Never Enough

By Monisa

It was a fogy afternoon. The weather seemed dull and drab. Rain was drenching everything in its being. Everything looked bleak except for Duha, who was impatiently waiting for her friend MARY to catch up; ready to greet her after a gap of so many years and to know and discuss their lives which the entire course of sundering had brought about.

A cracking sound of the door was heard and Duha could see a silhouette emerging out of the soft light of sun falling at the entrance. A figure of a young girl with an alluring face rushed towards Duha and pulled her closer in an embrace, Planted a soft kiss on her cheek and asked; ‘’ How are you Duha. You have grown pale’’?

‘’ I always was. ‘’ replied Duha.

‘’No, you were the most beautiful girl in our college. Don’t you remember how girls envied you ‘’. Mary said rather cheerfully.

‘’ yes, it is just a reflection of this bulb making me look sallow. Take a seat and a deep breath and Tell me how is your life going ''

‘’ it is perfect. Everything is good. My husband, my in-laws, everyone treats me like a fragile doll; taking care of me absolutely. I feel blessed’’. Mary buoyantly answered.

‘’ WoW. That is great. I will pour you some tea’’ said Duha

Duha lifted the teapot in her hand only to pour it into those empty cups when she was interrupted by Mary;

‘’ I can see the happy-go-lucky girl lost somewhere. The girl who was always excited even for some extra cheese on a pizza. Duha, is everything alright’’. Asked Mary.

Trying to hide something under the guise of a smile,Duha replied ;

‘’ Ofcourse, everything is good. I am exhausted. I have been back from a very difficult voyage just few days before’ and I feel worn out’’. Pouring the tea into a cup, she handed it to Mary and added; ‘’ That extra cheeze on pizza was bad for health and I realised it lately’’

while taking a sip from the cup,Mary was constantly gazing at the bleak face of her friend whose empty eyes had a number of questions to be explored and answered by her loved one’s. Her silence talked loudly to Mary, after all they had been the best of friends.

‘’ So, something is wrong. This pale face is not because of any reflection and this weariness is not because of any voyage’’ asked the grief stricken Mary.

‘’ Voyages are difficult . You see you got to move along without any assurance of reaching the destination and this uncertainty consumes the radiance and depletes your being’’

‘’ Voyages are beautiful as well. You get to see new things and explore new people and that is indeed an amazing experience. Just tell me how is your husband and where is he’’. Asked Mary

A cracking sound was heard as the cup in Duha’s hand collapsed to the ground and shattered. Duha hurriedly rushed to pick up the broken pieces and said;

‘’ Relationships are like this cup made up of glass. If you don’t hold them tightly and with care, they break and you watch them falling apart without being able to do anything about it. You cant fix the broken pieces even if you try’’

‘’you have been the most sensible, beautiful and intelligent girl I ever met. Did he leave you? But why?

‘’ I think I was extra in everything and that extra followed me here as well. Extra is never good, you see, Duha smirked.

‘’ So he left you for another girl’’. Asked Mary surprisingly.

‘’ This happens when you are beautiful, Duha sarcastically replied. Glaring at the empty floor while softly caressing her hands, she added;

‘’ Nothing can stop people from leaving, not even this beautiful face, not this intelligence, not this understanding. Nothing Mary, absolutely nothing. Thia extra is always bad and this extra has ruined sensible people which makes me no exception. People fall short of understanding the importance of this sacred bond. All the novel things giving rise to novel ideas and ruining lives; the modernity has made us fall prey to its bewitching fascination, making life seem more like an illusion than a roller coster ride. ‘’

Saying this,She stood up and took those broken pieces of cup in her hand and ventured towards the kitchen.

‘’ Extra should not be there. It is disastrous. It should vanish, she said with her steps fading into the background.

‘’ But life gives you a second chance always. Let this voyage make you stronger and not break you down’’, said Mary in a hushed tone, making sure not to be heard.

By Monisa