Reality : Not So Beautiful [COMPLETED]

22

It's 14th November.
I parked my scooty at the parking slot of the Cafe Coffee Day. Adjusting my parrot green saree, I walked into the cafe. A man sitting at a distant table made my heart skip a beat. That childish face have now turned into a manly face yet his modesty at its place. I walked up to him. He looked at me with a smile.
"Hello" saying so he stood up and put his hand forward for a handshake.
"Hii" I said completing the handshake.

We took our seats. My heart pounded. SERIOUSLY! I am sitting here with Pranzal. I doubted all this to be a dream but my heart said 'if it were a dream I wish it never ends'. His smile gave me same happiness as before. If it would have been a year back I would have hugged him tight and never let him go. All these thoughts were halted by Pranzal's voice "You look beautiful in saree"

My heart weeped at the voice... the voice which my ears were thirsty to hear. Being a little mature not to show any weird expression I replied "Thank you! Actually today is children's day, and although my college students are above 18 years they are still so childish. They celebrated it."
He smiled.
"Let's order something." He said taking the menu in his hand.
The waiter arrived.
"1 mochaccino please" I said.
He looked at me and then at the waiter "same for me"
The waiter left.

"So where were you all this while?"

"It's long story. Tell me about yourself."

"Mine story is simple.. after BSc and MSc I work as a college professor at the college that I have studied. And.."

"Oh fine... you enjoy your job right?"

"Yeah I do a lot... and you? You were such a career focused guy and you were so good at studies. Then how did you become a photographer? And you were just nowhere over social media?" I enquired with lots of enthusiasm.

"So you searched me over social medias??😏" he gave a mischievous smile.

"Huh... you are diverting from the point.." I laughed.

With a laugh he continued "so.. to start with.. I got selected India's 8th top engineering college at the first try itself. I was quite happy. I started my college days and that opened my Facebook account. I searched you but I couldn't find you..."

"Yeah.. actually after school I deactivated my account for 3-4months for preparation of competitive exams." I talked in between.

"Hmm... so where was I... yes.... I then found many friends but not you. Then after a week it was my birthday. Since my college was in Pune I lived in hostel there. For giving me birthday surprise my parents were coming without letting me know. There they met with an accident. My father died on the spot and mom went to coma after 2 days even she left me..." saying so he stopped, his eyes flooded with tears. I comforted him. He continued again " In the luggage of my parents I found my gift.. 'a camera'.. photography was my childhood hobby.... I was into grave trauma.. i even consulted psychiatrist.. but in vain. I became restless.. I wanted to run away... I left my college. With the money that I got in heredity I ran.. I ran to find some peace. I started hating everything. I returned to kolkata but I wasn't at all happy so I thought of going to Buddhist monarchies in Kolkata but I was too much restless to be in one. So I wandered here and there. I even went to Darjeeling and then I thought of moving into Bhutan from Dooars."

I was staring at him. It seemed as if he told story of any movie "What!! Seriously... how and.. means how did you get the guts?"

He laughed "Even today when I think of those days it seem to be a dream. And guts... I don't know guts.. I was just out of my mind... I couldn't accept my parents death.. so I tried to run away from my reality.."

"I really feel sad for you" I said with a sigh.

"Huh.." he sighed

"After that .." I demanded him.

"I had my camera with me always.. I mean always.. when I went to Bhutan.. I realised peace away from everyone... Then somewhat I felt better.. it's beauty there... I clicked every memorable moments in the camera.. After 3 years I came back India and realised that it's time to take responsibilities. I applied for some photography competitions and then for some modelling companies and bit by bit I stood. You know... none of the times I wanted to have any friends.. I kept myself isolated. But I really wanted to meet you. Once I came back to India I wanted to have someone close to me... and you were the one I remembered from the school times.."
There was shine in his eyes that dazzled mine. I requested my mind to not hover again into the facts... but his words....

"How did you get my phone number?" I asked

"I met Partho at the book fair on 9th of this month. I didn't knew how to ask your number. So I took his phone with some excuse and got your phone number..." he replied

"Ok.. I get... so you have been into lots of problems.. I am happy that you overcame those..."

He talked over some school incidences and some fun and how stupid we were and also our classes, teachers and punishments. It again cut open my wounds.

Suddenly there was a silence. I looked in the watch, and it was 7:25pm. And I remembered Monojit was to come for dinner to my house.

"Pranzal, it's late. I have to leave now."

"Yeah sure."he said.

We walked together outside the cafe. I wanted to know whether he has girlfriend or did he marry. But I didn't ask. He even didn't asked me anything about it. As we bid each other bye I walked towards my scooty. I remembered something and called upon Pranzal. I handed him a card and we both left.