You are the One!

Isha Mukherjee has always been independent ever since she moved to the city to pursue her dreams of becoming a journalist. The struggles of everyday life kept her so occupied that she hardly felt the need for someone else's presence. She had a few friends, but they were mostly busy with their own careers and relationships. She often felt lonely, but she didn’t want to admit it.

How could she? After all, she was here to prove her worth, and that meant complete focus and rigorous hard work. She had worked hard to get where she was, and she wasn’t going to let anyone or anything distract her from her goals. She was proud of her achievements, but she also felt a lot of pressure to succeed.

But what about happiness? Was she happy? She asked herself one evening while enjoying her only source of stress relief, her evening expresso. She didn’t have a clear answer to that question. She had moments of happiness, but they were fleeting and rare. She had more moments of anxiety, frustration, and exhaustion. She wondered if there was more to life than this.

She did get her answer, though.

She got her answer in the most unexpected way possible.

It was a rainy day, and she was running late for an important meeting. She grabbed her umbrella and rushed out of the cafe, without noticing the man who was sitting next to her.

However, she felt a sense of familiarity. Wasn't that Subha Bhattacharya? Her childhood best friend and her partner in crime?

She didn’t have time to think about it. She ran across the street, dodging the cars and the puddles. She reached the other side, but she slipped and fell on the wet pavement. She felt a sharp pain in her ankle and a splash of cold water on her face.

"Oh bhogoban! Why do I have to be so clumsy?"-she cursed her luck. And then she heard a familiar voice, "there is a reason I used to call you Dhepsi."

She recognized the voice instantly. It was indeed Subha, her "Bandor." He had followed her across the street and was standing over her with a concerned expression. He extended his hand to help her up.

She shook her head and uttered with a mild smirk, "so my senses are still intact. It 'is' you! Well, the ape has finally turned into a man." She took in his comforting presence and held his hand tightly to get up.

"Man! he is strong!-she thought.

He chuckled and pulled her into a hug. “It’s good to see you too, Dhepsi. You haven’t changed a bit. Still as clumsy and sassy as ever.” He looked at her with admiration and affection. He couldn’t believe his luck. He had been looking for her for years, and now he had found her.

She hugged him back, feeling as happy as ever, and then suddenly pushed him hard. "What the hell! That hurts, Dhepsi." Subha cried out. "Oh really?" quipped Isha. "Where were you all these years, and now going all Dhepsi on me?"

He rubbed his chest and gave her a sheepish smile. “I’m sorry, Babu. I know I owe you an explanation. It’s a long story, but I’ll tell you everything. I’ve missed you so much. You have no idea how happy I am to see you again.” He reached for her hand and held it gently.

She looked into his eyes and felt his sincerity. "Okay, you are forgiven. But now just give me your number, as I need to reach office as soon as possible."

He smiled and took out his phone. He quickly typed in his number and handed it to her. “Here you go. Call me anytime, okay? I don’t want to lose you again.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek softly.

She was flabbergasted by that kiss and could not stop blushing. Nevertheless, she rolled her eyes and took the phone to save his number. "I will meet you in the evening, and you better be on time as I have loads of stuffs to share with you."

He laughed and hugged her again. "Of course! He remarked cheekily. "Who can forget how punctual Isha Mukherjee is. Besides, I really missed my partner in crime all these years. No way, I can afford to be late and lose you again," said Subha with a grave expression.

And that was it! Isha felt the connection. She knew he was the one. In fact, it has always been him. The person with whom she felt the most comfortable sharing her deepest insecurities and fears. The person who made her feel what happiness is. The person who made her feel secure even when she felt she was on the verge of breaking.

Isha looked at him with realisation and utter sincerity. She went up on her toes to return his kiss with a solemn promise, "Don't worry, you will never lose me again." Subha gave the brightest smile and hugged her tightly, finally finding the solace and peace he had been searching for all these years.

Author's Note

Striving for success and working hard to achieve your goal is okay. In fact, having a stable foundation in life is extremely important. But one must understand that stability does not imply happiness. I know happiness is a fleeting emotion, but so is grief. We are humans, and we have been endowed with the ability to feel. But the exciting part is that we also have a mind that allows us to comprehend our feelings and regulate them in whatever direction we want. Why not utilise this ability more wisely and always try to drive our emotions towards a positive direction? Sounds too optimistic and utopian?

Well, here is a tip! Just call your old friends when you feel too hopeless. Not all of them will pick up your call. However, one will definitely receive it. Talk to them, and you will discover that you are not the only one in distress.