A love story but without you(Arnab Haldar) It was a chilly morning with the fog shrouding the nature. The sun seems to be lethargic today as it seems to be comfortably covered in the fog. Life seems to have gone slow for some time in a city which is regarded as one of the busiest city. On any other day one would be able to see the daily hustle of people reporting to their workplaces or would find the bus and car prying speedily. One would even get to view people struggling to get into a bus which has already been jam packed and even find people often literally standing on the edge of the bus’s entrance and exits. But today everybody, even the cock locked in the cage of a butcher shop wasn’t heard cooing signaling the arrival of the day, seemed to have also been taking a break for the daily monotonous routine.
But an alarm clock placed on bedside table in a bedroom of a penthouse starts ringing. A figure draped in a blanket quite disgustedly wakes up and with lots of effort stretches his hand and stops the clock from ringing. Meanwhile the sun seems to have got over with the lethargy that had crippled over it and is seen to come out of its cover. As everything gradually comes back to life again like as usual on a normal day, the masculine figure which was now being understood clearly by the in filtering rays of the sun now slowly gets up and removes the blanket previously covering him from the cold. He sits on the edge of the bed with his chin rested on the palm of his right hand which resembled quite similar to the statute of “The Thinker” in Paris. The cell phone lying beside the pillow, clutching which he had went to sleep last night, suddenly seems to come alive as it starts vibrating and ringing. He, with a frown in takes the call and says “hello”. A voice on the other side of the call said,” Congrats Harish, the new vice president of his company." How’s the party last night?” Harish was suffering from a bad hangover of previous night managed to say,” Thanks Subir. Yeah, it was fine as usual. Couldn’t have been better than that. So why didn’t you make it to the party last night?”
Subir replied” Sorry yaar, a very serious deal had to be signed off so I was badly busy with and couldn’t make it to your party.” Harish and Subir are very good friends for years so Harish said,” No, it’s okay I understand. Come to my place someday. I will invite other friends of mine to my place and we would enjoy a great time here.” Subir said “okay sure, just inform me when you would be organizing it and I shall be there”. Harsha replied in positive and hung up.
Today even after being promoted to one of the most respected post of the company Harish didn’t feel happy instead he felt somber and tired. It’s not because he desires more and because his greed for power had not been fulfilled he looked sad. But reasons seems different and quite surprising.
Anyways he got up from bed and went to the washroom to freshen himself and enjoy a daybreak after being promoted to a much higher and responsible post. Harish didn’t made any plans for the day. All of a sudden after getting fresh he seemed to be damn hungry. He lived alone in an adequately large penthouse, purchased a few months back in the posh area of Kolkata. So he went into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator to see what he could have. He found nothing interesting which would able to satisfy his hunger. So, finally he settled down with milk and some cornflakes. The cell suddenly starts to ring again from the other room. So, with much dissatisfaction he left the table and went inside to fetch the phone and answered it,” Huh hello”. “Sir, there is a board meeting scheduled tomorrow which you had told me to remind you of”, the personal assistant said.” Thanks, Nisha for reminding. Are all the documents that I told you to arrange in place?” Nisha replied “Yes sir, I have arranged all the documents you wanted. Have a good day sir” He replied “Okay then meet you tomorrow at the meeting” and hung up the phone. He returned to the table and finished his breakfast. Today, Harish couldn’t help himself from walking down the memory lane. From the morning he looked awfully dejected and everything seemed to be gloomy to him.



“Riju, wake up it’s already late. The school bus would be coming in no time”, said Riju’s father as he came to prepare his champ for school. After several minutes of his father calling him to wake up, Riju, a boy who had just finished his early childhood and was now on the verge of being a teenager this year, finally woke up rubbing his eyes, which seemed to be partially shut, with two hands and yawning which clearly symbolized his hatred to wake up so early in the morning. He quickly glanced at clock which was hanging atop his bed and saw it was 6:30 in the morning. Riju was the only child of his parents. So, he was brought up with lots of care. His parents both of whom worked, his father a civil engineer and his mother a school teacher, but eventually his mother had to resign from her job as there was none to take care of Riju. Riju, who was a small kid but now almost a mature boy never realized his mom’s pain and never was able to become what his mom dreamt him to be, a successful doctor . He looked out of his small window of a multistoried apartment, seemed to have gulped the city entirely demolishing the greenery, saw that the sun gradually rising as the eastern horizon covered with a mystic red and orange, barely unaware of the fact that he has to prepare himself and get off for school. “Riju, how long would you waste your time sitting idly like that gazing at the sky?” a much loud angry voice was heard asking him which seemed to him that of his father. Riju replied,” Yeah dad, I will quickly get ready in next ten minutes.” His father retorted back,” I know how fast you get dressed up so don’t try to make me a fool because I am your father”. Riju parted his lips as if to say something or to argue but realized it was not the right time. So, he quietly slid into the washroom. Fifteen minutes almost passed by that there was no sign of Riju coming out of the washroom, his father who was giving quick glance over the morning paper, looked at the clock and started knocking at the door of the washroom and said,” Riju, how long shall you sleep inside and waste your time? You would again end up being late for school.” Riju came out after sometime and his father growled at him and said,” Look at the clock it’s almost 7 and you are not ready and this is what you mean by getting ready in fifteen minutes right?” Riju said,” Yeah, I am almost ready see” as he started to get dressed in his school uniform which he didn’t like much because he believed that he wouldn’t look typically cool.
Riju studied in one of the best schools of his time which provided it’s students with best facilities in every prospect be it in studies or extra-curricular. Every parent had a belief that if they are able to provide such a fine education to their son or daughter they would be highly respected in their society as they could boast and tell others,” You know where my son/ daughter study?” and then their listeners would ask,” Where did you admit your son/daughter”. With a pride the parents would conclude my son/daughter studies in one of the best schools in the city. But, it’s only a myth which you would gradually get to discover.
Riju, who had now completely managed to finally get ready and march to school but the clock indicated it was seven and it made seven striking sounds, which seemed at that moment to Riju, to be doing in favour of it’s time that it had been showing then. So, he sped off as usual leaving half the breakfast as it was served to him. In the next ten minutes to come he would have to reach school and the way to school is a half an hour from where he is. But as it was early in the so the transport was less than adequate. Now, his father said,” You are almost late for your school and you would find it hard to reach school on time so jump into the car which I have to take out so early in the morning only for you.” Riju promptly replied,” Sorry dad, please this is last time you have to go through such a trouble for the last time. Please make me reach school on time otherwise I would have to face a lot of trouble.” “Okay, okay, enough of your long speeches and do me the last favour of the morning by hopping into the vehicle”, said his father disgustedly. So, with the help of his extremely caring father Riju finally makes it to school.

Rishika, a girl who would be making her teens this year itself, had newly shifted to the residential apartments and was trying to adapt herself in the new surroundings. Though a Bengali she had been brought up outside Bengal. She was the only child of her parents and was bestowed with lots of affection and love. She was fun, frolicking full of life and energy. She was very good at everything be it studies, be it playing badminton or be it performing something in front of audiences like she danced so gracefully at a stage performance during puja at the campus that the audience was left with awe. With all these qualities The Almighty had even took a lot of time creating her and so she was blessed in all the way and also with striking looks that every girl adored. Her beauty was so majestic that could make heads turn if she simply dressed in a sari. She was aware of all this but had no pride for it. Her nature was so sweet that she was able to mix with people quite well and even was able to make friends in quite a short period of time.
Now it seems that the apartments in which Rishika had shifted newly, Harish, nicknamed and popularly known in the surrounding as Riju, too resided in the same apartments. Harish had been an ordinary boy who was little shy and quite immature than his age. He didn’t understand what was important in life and mostly did things without understanding what and why is he doing it. He had been always the person who would made fun of just because of his own foolishness. He didn’t try to understand the meaning what is been said and replied sometimes without even understanding what he himself is saying. But inspite of all this criticism he unknowingly had quite striking features in his character which was unknown to him. He could paint as well as had the capability to act but all these were literally unknown to him. He had great interest and knack over languages and history but didn’t realize his field of interest and so ended up judging himself completely wrong.
One fine evening Harish was playing badminton, sport he could play quite well, when somebody called out, “Hey Harish, what’s up?” Harish looked around and saw a friend of his standing outside the court with another girl who was completely a stranger to him. Harish had seen the other girl but pretended as if he had just not noticed her and replied,” Oh, hey Trisha yeah fine wanna join playing?” Trisha told,” No, not today but some other day” and sat down on the bench with the other girl.” Hey there myself Harish and you” Harish said and extended his hand towards the new girl sitting beside Trisha after he had left playing as he was not willing to for some reason. Rishika shook hands with Harish and introduced herself. “So, Rishika, I guess you are new here right? Never seen you before” Rishika replied, “Yeah, actually we shifted two days before and was just busy with it.” Then he asked “So Trisha how did bump into Rishika?” “The thing is she roaming alone with her cycle which seemed to me that she was new out here so I approached her and that’s how it went.” Trisha retorted back “Oh, so how about a bicycle ride and we can chat while riding too nah” suggested Harish. ” Yeah, it would be besides it’s too hot out here and cycling would allow some flow of air” Rishika replied. “Hey, guys I have to be off because I have some work to do”, Trisha intervened to the plan.” Okay, so Rishika would you mind cycling me for a while? ”, Harish asked Rishika and she promptly replied “No, no I won’t mind besides I am free now”. So, Rishika and Harish took their respective bicycles and went for a ride. “So, where do you study and which class?” asked Harish while pedaling. “I study in Loreto Memorial, midelton row near the Music World, the ultimate music store in the heart of Kolkata which had recently been shut down, and I am studying in seventh standard and what about you?” asked Rishika after giving a precise introduction about herself.” Yeah, I am currently studying Smithsonian International School and in same standard as you are in” replied Harish with a glee.” Hey, can you play badminton I was searching for someone for long time besides Trisha cannot play very well and I don’t enjoy playing with those little kids as you see” asked Harish inquisitively.” Rishika smiled and replied,” Yeah, I can play badminton. Okay if you want I can join with you guys besides now that we are friends it won’t be a problem to communicate nah”. “Anyways it’s too late I have to return home otherwise I have to undergo scolding so bye”, Harish said finally and further added,” It was nice meeting you.” “Okay, bye then same feelings after meeting you”, replied Rishika.
As Harish returned home, he still thought about Rishika. He had been studying in a co-ed school from the time he first went to school, had many friends, a lot among them were girls but he never felt such a way talking to a girl before. Something had happened really out of place for Harish after this girl walked into his life all of a sudden, unaware of the fact that he had developed personal likings for the girl in such short span of time. Harish sat down to study but his mind became distracted by Rishika’s thought. He desperately forced himself to concentrate but couldn’t. His heart as well part of his mind was eagerly awaiting for the next interaction with her. The rest of the night passed by like this leaving Harish a severe urge to see her again.
The next morning seemed to begin in the same monotonous way as it began with him failing to wake up on time and as previously ended up his father drooping him at school. But, today at school suddenly the naughtiest boy, who always came up with newer tricks up his sleeve and who became a topic of discussion amongst the female teaching staffs of the school, seemed to be a changed one completely as he sat quietly all throughout the classes and attended the classes quite attentively. This sudden change of behavior of Harish came as if like a 440 volt shock among his criticizers. After classes were over he was seen eagerly waiting for the arrival of evening. Althroughout the day Harish never was able to keep Rishika out of his mind. He literally craved to meet her. Harish couldn’t understand what was going on in his mind and for what good reason he couldn’t abstain himself from thinking about her. Though Harish grew up in a metropolitan city where people are used to realize and know things even before they are needed too, had been too innocent and had little practical knowledge that a boy his age had. So, the feeling or if I put it in this way that distinguish between crush, infatuation or love something alien to his knowledge section at this tender age. Finally his wait came to an end when the clock struck 5 in the afternoon as it was time for him to get down to play. Harish got down excitedly. Rishika got down after an hour. She came down carrying her racket and smiled sweetly as he found Harish still waiting for him to play and apologetically told Harish, “Sorry, for keeping you wait for so long to play actually I have a unit test tomorrow so busy preparing for it. Why didn’t Trisha come to play?” Harish said,” Oh, I see and went to call Trisha but found there door locked”. Now don’t waste more time and start the play. Harish really enjoyed playing with her and that mere presence of her at the court and that sweet grin that she gave as soon as she came seemed to wash away the pain, agony and harshness of waiting for so long. After playing for some time Harish advised “Can we sit and chat for a while I am quite exhausted?” Rishika said,” Huh, we only played 10 games and now you are already exhausted. Okay, not a problem.” “Actually, after a long time I am playing against someone who can really play the game” Harish said as Rishika came and sat beside him. “Uff, even I am also little exhausted too. It’s too humid out here in Kolkata. The city is nice and quiet friendly at least it had been too me”, told Rishika.” Hey hey, you had never mentioned previously that you were to the city too? ”, Harish asked with a frown.” Arey, we just met tomorrow and it didn’t get enough time to know each other that is why I perhaps had forgotten to mention and these aren’t such interesting topics is it?” replied Rishika while fondling with a piece of glass which she had found from the outskirts of the badminton court. “Accha, so what can be done with this small piece of glass?” asked Rishika inquisitively, which she was now holding like a knife. “Yeah, it will depend on the way you want to use it. You can use it to hurt someone. Nothing else is actually can be done with it.”, concluded Harish. Rishika innocently said, “If you think it can be used to kill someone with such small piece of glass then let’s try it on you” and she very confidently attacked Harish playfully, knowing pretty well that it won’t hurt anybody. Harish realized her prank and let her as she attacked him he simply made little efforts to resist her and on contrary tried to frighten her by saying,” See, if you somehow become successful in killing me with that you will land up in juvenile prison. By the way, why do you want to kill me anyway?” Rishika said,” I want to prove that nobody can’t be even hurt with this so was doing the prank on you” and began to laugh at Harish’s foolishness. Harish didn’t reply and watched her as she made fun of him.
Slowly Harish started developing feelings for Rishika unknowingly. Her giggles, pranks and happy go lucky attitude amazed him. He used to chat with her for long hours sometimes debating, making fun of each other, and occasionally on serious notes. As at that time very few people have started living in the newly constructed high rises and not many could found of their age so they enjoyed the time together. Harish realized that suddenly she was becoming one of the most important person in his life. As days went by the feeling became more intense. He let his emotions flow on without restraining which affected his studies. But, he didn’t care about unlike most of the boys and girls he didn’t realize that what he would do with his life.
Gradually, days went by months passed many new people came and they became friends with Harish and Rishika. The Durga puja which is considered to be the most happiest as well as the festival where every Bengalis eagerly wait for. Durga puja is looked upon as a family reunion and many have some other significances of puja in their lives. But, this puja seemed to be something special for Harish but why and how he didn’t knew. It was raining very heavily all throughout the day and had played a spoilsport for the pandelhoppers and couples who had planned to spend a day together after a long time. In this bad weather Harish proposed Rishika, after his other friends in quite a horrible way. He said, “I love (which he didn’t say, but rather used a blank and asked her to fill it) you.” Rishika was amazed but couldn’t herself from bursting into laughter at such proposal. It wasn’t at all what she expected from Harish. So, she didn’t say anything at that moment. After sometime, when the two of them met again Rishika said,” I am sorry, please don’t mind but no.” It was the first time that he proposed a girl and she said no but it didn’t matter him much then, little did he know that this girl would be the love of his life. Anyways, but whatever it was it didn’t affect their friendship. They became each other’s partner while playing badminton and they played quite beautifully as their understanding was great which lead them unbeatable amongst their friends. After the proposal everybody used to taunt Harish whenever he was found interacting with Rishika which he never protested and so it increased day after day and Harish paying no heed to it.
Some days went by and Diwali came. Diwali, the festival of lights everybody was enjoying burning crackers all over. The day was special for Rishika as it was her birthday and Harish made sure he was the first to wish her. Harish too was enjoying burning crackers and that too he was around Rishika. After a long time the two of them spend a quality time with each other. Rishika always looked upon Harish as a good friend who she could count upon. But Harish on contrary regarded Rishika to be his girlfriend without knowing that he was losing Rishika every time he persuaded her with the fact that he loves him which she wasn’t prepared to hear from him. Thus, every time Harish would meet Rishika he would start complimenting her and this continued even in social networking sites. This irritated her and times expressed it so that Harish gets to realize it but he was then too stubborn or rather foolish to understand this. Slowly cracks seemed to deepen and from one fine afternoon Rishika start avoiding Harish. Harish didn’t understand why he was been treated like this. He never expected this to happen. Every time he tried to repair their relationship is it by initiating a talk with her or by writing letters to her and leaving it on her cycle’s basket with a chocolate. But nothing seemed to work. Harish, in the meanwhile had grown up enough to realize that Rishika was neither a mere crush nor just an infatuation but rather had become his love. So, he constantly made efforts to the relationship with her. But Rishika was not ready to hear anything from him. But knowing this Harish was not ready to give up. He was ready to give everything to return Rishika back. Though Harish tried his level best he failed and in due course affected his own career.
But at present whatever he had done in the past he was still a successful engineer. Many women came in his life in due course but love never seemed to make way again in his life again and he knows why. He always wanted Rishika in his life because he realized that it was she who could understand him and they would make a great couple. He had searched for Rishika but she refused to interact as she did previously. Even today, when he has achieved everything he still feels lonely and always thought that this fame, money and everything seemed valueless when Rishika, the most valuable person in his life was still a part are not in my life. He knows she won’t come back to his life and recently he got to hear she is engaged and would be getting married. Harish, when he heard it he couldn’t control his emotions and had broken down in the past.
The good times which he had spent with Rishika still mesmerizes him and he is often found lost in her memory. Every year when her birthday comes he feels bad as he can’t wish her. But life is an endless journey and it goes on so Harish knows it and so carries on with his life. He is aware that doesn’t have any chances of getting her but cannot forget her. He moved on with other aspects of life but the wounds which had been caused many years back and what he had to undergo while falling in love that he never walked on that way again. So, he never let anyone take Rishika’s place and the love he had given her, he was she sure none would have ever be able to love her like that.

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