PAST LOVE

Once whistling and motorcycling  I wandered in the town lanes at the twilight beside the Kathajodi river bank. I saw en route a damsel engaging herself chewing Jhalmoori and gupchup. I also couldn't keep myself free from the urge to make my mouth full with the same recipes though my sexagenerian stage could not allow me to taste that recipes. Still I braked my bicycle and got closure to that damsel. I ordered the street seller for a conical paper packet of Jhalmudhi. Instantly the unknown damsel stared at my face and asked, " Are you Prakash, the ex-student of DAV College, Koraput? " Due to age old impact I could not recognize her. I pondered over my nostalgiac memory archive. But could not trace out the refrence of that damsel inspite of my sincere trial. So I replied while putting a morshel by morshel of Jhalmudhi into my mouth, " Yes I was. But how do you recognize me after a gap of four decades? Were you my college mate? "

Reply came from the damsel, " Yes. My name is Swati. I have come to my paternal house situated at Buxibazar. " I retorted Oh yes. I recollected. We are now affected by the influence of age. Well Swati your appearance puzzled me. That's the reason I couldn't know you. Please don't mind Swati. " Her face became pale. She answered, " Ten years back my face was burnt partially due to the bursting of stove in my father in laws' house. That scar covers my full facial appearance . So you couldn't identify me at your first sight after a pretty long interlude for four decades. " Again I asked, "Okay Swati. Where is your law's housre?" " At Sunabeda. "How long would you stay here " " For a week. Where is your residence here? " " At Nimchouri " I replied. For the sake of courtesy I suggested her, " Okay I will drop you at your house. Now I have some urgent works. I can't spend more time here. Let us move. " In the meantime our intake of snacks was over. I lifted Swati on my bike and dropped at her house. Inspite of her request to halt for a while I returned.

It was Spring season. I came back home at 8pm. After taking dinner served by my wife I went to bed. As my sons were staying at America with their family we, both husband and wife are staying at Nimchouri with our maid servant. While my wife came to bed I thought I might tell her about Swati, but my conscience refused lest she might feel odd. So I slept beside her opening my eyes and went on remembering my past romantic college life with Swati. The past episodes appeared before my eyes just like a movie. I pondered on and on....... During the Spring forty years back, one day our college students had arranged a picnic at Gupteshwar Dham, Ramgiri. Only vegetarian foods were served to us after offering to Lord Gupteshwar. I was 3rd year Science student and Swati was a 2nd year Arts student. Both were loving to each other keeping up reasonable moral distance. Our friendship was based on disciplined behaviour without outstripping our virginity and celebacy. Gradually we were inclined to each other cordially but not phisically. We were designing to marry in future several times at our holidays. etc etc....Thinking likewise I began to snore in a deep sleep. 

Next day was Sunday. It was afternoon. I had biked to Swati's house to pay a courtesy visit. I entered her house. Her old parents were there whom I saluted with respect and gave my identity to them. After enjoying a nice snack and tea I told everythin about me and my family. They allowed me to carry Swati with me on my bike to riverbank to refresh ourselves by the favour of gentle breeze and cordial chatting with each other.

Thereafter we reached the river bank. Though our younghood and past designs were lost still we were attracted to each other eternally and spiritually till then. Swati initiated gossiping while we were chewing Chanachur sitting on Markatkeshari embankment Swati and myself exhanged our reciprocal views each other regarding our family matters. She told me in the course of our mutual discussion, " Darling!though I could not be united with you my present birth, I hope I must be united with you next birth. But you have to help me" " What kind of help do you want from me? Tell me openly darling! " I retorted.

Then Swati started saying, " Yes you listen. My husband is a A class contractor of Sunabeda. But due to bad companions he was gone astra two decades ago. Drinking and enjoying women became his nature in course of time. As I am a High School Teacher I took up the responsibilities of my son and daughter for building up their career. Now they are well established in Canada and staying with their families there adopting the Canadian citizenship. Now I want to be get rid of my drunkard husband. I have also told about it to my parents. They are agreed with me. But I don't want to divorce him. I want to stay separate with my eldest son at Canada. This January I retired from my service and came to Cuttack after two years. I don't know the processing work to go abroad. So you have to collect a passport and visa for me and you will accompany with me on flight. Never worry for the

ticket cost I will bear all the travelling expenses. Do you agree with my proposal? After taking a pause I replied, " Yes darling I must do the needful. Tomorrow you give the money. I will stick to the assignment allotted by you. "

As per our discussion I did the needful. Both of us flew from Bijupattanaik Airport, Bhubaneswar. We disembarked from the plane at Toronto Airport. Both of us hired a taxi. Both of the son and daughter of Swati had arrived at the Airport by that time. We all hired a taxi and reached at the destination cheerfully . Both the son and the daughter of Swati were well-behaved persons. They saluted me with Indian style by touching my feet. Then I spent a fortnight in the residences of Swati's son and daughter aternatingly. On the evening of my departure from Toronto the father in law of Swati's daughter told me, " Dear Prakash! You are really a hero. Ms. Swati Madam also really a heroine in the world stage of drama. Both are also true Indian. I thank both of you to spend a peaceful life.The love that you were making during your college career was absolutely eternal and unblemished.Okay, Prakash! Good bye. May your flight to the motherland be safe and enjoyable." Then I took leave from all the cousins with tearful eyes with anticipation for a future trip to Toronto.

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