Soon after a month’s holiday, Aarthi moved to another city for her training. Rakesh was busy with his arrangements, to leave, to US. Their everyday phone calls, reduced to texts and they chatted lesser and lesser. Aarthi was excited about her training and work, that she missed Rakesh, a little. Also, Rakesh was mostly busy, convincing his weeping mom. He is surely going to miss her, especially her indefinite lectures and plateful of food. His mom, stayed calm and wept silently, whenever Rakesh talks about the arrangements. Even though it was hard for Rakesh, he never portrayed his emotions, as it might upset his mom, further.
Aarthi never stayed this long and this far, from her family. She missed her mom, more than anything. She would not be able to visit her family, until her training is over. So, once every month, her parents decided to visit her.
“I am leaving in two weeks Aarthi”, said Rakesh, over the phone.
“Congratulations and Best wishes Rakesh”, replied Aarthi, cheerfully.
“Thank you Aarthi”, replied Rakesh, bluntly.
“You don’t sound excited?!”
“Well, I am excited. But, it's hard to leave my mom and dad”
“I understand. And I am already going through that”
“Hmmm..”
“At least my parents visit me, once in a month. But, it is going to be tougher for you”
“Yes Aarthi. I might come back only after 2-3 years”
“Oh! That's a long time. Do keep in touch”
“Definitely Aarthi. Is it possible to meet you once, before I leave?”
“I wish I could. But, I can't come over now. I am returning, at the end of next month”
“So are you taking up this job? Ever considered, doing Masters?”
“No Rakesh. I am not doing PG. I am going to continue with this job”
“So no chance of meeting you?”
“Let's see”
“Hope I get a chance, to meet you!”, said Rakesh in a low voice.
“Are you OK Rakesh? Why do you sound so dull?”
“I am OK. Feeling bad that I couldn't meet you”
“Anything important?”, asked Aarthi, hesitantly.
“Nothing Aarthi. I met all my friends. You were the one I missed out, since the college got over”, replied Rakesh and it appeared, as if he was trying to hide something.
“Don't worry Rakesh. If we are destined to, we will meet again. Cheer up! Study well and stay in touch”
“Sure Aarthi”
“Alright Rakesh. Got to go. I will email you later”
“OK Aarthi. Take care”
“Good night”
“Good night”
Aarthi did not wanted to end the talk. She was feeling upset for Rakesh. She was upset for him leaving. She was upset, for not being able to meet him. She was upset, for him being upset. She was upset, for he hid something important, from her. She was upset for, she has to wait for years, to meet him.
Rakesh sat on his window seat, in the aircraft, with a heavy heart. His mom was crying and his dad too wasn't cheerful. They wanted him to fly high, but couldn't resist to see the bird, flying off the nest. He was thinking about his mom, dad and his house, over and over. As the aircraft rose higher and higher, he saw his city diminishing. He will be able to walk on those roads, smell that air and hear those sounds, only after a couple of years. As the aircraft rose further higher, he thought about Aarthi. ‘She must be living somewhere in those tiny buildings. I wish I could see you Aarthi and talk to you, all night. I wish you were there with me’, thought Rakesh and those tiny lights and toy buildings vanished completely, outside the window.
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