew that they might not meet each other again.

They bid adieus and headed to their ways.

Exactly before four years, the same airport witnessed their breakup, while they separated to chase their dreams.

Walking away, Dheeraj looked back at Aditi one last time. Aahna understood everything, but she chose to stay silent. Dheeraj looked at Aahna reassuringly.

Dheeraj started his own business five years ago. It was his life dream. Aditi wanted to pursue her higher studies in Australia and she urged him to come with her. He couldn't leave his business, especially when it was in budding stage.

He always felt that Aditi and he looked good together. Had he married Aditi, he would never have met Aahna, who understands him so well and complete him.

He placed his hand over Aahna, bringing her closely and walked ahead.

Aditi looked back at Dheeraj for one last time. Becoming a wild life journalist was her passion. It was her dream. She felt bad for leaving Dheeraj. She loved him so much. Then again, if she had married Dheeraj, she wouldn't have lived in the dream of her life.

Rubbing her hand onto the camera, she walked forward.

Life is weirdly complicated. How could life be so grateful and regretful at the same time?