Entry 19.0 - The Night they Met

Entry 19.0 - The Night they Met

 

Disclaimer:

Try to imagine it as a scene in a movie, or rather a short film.

When we say a scene or a short film screenplay, a lot of things are conveyed more through expressions and unsaid thoughts rather the dialogue doing the talking.

Turns out, now I understand that writing a scene is difficult. At the start of it, you gotta explain the surroundings and feelings a lot before the dialogue kicks in.

Though this doesn’t stop here, you gotta explain things too.

(Things mentioned in brackets are what the characters are feeling or doing, what's happening in the scene)

Things mentioned without brackets and in italics are the ones which the writer is thinking while writing this..

I know all this is odd..but then please take a chance on it…

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The first ones are always special.

Somehow, they just always are.

This story is upto you , how you take it, its about 2 people who have met after quite a long time and maybe did not depart on the best of their terms..Oh, Love’s always been cruel in that way.

Its like people about you. Funny thing, this story might be just about you..

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Mayanagari..

Sapno ka Sheher..

There are countless names we’ve given to Mumbai. Each Square feet so closely guarded and used, that people truly understand the importance of space in their lives. We talk a lot about their food, culture, glamour, marine drive.

Well today’s story starts at another great thing about Mumbai, A train..

The Mumbai Local..

Part I –

Scene I – The Train Station

Him

The superfast local is just reaching the Borivali station. As usual for the 8 PM route, the platform is filled hundreds of people ready to board with. Everyone looks so different, different clothes, faces, occupations, income brackets, castes..all united by their best option to travel in Mumbai..

The Local.

The train Halts.

(He looks at the everyday crowd gushing in in his bogey, almost feels like somebody’s gonna get badly injured. He thinks of the thrill that these people would have to go through everyday, fighting a war everyday to board a train..)

(Something clicks in his mind when he sees the last person who onboards the train, his brain rather instant to register who the person is, but his heart, not able to react at all..)

It’ Her.

You see a face after such a long time, what would you do.

(Everybody’s trying a place to sit where almost every seat is jam packed)

(Even if delayed, he just stood up, without saying anything, signaled to her and offered her his seat. She takes his seat and stands by holding the pole besides the seat)

 

Her

(She thinks, what just happened..

In all  the adrenaline rush of getting on the train and finding the seat, a face not unknown, offered her a seat. While accepting it, it slowly came to her, who’s the friendly face. Even though she sat, her mind went into a frenzy of, “What just happened”?)

 

(It’s been 5 minutes like this. Him standing holding the pole and her sitting. No words uttered or exchanged, no glances taken here or there..they are lost in their own thoughts of what just happened)

 

Part I –

Scene II- A Walk down the Memory Lane

What do you do when this happens?

I’ve heard stories of people running away or hiding their faces or trying to completely ignore the other person. But what do you do when this happens on an overcrowded train with nowhere to run to, when the other person is in such close proximity..

 

(A thing which started in 12th grade and ended up in an unexpected way just before the end of 1st year of college..)

(She’s thinking of the last time they met on the last day of college exams, when they decided to meet up for dinner before she leaves for the city. A dinner which she eventually had to cancel as there was not enough time left. Still he had come to meet her and say a final goodbye..)

(Him thinking, how we only got a week’s notice when she told him she going back to Mumbai for good. He planned something for her, it was a small gift, kind of a joke if you ask me, gifting her a box of chocolates of a local brand, only found in this city, with a wrapped letter inside..telling her how he felt. Him waiting for a while at their spot at the restaurant to receive the message she might not be able to make it. Ultimately him going her home just to say a couple of lines ending with a goodbye and not even a hug, as for her parents and sister loading their home belongings onto a truck.. He could only think of the things he wanted to say which remained unsaid..as there was no time..and nothing happened well once she shifted the cities.)

It’s almost funny, how one of them is thinking of what was said when the last time they met, and the other one thinking of the things that remained unsaid..oh, love, the machinations of your concept are powerful yet haunting sometimes…

 

Part II – The Sitting, the Standing and the Walking

The stations go by and finally the bogey is almost empty,

He takes a seat on the opposite side of the aisle. It’s been what, a total of 5 minutes since the train started its journey..Sometimes, seconds seems like minutes and minutes feel like hours, time seemed to froze for both of them…

They face each other now, nobody turning their face…

She tries and says, “Hi”, it was in such a low voice that one would there was only a lip movement, he says back, “Hiii..”….with a louder voice..

The train suddenly jolts and stops, they’ve arrived at the last station..both get and up leave through the door, again standing against one other,

This time, they both say together, “Hii..”

(Its so awkward..that they keep saying Hi to each other)

To kill the awkardness in the air, they start walking together, towards the stairs..

They reach the stairs with silence being their mutual friend..

He finally takes a chance and ask, “Are you going by the metro?”,

She says , “Yes”. They finally take that right turn to get out of the railway station..

(She hesitantly asks)

She: You live here now?

(Him patting is his hand on his head nervously)

He: No, I am just here this week for some office related stuff. I still most of my time in Ahmedabad only.

He: You, would still be living here, right?

She: Yeah, coz Mumbai is Mumbai. Just returning home now after a long day at work. Just one of those days, when all hells break loose and gotta solve everything. God knows, how we’ve wrapped up today at the office. I work at Oracle right now for the Indian markets investment arm.

He: Ah, the big shot job you always wanted. Nice, its good to hear that you made it.

(Almost completing the walkway of the Metro station)

He: How’s everyone at home, mom, dad and kavya di?

She: Oh, hasn’t changed that much. Appa works at the Surat branch right now. He got another transfer in 2 years after us shifting to Mumbai again. Though he makes time every weekend and comes home. Kavya, she has been studying a lot of degree courses for film making and acting. Now, she plans to apply for National School of drama in Delhi. She is aiming high for all the starts. And, Maa is still Maa. She joined a college, still teaches English Literature. Though she’ll probably retire this year..I think she deserves some rest now..

(He still remembers how much she loves her mother. Her love and appreciation of mother is almost second to none)

(They don’t even realise, that the climbed the metro stairs and kept on talking and walking, also climbed down to the other end. What a thing to happen.

Maybe this is what happens..when you meet someone after a long time or someone you genuinely care about, the surrondings start to dial out with all your attention on the other person..Focused enough, that you forget to take the usual turn on the road..Somebody said it right, the greatest form of love is to pay attention.

She: I think I’ve talked enough, now its your turn.

She: Oh shit, we crossed the metro station. I didn’t even realise it.

(Him, still being a bit hesitant but again taking a chance)

He: Umm, well, if you’re okay, we can always walk.

(Surely, he took a risk here rolling the dice. Though, now the ball’s in her court)

She: Umm, yeah, Let’s go. I only live a couple of miles away from here.

(His heart almost skips a beat to hear her agree)

She: Come on, now. Its your turn. What’ve you been upto.

(What started with a whisper from her “Hi”, she finally has found her comfort and chirpiness back while talking to him)

He: Ahh, it’s a long story, actually. I’m not sure but it took me a couple of attempts to clear the exams and get our infamous degree – Chartered Accountant. Then, I joined an MNC much like you and did a couple of years of stint there. The work was infinite and hours we cruel. Though, somehow, the place never felt like , this is it. I always wanted to work for or on something, which keeps me active and challenged. That if even on a Sunday, I have to get up and work, the satisfaction that should come with it should be refreshing and count for something productive. I started missing that feeling there. So, ultimately I left the place in order to do something of my own. Picked up that idea I had in college of creating an unique outsourcing company which helps other companies run the bigger portion of their functions. It’s been 1.5 years now, getting this thing on its feet, in Gujarat and Maharashtra, people are starting to see its value slowly and steadily. That’s why I’m here. Meeting with a couple of existing client and trying to pitch a new one too. Its something new, so I guess will take some more time for people to accept this..

(He still couldn’t believe he spoke so much about his life so easily. Maybe with some people, you don’t need to try, their efforts and your efforts, sync and co exist so beautifully)

She: So you still believe in taking the road not taken..you never really could take the easy way out..that habit of yours seems to be there still..

(She is amazed that she remembers this reference of their from years ago, where they discussed this poem by Robert Frost, almost for a brief time used it as a reference for so many things in their lives)

He: Well, you get me there..that’s how its always been..

(They keep on walking. The niceties have been exchanged and their mutual friend has made its appearance once again..silence)

 

Part III – How much time it has been..

(The funny thing about awkward silence, it never goes away until someone chooses to break it)

 

She: Its been a long time now. I’m not sure how man yyears have gone by and we haven’t talked..

He: 7 birthdays. I thinks its been 7 birthdays since you and I have talked..so much has happened between then a now

(He says this and maybe gasps for air, takes a long sigh which I feel should easily hear)

She: Yeah, so much has happened between then and now.. I can hardly count the stories and drama which has happened in these 7 years..

He: So..do you have someone? Someone other than family, who feels like home..?

(That’s how she describer her future partner in college. Apart from all the usual requirements, she always said, that the person should feel like home to her)

(I I don’t think his question was out of any intent of starting things again. I think there’s a mutual agreement that this is where they briefly meet and maybe soon will part ways. I think, it was more out of genuine curiosity and his care for her, that he ended up asking this question..

 

(She wasn’t too surprised by the next question. Because if not for him, it was something she would have asked next. Still somehow, she couldn’t say something for a while and they keep on walking..)

(After a minute or so)

She: There’s..there’s someone..I am not sure if he’s the one. But he is important to me…Its only been an year but somehow he has become a large part of my life and my journey here…I never thought I would value somebody else so much other than my family in this life..

She: You see..I’m not that naïve anymore..I’ve become much better at understanding and communicating things..things of importance..

(Even though the last lines were cryptic, he somehow could understand what she meant. He’s not feeling that sort of love right now which he felt years ago, but this is such a weirdly positive feeling, talking to her, knowing about her life and her close ones)

She: And, you?

(He takes a huge sigh again before answering this one)

He: There was someone sometime back. Though, we aren’t together anymore..

He: Though whatever time we had together was amazing..It was so good to have someone who keeps you driving towards your goals, who understands your likes and dislikes, moods and behaviour, who pushes you everyday to be your best version. In that way, I believe, we both did so good for each other. It was like having a permanent passenger in the dream run of our lives. Though she had to leave..to a far off country in pursuit of her dreams..and we decided to part ways..

(She could sense the sadness in his voice.)

He: Then again, whatever time we were together..there were no regrets..It’s been a year now, though I’ve no complaints..its been realy busy growing this idea..it’s finally looking to have a proper shape and structure..when I see back these 7 years, I feel each year in some way or other, I’ve grown professionally and personally..each year there’s been countless blessings and lessons..

(She is patiently hearing this. There’s an odd sense of satisfaction to hear someone’s journey. Especially the ones, who had the same starting line..)

(She’s thinking, if she should say something about that night..)

She: Listen..about that night. I think you had some things to say at our dinner which never happened. I’m sure you came to my house in a lst effort but couldn’t say anything due to Ma, paa and Kavya being there..

(He instantly says)

He: Yeah, there were things I wish had said then. But there wasn’t enough time..

She: I know, somewhere I knew what you would say, but we were 16, too inexperienced and naïve. I did not understand the value of things then. I was changing cities after a long time. That was all the change I could’ve managed then. So I’m not sure, that even if you had tried, what would my answer would have been..

He: There were a lot of things to say and not merely a sentence. But some

(She could only nod at this time..still thinking out things and processing what he just said)

 

Part III – A one in a billion chance..

 

(They both are walking more slowly now as her building approaches..)

(She isn’t sure what to say next in this case)

She: You know, I almost didn’t come by the train today. It was such a difficult day that I planned on taking a cab..I waited 10 minutes to find one and didn’t..and ended up taking the train..

(He almost gives away a big smile)

He: You’ve no idea..today’s my last night in the city. I leave early tomorrow morning..I missed a couple of locals standing at the station..irritated..and asked a guy how much time it would take to reach my hotel by a cab…If he hadn’t went out of his way to convince me why a local is the best way to travel in Mumbai and that I would reach reach early at my destination..I wouldn’t have been on that train..

(There’s a big smile on their face now)

He: Funny how sometimes, you find things and people

(She still couldn’t belive how a Thursday night has turned out so important for her)

She: Yeah, its funny. Things have a way of finding their way, maybe..

(Her home’s here. The smiles are done with and they just now stand facing each other, silently)

Maybe there’s so much they can talk about, so much to think on..but this part here..the way they talked and know where they are in their livess..feels content.. How a conversating and meeting which lasted 30 minutes..feels like a conversation of a life time.. Its odd, some times, years can go by and make you feel nothing, and some days come, which make you feel some much..Almost feels odd, sometimes, to be a human.

He: So, I guess, this is where we part our ways..

(She was overwhelmed by emotions, could only nod to what he said)

He: Hey, its alright..trust me, I’m so happy that we met today..

(Without saying much further, he turns back and starts walking)

 

She: Hey Raj…

(Funny, how this is the first time she took his name tonight)

She: Lets try to find a way and be in touch from now on..

He: Sure thing, Riya.. If you remember, you owe me a dinner too..

(She trying to control the lump of tears in her throat..giggles)

She: Sure thing. Next time you’re here..dinner’s on me..

(They both hug for a minute and he walks back to his hotel)

(Would like to think that, "My love mine all mine" by Mistki is playing in background or the "Downtown Train" is playing)

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