In the small town of Milonpur, Ashok and Priya shared a connection neither could articulate. As classmates in primary school, they felt an unspoken bond that grew with each passing day. Ashok, with his quiet demeanour, often found solace in Priya’s radiant smile. Though they sensed a special warmth between them, their young hearts never understood the beauty of their relations and found themselves enjoying each other’s company. Their age did not make it possible to understand that there is an undercurrent of infatuations having the possibility of converging to love one day. Courage to transform their silent understanding into words that did not even come to their mind.
During recess, Ashok would often offer his sandwich to Priya. “Here, Priya, try this,” he’d say, shyly pushing the sandwich towards her.
Priya’s eyes would light up as she replied, “Only if you try my aloo paratha.”
Their exchanges, filled with innocent smiles and shared snacks, spoke volumes about their unexpressed feelings. Priya would often catch Ashok staring at her during class, only for him to quickly look away, his cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and affection. Life took its natural course, and Ashok went to an all-boys high school while Priya attended a girls’ school. Their meetings dwindled to occasional encounters at local festivals or neighbourhood events. Each time, their conversations were filled with lingering looks and unspoken words. “How’s school, Ashok?” Priya would ask, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and longing. “It’s fine, just busy with studies,” Ashok would reply, trying to sound nonchalant while his heart raced at seeing her. In high school, Ashok found a close friend in Ravi, a cheerful boy who shared his love for cricket. Unbeknownst to Ashok, Ravi had also met Priya at a local Durga Puja celebration and developed feelings for her. “Priya seems nice,” Ravi mentioned casually one day. “Do you know her well?” Ashok’s heart sank but he forced a smile. “Yes, she’s a good friend from school,” he replied, a sense of unease settling in his chest. Ravi’s continued interest in Priya complicated Ashok’s emotions, leading him to suppress his feelings to preserve their friendship. Years later, destiny brought Ashok and Priya together at St. Joseph’s College.
Their first meeting on campus was both surprising and heartwarming. “Priya! Is that you?” Ashok exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine delight. Priya, equally surprised, responded, “Ashok, I can’t believe we’re in the same college! It’s like fate.” They often met at the college canteen, exchanging stories and laughter. “Remember how we used to share snacks during recess?” Priya giggled. “Of course! Your aloo paratha was the best,” Ashok replied with a grin. Despite their growing camaraderie, they continued to avoid deeper emotions, keeping their interactions light and filled with friendly banter. ( TO BE CONTINUED)
Rajat Chandra Sarmah, 08/07/2024
Guwahati , Assam , India
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