She walked in slowly, and in a few months, everything changed. Josh lost its Josh (Meaning enthusiasm). Shashank started getting irritated for the smallest things and did not want to spend much time with Juanita. Surprising still, post-dinner, he started going out of campus. So, that little time which they used to spend together was slowly reducing. If Juanita would ask Shashank to drop her at the library, Shashank would refuse. “Can’t you even walk this distance?” All these were strange for Juanita. In the seven years that she knew him, never had he spoken to her or avoided her like that. In fact, they had decided to talk to their parents about each other to get consent from them to spend their lives together. At this juncture, why was Shashank behaving so strangely? Mutual friends warned Juanita about the possibility of a third person between them, and much against her wishes, Juanita confronted Shashank one night. “Don’t believe what others say. If there is anything, won’t I tell you? Don’t you trust me?” When Shashank said these words, Juanita chided herself for believing in naysayers.
One morning, Shashank called Juanita, and his voice was hurried. ” I’m headed to Shimla with Sonu (Shashank’s friend). I will be back in 4 days. Will call you back once I return.” Before Juanita could respond, Shashank disconnected the call. She was shocked. It was so unlike Shashank to take trips with friends, she wondered. And even if he did, she was informed in advance. When was this trip planned? And why was it under wraps until the last minute? Juanita’s head reeled, but she did not want to entertain negative thoughts. And yet, her mind was restless. The conflict between the heart and the mind is the toughest to handle, isn’t it? And so, unable to bear it any longer, Juanita went to the nearest phone booth (remember, these are pre-tech days…so no mobile phones) and called Sonu, hoping he would not answer so that her fears could be laid to rest. After about 4 rings, her heart stopped for a minute. “Hello, Juanita. How come you are calling so late in the night?” Juanita’s voice trembled as she framed the next question, “Did I disturb you? Are you in the train?” Sonu laughed at the other end. “Train? Is this a joke, Juanita? Why should I be in a train? I’m very much at home. Tell me, is there anything you need? Is Shashank not in town? ” Tears rolled down Juanita’s cheeks, and now she could not utter a word. She simply disconnected the call, walked back to her room and stayed inside, dazed! She could not imagine why Shashank was doing this to her! She tried to go back in time to understand what could have possibly gone wrong, but she could not pinpoint any such moment. They were always happy. How did this twist come about suddenly? And who was this girl? How did she go unnoticed? Or was she a known person? Juanita felt she would go mad!
Shashank came back after 4 days, and Juanita could wait no longer. She simply had to get this out of her system. But every time, she tried to meet him, he made some excuse. What was going on? Meanwhile, her friends could make out that all was not well in the ‘Josh’ land. So they asked her what the matter was. Juanita didn’t want to talk about this, and so she simply brushed it off. After a few days was a Rock Climbing trip. Her friends persuaded her to come along so that she gets some diversion. Juanita agreed and signed up for it. Little did she know that Shashank had signed up for it too. Meanwhile, Shashank stayed off campus most of the time and pretended to be busy. So, there was no way she could tell him of her plans for the upcoming trip.
On the day of the trip, Suraj, a very close friend, volunteered to take Juanita to the campsite. Juanita wanted to go with the team, though. But he convinced her somehow, “Areh, come. I’m going alone in my bike. Don’t I need some company along the way? Don’t say no, please! I will drive carefully and take you safely. You will thank me for this trip.” Juanita laughed, the first time in the last 2 weeks. “What would we do without friends,” She thought and thanked God silently for sending these wonderful people in her life. Unknowingly, they were doing a great favour to her. The groups left in the morning, while Suraj and Juanita left a little late. By the time they reached the campsite, it was about lunchtime.
When Juanita got off the bike, she was stunned to see Shashank in the group. Tears were forming in her eyes. “Has it now come to this?” she thought to herself. But what she saw next would simply numb her to silence. Could she believe her eyes? Was this true?
Image courtesy: Dingzeyu Li, Unsplash
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