It was half an hour past midnight,date has been changed from 24th december to 25th december,even at that hour the city was not asleep,one can hear sounds of crackers in almost every 15 seconds.The festive mood was not because it was christmas but because marriage season in india was in full flow,and the capital city was witnessing record number of marriages that day.
A group of men and women clad in traditional wear in a marriage procession a.k.a baraat were dancing like they will never get to dance again.Suddenly the loud music of band was overcome by a screeching sound which ceased the movement of every dancing feet and screams of women travelled far in that chilly weather,a black speeding octavia hit the divider and was tossed up in air,a cricket fan would have wondered..what it will be... a head or a tail?..and it was TAIL ..as the octavia hit back the ground and rolled towards the footpath.Everyone was taken aback,it took seconds for the baraatis to realize that it was an accident,a deadly one..but those few seconds were enough to claim Harsh's life.Harsh Manchanda was dead on 12:35 am of 25th
december ,2008.
TWO YEARS BACK
It was first day of job,wearing a formal dress was so unusual and uncomfortable for Harsh who was known for his low waist denims and cool looking Ts in college,back there he was surely a style icon but here in office he felt so uncomfortable in those cotton trousers and full sleeves shirt with a neatly knotted tie.Though he thought he was looking stupid ,the tall,fair,lean and blue eyed Harsh was the centre of attraction,attracting every single female passing his way.
His boss teamed him up with Kirti,a tall,dusky, long haired girl,her black eyes on her blemishless face resembled innocence comparable to that of Mother Mary's.
They both gelled up very well . In a very short span of time,they became friends so close that every one in office started talking about them,and infact they looked great with each other.They spent a hell lot of time together,they worked,they gossiped,they hang out,they cared each other,often went to long drives in Harsh's octavia,which was his father's b'day gift to him,infact being with Kirti was like home away home for Harsh.
It was a weekend.. when Kirti called Harsh on fone and asked him her most common question..in her usual charming innocent voice.."Harsh how can a guy like you don't have a girlfriend?",Harsh replied in his cool voice.."I have told you Kirti I don't believe in this love buisiness,these things are waste of time,love make a person inefficient,it look good in books and movies but in real life its just a boy's and girl's foolishness"..Kirti replied in a bit low voice.."what if I say I am in love with you"..Harsh replied infact yelled"are you insane Kirti,how can you be in love with me..its just have been couple of months since we know each other "..Kirti stammered.."b..bb..but I think I love you Harsh..don't you feel the same way as I do..theres not a single moment when I don't think of you,its you everywhere..its you everytime...I love you Harsh"..Harsh replied..in a voice bemused and fierce at same time.."you know Kirti even if I say that I love you too..its of no use...you know I can't marry against my parent's wish..and its the same way with you..then how is it possible Kirti..I will be betraying you,my parents and moreover myself if I say I love you too..and I think you are taking a decision in haste..we both are very good friends ..and let it be the way it is"..Kirti almost in tears..replied.."just friends Harsh??"..Harsh replied.."nay more then friends..no doubt about that..I can't imagine myself without you..I admit I have been addicted to you Kirti..but please don't give our relationship a name other then friendship...I assure you that we'll be like boyfriend/girlfriend but please don't make it official Kirti...you know very well what will be the fate of this relationship"....it was hard for Harsh to convince Kirti but at the same time he didn't want to loose her..she had become such an integral part of his life..but finally he succeeded..succeeded in convincing her and moreover himself that its not love and even if it is then too this L word will never come in between them..it was like saying a lie to himself..because deep inside Harsh knew that he is in love too.
Time flew with speed of light...the bond between Harsh and Kirti was becoming stronger day by da..but the relation was not the same after that conversation...infact they were more like lovers then friends..but the L word was still not there...it was like they were betraying themselves...they knew they both love each other but no-one said it..though so many times Kirti felt like saying I love you to Harsh..but she stopped herself every time...she knew there
relationship has no future..she knew her dad..who was looking for a guy of same caste and origin for her..love marriages were a taboo in her house..she knew how her cousin was disowned by her parents when she married against their will.. she doesn't have the guts to go against her family..after all she was the ideal daughter of her father..how proud her father was of her...and how could she be so mean to shatter all dreams of her parents ...it was decided...the fate of there relationship...they both knew what will happen next..but they both were sensible..they both were ready for this....they both thought they will cope it even when they held each other arms...even when they hugged each other..even when they kissed each other...
2 years passed since Harsh joined the office..and Kirti was now going to get married with a N.R.I..they both knew that this will happen ...they were prepared...Harsh use to crack jokes on Kirti's would be husband...and was making things lite..but he knew this will not be that easy...a fear of loosing Kirti was becoming stronger and stronger as the date of her marriage was approaching..she had quit her job..they don't meet as frequently as they use to ...Harsh was feeling a void in his life...he remembered .. with how much ease he had said to Kirti that they will easily come out of this relationship..but how wrong he was..it was so damn difficult not to think of Kirti..her innocent smile..her dusky face...her long hair...every bit of her was so much engraved in his mind ...at times he wondered what Kirti would be thinking...whether she feels the same way as he does? ..he knew that he love her..and it was the first time when it was so hard for him ressisting himself from saying that dreaded L word..It was 24th december ..the day of Kirti's wedding..when she called him..Harsh remebered the day she called him two years back...the day when she said she loves him..Harsh was elated ..in hope that she will say it again..after all he knew how much she love him..he picked up the call..a soft charming voice came.."Hello Harsh...I hope you know that I am getting married tonight"..Harsh was not able to reply...instead his eyes were wet...the same voice said again after a momentraily silence...."I am going to start a new life Harsh ...everything is happening as planned..time spent with you was surely the time of my life..but I want to forget all those sweet memories Harsh...because if I don't ..they will surely become sour...and I hope you too would want to forget everything...I assure you Harsh I'll never ever meet or bother you again..but for the second and last time Harsh I want to say....I love you"... a pin drop silence prevailed for a while...which was broken by a blubbering tearful voice.."I love you too Kirti..."..tears dropped from her eyes ..she wanted to say something...but the line was alreadydisconnected by Harsh..it was all over by then.
Harsh took the keys of his car...took out two vodka bottles from his refrigerator...and gulped them down as if they were the last two alcohol bottles present on earth...he gave the ignition and took off for a long drive a real long one ...on those dark lanes...unaware of his dark fate....he was surely not in his senses...constantly saying Kirti's name...he was out of his mind...was reckless..had no idea where he was heading..or what he was doing...and suddenly a huge sound of BOOM occured...everything stopped...it was all white infront of his eyes...as if suddenly thousands of tubelights were switched on.....he was unable to open his eyes...but however opened them as he heard Kirti saying..."I am going away Harsh..far from you...I don't love you anymore...I have someone else in my life who loves me more then anyone else...who cares me more then anyone else..and who is not scared of showing his love...not scared of sayin that he loves me...and you know Harsh...I love him too"...the voice faded away.. ..the thousands of tubelight were switched off faster then they were lit...it was all dark again..as Harsh took his last breath..
