Bhaisaab!

It was my first year in the college. After spending a weekend at home, I was going back. My father came to see-off me and we were just ambling in the railway platform of Ratlam Junction. Then suddenly,out of blue I saw a comely, beautiful girl entering the same bogey where we have arranged for the seat. She was accompanied by her father who fortunately turned out to be my father's acquaintance.

He came to us and after the usual salaam-dua asked me if I could accompany her daughter in the journey as she is going alone.

I was delighted.

I could feel a thousand and a hundered flowers blossoming in my heart.

I could hear...the chiming of the winds, the chirping of the birds.

But then I heard a different sound...rather my father's voice. It was his turn now.

He said Bhaisaab! Don't worry. He will take good care.
Listening to this I stood there chin-up but there was more coming.

He said Bhaisaab, Don't worry..dono bhai-behan jaisey chaley jaayenge.

I was dead.

I looked towards my father from top to bottom with chin-up to chin-down and it was all over.
The girl for whom I had soft corner one day became a sister to me :'( .


Seven years later, heading back to US for a project my father came to see me off at the airport and we laugh at the nostalgia.

~The Nostalgic Gulrez.