A lonely beach

The day seemed gloomy right from the start, but I had to make this trip. It had been almost two years since I had quietly decided to move out of that place. I never knew how to handle goodbyes. Things were not unfolding into what I would have liked but I had made my decision. Time to leave...pack..load and move out. Never said goodbye to so many people. !! and a last look at the dispensary, the school, the half built temple and the hostel..

And today, I had once again decided to make the trip alone. A lot had changed in these years, and as much as I might say to the contrary, I still hoped people would recognize me.. The sky was overcast as I entered into the admin block and went straight to the exam section. I wanted my passing certificate and wanted to get over with it. This place had taken away so much from me...... Time to cut the last umbilical cord..

As I approached the huge gates, went over to sign the security records. And then there was a warm "How are you sir...Where are you now..". Someone still recognizes me here!!! Well out of those gates, I could not help stopping straight across the road, at place where we had spent half the evenings.. Sure enough, once again.. a warm welcome.. It was starting to drizzle and the number of people outside the campus was very little. Suddenly someone said "Bhaiya kaise ho aap.." I simply said "Sure I am fine.. and howz your try at animation going..you must be a champ by now". He started aapko kaise yaad hai. I said "Ragging is not all about fun dude..its about knowing your juniors.."

A small chit chat.. a bit of gyan about higher studies and job market and I decided to get going. It had just started to drizzle and I put on my raincoat as I started my bike. Just a few distance off and I could not help turning towards the beach. Something in me telling "Dont..it is not a drizzle, it is going to grow"but I had to. Parked my bike infront of the temple, did not go in but bowed just there and walked towards the beach..

Winds screeched past me, and the fine spray of rain started hitting my face. I rolled up the hood of my raincoat and let it come in. As i reached the beach everything was looking familiar and yet so different. Something in me was as heavy as the sound of wind outside.. memories rushing in and out faster than the tides hitting the shore. Bits and pieces of conversations, faces, small moments good and bad, spent during those years started to get mixed with the gust of wind and rain hitting me... Faces I loved... faces I hated... words that should have been spoken and ones that I never should have... Fight I fought and the ones I didn't ..small things I enjoyed.. starry nights.. dreams that begun here..

Stood there for a minute and as I turned back, I was thinking, "You can never forget...may be you don't want to...here lies a piece of your life...