Peek-a-boo!

“You have seasoned me!” Growled Balaji. “What’s seasoning?” Mythri cried. He explained to her. “Just like seasoning of a bat you have seasoned me. A bat is seasoned for increasing its efficiency and it’s the care taken by player when he buys a bat from manufacturers that the bat doesn't break. For seasoning the cricket bat, “a player will put a cricket ball in socks or cover it with a cloth and knot with a rope from ceiling. Then they keep beating the ball with newly bought bat so that the bat gets loosen and get used to a batsman and when he goes to a match, the bat is well seasoned and ready to blast the match.”  Mythri could only listen. She knew she was at fault. Whatever Balaji was showing to her was the frustration but she wondered how he could not understand her at this point of time even after 7 years. Her thoughts went deeper.

It was their first training in MBA where an external trainer had come and was delivering a lecture. Balaji was sitting near her with hands tied so strong that it showed as if he cared so much that it didn't touch her. She thought- “Boss! This is a bit too much… He is doing too much”. She felt that’s his mask and he wanted to prove the new class that he is an ideal gentleman. However, the training and experiences in the training had earned a respect about his humour style in the whole class. Mythri was not an exception.

Time went by. It was a selfish move that started the friendship between Mythri and Balaji but then it grew so strong that everyone in her class looked up with respect. He was always there for her and she had also been always with him. His mom felt a bit cautious about the relationship. She asked him about the relationship but he denied a relationship more than a friendship with her. The same was the story at her house too. Time rolled by.

Mythri got into a relationship and it was too late when she found out that her boyfriend hated Balaji to the core as he used to be with her most of the time. She tried to make him understand but in vain. On contrary, he felt that she is supporting Balaji rather than him. Their relationship somehow grew worse. One day, her boyfriend, Prem called Balaji and told not to disturb her often. Balaji was bowled completely. His world was full of her. He called her and cried. Mythri could not control her emotions too. However, she had to be matured. She backed up Prem and asked Balaji not to call her. Her intention was that he should not get hurt more by Prem. She firmly believed that Prem doesn’t have the right to hurt him.

For Balaji, the life was over. Everything was past him. He couldn’t accept that Mythri was so rude to him. He wandered in pain. To discard the pain, he got into a relationship. He wanted to prove Mythri that he can live without her. He understood that he was totally dependent on her. However, he didn’t want to give that dependency a name. But, it was all over. In meantime, things grew worse between Prem and Mythri. Prem always doubted her that she gives more space to her friends more than him

. 

Mythri called Balaji and admitted why she had to do that with him. She however, continued to be rude with him. Priorities for Balaji begin to change. Mythri also had her life and it was a roller coaster ride for her. She had to handle a lot but she called Balaji whenever she could take a break. She didn’t want to hide anything from Prem who was her husband now and always ended up in telling the truth about her calls to him. A day, it happened that Prem bruised her in Balaji’s name. For Balaji, it was too much to handle. He accustomed to her rudeness and became “Matured” as per her wish. His focus changed from his friend to his family and he married Nihara who could handle him so wisely. Ofcourse, he was the HERO!!!! It was a sigh for him as he was continuously dominated by Mythri and this time it was his chance to dominate.

Years rolled by. Mythri had completely stopped talking to Balaji except her calls once in a blue moon to him. Prem could not withstand however and was in a silent yet neutral mood about his relationship with her.

It was a friendship day and she had come to Marina Beach with her friends. She could understand that she has lot of friends yet she feel too lonely. Mythri felt the vacuum in her life. Balaji had his focus and had flewn to US. She dialled his number. He called her back the same time as if he was waiting for her call.

It was when she told him that She miss him, the old him……

She carefully told him, “Balaji, I miss you. I know this is how you wanted you to be. That’s why I was so rude to you. But when you became matured, I lost my buddy in you. Its not your fault neither mine. I don’t know what to say. But SORRY for trying to change you…….” She hanged up even before Balaji could tell something.

It was a pleasant evening and cool breeze flowing in. Mythri lost in her own thoughts when tears rolled out from her eyes towards the cheek. It was not like all over but yet the charm has gone!!!