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Ankit", I turned around to see her standing there looking at me. She looked tired, the days work reflecting in her face.
"Hi ", I replied. Even with all the tiredness, sh
I was standing infront of 'Apna Chai' outlet and enjoying a samosa with my favourite tea.
Divya and me worked in the same building but for different firms. We go long back, we were classmates in college. She was into everything in campus - studies,arts, literature etc etc. While I was mostly into things u might have read in 5.1 someone. Strangely we became close friends and as u might have guessed I had a huge crush on her , was too afraid too ask her out and eventually college ended. She moved onto bigger things adding prefixes and suffixes to her degrees. While I fought and cleared my supplies. Eventually we drifted apart and finally met here. She was a project manager in a leading IT firm , while I was shrugging it out in small Start up.
Meeting for a tea in the canteen at evening was one of such rare occasions.
Sh Ankit", I turned around to see her standing there looking at me. She looked tired, the days work reflecting in her face.
I was standing infront of 'Apna Chai' outlet and enjoying a samosa with my favourite tea.
Divya and me worked in the same building but for different firms. We go long back, we were classmates in college. She was into everything in campus - studies,arts, literature etc etc. While I was mostly into things u might have read in 5.1 someone. Strangely we became close friends and as u might have guessed I had a huge crush on her , was too afraid too ask her out and eventually college ended. She moved onto bigger things adding prefixes and suffixes to her degrees. While I fought and cleared my supplies. Eventually we drifted apart and finally met here. She was a project manager in a leading IT firm , while I was shrugging it out in small Start up.
I used to frequent the tea shop for my tea and samosas while she used to come out to feel the fresh air and to fill her lungs with puffs of nicotine.
We shared our stories old and new, I was excited to meet her again, while she was happy to have a familiar face around. In her office she was the cut throat boss who noone wanted to mess with. ( For reference go and watch Mamta in Yes Boss)
With me she laughed over our old stories, smiled for my silly jokes. Her colleagues who saw out little interactions had the expression "ee sadanom chirikumo "
She has become what she always wanted to be - bold , successful. She had her stints in European countries, now back in the country for leading a major project and post of VP well with in her reach.
While I had become everything I afraid of a jumping jack, not sticking onto anything permanent.
The only thing common for both of us was that well into mid 30s we were both still hot eligible bachelors (at least it was true for her)
Even though we were friends back in college days and enjoyed our convos at the tea spot, we never met anywhere besides there. Our world was that tiny bit of land and outside it we were two different individuals having two seperate lives.
So "Back to the future" ( I know it's back to the present, but i can never miss a chance t say that . (Marty Macfly and Doc Brown 💕)and to those who didn't get the reference, sorry to say u guys had a poor movie taste while growing up )
Ok so snap back to reality..
She walked towards me and moved onto a corner so that she can enjoy her cigs. So how was the presentation, I asked. "Good" she replied, "Infact Great, client loved the presentation, we may able to close the deal sooner than we thought. It's a big catch for the firm."
She had a very successful day, yet her expression remained stoic. Seems these success have become routine for her and doesn't excite her anymore.
We talked for sometime, shared some office stories , she smiled at some of the jokes I made. Looking at her watch she said " It's time for me to get back to office", "Yeah sure, Divya one more thing, I will be putting my papers by this week end". She was about to turn back and walk , but she stopped in her track hearing my words. She put on another cigrate and lite it.
Where to ? She asked, I could sense her no nonsense bossy nature returning to her.
To a firm in Pune, package is almost the same ,but then it's a new city, new people, new adventures. I gets bored soon. Even things here are now getting routine and boring. It's time for me to move onto another place.
Oh, even I have become boring to you ? Her reply was quick. I just gave a smile not sure how to respond to.
She continued "So when will be u moving ?"
"Within 2 weeks, I have a cordial relation with HR and management .They have agreed to relieve me by then."
"Ah, then today will be our last meeting I guess. I will be leaving to Mumbai tomorrow, will be there till the week end and I was thinking of going back to home for a week ,it's been a while since I have been with dad and mom. "
"Hmm, I guess then this will be our last meeting here"
She then put down her cig, crushed it with her high heel boots. "Ok then I guess I will leave".She took few steps and turned facing me ,her face emotional less.
"Why didn't you ask me out back then "
I was speechless for a moment, "How did you know ? and Would you have agreed to go out with me if I asked"
"I knew", and she continued after a pause "I would have said No to you "
I gave a wry smile. Not sure what to say next.
"Bye then, wish you new adventures and happiness" she said
"Bye Divya, hope u reach the goals u always aimed for"
She turned again and walked away with brisk but confident steps as usual.
I stood there, watching her once again walking away from me.
I remembered her question, whether she has also become boring to me , No dear , you never was and never will be. But I am afraid staying close to will bring me back my feelings which I had managed to hide away. It was never easy and I don't want to relive that trauma once again. It's the best for both of us. All the best my dear. Hope we meet again at some point of time.
Divya walked towards the elevator, while she waited for the elevator she could feel tiny drops of tears forming in her eyes.She quickly wiped them away. No Miss Divya can never been seen in tears. And Ankit , I would have said no back then. A girl with lot of ambitions and aspirations, a guy who was aimless, pending back papers wasn't the ideal choice . Even how much she cared for him. But Ankit it was back then, it was the thoughts of a 21 year old. If you have asked now, the answer would have been Yes ..
But then I didnt want to weigh you down, you want to fly high , have new experiences. I dnt want to be a burden to you.. Good bye dear. You will always have a special place in my heart.
The lift door opened and Miss Divya Varma entered the lift..
