“Hey hi, congrats bro. Great job!” Kunal greets his colleague, Sadiq on a phone call.
“Thanks dude.” Sadiq replies.
“Sadiq, first let me know what is your choice; IIM Ahmedabad right?”
“No Kunal. I opted IIM Bangalore.”
“Okay… then, you will be back to Bangalore very soon. When are you inviting us for party?”
“My dad has arranged Daavat for all our relatives and family friends today. After getting back there I will plan our party.”
“That’s great. You enjoy it then. Bye.”
“Bye.” Sadiq hangs up his phone.
Noor, his younger sister gets into his room with a bowl of kheer in her hands.
“Bhayya, I don’t think dad will be giving such a big daavat even for my marriage. Full to hungama in the home since morning.”
“You stupid. Your marriage is his dream not just a party.”
“Fine baba, leave it. Would you like to taste this kheer? I am the first one to have your party here.” She extends her spoon toward him.
“No… No… why because my happiness is still incomplete. I haven’t shared this news with my best friend.”
“Ho… is that Khushi? Seems you are not in touch with her for the past 6 months.”
“Yaa… I am trying to speak to her since morning. But her phone is busy.”
“Anyways, hats off to your friendship bro. You both met accidentally. And then same college, same job, same company, same city and–”
“And entirely opposite thoughts.” Sadiq interferes.
“But still, you both have such a deep understanding.”
“Why don’t we? 6 years of friendship.”
“Then what are you waiting for? Speak to her. Call her again.”
“I do. But I need some space.”
“Okay, I am leaving. Don’t take much time.” Noor gets out of his room. And then he calls Khushi.
“Hello.” This time she receives the call.
“Hello!”
“Who the hell are you, man? Why are you calling me again and again?” She gives a harsh response.
“My clothes need to be washed, I called you to know if you are free enough to get that job done.” He uses his sarcasm to please her as he usually does.
“Why did you call?” She questions firmly.
“Is that such a bad joke? Still angry?”
“I am little busy, will catch up some other time.”
“Hey, there is a big party at my house. Dad, mom, Noor… all are so… so… happy. But my happiness is incomplete without you, yaar. Please don’t hang up.”
“Party? But why?”
“Don’t you know? Finally… finally, I got selected for IIM Bangalore.”
“Oh! that’s a great news. Go and enjoy your party then.”
“Arey! Don’t you like to say congrats, at least?” He asks. But silence occupies between them for a while. And then,
“I would like to be in the list of those people who wish you ‘all the best’ before your entrance exam, but not just in the list of those people who say ‘congrats’ after your success.” She expresses her opinion.
“I am extremely sorry yaar for not staying in touch with you. For these 6 months, I was engaged in my preparation. You know about my degree of involvement right? All this happiness and success is the result of 6 months hard work.”
“At what cost Sadiq? Within these 6 months, there is not even a single call or single message. You suddenly resigned from your job and left. You said that your father is worried about Noor’s marriage issue and stayed in touch for a week and you disappeared all of a sudden. What shall I assume?” She bursts.
“Khushi, who else can understand me better than you? Situations forced me to take tough decisions. I need to be harsh with myself to stay committed to it.”
“Situations might have forced you at that moment when you made that decision. Are those situations all the same in these 6 months, Sadiq?”
“I don’t have any idea on–”
“Sadiq you said that your happiness is incomplete without me, right? Then listen, four months back my dad was met with an accident. He was under bed rest for 2 months. At that time when I needed your support at most, you are unavailable. When I need your presence beside me very badly you are too away to pick up a call. You are asking me to share your happiness now. But where were you when I would like to share my pain with you and what were you doing when I was waiting for you to add courage to my lifeless eyes?”
“I am so sorry Khushi. I don’t know—” He merely gets tears in his eyes.
“Sadiq, there is nothing called your fault or my fault. Time changes everything. Who the hell are we to blame the fate decided by the time? I am just trying to make you understand that things are not same as before.”
“Khushi, stop there. No one can replace you in my life no matter whether it is now or years later. Do you know? I had a choice for Ahmedabad, but I opted Bangalore for you. Just for you.”
“Sadiq, I had been transferred to Kerala 3 months back for dad’s further treatment. Along with my family. Sorry.”
“Khushi…” His voice has been choked as he is unable to decide what he has achieved and what he has lost.
“It’s a great moment for you and your family Sadiq. They need you now. I will definitely call you back; if possible. Bye.” She says and hangs up with wet cheeks.
Wow!!! Nice way of expressing 🙌🙌