अनुभूतियां -- Perceptions

Stories

Cigarette in one hand beer in another, leaning against the railing, staring into space, so careless, off in a world of his own.There he was hiding in a corner at his own party.

"Ahemm" Prachi invades the space beside him. Sensing her presence he turns his head and smiles at her.

Returning his smile she asks "You are not liking the party?"

"It's good" he answers. "But there was no need of doing all this Prachi" he adds.

"Come on all of this was so needed. Who knows when we all will be together like this again. Plus I saved your money"

He laughs. "You saved me money. How?"

"Instead of you going to cafes and clubs to meet everyone personally I gathered everyone at your place for you. Now no more awkward goodbyes" she gives him a smugged smile.

"Hmm that's very thoughtful of you"

" Yeah yeah. To return this very thoughtful gesture just send me some designer watches and some french pastries when you finally flee this country" she says pushing her glasses up her nose by her index finger.

He snorts "Flee! Really. That's what you are gonna use for a person who is getting a promotion and an opportunity to work in the international unit of the company."

She turns herself to him and says " Yes that's what I am gonna use. Because you are scared. You are scared that this country's economy won't provide you enough opportunities and instead of been a part of the solution you are ignoring it and running away."

" That's not how it is. And you are ignoring the part where I will be paying all the taxes to this country and how my company will help this country's economy when I will help my company's performance by working hard" he explains.

She folds her arms on her chest. "Yeah... But you can do more by staying here" she says looking at her purple painted toes which matched her purple kurti and her small bindi which was situated perfectly at the right place on her forehead like always.

A few minutes of silence passed by.

"Hey don't be so glum. What if one day I am back for Varun and Aarvi's wedding. Whilst waiting in the line for Rasmalai we bump into each other. And even after so many years when you have gained just a bit of weight, your cheeks are even more rosy perhaps because of the makeup or because you are happy, you are all dolled up in this white lehenga, I still recognise you. Very enthusiastically I say hi to you but your scrunched nose and those lines on your forehead clearly says that you don't recognise this bearded man in sherwani." She gasps he chuckles. "And then to remind you I say - Hey it's me Avinash. Remember we were in college together. I am the guy who asked you on a date for four times and you rejected me everytime. Then finally you will recognise me and we will spend the entire wedding gossiping like always."

Prachi laughs. "There are so many wrong things in your imagination. First thing, why would I gain weight in future? I am very persistent in maintaining this weight. Second thing, why won't I recognise you the moment I will see you? Third thing, NO BEARD. Please no beard. You know it doesn't suit you."

Taking a swig from his beer he says " It suits me. I look so handsome with a beard."

"No it doesn't" she says shaking her head.

"Hmm hmm it's does" he opposes.

She shakes her head wearing the same expression which she gives to her students when she is done with their excuses and there isn't any further discussion happening.

"Fine" he says rolling his eyes.

She turns around and leans her back against the railing facing the on going party  inside the house.

"By the way, do you think Varun and Aarvi will last that long?"she asks.

He takes a swig "I don't know. I hope they do."

"Hmmm...same"

Taking a last swig from the bottle, he keeps the empty bottle beside a Caladium plant.

" Prachi"

" Hmm" she turns her head towards him.

"Why you never went out with me?"he asks a very simple question to her.

She turns her attention back to the part inside.

"That's a very good question Avinash" she says in a tone which sounded very similar to the one she uses in her classroom with her students.
"We get along pretty well. We are comfortable around each other, we share several interests with each other, we enjoy each other's company, then why not?"

"Actually I can imagine myself having lunches and dinners with you, going places with you, sharing anecdotes and crazy stories, cooking on weekends, singing and dancing, watching movies together, discussing the unsolved mysteries, strolling around the city in the evenings, even sharing playlists. But..." She takes a breath. " Life is too boring Avinash, let's add stories to it. I want to live into many stories. Maybe sometimes I will be the hero of it, sometimes the villian or maybe sometimes just a sidekick. Maybe my stories will have a happy ending, maybe a sad one or maybe an unfinished undefined one. But I want to live as many stories as possible. I will jump from one story to another untill I will feel that I am ready for life. Stories aren't entirely based on realities, they are fictitious more or less. I am not ready for life yet."
"And you Avinash. You are not meant to be a story. You are life."

He looks at her. " I get it."

She looks at him. "You do?"

"Yeah. This is the way you are. You are not exactly a part of this world yet you connect with some elements of it" he explains.

" Uhh" she is confused.

" Aviiiii. Come on man it's your party. Have some fun with us before you leave us" Varun yells from across the room.

" Hahaha coming" Avinash replies.

"Let's go inside" he says to Prachi.
She nods. Avinash moves ahead her.

"Avinash" she calls out his name.

"Yeah" he turns around.

" I also understand that life do not wait for anyone" she says with a smile and joins the part inside.

THE END