Journey

By Ashni Kankate

Blazing hot sun roasted his skin as he walked, no, almost jogged to the station. Mays in Pune were beginning to feel as intense as the December winters. Climate change, as they call it. But nothing could compete with the volcano within him. This is it, he thought, as he climbed aboard the deccan express. Exhilaration coursed through him as he remembered the last 48 hours that had turned his world around. Getting lost in that train of thought, he began to contemplate the 1 word that his universe had shifted on. He had been trying to reach her ever since he read the words, recommended, next to their names in the coveted successful candidates' list by UPSC. He kept telling himself she must be busy answering thousands of calls, busy being a star. He wouldn't believe that she was ignoring him, avoiding the decision she had to make. The answer to his long pending question, something they had been dancing around for a long time. And she keeps postponing it, matching the uncertainty of the dream they were both pursuing. And now, it was finally time and she was trying to dodge it again.

Finally, finally! She replied to his text, maybe finding it hard to voice her decision. Definitely did sound like her.

He remembered the moment his phone made that characteristic ping when he got a text from her. Yes, of course, he had a special jingle for her. He remembered how insane he was, with anticipation and a little fear. The moment of truth had arrived. He opened the inbox. A void. And then disbelief, madness. Too many feelings, uncontainable. He pocketed his phone and began his journey to his dream.

A sudden jerk forwards brought him out of his reverie. Oh, he had reached. He got down from the train and kept walking forward. Something snapped within him, and he wondered if he had been deceived by his own madness. Needing affirmation, he frantically unlocked his phone and went straight to their conversation.

Will you marry me?

Yes.

He smiled to himself and kept walking towards the exit.

By Ashni Kankate