A Strange Love Story

A Strange Love Story

He stood there looking at the crowd. The huge, massive crowd surrounding him!

This year, there had been a tremendous over-growth in the number of people. Happy, sad, hopeful, tired. Old, newbie’s, innocent, unchaste. This year there was also a considerable growth in the number of photographers. He didn’t really like being clicked, but the infectious frenzy & the joy on the faces of the people around him made him strike the perfect pose.

The last few days had been lovely. He had enjoyed every bit of it. The atmosphere had been as lively as that of a crowd surrounding Amitabh Bachchan. He wasn’t an actor though. He could be one, or so did people think. But he wasn’t. He was more of a Director. He was born to do it. The day he came to life, he knew he was one- he had the blood of one! Just like Ranbir Kapoor belonging to a clan of Superstar Rishi Kapoor, so was he a director belonging to a directorial family.

Coming back to this year- it was a lovely experience. Though he wasn’t sure about the family welcoming him after the huge sorrow that they had been through; to his sweet surprise, he was greeted by them just as always. He felt really touched.

That day, a girl aged around 20 approached him. She asked him if she could share her thoughts with him. & he, as always said yes with a huge smile! He loved it when anybody confined in him. It was as if, that person trusted him & loved him so much that he could share his innermost desires & wishes, as well as joys & sorrows with him. Who wouldn’t feel special then? Even he did! Every single time.

So, the sweet little girl- yes, I meant little- she was really younger than what he was- & little as well, compared to his huge physique. She looked innocent & fragile. He couldn’t really make out from her expressions whether she was happy or sad- but his 6^th sense made him feel she was distressed. He had a great 6^th sense!

The girl, being slightly happy with the expectant nod from him to go ahead- expectant, yes-he never turned down people who asked him for confinement. So, she went ahead & asked him, “How & where do I start?”

“How- well, by your mouth as I guess that’s the only place from where you can speak?!”, he joked. He loved cracking such jokes at times- at the most un-obvious situations.

Not amused by it, the girl just gave him a sly smile.

“Oh! Sorry for that! You can start as & from where ever you wish! I bet I will understand!”

“No! You can’t! Nobody can understand me! Even you won’t!”

“Well, I might! I usually do understand. Go ahead- you can at least give it a try!”

“Hmm ok. So… There is this guy that I really love. I love him more than my life. Like really. If you were to ask me a choice between saving him or my life- I would save him. I love him that much. I really wish to spend my life with him! But at times… I do not understand him!”

His face fell. No doubt he knew this would be coming. But he hadn’t expected it right now. Masking his expressions, he just nodded & asked “Can you elaborate?”

“Hmmm… the problem is I don’t know if this shall work out. I really want it to! Badly want it to! But the way things are right now, I worry it won’t be lovely-dovey anymore! It really upsets me!”

“Go ahead…”

“I have tried doing & changing a lot for making things work again. But they just won’t fall into place! I won’t say it is completely his fault. But neither is it mine! I just badly want this to work out but I don’t think it will. Things are so bad…that… tha…”

Her voice trailed off as she started sobbing uncontrollably.

He couldn’t see her crying like that. It broke him. Completely. He didn’t know what to do to make her stop crying & assure her. He really wanted to! He tried as well- but just couldn’t. The girl was hysteric & crying so poorly that he could already see the puffiness forming around her eyes & the Kohl running down. He just badly wanted to comfort her, hold her, and run his hand over her head. But how could he? That wasn’t what he was allowed to do. He just begged inside for her to stop crying. He cared for her so much! Only if she knew it…

A few seconds later, her sobs died down. Regaining her composure, she continued with her story.

“I have tried everything that I could. But it just isn’t happening. We sort out for a while, & then we are back to square one. I cannot live like this! I can’t really have him- he isn’t the same man I loved. But I can’t even leave him! Oh I am so lost! I feel terrible. It’s like- I m living, but without a life!”

“Oh well. You really love him. Don’t you?” not that he didn’t know this, but he still asked her “& you always loved him with all your heart?”

“Of course yes! He is the only one I so truly loved! Beyond words! With the utmost sincerity!”

“& you tried everything?”

“Yes! Obviously I did! I have tried everything that i could! As if you don’t know!”

“Oh yes. I know.”

There was a pause. The girl wasn’t talking. After a few more silent seconds, he whispered, “What do you want me to do?”

“I want you to help me with this!” she wailed. “My friend told me that you helped her the last time she was in trouble of a sort. I want you to help me too!”

“I will definitely help you. But I won’t really tell you how . Is that fine?”

“Yes! Anything is fine with me! Just help me out! I just cannot think of anything else now!”

“Do you wish to tell me specifically what is it that you wish from me?”

“No. You can do as & whatever you feel right. I shall be happy.”

“Are you sure? You want me to go ahead with it?”

“Yes!”

“Hmmm… But let me tell you that it will take some time. It isn’t that easy for me you see. I don’t have any magic wand that I will turn & your wish will be fulfilled. I need time.”

“Yes! Of course! But please do something. I have never felt so helpless ever.”

“Yes I will! I never let down anybody who comes to me like this- all dish shelved & broken.  & I always stand by my promises. You must be knowing that, don’t you?”

“Yeah.. I have heard of that.”

“Cool then! Let’s meet up the next time I come. Il contact you.” He paused & then continued, “Rather, I won’t need to. I will see to it that things turn good for you. You shall yourself contact me then!”

“Okay!”

“Anything else?”

“Nah... Not for now.”

“My testing time, eh?” & he giggled like a small child.

“You can think so!” she replied slyly.

“Well then, my examiner, see you with the results! Sure nothing else?”

“Nopes!”

“Cool! I will leave then! My dad will kill me if I get any more late! Might ground me for a year! I hate being grounded.”

“hahaha” she laughed

Listening to her laughter felt like the jingle of the bells- sweet, melodious. He loved to see her smile like that. But destiny is a weird thing. Unpredictable-that’s what people usually thought. But not for him. Destiny wasn’t a big deal for him. Though he wished she would keep smiling like that forever. That was all he wanted- deep down- her happiness. It made him smile too! Her happiness was the reason for his joy. Her life was the purpose for his existence. Oh he really loved her!

Just as he was enjoying the sweet sight of her laughter, she murmured, “uh... Thank you!”

“Thank you? To me? For what??” he was surprised!

“For listening me out! & assuring me!”

“Oh that! You needn’t thank me! I always listen to people who want to share their stuff with me! It makes me feel special & great you see!” he winked

“hehehe,” she chuckled again, “You better go now!”

“Oh yes! I should! See you soon, my sweet little creation!”

& he left.

It took her a moment to realize that he had called her as “my sweet little creation”. His creation. That made her feel so special. Safe. Secure. Loved. Happy.

He hadn’t even really done anything by now, neither did she know what he would, but she felt so much relaxed & assured already.

She wanted to thank him again. She called out to him, but her voice was killed down by the huge orchestra playing on the street. She wanted to see him, & say a “thanks” once more. She just had to! But how! She couldn’t find him in the immense crowd!

& then, it struck her. She knew where she would find him right now.

She ran towards the sea, with all her energy. Peeking in through every possible space. Running towards the slightly deeper side of the sea.

“Oh god! Please! Where are you! Help me!!!!! You know I am scared of waters naa!” she murmured to herself.

& there- she saw him!

As he peaked up- just for a moment- that one last time for the year- before finally being immersed into the huge deep sea.

Yes, it was the occasion of Anant Chaturdashi! 

(Disclaimer:- Fictional Story. Thought process of writer. No relation to any person living or dead.

Image Source has been Google Images, no intention of Copyright Infringement!)