Four long years...

Everyone in blazers and tie.. Everyone looked prim and proper. It sure was a formal event. Award show for corporates. What do you expect? Grey haired 40 year olds, 45 year old CEOs, 60+ owners of giant companies. 30 year olds like him grouped with 7 others who were as out of place like him. They spoke to our company heads, joined for a drink and fake laughed at their stupid jokes. Some bragged about their win and few were modest about it while others said we are pretty used to it now! He felt more out of place because he was here after 5 years. He stood in a corner leaning on the pillar and enjoying the affair silently. Every year on this day he had an international tour and a brand to launch. Also this time he was nominated and the youngest 'boy' (as they called him) to win. It broke many hearts.

What was refreshing in this solitary was hearing her name. He was hopeful to see her and she didn't come. A surge of happiness swelled in him and involuntarily he clapped first and started to stand up, realised half way those stares and awkwardly sat down. The few who sat on his table were glaring and he blurted out to save his ass "college friend". After the function, he made his way to the backstage. The person arranging and coordinating the awards was asking to take them back. I went up to him, "Excuse me! Is it possible for me to take Ananya's award on her behalf? B-school friend." He obviously knew me, obviously Ananya too and that we both were alumni of the same B-school. He handed over the award and the certificate in his hand, I walked towards the party.

Arjun was still looking at her award in his hand and smiling to himself. He then casually looked up and saw him. The day sure was getting weird by the minute. Their eyes met and an awkward smile crossed their face. Neerav started walking towards Arjun and suddenly he was losing his grip from the award. Arjun had a rally of thoughts, “How stupid am I? But why didn’t he come to collect it on her behalf? I hadn’t seen him throughout the function. Must have reached late.” He was finally face to face with Arjun. He had met him thrice before; only because of her.

“Hi! How you doing?” Arjun broke the silence.

“Doing great! Boring part, eh?”

Arjun just nodded his head. He saw Neerav’s eye on the award that he was holding.

“Congratulations! I know how it feels. Won one last year. It feels recognised. Oh good you picked up Ananya’s award also. She must be used to it by now. Winning streak for 3 years. She never comes to this function. Wow!” Neerav continued.

“Thanks! And congrats for last year. Was busy with work so couldn’t attend it since last 3 years. I guess I was nominated this year so my company was courteous enough to send me. Ya! Hardwork pays off!” saying so Arjun handed over the certificate and award to him “Here, do wish her her congratulations on my behalf. And ya very proud of her!”

He passed a confused look at Arjun. It was quite an unexpected reaction from a guy who was married to her. Something was not right! “How is she? I haven’t seen her since 4 years. Aren’t you guys still staying together and dating? Even after 2 years of our break I tried my luck again but I can never forget that evening when she came and told me she loves you. All my love couldn’t hold her back. It took 4 long years to get over her. Finally am getting married to this lovely lady…” his words faded.

A lightning bolt struck Arjun. He felt a sudden loss of air. He wanted to just run out of this place. He felt the walls were closing in. 4 years! 4 freaking years he stayed away from her because she told me she is getting married to him. She was in a relationship with him for years… 3 or 4? He couldn’t care to remember. They had broken up and she lived with him for 2 years. When everything he thought would fall in place she came and broke this news to him. Only after she walked out of his life he realised how much he missed her… how much he loved her. He was an idiot to let her go & didn’t grab then opportunity he had before that very day. He chose something else and he lost her. He pushed her and on that day he lost her… he lost a friend. Naïve he was, not to realise what he was losing.

Neerav saw the sudden change in Arjun’s demeanour. Telling him the truth was pointless. He was getting married. And it took 4 years for him to get over her. Pushing him back would be wrong. Consciousness jumped back into Arjun and he blurted out “That’s great news, congratulations! I… yaa we dated as in on and off… small fights and also I was out of the country… Don’t know why I thought she must have contacted you. Ya, will give her the award myself and work things out. Hmmm… congrats once again man!”

“She would not want to come, maybe, but just ask her and both you are invited. The wedding is on the 6^th this month. I would really like it.”

Arjun could just say a ‘ya’ and nodded feverously. He wanted to leave and just run to her, see her, hold her and say… he didn’t know what would he say? He didn’t think about that now. He just wanted to see her. Period! That’s all!

He couldn’t wait for the day to break. He tossed and turned. He couldn’t sleep and wink. Finally at 8, he went for a shower, had his regular toast and bitter coffee and mentally he had million conversations with her. He was going to see her. As he sipped his coffee and stared outside his hotel window. He felt peaceful. He felt everything was going to sort. Everything. And everything was going to fall back in place. Back to how it was! Fingers crossed…