---
This is an imaginary story about how a boy and a girl met suddenly after ten years. Any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely coincidental.
For the last sixteen years the cultural event BEYOND BARRIERS has been happening on the last day of XAVOTSAV, which is the annual fest of St. Xavier's College, Calcutta. BEYOND BARRIERS is organised by the Alumni Association of the College whereas XAVOTSAV is organised by the Student Union. This year the legendary singer Asha Bhosle performed at BEYOND BARRIERS.
Every year Rahul attends XAVOTSAV and BEYOND BARRIERS. He passed out of the college years back but still keeps on going back to this magical place at every chance that he gets. He simply loves his college a lot. He gets in touch with his inner peace inside the college. Xavier's is the best place to be in Calcutta. If Xavier's were a Woman then he would have made love to her day in and day out. In fact he has always loved Xavier's more than all the women who have come and gone in his life, combined together. Xavier's was like his second home and more often than not he has loved her even more than his own home. Inside Xavier's he has always been surrounded by a sense of calm, peace and nirvana.
This year the musical programme started on time. Asha ji started singing her golden hits. The entire audience was spellbound. Even at this age she was so full of energy. In between songs, she was reminiscing about the good old times. The audience loved her sense of humour. After some time Asha ji started singing, Do Laafzon Ki Hai, Dil Ki Kahaani, Yaa Hai Mohabaat, Yaa Hai Jawaani... from the film The Great Gambler.
Rahul lost himself in the lyrics of the song. It was one of his most favourite song of all time. Suddenly there emerged a familiar face from the crowd. The face went past him and went to The Sugar and Spice Stall. It was the face of Nazia. She bought some chicken sandwich and started eating it in front of the stall.
Rahul, with great difficulty, brought himself out of the spell of that song. His heart started to beat faster. She was his old college mate. During his college days he had a massive crush on her but he never could gather the courage to go and talk to her. But this was his moment. He realized that if this time also he does not go and talk to her then he would regret it for the rest of his life. He hesitated a bit but then with great courage, he went up to her. Here is the conversation that happened between Rahul and Nazia:
Excuse me! Are you Nazia?
Yes, I am.
Don't you remember me?
No.
You seriously don't remember me?
No. But you look very familiar.
We were in College together. Different departments. I was in Political Science and you were in Sociology.
OK. Nice to meet you.
You seriously don't remember me?
No.
Well, back in those days you must have seen me in campus?
I don't remember. Maybe I have.
Ok. So what are you doing these days?
I have become a teacher. I teach in the primary section of a school.
Wow. Thats cute. I just love kids.
Well, sometimes the kids can really get on your nerves. What are you doing nowadays?
I am working in a Tea Company. Next time we meet, I will give you some good quality Darjeeling and Assam teas.
Thats so sweet.
Don't you miss our College days? I wish I had a Time-Machine. I really want to go back to those days.
Yeah. Sometimes I really miss those good old days.
Do you remember our Vice-Principal? He was a real terror back in those days.
Ya, I remember him very well. Whenever we used to bunk classes, he used to make our lives a living hell.
Ya, he made my life a living hell too. Listen, I have a confession to make.
Ok. What?
Back in those days I had a huge crush on you. In those days you used to have a boy's cut hair. I still remember. But I never could gather the courage to come up to you and talk to you. Whenever you used to come in front of me, I used to feel very shy and nervous.
Thats so sweet.
It took me ten years to come and say 'Hi' to you.
Well, I can see that. Now you are confident and sure of yourself.
So, I guess, you must be married by now?
No.
Is there someone special in your life?
No.
Did you come here alone?
No. I came with my mom. She is a huge fan of Asha Bhosle.
Ok.
You?
Well, I am still a bachelor. By the way, are you on Whatsapp?
Yes.
May I have your number please?
Well, in the past I had some bad experiences so thats why I don't give my number.
Ok. Are you on Facebook?
Yes. I was. But someone hacked my account.
Ok. Create another one.
Hmmmmmm.
You seriously don't remember me?
How many times will you ask this question?
Sorry.
Ok. I have to go now. My mom is waiting.
Would you like to have some tea?
Not now. Maybe later.
Ok.
Nazia started walking towards her mother who was sitting in the middle section among the audience. Rahul just stood there like a statue. He could not believe his luck. Over the last decade he had searched for Nazia so many times, first in Orkut and then in Facebook. But he never found her.
It was really such a pleasant surprise to meet her suddenly after ten long years. I guess it was destined for them to meet again. Ten years have passed in the blink of an eye. Rahul still remembers vividly the first time he saw Nazia inside their College Canteen. Time had stood still back then at that exact moment. He had failed to take his eyes off her angelic face. Her sweet innocent smile had made him restless back then. She was wearing a blue jeans and a white top. Her pink College bag was dangling from her right shoulder. She sat right across Rahul and started chatting with her friend. She simply denied the existence of Rahul who was sitting right across the big table.
Today he again came face to face with that sweet innocent smile and he realized instantly that he would again be restless for the rest of his life. He felt helpless. He wanted desperately to go back to those Xaverian years once again. He tremendously missed his College life. He cursed himself for not having the courage to talk to her back then.
Asha ji kept on singing. Even at this age she was so energetic. She kept on singing one hit after another. But now Rahul had lost interest in the songs. Only Nazia's face kept on flashing in front of his eyes. The conversation which he just had with her kept ringing in his years. He felt so lonely. He felt so depressed. He started roaming on the huge ground, hands in his pockets and head hanging down.
An hour passed.
Another hour passed.
The programme ended. Every one started leaving the campus. Rahul just stood there and watched every one leave. He did not see Nazia again. Maybe she left with the crowd. He was feeling very depressed. He was the last person to leave the ground. He came out from the front gate and started gallivanting at Park Street. He bought a packet of cigarettes and started smoking. Park Street was at her usual best. Rahul's best friend is actually Park Street. This Street never leaves him, never ditches him, never ignores him, never avoids him, never hates him and this Street has always been there for him, no matter what. Rahul kept on walking at Park Street and the lines Do Laafzon Ki Hai, Dil Ki Kahaani, Yaa Hai Mohabaat, Yaa Hai Jawaani... kept on playing inside his mind...
---
This is an imaginary story about how a boy and a girl met suddenly after ten years. Any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely coincidental.
For the last sixteen years the cultural event BEYOND BARRIERS has been happening on the last day of XAVOTSAV, which is the annual fest of St. Xavier's College, Calcutta. BEYOND BARRIERS is organised by the Alumni Association of the College whereas XAVOTSAV is organised by the Student Union. This year the legendary singer Asha Bhosle performed at BEYOND BARRIERS.
Every year Rahul attends XAVOTSAV and BEYOND BARRIERS. He passed out of the college years back but still keeps on going back to this magical place at every chance that he gets. He simply loves his college a lot. He gets in touch with his inner peace inside the college. Xavier's is the best place to be in Calcutta. If Xavier's were a Woman then he would have made love to her day in and day out. In fact he has always loved Xavier's more than all the women who have come and gone in his life, combined together. Xavier's was like his second home and more often than not he has loved her even more than his own home. Inside Xavier's he has always been surrounded by a sense of calm, peace and nirvana.
This year the musical programme started on time. Asha ji started singing her golden hits. The entire audience was spellbound. Even at this age she was so full of energy. In between songs, she was reminiscing about the good old times. The audience loved her sense of humour. After some time Asha ji started singing, Do Laafzon Ki Hai, Dil Ki Kahaani, Yaa Hai Mohabaat, Yaa Hai Jawaani... from the film The Great Gambler.
Rahul lost himself in the lyrics of the song. It was one of his most favourite song of all time. Suddenly there emerged a familiar face from the crowd. The face went past him and went to The Sugar and Spice Stall. It was the face of Nazia. She bought some chicken sandwich and started eating it in front of the stall.
Rahul, with great difficulty, brought himself out of the spell of that song. His heart started to beat faster. She was his old college mate. During his college days he had a massive crush on her but he never could gather the courage to go and talk to her. But this was his moment. He realized that if this time also he does not go and talk to her then he would regret it for the rest of his life. He hesitated a bit but then with great courage, he went up to her. Here is the conversation that happened between Rahul and Nazia:
Excuse me! Are you Nazia?
Yes, I am.
Don't you remember me?
No.
You seriously don't remember me?
No. But you look very familiar.
We were in College together. Different departments. I was in Political Science and you were in Sociology.
OK. Nice to meet you.
You seriously don't remember me?
No.
Well, back in those days you must have seen me in campus?
I don't remember. Maybe I have.
Ok. So what are you doing these days?
I have become a teacher. I teach in the primary section of a school.
Wow. Thats cute. I just love kids.
Well, sometimes the kids can really get on your nerves. What are you doing nowadays?
I am working in a Tea Company. Next time we meet, I will give you some good quality Darjeeling and Assam teas.
Thats so sweet.
Don't you miss our College days? I wish I had a Time-Machine. I really want to go back to those days.
Yeah. Sometimes I really miss those good old days.
Do you remember our Vice-Principal? He was a real terror back in those days.
Ya, I remember him very well. Whenever we used to bunk classes, he used to make our lives a living hell.
Ya, he made my life a living hell too. Listen, I have a confession to make.
Ok. What?
Back in those days I had a huge crush on you. In those days you used to have a boy's cut hair. I still remember. But I never could gather the courage to come up to you and talk to you. Whenever you used to come in front of me, I used to feel very shy and nervous.
Thats so sweet.
It took me ten years to come and say 'Hi' to you.
Well, I can see that. Now you are confident and sure of yourself.
So, I guess, you must be married by now?
No.
Is there someone special in your life?
No.
Did you come here alone?
No. I came with my mom. She is a huge fan of Asha Bhosle.
Ok.
You?
Well, I am still a bachelor. By the way, are you on Whatsapp?
Yes.
May I have your number please?
Well, in the past I had some bad experiences so thats why I don't give my number.
Ok. Are you on Facebook?
Yes. I was. But someone hacked my account.
Ok. Create another one.
Hmmmmmm.
You seriously don't remember me?
How many times will you ask this question?
Sorry.
Ok. I have to go now. My mom is waiting.
Would you like to have some tea?
Not now. Maybe later.
Ok.
Nazia started walking towards her mother who was sitting in the middle section among the audience. Rahul just stood there like a statue. He could not believe his luck. Over the last decade he had searched for Nazia so many times, first in Orkut and then in Facebook. But he never found her.
It was really such a pleasant surprise to meet her suddenly after ten long years. I guess it was destined for them to meet again. Ten years have passed in the blink of an eye. Rahul still remembers vividly the first time he saw Nazia inside their College Canteen. Time had stood still back then at that exact moment. He had failed to take his eyes off her angelic face. Her sweet innocent smile had made him restless back then. She was wearing a blue jeans and a white top. Her pink College bag was dangling from her right shoulder. She sat right across Rahul and started chatting with her friend. She simply denied the existence of Rahul who was sitting right across the big table.
Today he again came face to face with that sweet innocent smile and he realized instantly that he would again be restless for the rest of his life. He felt helpless. He wanted desperately to go back to those Xaverian years once again. He tremendously missed his College life. He cursed himself for not having the courage to talk to her back then.
Asha ji kept on singing. Even at this age she was so energetic. She kept on singing one hit after another. But now Rahul had lost interest in the songs. Only Nazia's face kept on flashing in front of his eyes. The conversation which he just had with her kept ringing in his years. He felt so lonely. He felt so depressed. He started roaming on the huge ground, hands in his pockets and head hanging down.
An hour passed.
Another hour passed.
The programme ended. Every one started leaving the campus. Rahul just stood there and watched every one leave. He did not see Nazia again. Maybe she left with the crowd. He was feeling very depressed. He was the last person to leave the ground. He came out from the front gate and started gallivanting at Park Street. He bought a packet of cigarettes and started smoking. Park Street was at her usual best. Rahul's best friend is actually Park Street. This Street never leaves him, never ditches him, never ignores him, never avoids him, never hates him and this Street has always been there for him, no matter what. Rahul kept on walking at Park Street and the lines Do Laafzon Ki Hai, Dil Ki Kahaani, Yaa Hai Mohabaat, Yaa Hai Jawaani... kept on playing inside his mind...
---
