‘Ladies hurry up; we
got to catch our flight’, announced Mr. Bala Vijayanathan, Gayatri’s
disciplined father, who recently got his transfer to Bandra O.N.G.C colony,
Mumbai. That was their last lunch together with their close family friends, the
Rajan family. ‘So Gayatri, what’s next in Mumbai? Job or further studies?’
asked Alok, Rajan’s eldest son, a successful banker by profession and a loving
brother to his sister, Esha. Just she
was about to respond after a minute pause, Gayatri’s mother gently interrupted
as she looked pleadingly to the Rajan family. ‘Well, we’ll really miss these
get-togethers; this entire family...thank-you for everything... ’ she choked as
her eyes moistened. Everyone emotionally drenched. Alok gave a warm handshake
to Gayatri She hugged Esha before they bade adieu with the last reunion of the
two families in Delhi.
That was some two years ago when Gayatri and her family left for Mumbai and became a part of the Bandra
O.N.G.C colony. The colony was huge with a wholesome of different families from
varied backgrounds - some Marathi, some Punjabi, few Assamese, with two more
South Indian families now and a Muslim family. So, introducing Gayatri
Vijayanathan, 25, somewhat introvert yet fun-loving, dusky complexion, some 5.6
inches in height, slender with angular features and with a pierced silver nose
ring. She joined as a corporate lawyer in a reputed firm and was the younger daughter
of the family. Her elder sister got married recently with her
long time family friend that resided in Mumbai itself. Born to
conservative parents, Gayatri was rarely
allowed to hang out with her few friends in the new city. She never got the
chance to explore much except when she was with Akshara, her cousin and best
friend. Akshara stayed with her widowed mother some miles away from Gayatri’s
place. Stuck to the mundane family routine, every Saturday Gayatri went to the Shiva
temple with her family that was nearby while the Sunday mornings she
reluctantly did her karnatic music practices in company with her mother and most
of the free evenings she went to the colony badminton club, something that
really made her happy. Though she was born to strict parents but never was it
that they forced her to excel in anything. But Gayatri was somehow lonely. Something
missed in her life she never shared with any, might be the special someone she
has left on the destiny to decide. Unaware of what was in store for her in the
new city; Gayatri went with the flow of life with her unshared thoughts.
Like any other day, that
night Gayatri whispered her normal prayers before she could doze off. But the
sultry weather with every cranky swirls of her fan kept her awake. The wall
clock struck dot 12:30 p.m. She walked up to the window pane some feet away from
her bed. As she gaped out, the chill gentle breeze just caressed her along. She
was completely engrossed with the mesmerizing atmosphere with the silent empty street
lamp lit road, the ruffles of the leaves fallen off from the gigantic Gulmohar
tree planted on the other side of the road. That night was the last day of the
auspicious Ramjan month and so the holy Eid, the next day. Gayatri was lost in
her thoughts. But suddenly something struck her. She noticed someone right down
the garage near the house just opposite theirs, restlessly searching for
something. The house of the rich Delhi based Kaif family and their very front
neighbor. It was Syed, the only son of the Kaif family. He was searching for
his lost car keys. Unaware of Gayatri’s constant stare, Syed went on hunting
for the keys until he found them. Just before he could close the gate, he
realized someone was watching him. Suspicious enough, he didn’t hesitate to look
up and there it was when his eyes met hers’. The eyes that met with all
curiosity, was undaunted and poised. Both completely sunk in the perfect moment
under the perfect moonlight. However it wouldn’t have been disturbed if Syed hadn’t
been called by his mother to get inside. So that was Syed Kaif, 26 , fair, with
muscular frames, some 5.10 inches in height, with little shades of stubble and
the black pair of spectacle that always gave him an impressive look. An
extrovert and compassionate Syed, a recognized entrepreneur by profession was
however more passionate playing drums and always dreamt of raising his band
‘Vibes’ to an international platform. Unlike Gayatri, he belonged to a very
cool, frank and a non-conservative Muslim family. But Syed was somewhere somewhat
lonely too, although quite popular and loved by many.
So, the next day
arrived and it was Eid. Syed’s family all remained busy with preparations. They
invited few of their friends and some relatives to celebrate along. Their house
was decked up with silver lights that beamed in the moonlight. That evening, like
every Eid, Syed went to the nearby market. Almost done with his purchases
required for the feast, he rushed hurriedly to his car before he gets late
reaching home in time. It was a crowded market that day. He wondered if Eid
might be one of the reasons for that. Just before he could get in the car,
suddenly it was Gayatri who crossed him. She was back from her badminton
classes when her mother asked her to get some vegetables on her way home. But
co-incidentally it happened to be the same market place where both met again. Quite
surprised being that close they stood still as they gawked for a while. They
didn’t exchange any word yet their eyes did the talking.
With time Syed and
Gayatri started liking one another and both knew that well. Both successfully kidnaps each other’s
attention whenever they aware of their presence. Although their lips did not
smile acknowledging each other, their eyes said it all. They wanted to talk,
curious to know one another but it never gave them a chance. However things
started to change from the day they happened to meet in the coffee shop. That
day it was some around 6 o’ clock in the evening. Gayatri and Akshara, decided
to meet after work. They met at the café near the Band stand side, their usual
meeting place in Mumbai. They talked, they laughed and their gossips continued.
Soon after Akshara got a call, Gayatri walked up to place the order.
‘Umm…two cappuccinos.
No add-ons and two choco donuts’, Gayatri replied to the café boy as he
approached for the order. No sooner she turned paying her bills; fortunately it
was Syed to her notice. She gaped at the door just to confirm twice. And it was
him. Akshara however watched from far quite confused with Gayatri’s
expressions. To Gayatri’s surprise, Syed assertively walked towards her as he
frankly waved with his warmest smile. It was some five feet lap as they stood
across and Syed initiated the talk with the formal ‘hi-hellos’. They finally talked
and it was the first time both talked to each other that followed up with some
more conversations till they met the next time. Both happy in their company
started meeting each other. They met every Thursday at 5 p.m as it was the day she
managed to meet him freely and their conversations lasted for hours. They
didn’t know how they somewhat loved each other and they never said it. As such,
their paths would never have crossed if it hadn’t been for that fateful day
when Syed walked into the café.
Syed and Gayatri didn’t
mean to fall in love. But love happens when you least expect it. It creeps up
suddenly when someone needs attention, care, conversation, and maybe even
intimacy. Love doesn’t look at logic, or at backgrounds, and least of all,
religion. And the same just happened with Syed and Gayatri. They just got lost
in their world of happiness oblivion of all odds. But somehow something daunted
Gayatri whenever she thought about the untiring inquisitive society and
especially her family. But yet Syed kept her happy. They didn’t stop being
loved and to love. They met in every possible places, sometimes in his car, at
the café and places she could never tell her friends about for she knew they
would never understand. So, love was in the air for Syed and Gayatri. It had
been a year since they shared the bond – of friendship, of trusts, of understanding
and love.
But after a year things
didn’t remain the same. It just went upside down if that day Syed wouldn’t have
left for his audition in Los Angles. It was a week before when Syed and his
band got a call to perform on an international platform that has ever remained
his dream. Though he was excited, he was sad to leave Gayatri for a good month.
On the day of his departure, Gayatri came to see him off after she took a half
day leave from work. They hugged each other as he kissed her on the forehead.
His eyes moist while Gayatri almost in tears. As he moved for the further
check-ins biding her adieu, he blew her a flying kiss. She waved him back with
all teary eyes. But to her dismay, awestruck she stood when she turned around.
It was the Rajan family that was right in front of her. Infact they too
were surprised to see her in the airport and mostly when she was with the moist
eyes. ‘Ayyo Gayatri! You are here?’ Alok’s mother asked with all curiosity as
the rest
waited for the reply. Completely confused Gayatri just mumbled. ‘Hey...Aunty!
Hello…errr…yes I came for Akshara, my cousin…um...she left for Los Angles…You
guys in Mumbai?’ Gayatri exclaimed quite shocked and definitely she had to lie.
But later she realized Akshara was the wrong name she took for she was already
in the city and they somewhat knew her. Alok’s family came for a three week
stay in Mumbai to attend a family wedding. They also came for the surprise that
was however known to Gayatri’s parents.
The good old times
rewinded for the two families in those three weeks. Their happy get-togethers where everyone
savored the moments. But Gayatri wasn’t that happy for she missed Syed every
second. Rarely could they be in touch as Syed remained busy struggling with his
dream,
even though
he missed her terribly. Unfortunately, everything just cluttered for Gayatri when
her marriage knot with Alok was suddenly proposed in the two families. She was unsure
of everything. She knew she couldn’t share about Syed to anyone for no one
would understand. And not that she didn’t know Alok rather he had
been her good friend since childhood. In fact, Alok had
always secretly admired Gayatri. But the sudden proposal of
marriage
was something she didn’t expect. She knew someday she will have
to marry someone and that was never a possibility with Syed whom she loved
truly. But she loved her parents too. With time, her engagement with Alok was
announced to be held next year and all celebrated with the news. But Gayatri
was terrible. She felt guilty for Syed, about everything. Mostly, when he stopped
replying to her mails and texts’ she sent before she could tell him about her
engagement. That night she wondered if destiny had to do anything with loved
ones or she had any role to play in it. And thoughts just
baffled her mind.
In the meantime Syed
was back. He was completely taken aback at whatever just happened
within a month. He knew it was not Gayatri’s fault. He knew her
conservative family and the relentless societal perceptions. But he never expected
the way it took its pace. He was just marred and helpless, unable to decide.
Initially he thought not to meet her for they have nothing to share new and it
would be just pain to be left with. But however they met and it was the same
cafe. After a long pause since they sat down, it was Syed who initiated the talk.
But Gayatri couldn’t speak anything. She choked with her eyes moist. She just
broke down in tears when Syed hugged her. Both knew their situations despite
their unfathomable affection towards each other, which no one would understand.
Two months passed.
Syed and Gayatri were no more in contact. The two families were in Delhi as a
week left for the engagement. That very evening both the families kept a small get
together for their would be bride and the groom where only their relatives and
few friends were invited. As Gayatri was introduced to some of Alok’s
relatives, suddenly her phone beeped. She ignored for that moment but later she
checked. The number was unknown that displayed the text as she read ‘On my way,
got to tell you something important—Syed’. Amid the crowd Gayatri got numb. She
realized she got knots in her stomach. She pretended to be normal though
several thoughts flooded her mind. She remembered well she didn’t tell Syed
about her engagement which he actually got to know from Akshara the last
moment. Secondly she wondered what could be so urgent for him and where he
might be. Curious enough she quickly texted ‘Call me tomorrow, I am in Delhi’.
‘Meet me tomorrow anyhow at Hauz Khas’ Syed replied. Gayatri
more shocked when she got to know he’s in Delhi too.
It was evening 4 o’ clock
that day. She somehow managed to meet him at the destined place. For her family
she had gone
to the nearby parlour. ‘Syed…hi….You here? What is it? All ok?’ She pleaded
with all nervousness. ‘Good to see you Gayatri. Whoa! Hold on! Yes I’m here but
today I’ll be leaving India...may be for good. All with my band to Los Angles.
Sorry if my message scared you but I found no other way to contact you… It
feels weird now’ Syed sighed while Gayatri’s eyes pinned on him almost moist. ‘Before
I leave, I just want to wish you a very happy life ahead and you have to
promise me that you’ll just stay happy and be a forever fan of my band’ he whispered
with his voice choked. He kissed her on the forehead as she hugged him with all
tears. That was the last goodbye Syed waved her as he moved inside the airport.
Syed was strong but he
never stopped loving Gayatri which she knew well. But certain things she had to
consider which Syed knew too. Their love was eternal which only they understood.
That night Gayatri couldn’t stop her tears but she didn’t stop
her belief
on the destiny and tried to abide by Syed’s words which he whispered for the
last time. While Syed who never learned to regret for anything,
walked off and finally left to fulfill his dreams.
***Thanks to T.O.I, and blessed to have you Srute A.***
