Valentines' Day Special

THIS STORY HAS ITS SETTING IN THE NINETIES.

Shalini was sitting in the college canteen. She had just finished her Chemistry practicals & had time to just grab a bite before attending her lectures. She was in her final year. She could not help but smile, noticing how her juniors (those in the first year) were being extremely nice to each other & how those “show-off” couples were acting.  She thought to herself that these so-called couples probably have shelf life...once they finish their college they may not even see each other. She was amused by their artificial love declarations & gift exchanges. Yeah, TODAY IS VALENTINE ‘S DAY. She felt her smile fade away. She couldn’t help but wonder how wonderful it would have been if Rishabh were here.

Rishabh , Shalini’s fiancé was away in the US . They just had their engagement a month ago & Rishabh had to fly within a week after their engagement. She just sent a card few days ago & received his card a week back.

Anyway, she went to attend her lectures. After her class, she saw Pooja who was doing her post graduation in Physics. “Hey! Shalu, how are you? Long time no see.I thought you too went away to the US”. Shalini smiled. Then she remembered it was Pooja’s birthday & she wished her with a warm hug. Pooja invited Shalini to her place for a small party. Shalini initially declined but later gave in to Pooja’s insistence.” What better way to end a tiring day” Pooja had asked.

Shalini went to the telephone booth to call her mom to let her now that she would be late . Then she placed another call to Rishabh....there was no answer. Probably he had left for work early, she thought while placing the receiver back on its base. Shalini was very exhausted & decided to leave Pooja’s place after an hour. “I’ll join you too, Shalu” said Anjali. Anjali was in Pooja’s class & she lived near Shalini’s place.

Shalini & Anjali were waiting for a bus to take them to nearby station so that they could catch a train back home. There was no sign of a bus for 20 minutes & just when they thought they would walk to the station they saw their bus which was jam-packed. They got into it & wiggled their way through the other passengers, bought their tickets & stood almost near the footboard. When they reached the station they found out the trains were running late. Shalini called her mom from the station. “Amma, the trains are running late. So do not worry if I am little late.”

“Beta, Rishabh called a few minutes ago asking to speak to you. I told him you will be late. He said he will call again in a couple of hours.”

“Ok Mom, I will be back soon.”

Shalini hung up & ran towards Anjali. “Anju, I have to go home soon.”

“Is Rishabh coming?”

 “No, He will be calling me.”

They heard the announcement of their train & went to the platform & after few minutes they boarded the train. Shalini looked at her watch. She had ample time to get home.

After all, the train ride is 40 minutes & a 15 minute walk to her home. She will have an hour before Rishabh’s call.

The train left the platform 20 minutes late. Halfway through the ride the lights went out & the train stopped .Shalini & Anjali held their hands & were looking anxiously out of the window. They were in the middle of nowhere. Some passengers told them there may be some technical fault. After sometime, which felt like forever, the lights were on & the train started moving. Shalini looked at her watch. There had been an additional delay of 25 minutes.

“Why don’t you take the auto from the station back home, Shalu?” Anjali suggested.”

Once they reached their station Shalini & Anjali walked fast towards the auto stand.

“C. N Colony”

“Nahi”

 Shalini & Anjali asked about 7 or 8 auto drivers but none of them were ready to come to C. N colony at that time in the evening. The auto drivers cited that lack of return “savari” was the reason for their refusal.

 “Shalu, quick, act as if you are in pain”

“What?”

“Arre, now there will be somebody who takes pity on us.”

“No. I don’t think that’s right.”

“Don’t you want to speak to Rishabh?”

Just then, an auto driver asked us, “C. N Colony”

Shalini nodded her head in the affirmative. Thank God! , Somebody agreed without us having to put an act, she thought.

She sat inside the auto, waved bye to Anjali mouthing a “Thank You” & saw her watch for one more time.

 She stopped the auto in front of her house, paid the auto driver without bothering to collect the change, ran as fast as she could & rang the doorbell. When her mom opened the door she heard the phone ring." Perfect timing "

“Hello!” she said gasping for breath.

“Hi Shalu” Rishabh answered.” Why are you panting? Are you okay?”

“Yes I am. How are you?"

“I have been very busy at work. I have a meeting in a couple of minutes. There is no time to breathe. But I had to listen to your voice especially today.”

“I know, I too tried calling you but there was no answer.”

“Yes. My office has been my home for the last week. I am going be busy for the next couple of weeks. Anyway, sweetie I have to go. Talk to you later.

“Take care.”

The phone call lasted only a couple of minutes. Her exhaustion just vanished & she felt charged up. Shalini couldn’t help wonder how anxious & how nerve wrecking her ride back home had been to attend this phone call. She was desparate. “Yes I am in love” she said to herself.  

Happy Valentines’ Day to all viewers & Thank God! for mobile phones.