Friday, 11 August 2017

Seven Days Of Valentine

After two of my books found their place in the list of bestsellers of the decade crossing number of great writers from whom once I had took my inspiration, my feet was not touching the ground. Life had changed for me, I was shining like the moon in the crowd of stars. My self-esteem had turned into ego and even and my job confining myself inside my apartment and started writing my next novel. But after completing half of it I went clue less, not a single line I was able to think and just kept tearing out pages from the notebook and threw into the trace bin.

More than 2 years passed since I had written a sentence, not even talked to anyone. The cheer of my name was vanishing from the media like I had become history. New names were taking over my place with their new stories.
Finally I decided to come out my dungeon and take some free air so I called a travel agency and booked a ticket for Shimla. The bus was taking turns while climbing up to the queen of hills through the beautiful landscape. Once I reached there the travel agent took me to the hotel and informed me about the detail tour plan. Thanking him I rested on the bed waiting for the next morning to come.

My sleep broke in the mid-night by few Facebook messages from my fans wishing me the first day of valentine week. It was not a surprise to forgetting valentine after 9 months of my breakup with my girlfriend just because I was not giving her time and unable to cope with her expenses. For her I had nothing left, my pen didn’t had the craziness about writing and I was a forgotten celebrity.
Opening Instagram I checked her pictures and a drop of tear ran down from my eye while lips curved with smile. I was still not accepting that I threw her out of my life calling her an attention seeking bitch, for me she left my hand when I needed her most. And lost in thought, didn’t realised when opening the door of dreams I entered inside.

7th February
The morning alarm brought me back to reality and opening the window let the fresh air of the hills fill my lungs. After taking a shower I went out of the hotel and walked to a café in the near distance. The café was embellish with flower and balloons to attract its customers. Getting in I looked for a vacant seat and sat there looking at the light snowfall through the glass window. The slow music and the room heater gave my body some relief and I waited for my coffee to reach the table.

I was enjoying warping my hand around the hot coffee when she put her step inside. A lady in her early thirties, curly long hair falling till her waist and with a face like a heavenly angel. Putting her big jacket on the hanger near the door she moved her eyes around the room and stopped at me. With her long legs she walked towards me and asked,” if you don’t mind can I sit here?”

I nodded saying yes to her and again got busy looking at the streets. For few minutes she kept staring at me and pulled out a book from his bag and looked at the back side of the cover page. And in an exciting voice showing me the book she asked,” Aren’t you the writer of this book, the best seller?”

With a smile I looked at her face and said,” Yup, I was the writer. I have not written anything since my second book.”
” I am such a big fan of yours, I had read it four times still feeling like repeat it again” she prompted in a exciting voice
I thanked her as she gave her book for a signature.

While I was signing she asked,” By the way can I ask you why you are in Shimla.”
I said,” Just to get some peace in the hills. By the way everyone comes here for enjoyment.”

She said in a dull voice,” Not everyone, sometimes people come here to search something. A missing link of their life. And being a writer you must have something in your mind.”

With a long breath and few seconds of silence I sighed,” Yes! I am searching something, a story which I would give shape on the paper. A story that no one had ever heard up, something new.”

Her eyes looked glowing and she replied,” if it’s ok with you I will share my story, my journey to Shimla. Story of my never ending search. But you have to promise me that you will publish it.”

Her words had the pain that I was able to feel beneath the smiling face. She had a story which she wanted to share with me and why shouldn’t I listen to her, I had no other work for next few days, it’s better to spend time with her than sleeping alone in the room. So I agreed with her condition.
After talking for few minutes she asked for leave and went out of the café to disappear in the crowded snow filled street.

8th February
When I reached the café the girl was already there waiting for me. Waving me hand she ordered a coffee for me and sit silently. When I took the first sip of the hot coffee she began

It was the same day just before 9 years when I was in my final year of college and came here for the first time with friends. With the dawn of the day our bus stopped with a jerk breaking my sleep. The cold breeze of the valley whispered song of Valentine in my ear. When I remover my long falling hair from face feeling the soft touch of morning rays of sun, a face came to sight. A handsome charming men in his late 20s standing near a bike looking at our bus. He was dressed in leather jacket with knee and elbow protectors like the speed bikers do.

When our eyes met I felt like he was looking at me and my lips returned his smile. When I realized what I did I closed the window and laughed at my foolishness. One by one all my friend came out of the bus and so was I, standing near the door my eyes searched for him but he was gone. Like I knew him from years I looked around to get a glance of his leather jacket until my friends pushed me towards the resort.
Getting fresh we went for the tour around the city exploring the beauty of nature until the sun hide in the horizon. In the evening we were sitting in the lawn surrounding the camp fire singing songs and telling stories when few bikes stopped near the gate and the riders came inside making noise. When they saw us looking at them they shut their mouths and sat silently on a bench near us. For a moment the silent in the air made the situation uncomfortable but in a few minutes everyone started enjoying.
I heard a boy taking to someone over phone and from his conversation I noticed that one of their group member is still not returned. He was looking tense but the guy from the other side told him not to worry as he would be back soon.
After few long minutes a tall figure came towards us, his face was covered by helmet making him look like a serial killer of 90s. He sat with the guys and removed his gloves and jacket when someone knocked on his helmet asking him to remove that cover. And when he pulled that out I knew the face, he was the guy from the morning. There was an inevitable charm in his face making me bound in his looks. His black eyes were holding mine. His constant staring made me uncomfortable and with a blush I looked in a different direction but from the corner of my eye I was trying to see was he still looking at me.”

9th February
On the propose day the street were filled with couples walking hand in hand creating a scene of Venice in Shimla. Crossing them I reached the bedeck café to listen her story. Welcoming with a warm smile she started narrating.

Next morning somehow I pulled my dozy body out of the bed and walked to the bathroom. Washing my face ordered a coffee and sat in the balcony looking at the rising sun from behind the hills. Lost in thoughts watching the couples walking around the streets I was imaging my life with a guy who could fill the emptiness of my heart.

And suddenly the noise of the doorbell lugged me back. Opening the door I saw the waiter standing with my coffee sticking a smile on his lips. Taking the cup from his hand I went back to my chair and took the sip of hot cappuccino. A spark of freshness rushed to my brain through my lips.   

I was enjoying the coffee when the same guy came to the balcony stretching his hands. He blushed seeing me there making me laughed.

We exchange good morning and talked for few minutes. He told me they were going on a for a road trip around Shimla so if we wished we could join them. Saying I would talk to my friends I left the balcony. After my friends woke up I insisted them for the trip not because I wanted to travel but there was a spell of magic luring me towards him. After few discussion finally we got ready to go with them.

Finishing breakfast everyone gathered near the parking area to start the journey. We sat behind the boys and the trip started. Taking turns through the mountain road the bikes were moving forward with speed, we were felling the cold air on our skin. Removing the helmet I let my hair open making them wave free in the air. Spreading my hands I was feeling like a bird flying free in the sky.
After few hours of drive we stop near a tea shop to give the engines a rest. Holding the cup in hand I walked with him few steps to let my leg some relax.  He was an amazing guy with humours talk and a charming smile. Every time he smiled my heart slipped from its place.
Resuming our journey we reached near a waterfall in the evening and lost in the view. Sitting for hours, taking pictures I thought of spending my entire life there.
We reached back to our hotel till night and having our dinner threw our bodies on the bed.

10th February
My steps were moving faster as I was late for the café. Her story was making me curious with every passing day. But today she was sitting silently, her charming face was little down. She didn’t greeted with her smiling voice. Signalling the waiter for two coffee I asked her to resume.

From the night clouds started bursting over the city making it impossible to put a leg outside. I was getting bored looking outside throw the glass window all the morning so putting the over coat I walked down to the cafe inside the resort. In the empty café I saw him sitting alone in a corner. He waved his hand when saw me walk towards him. Ordering a coffee for me we sat silently. I was not going to start the conversation, I wanted him to speak first. Counting every breath I was scratching my fingers.

Finally he broke the silence,” Did you enjoyed yesterday?”

I nodded while the waiter brought my coffee. Taking a sip I asked,” Do you come here every year?”

“Yes, from last five years” he answered.
Suddenly a question came out of my mouth” Why” making me feel awkward.
But he gently replied,” in search of something, better to say someone. After finding whom the emptiness of my life will be fulfilled.” With a deep breath.

“Did you found her” I was not going to give up before bringing the truth out of him.

“No, still not found but I think this time my search is going to end” gazing in to my eyes. He made me feel like forgetting myself in his eyes.

My cheeks blushed and a smile raised in the corner of my lips” I wish your words become true”.

Our conversation continued and we lost the count of time, when we realised he sun had already crossed over our head but the rain was not showing any shine of stopping.

Ordering our lunch we ate silently and sat outside under a shade felling the cool air on our bodies.

11th February
My body was feeling little drowsy due to the weather. The bed was calling me to hug her but I tried my best to get over her spell and took a hot shower. Walking to the café I thought of taking something for her. But in the early morning I didn’t found anything except a vendor selling apples. Holding a decorated basket of fruits I reached to her. Tanking me for the gift she gave a little hug and started from where we left on the previous day.

Every moment I was spending with him my heart was drawing closer to him, he was becoming an addiction and a habit I didn’t wanted to change. The way he carried himself, his way of talking and his dimpled chicks were sweeping me out of my feet. I wanted to fall just to be hold by his arms and to look into his eyes.

Sitting on his bike we were traveling around the city. In just few days we became so close that I felt like most secure with him. My friends were surprised seeing me with him, because after breaking so many hart finally I found a place to rest.

In the night when we returned holding my hand he said,” I promise you I will make you remember this valentine for the rest of your life.” And left smiling at me. I was blushed kept looking him till he vanished from my view.

12th February
With every chapter of her story turning pages it was getting more interesting. Her tale was like a chocolate cake, the more inside you go the more testy it would become. Waking up several times in the night I looked at clock to check morning had come or not. And finally not able to sleep thinking what will happen in her story on the next day I sat on my bed waiting for the sun to rise.

When I reached the café two beautiful cups of coffee were arranged on the table we sat everyday. When I took slide onto the chair a waitress came and greeted me ‘Sir, will you like to order something special for your girlfriend?’

‘What, She is not my girlfriend but still I would like order few cookies for her.” I prompted and waited for her.

She smiled seeing the arrangement and throwing her arms around gave me a warm hug. Testing the flavours of hand made cookies she began her story.

Only two days left for Valentine’s day to come and I was already in love. But my heart was hesitating to accept, mountains of questions building inside me. What if he didn’t feel same like I do, if he only think me as a friend, what if he reject my proposal, if he had someone already in his life. I started having headache with all those thoughts rolling in my head.

But I decided to express my feelings to him and with the clock tickle passed midnight I dialled his number. After few rings his dozy voice came from the receiver. In excitement I wished him hug day and cut the before he could be able to react. Giggling with my blushed cheeks I was jumping on the bed proud of my achievement.

In the morning I was not able to look into his eyes and stood with my eyes down. He gently walked near me and took me into his arm and whispered in my ear ‘I think you called me instead of calling someone special’. I understood he was teasing me and pushed him back.

I wanted to know more about him, to read every line his book. Walking around the city we talked about our life and desires, share all the happy and sad moments of past.

Till the sun went to the lap of his mother I was sure he had some feelings for me. But he was afraid to express.

13th February
Her story was going to end but I had no clue in what direction it was moving. I was listening again her voice recorded in my phone and trying to give it a shape of novel but with out knowing the conclusion I was not in a state to ink her words onto paper.

Meeting her at the café had become a routine for me. Walking down the street when I reached near the entrance she called my name from a distance. I waited her to reach me and shaking hands we get inside.

That day she was looking excited, in a happy mood and told me that she would finish her story that day. My eyes glowed to test he ending. Till that time I had drafted the ending with own words in my brain. But what she was going say would slip the ground below my feet.

In the morning I search for him around the resort but he was not there, all my calls went blank his friends had no idea of his whereabouts. My heart was beating faster with a strange thought.

Sitting on the balcony I kept looking at the street thinking he will wave at me in the next minute but minutes slipped in to hours but my eyes didn’t get a glance of him. I thought ‘Did he left to avoid me for my awkward behaviour with him.’ I had lost all the hope of seeing him again, my heart was feeling broken into pieces. He never said he loves me but for me he had become my life. Like a relationship of centuries ended I was feeling, not in a state to realize what’s happening near me. My brain was stuck with his thoughts.
When the sun went down my friends pulled me with them to the lawn and sat near the fire. The cold and the warmth had no effect on my skin like I had lost the sense of touch. I was sitting like a stone statue looking at the direction of gate praying to send him back to me.

With the night getting darker everyone went to their beds. But I didn’t moved a single inch from my place. Decided to wait for him I kept staring at the door without a single blink in my eyes. And as god listen to my prayer he walked through the gate holding a big gift box in his hand. His face was not visible in the darkness but my heart was seeing him clearly.

I ran towards him and impulsively gave a tight hug to him. Putting his around me he hold me tightly. After few minutes of silence when my heart finally got peace I pushed him and started hammering his chest with my hands seeking the explanation of his disappearance.

Holding by my arm he sat me on the sofa and hand me over the box asking me to open. When the cover removed a beautiful teddy bear with lots of chocolates were inside. When I was looking into the box he get down on his knees and pulled a rose from his pocket ‘After meeting you my search finally ended, for the first time someone entered so deep into my heart. Every moment I am spending with you are the best memory of my life. Will you be my Valentine for the rest of my life’.

A tear dropped from my eyes and I slipped my body to the ground. We were looking into each other’s eyes lost in the eternal feeling of love. A blow of wind scattered my hair on my face. Slowly he removed the hair from my  face and moved his fingers on my cheeks. His touch was like a electric pulse running inside my body. Automatically my lips moved close to his and eyes got close. His warm lips touched my and we let ourselves float with the flow.

Separating our bodies we talked for few minutes when I told him I had to leave on the next day. We were upset for the separation But the happiness of finding love was overcoming that.

Promising to meet once we get back to our cities we went to our rooms.

Next morning he was waiting for me near our bus. Giving him a good bye hug I entered into our bus with teary eyes and kept looking outside the window till he vanished in the horizon.

Reaching back home I waited for his call. Days passed but he didn’t replied a single message of mine , when I dialled his number ‘The number you have dialled is not reachable, Please try again later’ a automatic reply came. I was getting disturbed, did he dumped me a thought ran inside me but convincing myself I tried to reach his friends. After few weeks of search somehow I managed to get one of friends number and when dialled my soul torn apart.

‘When we were returning back on a sharp turn suddenly a truck came before us and he with two of our friends lose their balance and fall into the valley. The emergency helicopter took them to hospital but they didn’t able to survive fall. He had multiple bone fractures and his head was smashed inside the helmet’ He said but not able to listen I cut the call. And cried for day on my bed till my tear buds ran empty. For months I had become a living zombie.

I was going to college, eating talking with friends but a part of me was dead . I was not able to smile, sitting silently always lost in his thoughts. How can he did that to me, why he embraced dead after promising me to spend the entire life together.

But for me his promise was like a threat of love which I couldn’t cross. Taking the auth to not love anyone ever in this life I decided to come to Shimla every year during Valentine to rewind his memory. These seven days I smiles all the day walking around the places which kept his touch but every night I cried with the little thoughts that I have of him unable to accept the truth even after 9 years.

Burning his face in his hands he started crying. The more I tried to calm her down the more she cried but suddenly stopped and holding my hands she asked me to promise that I would write her story and let the world know about her love. When I nodded she got up from her seat and swiping her tears walked out of the café.
The heart broken story brought water in my eyes but I didn’t allowed them to fall. Returning to my hotel I decided to write the story but thought of taking to her one last time before binging.

14th February
I was waiting curiously for the her inside the café but she didn’t came. Hour passed, I consumed a few cups of coffee but still didn’t got a sign of her. Asking the waitress I got nothing about her. With the sun climbing to my head I walked back thinking the last day as my last meet.

In the night after having lunch I was just changing channels when I stuck on a news. A girl committed suicide by jumping into the valley, struck me like a thunderbolt. When they saw the body I knew the dress, that was she in the dress of last night.

I didn’t understood why she choose the path of death after so many years, did she waiting for someone to share her pain or did god had kept her alive for me to listen her story. She left the world but her story will keep them both in millions heart.