The paper boat
date:9-6-2018
6:00 am
"Oh god!I must quickly put off the snooze before alarm beeps again.I can't afford any disturbance in Vivan's sleep.He deserves half an hour extra,I mean at the age of 5,its unfair to wake up my prince so harshly.Quick quick quick Nisha,you are already late."Nisha mumbled to herself.This was the everyday marathon Nisha used to run.Being a single mother,it was definitely an uphill task for her to manage office and to take care of Vivan.She was quick enough to freshen up and prepare breakfast.She put a glance at the wall clock."6:45.I am running almost 15 min late."It didn't take much longer to Nisha's 'Vivan utho beta ' change into 'Wake up otherwise I will drag you to your school'.She prepared lunch box for herself and her kid,she was almost out of her house when she suddenly remembered about her cell phone,she hurried back to her living area and grabbed her smart phone.While fastening her seat belts and giving quick set of instruction to Vivan of what-to-do and what-not-to-do at school, she managed to check her cell phone and wished that she is not too late."What??Its 9th June today,god,its my birthday.Still no messages,no miss calls,isn't there anyone in this crowded world who care to wish me on my birthday."She put the cellphone on the dashboard in disgust and started the ignition.While putting the car in the reverse gear unknowingly her mind re winded to the time ten years ago.
date:9-6-2007
12:00 am
"Ruhi,what is it??remove your hands from my eyes,I can't see anything."
"Stop it Nishu,u will ruin my efforts,and if you do so,I am gonna kill you"
"Ok Ok drama queen,go ahead."
"Surprise!!!Happy birthday Nishu!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Oh my god,thanks Ruhi...you never fail to do something different on my birthday.Would you mind explaining me why the traditional birthday cake is replaced by these wadapaavs??Am I suppose to cut it??"
"O c'mon Nishu,don't be so ignorant.I am low on budget and plus I know you love wadapaav.I am starving,cut it fast,take your share and give me mine,and for god sake,don't attend those phone calls.Its your last birthday with me."
"Stop being Drama queen.I am not gonna die next year.Yes these are our last days in our hostel,but that doesn't mean you won't come to meet me on my birthdays.I want you to be with me in my good and bad days Ruhi."
Nisha hugged Ruhi.It was not easy for both of them to accept the fact that they will be soon separating their ways forever.It has been three years that they were roomies.Ruhi meant world for Nisha and both of them would go to any extent to bring smile on each others face,that was what Ruhi promised Nisha.We live in completely different world when we are in college.Study,submissions,assignments and exams are the few things to worry about.And those who live in hostel,their friends mean more than family to them.Nisha and Ruhi were no different from any other college going kid.Canteen meant Jannat for them,and smart boys,their topic of interest.
"What if someone breaks my heart Ruhi??"
"I will break his bones,and kick that jerk out from your life.I will be always with you Nishu,trust me,you will never be alone."
date:9-6-2018
The loud siren of ambulance passing by brought Nisha back to the reality
"Fake words,fake promises",thought Nisha.She dropped Vivan in his school
"Take care Vivan".Vivan turned back,came near to Nisha,asked her to lean and kissed her on her cheek."Take care Maa"
Nisha smiled and said to herself "I will sacrifice anything for Vivan." She pulled back her car and was on road again.She drove straight to her office.It was already 15 min late as estimated by Nisha.The angry glare of manager confirmed her that it was going to be a long day for her.She seated herself on the chair of her cabin,checked the cellphone,and there it was.'1 message unread'. She opened the message anticipating a birthday wish,but soon was upset seeing that it was message from the telecom company offering full talk time.She was about to throw her cell but stopped herself from doing so after pondering over the charges it will take to repair the cell phone afterwards or even buy the new one."What a perfect birthday,no wishes,no calls,plus the extra editorial work.Why am I expecting wishes by the way.my family had cut off all the threads with me since I eloped with Kunal and married him against their wish.Its been two years I am alone after the death of Kunal in plane crash,my colleagues don't care about my birthday,my college friends are busy in their lives, and Ruhi,well I guess I am out of her mind.Anyways.You cannot always blame others.Everyone has their own life."Nisha tried hard to brush aside the useless thoughts and concentrate on work.Soon their was a knock on the door.
"Ma'am,the upcoming issue of our magazine is here.Would you please take a glance?"The newly recruited intern asked Nisha hesitatingly.
"Come in,Keep it on my desk ."
The monsoon issue of the magazine was bit early,but she was happy with the progress.She dismissed the intern and took a glance of the magazine.
"Paper boats"she read out and was stunned for a moment.She ran her fingers across the image of paper boats and couldn't help herself going back in her mind to 9-6-2007.
9-06-2007
9:30 pm
"15,16,17...17 gifts and 128 phone calls,100 messages in total...wow!!I am so popular.Hey by the way Ruhi,its almost end of the day and I didn't get the gift from the most special person of my life."Nisha frowned.
"What??Unbelievable!!Kunal didn't give you gift yet.That is so irresponsible behavior and that cannot be tolerated."Ruhi winked.
"Idiot!I am talking about you silly.You didn't give me my present yet.And Kunal,he gave me this large teddy bear and box full of chocolates."Nisha smiled.Her already pink cheeks turned red by thinking about Kunal.
"Oh!!look at you...somebody is blushing...somebody is in Looovee."
"Don't change the topic Ruhi.I am expecting a gift from you."
"Okay meri jaan,wait."Ruhi opened her locker and took out a notebook from it.She came towards Nisha and handed her the notebook.
"What is it??"asked puzzled Nisha and opened the notebook gently.
"Paper boats??"Nisha took out ten paper boats which were arranged between the pages.
"Yes,Paper boats.Each one symbolizing a happy moment.Your birthday comes in the first week of monsoon .Do me a favor Nisha,on every first rain of monsoon,read the message written on one side of the paper boat, write what you wish for on the other side and sail it.Just try to believe that your prayers will be heard.And yes,remember me."Said Ruhi trying hard to fight back the tears.
"Oh meri Filmy Basanti,ab rulaygi kya??This is the best gift ever.Yes I will do as you say."Nisha said wiping tears.
09-06-2018
5:30 pm
Nisha felt dampness in her eyes.
"I wish I hadn't obeyed your words Ruhi.I wish I hadn't sail those boats.At least I would have one left today,and I would wish for my best friend back in my life."Nisha wiped her tears and left her cabin finishing her work.She headed to the day care and picked up Vivan.The smiling face of Vivan and his tight hug would make her forget all the stress of the day.She drove back home.
"I lost my keys of the home Maa."Vivan said trying to suppress his smile.
"Never mind.We will do something."Nisha was too tired to scold Vivan for his irresponsible behavior.She parked her car and unlocked the main door of her house.It was already raining outside.It was unusually dark inside the house owing to the cloudy weather.It resembled the dark sorrow of Nisha's heart.She switched on the light of living room.And their it was on the table.A paper boat.She rushed towards the table and carefully picked up the paper boat.It was then she found out plateful of wadapaav on the table.And two hands blinded her eyes and a known female voice whispered,"Happy birthday Nishu.I will be always with you Nishu,trust me,you will never be alone."".
"Ruhii"exclaimed Nisha.
And the paper boat ,well it was saved for yet another wish!!
date:9-6-2018
6:00 am
"Oh god!I must quickly put off the snooze before alarm beeps again.I can't afford any disturbance in Vivan's sleep.He deserves half an hour extra,I mean at the age of 5,its unfair to wake up my prince so harshly.Quick quick quick Nisha,you are already late."Nisha mumbled to herself.This was the everyday marathon Nisha used to run.Being a single mother,it was definitely an uphill task for her to manage office and to take care of Vivan.She was quick enough to freshen up and prepare breakfast.She put a glance at the wall clock."6:45.I am running almost 15 min late."It didn't take much longer to Nisha's 'Vivan utho beta ' change into 'Wake up otherwise I will drag you to your school'.She prepared lunch box for herself and her kid,she was almost out of her house when she suddenly remembered about her cell phone,she hurried back to her living area and grabbed her smart phone.While fastening her seat belts and giving quick set of instruction to Vivan of what-to-do and what-not-to-do at school, she managed to check her cell phone and wished that she is not too late."What??Its 9th June today,god,its my birthday.Still no messages,no miss calls,isn't there anyone in this crowded world who care to wish me on my birthday."She put the cellphone on the dashboard in disgust and started the ignition.While putting the car in the reverse gear unknowingly her mind re winded to the time ten years ago.
date:9-6-2007
12:00 am
"Ruhi,what is it??remove your hands from my eyes,I can't see anything."
"Stop it Nishu,u will ruin my efforts,and if you do so,I am gonna kill you"
"Ok Ok drama queen,go ahead."
"Surprise!!!Happy birthday Nishu!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Oh my god,thanks Ruhi...you never fail to do something different on my birthday.Would you mind explaining me why the traditional birthday cake is replaced by these wadapaavs??Am I suppose to cut it??"
"O c'mon Nishu,don't be so ignorant.I am low on budget and plus I know you love wadapaav.I am starving,cut it fast,take your share and give me mine,and for god sake,don't attend those phone calls.Its your last birthday with me."
"Stop being Drama queen.I am not gonna die next year.Yes these are our last days in our hostel,but that doesn't mean you won't come to meet me on my birthdays.I want you to be with me in my good and bad days Ruhi."
Nisha hugged Ruhi.It was not easy for both of them to accept the fact that they will be soon separating their ways forever.It has been three years that they were roomies.Ruhi meant world for Nisha and both of them would go to any extent to bring smile on each others face,that was what Ruhi promised Nisha.We live in completely different world when we are in college.Study,submissions,assignments and exams are the few things to worry about.And those who live in hostel,their friends mean more than family to them.Nisha and Ruhi were no different from any other college going kid.Canteen meant Jannat for them,and smart boys,their topic of interest.
"What if someone breaks my heart Ruhi??"
"I will break his bones,and kick that jerk out from your life.I will be always with you Nishu,trust me,you will never be alone."
date:9-6-2018
The loud siren of ambulance passing by brought Nisha back to the reality
"Fake words,fake promises",thought Nisha.She dropped Vivan in his school
"Take care Vivan".Vivan turned back,came near to Nisha,asked her to lean and kissed her on her cheek."Take care Maa"
Nisha smiled and said to herself "I will sacrifice anything for Vivan." She pulled back her car and was on road again.She drove straight to her office.It was already 15 min late as estimated by Nisha.The angry glare of manager confirmed her that it was going to be a long day for her.She seated herself on the chair of her cabin,checked the cellphone,and there it was.'1 message unread'. She opened the message anticipating a birthday wish,but soon was upset seeing that it was message from the telecom company offering full talk time.She was about to throw her cell but stopped herself from doing so after pondering over the charges it will take to repair the cell phone afterwards or even buy the new one."What a perfect birthday,no wishes,no calls,plus the extra editorial work.Why am I expecting wishes by the way.my family had cut off all the threads with me since I eloped with Kunal and married him against their wish.Its been two years I am alone after the death of Kunal in plane crash,my colleagues don't care about my birthday,my college friends are busy in their lives, and Ruhi,well I guess I am out of her mind.Anyways.You cannot always blame others.Everyone has their own life."Nisha tried hard to brush aside the useless thoughts and concentrate on work.Soon their was a knock on the door.
"Ma'am,the upcoming issue of our magazine is here.Would you please take a glance?"The newly recruited intern asked Nisha hesitatingly.
"Come in,Keep it on my desk ."
The monsoon issue of the magazine was bit early,but she was happy with the progress.She dismissed the intern and took a glance of the magazine.
"Paper boats"she read out and was stunned for a moment.She ran her fingers across the image of paper boats and couldn't help herself going back in her mind to 9-6-2007.
9-06-2007
9:30 pm
"15,16,17...17 gifts and 128 phone calls,100 messages in total...wow!!I am so popular.Hey by the way Ruhi,its almost end of the day and I didn't get the gift from the most special person of my life."Nisha frowned.
"What??Unbelievable!!Kunal didn't give you gift yet.That is so irresponsible behavior and that cannot be tolerated."Ruhi winked.
"Idiot!I am talking about you silly.You didn't give me my present yet.And Kunal,he gave me this large teddy bear and box full of chocolates."Nisha smiled.Her already pink cheeks turned red by thinking about Kunal.
"Oh!!look at you...somebody is blushing...somebody is in Looovee."
"Don't change the topic Ruhi.I am expecting a gift from you."
"Okay meri jaan,wait."Ruhi opened her locker and took out a notebook from it.She came towards Nisha and handed her the notebook.
"What is it??"asked puzzled Nisha and opened the notebook gently.
"Paper boats??"Nisha took out ten paper boats which were arranged between the pages.
"Yes,Paper boats.Each one symbolizing a happy moment.Your birthday comes in the first week of monsoon .Do me a favor Nisha,on every first rain of monsoon,read the message written on one side of the paper boat, write what you wish for on the other side and sail it.Just try to believe that your prayers will be heard.And yes,remember me."Said Ruhi trying hard to fight back the tears.
"Oh meri Filmy Basanti,ab rulaygi kya??This is the best gift ever.Yes I will do as you say."Nisha said wiping tears.
09-06-2018
5:30 pm
Nisha felt dampness in her eyes.
"I wish I hadn't obeyed your words Ruhi.I wish I hadn't sail those boats.At least I would have one left today,and I would wish for my best friend back in my life."Nisha wiped her tears and left her cabin finishing her work.She headed to the day care and picked up Vivan.The smiling face of Vivan and his tight hug would make her forget all the stress of the day.She drove back home.
"I lost my keys of the home Maa."Vivan said trying to suppress his smile.
"Never mind.We will do something."Nisha was too tired to scold Vivan for his irresponsible behavior.She parked her car and unlocked the main door of her house.It was already raining outside.It was unusually dark inside the house owing to the cloudy weather.It resembled the dark sorrow of Nisha's heart.She switched on the light of living room.And their it was on the table.A paper boat.She rushed towards the table and carefully picked up the paper boat.It was then she found out plateful of wadapaav on the table.And two hands blinded her eyes and a known female voice whispered,"Happy birthday Nishu.I will be always with you Nishu,trust me,you will never be alone."".
"Ruhii"exclaimed Nisha.
And the paper boat ,well it was saved for yet another wish!!
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