SHORT STORY

Our Unexpected Aniversary!

Love changes you! Yes, I was feeling happy to be changed. It was almost a month over of his proposal and yet I hadn’t answered him. I wanted to tantalize his patience so I kept mum the entire month. You know, being loved by someone is a bliss but being loved by your best-friend is a gift! And I was one from those lucky girl. I was gifted with Aarav’s eternal love. Aarav, the only person who tolerated my insane nature.I met Aarav in St. Joseph School 12 years ago where I was admitted in 5^th standard. Being the daughter of a businessman I got the fortune to study in the most expensive school of Ambala. As I was the new comer I was told by the class teacher to take the help of class monitor in completing my notes and there I was introduced to Aarav.

I still remembered the third day in that school when he stole my pencil box which was filled with colourful pencils and returned it after a month. I wondered how the most notorious boy can be the class monitor? Later I got to know that our class teacher was Aarav’s mother then, this might be the reason of his absolute dare. That childish silly mind!  As on reaching the 10^th standard we already had developed an unbreakable bond between us. From sharing tiffin box to going coaching classes, from playing indoor games to cycling in the narrow streets of Ambala. After scoring 85%(me) and 82%(him) in intermediate we moved to Delhi for pursuing graduation. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the same college due to the cut-off criteria. We probably knew that secretly we had feelings for each-other but we never dared to confront anytime.

Finally, he collected some guts in the final year and last month on my 22^nd birthday he spoke out his heart. I could have accepted the ring right at that time but promising someone to be forever is a big deal so, it was necessary to take the decision after thinking from every aspect. So I asked him give some time to decide. No! Neither I was confused nor I had any second thoughts but to tantalize our bonding I didn’t answer right away. During that one month we had little but healthy conversation as compared to the long and irrelevant talks we used to have. But, I thought the right time had arrived. I was desperate to meet him and decided to confess mine feelings too on his birthday which falls a month after my birthday. I called Aarav and asked him to meet the same place where he confessed his heart sharp at 2 P.M. His tune seemed exciting and he had already sensed what is going to be his birthday gift. After disconnecting the call, I planned his birthday surprise and gift and by the evening everything was set for his birthday.

Post dinner, after checking the notifications of social accounts and replying to some irrelevant forwarded messages I set the alarm of 6 A.M and kept the phone beneath the pillow. The night seemed long, I was staring the ceiling fan. It was 3.30 A.M in the night and still I was tossing on the bed from one side to another. My heart-beat was beating exceptionally at high rate. Various thoughts were popping up in my mind. The childhood memories were displaying as slideshow on ceiling. My brain was entirely occupied by Aarav’s thought. Our sweet-sour fights, hangouts, some late night talks that starts from any social issue and ends up talking about any Hollywood Science movie.

*****

I was hearing my name and was feeling continuous tap at every five seconds. It seemed like someone is calling me. Perhaps, it was an illusion. After a pause, I felt an extremely cold water at my face.

“Wake up, Shaanvi”  Neha Shrieked

Next moment my eyes were completely opened and my face was entirely wet.

“What the hell?” I shouted

“Who do like this” I continued

“Mam, look at the time” Neha sarcastically pointed at the clock

“Ooo Damn, its 12:30” I jumped off the bed

“Can’t you wake me up before?” I ran towards the cupboard

“From last three hours I am trying baby.” Neha laughed

Neha was my roommate and a very good college friend. We had been living together since the first year of the college.

“Stop showing your teeth” I yelled

I didn’t know when I fall asleep and even so deeply that I couldn’t hear the alarm tune. I rushed towards the washroom and got ready as fast as I could. I didn’t want to get late on this big day. Like a bullet I speed up myself. I collected my handbag and cell phone, In the next moment I rushed down and behind me was Neha who was about to accompany me half the way to my destination.

“Damn” I shrieked again

“Now, What?” Neha questioned

“I forgot the scooty key” I said

Next moment I ran again the upstairs and got the keys.

Finally, I started the scooty and caught the air.

“Slow, Shaanvi” Neha warned

“Shut up, I don’t want to be late today” I cried

I dropped Neha to the college gate and rode to my destination where Aarav was waiting for me. Seriously, the way seemed so long and I was literally driving as fast as I could. I was nervous and excited both. I didn’t text Aarav even I didn’t check my phone for once. It was going to be the big and the best day for both of us. I was frequently checking my watch. The time was elapsing and the way was seeming long. I didn’t know why this was happening. I bowed to check the watch again, suddenly I lost the balance and in the next moment I was on the road. The moment I tried to control I saw a pick-up which came straight away. I heard a creak and the sound of crash. Sky rotate 180 degree and I was pulled half mile from where I fall. I wasn’t in a state to figure out as everything happened just in a blink. There was complete pause for a while, I could sense a heaviness in my body, a deep ache at my back, I heard my ringtone, I wasn’t able to wake up as if my legs got locked, my eyes were half-opened and the sun-rays were directly hitting into my eyes. I turned my head to the left, I saw vehicles were stopped little far from me and the bunch of people were coming closer, I could only see their boots, the sound of horns were dissolving and I was not able to hear clearly, my throat and chest was choked, after a few minute I was not able to breathe properly. It seemed like something was evaporating from my body. I was feeling light and my body was sensing some vibrations. Tears were making their way to the corners of my eyes. My eyes were closed and it was Aarav coming closer. I wanted to run but I couldn’t. I was helpless. I was locked. I was shattered. I was almost over and we couldn’t met! There was complete blackness remained after and forever.

“Sorry, Aarav I am late” I whispered my last words.

After sometime I heard someone voice. Voice was low as if my name had been called. Few seconds later sound become audible and next moment  it become clear.

“Shaanvi”

“Shaanvi… C’mon wakeup!”

I felt a shake. My eyes were paining and I wasn’t able to locomote as if my body was glued.

“Shaanviii”

This time I felt a strong shake. I suddenly opened my eyes and woke up

.

“You?” I shrieked

“ What happened?”

“Is this you?” I shrieked again

“Have you gone mad Shaanvi? Don’t you know me?”

“What?” I looked around. I looked my body. I moved my hands then.

I was on the bed in a well-furnished bedroom. I jumped off the bed and my eyes went on a wall picture. I went closed to it and figured out who was in the picture. I was completely shocked. It was me and Aarav in the picture.

“Happy six months marriage anniversary, shaanvi” Aarav clutched me from back

“Damn! What a terrifying dream!” I sighed

“Isnt it seeming our unexpected aniversary?” Aarav gave me a look

“Yes,it is” I hugged him as strongly as I could