Gone By (54 page)

“I shall remember your Anannya too” she said trying hard to smile out.

“You have taken the deepest place in my heart, and I promise I shall mail you” I added.

The flight attendance were scheduling all the passengers before the take off. She was silenced for minutes. Neither I could say out anymore to her. All we spent that fraction into each other’s arm embracing once for the last time with that love that evolved between us. She finally took her step away from me. Her steps shuffled away from the place we were, following the route to her flight. I stood watching her. My eyes shuddered down. Even my heart slightly  drown in sorrow. I kept watching her until she vanished out of my sight.

I walked out of the airport reception zone. I found myself in mist of extreme loneliness. I had nothing more than to return back to my institution for the summer semester exams. I began to walk through the empty street. Her flight took off high up into the sky. My steps added to my way. I halted for seconds and glanced up into the moonlit night. Watching the flight flying away. Even the cool breeze shivered my spine. I kept gazing at the plane under the silver light. Even the moon passed through the clouds that surrounded her. Until the plane was gone I kept watching it. I closed my eyes, thinking about Anannya and Gagan at their best time. With a deep breath I marched forward holding the diary in my hand,
Dear Anannya
.                      

Epilogue

Few weeks later I had sent the manuscript of Dear Anannya to various Publishers. Now my life was the same as that before. Peter and I continued with our business till today. Although we had lots of ups and downs within this period in reason of my absence. I had given my summer semester exams. I thought about Isha a lot. She did e-mailed me after she reached Houston. She even asked me about my diary and I had told everything about it, which would be very soon on large scale as Novel. She was happy to know about it, in return she told me about her thesis. I was quiet impress as usual. After the exams were over I had gone for the summer vacation. Like as always my Dad and Mom were happy to see me back. My Dad made a good business out of his library. As usual Son and Father spent  lot of time in decorating the library. He had more number of books coming in. In mind, I thought about Dear Anannya which will be very soon in our own library. Staying in valley side town covered with hills and clouds, I had nothing more than to spent time with nature during vacation and of course Dad’s library. At my home stay evening was the best time I could go out for myself. Climbing up those hills and valleys watching the green nature all around.

What does true love really mean? I think about that question often in my mind as I sit on the hillside and watch at those white clouds. For moment I feel that loneliness crawls on me but when I think about my Dad and his library , it makes me smile and I find I’m no longer alone. But I am, and part of me knows that I always will be. I hold this thought as I search out the figures of Anannya and Gagan in the distance, holding hands as they walk to the house. They look good as couple, I have to admit. I wonder for a moment what they are talking about as they enter for I’m curious to know about the little details in their lives.

Few months passed away and I have returned back for the next semester. I got a proposal letter for my manuscript. It has been accepted to publish out. I couldn’t wait that news to spread. I instantly mailed Isha letting her know about Dear Anannya. Few days later she mailed me back. She was very happy to know about it. Peter congratulated me. He threw a party on this occasion. I saw him shedding tears before me when I told about it. He was extremely happy and being a brother like Friend he couldn’t wait to do his honour in his own way. He had always been a supportive to me. In the time of loneliness he was always there to assist in whatever way he could do. Couple of months were needed until the publishing house could decide their final launching day. They printed out lot number of copies. I was happy finally. Everything that happened in my life I had shared through e mails to Isha. I began to write to her Mom too. I even did talked to her Mom. She was a nice woman. She told that Isha had said lots about me. Now that she wanted to meet me the next time they visit India. Isha e-mailed every week. And with every reply I made she kept  giving me more. Lately, I could find her list of e mails at the top.

These days, I lead my life feeling that something is missing that I somehow need to make my life complete. I know that my feelings for Anannya will never change, and I know I’ll always wonder about the choice I made. And sometimes, despite myself, I wonder if Anannya feels the same way. I stare at the ranch as evening settles in. It’s the first night of full moon and for me memories will come. They always do. I hold my breath as the moon rises slowly over the mountains. It’s milky glow just edging over the horizon. For long time I wait in vain. I find myself in the mist of deep nostalgic memory. I know she won’t appear, but I still can’t force myself to leave. I breath in slowly, as if hoping she would draw out of my memory.

And when I she her finally emerged out of my brain, she shuffles closer to me.  She pauses for seconds and stares in my direction. I freeze for no reason. I know she can’t possibly see me. Anannya slowly gives her hand to hold me. I feel as if I’m witnessing a miracle, she then raises her face towards the moon. I watch her close to me sensing the flood of memories she unleashed and wanting nothing more than to let her know I’m here. But instead I stay where I am and stare up at the moon as well. And for the briefest instant, I almost felt we were together again.