IPKKND OS: Tanha Dil

Tanha Dil

He shifted on his side and stared out of the window. People were milling around on the platform, oblivious to his impassive stares.

The sky outside had grown dark with storm clouds and the small windows open on either end of the carriage carried a cold breeze inside. He shivered and tightened his leather jacket around him.

He didn't know what he expected. She would not come after him. She would not miraculously appear on the platform. Her dupatta would not fly in abandon as she runs behind his train. They would not stare at each other with pain stricken eyes as they perform a secret handshake in the air.

Hell, they didn't even have a secret handshake.

A group of young women climbed aboard the train, wearing chaniya cholis and merry smiles. He looked away in annoyance. They reminded him of her, of the last time he had seen her. She had been adamant to wear a chaniya choli herself and, after hours of hard work and many failed attempts, she had. It was her first garba, she had reminded him excitedly. She had to look good.

He thought back to the note he had left for her on the kitchen table.

Going away for a few days.

Have fun and knock em dead (highly likely with your dance moves).

- NK

She would be disappointed, he knew, but would quickly find something else to busy herself with. He was going to be there, after all. And the loss of a friend didn't quite compare to true love's attention.

He scoffed. True love. He had no doubt that they loved each other but a love driven alongside ego was a risky love to own.

Nevertheless, it wasn't his place to say. It was never his place to say. It was his place to laugh - to laugh and be laughed at. To goof up simple Hindi phrases and watch her eyes light up with amusement. To mediate between the pair of them, to bring them together and to save the day.

It was his place to do all of these things and, occasionally, more.

It just wasn't his place to say.

The train began to move and his eyes made a final, involuntary sweep of the platform.

She hadn't come.

He wasn't surprised.