Love Conqures All; A Short Story

Heaviness of clouds, stillness of air and frequent roaring of clouds were assuring a heavy rain. On the muddy slippery greenish road, they were running with a fishing rod in their hands. Soon, they were on the bank of river. After searching a perfect place, they put their fishing rods in between the elegies and JalKumbhi, they were incessantly watching the small wooden stick above the water that was sporadically vibrating in the presence of their hunt (fish).

Whole day passed. The two, Prakash and Gita, had caught enough fishes and now they were about to depart. Prakash was Sixteen years old and Gita was two years younger to him. They studied in same school, and despite having difference in their age, they were in same school which was often a subject of pride for Gita that irritated Prakash too much. But, No doubt, they were close friends. Their friendship was as old as they were. At one moment they fought and the next moment they were friends. “Sorry” and “Thank you” were not in the dictionary of their friendship. There was spontaneity, an innocence that brought them always together.

They were in the age in which people begin to see such relationships with their constricted-crassness spectacles in the shadow of pseudo morality. As Prakash and Gita were not of same caste, it was also a grave concern for so called moralist. Soon, their parents were familiarized with this issue which was a hidden threat to both families.

They did not realize when their closeness was dragged apart. Soon they were in different school. Often Prakash saw Gita with her sad eyes in midst to his cousins and siblings in her way to school that made him restless but as he was aware to the consequences he never dared. They did not talk yet both were missing each other. They were missing their togetherness. They were missing the thrill, the joy they used to felt while hunting the fish with their fishing rods. They were apart but their memories were instilled in a way that they could never forget each other.

Time passed. Now Prakash had done Diploma in Electrical, and was now working in private company in Delhi. He was now 22 years old. But still his memories were as fresh as he was just 14 years old, wandering with Gita in rainy days on muddy pavements. Praksah had left the village since he was eighteen and today after getting his job, he was going to his village. His eyes were impatient to see the glimpse of his childhood in the greenery of fields, in the fragrance of its air, in the touch of his 18 years old life. The three years of distance had washed up all the old attitudes of people towards Prakash. Now, he was no longer “Prakash” of the past who was once summoned and challenged for his immoral behaviour.

Soon, the village, the river, the air, the rainy season caught Prakash in his old memories that brought a storm. A storm that could even shook 22 years old man. Whole night, he was not able to sleep. And in the early morning, he decided to meet Gita, disregarding all the consequences.

With the help of his old friends Prakash arranged a meeting with Gita in the evening.

For the next five minutes, neither of two spoke. The silence was broken down by Prakash as he said...

“You are getting married, are not you?”

Hiding her dismay she replied averting her eyes...

“Yes! I am....and what about you” 

“What about me? Are you asking if I am married or not?”

She whispered,” yes! “

“Ok! I am not...I am not going to be in future too...”

There was a conviction and desperation in the voice of Prakash.

They continued their discussion which often turned to sobbing and crying. Finally, they moved to their respective home with unknown feelings and hidden motives.

After 10 Years

It is a sunny morning. A middle age man and woman are enjoying the morning tea in the peaceful ambiance, glistened by red sunlight and scented by the fragrance of refreshing –cool-cozy morning air. T.V. is broadcasting news which is saying about the news of a boy and girl who have ran away from their home despite of different religion and have got married. A riot has broken off. Some people are saying it unfortunate; some are saying Immoral; some are saying it is a religious conspiracy...
But soon it takes the two ten years before when he had hold his hand and still she is feeling its warmth in her life. This was the warmth of their love which made them to face insurmountable difficulties after they ran away from their home. Pearly drops trickles through their eyes. The man puts her hand on her, presses her hand slightly. She feels sweetness, a comfort, an overwhelming shivering in her body. Let people say it good or bad but they know it was the best decision of their life. “Love conquers all”.