Few Things Left Unsaid (20 page)

I reached college in the morning. It was not the same. There was no hand, which I used to hold everyday. There was no smile, which used to make me smile everyday. There were no eyes which would stare at me everytime Something was missing.I was alone.I wanted her. Still….

She came into my classroom. I could see her swollen eyes. She must have cried the whole night. She still had tears in her eyes. I was feeling much more guilty now. I told her not to cry. I wiped her tears. That made her cry more. I played with her cheeks. And I saw a small smile on her face. I again told her to give me few days…

I wanted to tell this to everybody. I messaged Swapnil and the others to bunk the lecture and come to Aerol station. They all agreed. I told them everything, that had happened in last few days including our fights,Alibag night out, and every small thing. Finally, I told them I had broken up.

Swapnil got up and came near me. He slapped me as hard as he could. I was shocked for a few minutes. Nobody spoke a word.

“Remember my words. I had warned you in the beginning itself. She is a nice girl. She is like my sister. How dare you take this decision? She loves you so much and you are acting as a fool. You must have slept with her. Now you need someone else.Right?”Swapnil shouted.

“Its not the case yaar.You are misunderstanding me. I still love her but I need time. A few days. You will never understand. Let it be. I am leaving.” I left and started walking home. I was more upset now. I thought at least my friends would support me. However, no one did. I thought I had taken the wrong decision. But I couldn’t handle it now. She was calling me continuously until I reached home. I did not pick a single call. I was more hurt than anyone else. However, no one understood why I was asking time to think. My love for her was increasing. I wanted to feel the same. Was it true love or not? I just wanted a few days.

I reached home. I stopped looking at my cell as it was continuously vibrating. I checked my miscalls when I entered my bedroom. I saw two calls of Neha and one call of Amit. Riya must have told them what I did. I called Amit back.

“Hey Aadi… have you lost your mind? Why are you hurting Riya? She loves you so much. Even you love her so much. Then why are you both hurting each other? I really don’t understand the reason. Just because she slept with some one else in Alibag you will leave her” as Amit said this I stopped him and said…

“She didn’t sleep with any one. She just rested her head on his lap. She did not sleep with anyone. Did you get me? And who are you to say she slept with someone. Keep the phone down.” I kept the phone down and called Neha. Neha picked up the call, she was crying. I asked her what was wrong with her. It didn’t seem they had a fight.Amit did not speak about it when I called him.

“Aadi, Riya had called Amit.She was crying badly.She told him everything that had happened between her and you. We were in Grant Lane when Riya called and told him everything. Amit was quite disturbed. He went away and said something to her for almost 15 min.Then he came back and was smiling. I wonder what he said I am tensed.” Neha kept on crying.

How foolish this girl is. What is the situation I am going through and this girl has some useless things to talk. They were friends. Amit and I were also good friends. We shared a nice relationship. He must have told Riya how much I love her. He was saying the same to me. I did not respond to Neha. I kept the phone down. It did not seem important to me. It was not a big issue.Amit goes away and talks with Riya. What’s wrong in it?I wished Neha was in front of me. I would have killed her.An indiot.

I received a call from Riya. I picked the call. She did not say a single word. She was crying and crying. I did not keep the phone down. It would have been insulting to her. She was not able to speak. She was disappointed. She played our song. I was listening to it. It brought tears in my eyes. It was the same song we used to sing for each other. The same song on which we used to kiss each other, smile at each other. But today with the same song playing, we were crying. I wanted to kill myself. I could not bear this. I pleaded with Riya to stop crying. But she didn’t. I had to keep the phone down. She called again. I did not pick up. I got one message from her saying
good bye
. Tears rolled down. I cried. Just when you thought that the dam you had built around your heart to keep the pain at bay would hold strong... It sprang a leak. Eating away at the aching pieces until it was torn down... and your eyes were nothing more than fountains of bitter tears that drained you of all emotion leaving you hollow and empty...desolate...inside.
And strangely enough, I knew all this was going to happen. But no one told me it could hurt this much. My heart ached. I could not bear this any more. I picked up the phone and called her.

“Tujhe dekh dekh sona….tujhe dekh kar hai jagna …” I cried and cried. I couldn’t sing any more. She continued with the song. We were crying for whole night. We couldn’t speak a word. I said sorry to her and…….. we were together again.

                             
END OF ROMANCE

                                            W
e were enjoying each day after being together again.Amit and Neha became close to us. Amit became more close to me. We used to call each other frequently. I started liking him as a friend. He used to ask me about my relationship and whatever was happening. He helped me a lot.

“Aadi…Tomorrow we have to go to Ratnagiri for few days. Some important work has to be done and you need to be there. So inform your class professor. “Mom told me as I was leaving for class.

It was Saturday. I had maths class in Aerol. We four used to be together along with Swapnil. Seeing Riya and me together again, Swapnil seemed to be happy. He used to care a lot for Riya. He apologised to me for the slap. I was sitting beside Riya in class making naughty hand movements on her dress under the table. She was stopping me and laughing. We were happy together. It felt nice to be back with her. I wanted to take studies seriously, I wanted to attend lectures regularly, and to study daily. I tried to do all these things. I could not do it without Riya. I studied for her. I attended lectures for her. I missed her a lot in that period. We were back again. This time my love had no limits. I loved her like crazy.

As the class got over, I told Riya that I was leaving for Ratnagiri and would be back in few days. Her face fell hearing this. I kissed her on her cheeks and told her how much I loved her.

“I will miss you a lot jaan. If Dad had not been there I would have told you also to come along with us. Love you. Miss you.” I said holding her hands tightly.

We spent some time together and and I left for home. I left early next morning. I messaged her that I had left. She did not reply. She must be sleeping.

“Jaan, it will take me 4 days to return. Miss me a lot. Keep kissing my ring. Love you. Miss you too” I messaged her.

I didn’t get any reply. After some time I got a reply Miss you too.

4 days seemed to be too much to live without her. I was not able to concentrate on anything. I wanted to get back home. I wanted to look into Riya’s eyes. I wanted to feel her touch. I wanted to make her smile. I wanted to hear her voice.  I called her 2 or 3 times but she didn’t pick up the call. The place where I was staying did not have good network coverage. It was distorted. Maybe that is why she did not call me back. I received a few messages from her. However, no calls. I was really missing her a lot.

The work was almost done. It was our last day in Ratnagiri.

I messaged her….

 
When our song comes on the radio, I can’t help thinking of you and I start crying. When I go to bed at night, I cry because I miss you so much. Jaan I need you.

I want to see you. It’s been 4 days and it feels like four weeks. I love you so much. I am leaving now. I will be back tomorrow morning. I hope you are also excited to see me.

I wanted to be with her. But she was miles away. I wished she could call me, which would make my day better.

If I could hear her voice, nothing would be more beautiful. But I could not complain. I did not have proper network coverage.

I reached home in the morning. I slept for 3 hours. As I got up, I called Riya. But she did not pick my call. I tried again. She still did not pick it up. I tried messaging her that I was back and wanted to meet her but still no reply. I was afraid. What had happened? This made me tense and without calling her, I went to Aerol so that I could tell her I was in Aerol only. I could not wait to see her face. I wanted to see her smile. I drove my Activa almost at full speed and reached Aerol. I called her again. Still no response. I had told her not to go college today. Maybe she was in college. I went straight to the college. I looked for her everywhere but I could not find her. I called Swapnil.

“Have you seen Riya? Did she came to college?”

“No. She didn’t come to college today. She was not there yesterday also. She came only on Monday and Tuesday. What happened any problem?” Swapnil asked me.

“Nothing. Nothing serious. I am trying to contact her. But she is not picking up my call. Not even replying to my messages. Therefore, I thought she must be in college. It’s ok.”

I kept the phone down and called her again. She picked up my call.

“Where are you?” She asked me in very soft voice.

“I have just reached Mumbai and now I am in Aerol. I am trying to call you from a long time. Where are you?” I asked her in a tense voice.

“I am in a lecture. You come to college directly. When are you coming? I will meet you after college. I have practical. Sorry. Bye” she kept the phone down.

I was surprised at hearing what she said. I was in college a few minutes back. I had looked for her everywhere. I had checked her classroom also and confirmed with Swapnil  . Why was she lying to me? I was confused. Again I called Swapnil  .

“Swapnil  , are you sure Riya is not in college? Did you check in the lecture? She must be in class.” I tried to confirm.

“No, she is not in college. I was present for the last lecture. She was not there. I thought she must be with you.” Swapnil said.

“She told me she is in a lecture. She has practicals and she will meet me in the evening.” I said in low tone.

“She must be joking for sure. Maybe some surprise for you for coming back.” He kept the phone down.

This could be a possibility. She must be planning a surprise for me. I was not with her for days. I was excited at what surprise it must be. Maybe some special arrangements at home or the restaurant. It could be anything.

I called Neha. She would be aware of these things.

“Hey Neha, how are you?Where is my jaan? I want to see her smile. What planning is going on? A big surprise huh.” I asked her.

“Aadi, I want to meet you now. Where are you? Come near sec 19. It’s urgent.” Neha replied.

“Ok fine. Surprise in sec 19. Superb. I am coming right now. I will reach in 5 min. Come soon. I am excited. Bring my jaan also,” I kept the phone down and reached sec 19. Neha was not there.

I was about to call her when she reached. She was alone. My eyes searched for Riya. She was not there. I asked Neha about it. She started crying. I asked her what the matter was.

“Aadi, Amit is avoiding me for a few days. He is not behaving nicely with me. From the day I shouted at him in Grant Lane when Riya called him, he is not treating me nicely. I am afraid I might lose him. Please do something Aadi.He will listen to you. Please.”

I wanted to meet Riya desperately and Neha was telling me to talk to Amit. This meant Neha did not know anything about the surprise. She was crying a lot. I could not see her crying like that. I called Amit. He did not take the call. I messaged him to call me back as he is free. I asked Neha about Riya.

“I don’t know where she is. I did not meet her after you went to Ratnagiri. I did not call her also. I was not in the mood to talk to her. I was at home only. But you please talk with Amit. Please.” She cried again.

I calmed her and left. I promised her I would talk to Amit and ask him to behave nicely. But even he was not picking up the call. Nobody knew where Riya was. I called her again. Her cell was switched off. I was afraid. I could not think anything and told Neha to call at her home.Neha told me that her Mom picked up the call and said Riya was in college. Now this was something unusual. Riya was not in college. Where could she be?