"Pari, these days I
am not me! I am not myself! It is because of you. I was looking to get away
from you but I am being dragged back by my own conscience. I don't want to be a
freak… like me, now in present. I want to get rid of the fear which keeps me think and fear
living away from you. Why don't you come into my life, there will be no fear,
no freaking out, no madness but only you..Only you.. Only you my love..'
Pari's face was expressionless and she was staring into my eyes. My eyes were wet. She asked
slowly 'What are you whispering.. Speak out..!!'. I could hear Kiran laugh.
I asked Pari if she
understood anything I spoke and I faced a 'No' without getting those words out.
I was trying again but my voice was not audible to myself. Kiran was laughing
out more loudly, I was losing my temper and I shouted 'Stop laughing at me!!'
I was on my bed and Kiran
was seriously watching me and asked 'Am I that loud?'.
'No I just had a bad
dream!!' I answered and sat up.
'Today we have to call
Mounica or else we are dead' I said. Kiran did not notice my words 'What was
that dream?'.I was still not awake and I said 'I was trying to propose P..' My
eyes opened wide and I realized I was in reality and have to cover the
situation and continued 'Propose a new idea to Chand and he refused it'. He laughed
out and said 'Are you even dreaming of him while sleeping. Little poor fellow!
I thought of something else.' I diverted
him again, almost shouting 'Call Mounica now..!! Or else I will kill you and
she will bury you.' I was smiling. He said politely ' I am on call with
Kavitha, she kept me on hold that is why I spoke to you. You go ahead and I
will join you.' And he went out into balcony.
I brushed and rang
Mounica. It was out of reach. I tried again, but was not able to connect. Then
I reached for Madhu Uncle, Mounica's dad. He asked me to call her brother as
they both were together. His brother, Ravi lifted and said 'Long time, no
call??' I smiled and apologized for that. He said they were going to visit a
new bungalow somewhere in Jubilee hills as it is for sale. The phone was in
Mounica's hand; by the time I knew that was her, she started pouring all curses
into my ear. I muted my ears for few seconds and asked 'How are you?' She
instantly melted and asked 'How are you? I am doing great here..' and I asked 'When
did you come Hyderabad?'. 'It is almost
one month!!' she answered.
‘Then why didn’t you
tell us?’ I enquired.
‘I was busy with brother’s
marriage. I met many people and did many things. I have many reasons for not being
able to call. What’s your excuse?’ I
smiled and spoke of something not related.
‘When is your brother’s
marriage?’
‘It is suspense. You
will come to know once the invitation card is in your hands. ‘I nodded to what
she said.
She was making fun of me
and said that my brother called her during his engagement to let her know the
good news. She scolded me for not informing her. She utilized every moment to
scold me. My ears were almost red with pain. And then Kiran entered the room
and he looked like angel to me. I handed over my phone to him.
I was looking at his expressions;
there were no signs of disappointment from Mounica’s side. Everything was cool.
I wondered how Kiran makes everyone so cool. I wished if I was a little like
him, I would have been beside Pari by now.. I wish…
-Arjun Krishna
-Arjun Krishna