Their bond grew stronger as they both pursued engineering in their final year. They spent countless hours studying together in the library. “Do you think we’ll use all these learnings in real life?” Priya joked one day, looking exasperated by the thick textbooks before them. “Probably not,” Ashok replied, “but we must pass the exams first.” Their conversations flowed effortlessly, yet the barrier of unspoken feelings remained firmly in place.After graduation, Ashok and Priya joined the same professional college, much to their mutual delight. They often studied together and commuted back home during vacations, cherishing their time together. “Can you believe we’re doing this? It feels like just yesterday we were kids in school,” Priya remarked one day as they sat in the canteen, sipping chai. “Time flies, doesn’t it?” Ashok replied, his eyes reflecting his hidden feelings. Their families grew fond of each other, and frequent visits became routine. Priya’s parents admired Ashok’s integrity and saw him as a suitable match for their daughter. “Ashok is such a nice boy,” Priya’s mother once said. “Don’t you think he’d make a good match for you?” Priya blushed and shrugged. “We’re just friends, Mom,” she replied, though a part of her wished for more.Ashok, aware of his feelings but also Ravi’s continued interest in Priya, remained silent. “You’re quiet today, Ashok,” Priya observed during one of their study sessions. “Is something on your mind?” Ashok looked away, forcing a smile. “Just tired, I guess,” he replied, unable to voice the turmoil within him. The presence of Ravi’s unspoken love for Priya weighed heavily on Ashok, leading him to stifle his own emotions for the sake of friendship.As fate would have it, Ashok and Priya were posted in different cities after completing their studies. Their communication dwindled to occasional messages and holiday greetings. During this time, Priya met Arjun, a confident and charming colleague who admired her openly. “Priya, I like you,” Arjun confessed one day, his voice sincere. Priya, moved by his honesty and tired of waiting for Ashok’s unspoken confession, decided to give him a chance despite her lingering affection for Ashok.
When Ashok heard of Priya’s engagement to Arjun, his heart sank. “Congratulations, Priya,” he said with a forced smile when they met at a mutual friend’s wedding. “Arjun’s a lucky guy.” Priya, sensing the unsaid, looked into his eyes, hoping for a confession that never came. “Thank you, Ashok,” she said softly, her eyes searching his. “I always thought…” she started, but then trailed off. “Thought what?” Ashok asked, a flicker of hope in his voice, but Priya just shook her head, smiling sadly. “Nothing. It’s nothing,” she replied, her voice tinged with resignation.As her wedding approached, Priya accepted that some stories remain incomplete. She decided to embrace her future with Arjun, who dared to express his feelings. Ashok attended her wedding, hiding his pain behind a smile. “You look beautiful, Priya,” he said, handing her a gift. “I hope you’ll be very happy.” Priya hugged him tightly, whispering, “Thank you, Ashok. You’ve always been a good friend.” As she pulled away, she noticed a flicker of sadness in his eyes, but neither spoke of it.Years later, Ashok and Priya met again at a mutual friend’s gathering, this time as friends who had traversed the complexities of life. Ashok, now a successful engineer with his firm, visited Priya and her family in their new home. “It’s good to see you, Ashok,” Priya greeted him warmly, offering him a cup of tea. “How have you been?” Ashok smiled, “Busy with work. And you? How’s married life?” Priya’s eyes sparkled as she spoke of Arjun and their life together. “It’s good. We’re happy. And you? Any special someone?” Ashok shook his head, smiling wistfully. “Not yet. I guess, I always miss the right moment.”They reminisced about old times, their conversations filled with laughter and nostalgia. “Remember our study sessions?” Priya asked, her eyes twinkling. “How could I forget? We were quite the team,” Ashok replied. Both maintained the façade of friendship, each hiding the depth of their true feelings. During a quiet moment, Priya asked, “Ashok, did you ever wonder what might have been if things had been different?” Ashok looked at her, a gentle sadness in his eyes. “Sometimes, Priya. But life has a way of leading us where we’re meant to be. I’m glad we had our journey, even if it took a different path.”They parted with a lingering embrace, the weight of their unspoken love finally acknowledged in the silence between them. As Ashok walked away, he felt a bittersweet contentment, knowing that some love stories, though unfulfilled, remain etched in the heart forever. Priya, watching him leave, felt a tear escape but also a sense of peace. They had lived their story, one marked by silent devotion and the quiet understanding that some connections transcend the need for words. They both accepted that their lives had taken separate paths. Ashok immersed himself in his work, finding solace in the success he built. Priya, now a devoted wife and mother, found happiness in her family, cherishing the memories of a love that never needed words to be felt. They continued to meet occasionally, their conversations tinged with a mix of nostalgia and unspoken truths, each silently grateful for the bond they had shared and the lives they had built.
RAJAT CHANDRA SARMAH
09/07/2024
GUWAHATI , ASSAM ,INDIAMail ID : rajatchandrasarmah@gmail.com
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