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Love Never forgets
Aviral was hurrying towards his home. Walking as fast as he could constantly looking at his Titan gold plated watch. He must be home by 8.45 pm precisely, he cannot be late and it was already 8.30 pm. At that moment, it seemed to him, that the hands of the clock were moving way too fast. Idiot! he said to himself. What were you even thinking? Did you forget you are no longer youthful now, for Gods’ sake you are a senior citizen. Oops!! Forgetting…this word, really! Oh, what an irony…he smiled sarcastically.
Like his every day routine, Aviral, that day too had left his 4 BHK, row house, situated in a posh locality, in a quaint area of Pune, for an evening walk to the park at 5 p.m. Like every day, when he was starting his walk back towards his home, at 6.30 p.m. he met Manish, an old colleague. Manish decided to go for a quick coffee to the café just outside the park and he could not say no. Chatting and catching up, reminiscing old memories, he totally forgot about the time, and when he realised it was already 8 p.m.
Forget…no not again! Was the age really catching up with him or was he too…? He cursed himself. Shut up…stop being a drama queen, that’s what Ananya would have said. Ha ha. He chuckled.
While entering the gate he heard the first ring on the phone. Oh damn…he muttered a curse hurrying towards the door, searching for the keys in his pockets. Before he could unlock the door, it was opened. Thank you, Sudha. Saying that he took the cordless from her hand. Taking a deep breath and sitting on the Rustic brown leather sofa he pressed the receiver button and said…Hello!
A soft and sweet voice on the other end of the receiver said…hello, can I talk to Mansi please? The voice…oh the voice…hmmm. Trying to control his breathlessness, as casually and as normally as he could, he replied. Mansi? Yes, Mansi, Mansi Saxena, can you please call her? Tell her that I am to give her some things. Can you please call her? It is urgent and I am in a hurry. You see, I am new here and I have to still set up my room and complete some pending work. She said all this in one breath. Though after that she felt breathless. Aviral though had a smile on his lips but his eyes suddenly looked a little worried. Before the other end starts buzzing again Aviral replied. Sorry to disappoint you but Mansi does not live here. I am assuming that she probably was a tenant here but now I live here.
There was silence on the other side as if taken by surprise and now was contemplating what to do. After few seconds, Aviral said, hello, are you still there? Ummm yes. I am thinking how to go about it now. Hmmm there was a pause and then she said actually, hmmm…never mind. Sorry to have disturbed you. Bye. Aviral heard click. He kept the cordless on the table very near to him and started looking at the wall clock. 10 minutes more.
His heart was still beating fast with the speedy walk. Sudha, the house help came with a glass of water. He took the glass but before taking a sip he looked at her questioningly. She immediately replied, Yes have given. Satisfied he emptied the glass.
Exactly after 10 minutes the phone starts ringing again. On the third ring he picks up and says hello! Hello. There on the other end of the receiver was the same sweet voice again. Sensing the awkwardness in her voice and the silence following that hello, Aviral said, hey there, all okay?Ah…ummmm…actually the electricity just went out and there is all dark in here. The place is new to me as it’s my first day in the city and this house, alone. I don’t know anyone out here and it’s completely dark and I got nervous and dialled you back. I have no idea why I did that. I am sorry and I feel embarrassed and…Please, you don’t have to worry about me. It’s completely okay. Cutting her short Aviral said. His voice was comforting. I understand being alone in such circumstances can be a little overwhelming and scary. Don’t worry, we can talk over the phone if you want to, till the electricity resumes. I anyways have nothing important to do and I have heard that comforting someone in fear is an virtuous act and God knows, I need a lot of blessings. On this statement they both laughed together and this was the ice-breaker. Aviral starts the conversation again saying this is amazing. We have been talking for so long and twice over call and we don’t even know each other’s name. Okay let me introduce myself. Hi, my name is Aviral and I am an architect.My job is to give shape and bring to life other’s dreams. Wow, sounds interesting. This is Ananya this side and I am a teacher. I teach biology and have just joined “The school of knowledge and culture”. Oh really. So, you and me are in a way similar says Aviral. Is it? How so? Ananya asks. Being a teacher, like me, you also shape other’s dreams and future. Though your role is much greater and pivotal but still. Ananya shares a hearty laugh. The effect spreads on to Aviral’s smiling lips and glittering eyes too.
Tell me Ananya, why Biology? Do you enjoy teaching? Hmmm yes. I do like to teach. It’s like paying back to the world in my own little way. However, I am pursuing Doctorate. In fact one of the main reasons of me moving to this city is Prof. Dr.Patnayak, under whose guidance I am conducting my research, is based out of this city.
Oh, and what was your other question…why biology? Hmmm let me share an incident…. Aviral sits back, adjusting the pillows and making himself comfortable. He has a smile on his lips and a weird kind of happy feeling, knowing the conversation is going to be a long one. He can imagine on the other side Ananya, sitting with her phone, back to the wall, eyelids fluttering and expressions changing while she is narrating and talking. He wished he could see her now face to face, be there sitting in front of her, enjoying sip of tea and the moments. Wouldn’t it be magical? He takes a long breath.
After quite a while, with Ananya now talking about and sharing incidents from her childhood and he happily listening to her say things which doesn’t have anything to do with him or ongoing topic for that matter, a thought sparks in his mind and his eyes shine with naughty playfulness. He cuts Ananya short and asks her. Is this result of you being excited about talking with me or you always feel that world is going to end so you have to say everything without even breathing, otherwise something might remain unsaid. Ananya pauses as if taken by surprise and then starts giggling embarrassingly which turns into a hearty laughter with Aviral joining her. Aviral was loving this. He was feeling a sense of happiness and contentment. They continue to laugh.
Suddenly Ananya goes short of breath and her laughter transforms into cough. She starts coughing profusely as if getting choked. The smile and sparkle vanish from Aviral’s eyes and is replaced by a scare as his eyes fix on the room upstairs. He drops the handset on couch and climbs the stairs as fast as he could with the help of his stick. He enters the room and there she is panting and coughing, face covered in tears and sweat, dishevelled hair, phone set lying beside her. He sits on the bed and tries to grab her, hug her to calm her down. She looks at him with strange eyes and push him back. Aviral was shouting Sudha Sudha, get water, call the nurse, come fast. He pours water in a glass and offers her; she throws away the glass refusing. She was constantly coughing now her face turning red and eyes gauging out. Aviral tries to hold her, constantly saying Anu, Anu, it’s me Aviral, calm down please, all will be well, but she in that condition too was trying to get away from him. The nurse comes running, alongside Sudha. Sudha immediately goes to the bed and asks Aviral to move back. She grabs her hand and tries to hold her shivering body, restricting her movement. The nurse in the meantime has prepared the injection, which she inserts in her right shoulder. Anu tries to resist at first but weak from coughing and being held by strong hands of Sudha and nurse she gives up. She winces with pain as the sharp needle pierces her skin. Aviral shuts his eyes and few drops of tears roll down his cheeks. Along with injecting the medicine, the nurse puts oxygen mask on her nose and mouth.
Anu feels drowsy and shuts her eyes. Within few minutes, her breathing gets controlled. Weak and tired because of the episode and also as the effect of the medicine, she wears off and goes to sleep.
Aviral goes and sits beside her, back resting on the bedrest. He slowly lifts her hand up and holds it in his palms. Constantly stroking and rubbing her hand as if saying, I am there, I will not let anything happen to you.
The nurse after checking her blood pressure and temperature, went back to the room to prepare the report to be given to the doctor. Sudha went down to kitchen.
He wipes her still wet face with a clean and dry towel and tries to remove her hair which had spread all over her face and tidy it as much as he can. Anu was muttering something in her medicine induced sleep. Aviral couldn’t make out the words, so he bent down a little and placed his ears closer to her lips. Anu, was whispering, Avi, be there with me, please hold me tight, I am scared. Tears rolled down the eyes of Aviral. At least her, heart and sub conscious mind still recognises his touch and remembers him. She has not forgotten him.
Holding her hands even more firmly but carefully, Aviral sits back. He takes a deep sigh and as he turns his head, he saw the phone handset lying there on the bed. He took it and kept it back properly. Tomorrow night he will need it again. This has been a routine now for past 35 years. It almost seems like as if that’s what is normal, that’s what was ever there and will ever be there, this routine. Alas, he sighs. He only knows too well that that’s not the case. Past 35 years every moment he has been reliving the past and wishing if the present was only a dream, rather a nightmare which will end. One day he will get up and all will be back to how it was 35 years back.
Aviral starts thinking about that phone call, which is an everyday occurrence now, which changed his life forever. How can he forget that. After all, that’s the only connect between him and his Anu now.
Anu or Ananya, like today called up 42 years back accidentally as she did today. The time was exactly the same and the way the phone call happened too. 42 years back when his Anu, was still Ananya to him, was pursuing her doctorate alongside being a wonderful teacher. That night when the call had come like today, they started talking and the conversation continued whole night long with neither of them realising that the electricity resumed half way down the call and the moon and the stars were replaced by sun and light of the dawn. That was the first time ever Aviral had such a long conversation with anyone, let alone a stranger. Then again, Ananya never felt like a stranger. It was like he always has known her, like she always was very close to him, just that they met a little later. As close friends who meet after years but still feel that they were always together. It felt similar, and the feeling was mutual.
At the end of the call, still reluctant to keep the phone down, they decide to meet for lunch. It was the longest 5 hours of Aviral’s life. He has never in his 26 years of life waited for someone or something, so eagerly, anxiously and desperately. He still remembers the moment when he first saw Ananya. She was all that he had imagined and more. She was wearing a pale blue skirt with yellow and white polka dots short sleeves top with frills at neck and shoulders, with black sandals and black purse. Her curly hair was tied in a ponytail which swung left and right with each movement. She was wearing absolutely no makeup barring some lip cream which made her beautiful pink lips shine. She did wear small light blue pearl drop earrings and a black leather strap watch of titan with a black dial. She looked a little shy and nervous but also eager. Ananya was resembling a very sweet, cute and innocent doll but the way she was looking at him with those big, black eyes and with the heart-warming smile, made her real, very real. His heart skipped a beat. At that moment he knew that she was the one. That she was the girl he wanted to spend his entire life with.
After that day, from Aviral and Ananya they became Avi and Anu. Ananya reciprocated his feelings exactly with the same intensity. Yes, they were in love deeply and madly.
Each day their fondness, love and care for each other grew more and more. Anu and Avi both were mature and had an amazing understanding. They knew that along with each other their career was priority for both of them too. They both supported one another in growing and establishing and attaining their goals. Avi wanted to get enough experience so that one day he can start his own architectural firm. Anu wanted to pursue her doctorate and then become a research scientist alongside continuing with her teaching. They both decided that they will give each other enough time and when they both feel that they have achieved at least a decent position and their career pathway is clear then only they will settle down and get married to each other.
Seven years passed and finally they decided to give a name to their relationship and get married. Avi now had started his own firm and was slowly but steadily climbing up the ladder of success. Anu was a research scientist and had already build quite a reputation for herself in her field with two bestseller books in her name.
It was 20th January and after two days on 22nd they got the date in court to get married officially and legally. On 22nd itself they had their tickets booked for their honeymoon. It was an elaborate vacation spread over one month and various locations both within the country and abroad. This was like a dream come true for both of them. All the wait, all the patience was finally paying off. Now, they will be able to spend every moment of their life together without answering to their respective families or society at large.
Anu got a call from her assistant that he and others wanted to throw her a bachelorette party and she got to be there. She had an amazing time with all her friends and colleagues and got a little drunk than usual. As it was late and she didn’t want to call Avi, who was busy attending few of his close friends who have especially arrived for their wedding. So, she called for a taxi. It was very chilled and foggy that night. Anu sat inside the taxi; it was half an hour distance from the party venue to her flat. Tired with the hectic schedule and the booze her eyes were getting closed and before she knew she fell asleep. She woke up with a big jolt and loud screeching of break, the only thing she could make out was the strong reflection of the headlights of a huge truck which was speedily moving towards her. Then there was a loud bang, she felt the taxi rolling and turning upside down and few people running towards her, shouting;The driver is dead but the person at back she seems to be alive. She lost her consciousness.
It was around 1.15 am when Avi received a call from a stranger. She was receptionist of a hospital and got his number from the small notebook which Anu always used to carry in her purse.
Strangely after 7 years it was another phone call which changed Avi’s life completely.
After a month and 17 days, and following two surgeries and with lot of care from the medical staff and love, prayers and dedication from Avi, finally Anu regained consciousness. Avi rushed towards her room. He has waited enough, now he will not let his Anu be away for a single moment. He entered her room and saw Anu. Her back facing him. Avi called out her name, Anu and slowly recognising her name, Anu turned to look at him. She had the same look in her eyes and the same smile like the day when they met for the first time. Tears rolled down Avi’s cheek, but suddenly the smile started fading away from her lips. She again turned away asking the doctor, who is he? Avi couldn’t believe his ears. He ran towards her calling her name. Anu, this is me, your Avi. Anu, are you playing a prank on me. Please, please don’t do this now. Anu don’t scare me please. Anu give me a tight hug. Anu please. I have waited for so long. Saying this, he tried to hold Anu and hug her. Avi gets startled by a shriek from Anu and she pushes him back, away from herself. He was not able to understand what is happening. Why is Anu behaving as if he is a stranger. The Dr. gives her a sedative and puts her to sleep. He tells Aviral, that he needs to conduct some tests before he can ascertain the reason behind her strange behaviour.
After a week of further tests and referring to few experts, the doctor tells Avi, that Anu has suffered partial memory loss. It was both because of the head injury she had and also because of the trauma and shock her brain faced. So, Anu remembers her life in bits and pieces. Somethings or some portions of her life have completely wiped out and some she just has a bleak memory of and some she is able to recall completely. The doctor said, I am sorry Avi, you probably are the part of her life which she has almost no memory left at all and we don’t know whether she will ever be able to remember and recognise you. Avi’s whole world shatters down. He couldn’t believe that his Anu, who is his world and till just few days back he was her life, her would be wife, she doesn’t know him anymore. He just couldn’t understand what is happening and now what he should do. He gets up, broken and lost and is about to leave the Dr’s chamber, when the Dr. says. Oh yes, I forgot to tell you something. Anu everyday at night after dinner insists of making a telephone call to a particular number. She says she has to talk and insists. So far, we have made excuses but just thought of letting you know as we will be discharging her soon. The Doctor passes a paper with a phone number scribbled on it. Avi stares in disbelief, its his phone number.
It has been 35 years since that day and Anu though can not recognise him still and gets scared even with his presence, not a single day has passed when she hasn’t called him up. For Avi this is his life now. Taking care of Ananya and waiting for her call. It was like falling in love every day over and over, again and again.
© agypsysoul
#TheWritingProject #thoughtsofagypsysoul #kuchkahikuchankahi
@AtulPurohit @Writco @unlu.io
Like his every day routine, Aviral, that day too had left his 4 BHK, row house, situated in a posh locality, in a quaint area of Pune, for an evening walk to the park at 5 p.m. Like every day, when he was starting his walk back towards his home, at 6.30 p.m. he met Manish, an old colleague. Manish decided to go for a quick coffee to the café just outside the park and he could not say no. Chatting and catching up, reminiscing old memories, he totally forgot about the time, and when he realised it was already 8 p.m.
Forget…no not again! Was the age really catching up with him or was he too…? He cursed himself. Shut up…stop being a drama queen, that’s what Ananya would have said. Ha ha. He chuckled.
While entering the gate he heard the first ring on the phone. Oh damn…he muttered a curse hurrying towards the door, searching for the keys in his pockets. Before he could unlock the door, it was opened. Thank you, Sudha. Saying that he took the cordless from her hand. Taking a deep breath and sitting on the Rustic brown leather sofa he pressed the receiver button and said…Hello!
A soft and sweet voice on the other end of the receiver said…hello, can I talk to Mansi please? The voice…oh the voice…hmmm. Trying to control his breathlessness, as casually and as normally as he could, he replied. Mansi? Yes, Mansi, Mansi Saxena, can you please call her? Tell her that I am to give her some things. Can you please call her? It is urgent and I am in a hurry. You see, I am new here and I have to still set up my room and complete some pending work. She said all this in one breath. Though after that she felt breathless. Aviral though had a smile on his lips but his eyes suddenly looked a little worried. Before the other end starts buzzing again Aviral replied. Sorry to disappoint you but Mansi does not live here. I am assuming that she probably was a tenant here but now I live here.
There was silence on the other side as if taken by surprise and now was contemplating what to do. After few seconds, Aviral said, hello, are you still there? Ummm yes. I am thinking how to go about it now. Hmmm there was a pause and then she said actually, hmmm…never mind. Sorry to have disturbed you. Bye. Aviral heard click. He kept the cordless on the table very near to him and started looking at the wall clock. 10 minutes more.
His heart was still beating fast with the speedy walk. Sudha, the house help came with a glass of water. He took the glass but before taking a sip he looked at her questioningly. She immediately replied, Yes have given. Satisfied he emptied the glass.
Exactly after 10 minutes the phone starts ringing again. On the third ring he picks up and says hello! Hello. There on the other end of the receiver was the same sweet voice again. Sensing the awkwardness in her voice and the silence following that hello, Aviral said, hey there, all okay?Ah…ummmm…actually the electricity just went out and there is all dark in here. The place is new to me as it’s my first day in the city and this house, alone. I don’t know anyone out here and it’s completely dark and I got nervous and dialled you back. I have no idea why I did that. I am sorry and I feel embarrassed and…Please, you don’t have to worry about me. It’s completely okay. Cutting her short Aviral said. His voice was comforting. I understand being alone in such circumstances can be a little overwhelming and scary. Don’t worry, we can talk over the phone if you want to, till the electricity resumes. I anyways have nothing important to do and I have heard that comforting someone in fear is an virtuous act and God knows, I need a lot of blessings. On this statement they both laughed together and this was the ice-breaker. Aviral starts the conversation again saying this is amazing. We have been talking for so long and twice over call and we don’t even know each other’s name. Okay let me introduce myself. Hi, my name is Aviral and I am an architect.My job is to give shape and bring to life other’s dreams. Wow, sounds interesting. This is Ananya this side and I am a teacher. I teach biology and have just joined “The school of knowledge and culture”. Oh really. So, you and me are in a way similar says Aviral. Is it? How so? Ananya asks. Being a teacher, like me, you also shape other’s dreams and future. Though your role is much greater and pivotal but still. Ananya shares a hearty laugh. The effect spreads on to Aviral’s smiling lips and glittering eyes too.
Tell me Ananya, why Biology? Do you enjoy teaching? Hmmm yes. I do like to teach. It’s like paying back to the world in my own little way. However, I am pursuing Doctorate. In fact one of the main reasons of me moving to this city is Prof. Dr.Patnayak, under whose guidance I am conducting my research, is based out of this city.
Oh, and what was your other question…why biology? Hmmm let me share an incident…. Aviral sits back, adjusting the pillows and making himself comfortable. He has a smile on his lips and a weird kind of happy feeling, knowing the conversation is going to be a long one. He can imagine on the other side Ananya, sitting with her phone, back to the wall, eyelids fluttering and expressions changing while she is narrating and talking. He wished he could see her now face to face, be there sitting in front of her, enjoying sip of tea and the moments. Wouldn’t it be magical? He takes a long breath.
After quite a while, with Ananya now talking about and sharing incidents from her childhood and he happily listening to her say things which doesn’t have anything to do with him or ongoing topic for that matter, a thought sparks in his mind and his eyes shine with naughty playfulness. He cuts Ananya short and asks her. Is this result of you being excited about talking with me or you always feel that world is going to end so you have to say everything without even breathing, otherwise something might remain unsaid. Ananya pauses as if taken by surprise and then starts giggling embarrassingly which turns into a hearty laughter with Aviral joining her. Aviral was loving this. He was feeling a sense of happiness and contentment. They continue to laugh.
Suddenly Ananya goes short of breath and her laughter transforms into cough. She starts coughing profusely as if getting choked. The smile and sparkle vanish from Aviral’s eyes and is replaced by a scare as his eyes fix on the room upstairs. He drops the handset on couch and climbs the stairs as fast as he could with the help of his stick. He enters the room and there she is panting and coughing, face covered in tears and sweat, dishevelled hair, phone set lying beside her. He sits on the bed and tries to grab her, hug her to calm her down. She looks at him with strange eyes and push him back. Aviral was shouting Sudha Sudha, get water, call the nurse, come fast. He pours water in a glass and offers her; she throws away the glass refusing. She was constantly coughing now her face turning red and eyes gauging out. Aviral tries to hold her, constantly saying Anu, Anu, it’s me Aviral, calm down please, all will be well, but she in that condition too was trying to get away from him. The nurse comes running, alongside Sudha. Sudha immediately goes to the bed and asks Aviral to move back. She grabs her hand and tries to hold her shivering body, restricting her movement. The nurse in the meantime has prepared the injection, which she inserts in her right shoulder. Anu tries to resist at first but weak from coughing and being held by strong hands of Sudha and nurse she gives up. She winces with pain as the sharp needle pierces her skin. Aviral shuts his eyes and few drops of tears roll down his cheeks. Along with injecting the medicine, the nurse puts oxygen mask on her nose and mouth.
Anu feels drowsy and shuts her eyes. Within few minutes, her breathing gets controlled. Weak and tired because of the episode and also as the effect of the medicine, she wears off and goes to sleep.
Aviral goes and sits beside her, back resting on the bedrest. He slowly lifts her hand up and holds it in his palms. Constantly stroking and rubbing her hand as if saying, I am there, I will not let anything happen to you.
The nurse after checking her blood pressure and temperature, went back to the room to prepare the report to be given to the doctor. Sudha went down to kitchen.
He wipes her still wet face with a clean and dry towel and tries to remove her hair which had spread all over her face and tidy it as much as he can. Anu was muttering something in her medicine induced sleep. Aviral couldn’t make out the words, so he bent down a little and placed his ears closer to her lips. Anu, was whispering, Avi, be there with me, please hold me tight, I am scared. Tears rolled down the eyes of Aviral. At least her, heart and sub conscious mind still recognises his touch and remembers him. She has not forgotten him.
Holding her hands even more firmly but carefully, Aviral sits back. He takes a deep sigh and as he turns his head, he saw the phone handset lying there on the bed. He took it and kept it back properly. Tomorrow night he will need it again. This has been a routine now for past 35 years. It almost seems like as if that’s what is normal, that’s what was ever there and will ever be there, this routine. Alas, he sighs. He only knows too well that that’s not the case. Past 35 years every moment he has been reliving the past and wishing if the present was only a dream, rather a nightmare which will end. One day he will get up and all will be back to how it was 35 years back.
Aviral starts thinking about that phone call, which is an everyday occurrence now, which changed his life forever. How can he forget that. After all, that’s the only connect between him and his Anu now.
Anu or Ananya, like today called up 42 years back accidentally as she did today. The time was exactly the same and the way the phone call happened too. 42 years back when his Anu, was still Ananya to him, was pursuing her doctorate alongside being a wonderful teacher. That night when the call had come like today, they started talking and the conversation continued whole night long with neither of them realising that the electricity resumed half way down the call and the moon and the stars were replaced by sun and light of the dawn. That was the first time ever Aviral had such a long conversation with anyone, let alone a stranger. Then again, Ananya never felt like a stranger. It was like he always has known her, like she always was very close to him, just that they met a little later. As close friends who meet after years but still feel that they were always together. It felt similar, and the feeling was mutual.
At the end of the call, still reluctant to keep the phone down, they decide to meet for lunch. It was the longest 5 hours of Aviral’s life. He has never in his 26 years of life waited for someone or something, so eagerly, anxiously and desperately. He still remembers the moment when he first saw Ananya. She was all that he had imagined and more. She was wearing a pale blue skirt with yellow and white polka dots short sleeves top with frills at neck and shoulders, with black sandals and black purse. Her curly hair was tied in a ponytail which swung left and right with each movement. She was wearing absolutely no makeup barring some lip cream which made her beautiful pink lips shine. She did wear small light blue pearl drop earrings and a black leather strap watch of titan with a black dial. She looked a little shy and nervous but also eager. Ananya was resembling a very sweet, cute and innocent doll but the way she was looking at him with those big, black eyes and with the heart-warming smile, made her real, very real. His heart skipped a beat. At that moment he knew that she was the one. That she was the girl he wanted to spend his entire life with.
After that day, from Aviral and Ananya they became Avi and Anu. Ananya reciprocated his feelings exactly with the same intensity. Yes, they were in love deeply and madly.
Each day their fondness, love and care for each other grew more and more. Anu and Avi both were mature and had an amazing understanding. They knew that along with each other their career was priority for both of them too. They both supported one another in growing and establishing and attaining their goals. Avi wanted to get enough experience so that one day he can start his own architectural firm. Anu wanted to pursue her doctorate and then become a research scientist alongside continuing with her teaching. They both decided that they will give each other enough time and when they both feel that they have achieved at least a decent position and their career pathway is clear then only they will settle down and get married to each other.
Seven years passed and finally they decided to give a name to their relationship and get married. Avi now had started his own firm and was slowly but steadily climbing up the ladder of success. Anu was a research scientist and had already build quite a reputation for herself in her field with two bestseller books in her name.
It was 20th January and after two days on 22nd they got the date in court to get married officially and legally. On 22nd itself they had their tickets booked for their honeymoon. It was an elaborate vacation spread over one month and various locations both within the country and abroad. This was like a dream come true for both of them. All the wait, all the patience was finally paying off. Now, they will be able to spend every moment of their life together without answering to their respective families or society at large.
Anu got a call from her assistant that he and others wanted to throw her a bachelorette party and she got to be there. She had an amazing time with all her friends and colleagues and got a little drunk than usual. As it was late and she didn’t want to call Avi, who was busy attending few of his close friends who have especially arrived for their wedding. So, she called for a taxi. It was very chilled and foggy that night. Anu sat inside the taxi; it was half an hour distance from the party venue to her flat. Tired with the hectic schedule and the booze her eyes were getting closed and before she knew she fell asleep. She woke up with a big jolt and loud screeching of break, the only thing she could make out was the strong reflection of the headlights of a huge truck which was speedily moving towards her. Then there was a loud bang, she felt the taxi rolling and turning upside down and few people running towards her, shouting;The driver is dead but the person at back she seems to be alive. She lost her consciousness.
It was around 1.15 am when Avi received a call from a stranger. She was receptionist of a hospital and got his number from the small notebook which Anu always used to carry in her purse.
Strangely after 7 years it was another phone call which changed Avi’s life completely.
After a month and 17 days, and following two surgeries and with lot of care from the medical staff and love, prayers and dedication from Avi, finally Anu regained consciousness. Avi rushed towards her room. He has waited enough, now he will not let his Anu be away for a single moment. He entered her room and saw Anu. Her back facing him. Avi called out her name, Anu and slowly recognising her name, Anu turned to look at him. She had the same look in her eyes and the same smile like the day when they met for the first time. Tears rolled down Avi’s cheek, but suddenly the smile started fading away from her lips. She again turned away asking the doctor, who is he? Avi couldn’t believe his ears. He ran towards her calling her name. Anu, this is me, your Avi. Anu, are you playing a prank on me. Please, please don’t do this now. Anu don’t scare me please. Anu give me a tight hug. Anu please. I have waited for so long. Saying this, he tried to hold Anu and hug her. Avi gets startled by a shriek from Anu and she pushes him back, away from herself. He was not able to understand what is happening. Why is Anu behaving as if he is a stranger. The Dr. gives her a sedative and puts her to sleep. He tells Aviral, that he needs to conduct some tests before he can ascertain the reason behind her strange behaviour.
After a week of further tests and referring to few experts, the doctor tells Avi, that Anu has suffered partial memory loss. It was both because of the head injury she had and also because of the trauma and shock her brain faced. So, Anu remembers her life in bits and pieces. Somethings or some portions of her life have completely wiped out and some she just has a bleak memory of and some she is able to recall completely. The doctor said, I am sorry Avi, you probably are the part of her life which she has almost no memory left at all and we don’t know whether she will ever be able to remember and recognise you. Avi’s whole world shatters down. He couldn’t believe that his Anu, who is his world and till just few days back he was her life, her would be wife, she doesn’t know him anymore. He just couldn’t understand what is happening and now what he should do. He gets up, broken and lost and is about to leave the Dr’s chamber, when the Dr. says. Oh yes, I forgot to tell you something. Anu everyday at night after dinner insists of making a telephone call to a particular number. She says she has to talk and insists. So far, we have made excuses but just thought of letting you know as we will be discharging her soon. The Doctor passes a paper with a phone number scribbled on it. Avi stares in disbelief, its his phone number.
It has been 35 years since that day and Anu though can not recognise him still and gets scared even with his presence, not a single day has passed when she hasn’t called him up. For Avi this is his life now. Taking care of Ananya and waiting for her call. It was like falling in love every day over and over, again and again.
© agypsysoul
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