“Vennela. Are you going home tomorrow?”

 The whole night I was waiting for her reply thinking about her.

 (Next day Morning)

 The next day morning, I got ready by around 4.00 in the morning and reached Pune Junction station 6^th platform where Vennela will be regularly boarding her train to Mumbai. After reaching there, I waited at the FOB bottom edge where people will be coming down on to the platform to board the train.

For about 40 mins, I was just looking at the FOB without even turning my head. Then I heard the announcement regarding the departure of the train.

“Passengers, your attention please. Train No One One Zero One Zero, SINHAGAD Express, bound from Pune JN to MUMBAI CST is ready to leave from platform No 6.” – Announcement.

The moment I heard that, I got up from there and reached the front part of train. As soon as I reached the first compartment, I started searching each and every individual CC compartment for Vennela. I couldn’t find her anywhere. I came with so many thoughts to talk to her as I may not get any better moment than this. Travelling with her together and explaining her about the whole journey I had during these 2 years looking at her smiles. And also, this may be the last time for now where I can wave hands at her as I will be flying next week.

 When I couldn’t find her, I got down train and sat at the same place where I was initially sitting. I began to think what might have happened. May be she got up late, or maybe she is not travelling this weekend. I took out my phone and sent a text to her.

“Vennela, are you going home today? Where are you?”

I dint get any reply from her. I waited for 1 hour for the next train. When I heard the announcement that SAHYADRI express is going to leave, as like the previous train, I searched the entire train as fast as I can looking for Vennela. At the end, I came out empty. I was not able to find her even in this train.

I continued the same with DECCAN QUEEN, PRAGATI and MUMBAI Expresses. I searched almost 5 trains and I couldn’t find her. While I was getting down from MUMBAI express, I heard the announcement of another MUMBAI express which is ready to leave in about 20 mins from the other platform. I ran as fast as I can to that platform and started searching each compartment for Vennela.

While I was crossing from one of the coach, I received a message to my mobile. I dint care it as I was busy searching the train for Vennela. After I found out that she is not in there, I got down the train and sat on a bench breathing heavily. After settling down for few minutes, I took out my mobile to read the message. It is from Vennela.

“I am not going this week.” – Vennela.

After I saw that message, I did not know how to react. Is it like whether I should be happy that I dint miss her or is it like I should be sad that I missed a chance to travel with her. Travelling with her in train and talking to her for 3 to 4 hours is like one of my dream that I have been imagining from many months. Now, I will not get that chance till next 18 months and also I don’t know whether I will get after I return back as things may change in any manner at any time.

One thing is clear that out of all the three wishes, one is gone and may be its gone once and for all. I was not able to digest this. When I first got the travelling thought in my mind, I thought I will definitely make it one day. But then I have never expected that it will just remain as a dream.

I dint reply anything to her message. I was just sitting there on the platform, looking at all the people and the trains that are passing by. I sat there at the station till evening. I dint even move a bit from the place.

Now that one dream is gone, I decided to get back and ask her about the dinner plan. I was actually afraid a lot. I cannot tell her how important each one is to me as I was afraid whether she understands it or not.

(2 days later)

“Vennela. Good Morning. Can we go for temple tomorrow morning & then dinner at night? Please?”

During the initial days, after I send a message, I used to sit and wait for her reply. But then as days passed on, I began to understand that she will not be replying immediately. I never asked her the reason and even she never explained me.

“Ya.”

I sent her a message with so much of anxiety and excitement filled in that question. And the reply that I have got from her is just a two letter word. Whatever it may be, she agreed for the dinner and there is nothing much happier beyond that.

(Night)

“Vennela. At what time shall we start tomorrow?”

“07:30 ? okay?”

“Okay Vennela. Sure.”

That night I dint sleep at all, I was fully excited about the next day that I am going to spend with her. One of my dreams is already gone and now I have to make sure that I make good memories out of these two and take a chance to explain things to her in detail during the dinner time.

(Next day morning)

I got ready by around 07:00 wearing the new dress which I have purchased to wear it for the day I will be dining with her. I reached the place 30 minutes before as I was not able to control my excitement. I requested her to come by wrapping the watch which I have gifted her. Even though I have gifted it few months back, I have never seen her wrapping that to her hand.

“Good Morning Vennela. Thanks for coming.”

“Good morning. You always insist me to not to say thanks. But then you always use that word.”

I just smiled for those lines. We both walked to the temple. As like the first time, even this time the same thing happened. I was looking at her while she was busy praying to each idol. I don’t know why I was attracted to her and why do I like her so much than any other in this world. But, the one thing I can answer very surely is that. Her smile, her beautiful and innocent smile locked me to her.

“Prudhvi…”

“Ya Vennela.”

“You don’t pray. But then you come to temple. I never understand why do you do like that.”

“Vennela. The value of a question goes down once we find out the answer for it. So, better be it that way.”

I just blabbered something when she asked me that question. But, the actual truth is that, I am actually coming with her to spend some time with her looking at her smile. When I was seeing her praying at each idol, I was feeling lot of happiness inside me, lot of joy, excitement and much more. I was not even able to express these feelings to her. That particular moment is awesome and I felt like the time should just stop there for long duration.

 @ “Every second, every minute, every hour, every day, every dream and every breath. Is for U. just for U.” – Mr. Venky Bond

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Author’s Desk:

Remaining: 3 more episodes to go on…

Next Story: I quiT

I quiT is the story of five different friends. This story details about their personal life and professional life explaining about the different situations they undergo and how they impact their life. At one point, all of them quits from their job. Wait and see what situations made them to take this decision in their life…

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