Journey to Shimla

 

Shivam…Shivam, I heard a chant from my sister. 

Hmmm, I tried to speak it louder as I was showering, and I had soap all over my face.

Shivam, are you there? She again shouted, but this time it was not sweet like before

I agilely cleaned my face and stepped out of the washroom. What happened? I was taking a shower, and you kept on screaming. What's that important? I asked

Nothing, Just a phone call, she replied 

What? Just for a call, you made me out of the washroom amidst my shower. I annoyingly replied

Hehe, she giggled

How insensitive could she be? I muttered and left the room

Did you say something? She asked

Thank you for letting me know, I shouted

Tanya called you; she said

I stopped moving and turned back to her room. What did you just say? Tanya? I surprisingly asked her.

Yeah, it was Tanya, She replied 

Aaah, well okay, I-I-I will see it later. I tried to pretend like it was nothing strange and pushed off.  

I was moving my hands into my hair while the water was coming down on my face. One question that kept me haunting was, "Why did she call me?" I kept on thinking throughout my bath.     

(Post 10 minutes)

Can I have my phone, please? I lent my hands towards her while twirling my hair.

I took the phone and went out to the balcony. Should I call her back or wait for her call again? But the question is still the same, why did she call me? It's been years, she didn't even talk to me and now suddenly a call. What is probably the reason? I remember the last time we talked; it all ended on; Goodbye forever. After that, neither she looked back, nor I called. However, I tried to build it again, but she was stubborn about her decision. 

"Somebody wants you, somebody needs you", My phone rang and broke my contemplation. It was Tanya

I received it but was silent. I wanted her to initiate. 

Shivam? She asked hesitantly

It took me some seconds to clear my throat to answer. 

Hii, Tanya, I replied

How are you? How's your life going? She asked

What answer is she expecting from me? What should I say? Didn't she know? I got a lot of questions unanswered. 

Hmm, Good, I replied    

Can I ask you something? If you don't take it otherwise, I asked

Hmm, sure, she replied

What made you call me today? Is everything alright? I hesitantly asked

Hmm, everything is okay. Aahm, I, I actually gotta catch a flight tomorrow from Patna to Chandigarh, and from there, I'll push off to Shimla. I got to know that you are in Patna, so I thought to call you, she explained the reason for her call.

Hmm, Okay. So where are you staying? I showed no interest to know why what, and how. 

Yaa, that's why I called you. Would you mind if I stay at your place for today? Actually, Mumma was concerned about my staying at this new place, so I convinced her that I would stay at my friend's house. It would be easy for me to take the flight if you were with me. Will that be okay for you? She asked

As far as I know her, this is not the genuine reason to come to my place as she is a smart girl and could easily book a room and take a cab to the airport the next day. 

Well, I am not living alone here, so I gotta ask di for it. By the way, how long will it take to reach Patna? I asked

Two more stations, She replied 

Okay, I'll get back to you in the next 10 minutes. Take care. I cut the call and sat down thinking.  

What happened? I heard a voice from the back. I turned around, and it was di. 

Nothing, I replied

(We exchanged a smile, and she left)

Hey listen, Tanya was saying, I stopped at the middle

What was she saying? She turned to me.

Ahmm, she wanted to stay at our home, I answered in a low voice

Wait, what? She exclaimed 

(I told her everything about Tanya's reason to visit our place)

Would that be okay if she stayed here? I humbly asked her as if I heartily willing for her approval

Will you be okay? She asked with concern.

Hmm, I'll manage. Nothing to worry about me, I answered and bowed my head.

As ever before, I could not say no to her. However, I was still curious to know why she decided to come here. Does she want to come back? Does she still? No, she doesn't; she never did. Probably, she missed the time we had together, or she had something to say, which might be an apology for leaving me all alone. I was in the ocean of thoughts, but suddenly my phone beeped. It was Tanya's message. 

"I am about to reach. Is it yes or no?"

Yes, you can come to our house, I replied

Smiling emojis. Text me the address or ….., She texted back

Still so dramatic, I mumbled. I am coming there to receive you, I replied

Okay, with hugs and smile emojis, She replied back. 

(At Patna Railway Station)

By the time I arrived, I guess the train had left. That means she must be around. I started looking for her at the platform where the train was supposed to arrive. After a few minutes of searching, I found her sitting next to a woman on a steel bench. 

Tanya, I called from the back. 

She turned around, grinning like a long-distance relationship couple. 

I gave a normal smile and started moving towards her, and so did she.

I was wondering how I would greet her. A handshake, high five, hug, or what else.

Hey, she leaned to hug me, which I could not anticipate, so I offered a hand to shake. She felt a little awkward, and so did I, but I opened my arms when she was going for a handshake. At the end of this weird interaction, we shook hands and gave a side hug to each other after a long time. 

How was your journey? I asked to break this awkwardness 

Hmm, it was nice, she answered 

We have to go straight there and then turn right towards the exit. I took her bags and started moving towards the exit along with her. 

You are still the same, she mumbled. 

I am surprised you still remember; I passed a fake smile looking at her

Shivam, she sighed and stopped moving

Move your legs a little fast, Tanya, the auto will not wait for us; I didn't look back to answer her sigh and went close to the exit. 

A few minutes later, we reached the auto stand. There were many people roaming around, and chants of auto drivers calling "boring road, boring road' could be heard easily. 

Aa Jao bhaiya, chor Dunga (Come brother, I'll drop you), one of them parked his auto near us.

I smiled at what he said, "chor Dunga."

Okay, I hope you will take me to the destination instead of leaving in the middle; I smiled and kept the bags in the back of the seat.

Tanya frowned stared at me 

Noo, noo, Why would I do that? In fact, no one should do that, he replied 

Hmm, I nodded, and he started the auto

I could feel the breezes hitting my face as it was telling me to turn my face to her side, Stopping me from watching this road and shops and asking me to look at her, but I didn't. 

Shivam…Shivam, I heard a voice. 

I thought it was the wind that was saying my name in her voice

I am not going to turn, I screamed 

Shi…Shivam, I heard my name again, but this time it seemed like somebody was in pain. I looked left, and it was Tanya who was calling me. 

Hey, I am so sorry. What happened to you? Are you alright? I asked out of concern as Tanya's eyes were red. 

I think something got into my eyes. I tried, but it didn't come out. Please take it out. It's hurting Shivam. She cried and asked me for help as she knew I had the solution for all her problems. 

I brought out my handkerchief, made it a little sharp from one end by rolling it, and made that piece of particle come out. Besides that, I blew the air into her eyes for relief. 

Thank you so much; she smiled 

Is it still hurting? I asked

No, it's okay now, she answered 

I gave a smile in reply and again turned right toward the road. I think she is tired and feeling sleepy. I sat straight so that she could comfortably rest her head over my shoulder if she wanted to lean to sleep.  

Just a few minutes later, she came close to me and rested her head over my shoulder and closed her eyes. I could not say anything as she was really exhausted, and also, I was feeling so good seeing her sleeping silently over my shoulder. I kept looking at her until the auto driver broke my concentration

Aa gaya bhaiya ghar (We came home), he shouted

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To Be Continued

(Read the second part of this story- Journey to Shimla-2)

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