Krittika Walia

Drama

4.4  

Krittika Walia

Drama

Parallel Lives

Parallel Lives

5 mins
524


The Bus

It was my first day for a new job. The bus was taking stops to pick up children. My eyes caught an unusual lad. He had a pale complexion and was wearing a red cap. As he entered, none of the children sitting on the bus gave him a seat. Shyly he came and sat beside me. His name was Ujjwal.


Days passed by and that became our routine. We sat quietly beside each other. This one day, he saw something outside the window and grasped my hand in excitement. “Circus”, he said with his eyes lit up. I looked outside with disgust. Ujjwal told me that his mother had promised to take him to the circus to watch the performance once his exam was over.


Throughout my childhood, I traveled with my parents. We were part of a circus. I never liked it there. My father was a joker. Every time we would put on a show, the kids would laugh at him. It made me angry and hate him more each day. Their claps of joy were like bitter the truth I never wanted to accept. I did not want to grow up like him. So one day, in the middle of the night, I ran away from there, never to look back. I took with me my father’s costume, a reminder of my hatred for a circus. I landed in this new city and I had just joined as PTI in school. To date, I am not fond of children.


The Café

After a long day, all I needed was good coffee. I went to the counter to order.

There was something strange about her that made me look at her twice. Don’t know if it was her voice which sounded so familiar. I sat at my table not knowing that she saw me staring her. She came to me. Putting down her coffee, she placed her coat on the seat and said ‘It’s going to be Ok”. I almost felt short of words. Maybe that is what I needed today.


Over the weeks it had become a routine to meet her at the Café. I looked forward to her comforting smile. We did not talk much. I just sat next to each other and discussed the reports and she would assure me that tomorrow will be better.


I couldn’t get her out of my mind. I had definitely known her from somewhere.

It was a few years back. I had just joined my dream job and was on the epitome of my career. I had it all, a friend family and a great job. My parents wanted me to settle down now and start a new phase of my life. I was not fully convinced by the idea of marriage. I wanted my life partner to share my ambitions. On one day that year, my bhabhi told me about a suitable proposal. The family was from a small town and the girl had completed her high school in Science with merit.


I was reluctant at first. My bhabhi told me to at least meet to her once. She shared that the girl’s family had already accepted the proposal and were ready to do our engagement if I said yes. I was not so sure, how can someone be so regressive in such times. I still talked to her once. She had the sweetest voice I had ever heard. Two weeks later, a roka ceremony was arranged at our house. We were supposed to meet for the first time. I knew that I did not want this and to date, I do not know why I said ‘yes’ and then did the worst thing someone could do. I did not show up that day of my roka.


The Hospital

A few weeks had passed since Ujjwal stopped coming. I did not miss him, but the empty seat beside me made me curious. I was taken aback to know where he was. I rushed back to my house to get changed.


At the reception, I enquired about a patient named Ujjwal. I hurried to ward no 21 where Leukemia patients were. I was met with glaring looks of people, as If I was dress like a clown. Of course, I was.


Putting over the small red cap over my nose, I entered the ward. His eyes lit up with the spark. Tears of joy rolled down my eyes. I went ahead and hugged him.

It was at that moment I forgave my father. I might have lost my family but today I found one.


She knew it all this time. She was the one taking care of my nephew day and night. How would I face her? How can she forgive me after what I did to her? It was not her fault. My mind was filled with all sort of thoughts


I rushed to meet her. I went to ward No 21, where Ujjwal my nephew was. I was happy to see him smile after so long. But today my mind was somewhere else. I went to the reception and enquired for nurse Prerna. She had not shown for work today. I went to the hospital cafeteria and waited to see her at the usual time. Something inside me told me that she will come.


There she was glowing with her beautiful and comforting smile. I wanted to tell her how much she meant for me and that I loved her.

I could barely look at her. I swallowed a big gulp of tears and began to say ‘I am Soorrryyyy…’

She held my hand and all she said was “It’s going to be Ok”


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