Bhubaneshwar it
is…
The day was
Thursday. I was grooving in the plethora of love; the music of a second new
beginning was setting up quite nicely. It’s been 3 weeks now that
I was kept in ‘business wait’; boon in disguise maybe. Anusha and I were doing
pretty well in our relationship. After the first meet near the auto stand, we
met very often after office hours and the frequent five minute chat between the
shifts; though it’s not the same-especially
without ‘her’. Not that I don’t like Anusha but maybe because I didn’t let
go of her; But how can I? …sigh.
“I love it” Anusha was
overwhelmed by the pearl ring that I bought for her. Amar Sons was giving fifty percent discount to TechMahindra
Employees and its near Paradise. Good
place to hang out in Hyderabad. We had lunch at Paradise; typical Hyderabadi
biryani and then pitcher. I hate to waste food but never realized that they
give so much in a plate. Anusha was used to it and laughed at me first but then
was amazed when I had gulped the whole plate plus some from her as well. One
and a half plate biryani. Ha!
After the
beautiful lunch I took her to Amar Sons.
One pearl necklace for my mother and a ring for Anusha.
It could have been all yours
I was lost in my
usual thoughts when came the call from RMG Allocation.
“You are
allocated for project requirement at Bhubaneshwar.”
Good and bad
news at the same time…I always wanted to go to Kolkata…being Bhubaneshwar is
still good…only five to six hours from Kolkata by train. But on the other side
I had to leave Anusha here. When I told her the news she felt happy for me but
it was quite evident that she did not want me to leave. I can’t do two things
at the same time and it’s not a movie. Career first. If you don’t have any money even the one you love will leave you.
Hard fact but it’s true.
I called my
friends and got to know that they got the same location. Cool. The same reporting
time- Monday at 9.00 a.m .With only three days left it was complete madness. We
were told that we may be relocated soon so I packed my luggage in advance and
so did my friends. But still much is left. I made a promise to Anusha that she
will never miss me for I will be with her always via phone and facebook. All
those never-be-apart promises,I gave to Anusha that lovers usually do.
It was the same
with her too…lots of promises, lots
of love…but now she’s not here.
I could not find
any tickets on my own so thanks to Neeraj, my fellow batchmate, I with my friends
Abhik and Debayan finally found the tickets for Konark Express leaving on
Saturday. Phew!
My PG buddies
congratulated me…Kinshuk my best buddy there gave me good advices and also
helped me pack some final stuffs. I felt sad for Anusha and for me too. It was
going so well between us and I was happy after a long time. The idea of
separation scares me….one has already broken me!
Train departure
time was at seven in the morning and I advised Anusha not to come against her
wish. I simply don’t like goodbyes.
As always I
reached the station way before everyone…at six. Too much punctuality is not
good…I was literally getting bored there…I called my parents and then Anusha
that I reached the station safely and
I would have a safe journey…At last my friends arrived and within five minutes
train arrived. To Bhubaneswar…go go go…
Sleeper
class…with friends…awesome; except the weather. It was hot…to be exact excruciating
and in addition to that we got upper berths. Amazing!
I tried touching
the roof of the train (from the inside) and then decided not to dare to touch
it again…ever. It was frying and my hand too for some time. I couldn’t sleep
that day nor did I let my friends sleep. Oh hey…I am a good boy na? Absolutely.
Twenty hours of
heat…with scarce water even though we bought sixteen bottles of water. Just
imagine! I resolved never to travel like this again whatever be the scenario.
Finally at four thirty in the morning we reached Bhubaneswar and the moment I
stepped foot on the state I realized what I would be facing. Familiar
conditions for me for I am from west Bengal and the weather here is quite the
same but unlike Hyderabad which I was starting to love…I was with Anusha. Here there
is no one….only the humidity. I was sweating like anything. Four months of body
fluids now pouring out from my body. Rest of us faced the same issue. My god
why? Why now?
“Are you ok”
Anusha messaged. She woke up all night for me. Talked to me; the only breeze I
had in my whole journey.
“I am ok, just
reached Bhubaneshwar. Will call you once I reach the Guest house.”
Company has
arranged for our temporary accommodation in Best
Inn. We took an auto and went there. Oh hey…one thing…Dhaikirikiri is never used nor does it have any meaning guys! I
asked about it to the auto driver and he laughed about it. My friends sat dump
as they could not understand Oriya. I do. My father was posted here for seven
years. I learned Oriya from him. Maybe I can’t speak Oriya quite fluently but
can definitely understand as to what they are saying.
We were very
excited about our food prospects.
“Maaccho Bhaato” was the
theme all along. Finally after a long time we would be able to taste eastern
food, Fish curry, Aloo Posto, Muri Ghonto…oh! So good.
Next day we
reported to office and were let known that we would have training for a month.
Damn….again? Then exams! Dhur…Training jokes came flowing from my peers.
Suddenly it was batch 1075 again. Good times. Only if Anusha were here.
It’s time to
search for accommodation. We zeroed in on S-35,Maitri Vihar. Three bhk flat ,
five minutes walking distance from office; it was the perfect. We paid the cash
and took the keys from the owner.
“No girls
allowed here. If I see any I will throw you out” the owner said assertively.
Like Anger is in his nose, ready to be deployed.
“Absolutely, no
worries uncle.”
The owner gave a
stern look at us and then gave us the keys. So now it’s done… Home sweet home!
We had the
weekend with us so we decided to move in slowly. We were five people…Me, Abhik,
Debayan, Jit and Nilanjan who will be staying together here. The idea of
furnishing the flat got us exited.
First for me but
thanks to others our furnishing plan went smoothly. Lights, fans, beds,
utensils were all
bought one by one without any hassle. Wow! I could not have
done this all alone. Thankyou guys.
“It’s Sunday man, let’s go somewhere…” Jit demanded that we must hang out outside. We agreed.
But where?
Forum Mart….Bhubaneshwar has few malls…but
it will suffice…for now.
After some serious shopping since nearly 4 months, we went to our usual
stuffs, roaming and checking out hot girls…he he that’s a routine maybe…but
please note that I am a good boy. Ha!
But as it happens that one moment can
change the complexion of the timeline. I was having a good time when I came
across a beautiful couple…both were made for each other; I can tell by just
watching how they looked at each other…it had been the same…with her. Both were
standing near Manish Creations
admiring the wedding dresses…
“It would look nice on you…
Same as you…just fix a date then”
The girl came to me and asked to take their picture with those dresses in the background. Quiet painful for me as it’s
bringing back those memories, those moments that I want to lock out forever somewhere
untraceable; but simply can’t. But still with a smile I gracefully accepted
their request.
“Let’s run and get married.” She kissed and told
“let’s go”
“umm…hello bhaiya…is it done yet?”
“Oh….huh….yeah…let’s see…yeah it’s done” I
could see their strange looks on me holding the camera and lost in thoughts.
They took their camera and left from the scene.
“Dude what happened?….everything’s fine
with Anusha na?”
My friends were watching me the whole time
while I took their picture. They thought something went wrong with me and
Anusha. But that is not the case. They simply won’t understand my dilemma. So I
replied
“It’s okay man….no problem at all” Everyone
laughed and I don’t know why. Puzzled!
The fifteen minute auto ride seemed like an
hour. I was thinking of why I dated Anusha when I could not get over her…even
after a year that we broke up. I should have told her that the moment we were starting our relationship. Why I could not get over her? Do I love
her too much? Why now? Why?
Sunday night….and my friends decided that
we would celebrate our relocation to Bhubaneswar and our new home by having a
party among ourselves. Alcohol was eminent and then chicken too.
The hanging out plan failed for me
completely. In my view I should not have got out. I not able to think straight
and everynow and then I think of Anusha and think that I have not done justice
to her. That she deserves more. Not a incomplete man like me, broken, confused.
My friends were having so much fun at our new home and I didn’t want to dampen
their mood. They deserved it…Me too.
I took leave from them and went to the
balcony for some fresh air.
“I am missing you so much…come back
now!”Anusha texted me….she loves me so much…she doesn’t have to…Should I tell
her? But how?
I still was not adjusted to the humidity. I
don’t know when I will. At least some cool breeze was flowing along with a
sweet scent. Like a street hound I smelled hard
to search for the direction from where it was coming. Then I found it.
Across the street just opposite our house
was the house of a lawyer-A.K Mohanty. A girl was waving goodbye to her dad,
probably going out for some work in his Audi A-7. Yes the smell…it’s definitely
coming from her. I was taken aback when she moved out of the house to give
something to her father. My god she’s beautiful. She was wearing a cream color
top and light brown skirt. The complexion of her skin was radiant enough to
look like the moon light had fallen directly on her-the only glittering light in this darkness. Wow!
After a long time I have seen a girl that
has blown my mind….those who are to be falling in love with by the very first
sight. Anusha and her I had forgotten
everything. Only thing I saw is her….effect of alcohol? Maybe.
“Aashimaa….where are you? Come in now”
voice of a proud mother…so it seems. They must be proud of her. At least I am….blown
to pieces.
I realized soon what I was doing
now…falling again…such a weak heart! Something has surely been wrong with me.
Anusha…her….and now Aashimaa…I just don’t
know what to do now…
Music soothes your senses and I usually
prefer after some drink…I went straight to my room, lay down, put on my
earphones and now lost in the oblivion.
It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need you now.
And
I said I wouldn't call but I'm a little drunk and I need you now.
And
I don't know how I can do without.
I
just need you now
I
just need you now.
Oh,
baby, I need you now.
“I
love you…Always.”
I murmured….But who?
So
wake me up when it's all over
When
I'm wiser and I'm older
All
this time I was finding myself
And
I didn't know I was lost….
I
didn't know I was lost.
I didn't know I was lost....
