Promise

PART I

It was the summers, all set for vacations. Days were exhaustive and exams were curtained. There was a fuss in air that, “Home calling”. Alike all Gaurav, a first year student at the Symbiosis International College, Pune was really excited to go back home that was situated in the beautiful scenes of Shimla. Well it was a long vacation that he was heading forward. His family was waiting there to see their son return home. Gourav was thrilled about this visit as he was having a long span of days to pass with family and will get a couple of occasions to meet the person whom he texted every now and then. Well, he was more excited to meet that face sitting in the beautiful town of Manali, Dristi.

When it came to Dristi, Gourav could talk for days about her. She was really Gourav’s vision (Dristi). It was merely fifteen months that they have been in touch and now have become each other’s companion. From being just friends, to best friends and then started to live for each other. Being physically miles away they could even take care of each other’s feeling and needs. Dristi got her morning hour college and every morning Gourav would leave her to her college. It was a virtual world that they made being virtually together. Yeah it was obvious that they spoke over phone while Dristi was on her way to college. Its long that I have only said about Dristi. May be if the writer was Gourav he would have done the same or may let people know that her Dristi was having the World’s best smile, prettiest eyes, and purest soul.

Gourav was in a hurry and there was a lot rush in train. He got a wait listed ticket and would had to merely sit and complete his journey. He boarded the train which was packed and also tried to bribe the TC to get a seat. Nothing worked his way. It was fine during day as he chatted with Dristi and was not able understand how time flew. They were planning all sorts of thing. How and where to meet, and was debating in some points too as they always did. All these debates between them never made their distance relation a dull one. Whenever Gourav came home he filled light in Dristi’s life. She always felt lonely but compromised with this distance as she was completely dissolved in her bestie, Gourav. Gourav too, always waited for the smallest opportunity to get her glimpse. Such was there relation.

As stars started to twinkle Gaurav was standing at the door of the train. Looking at the stars was wondering that the same sky and stars were stretching over her Dristi, but still they were miles away. A smile bubbled up from somewhere inside him as he realized he was going to nearer with each passing moment to her Dristi. Till now it was a hectic day for him. He was more on the tiring end of the day. The cool breeze was making him feel drowsy. Still he was awake as he was not having a seat to sleep and also that his Dristi was coming in few minutes to chat with him. Well in few minutes his phone beeped as Dristi texted her. She was worried that how Gourav will sleep as he was not having a proper seat. Gourav convinced him that he was fine and doesn’t need sleep. But that girl wasn’t satisfied with his convictions.

They chatted till late. Dristi asked Gourav to take a short nap as and when he finds a seat. Gourav knew he won’t get any seat, but still promised her that if he gets a seat he will sleep for a while. That was the last conversation before Dristi called the day off. Gourav was moving from one part of the train to other as people were in their deepest sleep. He was excited that he will reach home the next morning but also was very tired and sleepy. For a while he charged his phone standing near the door. He found the door area was unoccupied and he thought to sit there for a while. He fetched some newspapers that he procured in the morning before boarding, placed them on the floor and sat on the door. The breeze was really awesome and cool. He was enjoying the breeze the speed of the train and was also enjoying all the recaps of his Dristi. He was reminded of his PROMISE that he made to his girl, as soon as he gets a seat he need to take a nap. He kept his promise.

PART II

As he was waking up pain was surrounding him. He was not able to move his body parts desirably. What was that, which was pulling him back? His head was heavier than before. He was worried as he needs to get down at his station and reach home, people were waiting for him. He was irritated that he wasn’t able to open his eyes. Well after a long struggle how open his eyes to find a roof above him. A fan was running. How he all of a sudden came under that roof from a moving train. While he was gripped with these questions, he heard a female voice yelling, “Doctor, he got back to sense!!!” Hearing this he was shocked. Doctor??? Am I in a hospital? How can I be? I was on my way back home. I was in a train enjoying the speed and breeze. Am I dreaming? Hell lot of questions was poking him. He was confused and worried.

A man rushed in and checked his pulse. “Fantastic”, said he. It was the doctor. “So Mr. Gourav, how are you feeling?”, asked the doctor. Gourav replied saying; please tell me what is going on before I break my head. Doctor asked him to relax and said, “Am sending someone who will answer your all doubts.” The doctor walked out. Gourav was breathing very hard. He was really eager to get his answers. He stared at the door to see who was coming in to answer his questions. He was surprised to see the people coming in. Gourav’s dad walked in the room. He was shocked to see him. Followed his mom, tears in her eyes. He was really confused. Both of them came near him. Mom came and kissed his fore head. It was soothing to get the two most reliable persons of his life near him. He was sure to get his answers now.

Dad dragged the stool next to Gourav’s bed. Took his hand in his and asked how he was feeling. Gourav stared at his dad and dad smiled with lot of pain in his eyes and started to narrate. As he dosed off at the door of train, slowly he got into sleep. His tiredness carried him to a stage from where he was not able to wake and he slipped out of the speeding train door. That was really shocking for Gourav. He fell off the train and landed on his head. He was injured in such a way that he went unconscious instantly. This incident took some two hundred kilometers from his home. Local people admitted him to the nearby hospital where was primarily treated. He was in coma, when his family members came upto him upon contacting then in lieu of this ID card. As his dad narrated all this, tears rolled down from the corner of his eyes. Dad upon completion said him, “Koi pagal hi aaise soo jata hai!!!.” Hearing this he smiled.

Mom did not say anything but her face said everything. As doctor called dad, mom came upto him and said, “One of your friends have come to see you all the way from Manali.”Gourav looked at his mom confusingly. He replied, “Manali??? I don’t have any friend from Manali.” Mom explained that his friend Dristi is there. But he refused knowing anyone by this name. Mean while Dristi peeped through the door. Mom asked her in and left them in the room. Her eyes were moist as if she hasn’t slept for nights. Pain ridden face. Came to him and sat. With a heavy voice she asked, “Pagal, was it important to keep all promise?” “Sorry miss, I did not get what you said”, replied Gourav. “And can you tell me how we know each other?” questioned followed. Dristi was shocked hearing this. Gourav wasn’t able to recognize his Dristi. Was that a prank? No he never played pranks with Dristi……………

I am not having words to explain the feelings of Dristi.