He was a silent worker who always kept to
himself. His reclusive and lonesome nature was one of the many objects of
interest for most of his co-workers.
She used to chatter away to glory with anybody who as much as looked in her direction. She was the life of many parties. People were mesmerized by her charms and mannerisms but she did not seem impressed by anybody.
She used to chatter away to glory with anybody who as much as looked in her direction. She was the life of many parties. People were mesmerized by her charms and mannerisms but she did not seem impressed by anybody.
It was a typical Monday morning for everyone at
work. Almost all the people were cribbing about returning to work after having
“so much fun” during the weekend. It wasn't just another day for him. It was
that day of the year when he had turned a year older. As he entered office and
walked towards his cubicle, not one head glanced in his direction. He was
hardly a prominent figure – no one noticed his presence nor missed his absence.
He sat at his desk and switched on the computer. He, suddenly, noticed a note
on his bulletin-board. It simply read “Happy Birthday”. He recognized the
handwriting. It was from her.
The whole day she was busy with presentations. He managed to catch hold of her at lunch-time. “Thank you,” he said. “But how did you know it was my birthday?”
She flashed her million-dollar smile, “I keep a list of everyone’s date of birth so that I don’t forget to wish them! Birthdays are important, don’t you think?”
She walked away without really waiting for a response. He watched her go, baffled by the ease and comfort with which she did things. No one would believe that this was just her first month at work.
The whole day she was busy with presentations. He managed to catch hold of her at lunch-time. “Thank you,” he said. “But how did you know it was my birthday?”
She flashed her million-dollar smile, “I keep a list of everyone’s date of birth so that I don’t forget to wish them! Birthdays are important, don’t you think?”
She walked away without really waiting for a response. He watched her go, baffled by the ease and comfort with which she did things. No one would believe that this was just her first month at work.
After this incident, their interactions
increased. He found that he could talk to her about anything. His evenings were
no longer spent doing over-time and his weekends were never spent alone at
home.
She gave up being a people’s person and settled for a small group of close-knit friends.
She gave up being a people’s person and settled for a small group of close-knit friends.
They were inseparable. They completed each
other’s sentences. One knew what was on the other’s mind even before words were
spoken.
People talked about them. People made up stories.
This did not bother them. If anything, it was nothing less than a source of
entertainment for them!
After some time, he quit the organization to
pursue what he felt was his “real calling”. She stayed on only to join him
later, after some months. This move was in “their” best interest. Distance was
not doing their relationship any good.
It wasn't what her heart wanted but she did not want to disappoint him.
He needed her just as she needed him, she told herself.
He hated it when she used to prioritize work over spending time with him. It tore her heart to a million shreds when she found him choosing the company of other people before her. Something was amiss and it was now time to strike a compromise.
She gave up her passion to help him follow his path of dreams. She plunged herself in darkness in the hope of showing him the light.
He hated it when she used to prioritize work over spending time with him. It tore her heart to a million shreds when she found him choosing the company of other people before her. Something was amiss and it was now time to strike a compromise.
She gave up her passion to help him follow his path of dreams. She plunged herself in darkness in the hope of showing him the light.
As time passed, it became clear to her that it
was all futile. He did not need her. She decided to go back to her old life.
But going back isn't as simple as it seems to be. Retracing one’s steps does
not mean that one manages to restore themselves back to their old selves in a
complete manner. She found that she could just not force herself to be the
person she used to be. She no longer craved company – she did not like having
people around. They annoyed her. She immersed herself in work but her zeal had
vanished. She was just not as good as she used to be at one point of time. She
felt that her parts had gone rusty. Each day, she was dying a slow, painful
death. She wanted to run away but she had no place to go. She did not even know
who or what she was running away from. In the end, she settled for a life of
mediocrity. She was with people but felt alone all the time. People are, after
all, no substitute for the emptiness one feels within.
He became extremely successful in his new field and stood on top of the ladder of success. People looked up to him in awe. He had everything in life. He was content, blissfully and conveniently unaware of the damage he had caused, perhaps unintentionally, to someone who, once upon a time, was his closest friend. It was alone up there but he wasn't lonely. After all, he had always enjoyed his own company.
They had crossed paths but their destinations were different. He wanted to be like the Pole Star, the brightest star in the northern sky.
She wanted to burst like a star and dissolve like a handful of glitter into the universe to give herself back to where she came from...
He became extremely successful in his new field and stood on top of the ladder of success. People looked up to him in awe. He had everything in life. He was content, blissfully and conveniently unaware of the damage he had caused, perhaps unintentionally, to someone who, once upon a time, was his closest friend. It was alone up there but he wasn't lonely. After all, he had always enjoyed his own company.
They had crossed paths but their destinations were different. He wanted to be like the Pole Star, the brightest star in the northern sky.
She wanted to burst like a star and dissolve like a handful of glitter into the universe to give herself back to where she came from...
You really have a knack of telling his-her stories Divya:) Life is all about learning from the ups and downs and your posts make one pause and think. Not all stars shine bright always, they have their own days and nights, beautifully penned..
ReplyDeleteGood to see a post from you, its been a while...
DeleteThanks :) The reason behind his-her stories is actually laziness - I hate coming up with names :P Besides, I feel names create a bridge between self and the story's character - the moment it isn't your name, you tend to treat the entire issue as an outsider. Do you agree?
DeleteAnd yes, I've been caught up with stuff :) But it feels good to be back..thanks for dropping by :) :) Really appreciate your thoughts :)
Wonderful, Divya!
ReplyDeleteSo proud of you!
:) :) I miss you Mohini!!
DeleteSimply Wow!! Good post Divya. This is the reason why I like your space.
ReplyDeleteHa!Ha! Thanks Ankit :) :)
DeleteTruly beautifully narrated and yes I agree with you names are a pain!!!
ReplyDelete:)
Thanks :) :)
DeleteThe beauty of this post is its abstractness. Not much details yet clearly states whats going on. Good one Divya.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jaish :)
Deletewow post!
ReplyDeleteHa! Ha! Thanks Ashok :)
Delete