The Departure....

“So when did you tell me that you are going to Kolkatta,” yelled Dhwani at the top of her lungs.

“ I had posted it a few months back on my FB wall ” yelled back an equally livid Shekhar.

Shekhar and Dhwani were in a relationship for the past two years. Both were working in strife ridden work atmospheres. At first, both were working in the same firm where they had known each other for more than four years as colleagues. It was only when Shekhar left the company to join another that they started missing each other and realised they were in love. Then on, both met whenever time would permit which would be once in a fortnight.

Dhwani's parents resided in Kurli, a quiet serene township in the coastal region of Ratnagiri. She would meet them every alternate weekend and the other weekend she would spend with Shekhar. However, right from the start Shekhar kept the meetings short. He had umpteen things to attend to on his weekends. Dhwani was just a small part of his life. Dhwani would often wonder why she had not felt uncomfortable about this in the beginning. Shekhar had many other important things to do on his weekend. A marketing professional, he was trying to set up his own company and would forever be meeting people for endless discussions about the same. He also confessed to belong to a large joint family where the youngsters still adhered to the plans made by their parents and would have one or the other family engagement to attend to. This left very little time for him to spend with Dhwani. Dhwani, an extrovert by nature had more friends than she could handle. Every weekend most of them would invite her to join them for clubbing, parties, drives etc. Yet, somehow, her heart longed to be with Shekhar.

She had often broached the topic of marriage but Shekhar had brushed it off saying it’s too soon to think about it. It’s been two years that they had been together and umpteen fights and arguments surrounded their relationship. However, each time Dhwani decided to call it off, Shekhar would promise that he would give her more time and assured her he wanted them to be together. Shekhar was reputed for having excellent marketing skills and his ability to sell ice to an Eskimo was well recognised by his company. Dhwani didn’t feel right to force him for a marriage when he wasn’t ready but his desire to be together made her feel precious. His attempts to increase their communication and close the gap were evident in the way he would shower her with attention in the few days after such a discussion. Both would settle down for a smooth relationship for the next few months.

Now the friction between them had resurfaced. Just like it always did. Long gaps in any form of communication, meetings probably once a month, even though both lived and worked a few kilometres away from each other. Shekhar never seemed to miss her, unless it was a period of over two weeks. Dhwani flicked  through the bangs on her forehead. Her head seemed to ache and hurt. Shekhar wont miss her she was sure for they had met just day earlier for a brief period of 15 minutes. And in those few minutes, Dhwani tried to express her desire to meet more frequently, talk more often and Shekhar kept trying to explain to her how hectic his days had been in the past few weeks. He tried to hug her and plant a kiss on her cheek, the way he always did whenever she was fuming. Dhwani was exasperated. She  was surprised to see that his touch hurt her mind and body. She brushed his face aside. She said a firm good-bye and left Shekhar as he was trying to pacify her.

Soon afterwards, Dhwani had found out that Shekhar was planning a holiday to Kolkotta. When she first heard it through common friends she could not believe it.  Then when she tried calling him up but he did not reply, nor did he send her a message. Typical of him. Dhwani tried in get in touch again the next few days. However, her calls were never answered. Perplexed she used her friends cell to call him up. He didn’t answer. But an hour or so after she tried, he called back and wanted to know who was calling him from the unknown number. Dhwani flared up. She could not control her anger and blurted.... “So you want to know who this unknown number is?? Didn't you see my missed call? And when did you tell me that you are going on a trip to Kolkatta” yelled Dhwani at the top of her lungs.

“ I had posted it a few months back on my FB wall. “ yelled back an equally livid Shekhar.

“ So I am supposed to check your FB updates to know your whereabouts...Can’t you just leave a message?”

 “ I was busy”

“ Not too busy to call back an unknown number?”

 “ Look, I don’t have time to argue with you right now. This is your perennial problem. Basically by nature, I speak less and informing you every time I leave for some work or vacation may not be my top priority”

Dhwani was too stunned to reply. However a meek voice seemed to erupt from her dry throat,” when will you be back ?”

 “Probably next Wednesday.”

Dhwani kept the phone and broke down inconsolably. Her friend Ruchi took her to the women’s room. This time Dhwani decided to call it off but without telling Shekhar.

 Dhwani, said Ruchi, I had long back warned you to stay away from this Shekhar. We all know what sort of a person he is. He is too ambitious and is a person who will prioritise work over a relationship. Then again he has his never ending family and social obligations to fulfil. Leave him alone Dhwani. You are well off without him.

Dhwani knew it was time she got a grasp on her own life. It’s been 2 weeks since she had any form of communication with Shekhar. Her parents were waiting for her to give them a signal so that they start hunting for a groom for her. Everytime, they asked her she would brush them off saying that she will think about it the next time she came home. Sweet as they were by nature, not once did they force Dhwani to concede to societal pressures. She was 28 – late by Indian standards.

Dhwani finally decided what she wanted. She wanted to share her decision with her parents and booked herself on a train to Kurli. While she was waiting for the train to come, her mobile buzzed. Shekhar calling.....displayed the text on her screen. She was contemplating her next move when the train arrived. She knew what she had to do. 

She picked up his call and said, “ Shekhar I am going home, forever.” 

For the first time in two years, she took a decision that was hard to take but then no one has guaranteed easy steps in life, have they? 

“ Will you marry me Dhwani?, asked Shekhar.

 The rush and noise on the platform drowned Shekhar’s proposal. Dhwani missed hearing what she yearned to hear since long...

Dhwani disconnected the phone. As soon as she sat down in her seat, she removed her sim card and threw it out of the window. The train moved out of the platform. Every image passed by her eyes in a blur. After a few hours, Dhwani looked out of the window, the city was fading far away in the distance, and with it she resolved to stick to her decision of staying away from the city...staying away from everything that appealed to her at one time....