Crossing the Mirage:Passing Through Youth

“Let's see what's in store,” said Chandra as he began imagining the possibilities.

The next day Vasu at his bank received Nithya's call.

“Thanks for the call,” he said as his tone betrayed anxiety, “sooner than I've expected.”

“Tell me, why are you after me?”

“I'll explain,” he said sounding confident all again, “if only you give me an opportunity.”

“Tell me.”

“Well, the telephone cables might sap at my agony?” he said assuredly. “Let's meet and I‟ll explain.”

“You liar.” she said coquettishly, “why do you want to melt my heart with your pretence?”

“Glad you still feel for me,” he said seeing his chance. “Believe me, I'm dying for you.”

“Don't get carried away,” she said teasingly. “I'm no silly fool any longer.”

“Give me a chance to resurrect our love,” he said enticingly.

“Before that I want to know my position in the altered equation,” she said invitingly. “Well, I don't want to be taken for a ride again,”

“I can understand,” he said walking into her trap. “I'll pen down that for your loving grasp.”

She kept mum, though excited.

“I'll deliver at your home.”

“Why risk prematurely,” she said coquettishly, “give me at the Princely Pearls.”

“Oh, my smarty, it suits me either way,” he said heartily, “but better I give it in duplicate.”

“Why is that so?” tickled by her sense of humor, she sounded amused even in her condition.

“What with your tears smudging the original,” he said pleased with himself, “won't you need a copy to comprehend my misery?”

“You haven't changed,” she said smugly.

“You give me hope.”

“I don't know,” being pleased, she hung up the phone.

The next day in excitement, Nithya showed Vasu's letter to Chandra.

Nithya Near,

You've every right to know why I crave for you more than ever before. And I owe you an explanation for wanting you in spite of your indifference.

My darling, you're the triumph as well as the tragedy of my life. You know about the joys you have had bestowed upon me, but you're not aware of the deprivations I have brought upon myself. I never wanted to lose you, but neither would I blame you for having left me. It was life itself that played the spoilsport. How it failed us both to misread our priorities!

I don't know how happy you are. And I wish you are in real bliss. But know I've been living in misery ever since you walked out on me. You may think I'm feigning unhappiness, being in the seventh heaven with a superb wife. I don't blame you if you feel so, for after all, that's what I thought life would be for me with Prema. If not for that hope, I would've never lost you at all, my sense of insecurity notwithstanding.