CHAPTER 8
The share auto stopped at the signal. When I looked at my
co-passengers, my eyes fell on the most beautiful thing in the world. It was
the gold ear ring that the woman opposite to me was wearing. If there’s
something that excites me more than the television serials, it is antique jewellery.
I couldn’t take my eyes off the ear ring. I dwelt on the uniqueness of its
shape and the artistic work involved in the making. My vigilant surveillance of the gorgeous-looking ear ring ended abruptly when the woman glanced towards me. I
quickly averted my gaze and fixed my eyes on the handbag as if my life depended
on it.
When we stepped out of the share auto, I decided that it was
a peaceful ride except for the skeptical looks which I received from that
woman.
I looked down at the road. I know I should walk a long way,
but I wasn’t worried, because there is no destination which my legs cannot
reach.
“Mom, how long should we walk?” whined Aadhya
.
All the enthusiasm that had stealthily crept into my heart
drained out rapidly within a moment when I heard Aadhya squeak.
Nevertheless, we started walking. I had to lower my pace to
search for the piece of paper on which I had scribbled the address which
Fathima gave me. When I desperately turned over all the totally useless stuff
in my bag, I noticed the twenty three year old, yellow, crinkled book cover.
The words ‘The Rivals’ appeared almost
faded. I had found the book when I
cleaned the attic. I gripped the book tightly until my hands hurt. When I ran
my fingers over the book and gently flipped the pages, I suddenly remembered
how Shalini had narrated every incident of the story. When I stood in my attic
and held the book close to face, I felt a sudden urge to re-write the book- my
first book. But Shalini had not narrated the end and only Shalini must
decide it.
I had made up my mind to
talk to her about the end of the story at the farewell party. Ah! I remember
the farewell party as though it was yesterday….
There was a mixture of feelings in the air. My mind was
immersed in nostalgia, pain, excitement and happiness. However, guilt seemed to
exceed the rest of the emotions. I kept looking at Shalini through the corner
of my eye. Occasionally our eyes met, but she quickly turned away. She was
engaged in a conversation with Rita. I cared very little for Rita,
nevertheless, I wanted them to end their conversation. Because I didn’t like
the idea of talking to Shalini in the presence of her friends. I glanced at my
watch. It was getting late. The farewell party would be over in no time. At
last, I saw her wave at Rita. It was the right time to talk, I decided.
I approached towards her, taking considerably small steps as
I needed to rehearse my speech to her for the hundredth time. Actually there
were a lot of things I wanted to talk to her, but my ego wouldn’t allow me to
have a friendly chat with her, moreover, there was little time left. So, I
decided to talk to her only about the end of the story. With every step, I
became more nervous.
When I was just a few yards away from her, I saw her father
walk towards her. My heart sank. He had come to pick her up. She hastily bid farewell
to all her friends. I don’t know if I imagined it, I think she glanced towards
my direction at last.
When I saw her leave the place, I felt remorseful. I had
lost the last chance to talk to her about the story. That day, I wondered if I
would ever meet her again.
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