UNKNOWN HORIZONS PART II

Continued from previous post…..

It was a bit awkward but my constant chatter made it lively as well. Shweta Di ,Tushar and me –the three of us had a good time that night. Later Di was to tell me it was ‘their’ first date.

Shweta Di was my sister, mentor, friend-all rolled into one. Dad was posted in the Gulf nations since many years. We sisters were put into boarding school when I was nine and Mom joined dad thereafter. So I always ran to my sister to solve my problems. She was clear-headed, lovable and a perfect human being. I was rebel. I always knew I have someone to fall upon. But nevertheless I always tried to be like her. Its another matter that I never suceeded.At least then.

Tushar and Di were colleagues. According to Di, Tushar was a fierce professional. Reserved, razor sharp intellect, the one who remained aloof most of the time. Di herself was a plaid and simple looking girl next door. She was not as stiff as Tushar. When I asked her why had she tagged me along, she replied,” I was surprised when he asked me out. He’s a nice guy but I was nervous about meeting him alone.” “You and nervous about meeting a guy ! Gimme a break !”, I had said. After that it became a routine every weekend for three of us to be together. I had just joined work and those outings really refreshed me. Tushar was not a bit like what Di had described . He was adventurous and go-getter; jovial and humourous. In fact we always cracked jokes and Di would simply stare at us in amazement. A few months flew by. I grew busier. Di and Tushar often went for long walks.

One evening I was told ," We are seeing each other.” I knew it and hit the hammer in the nail. They were madly happy when I presented them both two rings. It was my first gift to both of them. Needless to say I was on cloud nine. There was a hitch though. Tushar had an onsite training for eight months in Philadelphia. They could pursue further proceedings (read:wedding) after that period only.Both would inform their families in the meantime. It was fine, I said. Tushar left after a few days. I did my best to keep Di cheerful. In fact both of them were constantly in touch. “The world has shrunk”, I would remark.

Mom and Dad were finally returning to India. Di was flying back after her two-week business trip from Delhi. I was to receive my parents at the airport. Now they would stay in our ancestral home- it was renovated well in time, thanks to the brilliant supervision of my Di. Just as I smiled to myself, I received a call from Shweta Di. She was breathing heavily.”Perhaps its time to say goodbye………..” I shook to the core. What was I hearing ? Another voice boomed in,”Hello, she is serious.” I was unusually calm and asked for the details. In a matter of seconds, we headed to Bareilly.
Di’s plane had a mid-air collision. By the time I reached, there was nothing to do. I undertook the ordeal to identify the body and complete “essential” formalities. I had lost my source of life.

My parents arrived later that day.

I couldn’t even cry. I tried to call Tushar before the funeral but all I heard was,"Please leave a message. I’ll call you later." I was terribly angry, vowed never to talk to him again. In the gloom of despair ,sometimes you do things that you are not supposed to. And I fell into the same trap.

To be continued….