Shradda’s Moonlight

 

At 11:59 in the midnight Shradda reached central railway station of Dharwar. She came out of the station to get something to reach out her room. She was surrounded by dogs. They were looking her luggage’s and biting like a welcome. Dharwar is not a metro city like where she worked earlier. Now, in Dharwar a big corporate company started their pilot office as a part of expansion in Asia-pacific region. She waited for around half hour, then she got one auto. It was a she taxi. Shradda took the auto and reached room. She kept her luggage’s aside and opened the window. Full moon was visible in the grid line of window. Shradda took a light bath and gone for sleep. Next day morning Shradda went to office. It was a small cabin compare to her previous office. She introduced herself to the people and all given a warm welcome to her. She started her work in some couple of minutes.

 

                       A week passed and she didn’t make any friends here. Previous work made her a numb and her life is in a loop now. Weekends she will sleep as much as possible. This weekend is long one, as some extra Holidays were add-on to weekdays. Shradda didn’t felt to go home, again a big journey to and fro. She slept the whole morning and waked up in the midnight. She washed her face and opened window. Today, moon is a half one. She felt hungry and ordered something in Zomato. Zomato guy came and delivered her order. She smiled and said a Thanks to him. He also smiled and went. Shradda felt his face was not seems suitable for this job in this moonlight. Shradda was becoming lazy day by day. Most of the weekends she was ordering from Zomato only. Every time the same guy only delivering her order. Their bond became stronger day by day. Today was a cloudy day and there is no moon in sky. Shradda talked first time to the delivery guy. Azad, today his face seems to be suitable for his job.

                      A month passed and today is Shradda’s birthday and fallen in a weekend. No party, no friends. She just went to a temple in Dharwar and simply sitting in room. She went for sleep and waked up in the night. She opened window. Today is a full moon day. A bike came near her room. Bike looks familiar, but guy is not same. A well dress up guy came to her door step. Shradda checked through key hole. She saw that face in moonlight. Yes, it’s the same guy, Azad. She opened door and invited Azad inside. Azad came up with some food. Shradda didn’t ordered anything, that surprise was there in her face. Azad prepared food for her on birthday. They had the food and started chit-chat in terrace. Azad was IT postgraduate, which worked in a company and due to toxic work environment left the job. In Dharwar, he can’t live without doing anything. So, he is doing job and searching for other corporate job. Eventually their friendship became stronger.

 

It’s became two weeks Shradda went to her home. Azad is waiting in Dharwar railway station. Shradda’s train came and Azad took her luggage and he dropped her to room. Shradda told “We will meet tomorrow in office”. Yes, Azad joined in same company. Now, Shradda have one friend in office. Her life changed a lot. Bit relaxed in tea breaks, weekends. Next week is a long weekend. Azad and Shradda planned to go somewhere. They went to a beach which is some far. They reached by evening and it was sunset. They were walking through the sand by watching sunset and waves. Casually Shradda asked, “You didn’t give my birthday gift that day. Yes, food was there. But I really wanted a gift”. Azad smiled and nodded. They have roamed there until the moon comes. On the way to Dharwar he stopped bike to take some rest. It was a lake side. Opposite of the lake there was some function ongoing. Full of lights and moon was very beautiful in sky. Shradda was sitting in a bench and enjoying the view. Azad came near to her and kneeled before her. He took her leg to his knee and tied a black angle chain and smiled on her. Azad looked on her eyes and told “This I bought on your birthday. But I felt I was not eligible to give you this gift on that day. But today I’m living a confident life. That is because you. Will you continue as same in my life?”. Shradda was shocked and at same time surprised. She didn’t got any words that time. She told, “I want some time”.

 

Several office days passed. Every tea break, Azad was expecting some response from Shradda. Shradda waked up early in a weekend due to her Mother’s phone call. She asked her to come home as soon as possible. Azad dropped Shradda in railway station. Train came and she said a bye to him. Azad was watching the train until the last. But Shradda never appeared. Train disappeared in the darkness. There was no moon in sky. Shradda got one proposal from U.S. The guy settled in U.S and they liked her very much. Shradda’s mother were forcing her. Shradda was numb like before how her life was. She neither responded to Azad nor to her mother. Shradda’s room window was closed for several nights. Moon was hidden in the curtain. Azad was waiting for her. No messages, no calls. Azad got this news one day. Shradda got proposal from U.S, that’s it. A month passed, Shradda never returned. Rainy season started in Dharwar. Most of the nights were cloudy, moon was not visible.

 

 After 2 years in U.S, the winter is over and they have seen the moon in sky after a long time. A little girl walking through the streets. Her little fingers were hold by her mother. It was Shradda’s daughter. They both were walking and waiting under a tree. Shradda told her “We will wait here baby, until daddy comes”. Girl nodded as Yes. Behind the tree someone watching them. Shradda seen someone was watching them. But face is not clear. We can see his face clearly under moonlight. It’s Azad. He came suddenly in front of Shradda. She became scared and saw Azad’s face. Azad covered her mouth, he don’t want any sudden noises from her. Girl was laughing and she came and grabbed Azad, “Daddy, you were always doing this to mother”. Azad took her up and said “I don’t want your mother to say Yes to any U.S settled guys that’s why”. Shradda hitted him on his shoulder and hugged him. They were started walking to their home. Shradda was holding Azad’s hand and leaned her head on his shoulder while walking. That vision was never disappeared but we can see the full moon in sky.