- By Deeksha Raina
According to wikipedia, a stranger is someone with whom you are not familiar. Our parents advice us not to interact with strangers.
It has been a while now, since I have been standing at cross-roads, neither am I able to define you nor our relationship. Neither am I able to look beyond nor ought I look behind me. How should I define us? Who are you? Are you a stranger, unfamiliar to me? Or a familiar face in a strange land?
Years ago, on a day like today, we first met. I can still remember, the white shirt hung on to your chest paired with a denim jeans and Ray Ban sunglasses. It wasn't love at first sight, rest assured not even at the second or third sight, for that matter! You sat down beside me, handed me a Red Bull and smiled in lieu of the payment. We indulged in some trivial talk involving the rising temperatures, which led us further down on the road to global warming and ozone layer followed by an ice breaker session wherein we got to know each other on first name basis. We parted on a good note. You were a stranger then!
One evening, scrolling through the newsfeed of my Facebook account, I receive a pop-up. Investigating further, I am surprised to see a friend request from none other than you! After being satisfied with the number of mutual friends, I accept your friend request. Soon I find myself talking past the grapevine, digging further into our lives and signing off with you giving me a missed call and I saving your number. You were a stranger then!
What started as a once a week meeting slowly turned into an hour a day call. What started as a hesitated, unsure greeting, What was once a hesitated shy nod was now a full fledged dimpled smile! The occasions which seemed unavoidable turned into moments which I would look forward to.
You were a stranger then! You are a friend now!
One evening, the tables turned. God decided to intervene. Who was once in my speed dial list was now among the many blocked contacts. The love-hate-love relation that I shared with you was now void of all the love. The moments I cherished were the moments I wanted to forget. Whence the opportunities I used to seek so as to meet you had now turned into deliberate attempts at avoidance.
You were a stranger then! You are a stranger now!
Epilogue :
2 years have passed..I still have your number. With every new dawn, i promise myself to move beyond. It seems impossible, for when i look at your changing photos, each day with someone new, i stop myself from texting you, reminding myself that i ain't with you! You held me high yet you called me low, after all this time it seems alright, though i don't know how!
You were a stranger then! You are a stranger now! Or, Are You?