Chapter 5 :
This is my address
I looked at Rani, showed her the message
while she was scrupulously using her culinary skills. She looked at me, as if
had read all my emotions, after all she knew me inside out, consoled me and
said, “Might be in a meeting. Don’t jump to conclusions. Read the above
messages too. Don’t repeat the same mistake. You are still alone. Why?”
Yes, I am still alone. Why? I had no answer.
I was speechless. I never wanted anyone around to peep deep inside me. I was
proud of being a Libran, adept in balancing and too good in hiding my emotions.
But nothing remains hidden from Rani.
Her eyes interrogatively spoke all, my
silence understood unsaid. There was a profound silence between us. Lost in
emotions, my eyes rolled in tears. My rolling emotions gradually covered my
cheeks which were about to be lost in air but Rani brilliantly could catch it up with a smile on her face. She said, “Sab theek ho jayega, phone uthaiye,
dekhiye kiska call hai.” No sooner had I awoken from my lost world and turned
to pick up my mobile than I saw his number flashing on the screen. Both actions
happened simultaneously.
I received the call but could speak nothing,
not even “Hello”. He was on the other side. Constantly saying “hello” a
familiar voice, the same compassionate voice of which I was fond of. I heard him saying, “I know that it’s you on
the other side. Ragni, speak, damn it. Kuch bolo.”
Nothing had changed. Those days too, when he
got infuriated, he would raise his voice. The teenager in me neither liked nor
understood the compassion and care in his high raised voice and we would
unnecessarily fight. So was not the case today. The raised volume had deep
concern and care for me. Will he actually fix all? A question raised in me.
Again from the other side, I heard him say, “Ragini, are you there? Ragini. It’s me.
Main hoon Raj.”
I
managed to respond in a stern voice. “Yes,
this side Ragini, Bolo Raj , Kya baat hai?”
He said, “I
want to meet you”.
“Why”, said I.
“I will fix
everything”, Said he.
“Nothing can
be fixed now. It’s too late”. Said I
“It’s not
late yet. Better late than never” You Know that I still ......................
Said he.
“What I
know, I know nothing, neither have I wanted to know anything. Keep the phone”.
I said angrily knowing not why.
“No, I have
to meet you”. He said again
“No fun now”.
I reiterated
“Ragini” –
This was said with staunch firmness, “I still love you, I will fix everything.
I want to catch up soon.”
“And listen
RANI”, said with more sternness, “If not now, then never. You will never come
to know where I am. How I am. ALIVE or
not....................”
His anger escalated and he put off the
call. He did not allow me to say
anything. Is he threatening me? But why,
what’s wrong with him? I was just trying to conclude when a message popped up
on Whats up.
It said: “Text
me your address.”
I messaged: “B-12, Atta Society,
Shaalimar Bagh, Delhi.
This is my address and sent him with a smiley
and red rose. I knew, he loved red roses, only to cool the situation. His words
terrified me. I feared losing him. I had known this angry young man.
I looked at Rani. She nodded in Yes.
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