THE THREE PROMISES

“Promises are easy to make and difficult to uphold. Then why should one make promises? To give a transient hope? Or are there the examples of some promises which were upheld till the last breath? Have you made any promises to anyone which you are honest to uphold? Take a moment to answer such questions by reading the story below“

The day which I was trying very hard to escape from the past one month, was finally knocking at the door. The day of the farewell for the two of us! How does it feel to let go the hands, holding which you have covered several kilometres, aimlessly? How difficult it is to forget the shoulders on which you have kept your hands to show your affection? How hard it is to realize that you are not going to see that face again which once used to be the first face you wished to see in the morning and the last one at night? Also, how weird it is to comprehend that the voice which used to rejuvenate your soul won’t be echoing inside you anymore as the source of the sound is going beyond a certain limit?

Although this was not the end yet everything between the two of us appeared to be on the edge, one step ahead and a ridge between us and we are standing on the either side. We didn’t have any commitments. We both were unsure whether we will be meeting again unless the unpredictable life plays tricks as it always did in our case. Surely, none of us was waiting for that miracle (probability 0.0001%) to happen because waiting will give hopes and hopes will give rise to expectations and expectations will finally result to disappointment. But is there any way to escape?

I woke up earlier than the usual that day. If stated more precisely, I couldn’t get proper sleep whole night as we were destined to meet early in the morning at 6 am sharp in the campus for the one last time before she bade final goodbye to me and all of us. The idea was to ramble around the college campus to cast a final glance on those orange-red buildings and to walk through the places such as canteen and gardens. Also, she had asked for a few pictures of her at some favourite’s spots in college, that too with proper guidelines about how to click, at what angle, which all to include in background etc…. which I happily consented to click. Half of the work of a photographer was already done by her i.e the setting of scene. Only the clicking part remained. All I had to do was to adjust the shutter speed and ISO.

I couldn’t exactly say why I was sleepless all night- lying in the bed, peeking at every object inside the room for a while and then shifting to other, that too in the dark. Yeah, It was insane but all I could think is maybe I wanted the night to over by passing the time in such a way or maybe I have considered her departure as my departure too, hence wanting to fix everything in mind before taking a leave. It was followed by a series of flashback of all those events which I spent with her as if a movie is being screened on my retina, willingly. Anyhow, the long night came to an end but still not enough to call her and meet. I passed another hour rolling myself on bed to and fro, changing the sides, playing with pillows, taking a tour of the social networks on the cell phone along with other inconsequential activities. Meanwhile, the golden rays of the sun peered through the window striking directly on my face. It was enough to shake and wake me up. I stood at once and glanced toward the digital clock kept at the corner of the table. It was 5:58 am! Two minutes more. But at that time, even 2 minutes was unbearable for me. I took my cell phone and dialled her number promptly which was luckily on the top of my call list!

“The number you are trying to reach isn’t picking your call at this moment. Please try……” I hanged off before the recorded female voice could frustrate me further.

I became apprehensive with the stream of speculation, some consoling and some threatening all of which overpowered my mind.

I dialled her number again to wipe out my agitation!

My anxiety started taking new height with every passed ring. At last the call was received against the least of my possibilities.

Hey! Good morning! Kaha ho tum? and everything alright? I asked at once without waiting for her to say ‘hello’.

Actually… wo…. ? She uttered as if she hadn’t slept for ages.

Kya wo? I seriously hate those girls who make excuses at serious times.

I have got headache! She said as if every syllable, words and letters of the sentence appeared broken.

Kaise? Haven’t you had proper sleep this night? I tried to guess one of the reasons.

I am going to sleep! With that, she aborted the call before the conversation could proceed in any direction.

I chose not to disturb her with any further message or call! Assuming every possibility of our last meet fading away, I preferred to return to my regular workout which I miserably ignored for the past 1 month. I can’t say exactly how I felt, but I can state one thing for sure that I was neither happy nor sad. It felt more like a lost person wandering across the deep woods and knowing no ways to come out as if had lost his traveling companion.

Barely 20 minutes had passed. I was skipping rope in full swing when my cell-phone made some gesture.

Hello! Hiii! Can you come downstairs right now? She asked half asleep and half in senses.

For a moment, I couldn’t believe this.

Yeah! Why not! In 5 minutes”, I replied instantly.

With that, I left the workout in the middle, grabbed my T-shirt and walked outside!!

She was standing in the shade of tree nearby the college main gate and was busy scrolling something on her cell-phone as usual.

First time I had seen her like that. The hair wasn’t combed properly yet looked more beautiful than ever as it was randomly swinging across her face. You know, hairs of girls are a very obstinate creature. Every attempt of her of putting her hair just behind the ears is countered by it as it slides over her face stealthily, to disturb her again. I grew envious of her hairs. Even once, I thought of admonishing him at this act if I could, ever. Her sleepy eyes always looked for fun was crazier than ever. Overall, the face didn’t have any tint of cosmetics, hence glowed naturally.

While I was engrossed in all this, I felt a pinch at the lower side of my stomach.

What happened to you now? She asked widening her eyes.

I had almost forgotten that I was staring at her for a long time (not so long in my case) and unsure when she lifted her eyes from cell phone and turned to me.

Are…yyy! Kuch nahi. I tried hard to pretend normal. 

Anyway, how is your headache ab? I tried to change the topic furthermore, to escape from the embarrassing position in which I was caught.

I don’t know! She replied.                                

She always had this habit of replying absurdly from which I used to figure out her temper.

What happened, Amaera? And if it’s your headache, who will take care of it? I tried to bring the conversation to normal by combining seriousness in one question and amusement in the other.

“You will take care of it”. With this, she outstretched her hands around my neck, fixed her gaze passionately in my eyes, brought it closer so that we can feel each other’s breath and said”, Won’t you? Complaining like a child as if you had promised to bring something which you didn’t. 

I wasn’t prepared for this moment. My heart-beat rose to double. I felt a strange sensation in my body which I never felt before.

Accha ji! I too unfurled my hand around her neck in the way she did.

Who is going home? You or I? I asked and peeped deep in her eyes for the answer.

She withdrew her face and before I could understand, kept it on my shoulder. I too, encompassed her with both my hands at her waist. She did the same and said”, You!

You can never answer a question directly. Can’t you? I asked withdrawing myself from her, pretending hard to be angry.

No! She again said.

If It would be some another day, we could have indulged ourselves in some argument but it didn’t happen today. I remembered something, collected myself, hold her by the shoulder and asked”,

What about clicking pictures? You asked for it na?

No, leave it yaar! I am not prepared! She replied filling her mouth with air.

Prepared as if you have to give any exam! I stared at her. You will look fabulous in this state too, believe me! I tried hard to convince her which I knew I would fail as usual.

I don’t trust you as a photographer! She knew that I was going to preserve those photographs to gift her later on.

Well, I like it. There should be some critics of a writer. Otherwise, how would I know about my drawbacks? I smiled as I said. She grinned too, at this remark of mine.

The jealous time approached more quickly than ever. It was already 7:40! She said that she had to do some more packing and then had to get ready. Hence she had to leave.

First the day and then the time which I was trying hard to escape was now here. I couldn’t stop her. I couldn’t ask her for some more time because I knew it would never be sufficient. I couldn’t ask her to hug more because I knew it would be ephemeral. I couldn’t tell her what I felt about her because I knew there was no time. But I could something, which I did.

I turned towards her at once! Amaera…..!!!

She turned towards me quickly. I walked toward her in haste. She looked in my eyes as if asking a question what’s now.

Before you leave, can you promise me something?

Which kind of promise? She was surprised.

This time, I asked her straight away without mumbling.

The 1^st one – As we won’t be meeting much after this, if any misunderstanding happens              between us in future, you will take a step to clarify it.

The 2^nd one – Promise me, you will let me know whenever you are in problem or in    confusion or even if you want to share something.

The 3^rd one – Promise me, you will remember the first two promises.

She glanced at my face once. I became impatient to hear her reply. Finally she spoke!

Shashank! See, Life doesn’t run on promises and nothing is certain. It can take unexpected turn at any point. Even if I promise you today for your happiness and later on if I would be unable to meet those, you would accuse me! Hence it’s better to not keep any hope and move ahead in our own life.

She pinched my nose and said smiling – Be practical Shashank!

With that she turned, walked away and never looked back.

I stayed there, stayed there until she took a turn and faded away.

How impractical boy like me can asks for such practical promises? After all, promises are meant to be broken. What harm one more promise had done?

I thought myself!!

– Shashank