Lost and Found

By Debanjan S Kundu

Shiv sat by the glass pane at her favourite couple’s table in Magnificent Brunches like every mundane morning. “The regular and a glass of sparkling water,” she told Bipasha. It was 10:30 AM. Bipasha had been working in this outlet for the last two years. She thought to herself, how would Shiv feel if she asked Shiv to come down to her place for dinner sometime?

They have known each other since their college days. After finishing college, Shiv went away to Los Angeles to pursue her Master’s course in Filmmaking. Bipasha went through some rough patches and was married off to Sourav soon after college. Sourav was then an employee at India’s one of the biggest IT firms. Bipasha and Sourav gave birth to twins two years down the line. She often wondered what it would have been like to spend more time with Shiv. Shiv and Bipasha were like soul sisters back in their youth and sometimes even more.

“Ouch”, Bipasha exclaimed and pulled out her hand with the hot coffee almost spilling all over her right hand. She hurriedly washed the hand with water and filled another big cup with freshly brewed coffee and some cream for Shiv. As she approached the table, she saw Shiv looking right at her. After all, they had met after twenty long years. Shiv, too remembered how she felt the first time they held each other’s hand in the college library on a sultry summer evening. It was electrifying, to say the least. Upon their first kiss in the empty college library after JD’s class on Shakespearian literature, they knew what they meant for each other. More than two souls confiding in each other; the touch of their skin was exotic and addictive. It was the early 2000s, and they soon realised that they would not be welcomed into each other’s family as each other’s partners. On 25th November 2003, Shiv received the invitation to Bipasha’s wedding in her mail. It was scheduled to be on 12th December. Shiv’s reply was, “ I wish you all the best for the years to come, and yes, I miss you too.”

Shiv did not find the institution of marriage to be compelling. She was always a person who felt wise about an intimate close-knit ceremony, but with the woman of her love. Alas, that was not to be! She had stayed unmarried. Today, after 20 years, Shiv was an exhilarating filmmaker on vivid topics exploring love, friendship, relationships and life hassles through her work. “Would you like to play the role of my lover in my next movie?” asked Shiv. Bipasha was startled at the sudden proposal. Her hands trembled while she kept the order on the table. “Have a seat”, Shiv told Bipasha. While they sat in front of each other after 20-odd years, their eyes did all the talking.

“I am not much of an actor, Shiv. How could you possibly think I could play the part?” Bipasha tried to sound confident.

“Well, I have always wanted to explore what we could give to each other, and this piece is something I would like for us to explore together,” Shiv replied to Bipasha.

“Do you still feel the same about us?” Bipasha sounded perplexed.

Shiv said, “This is exactly what our work will answer.”

“I have two children, and I manage everything all by myself. Would it be possible for us to explore this? What about them?” Bipasha was flustered. “Sourav left too soon, and I still remember how excited he sounded for our upcoming 15th anniversary. He was unrecognisable at the morgue. I could never love him with all my heart. You took a piece of me when you left, Shiv.”

“I still have it with me, and I am still holding onto it.”

“Bipasha, get back to the counter,” yelled Mr. Rawat from the kitchen door.

“Would you like to come to my place for dinner tomorrow night?” Bipasha blurted out finally as she got up from the chair. “13/B, Major Gardens, Block C-Flat-2C.” Although Shiv noted it down, Bipasha’s voice got lost in the air.

Shiv sliced the pancake into pieces, took the first bite and looked outside the window onto the busy street. The pandemic had slowed down, and things were getting better. She finished her breakfast and paid off the bill. “Call me.” She wrote on a piece of tissue addressing Bipasha.

24th November 2023, Love, Lost and Found premiered at Mumbai’s biggest and most prestigious screening theatre. Bipasha, Shiv, Jyoti and Joy were now staying under the same roof. Jyoti, now 19, wants to follow in her mother’s footsteps and open up a restaurant for herself. Joy is studying Natural Sciences majors and wants to explore astrophysics more closely. Bipasha left her job at the Magnificent Brunches to focus on the joint venture with her daughter. Shiv has more stories to translate and is planning for more international collaborations. As the final scene played on the silver screen, Shiv held onto Bipasha’s hand tightly and turned towards her. She could see her eyes sparkling with joy; Bipasha smiled at her. Her face was brimming with ecstasy. The credits scene started playing as they kissed each other for good in front of the crowd!

By Debanjan S Kundu