Short Story By: RANJIT SINHA ROY


Kavita boarded the train and in few moments it started to move. She stood on the doorway and waved back at her mother on platform. Kavita felt sad for her. Mother appeared forlorn and lonely. She looked smaller and smaller, as the train gained speed. Then it took a bend and she was not visible anymore. Kavita felt a lump in her throat and her eyes were moist.
Her father died of heart failure when she was twelve. He was the Head of Department, Physics, in the local college and her mother a teacher in the Government Girl’s School. Kavita was in Sixth Standard then.
In absence of father, her mother took charge of everything. She guided her growing daughter, but was not over- strict or puritan. Kavita inherited certain academic qualities of her parents and always scored high marks. She grew up to be a decent, well-behaved, brilliant, attractive young girl, brought up in traditional as well liberal ways.
After twelfth class final, she appeared in the Common Entrance Test and got admission in the Computer Science & Engineering stream in the Regional Engineering College. It was in another town and took about two and half hours by rail to reach her place. She went to mother on every alternate weekend.
Kavita owed everything to her mother. She loved her so much that she decided not to go abroad. She would remain in this country and never leave her alone.
Now three months after completion of Engineering she was going to join her first job in the Hyderabad branch of a US based Software Company. The job was excellent, with good position, salary, and perquisites. She was very happy, but thought of her mother, waving at her, sad and lonely in the platform crowd.
She heard somebody telling her something. She looked around and saw the TTE asking her to go inside. Kavita took the suitcase and looked for a window side seat. Surprisingly, the train was less crowded today. Many vacant seats, but none by the window. She walked further down the aisle. Then somebody called.
“Madam, here is a seat for you”.
The voice was familiar. She turned and saw Pradeep sitting by the window and smiling at her. She went in and put the suitcase under the seat. Pradeep moved sidewise offering her the window side seat.
“How far are you going Kavita?" He asked.
“Secunderabad”
"Why? Anything particular?"
First, Kavita thought she would not tell. Then decided - why not? Let him also know that he was not the only person to prosper, she also had the ability to come up in life without going abroad.
“I got appointment with an IT Company in Hyderabad”.
“Oh really! Congratulations. What is the name of the company?
“Compact Solutions”.
Pradeep was wide eyed for few moments, then brightened with a broad smile.
"Wonderful! When are you supposed to join?
“Tomorrow”.
Pradeep continued to smile. Kavita blushed and felt embarrassed at his amused gaze.
“Where will you put up Kavita?
“You know, I told you once, I have my uncle – father’s younger brother – in Secunderabad. For the time being I shall put up with them.”
“Oh yes, I remember now, your aunty is a nice lady and cousin sister is in third year Electronics. You told me once”.
Kavita thought ‘I told you so many things. Do you remember them? If you remembered, you would not have tried so much to go to the States, leaving me here. You have forgotten the past.’ But she remained silent. What was the use? She looked at the ever-receding landscape.
Kavita thought of the college days. Those wonderful four years. Those beautiful days, they will never come back. Her heart ached for the lost paradise.
She remembered, once, when their batch had gone on a picnic. It was arranged in a semi forest area. There were about forty of them and Pradeep was also there. A bus was arranged for the trip.
After lunch they had sessions of Antakshari(A song competition)and Tambola(Number game). Few boys and girls sang. Kavita and Pradeep sang a Hindi duet. Then some boys started playing cards, some had a nap and few girls sitting in small groups and gossiping. Kavita and Pradeep wanted to have a look at the surroundings. The organizer advised them to return within half an hour to start back.
Kavita and Pradeep reached a quiet spot. Tall leafy trees around a green grassy knoll. A narrow pebbly stream flowed by. Kavita remarked “What a beautiful place”.
Pradeep said, “Let us stay here for ever. We shall build a small hut. I shall collect firewood and you will cook and wash. No more Internet or computers or mouse or virus around”.
Kavita laughed aloud “What a wonderful ‘Love Story’. Come on it is time to go back” Pradeep said, “So you do not want to stay here with me”. He sighed, “Okay, let us go back to the noisy world. “
Then one Saturday evening, six of them – two girls and four boys – went to the local theatre to see a horror and suspense movie. Pradeep and Kavita were in adjacent seats. In a particularly sudden horror scene, most girls in the hall shrieked. Kavita unconsciously clasped Pradeep’s hand and they held hands till the lights came up. None said anything to other. They returned to campus walking, discussing the movie and girls laughing for their being afraid.
Then one evening two of them were returning from the Computer Lab. Midway suddenly it started to rain. They ran and took shelter under the portico of the Chemistry building. They waited for the rain to stop. Then there was a light gust of wind spraying fine droplets on them. Kavita, shivered and wrapped herself with the dupatta(scarf). Pradeep asked, “Are you feeling cold? Come near, I shall make you warm’. And he started laughing mischievously.
Kavita was not amused. She said, “ Don’t be silly.” and started walking alone towards the Ladies’ Hostel. It was still drizzling. Pradeep begged her to wait, and said he was sorry. But she did not listen.
Four years passed and then it was almost time to disperse. Exam over, results announced, provisional certificates issued, dues getting cleared. Then in a weeks time they would leave the college forever and go to their respective places. Then, one evening Pradeep proposed.
He was preparing to go to USA. Both being top ranking computer engineers from a reputed institute, it would not be difficult for of them to get comfortable jobs there. He got the papers ready and now waited for her acceptance. Kavita was silent.
Then she told him about her mother, her conviction. She could not leave her mother alone and go to USA, however much attractive it might be. She tried to explain the things to Pradeep. He listened without a word and when she finished he got up and silently they walked upto the Ladies’ Hostel gate. He said “Good Night” and went away. That was the last they met.
She kept looking outside and felt sad; for whom, that she did not know.
The express train rushed past a small station. People on platform were watching the rushing train. Children afraid of the speed and noise, held hands of their mothers and stared wide eyed. Rail tracks came together and then moved apart. They joined each other again.
Kavita glanced sideways at Pradeep. He was absorbed in a novel by Robin Cook. He stretched his legs under the opposite seat and rested his head behind. He was fairly tall with a lean but strong and bony structure. He looked more an athlete than a computer engineer.
Now it was late afternoon and presently a tea vendor came. Pradeep looked up, put the book down and asked Kavita, if she would like to have a cup. She nodded and he asked for two.
Kavita took few sips and then asked
“How come you are in this train?”
“Why, am I not permitted to travel by this train!” He said with a twinkle in his eyes.
Kavita did not laugh. She continued,
“No, not that. I meant, you should be in US by now. Are you going to Secunderabad to arrange Visa, Air Ticket etc?
Pradeep was silent for few moments, and then smiling and looking fully at her eyes, he said,
“Kavita, I am not going to USA”.
"What! You are not going! Really!” she could not believe her ears. “But why”?
“Kavita, we did not meet after that day. A week later, all of us left the institute and went home. Till then I was determined to go to States. But after reaching home I realized your feelings and finally I decided. Decided not to go.”
Kavita was silent. She looked outside the window. She had a strange feeling as though it was happening in a dream. She turned to Pradeep and asked,
“Why did you not tell me first?" She had a mild accusing tone.
“Because you never asked.” He laughed with a glint in the eyes.
“What will you do now? Tell me why are you going to Secunderabad?” Kavita was eager to know.
Pradeep looked fully at her for few seconds and then with a twinkle in eyes said,
“I have a job offer there and I am going to join tomorrow.”
Her heart started pounding fast. She whispered,
“Where?” In which company?
“Compact Solutions.” He said and then both started laughing.
They laughed so much that tear came to her eyes and surprised other passengers were staring at them. Kavita mildly pushed Pradeep on the side and asked him to shift a little. Surprised he moved few inches away and asked,
“Why, What is the problem?”
“Nothing – you smell”. Kavita was laughing.
“Oh yeah. But I do not know how you smell”.
Kavita pinched his arm and said with a smile.
“You need not know.”
Then they talked about their college days, their batch mates, close friends, the teaching staff and sundry. They roamed around the wonderful four years of rainbow days in the college.
They were talking and talking and slowly it was getting dark and they realised it only when someone switched on the lights. Kavita sighed and said,
“How nice those days were. I shall never forget.”
Pradeep was silent for few moments, then said
“That was one type of life. We were students then, ignorant of the outside world. May be better days are still ahead”.
Kavita was silent and wondered; if only what he said was true. Pradeep glanced at the watch. They would reach Secunderabad in another fifteen minutes.
Silently they sat. Then Pradeep turned towards her and told,
“Kavita, do you remember my proposal? I renew it once again. Give me your answer now”.
“What! Now! How can I tell now! Give me some time to think”.
The train slowed down.
“What is there to think, Kavita. Please tell me now”.
They were talking in very low tone, barely audible to others.
“Okay, Next week.”
"What! Next week! I shall be dead by then."
Kavita laughed.
“Alright, tomorrow in the office.”
The train was entering the platform. All passengers except them were ready to alight.
The train stopped. Kavita got up and took out the suitcase. She asked him to get up. But he was sullen and refused to go.
“I will not get down. I am on sit-down strike”.
“ Don’t be silly. Come on, let’s go”.
“No”
Kavita put the suitcase down, stood in front and pulled him holding both arms.
“You are really a fool! Could you not understand that I have already told you ‘Yes’.”
Pradeep looked up, surprise writ on his face. He muttered.
“Really”!
“Yes – offer accepted, accepted, accepted. Or should I say – I do, I do, I do?”
Pradeep got up laughing
“Thank you, Thank you Kavita.”
They got down. Suitcase in hand and bag strapped to shoulder, side by side, they walked towards the Exit Gate.