(*Partially Based on a true story*)
“You are embarrassing me”, said Gene with a firm voice.
“I am just speaking the truth. Why it hurts you so much? Why
can’t you accept it when you are wrong?” Urged Stan.
It had been 3 years since Gene and Stan fell in love. A love
which no one had imagined could see such a day. A small fire sparked which
eventually clouted the whole thatch under it.
“For God’s sake please stop. I am tired of your never ending
queries, suspicions .I am tired of this Stan, you were never like this
before”
“It is you who have started feeling the change and now you are
blaming me!!! And you know what I am tired of?? I am tired of maneuvering these
type of situations… now I want to face it.”
“Stan enough. Stop assailing me else…”
“Else what? I am waiting for you Gene, say it.”
“That’s it. I am breaking up with you Stan. There isn't any future like this”
“I am so sorry Gene. Please don’t leave me. I’ll die without
you. You want to F***ing hear this right? Get it clear, I won’t give a damn
this time... I am too tired”
“You are such a hopeless case. No need to worry about me…
With you out, my life will be too light”. Saying this Gene turned away, moved a
few steps. Reverted back, "You are the worst thing that happened to me Stan, you are
a Psycho. R.I.P … you are dead for me”
Stan didn’t utter a word after that. Both turned their back,
without even a sign of reproach, and moved burying their love deep into their memories.
This was the end of their relationship, and was on the last day of their 4 year
college life. They couldn’t have expected anything worse than this as a last
memory. This was the last time they were together, promising themselves never to think
about the other again
3 years later,
The college premises was in a festive mood. The alumni association had organized
a reunion. Happiness was in every alumnus face, all being nostalgic of their
college life. And among them were Gene and Stan enjoying the eve to their
max. During this span of 3 years, Stan has touched the pinnacle of his career,
moved abroad, and statistically was the highest “Money-maker” of their batch.
Gene, on the other hand, left her job and went for higher studies. Despite being so much egoistic, the ugly truth is that they had both attended the function
just to meet each-other… the truth that they have kept within themselves.
The evening progressed, boring lectures, long non-ending
stories of development plans for college - functions like this are always a best medium for the institutions to steal out the maximum from the alumni in the name of
responsibilities. A big lavish party, all organized with the alumni fund,
cuisines made by the self-proclaimed best chefs. Loud music, happy faces, And
among this hullabaloo, two hearts were yearning to talk to each other. Stan saw
Gene leaving the place, and he quietly followed her.
The wind was calm and the night set off silently. Stan and
Gene were at the place which was their favorite- the terrace of the main
building. They maintained the decorum of silence, without looking at each-other.
“How are you Gene?” Stan broke the silence, his body
trembling speaking this.
All these years Stan had restrained himself from talking to her, pretending being strong. Many a time wrote her mails, all of them ended up in drafts. Stalked
her everyday on facebook till one day when her account was no longer found.
Gene, on the other hand, had brought many changes in herself. Stopped socializing much, deleted her
social networking accounts… made her aloof from many activities. For her Stan
was less of a partner and more of her child, she cared him as if he were her
son… they both missed, one being cared and another to care.
“Much better than you have expected”, Gene sounded arrogant.
She herself was shocked for this intonation of hers. May be it had aroused as a sign of
victory for not breaking the silence first.
“Have got something for you.”, Stan took out a small,
cubical box, wrapped in silver paper that he had stowed in his pocket for so
long.
“If you had tried to know me better, you would have known
how much I hate gifts”. Replied Gene shoving off the gift.
Stan didn’t force her. A little dejected, he threw it out of
their sight. Gene didn't give a single reaction.
“Do you have anything to say?” asked Stan, all ready to
burst.
All he could hear was a mere silence.
“I can’t live like this, away from you, away
from my own life. I lose, Gene, I accept it was me who was wrong. All these years of separation made me love you more, think about you more. I love you Gene. Can’t we erase that day from our memories. Can't we be together again???”
These words broke Gene. Tears started to flow... now not from the eyes but from the heart.
“I am sorry Stan, please forgive me. I waited so many days for you to say these words , but it
never came. Now You are late… too late... Stan, I am..." she sighed" I am married...”
A sudden spasm spread like thunder in Stan. He stood there
all numb… In front of him everything was bleak and dark
Gene couldn’t take it anymore and started to leave the place.
It was getting difficult for her to face him.
"Gene" came a trembling voice, tears muffling the words “Can I get a last hug from you, for the last time, won’t ask you for anything more... just one last hug.”
Gene paused for a moment. But she didn’t turn, took a deep
breath, and left that place…
Stan stood there, all numb, tear drops flowing down his cheeks … eyes glued
to the terrace door, waiting for her to come back to give him a hug…just a hug.
(A MESSAGE: For you Gene-- "Stan is still waiting for that hug...")