Too Good To Be True

She was from a modest family background. A literate, but semi-educated mother. Father with a limited income job. But she rose. Against all odds. Working diligently throughout her academic years. The hard work paid off and she managed to secure a place in one of the top institutions of the country. When the result came, she looked at her parents. Their faces were glowing with pride. She felt relieved.

The initial few months at the new institution were challenging. Almost of a cultural shock for her. But again she survived. There were few, but true friends. And they stayed with her. Like most of her batch-mates, she also earned a well paying job. The dream was realized. Milestone achieved.

Work environment was more conducive than expected. The small town girl was now quite comfortable with the ways of big cities. Work took her to newer places. Hard work took her to newer heights. Things earlier never dreamt of were now realities of life. Yet something was amiss.

She was successful, yet lonely. There were great joys, but no one to share them with. Her parents, siblings, friends, everyone was still there with her. Even all of them together couldn’t fill that void. It stayed. Her relations and emotions were intact. Foot firmly on ground, and hands touching the sky. Everything was perfect, yet incomplete.

 

 

He was born with a silver spoon. He was the apple of all eyes. His parents could afford all the luxuries of life. Yet they taught him all the necessary values. Life was comfortable. Good education, and consequently a decent job, were all assumed to be part of the deal. And life delivered. All expectations were met. It was not just luck playing in his favor, his hard work had a major role to play.

And then the beautiful dream also came true. The love that all of us ever dream of took shape of those beautiful eyes, and stood in front of him. Love blossomed. Wedding bells rang. And life was more than perfect. His parents were happy. All they had hoped for their son had come true. He was satisfied.

Life had something more in store. The dove-eyes soon turned misty. The true love now seemed a figment of imagination. Those looking forward to spend a lifetime together, couldn’t stand each other for even a few hours. And parting ways was the only solution left.

He was shattered. He had everything, and then lost everything. He didn’t know who to blame. Was it just destiny? Was it all his fault? No one knows. He had no choice but to live this life, which was not his choice. And he lived. With the scars of the past clearly visible on his face.

 

 

That night they met. Life happened, and it ensured that their paths crossed. No, it was not like Cinderella meeting Prince Charming for the first time. It was just the way it happens when two strangers meet.  They met and they spoke. Just like strangers do.

They were different. They didn’t know each other. They didn’t quite understand each other. But none of it mattered. They were two different individuals, away from each other, yet together, with pain in their heart and smile on their face.

They were talking. The wall clock was ticking. Night was darkening. And radio jockey played…..Frank Sinatra’s “Strangers in the Night”