The Letter - 9

A tattered old piece of paper slid out of the envelope. The sheet was yellowing and showed frays at its ends. Four pairs of scrambling hands attempted to open it, all at the same time. The pulsing excitement was now at its peak - rushing adrenaline were now at the point of no return - they had to see it, no matter what.

To,

Sneha.

I don't know why I did what I did. Its just that I feel contented now. A bit unsatisfied too - but that's just because you didn't make my story come true.

I only know that it is going to happen again - in this same room. You made me do it and you will force his hand too. I hate you - why don't you free me from this curse?

I see you when I look into the mirror - I feel you when I am alone - I hear you when everything's silent - Why don't you let me rest?

You made me do what I did. And I know you are not sorry for making me do what I did.

God will bless the souls of my four friends...but how will mine be purged?

Enough said...you will not repeat this fiendish act again. I am going to end this pain of mine. And since you are me and I am you, you are going to end too.

Just stop making stories true.

Goodbye!

From,

Ashim.

"What a f***ing strange letter!", moaned Vicky. Avi complained, "I didn't understand a bit..." while Subir retorted, "After all it is supposed to mean to the person the letter is addressed to, isn't it?". Priya only nodded, but to whose comment, no one understood.

And the night passed away.


The Morning Herald

29th May, Monday, 2006

Staff Reporter, Reuters : Brutal murders took place yesterday night at a private hotel in Pelling. Police were informed about the homicides by the residing manager. The incident first came to his notice when one of the waiters' returned saying that the door to Room No. 111 was locked.. The manager himself had then gone there to check. On forcing the door open after repeated knocking for fifteen minutes he had found the three tourists and an unknown person sprawled on the floor. They seemed to have been stabbed with savage ferocity with a sharp weapon. He had immediately called the police. The victims were later confirmed dead. Police took away the bodies soon after to a local morgue for post-mortem. Official investigators suspect the motive to be a love 'quadrangle'. An incriminating piece of evidence, a letter written anonymously, was found at the crime site. According to it the girl who was engaged had a secret liason with one of her companions while the third one fancied her. In a shocking turn of events, the girl's fiancée also had arrived the previous evening to announce his breakup. The ensuing altercation between them took a violent turn and resulted in the gruesome murder of the four youths. Detectives presume the letter to be a false piece of evidence meant to mislead the investigation. The manager reports that one of the companions was missing. Investigators suspect him to be the perpetrator of these ghastly killings but till now all trails leading up to him have led to dead ends. With panic and fear running high in the minds of locals this is surely going to adversely affect the booming tourism industry in the sleepy town of Pelling.


Ten years later.

28th May, Sunday , 2016.

Paradise Hotel, Pelling.

Room no : 111.

Evening.

Four friends sitting in a circle on the bed with a letter.

Sunayana started, "I found this letter in the drawer today you know...let us guess what's in the letter...it would be like a game of a sort - atleast until the electricity comes back."

"Is there any name of a sender or receiver written on the envelope? I mean, that can be a clue...", commented Partho, looking at the letter with eager eyes in the light of the candle.

"I think we should start only if someone gives me a bottle of rum - I think better when I am drunk...", exclaimed Krish.

"Its written - From Subir, To Sneha - does this deserve to be called a clue?", chuckled Sunayana. She resumed, "I think it will be better if you start with your version Ashim...".

A weird smile curled in his frail lips. He didn't know why but he suddenly felt that he had seen the letter somewhere before.

--- * ---

Meanwhile elsewhere...

"You have egged me on - made me commit horrendous sins - made me flee from the police and everyone - what do you still want? I am going to end this pain of mine today. And since you are me and I am you, you are going to end too.", said Subir, decisively.

He just didn't understand that we aren't black or white afterall - just different shades of gray. Questioning why we wear these human suits to hide our inner demons don't bring any answer in the end.

And with every ending will come a starting,

When the king and the pawn will unite for another parting.

Letter-8

The candle was giving light for the last few minutes of itz life... so priya passed Subir another candle... then started telling her thoughts about the letter... she was travelling in some other world when she starts the story...

Ashim a nice boy.... Loved sneha.. they were engaged... ashim thought that after marriage they'll settle in USA.... Life was not a roller coster ride for him... but sneha on the other hand was poll apart... life is not only a roller soater but also pains & troubles were there... one day sneha came here in sikkim for an excursion with old friends... after 2 dayz ashim reached there... without informing sneha... he wanted to give a surprise... &

It was 6pm of evening... Sneha was tired... the day was beautiful... the ruins of sikkim... the forest... & .... Suddenly her thoughts interrupted by a phone call... she saw local no...

Sneha- hi...

Ashim- hello darling... how are you? Howz ur day?

Sneha- ashim!!!!!!!

Ashim- surprise surprise.... I'm coming to your room tonight.... Room no 329 na?

Sneha- okk... yaa... but...

Ashim- come on... don't worry... I just wanna meet you... nothing else...

Sneha- okk...ashim please...don't get the wrong idea of me...

Ashim- see you at 8pm sharp... bbye...

And he hung up the phone...

That evening was nice... ashim came with some great gifts... sneha wanted him to meet her friendz with whome she came... but ashim didn't want that... at 9:30 suddenly he asked "sneha, are you happy?"

Sneha- what? I'm going to marry you ashim.. & whatz the crap yaar?

Ashim- No tell me... you are happy na?

Sneha- ashim itz late... I think you need to sleep now... it seems you are getting mad... now go......

The next morning... sneha when sneha came outside... the receptionist deliver this mail to her....

Sneha,

I don't know how to tell you all these... but I think itz the high time to take this decision... I am going to US next week... before that I'll go to pune day after... sneha... I always knew that you've a past.. ya everyone does... nothing wrong in it... but you never said a single word about it... yesterday... I was travelling in the ruins... it was awesome... but it reveals some truth to me... I saw your best friend... soham is your best friend na? & I realised he is the one... you never talked about him much... but I realised the reason... I don't know what happened between both of you... but what I experienced yesterday... from there I can draw only one conclusion if you marry me... no one will be happy... & soham expressed his love to you... when you are not married... we are only engaged... & I am gonna break our engagement...

I could never saw the love from you which I have for you... but I am not complaining... you were always so caring... so loving... but I was never able to become your love... I wlways tried to become your best friend... but I never succeeded... & today I know the reason...

And sneha... sometimes life gives us no 2nd chance... & you are lucky... you got the chance... you got the person who loves you... who knows you... who is your best friend... accept the truth sneha... not everyone is as lucky as you are...

This is my last letter to you... I am leaving India soon... with no hard feelings... but with memories of those nice & sweet moments I shared with you... I'll keep them to myself all my life... & will be your well wisher...

Best of luck for your future...

I think we won't meet each other again... coz I'll leave this hotel within 8am...

So, check the envelope there you'll find the engagement ring... I want to make you free...

Bbye...

Take care...

Kunal

Vicky- priya!!!!

Priya- aarg sorry... I mean Ashim... aah...subir can you please pass me the water?

Subir- yaa sure...

And everyone became silent...

Time was flowing... no one of them knows how long they were sitting there unmoved...

Suddenly Vicky stood up & ask avi... hey you idiot... may I know whatz happening between both of you??? Oh you are such an idiot... I always knew about the fact that you both share feel for each other... but now... I am sure... & priya... don't you ever dare to talk to me... first wipe off your tears... & just tell me... if kunal was here... why didn't you tell us?? Not fair...

Priya stood up & went to the terrace...

Subir was never that close to priya... but he followed priya....

Subir- priya... kunal is right... life gives you a second chance... accept it...

Priya- Subir, you know nothing... think about my family... & what about avi? Can't he express his love once?

Subir- oh avi is an idiot... but atleast he said this before your marriage na? And we are all with you... so we'll talk to uncle & aunty if you can't manage them...

Priya- hmm... thanks...

Subir- hey... itz okk... but priya if avi never expressed his feelings... you also did the same na? You were busy in your own life with loads of boy friends... he was busy in his own life with his share of girl friends...

Priya- but...

Subir- no if's & but's... you both are great idiots... you never look into your own minds... you two just did all these to make each other jealous... but if any of you had brains then instead of doing all these you should've express your love... & here comes the lover boy...

Avi came silently.... & Subir went with a twinkling smile on his face...

Avi- pri...

Pri- shut up...

Avi –will you marry me??

Pri- what about your other girl friends?????

Avi- even you'll break so many hearts... & right now if we don't get inside of the hotel I am sure both of us will freeze...

They came inside.....

Vicky give a glance to all and said but guys now can we please open the letter????? If all problems have been resolved???

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa (everyone with a shout)

& Vicky opened the letter...

To be contd......

Letter 7

As the shimmering flames of candles where swallowed amongst the dark minds of the beholders.The night progressed.They were not used to such darkness and such silence amongst the darkness.

The road ran just outside the guest house , the only road that dissected the small hilly town of peling.It was not really the season for visitors and so the town was almost free of usual tourists.The inhabitants of the hilly town was handful.The only noise that reached them was the noise of insects chanting away thier savouring songs. An occasional jeep disturbed the orchestra.

The setting was perfect for them to move forward in life.But with each page of the letter being told , they seemed to open an untold chapter in their life.The chapter which they like the shimmering candle flame lay eclipsed in some shadowy corner of thier life.

As the limelight faded of Vicky , it shifted to Subir.He was the most shadowy person in thier life.After college no one really cared for him.In the dark alleys of life.He found himself lay trodden riding against the wave of reality.


He spoke out breaking the silence with a measured voice.Three pairs of inquistive eyes lay fixed on him.The smoke from the cigarette vicky was smoking seemed to form a mist accross the table.It was dark outside where the mist was evident, it was dark inside , in the room and in Subir's heart.He wanted to spread the darkness.


This was what Subir said without wasting a word.

"Dear Sneha,

Life plays trickkery at every turn.Some find it good and some find it bad.Life is long enough to commit mistakes and correct them.I am not sure about reaction to this letter.You have always wanted to know more about me , havent you ? You never really asked but your eyes gave away.

In business , the producer and the consumer never exchange words except the commodity.You sell sex , I bought it from you.Our story could have ended there in the dirty brothel hut.I could have never come back to you.Our story did not end there.Night after night I came back to you and only you.You never questioned , its not a rule in your life to question the likes of people.Your eyes said time and again to me in midst of our passionate exchanges ..bring me to life.It was evident that life had betrayed you.


Life betrays everyone , time and again.Love fades aways into
the shallow waters of betrayal.You understood my preferences in food , drink and music very easily as we spent time together.I touched you , I played with your body , I kissed you.But you never really questioned.Your painful looks put hooks of into my skins , bleeding me as I put seeds of time inside you.


Do all dark alleys end in a dead end ? Did I fall in love with you ?
Did smell the soul inside your body.I know you have been cut , dissected and played with in our life a lot.But in my arms I saw you relax.I saw you find dignity amidst my looks.You cried often but never really spoke.You did not really want to share ,but I wanted to listen.


Quite calm shadows that we cast in time were shady but however were permanent.Respect for me comes from the inner souls of mankind.I respected you , I really did.And my love for you shone more and more into prominence as I growed close to you.


I wanted to take you aways from the shades . put you in colour and give you a new life your eyes asked from you.But claws of society are deep, I wanted to rebel, voiceless rebellian against society by marrying you, by giving you a name.

Its life and life again which calls the shots in the game.I am going
away from this place for the shear fact I will die.Sooner or later , I shall close my eyes to call of death.

In the this last letter of mine , I seal it with drops of my blood.I seal it with purity of my tears and with it lies a new life for you.Your eyes spoke to me , I read them.I cant reward with arraige.But that all dear.


From ,
Ashim


( Enclosed with the letter was a will of inheritance and lawyers address for her way to new
life ).
"

Subir gasped as he reached out for the water bottle , and drank the cold water.The reaction from his friends seemed to be as cold as the water.

The extended eyes seemed to put a strange question put forward to him. No one questioned , no one dared to question and moments of silence followed his long narration.It was all to odd for Subir , to be in the limelight.He was sure someone thought it was his story, it wasnt he told himself.



Priya stood up and opened the window as the clouds flowed into the room.It has been a long day, it was too much to accept mentally.In the mountains she had lost track of time and she seemed to want to delibarety, loose it. She called upon Avi , and said "look can you see the Kanchanguanga ?".Avi nodded impracticaly.The moonlight on the snowclad mountain cast a magical spell and warm hearts. In thier hearts , they soaked in the drops of mountain mist and enjoying their new found love.Priya thought , after all these years ,she was happy as she could be, having the magical words from her choiced friend.The list of adjective that grown from unknown to being a friend and best friend , had finally turned them into lovers.But what next ? She did not want to think.

Vicky called back and with a sudden thrust ," Hey you inseparable friends , can we get back to the table and close that window, its cold at night when your 14000 feet above sea level if you dont remember." She walked back and in her mind thought she could not even tell Vicky that Avi had
confessed his love for her ,how would she face it back home.It was her choice , completely her choice.


Avi closed the windows and walked back , the candle seemed to hurt a bit his eyes after the glorious moon had cast a sweet smell on his life.


Night moved forward in the peaceful quite hilly town in north sikkim.Life for people there seemed to have come to pause except for four souls who were ruthlessly engaged in a game which was unconvincingly wierd and yet had a thrill. They all wanted to read the letter they had found in
a chance.It was continuation that followed.

To be Continued

There might be some spelling mistakes , will read and correct them later for its 2:30 at night now :)

THE LETTER-6

Who me??????? Err… okk…. But guyz can u tell me one thing??? Can I start the story after ritesh’s entry???!!!Avi gave him an weird look…. & priya disgustedly said.. shoot Vicky…whatever you think…...please try to be original…Vicky – okk okk… guyz Vicky – hey, hey, I haven’t finished yet… & Subir don’t look at me like that…Else I’m not gonna tell you the climax…

Come on guyz… let him complete the story…. Please…. Priya said in an irritated voice…

Vicky resumes his story…"Then ashim thought that he’ll deliver the letter to her cousin shreya… but suddenly one morning he woke up & thought that he should leave this letter here… may be some day some stupid group of people will find out the letter ; play some silly game… now itz enough guyz… I need to fag now… this is my story…
Priya – Vicky … you know something…. I am thinking whether you are more weird or your story… such a revolting story yaar…

Agreed!!!! (Subir & avi in chorus)

Avi – now.. who’ll continue now….
Priya – Subir… itz your turn now… start your story…
Vicky - & Subir if you start saying anything mordant like yourself.. I promise I will kill you…
Subir – hmmm…




To be continued……

The Letter-5

Priya was telling everyone," this is the last time I'm telling u about this. don't bug me again!! see, this is a sealed letter i got in my drawer. and it's the sender's and receiver's name written on it. and the game is that each of us will guess what's wriiten in it and will tell the story behind this letter. also he/she has to explain why the letter was never opened. ok??any questions??"

subir dizzyly asked,"onl a simple question"
Priya gave him a exaspirated look and said," shoot"
Subir:"why don't we play something interesting?"
priya was going to say something but Avi took the lead and said,"Subir, thanks to ur stonedness you have not noticed that we have played antakshari for so long and now we are bored to death..and it's the only thing that seems interesting. ok?"
seeing subir's nodding head priya said," so let's start. who's first?"
everyone was looking at each other with a questioing look. Avi broke the silence and said, "ok. i'm starting. Priya tell me what's written on the envelope?"

Priya:" to Sneha Banerjee
from
Ashim Bose"
Avi:"it seems a hand delivered letter, there's no postage stamp on it,"

vicky."thank u mr Holmes. but it'd be better if u start ur story and postpone the investigation"
Avi said,"ok ok..just give me 5 minutes to think. ok?" and he lighted a ciggerate. inhaling a long puff from the goldflake he started thinking what can he say...
and then suddenly the idea came to hiis mind..it's a golden oppertunity to speak out his heart. he knows that he has no chance, but still ...something from within was asking him to tell Priya about his emotions.. taking a second puff, he spoke up,"Ashim and Sneha were friends since their childhood"
everyone started paying attention to him ...and Avi continued..
"Ashim and Sneha were grew up together..and they used to be each other's best friend. Ashim never realized that he has hots for Sneha untill .." he was interrupted by Subir, "come on, Avi, don't tell us the story of Devdas mordenized"
priya adomnished him with an irritating voice,"shut up and let him continue"

this gave Avi more interest and he carried on," Ashim realized that he has a soft corner for Sneha when he got the news that Sneha is getting married.. He tried to talk with her many times but she was busy with her marriage shopping or talking with her distant aunts. and when she got some free time, Avi couldn't ge tthe courage to talk about his emotions."

vicky,"u meant to say Ashim couldn't ..."
Avi :" huh?yes i meant Ashim, sorry!!
Ashim finally decided to write her a letter and after thinking for a long time he found the words and started writing...

Sneha,
I don't know how should I write this letter. nor I'm very clear why I'm writing it. but to be very frank, i just don't have any alternatives. I've to simply write it.
sneha, u r the one I grew up with. you are the one who was always with me, be it stealing guavas form the neighbour's garden or sharing the pain when my 1st girlfriend ditched me. thanks for all the time. i always took it for granted that you'll always be with me. I never cared u specially. but now I understand ho special you were to me, and you still are.

when I heard the news about your marriage, at first I was happy for you. then i understod that your marriage means that i'll loose you for ever, the relationship will never be the same.. and I realized , for the 1st time in my life, that I love you. I was so stupid not to realize it long ago..

I tried to talk to you about this, but i just couldn't. I know how happy you are about the marriage. and I don't want to shock you..
Sneha, you marry the one you are suppossed to...I'm Just writing this to tell U that I love you and I'll always do..
be happy
your friend for a day and ever,
Ashim.

and ashim sealed the letter."

Avi finished the story. he realized that he has probably made it too obvious. he could see at priya's face that she has got the message. suddenly, subir spoke up," Avi, what hapened then??did ashim gave Sneha the letter?and if he did, why it's still sealed?why didn't she read it?"

Avi was kind of haapy to be able to send the message, and so he thought to give the story a funny twist and said," well..Ashim never gave this letter to Sneha. He thought of doing so the next day, but he woke up next day to find that Sneha has eloped with a third guy. Ritesh, her secret lover."

"hahahhahaha!!!" vicky burst out laughing, " i was getting irritated by your mushy love story but what an end!!!!!!oh!!! entartaining!!!!!!!!!!"
Priya and Subir was also smiling...and then Priya said," Vicky, you are the next."

to be continued...

The Letter - 4

It was a true fact that many ignored Subir. Nobody knew why. He didn't either. Even people who knew him or maybe ever wrote about him gave him only a few lines to mouth in their memory. He was like a spectator - one who is easily forgotten. Some believed that it was his introvert nature and some blamed it on his quietness, but nonetheless everybody agreed that he drank too much vodka on friday nights. He took life as it came - never did have much plans like others. When others in mid-school were sweating over what occupation to decide upon, he was busy playing football - alone. People dreamt about the future - but he was different. Strangely, unlike others, his dreams were not about his future - it was far from it. And contrary to popular rumours, his favourite drink was whiskey and he didn't go to discos, lounges or pubs to enjoy himself.

Subir had a very bad habit - he used to write in a diary everyday. It was not like that he liked reading it in his spare time - to renovate dilapidated memories - it was just that he liked doing so. Something related to the release of endorphins in your brain, you know. This thing had so grown on him that he even had a name for his mute 'friend'. And one such day, when he was talking with this friend of his, the phone rang. He was expecting it, he didn't know why. The phone had not rung for a long time - he didn't remember how many days had passed since the last phone call had come. After all, with a person not much to look forward in life, such things were bound to happen. He had almost tripped over the cable wire snaking through the floor when he managed to pick up the receiver.

Subir : Hello?
Voice-from-the-other-side : Tui ekta asto kukur! [Literal translation : You are a complete dog!]
Subir : [Silence]
Voice-now-exasperated : Sala chinli na? [{Expletive} Did not recognize me?]
Subir : Vicky. Bol. [Say.]
Vicky : Jaan mere debo - contact korisni keno eto din? [Why didn't you contact me all these days?]
Subir : I was a bit busy. A bit occupied. Now its over.
Vicky : Beshi kotha barabo na - We are going on a holiday. To Sikkim. Inform Abhishek. Tell him that you met me - otherwise he will think that you are bluffing. By the way, my client's paying for everything. Helped that bugger out from a income tax problem. Phoning from a STD - will call back later. [Will not prolong the conversation much.]
Subir : Will you...
[Disconnected]

He hated such conversations where he did not get to speak. It was usual - he did not react nowadays to these. After a phone call to Avi, having dinner, taking off his socks which he wore when he was home - he fell asleep - on the floor under the bed. And a few days after he found himself in Pelling asking a manager where the nearest waterfall was located.

It would be a lie if it was proclaimed that he was not weird.

If he wasn't weird with a capital W, people made the situations so - he had to go through the pain of realizing the dreams people conjured up so quite often. Like it wasn't a secret to him that Avi was daydreaming of gluing back with an already-engaged Priya while walking through the ruin-laden forested path. And strangely enough, Priya too was toeing the same line in her dreams, albeit with censored graphical images of a certain degree which would be quite inappropriate for certain audiences. But dreams had only one spectator - the dreamer. And if Subir was near, two. He himself didn't ever have the slightest inkling of thought that these which he saw were true. He blamed them on his hyper-imaginative brain which was constantly conspiring against him.

And a few hours later, he found himself in a room, and quite strangely enough, he did not remember anything about a walk through some ruins. The clock's hands were twisted in a inverted ninety degree angle and the birds had already come back to their nests. It was quite cool though the hotel was experiencing a power-cut. And through the dancing flames of a crooked candle, he noticed his four friends sprawled on the four-poster - inebriated Vicky, sciolistic Avi, anxious Priya and his silent friend. There was a letter in her hand - which again strangely enough - felt oddly familiar to him. She was talking of a game of sort - to while away their time. Ironically, though this was not a good reason for him to join since his time whiled away without even informing him, he sat there. They had to guess what was in that letter, probably left behind by an ex-visitor. The game was a bit stupid and vague - just like a planchette - but he still thought.

Who was this letter from?
Who was it for?
What was written in it?

Or was he still dreaming?

To be continued...

The Letter-3

They walked a distance to the ancient ruins of the rulers in Sikkim.
A lot seemed to have changed , they had matured.The trails of time had taken their toll on them.They had taken their own path to destiny after leaving the collage days.The small group of friendship they shared seemed to be carried forward or atleast they wanted to carry it forward.

They wanted to forget the distances that had grown between them, be it mental , physical or sheer monetary distances.

One person who had all the luck and ended up with a fat salary and whose clients sponsored holiday trips to foriegn locations for him. Another who did not have much to look forward to in life , he took life on a daily basis and his pertinent friends were vodka and his friday nights were seldom celebrated anywhere else than over a bottle of vodka in someplace else.He did not worry about future, he was too busy chasing his dreams.

The other person had landed in a okayish job and led his life in quite seclusion.He sometimes thought of the person whom he considered best friend and often really said to himself that he loved her.That person was caring enough to sense it but never really expressed it.He wanted to touch her , hold her and may be go further than that with her.May be his reason for seclusion was his fallout with her.

She was not in charge of her life. She had given in to constant pressures from her home and agreed to marry. After all , she thought that was her prime objective in life, to marry and breed forward a worthy race.Not that she did not at all understand the sentiment of the other person ,but she wasnt really sure.After all she could not really wait for the other person the whole life.She would be marrying in few months and probably heading towards the states with her rich hubby.


But they walked, some times together and sometimes a long distance apart.The jokes subsided as the silence crept into their minds.It was an awkward atmosphere to say the least.Vicky and Subir moved forward and Avi and Pri was slowly following their paths.The path was narrow and was through the dense rain forest which covered the slopes.The Caretaker had warned them of leeches and not wander too far into the forest.All of them put their steps carefully.

Avi was longing to speak to Priya but amidst all the silence really could not get the words out of his mouth.
Suddenly priya spoke , "How do you like the place ?"
Avi said in his usual manner "It's awesome but nothing compared to the beauty which walks before
me".
Priya gave a smile but awkwardly did not dismiss Avi's flirtatous comments as
non-sense.Instead , she said "Give me reasons".

Vicky and Subir had moved a long way forward , Avi looked upon priya as he moved forward and kissed Priya in a sudden move.Priya closed her eyes and really gave into Avi's arms.Really they had broken the barrier between them.

Avi spoke out softly "I love you , priya and I could conquer all my fear to be with you".
Priya slowly said , " I am glad that you said that before I got married".

They moved forward.The blush in both of their faces where evident.Vicky and Subir sensed it , but did not possess the courage to say it.Priya seemed to be lost in her world as Vicky cracked through his PJ's.
The ruins were beautiful.Peling was the second capital of sikkim and ruins really showed their glory days.

to be continued...

THE LETTER-2

"O priya o priya priya….tumsa nehi koi priyaaaaa…"

Pri- Vicky shut up yaar…..

Vic- why??? Come on… pay fo me na??? arre we are all friendz…

Avi- hey Vicky leave it yaar… why are you disturbing pri… I'll pay for you… okk?

Subir- not done….. then you'll have to pay for me too….

Bip bip… bip bip… ( sms tone)

Suddenly priya comes back to the present……combing her hair…… & reading the sms from her beau…..she was trying to keep things in proper place… for that she open up a drwer to place some handy things there… ah.. something is there….but whatz that?

An envelop??? That it also sealed!! May be some ex-visitor of this room forgot to take this letter from here… she placed it where it was….

She thought… it was just last week she came across Vicky…. Her old college mate…. It was a nice feeling… then suddenly Vicky placed this tour proposal to her & kunal (with whom she is engaged)

She was always a very spontaneous girl… so, on that very moment this trip was planned…..

The only problem was Avi….. may be priya knew the reason of his embarrassment about this trip…but the ice should be melt... she last saw subir 4yrs ago…. She was absolutely detached with subir… Vicky was the one… who is the messenger.. He is in touch with everyone… the jolliest person of their friendz group… suddenly priya realised she needs to call up avi….

So she called him up…..

Pri- hii avi, priya here….

Avi- priya!!!!!

P- come on yaar, don't be such a spoil sport…. u can't let us down like this

A- aah, actually….some urgent work… loads of pressure… u know…

P- I don't know… you are coming… & thatz final….. now don't start arguing.. we can argue on loads of things when we meet in pelling……so you are coming okk?

A- okk, pri….

P- & listen Vicky will tell you the schedule & everything .. now.. bbye.. takecare.. see you there… okk???

A- okk… bbye…

She thought ..she was priya for all but pri for avi.. he was her closest pal…but today there are some distance may be…she come in the corridor…they were waiting for her… she was dressed in a black denim & blue jacket…they planned for a trip over the place….

S- so… letz go gang….

V-yee

The place was nice….more than only nice… Priya always love this kind of places… falls & lakes…she was watching the mesmerizing beauty while avi came with a cup of coffee for her…..

P- oh thanks…. So? Whats going on?

A- nothing much… how are you?

P- as usual… but I was getting bored of our tight job schedules.. itz hectic..

A- oh thatz a common prob… I guess… we are all facing it…

P- oh come on… not Vicky atleast… he is the open bird….

A- long time na? just imagine after how long we are chatting with coffee together??

P- ya… it seems nothing has been changed.. the same old group of four friends..

A – pri, what about shaon? She was supposed to come with you na?

P- oh she is busy with her in laws… early marriage & not that kind of a friendly in-laws.. so… u can guess her probs… but may be.. kunal will come & join us.. he messaged me today… but not sure yet

A- wah… I'm really eager to meet him… after all my best friend's beau…

P- Really?

A-hmmm

Hey come on letz go.. else subir & Vicky will start their drama again…& there are lot of places remaining here na? so… letz not waste time…

& they join other two…

To be contd...

The Letter

Avi was walking.
It was about 5 past 30 in the morning.The luxurious green by the road, the sounds of crickets, the chilly weather, the lonesome road, the view of the snowy peaks....Avi was being seduced by Pelling. and he kept on walking.

He was thinking. thinking about the suddeness of the trip. He was a bit reluctant to come when Subir told him about this a week ago. But now, he felt happy that he gave in finally to the combine pressure of his friends. actually, he was getting pissed by the attitude of all his family at Kolkata, and he was also getting a bit irritated these days. And one of those days, Subir called him up.

Avi:" hello?"
Subir:" hi, avi. it's subir here."
Avi: oh yes!! such a pleasant surprise to get ur call. so....what made u call me after such a long time?
Subir: long time???u call 2 months long time????
A: well!!!2 monthes seems long, if u used to talk almost everyday. anyway, come to the point.
S: that's better. actually I met Vicky yesterday. he asked me if I'm interested to go on a short vacation.
A: wow!!vacation sounds so welcome. u. me and Vicky???we'll rock man!!shall I pack my bags???
S:wait, wait!!let me tell u the whole story.
A:ok ok. shoot!!
S: actually Vicky has some client who owns a hotel in pelling. and as vicky has done hin lots of favour about his income taxes, he ants vicky to go and relax some days at his hotel . and he's said that he can take some friends, too. and the best thing is that the whole thing would be on the house!!!!
A: wow!! vicky rocks!! is anyone else is accompanying??
S: well, do one thing, call vicky . he can tell u details about it.

avi called vicky and got to know that priya would also go with them. priya wanted shaon to come with them. too. but she has some business with her in laws and so she won't be able to come. so only four of them would go on this tour.
avi was thinking about priya. she had a soft corner for her in the final years of college.but no one knew about that
. so he was thinking whether he should go or not. the prospect of spending some days with priya excited him. but the fact that priya was about to marry in a few months, put him in a kind of dilemma. could he control himself???
so he gave some excuses and said that he probably couldn't make it. but his friends were expert in making someone surrender.and he couldn't help but agree when priya called him to say that she would be delighted if avi agrees to go, coz avi was the boy priya was closet to in college.


the journey was a smooth one. they only had to pay for their train fairs. vicky's client has arranged for a car to fetch them from the station to the hotel in pelling. the view was simply mindblowing. and after reaching the hotel last afternoon they were warmly welcomed by the manger of the hotel. the guys were given a specious room. the manager wanted to give them three separate room. but they insist to share the same room. they said, sharing the same room is the biggest fun when friends are together. and priya was staying in the room adjacent to us. but most of the time priya spends in their room.

avi checked his watch. it was 6 am. he decided to go back to the hotel, coz they are supposed to go out at 6:30.
he met vicky in the lobby.
v: hey, where have u gone??must be ur usual morning walk?
a: bull's eye. anyway, where's the rest of the gang??
v: they are waiting for u in the dining hall. i was going to fetch u in. it's time for break fast.
a:oh man!! u got such a good client.
and they came to the hall to have their food.
priyanka was loking gorgeous in her black denim, and blue jacket. she smiled at them .
p: so where are we going now???
s: i know i know. i've asked the manager. we are gonna see some falls and a lake etc etc.
v: falls and lakes...uff don't people get bored by seeing lots of waterfalls, they all look same to me.
p:what r u saying?I find them fascinating. and i'm sure avi will also agree with me.
a: absoloutely priya!!
v: but i preffer a good chat with the gang, good food accompanied by chilled beer and vodka than seeing a no. of falls. after all we're having a vacation. why run all the time.
s: i agree!! but what's the harm in seeing something the place is famous for. and we have the whole afternoon and night for us.
v: that's right
a: ok so it's over. let's go.
and they went out sightseeing.
....
(to be continued)

Small steps.

Its time that we see something different.

Stories.

Isn't that what we all are?