* This is the second part of story, Us. Do give that a read before this one. Cheers! *
Monotonous. That's what life has become for me. Waking up to the same dingy smelly room. Same morning coffee to kick start my day. Taking the normal route to office. Wasting my day, closed in a cubicle. As the night falls, I head back home. Lay beside my window. And think until I sleep.
This night was no different. I thought what I have lost in the past ten years. Almost everything. My life. My smile. My character. My family. And somewhere, back of my head, your name comes when I count those, AL.
I was too busy counting the stars, my moon fell for the ocean.
Out of blue, this came to me. This, is now, a usual thing for me. Random words, keeps popping up to me, and I try to create a beautiful chain. But every chain, carries lustre. And the lustre reminds me of you, over and over again.
I slowly sleep, hoping to catch you in my dreams.
*
"The profits are going downhill since two years. We have tried numerous methods, but all resulting in a bigger loss."
"Investors are losing trust on us now."
"The heads are thinking of a merger."
"Merger. Many may lose there job because of this."
"The company is not surviving at it owns, and the bigger ones out there have already shown interest in merging with us."
"Yes. We have a past, we got the ideas. They got the money, and you can predict the rest."
I slowly walked away from the group, discussing this, lost in my own thoughts.
A merger? This may lead to an expulsion of half of us. It's true that the profits were going down. I can't even remember when I got a decent appraisal. If this job is gone, I am literally fucked.
I sat in front of my desk and started to debug the code.
*
"Dude I'm screwed! "
"We are on the same boat", I replied.
" Any further plans? ", my colleague asked.
" Haven't figured it yet. Ummm listen can I call you back a bit later. A bit busy at the moment."
"Yeah sure buddy! Take care", and he disconnected the call.
Buddy? Seriously? We never talked and suddenly this guy calls me up. Majority of our colleagues received termination letter this week. We all were jobless.
Waiting for my north star, guide me home. I seemed to be lost, is this for forever?
*
A month passed by and I was still searching for a job. Unemployment had the worst effect on me. Bank balance drastically reducing, I was struggling to meet my ends. I look back to see what I had earned, it was just money. I didn't had a single friend, unlike what it used to be ten years ago.
Change, is what, this universe undergoes, every single day.
*
I strolled around the park. I saw kids playing, adults walking and the seniors gossiping. I sat, hidden by the shadow of vast tree, secluded from the rest of the world, as usual.
Suddenly, with a breeze, I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder.
"It has been a while, Aryan. Remember me?"
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
"Is this really you?", I murmured.
"Yes. It's me. Fancy a walk?"
"Yeah. Why not?"
I got up and looked at her. God! Years and years passed by, and she fermented like a good old wine, sweetness all over her syllables, gracefulness, as she walked around. Dressed in black, she was ready to kill. The messy hair, complimented her cute little face. Minimal cosmetics, all natural, she was still, child of the nature.
AL: It has been a long while, isn't it.
Me: Exactly. About ten years.
AL: Time flies.
Me: So, how's life?
AL: Pretty great actually. Got myself landed in a job and it's pays for my travelling expenses. Quite a good deal. Also landed in this city for a shoot.
Me: Shoot?
AL: Yup! Photographic shoot, I'm a wildlife photographer now.
Me: Wow! Someone is really living her life.
AL: What about you? What I have missed?
Me: Haven't missed much to be honest.
AL: Well looking at you, I have missed a lot of stuffs about you.
I looked at her eyes and saw a curious pair of those, earnestly staring at mine, searching for answers.
AL: What about Uncle and Aunty?
Me: Died. Long ago.
AL: Fuck! Seriously? When did this happen?
Me: Remember the last time we met? Yeah, that night only. Car crash.
AL: Oh! I don't even know what to say. So sorry. May their soul rest in peace.
Me: Yes.
AL: So? What do you do for living.
Me: Sit in a cabin and code all day. They pay decently so weekends are usually sorted.
AL: Wow. But on a weekday, what are you doing here?
Me: God! You are interrogating me now. Took a couple of days off, needed to catch my breath up.
AL: Okay okay no need to sound so grumpy.
Me: Oh sorry. I didn't mean to be rude.
AL: Relax dumbo. I was just joking. Seems like your sense of humour is dead now.
The soul is also decaying.
AL: You were never in touch. None of our friends knew about you, and was was even surprised to see you here. You have changed, a lot in fact. Where is the old Aryan we knew?
Dead. Dead piece of flesh of bones, living.
Me: Yeah! I lost touch with all of them. And in what ways do I changed?
AL: I don't know. But I can sense it.
Me: Naah! This work stress has gotten me. Needed fresh air so I took a break. Chill!
AL: Few things never change.
Me: Like?
AL: You and your chill.
Me: Sarcasm. That's a good one. You are surely learning it up, kiddo.
AL: So, you met someone?
Me: Yeah I am going out with this girl, three years into this relationship, and it's working out well between us.
AL: Wowie! So she must be really really pretty. What's her name? You got her pics?
Me: Not as pretty as you, but yes beautiful for me. Name? It's Ankita and so sorry I got no pics. Not carrying my phone with me.
AL: Oh! Surely will meet her soon. She is one lucky girl who got you.
Me: Yeah. Now enough of this sugarcoating, how long you are staying here?
AL: Will be leaving tomorrow. But I am glad we bumped into each other. Anyways, I need to leave now. Need to pack my stuffs.
Me: Oh! You leaving so soon?
AL: Yeah. Let's exchange numbers man. I would love hearing it from you.
Me: Surely. Ring me on 7688347012.
Me: By the way, when is the wedding?
AL: How come you know?
Me: That engagement ring on your beautiful finger is a give away.
AL: It's a couple of months. You and Aditi are invited.
Me: Sure. Aditi will love hearing from you.
AL: Okay then, take care. Will leave now.
Me: You too. Enjoy your beautiful life ahead.
She turned and started walking. The hope of meeting at a crossroad was fulfilled. But parting for forever was now our, or rather mine, destiny. All the forces in this universe, acting on me, and I felt crushed. The pressure of the unknown was unbearable. It was hurting but I never knew what was it. She suddenly turned, with tears in her eyes and a cracking voice, she screamed,
"You are such a bad lair."
Truth, my darling, is too heavy for your fragile and happy heart.