Memories in March

It had been a long day.Pushy clients,quarter end pressure and infinite abuse combined to form a cocktail in Avik's head.The drive to home either has not been pleasant.Clogging at various junctions in the city.In one of the junctions read a digital sign board with date and temperature."12th March, 36 deg C ".

A quick freshening up.Then what?After pondering for quite sometime decided to hit the pool.It has been almost a decade and a half that Avik went swimming.

The evening breeze blowing gently.The pool was on the roof top.Few more high rises besides.The horizon is still red but darkness has engulfed.Lights from the neighboring high rises falling on the water and diffusing in a blissful orchestra.The water seemed to wash off the sun rays still on his skin.

Avik was still in the water.From what seemed from there was a solitary figure on the farther side of the pool.He could not see clearly from the distance but could make out it was a girl.Somewhat skinny,curly dark hair which was kept open and part of it was fluttering,an expressive face but an unsure one.Avik observed her for sometime  and realised she was alone.

"I sell measuring instruments.Have faster ways in which you can measure the depth of the pool !" Avik came from behind and caught the girl unawares with these lighthearted lines.An immediate blush and an exchange of glances.She was taken by surprise and did not speak.Avik with a compulsive habit of speaking started once again.

"You seem new.."
"Yah Ive moved in just a couple of days back."
"You'r working for...."

"An MNC ...software stuff.Is the water very cold?" She said the last part with a childlike innocence and fear.

Avik could not hold back his smile and replied cheerfully ," I also sell thermocouples...you know the ones which measure temperature ! Just hop in."

They used to bump into each other frequently.Never really spoke much.Avik somehow was at loss of words in front of her.He made it a point to go swimming everyday.The summer was picking up.The colours of the fruits and vegetables slowly changing.They enjoyed each others company.They went for walks and chatted for long hours.The heat was slowly picking up.He did not know if it was love.He was very confused with the subject anyways !A company which he longed for.A person whom he started missing.

The girl was not very expressive though.She chose her words.Smiled often. Fidgeted a lot.Listened to whatever he said and never complained.

It was again a busy day for Avik.The board read "30th of March,37.6 deg C".This was going to be a painful summer.They spent quite some time together that evening.Avik was doing most of the talking and she was receptive all the while.She was in black top with a pair of jeans.Neatly done her hair and a soothing nail color.Suddenly Avik was caught unawares  -" I shall leave tomorrow.Dont ask me where."

Avik respected her and understood she meant each word of it.He stood there with just a sideways glance to and fro.She would not meet his eyes.They did not bid good bye.The summer was severe.

Almost an year passed.The digital board reads a new date and time each day which Avik observes daily but nothing really seems to change.It was again a quite evening in March.Avik decided to stroll by the pool side.Familiar memories flashed by.He could soon visualize the year old moments.

"Do you still sell those instruments ?" a voice came from behind.It struck him like lighting.He knew this voice.He has spoken to her within himself a million times and has anticipated  her response.He was not sure if he was hallucinating.He turned back,looked into her eyes and smiled.

 "Yes,I still sell those !"





Cheers,
Avique