I still love you...

Introduction

Aashu is a twenty five year old girl who hails from Patna. She is presently working as a manager in Valley View Hotel in Mansoori. She has a younger brother who is doing B.Tech from IIT Delhi. Her father works with a bank and her mother is a social worker. Aashu is a girl with traditional values and modern mindset. She is a hard working girl who has achieved all by herself. She finds pleasure in life’s small offerings.

Chapter 1

It is a rainy day in Mansoori. The valley is witnessing thick clouds all over the sky. Rain is a common thing in this month. Aashu has just returned from the mess, upset yet again with the food she had. She misses the soft roti and spicy curry she used to have in Patna. Dragging her feet she moves closer to the window when she realizes that it is still raining. She quickly runs to get a pen and paper and ushers to the window. She lets the window open completely but the wind is blowing too fast. She half shuts the window and drags a chair. Sitting cozily on her chair she is all set to pen down her feelings…to post it to Soham!

 

"There again it’s raining. It’s raining for four days now and the forecasters have told that the conditions will remain adverse for next two three days. They say it is because of some storm. Some say it is because it’s the time of rain in Mansoori. But whatever be the reason Soham, you know what? I just love it.

Right now I am sitting beside the window watching the raindrops fall in the tiny water bodies that have appeared on the road. The wind is making the pond water dance in a rhythmic motion. And the thunderous sound…Aah!! creating an awesome combination of thrill and sensation.

There is something mysterious about the rain. Each time I sensor a raindrop on my face, I feel you have touched me. The smell of the wet soil gives me a feeling that you are around. But soon I realize that it can’t be true. It can’t be true because it has been four years we have met Soham. And you say you are still one month away. Upar se ye baarish! How unfair!

This season is the season of love, of happiness, of togetherness. It is our season, isn’t it?

You remember that day? That day when we were punished by Mr. Jha for being late? I am quite sure you remember. It was raining heavily, exactly the way it is raining today. We were in the auto near high court when I insisted on eating ice cream. There were no vendors as it was raining par tum toh tum ho!! You went on searching for the ice cream for an hour. Running to and fro, putting all your efforts…but you couldn’t find an ice cream. Finally we ended up having ice gola- cola cola flavor, your favorite. And yes, the punishment was tasty too, haha. But yaar Soham I must tell you that you were looking super cute in that wet look…I mean not in that way but yes in that way…you know na what I mean? Don’t you?

By the way how are you doing? And what about the target you mentioned? You cracked it or not? I am sure you must have cracked it. You couldn’t reply for my last letter. So I can easily say you are working too hard. Keep up the good work, it always pays.

Aur rahi meri baat toh I am doing good too. Sometimes it gets too tiring but I am trying, managing. It’s just that I miss you so much that it becomes difficult to pay attention on my work. You have any idea how much I miss being with you? No no, not Abhishek wala idea…like idea wala idea…haan? Bolo toh?

Offo! It’s already eleven Soham. The warden is asking us to switch off the lights. She is a real bitch I tell you. She never misses a chance to annoy me.

Look, the rain has suddenly taken speed. This time I have opened the windows completely, letting the raindrops fall on my face, letting the wind penetrate my soul. I want to be with you Soham, in every possible way.

Please come soon…and listen…

I still love you"

(To be continued...)