The unspoken love

There was still ninety minutes for departure of the plane.Vinay and Shriya were seated inside the airport in a corner.He had a large suitcase, a smaller one with wheels and a computer bag.They were mostly silent.One could see the heaviness in their hearts from their sad faces.They had just finished their MBA together at a prestigious institute.He was returning back to his place.Passengers were collecting their boarding passes after checking in with their luggage.

“There is no hurry.i will go later”he said.”I don’t know when we would meet again.You would be going to Mumbai to take up your assignment.I am bound for States in a month.I wish we worked in the same city.Parting is really painful, Shriya” he said

“Two years have flown by so fast.It looked as though we met only the other day.I will also miss you very much, Vinay” she replied

As Vinay looked at Shriya intently at her eyes, she lowered her gaze to the floor.She looked extremely beautiful in her blue salwar suit.Not tall she was petite and had a pair of great eyes with a twinkle in them.He loved her most but had not the courage to express it to her.She was from a very rich family while he was drwan from a lower middle class background.He feared that he would be misunderstood as aspiring for a rich girl if he were to express his feelings for her.Though they tried to meet often after the college hours, they had not dated.

He wished that she would express her feelings for him when he would open the flood gates of his thoughts on her.But she was silent and it was very oppresive.To break the silence,he said “I am famished.Let me get something to eat.”

He fetched couple of samosas and a few pieces of sandesh.He proffered the packet to her and said “Let us share.”.As he was eating the hot samosa, he noticed that she wasn’t eating and felt her eyes were moist.”Why aren’t you taking? Would you like to me to feed you?”he said even as he thrust one sandesh into her mouth..

To his surprise, she opened her mouth and ate with gusto and they both started sipping the coke with straws from the same bottle to the amusement of other passengers and visitors around.With their heads touching each other and the eyes fixed on the other, they looked a perfect pair of lovers to the onlookers.Both were thrilled and could feel the vibes of unspoken love.

“Would you be mailing me? We can chat regularly and if you permit see each other on skype” he said. I wish our studies had continued for one more year.I don’t feel like leaving you, Shriya” he said
“Me too.Ofcourse we should be in regular touch through net.Please send me a mail daily if you cannot chat.Don’t ever forget me.’ she replied

There was an announcement that boarding for the flight had begun.”I must go.Here is a small gift for you.Open it after you reach home” he said as he picked up his luggage.

She opened her bag and took out a small packet.”Here is a token remembrance.I hope you will like it.Please see while you are in the plane” she said.He held her hands and said “Shriya, thank you so much.I cannot forget you for life.Let us be in touch.”

When there was another announcement asking the passengers to have their security check done and board the flight, he rushed inside looking back at her repeatedly.She lingered for a while till he disappeared behind the pillars.

As she was driving back in her car, she stopped it near the kerb for a moment to open the packet.She found an English novel.A small note fell down..She opened it hurriedly to read
Dear Shriya,
I had not the guts to express my love for you as I am from a poor family and you come from a very affluent background.I was apprehensive you may mistake my professing love to you because you are rich.I was waiting for some clue from you.You had never indicated your feelings for me specifically though the body language and your eyes spoke of your fondness for me.I am confused.
I love you, Shriya with all my heart.Please tear this note in case you do not have similar feelings for me.You will ever be in my heart
Vinay
Happy tears flowed from her eyes and she decided to send him a mail telling how much she loved him but was shy of expressing when he had not mentioned his love for her even obliquely.

Vinay well settled in his seat opened the packet Shriya had given.It was a framed photo of hers with her signature below the words Dearest, with deepest love, Shriya

Oblivious of the surroundings he kissed the photograph several times and jumped with joy exclaiming loudly “Wow, I am lucky.”