I saw her walking the staircase in white gown with two flower girls on her both side. My eyes were fixed on her as she walks the long row towards the altar in church. Her face was covered with veil yet I can see her face brighten up with joy. I stretch out my hand to hold her and stood in her right side in a black suit. As the priest started reading our marriage vows, I heard a voice:
Wake up, Marial!
Thud! I awoke from my dream and was back on terra firma. I found myself sleeping on my bed, staring at the angry face of my Mom. Then it dawned on me: I was not that lucky groom to marry her but just a dreamer.
My mom's voice boomed again, Marial, will you just stop daydreaming? This is the third time I have asked you the same question.
I was twenty four years old, yet I have never had such affection towards any girl. She was different, the girl I always dreamt, and the one surely I want to marry if she comes in my life. My thought was broken with the buzz of alarm, and soon I realized its 7.30 and I'm getting late for work.
It took me about another half an hour to get ready for work, between sorting through clothes, hair spray and perfume.
At sharp 8 am I was ready to move out from my house to station. No… No! Don’t misunderstand me, I was not at all eager for work, but a little hope that I may get a chance to see her today as well, if I catch my regular train which reaches Dadar station at around 9.25 exactly the same time when I first saw her at the station.
Luckily for the first time the trains were on time. The journey began with Hamid sitting on my left hand side. I told him about my weird dream and why I was before time on station today. I told him that when we reach Dadar I want to search her and talk about yesterday. He laugh out loud over my dream but agreed to stay with me, while I search her in station.
Soon we were in Dadar, where we met our third friend Rajendra… We didn’t tell him anything, but ran towards the western lane platform as soon as we can. Rajendra, followed us blindly, not knowing what the actual reason is.
Hamid ran fastest amongst us with his big tummy, Rajendra was second and me running at the last. I stop at one point and started wondering, who is more excited to see her, me or my friends? Well that’s the friendship we have. The two reached at platform no. 2 of western lane and waited for me to come.
Rajendra was eager to know why we had this race. But we kept quiet. Hamid and I stood at the same place (railway canteen corner) from where we can easily look at the ladies compartment. Ten minutes passed but there was no sign of her. Trains came and went, but she was not to be seen. Finally Hamid said: ‘Chal Yaar Woh Nahin Aayegi’ (Come let’s move she won’t come). It was hard to convince my heart that following my friends was the only option for me left at that point in my life!
