It was a sudden encounter with her school friend Bidisha, when Aditi was passing the newly set up Coffee shop;
" Hii... Aditi...!!! "- with that same cranky voice Bidisha shouted at Aditi.
" Bidisha... My God, it's you!!! "- Aditi embraced Bidisha exhilaratedly.
Aditi and Bidisha had been the best friends in their school days. They used to sit on the same bench, used to enjoy their tiffins and used to relish upon prohibited stories. Remarkably good in studies both of them had secured great grades.
But then, it all had turned unexpected. They had left school and attended different colleges and no communication since then had remained between them.
" It is 27 years, Bidisha we last saw each-other!! "- said Aditi.
" It is... 27 years!"- said Bidisha.
" Come, let's have coffee! This is a new Coffee shop."- Aditi offered the proposal.
" Nope... you must come with me to my office and we will have our coffee there!"- Bidisha invited Aditi.
They rode to Bidisha's office.
" You have a nice car! "- Aditi exclaimed.
" Thanks, dear!
" So.. you are a corporate lady then! - Aditi complimented.
" Ya, of course! My own Media Venture.
We record songs, we offer new entrats opportunity. "- said Bidisha.
" That's great, Bidisha!! "-exclaimed Aditi.
" Have you heard Sumantra? "-asked Bidisha.
"Of course, Sumantra Basu! What an excellent singer he is!!"- exclaimed Aditi.
" Our discovery!"- Bidisha said conceitedly.
" So... Aditi... what you do? "-asked Bidisha.
" Teacher. School Teacher."- replied Aditi.
" I see!"- Bidisha used duo-syllables.
Do you remember Paromita... of Section C? "-asked Bidisha.
" Of course, I remember! I haven't forgotten anyone! Just that we all have lost touch!"-replied Aditi.
" Last Winter we had a tour of the Netherlands, and we met her there! She lives there with her husband. Her husband is a CEO there... of a multi-national company. Highly successful! And look at Paromita, how she managed to find a successful husband for herself! -Bidisha said it almost in single breath.
Aditi smiled.
"And you remember Trisha... Trisha Banerjee of Section D? She is in Canada now... Software engineer!-again informed Bidisha.
" But I once heard she was working there in some courier agency."- Aditi countered Bidisha.
"O that's a rub! Wherefrom you get such rubbish information! That's middle-class mentality. Every unsuccessful person spreads that sort of rumour! - Bidisha said in a dry sour tone.
" So... you are married, of course! What does he do?" -enquired Bidisha in a fashion as if she would certify Auditi's qualification.
"He writes, books, mags and all"- Aditi replied proudly.
" I see! "- again Bidisha used duo-syllables and in a more grotesque way.
By then they reached the office. A two-storied building with a genitor who saluted Budisha and hurriedly, almost in robotic way pushed the glassdoor for them.
Aditi observed all the young employees, not many in number neither less, stood up and greeted Bidisha a 'good morning'. Aditi felt it was more lively for her when her students would greet her 'good morning'.
They came in front of a cabin where Aditi observed the golden nameplate attached on its wall showing
Bidisha Sen
Again a gate-keeper saluted her and and opened the glass door. They entered and Aditi was amazed to see the hugeness of the cabin. She saw a set of old microphone and recording machine, on the corner of the cabin. Exhibited as Memento.
"Sit, Aditi. "- Bidisha offered.
" So, today class off? "- asked Bidisha.
" Actually, it is summer vacation. One month off."- replied Aditi.
By then, on Bidisha's telephonic order a boy had placed two cups of frothy hot coffee for them on the neatly preserved blackglass table top.
"Have coffee, Aditi."- Bidisha offered.
By then she had begun feeling a sort of discomfort deep within her belly. Something that couldn't be easily explained; but it was there.
" I see. Lucky chap. Here we are with no leisure but only works and achievements! It's a hard world buddy. You have to achieve here. You have to be on top! "- said Bidisha with a show of conceit.
" I see."- Now Aditi used the Duo-syllables.
" You had a nice voice... so far I remember! Why don't you try your luck? I can arrange an audition. Tomorrow, at 11 am. You are not busy. What say? -Bidisha offered her a proposal.
Aditi watched her best friend. Aditi watched her stubborn visage that had lost the old innocence.
"Loss of Innocence!"- Aditi whispered.
" What?"- frowned Bidisha.
"Nothing. Just the " Loss of Innocence!"- Aditi said with a soft resigning smile.
" World is not your school, dear! Come now, tomorrow you are coming for an audition. At 11, sharp!"- Bidisha commanded her.
" I won't do things like that, Bidisha. We two have two completely different worlds now. And... "The twain shall never meet." "- said Bidisha politely but in the sternest way that could exemplify her inner strength and a sense of universal command that could portray her self-discipline and self-sctuslisation.
Aditi smiled again and left the small stuffy cabin... forever!
