This time I was alone. I didn’t have Sneha or Ayushi with me. Of course, Aditya was not there. He used to accompany me every week in the train. We lived in the same neighbourhood. But that was history. I was distracted from my thoughts when someone came and sat next to me. He was in his mid-thirties, wearing a blue shirt with earphones plugged in and playing some game on his smart phone. There was nothing to give a second glace.
Once again I turned towards the window. Even then something made me look at him again – his perfume. He was wearing Aditya’s favourite fragrance – Electriqué. It was once my favourite too. But now it gave me a headache or more like heartache. Once again I went back to my train of thoughts about him. I had never before met anyone who wore Electriqué. That was something unique to Adi. It was something that I loved. Throughout the journey I played in my mind all the beautiful memories. I had vowed not to think about him again but Electriqué had a magic of its own.
I finally reached my destination. He was still sitting next to me. It was time to part with the aura of Electriqué. I got off the train and walked a few steps. Suddenly two people who walked past me caught my attention. That was Adi and Keerthy! They had also got off the same train. Why hadn’t she told me she was coming? I had a million questions running in my mind. As I was still looking at them walking a few metres ahead of me, Adi turned back. For a fraction of a second, our gazes met. Normally the very sight of him would bring butterflies to my stomach; even after we were no longer together. But today I didn’t feel that. I turned my gaze away and so did he. I felt like I was let free from something that had chained me down all this time. My heart, felt lighter. I realized that it was over.
Once again I turned towards the window. Even then something made me look at him again – his perfume. He was wearing Aditya’s favourite fragrance – Electriqué. It was once my favourite too. But now it gave me a headache or more like heartache. Once again I went back to my train of thoughts about him. I had never before met anyone who wore Electriqué. That was something unique to Adi. It was something that I loved. Throughout the journey I played in my mind all the beautiful memories. I had vowed not to think about him again but Electriqué had a magic of its own.
I finally reached my destination. He was still sitting next to me. It was time to part with the aura of Electriqué. I got off the train and walked a few steps. Suddenly two people who walked past me caught my attention. That was Adi and Keerthy! They had also got off the same train. Why hadn’t she told me she was coming? I had a million questions running in my mind. As I was still looking at them walking a few metres ahead of me, Adi turned back. For a fraction of a second, our gazes met. Normally the very sight of him would bring butterflies to my stomach; even after we were no longer together. But today I didn’t feel that. I turned my gaze away and so did he. I felt like I was let free from something that had chained me down all this time. My heart, felt lighter. I realized that it was over.
How do you know when it’s over?
Maybe it’s when you feel more in love with your memories than with the person standing in front of you...