Reunion

People say love happens, when you see in their eyes you will feel the connection from inside. It is just another trumpery I thought. Just like that, It was another ordinary day, I was walking home from work. Reading some news on my phone, a notification shows up. I opened Whatsapp, my friends make some group called ‘The Lost Pieces,’ in it listing reunion night plane. That is going to happen, after 26 years. I just opt-out of the group and put the phone inside a pocket. I reach home and refresh myself. And sit outside in the balcony. I ignite the weed and smoke, it does feel euphoric. Here I turned on the radio. “Welcome everyone to our show, this show is meant for old devotees falling in love when they were younger,” said the host. It was another shitty thing I heard today. I change the channel but nothing good. I come back to my room. Fall in bed feeling unconscious. At this time, I go to sleep. I close my eyes and tried to fall to sleep. I heard my phone ringing. “What the hell?” I said, shouted aloud. I was barely able to walk at that time but somehow, I reached near the phone it just cut and goes to voice mail. “Hi, Vishal it’s me, Ajanta. I know it been a long time when we talked to each other. But I really like to meet u in this reunion,” Ajanta said. I go back to bed thinking of her. Laying in the bed again thinking of her. But I could not recall her. What is wrong with me? I thought. I start getting some flashbacks when I was a teenager. But nothing I remember but that sky my grandmother use to point with her finger in those azure sky, she says whenever you feel consternation just look up in the sky those stars will lead you to your correct destinations. I always love the moment I spent with my grandmother. I awoke myself to full consciousness and run towards the balcony looked up in the sky. But I hardly see any more stars now from here. The sky becomes much darker than usual this is all because of the pollution we do. I ran and ran to the top of the building and finally, I can see a star not much but not less too. I looked up and close my eyes. I saw a book full of pictures of mine. It is the picture book. I go to my room and start searching for it. When I get it I was disappointed looking at it. It was rat eaten. Half of it was still there. I open looked at those pictures of mine in the past I started heavy-hearted. But I could not find a photo of her, or maybe it is because of rats.

The next day, I go to the office to do the work and walk-in towards home while reading the news. Again, the notification showed up. It was again from my friends asking to come every one to the old town and do some tributes from their sides. I slide it left and reach the home. I go look myself in the mirror. It has been a long time since I saw my face. I shaved put some moisturizer on my face. My face feels good. Then I pack my clothes and ready to go. It was 9:00 pm I take a taxi and go to the train station. The train will arrive at 11:15 pm. Till then I thought I must wait. I did not know how I fall asleep while waiting on the bench and when I wake up, I did not know how but I found myself on the train sitting inside. I asked an old man sitting next to how did I get in the train he says the lady helped you. What? Where is she? I asked, looking left and right. There she is, point 120° east. A young beautiful lady standing to hold a rod. I get up and tried to go towards her. Because of the huge passenger on the train. The moment I was about to speak the train stops, everyone starts rushing to the exit. Pushing each other in such rush I preferred to stay in my seat until this rush cools down. I take my bag and come out of the train. I take a long breath; it makes me feel so fresh so enthusiastic that I cannot describe. It has been a long time since I go home. 

 I reached home it is good to see them. My mom makes food, the luscious smell of it makes me hungry even more. Wasting no more time I jumped on the food and finished it all. And go to sleep. In the evening, I go out of the market as mom asked me to buy something for dinner. I felt so much change in the neighbour the changes can also see at the market place too. While returning I felt that smell again this is the smell of the same young lady I smell at the train. I looked left and there she is standing near the bus stop. I ran towards her, but it was too late she enters the bus. Like that I looking down the street walk straight to the street. My mind developed the feeling of intriguing about her. I reached home have some dinner. And going to bed. While I was ready to fall in the bed my father showed up “look Vishal you got some letters from your friends,” father said. “ok thanks,” I said. I go to bed. He turned the light off and left the room. I open my eyes to take the letter from the table. Open it start reading it. It says I must reach the school the next morning at sharp 6:16 am. I looked at the clock it was 11:08 pm.

I wake up at 7:00 am. I looked up at a clock “oh, shit I’m late,” I said. Going now will not be good. It will be better if I go tomorrow. The next day came, it continued to avoiding it till third day evening when some of my classmates come to my house, I told my mom if someone comes looking for me, just tell them I am not here. She did it. The classmates return to their way. I watched them through my window. It is not that I am afraid of them, but it has been a long time I have not been touch by anyone either I talk to anyone in the past that makes me feel remorseful from inside. My phone buzz, there is another notification “It is last day tomorrow giving your name so that we can make arrangements,” written on the text. I keep the phone aside and lay down on the floors and closes my eyes. I tried to recall their names, that moment I was happy. But all those left behind and I walked away. I realized it was not me, not before I lost my grandmother who always been near to me. Tears start coming from my eyes. I decided to go there at sharp 6:16 am. The next day, I wake up early and go straight to the school where everyone is standing and waiting for others. They looked at me I was barely able to walk near them I feel disquietude. I am still able to hear them murmuring about me. Then suddenly someone comes “hey Vishal,” someone said. At that, the moment my head was down my eyes were looking my toe and words barely able to come out of my mouth. Hey, in a very soft tone. My head unable to move upward it was like a huge force applied on my head. He handed me an invitation card and go away. A few moments later everyone starts going and then there was completely silent. I take a deep breath like I was holding it for so long. Looked at an invitation card, beautifully hand-drawn stars shining in the sky below that at the corner bottom “the reunion is tonight and it is going to start at 7:00 pm,” was written in it. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and go back. I go back to home and start packing my clothes to leave. Coz at that very moment when I saw my reflection, I realized I cannot do this I cannot go. I told my mom and dad I am leaving. I check the train ticket back to Jamshedpur it was at 7:00 pm. Till then I decided to spend some time with mom and dad too. 

 At 5:57 pm I left home. I say goodbye to my mom and dad. I take a taxi and go to the train station. The moment I take my bag from inside the taxi I smell the same beautiful scent. This time I thought stop chasing it. I simply go to the waiting platform and sit there for a while. Later I was sitting I realized that the scent is getting stronger and stronger. I looked straight there was a lady coming towards me. “Excuse me, I think my card case was dropped in your pocket. That day when you were asleep,” she said. I checked my shirt but there was no chase. Sorry, I don’t th…, then I remembered, wait, I said. Opening my bag taking out my clothes in there it is. “Here it yours, and thanks for your help that night,” I said. I handed her card case and starts repacking. While repacking the invitation card falls on the ground. I did not notice it. But she did. “Here, your invitation card was fallen in the ground,” she said. I took it and put it in my pocket. “oh thanks,” I said. She again comes back to me and asked me “Are you from N.D.P. School?”

 “Yes, I am. Why?” I said. 

“I am too,” she said. Wow-what a coincidence? Let go there together. “Sorry, but I have work to do.  You go. OK than. Here my card, she handed me her card. I take it from her and say goodbye to her. A few times later I take my phone out my pocket saw the time in it. It 6: 45 pm and heavy raining outside.  There is no way I am going back in there, I thought. I looked at her card, her name is Ajanta. This whole time she was with me. I ran towards the exit; I saw her standing under the shed. I walked normally towards her. 

“so, it is raining,” I said. Starting our conversation. 

“yeah,” she said. As it is June the month of the rainy season. 

“yea, you know what other things they say about this month?” I said. If you love someone, the long-lost love.

“you will get it, the lovers will meet each other,” both said together. For a few minutes looking at each other eyes, and that we removed our eyes. 

 The taxi comes in front of us. Asking where to go? Bhaiya (brother), take us to the N.D.P. School, she said. We both sit on the small seat of auto and go there. I still not feel comfortable facing them. But this time I was not alone. She walked with me. My whole fear goes away. I finally see everyone; it was nice to meet everyone. We had games and dance too. But at some very moment, I feel like I am losing something. I looked up in the sky closing my eyes. When I opened my eyes, I found her standing in front of me. “Look everybody a shooting star, said Rajesh, one of the classmate of ours, pointing in the sky. Everyone closes their eyes and began wishing.  I looked at her smiled walked towards each other. At that moment we kissed. But I didn't think I would like to wish as it was already fulfilled.