A still winter morning; foggy, cold and dull. Naira tugged her blanket closer evading the first morning rays. But her alarm irretrievably went off. She opened her eyes for a split-second and checked the time- it was 5.30 am. In another half an hour the train would reach Bangalore Central. And then what? Will Rahil be on time? He’s never up this early, anxiously thought Naira.
Delhi, Café Coffee Day, CP inner circle, Block A: 5.50 pm. Naira surveyed the stranger sitting opposite her. He was a rather haggard looking fellow but with large, intelligent eyes. He had come straight from the hospital, his stethoscope lodging out of his jacket. He handed it over to Naira who stuffed it into her ample college bag. This was something of a tete-a-tete. Or in simpler terms- a date! This was the first of a series of dates; all terminating with coffee and a good conversation. Naira found Zaid affable, down-to-earth, intelligent…in other words, a perfect concoction for marriage. And since Zaid was rather swept away by her, she too gave it a modest thought. By his own admission ‘she had the most beautiful hair he had set his eyes on and of course the warmest smile in the whole, wide world’. It didn’t hurt either that academically she was his equal.
So Naira Hassan, age 24, was in grave danger. The danger of being persuaded. This was in fact, the sole topic of discussion among her friends. Everyone consented that being persuaded wasn’t such a bad thing as that...Especially at 24, when you are on the verge of being presented ‘eligible’ ‘settled’ young men by your parents.
Rahil was there…putting an end to all her doubts. Sylvia spotted him first…’Thank God’ thought Naira. How on earth would we have managed! He brought them to his home…a well-kept flat at Indiranagar. Naira noticed there were fresh flowers in the vases.’ Thoughtful as ever’ thought she. Rahil…her friend, philosopher and guide…the audience to all her stories…the keeper of all her secrets. It felt good to see him after a while. Since he had started working at Google, time was always a constraint. Sylvia was chattering away with him. She was declaring how she had in true Scorpio style managed to drag Naira away from Delhi. Naira smiled...’two scorpians ganging up against her!’Yeah…it was a good time…a time to share stories…to tell him about Zaid. She was sure his eyes would light up. They always did when he was happy.
India Coffee House, MG Road, Bangalore. It was Sylvia who spilled the beans about Zaid. Naira was almost crimson with embarrassment. She couldn’t even look up at their faces but she knew he would be happy for her…maybe a tad sad too…after all, marriages change equations. They would still be friends of course but something they both knew would change, forever perhaps.
They decided they would not brood over it…but sing their blues away. So they made merry…went to visit Mysore…Sylvia and Naira shopped for chappals at MG road…stuffed momos at a hidden eat away discovered by Sylvia…Rahil and Naira went bowling too, something she would never have done in Delhi. After all, Delhi had its plays and festivals all the year round.
That night was a breezy one. Naira loved the white-washed terrace surrounded by old gulmohar trees. She went up to the terrace to breathe in the night-air, something she loved doing. She didn’t even notice when Rahil came and stood next to her…he was gazing into the distance. She thought it better to leave him alone undisturbed. She was just about to go downstairs when Rahil held her back. His arms enclosed around her…and held her close. Naira felt her pulse throbbing…what did this gesture mean? Before she could think of anything, Rahil kissed her softly…a caress…a mere brush. Naira no longer knew what she was doing…she only knew it was impossible to break away…
Naira’s stay at Bangalore after this incident was a torturous one. She was supposed to be getting married to Zaid. Instead memories flooded her mind…her first movie at Delhi, Salaam-Namaste with Rahil…all their never-ending conversations…their school-time gossip…his always holding her hand re-assuringly…his going away and the way it ripped her apart…her silent tears.’ What the hell was wrong with her? ‘Thought Naira. She reasoned it out for herself. Maybe if I get back to Delhi…things will be better…not so confusing…not so nerve-racking.
Naira hoped Sylvia didn’t notice any change in her friend. She had become so absent-minded and often missed her friend’s crisp comments. The day of her departure, Rahil came to the airport to drop her. Sylvia was moving ahead to Chennai where her sister lived. Rahil and Naira had nothing to say to each other for the first time in their lives. Naira blinked back her tears…’Oh God! Why did you have to spoil everything…?
Barista, Kamla Nagar, North Campus, Delhi. Zaid was sipping his coffee…talking about his travails in the lab. He noticed her coffee had remained untouched.’ Hello dear! What on earth are you dreaming about…’? He lightly said. ‘I was just going to tell u what a real horror my supervisor is…just wait till you are allotted one…’his voice trailed off. But Naira had made her decision. She got up and held up her hand to him ‘I have to go Zaid…’ ‘‘I will call you later…’’But what happened?’ he questioned surprised at her abruptness. ‘I left something undone’ she smiled.
Naira rushed back to her friend Riya’s flat. It was New Year and they were supposed to be celebrating together. She reached and began hunting for her clothes strewn everywhere earlier in the day. It made her friend suspicious ‘’Hey! You just arrived, what’s happening?’’.
Bangalore Airport 10.40 am, January 2nd.Rahil was late this time. Naira leisurely sipped her coffee and looked about. The sun was streaming in…a sunny winter morning. Rahil walked in…an apologetic smile on his lips. Naira walked over and hugged him…Rahil held her for a while and looked into her eyes. He whispered…’you came?’I had to!’ whispered back Naira.
