The Misery of Teenage

The next day was again the routine for all. Briti went to college and all of her friends greeted her and started discussing the upcoming exams. There was one month to complete that year. All of them were preparing very seriously. Briti was busy writing the notes of the classes she missed. Her friends also helped her in giving their notes and explaining a few concepts. Her faculty were very cooperative and took no pain to clear her doubts in their busy hours.

Gradually, she was becoming the girl what she was before; blossoming with smiles, teasing friends, taking part actively in all the programmes. But it was only for the world not for her. For her, she was a dead person. No one understood her and her feelings. People around her perceive that she was alright. But only she knew the pain what she was suffering from.

From the day Sudeep left the world, she was dying inside alone. She couldn’t share the pain. There were many nights, when Briti spent wetting the pillows, swallowing the pain without making a noise. Only the pillow knew what she had been feeling and what pain she was going through. That night also Briti hugged her pillow tight and started weeping by recollecting her memories with Sudeep. But what can one do than to let the life go on?

The next day, all the friends met in the college canteen. In their group all were present except Amar, the silent guy, who came from the nearby village and was staying in a hostel. Briti asked the remaining what had happened to Amar, and why he was not present. The other boys in the group replied, “These days, he is absenting himself frequently. Like every weekend and sometimes in between the weekdays. He told that he was going home.” Meetha, friend of Briti added, “He was looking sad and desperate sometimes. I guess something is wrong.” “Okay guys, let’s ask him what happened once he come back”, said Briti. They were all left the canteen to class.
“Amar is a studious guy who came from a nearby village; he loves his parents so much. He never says or does anything against his parents; wish. But these days his behaviour is unpredictable. Someone said he had a girlfriend in his village. I guess he is going for her”, said Meetha to Briti. “But why so frequently?”, asked Briti. “He went home for Dussehra holidays and from then, he was seems so restless and worried. I think something happened there. Exams are ahead but he is not reading… not concentrating. He shouted on our boys who were ridiculing his behaviour. They were shocked.” said Meeta.
Do you know what is his girlfriend’s name?, said Briti. Meeta told, “It starts with ‘R’… I… I didn’t remember.
They went home after their classes thinking what’s happening to them in that age. The teenage… Briti had dinner with her family and hit the hay. She had some sound sleep after many days.

The morning Sun brought with him some melodies of chirping birds and tepid rays. The curtain of the window of Briti’s room was swinging and projecting the sunrays from its sheer texture. The rays touched Briti’s cherry lips first as they were kicking off the day with a kiss and then her cheeks as if they were blushing them. Finally, they reached her eyes for which Briti woke up suddenly.

She got ready and went to have breakfast when her dad asked her about exams. She told him they are in the coming month and she was preparing well. She had her breakfast and left for college. Class was begun. The first hour is English. The English teacher was teaching the Reported Speech. She wrote on the board a sentence which read “You are an idiot who comes late to class.”, said Misha. Exactly that time, someone asked permission to get into the classroom. Everyone in the class burst into laughter seeing a boy standing outside the class. It was Amar who was looking gloomy and added to that became a laughing stock. The teacher permitted him to get in and so he was in.

The teacher continued the class by converting the given sentence into reported speech as “Misha said that I was an idiot who came late to class.”; followed by rules to convert. All the students were jotting down the notes and converting the given sentences except Amar. Briti and Meetha were observing him.

Morning session was completed and all gathered in the canteen for lunch. Briti greeted Amar and asked what had happened. Everyone in their group was very eager to know what Amar say. But Amar was not willing to say and mostly he was hesitating to share. Upon insisting, he started saying about his girlfriend named, Rithika.

Rithika and I were school friends from the same village. We studied together till class 10. I was very reserved from childhood and was studious. But somewhere in the nook of my heart there was some affection and attraction towards Rithika who happened to be one year elder to me. But I didn’t care about it. “Love doesn’t care about race, creed, colour and now age.” I used to observe her silently while she was playing and sharing lunch box with her friends. During our final exams of class I used to worry more about her who is a mediocre than my performance in exams.

Exams completed, results came, I topped the village and Rithika just got enough marked to claim that she passed in the first class. I felt very happy for not topping the village but for she passed in the first class. Both of us appeared for B.Tech. Entrance exam. She joined in a nearby college but I took long term coaching for IIT.

Everything went on well until one day when I went to my village and travelling in a local bus with my father. She was also in the same bus but I didn’t notice her. Before I noticed, she came towards me with a child who was holding her hand tightly. She greeted me and asked about my whereabouts. I was very disappointed to see her with a child. I felt so bad that I missed her… she got married. As my father was there next to me, I couldn’t talk much and said I was doing well and asked “How old was your child?”

What had happened?

Did Rithika really got married?

Was it her child?

Why Amar was in dejected mood?

A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED

             When Briti went to college, all her friends conveyed condolences and consoled her. Briti’s face was sad and tears were rolling on her cheeks. She herself wiped off the tears; gave an unrealistic sad smile and stood up from the group. She asked them to give their notebooks to copy the notes of her missed classes and they did so. She copied the notes and got the doubts clarified by her lecturers. Though she was with a group of friends physically, yet she was lonely mentally. Her heart was filled with pain and sorrow. She didn’t laugh for the jokes, she didn’t shout for the annoyance from others. She was not she used to be.

            Seeing her like that, her friends also felt very sad. They wanted to do something to make her normal. They made a call to Briti’s parents and explained about her behaviour and told that they didn’t want her friend to be in that mood; hence they planned to go on a picnic to bring her out from the moodiness. Briti’s friends added that Briti didn’t know about the plan and they wanted to come to their home and pick her up from there itself the next day. Briti’s parents readily agreed to their proposal and asked them to take care of her.

               The sun rose as usual and Briti was still in bed as it was Sunday. Her mother asked her to wake up and get ready to take breakfast. She did so without saying a word. She used to yell to her mother previously that she wanna sleep some more time on Sundays, but now she didn’t. Her mother understood the pain of Briti which Briti was carrying. She really missed Briti’s active, charming tantrums. She wanted Briti to be normal.Briti came for breakfast and her mother served her bread and butter. Briti’s friends came while she was eating her breakfast. She was surprised to see all of them that early in the morning. Briti’s mother served breakfast to all of them. They broke open to Briti that they had planned for a picnic and they all were going now. Briti refused to go. But her father along with her mother asked her to go and spend some time with her friends. As her father asked her to go, she started with her friends to picnic.

           Briti’s friends planned some surprise. They all drove to the Mountain Restaurant in the outskirts of the city. The restaurant was the beautiful place to hang out. Many people came to that place with families, friends and kith and kin. It had a beautiful park, food courts and game zone too. Having reached the place, they all entered the restaurant and had some cool drinks.  They all have moved out and walked to the top of the hill where they were ready with their plan. There goes!!! Some of their friends were already waiting there. Briti was surprised to see all of them. The count had started… 3… 2… 1 go!!!

            A festival of balloons in different colours with the photos of them printed on was flown in the sky. All of them had jumped and shouted in joy but Briti was shocked to see it and isolated from the group. Her friends noticed her and went to her to know what had happened. Briti looked so upset that she looked like a stone controlling all her grief and afflictions. Her friends asked many questions; but there was no answer. She was out of her mind; thinking about something. When her close friend shook her body holding her shoulders, she burst out into tears.

        No one could able to convince her. She was sobbing. It was then, when her friends called her name loudly, she stopped sobbing and shared her pain and grief with them. She told them, how she was disturbed seeing the flying balloons as the same thing was done by Sudeep. She told them how badly she was missing Sudeep and his actions. It went on for one hour, letting out her sorrow in the form of weeping and sharing her feelings; she indulged herself in telling about Sudeep’s love for her. But again, it came to the present situation; she was unable to digest the fact that Sudeep was no more.
  

          She staring crying again. Her close friend had hugged her tight and consoled her saying: “Sudeep can’t tolerate your crying when he sees you from above the sky.” After a few minutes Briti became calmer by drinking water. Water has a power to change the mood for a person as someone rightly told. It made Briti feel lighter in heart. Of course, when we share our sorrows with others, it’s like taking 100kgs weight from our shoulders.

            They all came down and had lunch in the Mountain Restaurant. Briti seemed much better. She started teased her friends and was pulling their legs. They all headed towards the city to reach their home. May left in the middle of their journey towards the city to take their way to home. They reached Briti’s home. Briti seemed fresh and enthusiastic as before. Her parents were surprised and felt very happy to see her so. They thanked Briti’s friends.

           Briti say bye to her friends and was resting in her room. Little did she know that it was her friends’ plan to fly the balloons to let her out the pain to give her relief from it. Their plan was successful. They knew about Sudeep’s proposal with balloons from Yayin who was in touch with some of Briti’s friends. Yayin who loved Briti felt it was no right to propose her now as Sudeep was no more. So he decided to be and remain Briti’s friend forever. All were happy at the end. Briti’s friends proved that “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” What will happen in the coming days?

Sudeep was no more… Yayin decided to remain as friend.

Then, who is Briti’s partner?

Who is that dream boy?

When and how he gonna meet Briti? 

THE FUNERAL CEREMONY

                      After the corpse was taken to burial ground, Sudeep's photo which was framed and garlanded was kept on a table. Briti, who bathed and wore white dress, lit an oil lamp and placed some flowers there. Everyone who went to burial ground came back and saw the lamp and the photo, prayed for Sudeep’s soul and left. It was announced that the funeral lunch would be held after a week days declaring seven days as mourning days. It is their custom. Some observes seven mourning days and some observes eleven mourning days. During these mourning days, the family do not cook at home. They do not go out for work. People keep on visiting them to console and strengthen them. Neighbours or relatives in the same town bring food for them. These days, they are ordering hotels to provide meals during mourning days.

   

 Everyone bathed and dressed in white. Sudeep’s mother was pale and weak. Everyone in the family looked as if they were covered by the veil of sadness. After the visitors had left, the house was occupied by silence. No one spoke to another. No one slept the whole night, except a few relatives. Everyone’s heart was beating for the answer; the very answer, how their beloved who was there with them till morning was far away from them now. Their eyes were bulged and faces became pale. Their silence frightened the silence of night, which kept on producing some noises of creatures and wind.

   Waking for a long time and had been crying since morning, their bodies became weak and hinted for rest. Slowly, Briti fell into sleep on the lap of her mother. It’s already wee hours. Her mother took her head from her lap and rested it on a pillow.

Sun had rose with many rays of hope but couldn’t bring one ray of hope from this mourning family. They all were wishy-washy about the present and the future.

              Sudeep, who dressed in white shirt and blue denims, asked Briti to come to upstairs. Briti went upstairs and astounded by seeing the well decorated terrace. There were two white chairs and a white table. A red roses-bouquet and a bottle of red wine with two glasses were placed on the table. Briti walked to the table where Sudeep was waiting. She said, “Su… Sudeep!” Sudeep uttered, "Shhhhh… Briti… Wait for a moment." Then, he went down on his knees and took a ring from his pocket and said looking into Briti’s eyes, “Briti, will you marry me? Do you love me? Please... Briti... respond. Do you accept my love? I don’t have much time, I need to go. Please tell me… Briti… Do you love me?” Briti, who was nervous and excited at the same time said by keeping her head down, not maintaining any eye contact, “Sudeep… there is a lot of time to discuss all these. I don’t know what to say.” She raised her head and saw Sudeep walking away sadly. She yelled, “Wait Sudeep... Don't go. Please wait. Sudeep… Sudeep…”

        

              Briti’s mother and Sudeep’s mother came to Briti who was sleep and asked her what had happened. Briti, who was in sleep and dreaming all these, was in ambiguity and at sixes and sevens. She was feeling that it was true and not a dream. She said, “Su..deeeep…Maa… Sudeep was here. He came and talked to me. He walked away. Where is he now?” Briti’s mother was crying and said, “Briti… Briti… Sudeep was no more. You were dreaming. Just get out of those dreams, my dear. Get out of those dreams…” Sudeep’s mother kept her hand on Briti’s head and slowly moved as if she was blessing and hugged her and cried. Briti, who was still clueless at their actions, was feeling that Sudeep really came. She went terrace running to see the decoration but was despaired after seeing an empty place with no sign of decoration.  She came down and saw the garlanded photo of Sudeep and then only recognised that what she was experienced was a dream and nothing more. She sat sadly.

           The people in that house lost their awareness of life outside. They were just bathing, mourning, sitting, having meals and again mourning. The visitors were visiting and rupturing the wound of loss with their condolences. Each day was passing on with more and more pain. Briti, along with her mother and Sudeep’s mother stopped seeing her face in mirror. Her beautiful face was now a pale one. Her curl, wavy hair was uncombed for many days and looked ugly. They didn’t have any sense on their appearance. This shows how much they were missing him.

            The next day was the seventh day, the funeral lunch. All were busy in the preparations. Funeral lunch was the ceremony where all the people who visited and paid their last respect to the corpse would visit and take meals.

        The day had started with bathing and offering prayers for the rest of Sudeep’s soul; later preparing Sudeep’s favourite dishes to offer. Guests were visiting one by one. The funeral lunch was laid down for them. Briti along with her siblings was serving the guests.  It’s been seven days since Sudeep had left the world. It was really a heartfelt situation for the family, especially, the father who never wanna experience it. Sudeep’s father was dying inside, though he was strong outside. Again the mourning was started with the visit of guests.

        Days were passing by and everything was moving on. Now the family also learned to move on with the moving time and changing days. Their routine life had started. Men and children started attending their duties and schools and colleges. Women were into cooking and taking care of their family.

How magicking the time is! It changes everyone and every moment with its magic spell.

Let’s see what happened with the moving time.

Mourning Clouds....

      The piercing wail of the old woman touched the sky. Sudeep's friends who rushed to the spot were shocked. Back at home, at the same time, Sudeep's mom felt dizzy and became fatigue. She asked for Sudeep. She felt something bad had happened. Kishan, Sudeep's father told her that he went to gym and he might be on his way. He asked her to take rest. Meanwhile, there at the accident spot, one of the Sudeep's friends immediately made a call to an ambulance. The others were thinking what to say to Sudeep's family. Moreover, how to communicate? Finally, one of them rang up to Sudeep's father. The phone is ringing.

Ring ring... ring ring...

Sudeep's Father: Hello...

Sudeep's Friend: Hello Uncle, I'm Sudeep's friend, Yashas speaking.

Sudeep's Father: Ha... Yashas... tell me. Sudeep came with you only know? Where is he? Why you people haven't turned up yet?

Sudeep's Friend: Ha uncle. He came with us only. But, uncle...

Sudeep's Father: What happened?

Sudeep's Friend: Please come to Chowrasta immediately. 

Sudeep's Father: But... What happened? Where is Sudeep?

Sudeep's Friend: Uncle, he met with an accident. Please... Come uncle... Please...

Sudeep's Father: (shocked and trembled) What are you saying? Is he alright? Where is he now? Is it major or minor?

Sudeep's Friend: (crying) Uncle, please don't waste time in talking over phone... Come soon uncle.

Sudeep's Father: Okay, I'm coming.

Sudeep's Friend: Okay uncle.

         Sudeep's father started immediately to the Chowrasta in his car, still trembling and with heavy heart. He was praying in his heart for Sudeep. He wished nothing happened to Sudeep. He drove very fast, caring not anything except reaching the place. His heart was becoming weaker and weaker. He couldn't able to control the unknown tears that were shedding. He was clueless why his eyes were shedding tears. He was hoping for Sudeep's health and continuously praying to God. He wished it was a minor accident. He wonder how Sudeep's mother sensed that something happened to Sudeep. "That is what mother's love is! She is the first person who sensed that something has happened. She immediately inquired about Sudeep. Nothing is great in this universe than mother's love!"

         He reached the spot and applied brakes suddenly. Many people were there, even police were there. The place was at sixes and sevens leaving Sudeep's father clueless. Seeing Sudeep's father, Yashas rushed to him shouting and crying uncle... Sudeep's father asked "What happened? Why there are many? What police were doing there? Are they asking for any money?" Yashas was continuously crying without replying to Sudeep's father's questions. Meanwhile, ambulance came with its siren and everyone moved away.

        Sudeep's father was walking along with Yashas and said, "Why to go in ambulance? I came in car. We can take Sudeep to hospital in our car. Where is Sudeep?" "Uncle, you please walk fast and talk to the police." On reaching the spot and seeing Sudeep in that condition, Sudeep's father collapsed and sat down saying "Nooooooooo... It's not Sudeep. Say it's not him. My son is not dead. My sonnn... is not deeeaaaaddd... Sudeep... My dear son..."

                     Sudeep's body lay in a horrible condition on the road. It was crushed under the tyres of the lorry; that very lorry from which Sudeep saved the old woman. The old woman who blessed him and was talking to him just a few minutes ago was still in shock. She was unable to believe what she had seen... A kind, young boy who saved her life a few minutes ago was lifeless now. 'A few minutes' of time had taken away his life. Now, he was not Sudeep anymore. He was not active anymore. He was just a body; a dead body whose limbs were twisted in the accident. Blood was bleeding making the spot reddish as a mark of his helping old woman. It was an atrocious situation which left everyone panic. Surprisingly, nothing happened to Sudeep's face. It was very pleasant and clear except a few scars left by the road here and there. It was as pleasant as a face of a sleeping child. Yes! Sudeep was sleeping; it's a deep sleep from which he never comes back. He left this world and all the relations. 

           His friends couldn't digest that their loving friend, Sudeep who was there with them before a few minutes was no more. Sudeep was their motivator and role model. They lost their support. They lost their confidence. They lost their friend who was not just friend but more than that. Their hearts are shrinking with pain... their faces became cloudy and their eyes bulged because of continuous crying. 

          "Uncle, please calm down... please uncle...." told by Sudeep's friends. Sudeep's father was speechless and was still in shock. He became numb. How can a father digest his son, a cheerful and healthy son lying on the road dead. What can a father do, when it was told not to touch his son at least for the last time. His heart was beating even more and he was sweating more. He was losing all his strength. He seemed low-spirited. Sudeep's father was mourning his son's death which a father never wishes to experience. Meanwhile, a policeman along with one of the Sudeep's friends approached Sudeep's father and asked, "Are you the relation of him? What's the relationship between you?" "He is my son and I am his father," replied Sudeep's father. "I am sorry sir. We are taking the corpse for post-mortem and you follow us," said the policeman. My son became corpse in no time, regretted Sudeep's father.

            Sudeep's father became a statue. He never thought of listening to such words in his life. Tears were flowing... heartbeat was raised.... body was trembling... he was not ready to face the situation. He was unable to handle it; he was not even in a position to digest it. What to do? How to say to family? How to handle the members of the family, especially Sudeep's mom, who already sensed something bad had happened? He had no clue. Knowing the cause of the accident, from the old woman who was still there crying for Sudeep, Sudeep's father became weaker and weaker. The old women was mourning like anything. She was crying and uttering... this son had saved this old life and he passed away. He had given his life to me... to this old being. Oh God! Why did you take him away? This made Sudeep's father more miserable. He questioned himself, "How could fate play so; while saving an old woman.... killing my young son? What is this justice, O! God?"

         

              He thought of calling Sam, Briti's father and inform. He took his phone and dialled Sam. He informed Sam that Sudeep met with an accident and asked him to come with everyone as soon as possible. Listening to his tone, when Sam asked what happened and how Sudeep was then, Sudeep's father broke in the bad news and burst into tears. Sam was shocked and became speechless. He drove his family in his car saying that Sudeep met with an accident. On hearing this Jane and Briti were shocked and dejected. They asked Sam many questions.... "How is he now? How was the accident happened? When did he meet with an accident? Was he admitted in hospital? Is he alright now?" Sam said, "Will you both please keep quite for sometime? We have to reach soon. I have to concentrate on driving." They both became calm and sincerely prayed to God that nothing should happen to him. After sometime, when they halted for filling fuel Sam broke in about Sudeep to Jane and suggested her not to tell the children all of a sudden.

               Jane was shocked and was trembling and crying. Fuel was filled and they resumed their journey. Jane was shedding tears unceasingly. Seeing Jane crying, Briti said to console her, "Nothing would happen to Sudeep Maa. Please don't cry. Let's pray for him. We are there for him to take care. I will take leave from college and nurse him. He will be alright." After listening to Briti, Jane started crying more and more. She couldn't hide the truth anymore. She wanted to break open the sorrow by crying loud.

         Briti suspected that something was terribly wrong with Sudeep and asked her mother, "Maa... Is Sudeep alright? At least you tell me. Maa... Tell me what happened? Where is he now? How is his condition? Is it so critical? Why are you crying so? Please tell me... Maa... Please..." 

            Jane looked at Sam. When Sam gave a sign to say, she held Briti's hands tight and said, "Briti... Su...deep...Sudeep...he is no more." It was a bolt from the blue for Briti. Both Briti and her sibling shocked by opening their mouth and eyes wide. "Maa... no... it could not be true. How can it happen? I will enquire with aunt and confirm," said Briti crying. Jane said "Don't do that. She doesn't know yet. She can't tolerate it. We have to be with her and support her. Don't break in this news to her. Your uncle, Sudeep's father will let her know about it in a right way. She is not feeling well now. We can't inform in this way to her when her healthy is not good."

           Briti's heart became heavy. It was like she was suffocating. She was breathing very hard. It became difficult for her to take breathe. Her sibling notice that and cried... "Maa... Briti..." They parked their car at the wayside. Briti's mother took water from the bottle and cleaned Briti's face while her sibling was fanning some air. Her father rubbing her palms and feet. Her palms and feet became cold. After she became better, she was given some water to drink. Her mother consoled her. Her father told her not to be disheartened and they need to strengthened Sudeep's mother. He kept his hands on Briti's head and gave a quick movement to strengthen. 

       Briti was away from the material world and she lost in her memories. Tears were flowing from her big eyes as the water flows from waterfall. She recollected her last meeting with Sudeep. How genuine he was with love! He never made me sad. Though I scolded him and fought with him yet he never looked back from loving me. Her eyes were wet and continuously shedding tears. She could still smell the fresh trees and lovely warm water in which she traveled with Sudeep. She recollected the time spent with Sudeep, that very night... a rainy night when Sudeep hugged her and expressed his love. Now, she regretted for not responding to his proposal. She was still praying that, that should not be Sudeep. He should come back. Poor girl, Briti. She don't know the game of fate and time. 

                Sudeep's body was taken to post-mortem. His friends asked Sudeep's father to go home and inform to everyone. Sudeep's father left for home. On his reaching home, Sudeep's mother asked for Sudeep. She became much worried having seen the mourning face of Kishan, Sudeep's father. She asked "What happened? Where is my Sudeep? Why are looking sad? Sudeep... Sudeep..." Sudeep's father burst into tears and said, "O dear! Our beloved son left us here and went to faraway place. He won't come back. He.... is no more.... heee is nnnoo mmoorrrr." Sudeep's mother was shocked and unable to digest what she heard. She became senseless. She was out cold. It seemed like her heart stopped beating and she was about to fall, when Jane, Briti's mother who reached Sudeep's home then, came and hold her. Sudeep's father along with Briti's parents made her rest on the bed and sprinkled some water to bring her to consciousness. 

        As soon as she opened her eyes, she started crying. She enquired what had happened to him and fell down on her knees crying and pronounced, "I remorse for sending my son... my dearest son outside. Why the fate played with us. Why did it take away my son from me? Why? I want my son back. I can't live without him. My son..." She was beating her heart with her hands crying, my son.... I want my son. Briti's mother hugged her and tried consoling her. But she couldn't do as she herself was in deep sorrow. Grandparents also became speechless and started crying since they had listened to the sad demise of Sudeep. They both were hoping to see Sudeep's marrying Briti. They always used to talk to Sudeep about it that they were still alive to see their marriage. Both the grandparents were unable to put up with this. Sudeep's father along with Briti's father was busy informing the demise of Sudeep to their kith and kin.

               Many people from all the four directions started reaching Sudeep's house. Which each person meeting Sudeep's mother to express his/her condolences, the mourning became more and more. All were crying.... crying to their heart content. Kishan, Sudeep's father went to bring the dead body after post-mortem and other formalities. The house was filled by many people. Some people even couldn't come inside as there is no place. Sudeep's graduation lecturers along with Sudeep's friends also came rushing immediately catching the available flight after learning about Sudeep's death. Of course, they should come; he was their obedient and studious student and a loving friend.

            Sudeep's corpse was brought home. It was wrapped all over with a white cloth except the face to see. It was placed in box. It was not possible to touch him or hug him for the last time. Sudeep's mother yelled with great pain seeing Sudeep's body. The poor mother's heart melted and crushed with pain and anguish. The intensity of cries increased. The lovely, happy home of Sudeep became a mourning place. "Sudeep.... My son. Come back for this mother. Dear... Sudeep... How can you leave me? Sudeep... My dear son... Why did you leave this mother? Sudeep... Sudeep...., cried Sudeep's mother. Grandparents couldn't see their beloved grandchild lying there, in that box lifeless. They fell on that box and screamed. Sudeep's father who stood at the other side of the corpse with Briti's father kept on observing the lovely face of Sudeep, who was his love and strength. His heart was shrinking little by little inside. He kept all his pain in his heart. He was controlling his pain and blue to stand by his family, to strengthen his family. Briti who became nervous to see Sudeep was afraid to see Sudeep in that condition. She couldn't accept the truth. She was not willing to see Sudeep dead lying in that box. But somehow, she gained strength to face the truth; the very truth that Sudeep, her love is no more. She and her siblings along with her cousins stood at one side of the corpse crying. 

                  Everyone came to see Sudeep who lay lifeless in that glass box, for the last time. It was a place of melancholy. Dark clouds of sadness filled the house. Every face was filled with tears and sorrow. Some were crying.... Some were weeping... Some were screaming... Everyone paid their last tributes to Sudeep by placing flower and garlands. All the relatives from far lands and friends came and paid their last visit.

          It was time to take the body to burial ground. Sudeep's friends arranged for the last journey. Yayin was also present. He came to know about Sudeep's death from a common friend. He joined the Sudeep's friends. He felt sorry and expressed condolences for the family. He too helped Sudeep's friends in their preparations for Sudeep's last journey. 

           As soon as Sudeep's mother heard about the last journey, she burst out and yelled no. She hold the box tighter and tighter pleasing them not to take his son away from her. She cried and cried. She became weaker and paler. During her crying, she got hiccups. Briti, made her way into the kitchen and fetch her some water. After drinking some water, Sudeep's mother held Briti tight and looked into her eyes which are communicating deeper meaning about her feelings for Sudeep. She hugged Briti and cried again saying, our Sudeep.... our Sudeep left us Briti... Our Sudeep... Briti's mother was holding the both and was crying. The scene was very heart touching. Relatives were consoling them. Briti, with her melancholic face reached the other side of the box and approached the place where Sudeep's legs were placed and kept her both hands on that box as if she was holding Sudeep's legs. She prayed for his soul and shed tears which fell on the glass; on Sudeep's legs. Unable to control her tears and grief, she ran screaming to her grandparents who were groaning in anguish. She cried her heart out. She cried cried and cried with all her energy drained. 

                   They lifted the box up to proceed for cremation. The two mothers (Sudeep's mother and Briti's mother) who were not allowing taking away the body were hold by other relatives forcefully and tight. All of a sudden, everyone started screaming louder and louder. The place became gloomy. They made their way for burial ground. Many people followed the journey, the last journey. Young and old... kith and kin... well-known and less-known..., acquaintances, friends, neighbours... all followed the corpse. They performed the last rites.  

Death is the last intimate thing we ever do!!!

                                                                                    Laurell K. Hamilton

What will happen?

What Briti did to bring a light in that gloomy house?

Who will be Briti's Prince?

The Accident...

Sudeep was waiting in the balcony for Briti. He had been waiting for her for one hour. He wondered where she had been. He doubted that she had forgotten about meeting him there. Then, all of a sudden, it started breezing. A cool breeze touched his face. The sky started becoming darker and darker with the clouds. It seemed Briti was coming. When she entered the balcony, a big lightning struck which made Briti look like an angel with a bright lovely face.

She said, “Sudeep… are you there?” Sudeep became a dumb nail seeing her like that. He didn’t reply her. Briti, shook him holding his hands and said, “Sudeep…. Where did you lose yourself?” “Ha… ha Briti…Tell me. Where have you been all this time? I have been waiting for you”, said Sudeep. Briti said, “I have freshen up and came.” A rain drop fell on her face and she experienced it. She exclaimed with joy, “Sudeep… it’s raining. Just now, a rain drop has fallen on my face. Do you see this, here…here. Let’s go to terrace, we can enjoy ourselves in rain”, said Briti holding Sudeep’s hand and running towards terrace. Sudeep just followed her by losing himself to her excitement and delight.

           It started raining. In fact, it’s down pouring heavily. The meteorologist’s forecast said that it would rain cats and dogs then. Briti was enjoying the rain. She was catching the rain drops like a kid. She was playing with them. She was dancing in that downpour. Sudeep was observing her every action and enjoying looking her. He felt that she had totally forgotten that he was with her. He suddenly started seeing a peacock dancing in the rain in place of Briti. Briti loved rain and dance.

         Impulsively, Sudeep approached Briti, sat on his knees and hugged her from torso and said, “A day without you is like a day without sunlight. What is the use of these ears without hearing your voice? What is the use of these eyes without seeing you? There is no hope without you. You are my breath, you are my soul, and you are my life Briti. I Love You dear. I Love You till eternity. I wish the time stopped at this very moment.”

            “Leave me… leave me Sudeep. I don’t know what to say. I can’t say anything. Let’s go downstairs, said Briti running downstairs. Sudeep followed her calmly. The next day in the wee hours everyone left for temple. It’s an auspicious day. All of them worshipped the God and prayed. Sudeep also prayed the God not to make Briti angry upon him. Briti came and stood before him. When he opened his eyes, he had seen Briti in front of him.

      She was engaging in that traditional wear. She had taken Sudeep’s breath away in that outfit. He couldn’t take his eyes off from her. Her cute innocent face, her lovely lips which were asking the God for something, her peaceful face….everything took his breath away.

            She slowly opened her eyes and felt uneasy as Sudeep was staring at her. She left that place without saying a single word. Hmm… she was anger with Sudeep. Sudeep followed her and begged her pardon for the previous night. He pleaded her and begged her for pardon. He kept some funny faces and cracked some stupid jokes to make Briti smile. Finally, Briti smiled. He was very happy.

Briti: Sudeep, will you do me a favour?

Sudeep: Anything for you, Briti. Tell me, what can I do for you?

Briti: Can you please take me out?

Sudeep: Out! (very excited) Wow! Why not? Tell me where shall we go?

(Sudeep was on cloud nine, as Briti asked him for the first time to take her out.)

Briti: I promised my friend, Yayin that I will meet him. So, shall we go to any restaurant where we can meet.

Sudeep: (with a disappointment) Hmm… Ok, tell him to come to Cross Roads, we will go there.

Briti: Ok, thank you.

           Sudeep gave just a smile as a response to her thanks. He wanted to go out with her but not to meet some ‘X’. That too, Yayin. One way he was happy because he was going to take Briti out. The other way he was sad because he was taking Briti to meet Yayin.

   

        They all went home from temple and had breakfast; later Sudeep told them that, he was going out with Briti for lunch. Briti and Sudeep left home for lunch. This time, Sudeep wanted to take Briti on his bike. So, he took bike for car.

      

          Briti sat on pillion and Sudeep was riding the bike. Briti didn’t hold him; she hesitated to hold him. Sudeep was waiting for the warm touch of her hands. He was unmindful when a bump came and so applied a sudden brake which made Briti hold him tight. She was so scared; she left the hesitation behind and put her hands on the shoulders of Sudeep. He felt very happy.

         They reached the restaurant and waited for Yayin to come. Yayin came with other school friends to give surprise to her. When Briti saw them, she was astonished and felt very happy. Sudeep enjoyed her excitement and her happy face. He mesmerised with her laugh and the way she was interacting with her friends and so did Yayin.

       Briti forgot that Sudeep was present there. She involved totally in the company of her school friends, until Sudeep called Briti to ask about the menu for lunch. Briti thanked him for bringing her there. They all had lunch. Briti was showing her picture in the new college and Yayin was very closure to her, holding her mobile and starting at her at times. This made Sudeep feel possessive and he was very angry with Yayin. When they all are teasing one another, Yayin by mistake fell on Sudeep.

    

        Sudeep abused him very rudely in front of all. They all became silent. They all including Yayin apologised Sudeep for their misbehaviour. Briti was angry with Sudeep for this. They all said bye and left that place.

      

       “You are a Curmudgeon, Sudeep. Why did you behave in such a rude way? Don’t you know how they might have felt?” said Briti to Sudeep. Sudeep said sorry for everything and they left to home.

         

       Briti stopped speaking to Sudeep. (When she was angry with anyone she punishes him/her simply by not talking with him/her.) She didn’t even have a look at Sudeep at dining table. Sudeep make a number of calls and sent messages begging her to apologise him. But he didn’t receive any response. Two days went on…she didn’t speak. He was waiting for her response. That evening, when Sudeep was in his room listening to some melancholic songs, Briti entered his room. She said, “Please don’t ever repeat it, Sudeep. They are my friends and I love them all.”

      

            Sudeep replied, “I never thought it will become this big an issue. I said sorry for what I did. I did call you and sent you messages number of times. But you didn’t respond to my calls and messages. I felt if it was really a big mistake and wanted to beg your pardon. On the other side, I was thinking that you don’t want to talk to me at all. My mind is not yet all working and I desperately wanted to talk to you. My heart is getting crushed with pain. I thought that you won’t talk to me again. I’m glad that you are talking. I’m so sorry Briti. I will never behave in such a way.”

      

          He continued, “Briti, I wanna confess something to you. Deep inside my heart there are endless feelings which I couldn’t express to you. I have felt very possessive when you are moving closure with Yayin. You have left me alone there. I was waiting for you. Briti, my heart always longs for you; it always wanna take you in my arms and hug you and waiting to see you as my bride. My heart is waiting to see you by my side forever. I don’t know what to do or what to say. These two days are hell to me. I Love You Briti… I Love You till I take my last breath.”

           

           Listening to this, Briti walked away. She walked away again, without any response or any sign. She went to tell Sudeep that she was going home the next day. But without saying anything, she walked away. The next day morning, around 7’O clock Briti’s father drove her and her sibling home. Sudeep didn’t wake up yet. Sam told them not to wake him up as it would get late for them.

               Sudeep woke up and looked for Briti. He couldn’t find her; he asked her mom. She said that Brit has left in the morning. Having known, what had happened that morning, Sudeep became saddened. Briti started going to college as her classes were started. Sudeep had twenty more days for his classes to be started. He was daily going to gym in the morning with his friends and doing some project work in the day time. He was always thinking of Briti. He used to get 2-3 replies for 20-30 messages that he had sent to Briti.

      

                It was 6 in the morning. Sudeep was going to gym as usual with his friends. Its 7:30 a.m. He was coming back from gym. He with his friends halted at one place for buying milk pouches. His friends were buying milk. While was waiting, he had seen an old woman getting down from a bus with great difficult on the other side of the road. She was walking along the road. Then, a truck was coming behind her keep on blowing horn. Sudeep went to rescue her by crossing the road. He made her stand on the footpath, which was safe for her and he was asking her whereabouts, when the same truck hit the footpath and also Sudeep. The old woman was safe but sent out a piercing wail. Blood was flowing. Sudeep’s friends reached the spot.

What would happen next?

Was Sudeep safe?

Was he admitted in the hospital?

How would Briti react to that?

A CLOSE SHAVE...

           Briti reached home with heavy heart. She started thinking of Sudeep and his love for her. She never thought that Sudeep loves her so much. She felt the way he proposed was so amazing. She had a delicious indolence thinking of that memorable day. Meanwhile, her father was busy in the process of her admission into college. He had selected the best college in the city. Briti joined in college. New college…new place…new friends…

        

          One day, she received a message from Yayin asking how she was. Quite a few messages were exchanged asking the whereabouts of each other’s. From that day, Yayin was in regular contact with Briti. Briti shared about Sudeep’s proposal with Yayin. Though, he felt bad at heart, he sounded astounded with his excitement. He shared her joy and excitement by forgetting that he was in love with her. But he never expressed his feelings for her. May be this is the true love. Loving the loved ones happiness and sharing the opinions.

       

        They both became very close friends. Both of them awaited each other’s message. Sudeep was also sending at least one love quote per day and was chatting for some time. But Briti never showed her sign of love in any form. She used to chat very normally, as if nothing had happened. But Sudeep wanna hear from her. He wanna know how she felt, what she was thinking and all. Sudeep was expecting Briti to share her feelings and show her love. Sometimes, he was ambiguous and thought whether Briti accepted his love or not.

      

             Days were going on… Briti was daily going to college coming back doing her work and chatting with Yayin and Sudeep for some time. This became her routine. Then, it was exams season. Briti switched off her mobile so that she could prepare well for exams. This made both Yayin and Sudeep feel lacuna in their daily life. They became restless. But for Briti, it was exams in her schedule and nothing more. She was preparing for the exam which was on the next day. Sudeep had made a call to Briti’s home and enquired why her phone was switched off. Her mother told that she had exams and so she was preparing seriously. He asked for her and wished her ‘All the best’ for her exams.

        

        The next morning in college, all set for the exam. Briti got ready to face the exam. The classroom had both seniors and juniors from different groups. There were ten more minutes for the exam to be started. All of a sudden, someone caught Briti’s eyes. A boy, who was tall and handsome, entered the classroom. He really had some catchy looks. She was looking at him but in a way which couldn’t be noticed by him. He was walking towards Briti. She felt he was coming to her and started feeling tense. But he walked from the side of Briti’s seat and met his friends. Briti relaxed and took a deep breath. That was the first time Briti saw him in the college. Then from back of her, someone whispered, “Hi, Can you give me your record after exam?” She turned back and was at sixes and sevens after seeing him there. She didn’t understand what to say. She told, “Ok, brother. I’ll give.” He was shocked to listen to the word brother. 

        

      Meanwhile, she confirmed with him whether she could call him brother or not. He agreed but reluctantly at heart. In that way, she got an older brother. From that day onwards, she became very familiar with seniors.

             

              Every lecturer and teacher from school (the institution had classes from KG to UG) knew her. She was very studious and actively participated in presentations and seminars but not sports. For every college function, she was the one who did anchoring; from introducing the chief guest to giving vote of thanks, her voice and her presence must be there. She even got some good friends from her class and they used to have lunch together. She was enjoying fame in her college days. She became the most sort after girl in that institution.

            

            She completed her first year graduation with good grades. And the chat with Yayin and Sudeep started again. Both of them messaged that they were missing her so much. She laughed seeing those messages. Yayin enquired if she was coming to city for the vacation. Briti replied that she was not sure of that. As that was vacation time, Sudeep asked her to come to his home. She told that she would try. She asked her parents whether she could go to grandparent’s home for vacation. They said ok. So, she got ready and packed her luggage. 

                Sudeep phoned her and informed her that he was coming to take her to his home. He informed Briti’s parents too. Meanwhile, Briti messaged Yayin that she was coming to Sudeep’s house. Yayin made her promise that she would meet Yayin.

           Sudeep reached Briti’s home and they all had lunch together. Sudeep with Briti and her siblings started after lunch in his car. He asked Briti to sit in the front seat and she followed him. It’s a four hour journey. During the journey Sudeep had a nice chat with his cousins until they fell asleep. Then, he started looking at Briti and was thinking about her… “O man! Look at her eyes…they are so vivacious and the most beautiful eyes that I have ever seen. The bright honey-coloured eyes look just like the eyes of a peacock… Those eyes are so intoxicating. Look at her nose… it’s perfectly sculptured. O God…! You are really a skilled artist, how can you make such a perfect and beautiful face. What can I say about those lips, the tender-cherry coloured lips? Every time I tried to talk to you my eyes ask me to look at your lips. Your lips always make me feel like touching them with my fingers and I wanna squeeze them with mine. Your voice is so mesmerizing and very soothing than anything in this world. I love to listen to your voice. It’s like a bird’s chirping. What happened to the atmosphere? It is scented with your fragrance taking me to my dreamland where I wanna spend time making love with you. Briti… all I need is you, only you by my side always, whispered Sudeep looking at her a little louder. She turned to him and asked Sudeep what. He mumbled, “nothing…nothing”

               He again lost in her thoughts looking at her curly hair which was flying like the waves of the ocean. Sudeep…! Look straight…. screamed Briti. They had a close shave with another vehicle which was passing by. 

Sudeeeeeppp! Look straight. Screamed Briti

             Briti asked Sudeep, “Where were you lost? What are you thinking of? Sudeep parked the vehicle at parking place and apologised Briti for his unmindful driving. He then admitted that he was thinking of her. He told, “Briti, please don’t ever leave me. I want you by my side all the time. You are meant for me. Your smile, your voice, your eyes… everything takes my breath away. I feel like I can’t live without.”

Briti said, “Please Sudeep, let us go home first. It’s getting dark. We can speak at home. Be mindful while driving.” Sudeep said ok and drove them home safe in 30 minutes. 

            Briti went to her grandparents and took their blessings and hugged them. She then met Sudeep’s parents, greeted them and took their blessing too. Sudeep’s mother said, “Briti go and take rest. We are going to temple tomorrow morning. So, you have to wake up early.” Sudeep asked Briti to come to balcony.

What will Sudeep say to Briti?

How will Briti respond to him?

Will Briti meet Yayin? What will Sudeep feel if she meet Yayin?

What will happen at the temple?