It had been exactly a year since his internship in Singapore. And exactly a year since the two had spoken to each other. He had met her at a friend’s house who was studying at the National University. She too was studying Economics, a year junior to him. She was charming, a fantastic conversationalist. They struck an instant rapport. She took two days off to show him the city. She had a boyfriend in Mumbai, who was training to be a marine engineer.

“How important is physicality to you in a relationship,” she asked him over a beer in a crowded Clarke Quay bar on a Friday night. It was well past midnight and he was more than his fair share of drinks down. “Very,” he replied.

Even though they chatted on the phone every now and then, they met just once after that night. It was his last Sunday in Singapore and it was time for another question. “Do you think platonic relationships exist?”

“I hope so,” he said.

He was to fly back to Delhi in three days. That evening, back at the guest house he googled ‘platonic relationships’ and  mailed her his observations. In hindsight, the most convoluted piece he had ever written.

She didn’t respond; didn’t take his calls.He was desperate to speak to her. Finally, someone answered  – a male voice, abusing him, admonishing him for writing “such mails”; even accusing him of trying to sleep with “his girl”. He wasn’t able to get even a word in. He felt miserable.

On the flight, he tried listening to music, watch a film. But ended up doing nothing else but thinking about her. By the time he landed in Delhi, he knew he couldn’t forget her and so he decided not to forgive as well.

A year later the Singapore internship paid off; he was hired. As he sat there, filling in his joining forms, the mobile rang. It was her, apologising and congratulating me him the job in almost the same breath. He managed a thank you. He didn’t call back, but decided to write instead.
——————–

Mail One

Hi,
It was nice to get a call from you yesterday. I must admit though that I was taken aback by it after all these months. But it’s probably best not to go over it again. Best to forget and carry on.

A lot of water has flown since I came back from Singapore and recounting it would take a good part of the day. Maybe, sometime if we do get a chance to sit and chat after one of those walks, which I cherish even now, we could talk about them.

How have you been doing and what are you up to apart from college?

More later.

Ciao
Me
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Response to Mail One

Hi,
It was nice to get a call from you yesterday. I must admit though that I was taken aback by it after all these months. But it’s probably best not to go over it again. Best to forget and carry on. (WISH I WAS SO OPTIMISTIC AND UPBEAT)

A lot of water has flown since I came back from Singapore and recounting it would take a good part of the day (I AGREE WITH YOU). Maybe, sometime if we do get a chance to sit and chat after one of those walks, which I cherish even now, we could talk about them. (LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT CHAT)

EVEN I GOT A LOT TO SAY

How’ve you been doing and what are you up to apart from college?

More later.

Ciao
Me

THANX
BUT THANX TO THE BITCH I WAS IN SUMMER I WASN’T EXPECTING SUCH A QUICK RESPONSE FROM YOU
IT FEELS REALLY GOOD

BUT I DO WANT TO KNOW WHAT EXACTLY U FELT WITH THAT TEL CONVERSATION
I’M REALLY SORRY

I’LL WRITE MORE ONCE I’M DONE WITH MY PRELIMS IN TWO DAYS
ONCE AGAIN FEELS REALLY NICE TO HEAR FROM YOU

—————-
Over the next couple of days they exchanged 26 mails with the subject line Hi!