Three years ago I left for Delhi, leaving these amazing streets of Kolkata behind. These amazing three storey houses with wide terraces! After staying for so long in a flat in Delhi, I had almost forgotten their importance. Big terraces, where you could lay your chairs with plenty of room and play your family games. The houses here are really close here. Two lovers can shyly seek glimpses at each other from their respective terraces.Oh all these how much I missed! And ofcourse! I shouldn't ever forget to mention my most memorable moments on the terraces. We were on the terrace first when we met.

A family had shifted to our neighborhood. Their apartment was opposite to ours on the other side of the lane. The lane is really narrow. Voices raised a bit and the people on opposite houses can converse. One day, I was helping my mom hang clothes in the terrace for drying. Mom aunty on the terrace and cracked a conversation. How are you, motive of coming here etc etc. Amidst their conversation aunty said in a high pitched shrill voice.

' Hey, my son, Abir has no friends here. I see you have a daughter. Son, why don't you go play with her?'
It was then I spotted him. He was sharpening his razor blade. I have developed now, but then just approaching people for a random conversation was not one of my knacks.

Though our wavering eyes met for a moment, even he didn't make any efforts to talk to me. So we ignored our parent's suggestion and got back to work. After a few days we got stuck at the same bus stop and no busses were scheduled to come. I literally was nervous then. We found we had to go together and both were in a mutual problem, so that acted like a c common topic for conversation. We never stopped ever since until last two years.
Our lives asked for our time and we became busy in providing it. I had moved to Delhi.
After reminiscing about the past, I had the sudden urge to see him again. But no. I will be going there only after I meet mom. Dad is on his school reunion, so I will be meeting him only a week later.
I breathe in the scent of Kolkata. The scent of wetness in the air. AHH, it's awesome!
I scream from the gate.
'Oh ma, ma, open the door!'
She comes to the balcony to see who is it.
'Arre, Mayna?! Wait, wait I'm opening the gate.'
After a while she comes down with a bunch of keys and opens the gate. As I look at the keys, I grin. I never could get the right key in the first time. It always had to be two or three wrong attempts and then the right one. I doubt I'll ever be able to. I hug my mom after so many days!
In the evening, we are at the table. I had a good sleep. Whatever one says, the best sleep happens on your bed in your own house.

' Mom, how are our neighbours? Abir, aunty, uncle?'
I didn't seem to notice before but then I saw mom in an all dressed up attire, hassling to find her bag.
'Where are you going?'
' You eat and go to sleep, I'll be back by tomorrow. I'm going to a get together.'
Ok. This is a surprise.
'Atleast tell me where is Abir. ' I call from behind.
'In the cemetery. He's.... no..arre I'll tell you everything when I get home. Come collect the keys from the verandah.'
'The words hit like a dagger in my heart. Is he, is he dead?! No, no, mom loved him too much to say that so casually. But she was in a hurry. What if? But then I also tend to overthink things.

My head is splitting with these kind of ill thoughts as I quietly pull the keys in, which mom tied to the rope.
I look straight to see Abir's room's curtains closed. He liked to do that when he wasn't at home. He used to say that otherwise I will steal his things. I did, but only after he said this. I wonder how long have these curtains been closed. I take a quick glimpse at their gate. It's locked from...