The Choice

Ajay was busy these days. Inquivesta, IISER-K’s fest was just a few days away. He held a key position in organizing the fest. There was a lot of pressure and responsibility on him. He was determined to give it his best shot. There were a lot of odds to fight against – location of the institute, popularity, lack of confidence within the institute, infighting – the list was endless.  He made himself a promise – to keep his professional and personal lives in separate compartments. He knew that this would strain the already tense relationship between him and Aditi. Yet, a decision had to be made. He made the decision. 

For the past several days, he hadn't even talked to Aditi. He hadn't explained it to her. He only hoped she would understand. Would she?

                               ******************************************************

Ajay was trying to list out points for the meeting with the Dean later that day. Things were moving very slowly. Time was against them. Crucial decisions had to be taken at the meeting. The innings had reached the death-overs.

Ajay’s phone started buzzing. The phone displayed a number, not a name. He wanted to ignore the call.
What if it was some company that had called with an offer for sponsoring the fest?! No. He couldn't miss it. He answered the call.

“Hello! Am I speaking to Ajay?” said a sweet voice over the phone.

It was usually ladies with sweet voices who were put to handle these PR operations. Ajay had learnt this much already. Yet, this voice sounded familiar. Or was it because he had received too many calls like this? He couldn't tell.

“Yes. This is Ajay here” he replied.

“Hey, Ajay! This is Anu….” There was a pause. Ajay did not realize how long the pause was.

                                ******************************************************

It was around four years ago.

Ajay had just entered 1^st P.U. or Class XI. It was a new environment altogether. New friends, new found freedom and raging hormones!

It was during one of the lectures on the first day that Ajay noticed Anu. She was sitting there, talking to her newly found friends, at the top of her voice and laughing gaily. ‘An old trick to attract attention and establish oneself in a new social setting’ Ajay thought. Nevertheless, she succeeded in grabbing Ajay’s attention, if not that of her group!

During lunch that day, Ajay decided to try his luck. “Haven’t I seen you somewhere, earlier?” he asked Anu, trying the oldest trick in the book. Their eyes met.

“I don’t think so. Yet, I am sure that we will be seeing a lot of each other in the future” Anu said, with a wink!

That was the first time Ajay had “felt” for a girl. No. Aditi did not know about this episode of his life. She had never asked and he had not bothered to tell. Similarly, he hadn't tried to dig deep into her history.

Anu and Ajay became very good friends in a very short span of time. They were both brilliant orators and made a formidable team. They played leading man and leading lady in one of the productions by the theatre group in college. Others could see sparks flying between them. They sensed it too. They knew that what they shared was more than just friendship. Yet, neither was ready to acknowledge the fact. Or were they waiting for the other person to take the first step?

Two eventful years passed. Ajay and Anu were talked about by the entire college – for their talent and a lot of other reasons. There were times when Ajay thought that he better tell Anu what he felt. Then again, he felt that would ruin their chemistry. “It is not just one thought that runs through a guy’s mind when he wants to take such a crucial step! Damn those movies which show college love stories to be so simple” Ajay thought, frustrated.

At the end of two years, there came another important decision to be taken. Ajay had to decide whether he would choose IISER-K over an engineering college in the city or otherwise. He decided to go to IISER-K. “Well, at least this decision wasn't that hard” he thought, as he prepared himself to enter into a new realm again.

On the night before departing to Kolkata, a few of Ajay’s friends came to see him off. He decided to call up those who did not turn up. After calling everyone, he called Anu.

“Hey, Ajay! Sorry I wasn’t able to come today. I hope you are all set. I just wish you make it big wherever you go. My wishes will always be with you. And, do keep in touch. I don’t want to lose such a brilliant friend” Anu said, evidently fighting tears. Her voice gave her away. 

Ajay paused.

“Is there anything that you wish to tell me, Anu?” Ajay asked, knowing that this would probably be the last chance.

“Nothing at all. Wish you the very best, Ajay. That is all I want to say. Oh! You might want to get up early tomorrow. I won’t hold you up for long. Goodnight!” Anu said, before hanging up.

Ajay went to bed, trying hard not to think of the conversation that had taken place just then.

Ajay expectantly checked his inbox before switching his smartphone off for boarding the flight, with his parents. There was nothing. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. He hadn't been able to sleep well the previous night.

When he switched on his phone after landing, there was a message from Anu.

“Ajay, I wasn't able to tell you for the past two years. The truth is that I really do love you. I was always scared that this might come in the way of our friendship.
Best of luck!”

Tears welled up in Ajay’s eyes. He couldn't cry, not in front of his parents, specially.

With a heavy heart, Ajay entered into his life in IISER-Kolkata.

                                ******************************************************

These memories ran like a movie in Ajay’s head.

“Oh! Hey, Anu! After such a long time! How are you?” Ajay asked. He couldn't understand what it was exactly that he felt at that moment.

“I am fine, Ajay. I just called to say that my dad has been posted to Singapore on work, after promotion. So, we are relocating. I just wanted to tell you before leaving. How could I leave without letting an old “friend” know?” Anu said, desperately trying to make light of things.

It pricked Ajay.

“Ajay, is there anything you wish to tell me?” Anu asked, knowing that this might well be the last chance.

Another pause….

Ajay’s heart and mind raced. There had been Anu. Then, there was Aditi. Now, Anu had called. A decision had to be made.

“No, Anu. Absolutely nothing. Except that my wishes will always be with you. I hope you make it big wherever you go. And do keep in touch. I do not want to lose such a brilliant friend” Ajay said, maintaining equilibrium in his voice.

“Goodbye, then, Ajay” she said, before hanging up.

“Goodbye, Anu” Ajay said.

A tear fell on the screen of his phone. He wiped it clean and deleted the call log.

There was another ring.

“Yes, ma’am. I shall be in your office in 15 minutes” he said. It was the Dean.