THE MORNING WALK

"Looks like it is going to be a gloomy day," murmured Swagatam as he sat on the steps.

As usual he was taking a break from his jog at the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra. The scenic beauty of Ganesh Ghat was always a treat to watch as the rising sun was just a sight out of any fairytale. He liked to sit there and enjoy the mesmerising art of nature.

As he was about to leave a familiar face of a girl struck his eyesight. Unknowingly he smiled at her but the girl looked at him in suspicion. Gathering courage he went to her and asked,"Hey if I am not wrong are you Maya?"

Astonished she replied,"Yes but how do you know me?"

Smiling back he said,"You forgot me, I am Swagatam."

"Swagatam! How are you?" said Maya shockingly,"It has been so long since we met."

Smiles exchanged, they started walking towards the road leading to Agnigarh. "So, when did you arrive?" asked Swagatam.

"Yesterday afternoon," she replied.

Maya after completing her masters in Tezpur University went to New York for her PhD. They were in the same class and were good friends back then. It was 5 years since they last saw each other.

"How have been life after masters?" she asked.

"Ahh! tough quite tough, it is very hard to get a job nowadays." he said,"I had to wait for 2 years and then finally, it has been 3 years now since I joined INFC, by the way how's your life going?"

 "After I reached US, it was tough at the beginning for me to settle there but gradually things fell in place. Scholarship helped me in my educational expenses and to pay my bills and house rent I worked as a faculty member under an online coaching centre." said Maya

After chatting and walking for sometime they reached the road behind the DC's bunglow.

"Hey, do you remember this road?" asked Swagatam sheepishly.

Taken aback by the question Maya replied,"No, why?"

Really, don't you remember?" he kept on asking.

Swagatam's constant urge and endless questioning irritated Maya and made her uncomfortable. She said,"Swagat, it's 7:00 AM now, I should leave. It was good meeting you after so long."

As she was leaving she looked back, smiled and said,"Swagat, I forgot to say I came back to Tezpur for my wedding and yes, I remember this road. Everything does not happen as one wishes for. Hope you understand. Take care. Bye."

Swagat looked back at her with a smile, opened the cover of his mobile, took out her 5 years old photo. Tears were rolling down his cheeks as he remembered the day he proposed Maya on the very same place and how he kept waiting for her answer. Then, now and forever.

It was that day and it is today. Years passed, days changed but fate and his love for Maya remained the same. Yet another Swagatam welcomed sacrifice for his love Maya.

"Kuch mein naa hua, kuch tum naa hue
Yoon hi hum, hum naa hue"