One of the reasons why we crave love and seek it so desperately, is that love is only cure for

loneliness, and shame, and sorrow. These were the words that came to me as I stared down a dark
precipice. I laughed at the irony that I am alone all because I fell in love. Her name is Megha.
It was a Saturday, the day after the end of the final mid exam of the year. So, we i.e., me and three
of my friends, Ashish, Mandeep and Siddharth, decided to go to Golconda fort to celebrate the
occasion. This plan was all made before the mids began.
However, on the Friday night, Ashish, called me and said that he would be bringing three of his gal
friends along. They were our classmates, however, but they were only Ashishs friends.
I agreed for it, albeit reluctantly, as did Mandeep and Siddharth. I was uncomfortable with having
three girls along with us.
Next morning, we were supposed to rendezvous at Mehdipatnam bus stop at 10. Since I was closest
to it, I reached the earliest. The others were all coming together. I stood there looking for them.
First person I spotted was Ashish who was hanging from the footboard of a very full bus. As soon as
the bus slowed a little, he jumped off it and walked towards me.
The bus came to stop in front of me and all of the sudden everyone was getting down. Siddharth and
Mandeep too got down and they came and stood alongside me waiting for the girls to get down.
We were greeting each other, when I saw Megha at the bus door. With a beaming smile, which lit up
her bespectacled face, she looked at me. I stopped talking and merely stared at her, speechless. Her
face might not launch the thousand ships. But, at that moment a thousand metaphors would fail
describe her eyes, her smile, her wavy black hair or grace.
She came up to me and said, Hi, which brought me back to the real world. I quickly gathered
myself and replied her back. Her friends got down too and came and stood with us. There was a
flurry of Hi s directed at me.
Then, they began to discuss about the how to proceed further. But, I stood there hearing their
words, but my mind was elsewhere. I was wondering about my reaction upon seeing Megha. It was
not like I was seeing her for the first time. We were classmates for six months, I see her daily. Then,
why was I so smitten with her today?
A tap on my shoulder brought me back from my thoughts. They had decided that we would go by
auto to the fort. We made our way out of the bus stop and all 7 of us got into an auto. Since, it was
actually for 4 passengers, Ashish and the girls sat in the back and me, Mandeep and Siddharth sat in
front beside the driver.
We reached Golconda within half an hour with no incidents (unless you count we had to get down at
a signal to avoid traffic police and a stretch of the road full of potholes and we were tossed around
the auto like bags.)
Ashish went to buy entry tickets as we stood in front of gate. Megha stood opposite to me and she
struck a conversation with me. We knew each other by sight, but this was the first time I ever spoke
with her. She asked me about my school and all. The conversation with her felt natural to me and I
felt comfortable talking to her.
Meanwhile, Ashish bought the tickets and we made our way into the fort.
I do not remember much of the tour except that I found myself walking a lot beside Megha. I have
always loved being in old forts and this was my first visit to Golconda. But, today I was not at all
interested in the fort itself. We spoke a lot during the tour. We all joked a lot amongst ourselves
making fun of each other and our classes. I remember feeling particularly proud when I made her
laugh. Needless to say, I did not want the tour to end.
Two hours in, the girls said that they have to leave, while we guys wanted to spend some more time.
Before they left, Megha and I exchanged our numbers.
We stayed there till evening roaming around. But, I felt really down now that Megha left. But, I had
to stay put for I knew they would not let this one go for many days, if I left now.
It was late into evening by the time I reached home. I had my dinner and went to bed. But, sleep
would not come. I was still stuck at the moment when Megha got down the bus. My mind playing
and replaying that scene. All I could see in my mind is her smiling face.
It was not until a couple of weeks have passed that I found myself the courage to admit to myself
that I had fallen in love with her. How do I know it? I am not sure, I just knew. But, it was clear to me
that she was not into me. We were friends, but I could be nothing more to her.
At the end of first year, we werent in the same class anymore. She took classes in her department
and me in mine. I stopped talking to anyone. I stopped roaming around campus afraid of running
into her. I could not concentrate on studies or anything for that matter. I barely managed to
understand the classes and get marks in the exam. I have all but cut ties with my friends, barely
speaking to them, leaving me absolutely lonely and depressed.
Now, here I am with no reason to live. I pulled out my phone and typed a message to Megha:
Megha, I love you. I wanted to tell you this for a long time now. But, I couldnt gather the courage
to do so. I know that you dont love me back, but now I had to tell you, because I might have another
chance. Goodbye.
I pressed send and dropped the phone. It landed on the floor with a thud. Without even looking at
the phone, I stepped off the ledge..
*
The phone lying on the terrace began to vibrate. The display showed Megha Calling.