Emana manena eyi madhu lagane —
(The moonlight hides in the distant blue sky,
yet the heart refuses to be still in this intoxicating moment.)
I
“I will wait for you to come and not leave this place for eternity till you come”. Was the parting shot of Divyankit to Archana as she hurriedly crossed the road to catch the already moving town bus.
She had paused in the middle of the road, between the here and infinity, and given him a smile that was gentle, softer and innocent – much like Archana.
He did not know at that moment that it would take his entire life time trying to piece together the smile in his memory. The unique tilt of her head, the smile that starts slowly and then suddenly widens on the way even as it lingers on for a while. He would carry it with him and hold it against every darkness that followed.
That was the last time he saw her whole.
II
It was the end of June and monsoon arrived in the city of Bhubaneswar like a memory which was sudden, overwhelming and impossible to ignore.
For Divyankit, a rustic fellow from the villages of the rural Balasore, Utkal University and the city of Bhubaneswar was a dream come true.
The summer of 1969 was special. It was the year that man had walked on the moon. It was a message which declared proudly that distance will never be an issue for mankind and that ordinary men were no longer required to stay in the places they were born.
Coming from humble rural farming background, Divyankit’s father, Prafulla Babu had a dream – the dream of seeing his son become a magistrate. This dream slowly germinated the day he went to the collectorate on some work and witnessed the elaborate length that the people went through to organize themselves around the collector. He was particularly enamored by the deference, the ceremony and the silence that followed wherever the collector went. That day he realized the power of this position and swore that his son would one day become a collector.
Divyankit has been a good student from his childhood. After standing first in his district in the matric examination, he studied plus two science in the local Fakir Mohan College at Balasore. An outstanding student, suddenly Divyankit found Science was not his cup of tea. The endless theorizing of Physics, the causticness of Chemistry and the gory starkness of Biology turned him away from the temple of Science.
While Science bored him, literature inflamed him and books seduced him.
He had always been drawn to the rich history of Orissa and the amazing contribution of Oriya literature which breathed life in to it. In the haunting melody of “Boita Bandana” he could almost see the Sadhabanis standing at the shore, sending their husbands across uncertain seas to distant lands like Java, Sumatra, and Bali. Every note was woven together by hope, longing and courage. The songs of Raja and Nuakhai festival still reverberating in the writings of fakir Mohan Senatpati and the devotion to Lord Jagannath very much visible in the writings of poets like Sarala Das & Jagannath Das.
In to this world Divyankit wanted to melt away and discover his own identity.
Hence, despite the reluctance and misgivings of Prafulla Babu, who thought by only studying Science can one become a civil servant, Divyankit enrolled in the Bachelors of Arts for his graduation. He convinced his father that only graduation is needed to become and IAS; irrespective of the stream.
The wheels of time rolled on and in three years’ time Divyankit passed hi B.A examination with distinction and the rarest achievement of being a topper & gold medalist of the college. Everyone was elated but the elation with a deep-seated conviction of what lay ahead was only seen in the eyes of Prafulla Babu & Divyankit.
To reach the most cherished summit – Divyankit Das, IAS.
III
In the late 60s and 70s of Orissa, to become a civil servant was a matter of great pride. The position was coveted not for the salary but the perks and powers that came with it. The ostentatious and sometimes the pretentious display of officialdom, servility and a penchant for cowering before such figure gave it a saintly halo to what was otherwise a glorified clerical job which was a hangover and a sad carryover of our colonial past. Anyways, with the social norm set, normalized and nay glorified, the race for the post almost became a cradle to grave story depending on which part of the age spectrum you are looking at it from. Those days, many young IAS officers were from the Orissa cadre and a prominent role was played by the prestigious Utkal University where many of the reputed educationist and professors guided and mentored young men and women to help crack the UPSC Examination.
So, it was decided that Divyankit would go to Bhubaneswar and study in Utkal University.
Getting an admission was very easy for Divyankit as being the gold medalist, the university welcomed him with both hands and to top it off, his education and other expenses was completely free of cost from the scholarship he received from the state government.
IV
The young and still evolving capital of Bhubaneswar was a thing of wonderment and enigma for most of the Oriya people. It has been just designated as the state capital 2 decades ago and was slowly figuring out its own identity. With government building and residential colony coming up alongside history of yesteryears in Lingaraj, Rajarani and Kedargouri temple along with myriad others; it looked like a modern city which was jostling with history to make a mark for itself.
Divyankit arrived at Bhubaneswar, one hot and humid evening of May, with lots of dreams, aspirations and excitement. He was dropped near the University gate and had to walk nearly 3 Km to reach his hostel. Completely tired, he immediately slipped in to a deep sleep.
He dreamt that he is back in the village and had met his friends who were very happy to see him. Off they went to the village pond which was thickly nestled around by large mango trees overarching the water body bearing the sweetest mangoes. He felt suddenly happy and alive to be back in his village. They ran and climbed on the mango tree and the tradition was that they will pluck the most juicy, ripe and tasty mango that they can lay their hands on and then drop it to the pond. Followed by this, they will jump in to the pond, all at once to collect their bounties. As Divyankit was plucking mango, he heard someone creeping behind him. Thinking that one of his friends is making a mischief and creating a prank, he swung around to push him out.
Behind him was a wild animal which was gnashing its teeth which shone through the darkness, menacingly.
“Bou lo… Marigali” (Oh My mother, I am going to die), cried Divyankit and fell in to the water. He heard all his friends laughing and giggling.
Divyankit woke up with a start.
He found that he has fallen off the cot and was dripping wet with a group of boys all staring and laughing at him from above.
“Looks like a village simpleton” said one. “Poor guy, must be a fool to come to Bhubaneswar” jeered another.
“Get up and show some respect to seniors”. Said one of them curtly, looking like their leader.
He was angry, sullen and really bewildered to get such a ‘welcome’ to the Temple city of Bhubaneswar.
“Why did you pour water all over me”? Growled Divyankit to the team leader.
“Manoj Bhaina, he’s showing his attitude to you. Show him his place” exhorted the pack of jackals to their leader, egging him on.
“Oh, our dear brother is angry with us… Sorry bro, please forgive us our mistake” Manoj bent down in mock supplication inviting copious amount of laughter from his gang.
Divyankit looked at him with cold derision.
“What? Are you angry with me? Will you hit me now? I am so afffraidd” Said the team leader mockingly while playfully slapping Divyankit, somewhat a little hard. This infuriated Divyankit to no end and the next moment the full blow of his fist landed squarely on the chin of the bully.
Thud!
Manoj hit the side of the table and landed hard on the ground.
He was bleeding and if one looked closely, may be missing a tooth. This sudden escalation was too much to handle for the group as they had a reputation which was feared and no one had dared challenge or stand up to them which gave them a lot of thrill.
Not having an appropriate answer to Divyankit’s rebuttal, the team leader and his group crawled out of the room – as silently as they had come in.
The next day, Divyankit had become the hero of the campus even without attending a single class. The tale of his courage and strength had travelled far and wide. He was literally mobbed and gheraoed to get a first-hand account of his heroics. It seemed the Bully, Manoj, was a notorious character and was a known mischief maker in the campus. Many were thankful to Divyankit for showing the bully his place. He was a rage amongst the girls too, having achieved his cult status, they started comparing him with Rajesh Khanna given his long hair and fair looks. Divyankit didn’t mind the attention and was basking in his new found celebratory status.
That’s when he met Archana.
V
It was an overcast afternoon and a Sunday. Most of the hostelers had gone out for a movie dekko of ‘Aradhana’ which was slowly achieving cult status. Divyankit politely refused, out of no interest in movies and also the fact that he treasured his post lunch siesta with the fidelity of a man who understood that the mind, like the earth, needed fallow time. He woke up around 4 pm. Alone, he decided to visit one of the magazine shops just outside the campus. At the shop he browsed few magazines and bought the latest edition of Illustrated Weekly of India.
And then suddenly the downpour started, quite unexpectedly and surreptitiously. People pressed in under the narrow awning, shoulders touching, umbrellas dripping. Divyankit waited, holding his magazine, watching the street turn into a moving skin of water.
That’s when he saw her.
Coming out of the magazine store, her kohl lined eyes eagerly looked hither & thither furtively, as if searching for someone. She was wearing a simple, light lemon green colour salwar suit the color of new rice shoots, simple and unadorned, and this simplicity was what first struck him. The absence of effort, and how beauty had arranged itself within it regardless. She was shy and demur but yet appeared confident and poised, a fine balance between the traditional and the modern. She looked beautiful and yet uninviting, serene and yet chaotic, silently eloquent and yet non verbose.
She was the epitome of paradoxes and contrast, Divyankit concluded.
While lost in his thought, he did not realize that the rickshaw he had hailed has been waiting for sometimes.
“Babu, Babu, will you go or should I leave”. Said the Rickshaw Wallah, now visibly impatient and very wet.
“Bhaina, please wait. I will go” Said a voice which was so sweet and mellifluous that Divyankit seemed to melt in to it.
He felt the raindrops reverberating and echoing that voice multifold which descended unto him in thousands and million tiny drops, melting his soul and driving him to insanity even as his entire being started to wither away and flow along with the rainwater – to eternity, to its source, its creator, and if one was so lucky, to the beloved.
That evening, Divyankit walked in a daze, all of 3 Km to his hostel, even as people stared at him and mistook him for a madman. The Illustrated Weekly of India started to slowly soak and disintegrate piece by piece even As Divyankit continued his walk in a trance. “What was that? What did I just witness? Can it be all true or am I day dreaming? Who is that goddess who appeared suddenly in my life and disappeared as soon? Where would I find her or see her again” Thought Divyankit, his mind in a tizzy and brain taking leave of his senses. He did not realize that he had reached his hostel and that the guard was asking him to come in.
The next day, Divyankit had severe cold and fever due to which he was unable to attend his classes. His hostel mates took care of him even as he slipped in and out of long stupor and deliriousness due to high temperature. In this state also, he was still inside that trance and the mad dance of thoughts that were taking place in his head. Completely mesmerized and bewitched from the brief encounter with the girl, he was helpless - Cupid had hit hard.
VI
The next day, he rushed to his class as he did not want to miss out more on his study.
“Could you please pass on the copy to me”? Again, that mellifluous voice and the sweetness pouring in to his ears. The voice came from behind him. He turned, and the world, which had been resuming its ordinary dimensions, stopped again.
He saw the sweetest creature again looking at him with the most innocent pair of eyes.
If there was an orchestra of musicians, this would have been the loudest symphony in the history of music – just that it will not be a jarring and vexing one but would be the most harmonious ensemble to have ever been put together.
She was indicating towards her friend sitting in the front bench who was ready with a notebook and wearing an expression of exasperation and disbelief.
Thereafter, Divyankit followed her dream girl wherever she went: to the canteen, the library, the students’ union room and literally everything under the Sun and inside the university campus.
It became so obvious that even the Professors started to take note.
One day after class, as the queen of his heart was going towards the library, Divyankit followed her but instead of the library she went in to the girls’ restroom, with him following suit.
“Don’t you feel ashamed following me around” She suddenly turned and confronted him.
Her face surprisingly did not show anger but the silent disappointment of a very patient person. Suddenly taken aback, Divyankit was retreating back. That’s when she moved and blocked his path.
“I have been noticing this strange behaviour from you since the last few days. Now it has become a joke in the university and I am getting a bad reputation for this” Divyankit noticed big drop of tears accumulating in her beautiful Kohl lined eye threatening to burst open and along with it unleash the hidden emotions that she had accumulated against him.
He could not let it happen.
“I am so very sorry” Said Divyankit, now really apologetic after suddenly becoming aware of the consequences of his erratic behaviour on the girl’s reputation. “I never meant to hurt you. If you could give me a chance, I could explain it to you”. Said Divyankit, now really feeling bad for the girl.
“Is this boy troubling you, Archana” Said one of her friends who was coming out of the restroom, looking at Divyankit suspiciously.
“Ah, so Archana is her name” Said Divyankit to himself. Now mighty pleased to put a name to the face.
“No, no. its alright Deepa. We were just talking about the notes for the political science lecture. It’s nothing” Archana immediately rescued the situation before it could get out of hand even as Divyankit’s puppy face and constant stare was not helping the situation either.
“Come, let us go to the canteen. You will get yourself lynched here”. Said Archana, half dragging and half carrying him out of the place.
In the canteen, they sat in a corner and it was time for Archana to put things in to perspective and drill some sense to his ‘thick skull’.
“You must understand that you cannot follow me around like this”. Started Archana. Seeing him again getting dreamy eyed, she decided to be firm. “Look, I come from a conservative Brahmin family and its with lot of difficulties that I have convinced my parents to allow me to study for masters. I want to prepare for civils and become an IAS officer which has always been my dream.” She blurted out all at once and paused to catch her breath.
By now Divyankit had come to his own senses and was beginning to understand the gravity of the situation. But he was also helpless. Helplessly in love with Archna. There was no rhyme or reason for what he was feeling but he could not shake it off just like that.
“You look like someone from a good family and I am sure you have your own career ambition. Please focus on that and let us go our own separate way”. Said Archana decisively.
“I can help you with your civils preparation. Infact I am much ahead in my own preparation and find it to be very easy”. Blurted out Divyankit almost in a matter-of-fact manner.
This was his last salvo to salvage the relationship which was beginning to disintegrate even before it had formed.
Archana looked at the boy intently. He seemed like a decent boy. Was actually handsome & fair and had a boyish charm about him which was rather cute. She really liked him but feared that this will only fan his obsession, if at all he comes to know of it.
But the IAS preparation offer was also tempting.
This boy was a known scholar, a gold medalist of his college in graduation and it would be a good arrangement if he chooses to also help her with the preparation, thought Archana.
Reluctantly she agreed.
They agreed to meet after the classes in the library.
VII
Divyankit was far more brilliant and amazing in studies than what Archana had imagined. His childlike inquisitiveness and understanding of basic fundamentals and nuances of subjects amazed her. He not only had a penchant and flair for literature but also a good grip on History as a subject. What really made him unique and special is the point of view and perspective that he formed from both these subjects and how well he was able to use this to articulate and explain away all that was happening in the country and globally.
A true IAS material indeed, Archana thought.
The study session went on well and suddenly without realization, 6 months had passed.
One day while studying together, Divyankit was underlining some passages from the History book. Archana was in a playful mood and kept fidgeting with the pencil and stationaries around.
“Why did you keep following me like a stalker, Divyankit”? Archana suddenly asked in a serious tone.
Though it was meant as a playful prank meant to startle him, it stopped him right in his track. He looked at her intently, his face undergoing a thousand change – of surprise, discovery and hurt.
“It was because you were the most wonderful girl that I ever met in my life. The moment I saw you at the magazine shop, amidst the rain and the thunderstorm, my world seemed to have stopped spinning. It was as if you were the goddess that I had been waiting for all my life or for so many lives and as if my Moksha were waiting to happen at your hand”.
His passion and fervor surfacing and overflowing now, Divyankit started crying. “Don’t you feel the same way, Archana. Can’t you see the enormous love that I have for you – in my eyes, in my words and in my entire being. Don’t you feel a thing for me, Archna”.
Now he was inconsolable.
In all this, Archna felt a slight tug in her heart. How heartless of her, she thought, not to understand the true love of a man who has all along loved her with the purest of intention and with all his heart. It is not that she did not like him but kept him in abeyance in fear of her family and what the society might think. Seeing Divyankit’s emotional state, Archana also teared up. She wanted to hug him. Tell him that she loves him more than the world and would have preferred nothing better than him.
Instead, she just got up and left.
VIII
For the next 2 weeks both of them avoided each other. If suddenly per chance, they bumped in to each other or saw each other from the distance, both of their heartbeats raced and Archna’s face turns a crimson red while Divyankit could not help stop his smiles which widened to a grin.
Both of them were outrightly and hopelessly in love with each other.
What proceeded from there would fill half the chapters of any bestseller romantic novel. In classroom they will keep looking at each other till people frowned, hold hands under the table while they studied and tried to give each other small gifts without any reason or season.
As they neared the end of their final year and also the UPSC exams, the study hour extended. Archana got permission from her family to stay in the ladies’ hostel to study longer and use the library.
Post dinner walk used to be a romantic affair as both of them just held each other’s hand and took the long walk in the winding university road. Sometimes they will sit in the garden in silence hearing the nature, the sound of the crickets and their own heart beats.
One full moon night and as both of them were passing by the garden, Archna said “Divyankit, let’s sit in the garden in this beautiful full moon night and enjoy its bliss. We have not been able to sit here for a very long time due to the study pressure.” Divyankit agreed.
As they sat down, both started talking about their life, what they want to become, what would make them happy and feel fulfilled.
Then as suddenly as they had started talking, they stopped.
Silence fell.
Outside, the moon lit up the earth in a slightly mystical veil of soft light which made the moment magical. A patch of cloud floated across and suddenly the moon went out of sight, briefly.
A cloud moved across the moon. The garden went into brief, complete darkness.
And in that darkness, Archana began to sing.
She sang softly, almost to herself a song from Adina Megha, a popular Odia movie, sung by singer Nirmala Mishra.
It almost felt as a confession:
“Jochona Luchana Dura Nila Gagane
Emana Manena Eyi Madhu Lagane
Jochona Luchana Luchana”
(The moonlight hides itself in the distant blue sky,
Yet the heart refuses to be still in this intoxicating moment…
The moonlight hides… and hides again.)
Mesemerised, Divyankit just closed his eye and let the melodious voice of Archana awash him with the emotion as he floated out in to reverie, with the moon playing hide and seek above.
Archana also got lost in the song and continued…
Bakula Aakule Jhure Sakale Aakale Jhare
Biraha Basa Ra Rachi
Sara Nisi Abhisa Re
Nila Kanei Rahe Chahein
Niti Niti Maune
Jochona Luchana Dura Nila Gagane
Jochana Luchana Luchana
(The Bakul flowers ache and fall in longing,
Morning and evening both seem touched by absence,
Love writes itself in the language of separation,
Through the long, silent night of yearning.)
A drop of water fell on Divyankit’s cheek.
Suddenly awakened from his deep reverie, he looked up and saw tear welling up and tracing down her face in the restored moonlight, her eyes bright and far away.
“Promise me Divyankit. You will never leave me. You will always be there for me. There will be no separation in our story. We will love, live and be with each other till eternity. Promise me…” Said Archana fervently and with a passion which was so unlike her.
Divyankit hugged her close and tightly. “Of course, my dear. Of course,”. He whispered.
He meant it.
He meant every syllable.
He had never meant anything more.
Above them the moon came out from behind its cloud. A temple bell marked the hour, and the night continued its long, indifferent passage through the sleeping city.
IX
Time flew like a fading song one hears on a full moon day.
Finally, the day of the UPSC Prelims examination came. Both Divyankit and Archana had a solid preparation and with everyone’s blessings, excelled at the examination. The result was out in the next 20 days.
Both of them had cracked the prelims. Everyone was elated and excited.
Except one person. Manoj, the university bully.
Since the day Divyankit gave him a sound thrashing, he has had a complete loss of face and his prestige as a strongman lay in tatters.
What made the matter worse was that Manoj was the cousin of Archana.
He really hated both of them going around in campus. What was also very much unbearable was how come a girl from a “Sasan Brahmin” (group of Brahmin who were given land by Kings and were the highest custodian of Vedic learning & rituals of Lord Jagannath) family can go around with a lowly “Chasha” (peasant family). He really wanted to give Divyankit a good thrashing to take revenge and also dissuade him from roaming around with his cousin but was afraid of a repetition of his previous experience and the public humiliation that will follow.
So, he did what every other weak and cowardly fellow does.
He decided to spill the bean with his Aunt & Uncle on how their daughter was going around with a low cast man and how it is bringing disrepute to the family and the entire “Sasan Brahmin” clan. This infuriated both the parents and also humiliated them to even think of being touched and nay even ‘violated’ by the “mleccha” (outcast)…
Chi chi chi… What shame and embarrassment.
Since her father was an influential man with high connection in the government and with who’s who of the society because of his position, they decided that this boy must be punished and made an example so that none should dare to even come close to their daughter.
Divyankit and Archana would not forget the evening of 23rd June.
“Where is that mleccha who dared to vitiate my daughter. Come out, if you dare to” Shouted Mrs. Tripathy on top of her voice, gathering the occupants of the gents’ hostel.
She was accompanied by the rowdy gang of Manoj who had made all arrangement to ensure Divyankit gets a sound thrashing.
Hearing the commotion, Divyankit came out of the hostel unaware that it was all centered around him.
Manoj indicated Divyankit to his Aunt.
Even before her Mother could react, Archana’s father rushed towards him.
The slap was loud and clear.
Divyankit was more surprised than hurt.
“How dare you roam around with Archana. Do you even know who she is? The high caste that she belongs to? The society she comes from?” the barrage from her father continued.
Some of Divyankit’s friends came to pick him up and few looked at the elderly gentleman angrily.
Manoj, as if waiting on a cue, latched on to this opportunity.
“They are going to hit uncle. Come on you all, let us show them their real place” Roared Manoj as his army of followers surged forward.
Manoj lifted his hockey stick to hit Divyankit who ducked and saved himself. He swung around and let the impact of his big fist land squarely on Manoj’s stomach.
Manoj writhed in pain and reeled backwards.
By then, Divyankit’s friends, now in large numbers, tackled and overpowered Manoj’s gang. Seeing their leader in pain and a pitiable condition along with their own battered state, they decided to retreat back and left with their tail between the legs.
Drama ensued in the following weeks.
Archana was house arrested and not allowed to go to the university.
Divyankit and friends were warned by the university not to indulge in such anti-social activities. What got most affected was Archana and Divyankit’s joint study for the UPSC.
In all this Manoj was seething with white rage. The pain and the pure shame of humiliation had completely changed him in to a mad and raving man.
A man who was thirsty for the blood of Divyankit. His entire identity and honour now laid in the dust even as his gang and followers forsook him. He had become a laughing stock in his circle and the mere mention of him and the famed duel invited much mirth, derision & laughter.
So, he hatched a sinister plan.
A plan which will be decisive in establishing who the real man was.
X
In the meanwhile, the two lovers became forlorn, morose and went through emotional turmoil even as they were forbidden to meet each other.
He moved through the hostel’s days mechanically across lectures, meals and the pretense to study. His books lay open but the words held no meaning to him. At night he laid awake and thought of her hand over his on the library table, and the weight of her against his chest in the garden, and the song she had sung in the dark when the cloud crossed the moon, and the promise she had asked for and the promise he had given without hesitation or reservation or the smallest shadow of doubt.
Hearing of the incident, Prafula Babu and Divyankit’s brother both travelled to Bhubaneswar to meet him. Prafulla Babu exhorted him to come back to the village as his life may be danger. After much cajoling, coaxing and convincing by Divyankit’s friends, was his father persuaded to allow him to stay on to prepare for his mains exams.
It was true that his life was in danger, thought Divyankit.
Indeed, what he held dearer than his life, Archana, was in danger. And what was more in danger was their love, tender feeling for each other and their beautiful relationship.
He somehow had to talk to her.
He knew that Archana would be distraught about his wellbeing. He also wanted to know if she was alright. And to reaffirm his love for her and assure her that he was always with her.
“But how to do it? Who will do it”? thought Divyankit.
That’s when he suddenly recalled Archana’s close friend - Deepa.
So, he wrote a long letter to Archana assuring her of his wellbeing and hoping to god that she was alright. He fervently requested her, as well as mere words will carry, to meet him near the magazine shop, the next day at 5 pm. He gave the letter to Deepa.
Manoj had been busy.
He had gotten wind from one of his trusted sources who overheard the conversation between Deepa & Manoj, as luck would have it. The heavy Jeep in his house, which was parked since years after a severe accident, was suddenly becoming Manoj’s centre of attraction.
It was time to press the Jeep in to service.
To a bloody action.
XI
She arrived in twilight.
5 pm was a time when the magazine shop generally becomes crowded with customers and students from the university visiting it. Divyankit reached 10 mins before and waited for Archana.
That’s when he saw her.
That simple girl, wearing a chudidaar, with hair clipped together in a simple knot at the nape of her neck with few soft strands escaping. With the Sun in her back, this was giving her an aura unimagined.
As she came nearby, he saw her eyes were swollen as if she has been crying a lot. There was tale tell signs of bruises near her neck. Divyankit could look no more.
“Have you been waiting for a very long time”.
Again, the honey dipped sweet mellifluous voice. The melt in the ear melody and the irresistible symphony. Divyankit pulled himself out before he slipped back to one of his trances.
That was Archana and the effect that she had on him.
“How have you been my dear”? Asked Divyankit affectionately. “How pale you have become. Are you missing me” he said half-jokingly.
Archana burst out crying.
She cried without covering her face. He didn't say anything. He put his arms around her and she let him, right there on the road outside the magazine stall, with the students and the rickshaw pullers and the whole ordinary afternoon as witness.
Her parents have been unforgiving.
Venting out their anger and frustration at her ‘outrageous and indecent’ act, they were relentless in their onslaught of abuse – verbal and physical. It felt as if it has had been already a decade that she met Divyankit. And when she finally did, hearing his voice, his loving concern and the comforting presence was enough to bridge the dam of emotions that she had been holding for so long. She had been steadfast during the dark time – to not cry and shed a single drop of tears so as not to give them the pleasure of having broken her and in effect the love that Divyankit and she shared.
“Divyankit, please take me away from here. From all the pain, trials and tribulations. To a place where I could be with you and only you” Archana said amidst tears streaming her face.
“I will dear, definitely I will take you away. I promise”. Said Divyankit as he stroked her hair and took her in his embrace.
As they sat down in the open-air cafeteria by the magazine shop, they discussed about life. How it has turned so strange for them, remembered how they met first and of all the tomfoolery that Divyankit ended up doing, of their walk after dinner, the sitting together in silence in the park in the moon lit nights, that immemorable song.
They smiled, they laughed and they cried.
Two-star stuck lover, deeply and madly in love. Cruelly separated by the society, its norms and the strange rules made by humans to keep humans away from each other.
“Let us meet here exactly after a week. You come prepared and we will go off to my friend’s place in Calcutta. There I will find a job and we can lead a happy and peaceful life” Said Divyankit, his voice now filled with conviction and determination.
Archana looked up and smiled.
She knew that now everything is going to be fine because her lover said so.
It was almost dark and much past the time that Archana had committed to her family. She had come away with Deepa with the pretense of going to her house for study.
“I must leave. It’s getting late”. Said Archana urgently. As she got up to leave, she stumbled a bit, about to fall.
Divyankit caught her mid-way.
That moment froze for both of them and eternity stopped at that point in the honor of two lovers.
XII
“I will wait for you to come and not leave this place for eternity till you come”. Shouted Divyankit as Archana looked at crossing the road. She stopped midway and gave him a sweet smile.
That smile. Soft and open. The smile that holds nothing back. The smile of someone at peace with a decision.
At that moment Manoj’s Jeep sped towards them.
Manoj’s focus was only on Divyankit trying to cross the road...
There was a loud thud, then the scream and suddenly a large crowd.
Divyankit got thrown off the road side. When he opened his eyes, he saw Archana nowhere.
Then there were loud screams as he forced himself through the crowd.
He pushed through.
With urgency, with desperation, with hope. The world had been stripped of everything except the need to reach her.
He reached the middle of the human circle.
A lovely pair of Kohl lined eyes were looking for him here & there from where they lay on the road, they finally found his face and stayed.
Stayed with the whole force of her; all the mornings in the library and the evenings under the neem trees, the full moon and the university garden, the song she had sung in the dark garden when the cloud crossed the moon and the world went briefly away — stayed, and looked at him from a distance that was immeasurable, and said what could not be said any other way.
They stayed there, staring from the point of no return but too reluctant to let go.
And then, slowly, the way the moonlight goes behind a cloud, began to leave.
Divyankit slumped on to the ground. All vision a blur and all sounds a garble, holding Archana’s hand.
He held it the way someone holds the last page of a good book you are not ready to finish & let go.
The way you hold something you already know is gone and cannot stop holding anyway, because holding is the only thing remaining that belongs to you.
He did not call for help. He did not speak. There was nothing in him that language could convey.
Manoj was crying with loud sobs with his head buried between his legs.
Even as the distant transistor played on…
Jochona Luchana Dura Nila Gagane
Emana Manena Eyi Madhu Lagane
Jochona Luchana... Luchana…
