A funny story: Contest

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- Coordination: Pratibha Thakkar

'Suhas, where are you? So where did I go, left alone among strangers? Don't even pick up the phone? ' Chitra now seemed to be losing her temper and seemed frustrated talking to herself.

"Which I have never met in so many years that Suhas has not even talked about till today, brought me to his party and disappeared himself."

Chitra was disturbed by the atmosphere of the party and felt alone here. She came to this party only because of Suhas' insistence. Ashlesha, the sister of a childhood friend of Suhas, hosted the party to celebrate her son's 18th birthday. Years later Suhas and Ashleesha were meeting. Suhas wanted Chitra to meet Ashleesha. However, in all these years, Suhas had never mentioned her friend or her sister, so meeting was a long way off. Maybe that's why Chitra found Suhas' insistence a little strange. Yet he did not mind coming. But, Suhas suddenly left him alone and disappeared! Chitra did not recognize anyone here. Most of the invited guests were juveniles. Chitra's mind was embarrassed by the words and deeds here. Still, she tried to join in the conversation to find out the formality. Also, for how long? She finally went and sat in a corner on the balcony. The party atmosphere and people were watching and passing the time. Seeing the hypocrisy, ostentation and show here, I also laughed and remembered my past. Chitra felt as if someone had put an RC in front of her. Now, however, times and circumstances had changed. Now, the picture is no longer the same as before, it has become quite mature and slowly serious! Seeing the degradation of self-esteem, limits and values ​​of the young generation who were unaware of this environment, he felt pity for these people. People were losing their self-esteem in a bid to survive! He tried to change his mind and fanned Suhas. She was waiting for Suhas. Suddenly a familiar voice came from behind the picture. Years have passed since he heard this sound, but he still recognizes it today. When he looked back, Ashleesha was standing. Suhas brought Ashleesha to introduce the picture. The same rumble in the voice and the same smile and texture on the face! Ashlesha embraced him as soon as she saw the picture. Ashlesha welcomed the picture and the two kept looking at each other. The smile on the face matured by time and experiences was still so innocent. Holding hands, standing nowhere, as if trying to accept this reality of life! The cheers? This intimacy? Between the two of them who could never hurt each other in childhood! Fierce rivals and rivals! Probably a factor as to why they're doing so poorly.

'Ashlesha, you? How do you know Suhas? ' Chitra asked expressing surprise.

‘Hey, we’ve known each other for years. I know Suhas even before you and yes, maybe a little more. ' Malkai looking in front of Ashlesha Suhas while saying.

Chitra looked a little upset. It was as if she was stuck in a win-lose game again. 'Before me and better?' Knowing his health, Mahamahante said, 'M, no!'

He then looked at Suhas and said, "You have never talked about Ashlesha." Interrupting Chitra's talk, Ashlesha said, "Hey, that's a surprise ... It's a long story ... Suhas will tell you comfortably ... Let's enjoy our reunion."

Chitra herself did not understand when the habit of winning Chitra had turned into Kutev. She had been stubborn and arbitrary since childhood. Ashlesha was Anne's rival. From teaching to cultural activities, both are superior to each other! The difference between Ashleesha and Chitra was in nature. Ashlesha was funny and candid. Believing in enjoying life. Defeat-victory could digest both.

This was the past. Today he wants to forget the past and present, to celebrate and enjoy this reunion years later. However, this was not possible. The past was so associated with him that his presence was present in the present. And this was natural. He was referring to school and college life. Both were lost in the stories of the past. Most of the invited guests at the party were juveniles who were indulging in their own fun so Ashleesha got time to talk to Chitra. Even so, Samarth was waiting. In the conversation, Chitra found out that Ashleesha was unmarried. Ashlesha was just as easy today. His words were straightforward, accurate, and without hypocrisy. At first Chitra was a little surprised when Ashlesha talked about her son 'Samarth', but then she realized that unforeseen circumstances and situations in life sometimes play a big part in making certain decisions. He himself made decisions in life that were socially unacceptable. 'Ashlesha, compete with me in this too?' The picture came to mind.

Immediately after the thought, he asked Ashlesha, 'Where is the birthday bye? Don't look able? ' Ashlesha said, 'Just coming. Getting ready. You know how the boys of today are in maintaining time. '

So Samarth drew his hand from a distance and drew Ashlasha's attention.

"Here, this birthday bye has arrived," Ashlesha remarked.

He called Samarth and said, 'Son, this is my childhood friend, Chitra.' Chitra was stunned to see Samarth. It was as if the ground slipped under her feet. The whole body went numb. Striving to find words to speak. Able but able to see the picture. He looked in front of Ashlesha. That is why his friends surrounded him. Hussein accepted everyone's greetings to know the formality with his friends but his mind and eyes did not deviate from the picture. Chitra was trying to understand something. Chitra was caught in a whirlpool of thoughts. This face showed the past of becoming such an RC eighteen years back, as if Tapan was standing in front of it. A vivid replica of that! Chitra did not understand this secret. It went well in the past.

From her first meeting with Tapan in the US to her death from Tapan's cancer, her life began to flash. Chitra, who has a very modern mindset, was in a 'live-in' relationship with Tapan. The families of the two were unaware of this. Chitra had separated Tapan from his family. Chitra had nothing to do with anyone except Tapan. She did not want to know or hear anything about Tapan's family. The two soon became very close. Chitra was supposed to be a mother before marriage but she did not accept the responsibility of motherhood. Tapan was diagnosed with cancer at that time. Chitra's reluctance for her child, seeing the situation, could not tell Tapan. Once, she decided to have an abortion, but the doctor advised that it was not possible because the time was too long. Day by day, Tapan's health started deteriorating. Tapan Chitra was very well known. Was aware of its ambitious and arbitrary nature. He was not even unaware of Chitra's future decision. Shortly after Tapan's death, Chitra gave birth to a son. But with the birth of the child, Chitra handed it over to 'Orphanage'.

Looking at the picture, Suhas said, the present is waiting for you. Ashlasha and able to wait for you, to cut the cake. Chitra stared at Suhas. While cutting the cake, Ashlesha kept Samarth standing between Annie and Chitra. A piece of cake was fed to Chitra by Samarth's hand and he said, 'Chitra, won't you eat your son's birthday cake with his hand?'. Chitra looked stunned. Suhas put his hand on her shoulder and said, 'Yes, we have kept this and Tapan's deposit till today. Tapan and I were close friends and Ashlesha is Tapan's younger sister. It was not a coincidence that I met you after Tapan's departure. Samarth was adopted by Ashlesha. I have seen you for so many years repenting of your decision. It just so happened that Ashlasha and I wanted to meet her when Samarth could decide his own life. Able to be aware of this reality. Now, the decision has to be made by Samarth and we have to accept that decision. '

Chitra embraced Ashlesha and burst into tears. She just said, 'Ashlesha, I can never be a better mother than you. You won and I lost as a mother and wife. I will be happy to accept any decision of Samarth. '

"If we stop looking at Chitra, life and relationships in terms of defeat and victory, we will be able to live and enjoy life and relationships in the true sense," Ashlesha said, consoling Chitra.

- Purvi Vyas Mehta