NAYANTARA & NEELANJAN CHAPTER 1

“Neelanjan,” I heard once.
“Neelanjan,” I heard again.
“Neelanjan,” I kept hearing.
In stead of dying down, the voice started getting clearer and closer. Though I kept moving ahead, I felt the voice was directed towards me.
But I am not Neelanjan. Then why should I wait?
I was inching closer to the Arabian Sea.
For months, I had waited for this day.
I stood there, looking around me.
There were tourists, there were lovers, there were artists and there were photographers, office goers & every other form of human being.
I just waited for that moment.
The thought of me being watched by somebody didn’t even cross my mind.
The waves in the Arabian Sea kept creating melodies, sometimes sweet and sometimes bitter.
Night was spreading its wings on the city. The Queen’s Necklace appeared in full bloom. Right from the NCPA to the stretch that comprised the Trident Hotel, the Air India building, Hotel Marine Plaza and some of the most famed playgrounds; the Queen’s Necklace stood illuminated.
I was once again tempted to renounce my decision to end the journey of my life.
At the same time, I was determined to leave no reasons for others to discuss.
Inch by inch, I started closing towards the sea.
I kept repeating to myself that I was no more needed to survive this life in this city.
I had left no note behind. I had left no excuses behind. I had left no unfulfilled wishes behind.
Diaries were the only asset that I had left behind.
My memories were too strong. I was lost in my thoughts but the incessant calls for ‘Neelanjan’ kept interrupting my thoughts.
I stopped, turned around and saw her standing there.
She was sweating profusely. I faintly tried to recollect how long had she been looking for Neelanjan. She settled down on the parapet wall. She was breathless. I could hear her heart beating at a racy pulse. After taking a long breath, she stood up and came closer to me.
She started by referring me as Neelanjan.
Before I could react, she asked me, “What do you think you are doing?”
I have been calling you for so long but your arrogant mind never for once attempted to turn lenient.
She told me, she saw me walking and wanted me to stop from doing what I had on my mind.
I asked her what did she think, I was planning.
Innocently and with a mischievous smile spreading on her sober face, she replied that she somehow knew that the Arabian Sea was not going to be kind to me.
I told her that she confused me!

- vociferous

End of Chapter 1