Anurag,
Amaan and I (Ambarish) were very good and close friends. We were named as
‘A-Group’ by our classmates. All of us were good in nature and behaviour and
also good at studies. But I was not so good at studies.
Vimal,
Vivek, Vicky and Vinod were of another group named as ‘V-Group’. This group was
notorious for its activities. Vimal the most handsome guy of our school was
serious in his study despite of all his ill-manners and mischief.
Neha
and Nafisa were two bosom friends and were known as the ‘N-Group’ among the
boys of our class.
All
of us were in the same school for 7 years. Anurag always stood first in our
class and then Neha followed by Vimal, Amaan and Nafisa. I was one of the most
backward students. This was due to two reasons. First of all I had no zeal to
waste my time for doing a work like studies and the other reason was I always
used to listen to my walkman sitting on the last bench. My best friend Anurag
was good at writing poems and most of the times he used to talk with us in
poetic style. So being in his company even I learnt a bit of talking in poetic
style.
It
was a warm Monday morning. I got up early and was getting ready for school.
Before leaving for school I went through the astrology column in the newspaper
as I strongly believe in astrology. After reading it I got a little excited as
it was written as ‘Today may turn out to be your luckiest day. Certain events
may surprise you. Think and decide before taking any decision’. I tried to
think a little about what I read but was quite confused and so left for school.
I took my seat in the back benches and found that I forgot my walkman in my
house only. That day I had no option other than listening to those boring
lectures. I thought of concentrating for sometime but soon felt as if my
teacher’s lecture was in Greek and Latin language for me as I was not able to
understand anything. Then suddenly I heard a beautiful voice saying “May I come
in sir?” I wondered whose stunning voice is that and looked towards the door “Wowwwwwww………”
was the only word I could tell. There was standing a girl who can be described
as Paragon of beauty. My eyeballs were stuck to her ravishing FACE. Not even
for a single moment I could turn my eyes away from her FACE. My heart started
pumping faster. She was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen in my life. As
days passed on I realised that she was one of the most intelligent girls as
well and name of that charming girl was “NISHA!!!!!” She made Neha and Nafisa
as her friends and became one member of ‘N-Group’. I never even missed a single
chance of looking at her whenever I got a chance. I became a lovesick of Nisha
but I never realised that because I used to think that it is just an
attraction. But Nisha hated me like anything. But I dint know the reason behind
that.
Three
years passed very soon and our final exam of 9th standard was over. The results
were published showing the usual outcome. And I continued my poor record by
securing only 33% of marks.
Then we had 2 months of
summer holidays. I was all excited for it. As days passed I realised that I was
not at all enjoying those days. It became difficult for me to spend even a
single day. I felt I was missing her a lot. That is when I realised how much I
was in love with her. Every time she was in my mind. Then I decided to propose
her immediately after school reopens.
The
summer vacation ended and we were in 10th class. I, who got a chance
to see my love, Nisha after a long period of two months, was out of control and
wanted to express myself before her. I went to Nisha and told her in a poetic
style
“Nisha, meri
baat sunona,
Mujhe tumhare bina
nahin jina” and what was the reply??? She got so irritated and furious that
without thinking anything
“Toh mar jaa naa(Then go and die). Kyun
mere
pichhe pada hai? Agar dubara aise harkat ki, toh mein principal se tumhare
baarein mein shikayat karungi”
I interrupted by saying
“But Nisha, I just LOVE
you and wanted your reply”, “I just HATE you” she continued, “Can sun rise in
the west? No. Can you secure a mere 2nd division in the exams? No.
Then can I LOVE you? No. Never”. That day I could easily understand the reason
why she used to HATE me and also realised the seriousness in life. If I had
been serious towards study, perhaps it could have made a difference. Then I
decided to impress her by scoring good marks.
After
three months from that day our pre-test examination started and was over very
soon. After another month, the results were published and the outcome was as
usual. But this time I got a 1st division with 66% of marks.
After two
days I went to Nisha and said
“Musquil
tha mere liye yahan tak aana (To get a 1st division)
Phir bhi chala aaya hoke tumahra diwana,
Result ke
baarein mein tum se aur kya kehna
Aab toh
maan jao Nisha”
Though
she was not as furious as she was that day, still she replied “Get lost”. I was
irritated at her reply and dint know what to do. I was helpless. I was
wandering how to make her agree then an idea struck my mind. I decided not to
go behind her like mad anymore but will make her come to me and decided to act
as if I don’t want her anymore. I kept my fingers crossed hoping this trick
works out. Anurag knew everything about my LOVE for Nisha. After hearing what
Nisha replied, he tried to assure me. “Don’t lose hope. Wait for some more time
and try hard to come first by securing more marks than Nisha because I know you
have got that potential”. But he was shocked by my reply “Let her go her own way. I
don’t like her and will never speak to her again”.
Three
months passed on and TEST examination was over. Everybody was surprised to know
the results. It was a miracle for everyone because I topped the merit list,
then Anurag followed by others. For Nisha it was unbelievable. She wanted to
congratulate me and came near me. I was in canteen with Anurag and some other
friends when suddenly I heard a voice “Ambarish Congrats”. But I dint listen to
her, turned back and left that place. Anurag was shocked for this behaviour of
mine because he thought I would readily accept her congratulations. Nisha felt
guilty and started weeping. But Anurag tried to console her by telling “Please
don’t cry, I’ll talk to Ambarish”
Anurag
came and requested me to forgive her for her past deeds and asked me if I want
Nisha to say sorry to me. But I hate to listen the words ‘SORRY’ and ‘THANKS’
from people whom I like and I replied back in anger “I don’t want anything from
her”. But after a long conversation I agreed with him to talk to Nisha. I was
very excited as I was nearly successful with my plan but I was waiting to hear
those golden words from her mouth.
I
and Anurag met her in school canteen. There was silence for some moment and
none of us spoke anything. Anurag broke the silence. “Arey yaar yahan pe chup
chap baithne thodi aaye the?? Thik hai tum dono baat karo hum kuch khane ke
liye late hain.” and he went.
Immediately Nisha spoke “Ambarish Congrats”. I said “Thanks” then she continued
“Actually I am sorry Ambarish, I always behaved rudely to you” She paused for a
moment and continued “Ambarish……. I LOVE YOU”. Finally the moment came for
which I was eagerly waiting from so many days. I was out of this world after
listening it from Nisha’s mouth. From that day my life took a new path. We got
closer to each other slowly as time passed on.
After
three months from that day, our ICSE board examinations had to begin. Two days
before the exams we had to collect our admit cards from the school. Nisha had
reached there before me and after collecting her admit card she enquired about
me with Anurag. And he told her that I’ll be there in 5 minutes. After sometime
I reached school and was on the other side of the road. And I saw Nisha coming
out of our school gate. She saw me and started crossing the road. While
crossing the busy road in a hurry, the admit card fell from her hand but by
that time she was in the middle of the road. As she was trying to pick it up
from the ground, a truck, running with a very high speed hit her and ran over
her. Everybody gathered there. She was rushed to hospital bleeding profusely
from head.
All
the doctors tried to rescue her but in vain. Despite their sincere efforts she
couldn’t survive. I heard this news in the hospital and was terribly shocked. I
was not in a condition to accept such a shock in my life. I was alive but my
heart was dead. I was not able to speak anything because I couldn’t understand
what was happening. I felt as if life has turned its back on me.
The
cadaver was sent for post mortem. And I saw that face, which was my life, for
the last time. By the time I could think of returning home it was 7:30 in the
evening. The whole day was full of sorrow and it was the worst day of my life.
I was feeling damn weak.
When
I reached home, all of my family members were out for a party in the
neighbour’s house. I sat on the verandah thinking about all those memories and
the whole incident with tears in my eyes.
The
music of the party became louder and I could hear the song
“Socha nahin tha takdeer yahan layegi
Manjil pe aate hi
jaan chali jayegi” of the movie KAANTE. That time I could find the reality of
life and could imagine how sorrowful life is. I don’t know when I fell asleep
thinking about the incident. But that FACE and memories were the only thing I
was left with for the rest of my life. And lastly I realised ‘Birth is ephemeral
and Death is perpetual ’.
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