The Letter

Leaving behind the busy routine life, I took refuge at the ghats of Sukreswar temple. I loved this place and specially the view of the river Brahmaputra. I sat there in silence and observed the ferries. There was so much peace and solace. After some time, I thought of taking a walk. The water had dried up and it felt good to walk barefoot over the sand. Suddenly, my eyes fell on a girl who was throwing something. I thought she might be doing some rituals and ignored her. Soon after, she turned and started walking towards me. I found her, a girl of my age. Her hands were loaded with bangles and her hair nicely parted in the middle, revealing her marital status. As she passed by, I saw her crying and within no time she was out of my sight. I felt something peculiar.  So, I walked to the spot where I saw her for the first time. I started picking up the scattered items. Whatever, I found, did not serve the purpose of satisfying my curiosity. So half-halfheartedly, I started walking back in opposite direction. There I found something interesting- a wet piece of paper.

Oct. 18, 2015

Dear Shona,

 When I look back and turn every chapter of my life, you seem to be the best chapter. There have been many beautiful episodes of our friendship: our long conversation ending with useless small fight, texting every now and then, challenging you on small petty things, arguing with you and always ending on the losing side...Many memories run at high speed and finally stop at the last station where our track changed. You decided to board another train with the memories of your best friend leaving behind the person who loved you. I stood there with the memories of my best friend and letting the person I loved; go.

I have tried hard to forget you. But it seems you have become my shadow. Each night, I sleep with you in my thoughts. And the next morning, your name is the first word that comes in my thoughts when I open my eyes. To add more, your name follows me everywhere. The bus in which I travel bears your name. Even my boss shares your name. All throughout the day, I see or hear your name many a times. Can I really ignore your presence in such circumstances?

Life is not the same after we have parted our ways. It has been a long time since I have smiled or laughed. Days are somehow spent but nights have become longer. My eyes never close and tears refuse to stop. I have chosen this path for me and now I am forced to walk on that path. Sometimes, I feel that it would have been better if we remained friends. But the thought that you never loved me, stopped me from contacting you again.

I don’t know but I always wished for a miracle. I thought one day you would come back to the station where you left me. But you did not.

And the day when my words would reach you, I would have by then boarded a train with someone else.

With love,

I remain,

Yours darling.

I dropped the letter where she wanted to. There was no longer serenity in the surroundings.  The reason why I was there suddenly seemed meaningless. I slowly walked back to the ghats: thanking my busy schedule for I had no time to look back at the closed chapter of my life.