Words are all I have

I met him again in my forties through social media. I was taken aback. There was a drastic change.The skinny short timid boy in his teens had become a man with a sculpted body. That shy smile was no more shy but as bright as sunshine. It might have caused a few heartaches amongst opposite gender in his prime. Even at this juncture when burden of experiences had taken a toll, Sree listened to the chords, a different song urging her to be different, like the clouds searching for a rainbow. She wanted colour, dripping in red, yellow, orange, to change the grey canvas of her life.

Ronojit Sen sat on a revolving chair resting his head against the head rest. His eyes were shut. Bows of radhachura and krishnachura bent downwards trying to reach the metalled road. Red petals were strewed on it. He was walking towards his school looking here and there to have a glimpse of Sree. 

His Sree, two ponytails, each tied with a red satin ribbon, were bouncing as she rushed through the gate. A chirpy, bubbly and happy Sree. He would sit at the back gazing at her; sometimes turning the pages to fake his attention in the class. During recess, he would hide behind a tree to see her uninhibited laughter. Her exuberance causing those eyes to dance, still haunted him, realizing his inability to confess those three golden words.

Sree was rummaging through her wardrobe looking for that chiffon saree with florets of different hues seeking attention. A red halter neck blouse, a pearl drop pendant,  matching earrings with a dash of pink and flowing curls would complete her look. 

She never knew when he had become her Rono. Those one liners, sometimes tinged with humour or his choices that were identical to hers. Both of them were fond of Bangla band. She liked his linguistic expletives in bashing political leaders. Both of them would minutely dissect a  cinematic excellence. Moreover, he would pep her up when she became a worried mother. Sometimes, the chats were brief, ending in haste. Sometimes, it went on and on delving deep churning out their stories lending emotional support to each other.

 The song 'On top of the world' had been ringing in her ears making her twirl with a spatula in hand. Sometimes she sat on the swing smiling at nothing or maybe at herself. A pat on her back would bring her back to the present. The frown on his face indicated her stupidity. She would rush into the kitchen to hide her Rono who had become a silver lining in an otherwise mundane life.

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It was a bright sunny morning. White cottony clouds floated in the blue sky. Flower pots decorated the balcony of Sree's house. Fragrance of Jasmine and Belli permeated into the rooms mingling with that of incense sticks which Sree had lit just now. Today she was in a hurry. She, quickly, explained tasks amongst her staff. Her cook had kept the ingredients ready for a pot of chicken which she cooked in a jiffy. She took a quick glance at the clock. She mumbled, "It's only a matter of couple of hours".

She was in front of the mirror draped in a floral riot, trying to pin a rose  but left it on second thought. A pink bindi and a silver bracelet were an addition to her usual self. She seemed to be satisfied; took the blusher close to the cheeks, thumped it down . "Why now! when I have never used it!" retorted Sree. She went downstairs and got into her car.

Rono was in a dilemma. At times, glancing at his mobile expecting a call of cancellation of his date with his teenage crush. True, it was a date for him but not for her.

She was ignorant about his crush rather his first love.He flipped up the lid of a worn out small velvet box, looked inside, closed it back. He muttered pacing to and fro, ''Would she or would she not"? Another glance at the Rolex; it seemed the hands were reluctant to move. His patience was being tested. 

A silver Honda City came to a halt. Sree was nervous yet excited. She got out of the car in front of a coffee shop. Her eyes searched for him and rested upon a tall, well built man facing towards a magazine stall. She tip toed towards him.

"Rono...Ronojit."

   

 A sudden turn. Time stood still. Their eyes met for the first time,

"Excuse me," a passers by call made them aware of their surroundings.

"Hi!" wished Sree.

"What did you just say?"

"When?"

"Just now."

"Nothing", shrugged Sree.

"Welcome back home ,"  said Sree. 

"Indeed, for you, dear."

"For me!"

"Shall we?"

A puzzled Sree and smiling Rono entered the coffee shop.

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Rono and Sree selected a corner overlooking busy Park street. The décor  was a  representation of colonial era with teak coffee tables surrounded by upholstered chairs. It was late afternoon, time for a quick nap, hence a few occupants digging into chicken sandwich and sipping freshly brewed cappuccino.

" Interesting, " remarked Rono.

" Why ? Have you never been to this place! " responded Sree.

" No, always wanted to come with you and here we are after three decades, aren't we? "

Sree tried not to blush. But was having difficulty in finding words. 

" What do you mean? "

" You mean a lot, "

Sree was perplexed and was at complete loss of words.

Rono took out the velvet box from his pocket. He opened it . A gold ring with a small diamond was nestled in satin silk. He was about to reach for her ring finger but she pulled her hand away in haste.

" Are you out of your mind? " retorted Sree.

" No, I have a very sound mind, " replied Rono, " It never was your story. It was always mine. You may call it my dream. I bought this with my first salary and kept it close in the hope of meeting you at some point in my life. I never thought, I would ever be lucky. It seems, cupid took pity on me. Give me your ring finger."

She was hesitant. Rono seized her ring finger and tried to push the ring through but it was too small. 

"Even the ring lets me down."

" I will always keep it , Rono. "

" Say again. "

" Rono " whispered Sree,

"Since when?"

 Sree had a dreamy look. She went on.

"Have you seen a rainbow against the backdrop of a raging waterfall? You are just that. Colorful! Vibrant!Never thought about it. One fine day, I realized, I am alive. I smile often now. 

Sree felt shy. Rono covered her hands with his.

"Carry on," urged Rono.

" You are someone who I keep very close to my heart."

"You are the only one for me," responded Rono,"One fine morning, thirteen year old Ronojit realized, he could not take his eyes away from Sree. Infectious was your smile. It made me also smile more often. Once my brother caught me unawares. I did not know what to do. Gave some excuse and hurried away. I dreamt of a world for you and me. Then you were gone."

A deep silence prevailed. Their eyes were locked as if it was an union of thoughts. The Sun hid behind the dark clouds. Thunder rolled followed by a burst of shower. Both of them came out of  trance. 

"It's raining," said Sree with a glee.

  

Rono saw that familiar smile. His teenage Sree had resurfaced. She was up to something.

 Suddenly, Sree got up.

" Come, " said Sree.

" Where? " asked Rono.

" It's time to live our dream, " smiled Sree.

Taking his hand she ran into the rain.

" Are you mad? "

" Yes, madness begins. "

From nowhere a guitar strummed,

         It's only words

      And words are all I have

     To take your heart away

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