I
It was a bright sunny morning of April…Azure sky with golden clouds floating around…A Cuckoo’s song amidst all broke the silence of the morning intoxicating it with merriment and positivity.Sudha was standing at the window overlooking the sprawling lawn of the ISB campus. It is her third day at the ISB campus. She loved the place, more so, as Ravi was with her. The mellifluent note of the bird made Sudha nostalgic…she was reminded of her childhood…how happy this note used to make her. Treading back the memory lane tears rolled down her cheeks…she wished if she could get back to those days…the merry note started to turn melancholy. When she was a child her mom often said “childhood is the best time of the life” but she hated studies and she always wanted to grow up to get away from it. And now she thought, “Mom was correct”, as you grow up life withers away.Sudha wanted to wipe away her tears and be positive. Her husband once said she had this habit of being negative…even when she is very happy. She knows it even better. The more the good things happen to her, the more she wants to hold on to it and like the sand trapped in the fist it withers away quickly making Sudha sad. But now she is really feeling sad from deep inside…as it is the day when she would come back to her hometown leaving her dear husband to study at his dream destination. They had prepared a lot for this day but now every preparation seems to fall flat. They both want to run away from the truth.Sudha shares a great bond with Ravi. They had been long time pals. Finally their friendship gave way to a three years courtship and then into marriage. Growing in love they battled a lot with expectations all around and savored the honor of love for themselves through togetherness but this time Sudha is worried. The very thought of the geographical barrier paralyses her. Ravi went to onsite many a time after marriage, Sudha had managed somehow then but every time she would cry and want him back.She knows how important it was for Ravi to get the degree from one of the best B-schools in the world. He very well deserved it. This time it was a joint decision but she also knows how difficult it is to spend a day without Ravi by her side.
In just few hours she will be flying down to Kolkata, they will be 5450 kilometers away….Ravi’s life has changed with time, location, set –up and ambience. With new friends, foe, studies and activities he keeps really busy…during her stay at the campus hardly did she meet her..Ravi could only see her sleeping..so weird was his time to come back at the quad. But Sudha’s life back in her hometown will be the same, only Ravi will not be there…At times these thoughts make both of them perturbed. All around people are busy acknowledging Ravi’s success at getting into ISB…So Sudha also know she would not find anybody to share her thoughts with...it was only Ravi whom she is habituated to confide in…but now when Ravi is so busy can she pour into him…Sudha is unsure
II
Morning session has ended. Ravi steps out of the class and down the spiraling staircase reaches the atrium. Crossing the circular hall he moves towards the grass garden outside. He lies down on the grass bed…its only a 15 minutes break…what must be Sudha doing at the quad thinks Ravi….he feels guilty to leave Sudha all alone to fight with life….then he starts to think how good can their life be once he passes out if ISB...knowing what Sudha got out of an Indian marriage he shrinks…no good thoughts can hide the fact what she will go through once she reaches Kolkata…Ravi could actually hear voices of expectations which Sudha will have to meet in his absence and understand she will not get a moment to spend on her own..
Before getting into the shoes Marriage looked like a golden boat filled of happiness to him, but seeing her love shrink in the vessel Ravi realized what it takes..may be that had served him to give Sudha a better life Through ISB…At least she is working thinks Ravi….this brings smile on his face..May be some hours of a day will be good to her.He looks at the watch on his hand…Ticking of the wristwatch tells Ravi it’s time for the next session to begin and its nearly time when Sudha will leave for airport..he wants to go and see her off but he has a class to attend….he bids her adieu from there on…closes his eyes and could see Sudha’s smiling face, waving her hand…as she always do….tears roll down his cheeks…
Just one year
One single year it was on a calendar note
… 365 days it was on an emotional note
And even much more was it on a personal note….
Just One Year
