Love versus Infatuation

Why love affairs at school do not succeed most of the times? Well, I don't have an answer. May be it’s not actually love, may be its mere infatuation. I had a couple of love affairs which started and ended by the time I finished my schooling. However, there is one incident that I would like to share. Before that I would like to say a few things about Indian culture. Love affair is almost a crime in India. Love marriages are not accepted in most of the Indian families. Majority of the time they will not get any support from the parents or other family members. This is the real picture of love marriages in most part of the Indian subcontinent.

I will come back to the incident that I wanted to share with you. Shankar is the guy's name and Sonica is the girl's name. They both are much junior to me in school days. Shankar is the first to express his love to Sonica. At first she did not accept his love but later on, after many requests she finally accepted the proposal. Theirs was one of the most talked love affairs in School those days. School love is a sweet feeling which happens with most of the teens. It is sweet because it does not care about future, security, finance etc. You will just fall in love and enjoy the moment. Shankar and Sonica too had the same feelings.

Their first hindrance to love came in the form of College. They both got admission in different colleges in different cities. Distance should never be the hindrance for loving someone but it did. Shankar met her only once in every month due to time and travel constraints. Sonica became friends with some hifi girls and her activities soon changed. She started avoiding Shankar's calls and meetings. Our guy became desperate and was curious to know the reason for her change of attitude.

One fine day, without any prior information he went to meet her travelling almost 500 kms. However she was not in the class while he went there.  He waited for few hours but never lost patience. Finally when she arrived there wasn't any enthusiasm in her. She said, "What a surprise? When did you come?” He answered, "I came in the morning, why are you not answering me these days? Did I make a mistake? You have completely changed". She continued, "I am sorry, but there are some things I have to discuss with you". Shankar was wondering what's in her mind. However she was cool and continued, "I don't think it will work between us, I know it’s hard but we have lot to achieve."

"Why? I have always been good to you, I love you so much", he almost begged. "Please don't do this to me".

"No, Shankar! I have made my mind."  She added, "Please don't ever call or meet me, this is for our own good." She seem to have decided already and said, "It's not only about me, it’s about you as well, you should study well and get a good job and if its god's will, we will meet up again." Shankar was shattered and shocked looking at her attitude. Before she was leaving, he said, "I will wait for you even if it takes the rest of my life."

Years rolled on, Shankar became an Engineer and got well placed in one of the best companies in the city. He was true to his promise and never let anyone in his life. Sonica also became an Engineer and got placed in a good company in the city. She seems to be a person who accepts changes and luxuries in life. The last time he heard about Sonica was that she's engaged with a rich businessman in the city. He was shattered to hear the news and wanted to talk with her just once. However when he called, she made it clear that it was over between them.

Shankar initially had difficulty in accepting the hard reality but moved on. He had the opportunity to work abroad for a couple of years and so he left his native. When he returned back after the foreign assignment, his parents pressured him to marry. But Shankar was still undecided and convinced his parents that he needed some time to decide.

Things quickly changed with a weekend get-together of his friends in a nearby mall. He met Sonica in a coffee shop who has come along with another girl. He was desperate to talk to her, but was hesitant because of his last conversation before her marriage. A few minutes later, he heard a voice, "Shankar, how are you?". It was Sonica and Shankar was so happy to talk to her. However the happy moment did not last long when she said the she got divorced. She was surprised too when she heard that he was a bachelor still. Both left with heavy hearts but promised to meet again.

Shankar was loyal to his love and kept his promise. I felt Sonica just had infatuation on Shankar during School days but at last understood the meaning of true love. They say true love never dies, so I will stop here with their story.