And then there was this tale...

Gurgaon, ’04 – April ‘08
Engineering Institue

They were Jake and Radha. They were lovers, best friends and the best of couples. However, circumstances took toll. Despite being in love, they had to drift apart.
“I am never going to leave you”, Jake would enact dramatizing their love.
“My misfortune”, Radha would hit her forehead.

Commitment was the word friends associated with them, and luck is what their parents mentioned. As is often, however, they were oblivious to opinions and destiny. They knew people loved them, and dwelled knowing their romance was blessed, too!

However, as if often the bitter truth of dreams, life knitted another story. One of them left for Canada, making a promise to keep in touch. Radha stayed back; willing to join her father’s business.

Two months flew by notwithstanding the authenticity of their relationship.
“Hi Radha!!!” Read the SMS Jake sent her on 26th of October. It was a Sunday, and she had just dusted her room. Surprised, she texted back that she must postpone talking and/or chatting. She had a ticket booked to make it in time for a friend’s wedding; and needed to hurry. Minutely aware of each other’s habits, there wasn’t any need of explanation or ego satisfaction. “Catch thou later!” her cell beeped. She smiled to herself.

Jake was enjoying the party thrown by Aman, one of the few Indians in his university. Beer was followed by tuna. Music was followed by scrabble. On the other end, Radha had decked up herself, and packing the wedding gift.
Bangalore, 1st November ‘08.

Rita boarded the plane, flushed with excitement and thrilled to be in it. Humblest roots had shown her the value of money. She was supposed to finish her Masters very soon, and return every penny of her parents’ money. Though it was challenging, she knew that determination was success’ keyword. Every second spent in the plane felt like a dream come true. Every passenger looked like an angel.
New York was freezing; wrapping a shawl around herself she called a cab. Few more minutes, and she’d be in her room. Hostel dormitories felt secluded, so she had checked Internet for nearest available lodging, and booked her room from home itself. Now, her new home in NY called!

“Take care, Beta”, her mobile phone had her dad’s voice message. Feeling blessed, she texted her thanks. As the cab turned at avenue 34, lush green trees beckoned. Her heart thumped inside her chest.

They might have never met, were it not initiated by Radha herself. Unknowingly of course! “You must, Jake, you must! Go!” She had urged him. Jake had always been into photography; his clicks showed remarkable potential. An Indian studying in a New York University had offered to pay for shooting scenes in sync with her summer project. He had almost rejected it, eager to take a break and hug his beloved back home. However, his love back home urged him to postpone the break till winter. Feeling torn, yet, deeply touched he adjusted the lens of his camera. “Oh, Radha: I miss you!!!!” Her email would read the next morning. She had to dash, however -- A business meeting was calling.

New York, 1st March ‘09
Jake turned at avenue 34. World’s busiest city wasn’t so bad after all. Bless you, Radha, he smiled to himself. Wed, working, and measly, the first impression he had of his employer for next two months was totally a miss. This twenty something damsel was both courteous and charming. Pleased, he shook hands with Rita. Life rocked.

Vivacious and artistic, Rita seemed to carry another world around her. A world full of fun and frolic! The more Jake got to know Rita, the more upbeat he felt. On the professional front, his photography had already bought favour with other students in the class, and he had both his hands full. His first earnings, coupled with the cups of coffee with Rita washed any doubts he had about cancelling the trip to home-country. However, Aman and Radha’s mails kept him in loop. Latter were few and far in between, though. The rapport built with Rita led him into sharing much with her – Radha included. Her smiling acceptance of everything about him warmed his heart. Good friends are, after all, a rare catch, he’d tell himself. That it could lead him into irreversible events was beyond his wildest imagination. He just happened to wake up early that morning.

Avenue 34, 17th April
Screams pierced his ear drums. Leaves were still moist with dew, and birds’ chirp rang in the air. Seeing Rita weeping maniacally in lawn was the most shocking scene of his life. Colour drained from his face. Sobbing, she hugged him tight. Baffled and confused, he scanned the lawn. No-one was there. Jake was about to stop himself from shaking her when Radha called. Disconnecting his cell, he gently held Rita away from himself and gazed into her kaajal smeared eyes. Deep sorrow confronted him. “Dad passed away last night”, she managed, resting head on his shoulders.
He looked around the room. Strange that he hadn’t visited it all these days, for it was as colourful as Rita. She lay beside him, at total peace. Curtains fluttered over the window. Pulling himself out of the sheets, he returned to his den. He had to return Radha’s call. Thankfully, she was too far to catch any falter in his voice.

She was surrounded by colleagues and immediate professor, but, managed to glimpse at Jake’s direction every other minute. Everyone had gathered to offer their condolence, but it was also to keep their favourite person busy till she made it to India. Amidst the crowd, Rita’s heart and mind were at war. Already grieved to the core, she didn’t know whether to ask Jake to come with her, or wipe the morning from her mind. Worse, the most effective comforter was already ignoring her.

Delhi, 24th June ‘09
It wasn’t easy for her. Radha had always feared aeroplanes. Non-stop 24 hours flight was a nightmare-in-wait. It was a worthwhile purpose though. Her Mr. Right wasn’t well. Firstly, he had disconnected all her calls. Secondly, his parents had spoke of huge amount being withdrawn from his account. “It’s so unlike him”, Radha played with her hair flicks while waiting in the lounge. Perspiration and palpitation began as she boarded plane. By the time she made it to her seat, her limbs had gone numb. Were it not for the gentleman sitting in the adjacent seat who offered her lemon, she would have fainted. “God-sent angel” she thought to herself before sleep overtook her fear.

Two hours thirty five minutes. A pleasant voice woke her up. ‘Vegetarian, Ma’am?’
With much effort, she managed to stay calm for the rest of flight. Her “God sent angel”, it seemed, had changed his seat. Over the mike, pilot’s message that they were about to land was music to Radha’s ears. Mere thought of Jake made her heart pump with love.

New York, as expected, was chilled to the core. University being shut, she carefully read the address slip in her hands. Jake had included it one of his rare emails. It was some avenue leading to a suite nearby. Rita’s neighbour, though much irritated upon being waken up, updated her on events. Disappointment writ large on her face, she checked into the nearest motel.

Somehow a taxi was arranged next morning so she could reach Canada. Aman was her last hope. Thankfully, there was a co-passenger to share the surmounting bill. As the drive began, she peeked out. It was one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods, she had ever seen. As if reading her mind, the co-passenger in front seat spoke up, “It’s beautiful!” Nodding, as she turned towards him, recognition hit. “God sent angel!” her heart screamed. Much to her frustration though, he wasn’t showing any signs of recognition, not overtly at least. Talkative by every angle, Nitesh kept her entertained much of the time. Reaching her destination, she bid him farewell, suddenly feeling empty. Aman’s warm welcome proved to be necessity instead of advantage.

Not that she had expected him to know details, but Aman’s absolute ignorance was a shock. Jake had been unreported for more than two months! Panic, worse than pre-flight, gripped her.
New Delhi, 29th June ‘09

As Jake alighted from the plane, fresh breeze hit his face. Feeling elated upon landing in motherland, he swore to confess to Radha the minute he saw her. Radha, however, was nowhere to be seen. Staring expectantly at every face in the aisle, Jake felt as if his conscience was being snipped. Hadn’t she checked email? Hadn’t she spoken to his parents? Had she already heard on some unknown grapevine? Grappling with these questions, Jake greeted his parents. Too exhausted to inquire immediately, he retired for bed once home. Pigeons woke him up. For a second, he couldn’t place himself. It was the jasmine fragrance that brought home his sensibilities. Overwhelmed, he descended two steps at a time, and reached for the landline. Much to his surprise, his father’s words “Ok, Radha beta”, reached his ears. As he later learnt of her expedition, tears welled up in his eyes.
A week later; when they faced each other at airport, any intention of disclosure that Jake had, disappeared. Radha was thrust into his arms by those around, and her smile was enough to wipe away his guilt.

It was two months later that they tied nuptial knot and moved to Canada.
Philadelphia, 2020
“Baby, be careful; don’t run!” Radha was calling after Sunny, her son. Jake was relaxing on a swing some feet away. They were holidaying for a week, mostly just enjoying the food and/or strolling in the nearby areas. That he had bump into Rita, was completely unexpected. However, he quickly hid himself. Eleven years back, she had given him the gift of love, and requested that he may carry on with his life. To do the least he could, he had financed her trip back home. Howcome she really never called and/or emailed, was beyond his understanding. “She must have great inner strength”, he’d talk to himself.

Today, she was checking into the hotel that he had decided upon for the next week. Bombarded with memories, and suddenly shook by his conscience, he dared to approach her. Radha, after all, was still in the garden. “How are you..., Rita?” She looked the same, including the effervescence so natural to her. “Jake”, indeed, there was a quiver in her voice. Before she could regain her thought process, his cell began to ring. “Come out soon, Jake! Your family is famished!” He was going to their room to get some chips and juice. Gauging the discomfort, Rita hurriedly began to hit her mobile keys. Feeling thankful, Jake slipped off.

“He is cute” Rita was smilingly looking at Sunny.

Radha had struck friendship with her, more for Sunny’s sake than anything else, for he had hit off with Rita’s girl since their first meeting in the lounge. It was their last day in the city, though the five of them had already developed a good bond. Unwilling to let go of the merriment involved, Radha asked about her husband and contact information.

“The latter I’ll just give, but the former” she cast a quick glance towards Jake -- too quick to be noticed, and finished her sentence “left me for himself”. Before Radha could deservedly inquire more, she got up and began fiddling with her cell. Very timely, Radha heard, “Come sweetheart, everything is loaded: We better move!” Picking Sunny up, she quickly waived a bye to Rita, and sent her daughter flying kisses. Dshhhhhh, their car moved over the pebbles... out the hotel...leaving behind a little trail of smoke.