Unknown Love

Sobroto was feeling kind of dejected. He was in his room; the early evening sun filtering through the golden curtain of his window had brightened the colored bed sheet but not his mood. It was very solemn. Thinking over the events of the morning in his college he cringed.

Totally unexpected response from his friend Sonali to his confession of love for her was a shock.

She had said “…. I don’t know why you keep pestering me with your love when you know very well that I love Rohan…. For your kind information, I shall marry him. You, as his friend, are welcome to our marriage party…. That's about it... But for God’s sake, do not disturb me."

That Sonali loved Rohan, his best friend, was something that had really shaken Sobroto.

He had then pleaded to Sonali, trying to convince her about his undying love but to no avail. Sonali wanted Rohan and not him!

With a heavy heart, he had left her looking for Rohan. Perhaps Rohan knew about his love for Sonali. He couldn’t be sure how Rohan felt for Sonali. In any case, he was sure that Rohan was the only person who could help him.

Sobroto went through the college premises, the canteen and those hangouts where Rohan could be found, but he could not trace him. Somebody, however, told him that Rohan had gone home on some urgent errand, perhaps his father was unwell.

Thoroughly disheartened Sobroto reached his hostel room and was moodily contemplating what he should do next. He was also surprised that Rohan was not taking his mobile calls.

Suddenly he heard a knock on his door. He was pleasantly surprised to see Rohan standing in the doorway.

“Where have you been? Sobroto asked. “I have been looking high and low for you and how come you are not taking my calls? “

Rohan, looking sad and dishevelled with a tired voice said: "Sobroto, I am sorry, but many things have happened so I couldn’t take your call.”

Sobroto said,” I heard your father is not well, how is he? “

“He is fine” Rohan smiled wanly, “but I have come to tell you something else."

“What about “Sobroto leaned forward, he did not like Rohan’s face, which looked pale and sick. “Hope you are all right? You don’t look too good! Shall I get you a cup of coffee?” He looked at the mantle clock which showed 5.43 p.m. He knew that the local coffee shop opened at 6.00 p.m. from where he could order coffee.

“No need, I am fine Sobroto” replied Rohan, “I wanted to tell you that Sonali is extremely sick, and you need to go to her hostel immediately”.

Sobroto was immediately concerned “What happened to her? Let us go together!”

“No, I have some other place to go,” said Rohan, “you, please go there right away and check out, there is no time to lose “. He caught hold of Sobroto’s hand with pleading eyes and an urgency which propelled Sobroto to action.

Within the next five minutes, Sobroto was out of his room, taking his bike and driving fast towards Sonali’s hostel. It took him about ten minutes to reach her hostel.

Her room was closed. He knocked, but there was no answer. He waited and knocked again and yet not getting any reply, banged the door. Suddenly he heard a cry from inside the room, most certainly that of Sonali’s, and he did not wait. With his shoulders, he forced the door open and bounded inside.

At first, he could see nothing due to dim lights and drawn curtains but then he saw with horror that Sonali was attempting to hang herself from the ceiling fan in the middle of the room. Swiftly he ran and got hold of her dangling legs and raised her. She struggled initially, but with his strength, Sobroto held her firmly and then gently brought her down to the ground. She cried again and went into delirium. Sobroto with soothing words tried to calm her.

Minutes passed, and gradually Sonali calmed down, her sobbing subsided with a sigh. Sobroto gave her a glass of water and made her lie on the bed.

He held her hand and asked her gently “Why Sonali why? What is the reason? Why do you want to take your life? What is your sorrow? “

Sonali again started weeping hysterically “I do not want to live… I have nothing to live…. Rohan is dead… he will never come back to me… God help me!!” She turned away wearily.

“What! “Sobroto exclaimed. “How can that be? Just about half an hour ago Rohan had come to my room and told me that you are sick and so I should come to you… How can that be possible?”

Sonali turned and sat up, her eyes wide and tears swelling in “You do not know Rohan has died in a road accident around noon today near the Chowk?”

“But” Sobroto stared aghast “that is not possible!!”

Sonali shook her head and insisted that she had seen the dead body of Rohan about three hours ago in the hospital. He was no more!

Slowly the bizarre facts dawned upon both of them.

Rohan had come to Sobroto, not in his physical, but in his ethereal self to ask him to save Sonali. Dead Rohan knew Sonali was attempting suicide because of him!

This had no logical or possible answer, this was from another world! The mystery of the world remains unknown!!