The Quill of Reunion Writes Again
Echoes of laughter filled the corridors, memories etched on the walls, emotions and silent promises innumerable trapped within the compounds. One building that stood tall, holding all of it within all through the years – school. Just like everyone else, Avantika, Aryan, Mudita and Shaurya or the infamous ‘Fantastic Four’ had major parts of themselves attached to Daffodils High School. That’s where their friendship began.
Batch of 2010 was known for the bond that the Fantastic Four shared. They were inseparable, almost like magnets. But, like they say, all good things come to an end. When their school life drew to a close, the four friends made a promise to be by each other’s side in the face of whatever life threw at them, for all the years to come. However, little did they know that their friendship would fade away within the gates of Daffodils High, without standing the test of time.
With starkly different choices in life, the four went their own ways. Avantika chose to pursue her passion for art abroad while Aryan immersed himself in social work. Mudita chose to carry on her family business and Shaurya began to navigate the challenges of becoming a travel photographer.
One fine day, the four were going about with their routines when a mail caused them to unexpectedly pause. “Daffodils High Batch of 2010 Reunion” – read the subject line. Avantika jumped in joy, almost dropping her phone. It wasn’t long before emotions took over her and memories flashed right before her years. “It still feels like yesterday,” she thought. Little did she know that her dear friends were experiencing emotions no different from hers.
The reunion was exactly a week away. The four friends cleared all their schedules and made sure that they would make it to the reunion.
Time went by like a breeze and it was soon D-Day!
Mudita was the first to arrive. As she made her way past the school gates, memories came flooding back and she couldn’t hold back her smile. She knew exactly where she wanted to go first – the big banyan tree on the school grounds. That’s where the Fantastic Four had spent most of their time in school. She grew impatient as each minute passed and none of her friends turned up. “What if they choose not to come,” she thought. But, she pushed the thought away and convinced herself that there was no way they wouldn’t make it to this very special occasion.
Well, she was right about that because it wasn’t long before she heard Avantika scream her name. In a second, she was engulfed in a bone-crushing hug.
“I haven’t seen you in ages!” exclaimed Avantika.
“I could say the same,” said Mudita, her eyes gleaming. “How have you been? How’s Ayaan?”
The gleam in Avantika’s eye quickly faded away when she heard her husband’s name. She paused before she gathered herself and answered her friend, “Yes, all good.”
Although it had been a while, Mudita could immediately sense that something was wrong. She made a mental note to ask Avantika about it later. Her chain of thoughts was quickly broken by a wind of familiarity.
“Well, well, well. Who are these two gorgeous ladies?” came a voice from behind them.
“Shaurya!” They both exclaimed in unison.
It was indeed Shaurya, and his charming ways hadn’t changed after all these years. He sported a camera around his neck and his casual attire spoke true to his profession.
He smiled at the two women, before gesturing them to come in for a hug.
The three friends quickly got chattering away as if they had never left from under the big banyan tree.
“Is Aryan not coming?” Avantika asked after a while as she glanced at her watch.
“How could I not come?” answered Aryan as he made his way towards the group.
“Well, you’re late as usual,” said Mudita as she playfully hit him.
The Fantastic Four got into a group huddle after what felt like an eternity.
“I hate to admit it, but I missed this,” said Shaurya.
“I think we should hurry before we miss the programme now!” said Avantika.
They made their way to the auditorium where the reunion was all set to happen. The school felt warmer, as familiar smiles were exchanged, memories shared and moments reminisced. All of the former students took to the stage one after the other to narrate anecdotes and fondly recollect the time they spent at Daffodils High.
Soon, it was time for dinner and everyone made their way to the grounds. While Avantika was going for a third serving of her favourite dessert, she didn’t notice Aryan standing next to her until he remarked, “Some things don’t change.”
“Huh?” she asked, startled.
“You and Gulab Jamun. It’s an eternal love story,” he said smiling.
“You remember?” she asked surprised.
“Of course, Avantu. How could I forget?” he said.
Avantu. No one else ever calls her that. It sent chills down her spine as she looked away from his piercing glance.
“How is Ayaan?” he asked.
“He’s good,” she said in haste, still avoiding his glance.
“Good to know. I’m happy you got what you wanted,” he said with a mocking undertone.
That was enough to trigger Avantika.
“What do you mean by that, Aryan?” she retorted.
“Well, you know, a good marriage and a life with a well-settled man abroad. Just like you always wanted,” he said, stressing on the word ‘always.’
“My career is what took me abroad, Aryan. You of all people should know that,” she said.
“Sure,” Aryan said as he smirked and walked off.
Tears that had been held back for years quickly began to flow out of Avantika’s eyes and she quickly ran away.
Mudita had been noticing this altercation between her friends from a distance and went after Avantika as soon as she saw her go. After searching for her, she found Avantika in their old classroom, crying in a corner.
She went over to her friend and held her as she cried. After Avantika gathered herself, Mudita asked her, “Did Aryan bring up the past?”
“He taunted me for the choices I made, Mudita,” Avantika said shakily.
“He was really hurt when you left. He was a mess,” said Mudita.
“So was I! You think it was easy to leave him behind? I always thought he was the love of my life, my one true love,” Avantika exclaimed.
“Then why did you leave him?” asked Mudita.
“I had to. When I got that career opportunity abroad, I knew I had to take it up. It was a breakthrough for me. And all I expected was for him to be excited for me. Instead, he was more worried about how our relationship would work if I moved,” Avantika’s voice cracked as she replied.
“Did you both never get the chance to talk it out and come to an understanding?” asked Mudita.
“It was too late. He was travelling for a project and I had to leave in a week. Every time we tried to communicate; it would end up in an argument. It got tiring after a point,” Avantika replied in between her tears.
“I am so sorry I couldn’t be there for you, Avantika. I always thought you and Aryan would end up together, eventually. Even when I did get to know you’d parted ways, I assumed it was temporary. That’s why your marriage to Ayaan came as a shock to me,” said Mudita.
“Ayaan…” Avantika said, her voice trailing off.
“What about Ayaan?” questioned Mudita.
“We’re getting a divorce. The marriage was simply to satisfy our respective families. It couldn’t withhold,” sobbed Avantika.
“Oh Avantika, you poor thing,” Mudita said as she tightly held onto her friend.
Meanwhile, Aryan had strolled off outside the school gates to gather his thoughts. He was soon joined by Shaurya who began to crack lame jokes to lift his mood, just like the old times.
“I feel like I messed up the whole point of this reunion,” Aryan soon confessed.
“No, you didn’t,” said Shaurya reassuringly. “With you and Avantika under the same roof, this was bound to happen. You can’t keep your feelings chained forever.”
“Things have changed, Shaurya. We’re not in school, anymore. It all started getting complicated after school. We’ve made very different choices in life and there is no looking back now,” Aryan replied.
“I do agree that you can’t undo things. But for the sake of the love that you two once shared, can you not begin again? Can you not go back to where it all began – to being friends?” questioned Shaurya.
Shaurya’s words sank in and hit Aryan like a truck. Friendship was always the core of his relationship with Avantika. He now understood why he was so bitter. When their relationship ended, he’d also lost his best friend. He’s lost the one person who’d been an integral part of his childhood and eventually his early adulthood. And he also realised that it was not too late to mend the friendship. He thanked Shaurya for knocking some sense into him and made his way to Avantika. He knew exactly where she would be.
When he entered the terrace, he smiled seeing her there.
“Ah, the number of times we’ve sneaked up here,” he said.
Avantika took a second to register his presence.
“Good old days,” she responded.
“Do you still believe in miracles, Avantu?” Aryan asked as he made his way to stand by her side.
“Miracles?” Avantika laughed wryly. “No, I don’t even believe in anything close to miracles.”
“I can’t believe you’re saying this. You’re the one who made me believe in miracles,” said Aryan.
“Since when did you start believing? You were quite the realist,” mocked Avantika.
“Since the moment I saw you today,” Aryan said as he looked straight into her eyes.
Avantika was immediately rendered speechless.
“You have something that belongs to me and I’d like to have it back now,” said Aryan.
“What?” asked Avantika surprised.
“My best friend. I know she’s somewhere in there, I just need her back. And this time, I won’t let her go” said Aryan.
Tears welled up in both their eyes and moments passed as they shared a comforting silence.
In the meantime, Shaurya and Mudita were sitting under the banyan tree, anxiously hoping for their friends to mend things. It wasn’t long before Aryan and Avantika made their way to them, exchanging knowing smiles.
“Ah! Now it feels like a Fantastic Four reunion!” exclaimed Mudita as she jumped in joy.
“It truly does,” said Avantika, before the four tightly hugged one another.
“Should we steal those special toffee bars from the canteen to celebrate? For old time’s sake?” suggested Shaurya.
“NO!” exclaimed his friends in unison before breaking into a laughter riot.
The echoes of laughter soon faded, as the batch of 2010 made their way back to their lives after a night that they would never forget. This time, a fresh set of promises were made, to stay in touch and keep the rekindled friendships growing. The reunion served as an ode to numerous bonds, etching the school’s walls with new memories and moments that would remain for all the time to come.