The last ship

It is a story of how I missed the essence in my life. The lease of life.


The plan was made. I was to go to see him off and hand over my new postal address. Yes, this is a story when telephones were rare and emails were yet to trickle down to be used by the common people.
My friends had arranged for a bicycle to get out of my village and then the train to the dock. He was borne abroad and we did not know when would he return. So I had to meet him...probably for the last time.
I had made a red box and had put a silk tie in it. Red tie- his favorite. I wrote a letter which would be with him till the time we meet again. I was anxiously standing by the window. Waiting for my father to come home.
"I wish to go to the dock to see off a friend. I plan to leave in an hour.", I said, as my father sank in his rocking chair. "NO!... You Are Not Supposed To Go out On a Day like this. Even if Anybody is out Their dying!" ... "But papa....".... "No! I Said No!"
I felt deep pain in my heart.
I mustered some courage and said,"Papa, I love him. He won't be coming back. I just wish to see him for the last time." 
"Who? Ali?", he snarled.
"ye..yea...yes!"
"Then you are definitely staying indoors! I long suspected this. How can you even think of a chap not belonging to our religion? He's an outcast! A shame for you. Look at you. You are a beautiful maiden from a respectable house. I will find you a suitable beau. But Ali! huh!"
My eyes became moist. I could feel the warm tears ready to fall. My rage was beyond control... "But I am going. Do whatever you wish!"
I screamed and picking up my satin purse, I ran out of the house. 
I could hear my father yelling in the background,"Go. Get her!!!"
I ran as fast as I could. I reached the peeple tree where the bicycle was supposed to be arranged. But i saw nothing. And to my horror, I could feel numerous footsteps following me... my father's men!
I hid in the post office. There was no way to contact anybody speedily.
*
Ali was ready with his luggage at the port. He was looking for a lady in saree. His ship entered the dock. The Captain signaled the crew to board. But Ali stayed on port. He stayed glued to the place they had decided...waiting to see a lady in saree come hurriedly towards him.
The ship whistled. Ali still stayed where he was. His crew mates climbed down and started pulling him to the ship. But he did not move.
"Let her come. She promised me.", he repeated.
*
I finally started walking hurriedly seeing the men disappear. I ran all along the muddy road, gauging where the railway station would be. I asked few people on my way. But no one knew. Finally, as the sun started setting, I saw a wooden platform and the station master; as if waiting for me.
On asking about the train, I learnt that I had already missed the train to the port.And the next train was after an hour. But I had no choice. I decided to wait.
I looked at myself. I was dust all over me. My pink saree seemed as if it was not washed for decades. I was weary and tired... counting minutes pass by.
*
Ali saw the sun sink beyond the horizon. He was still waiting. He had let his ship go. He had a plan. To join his crew at the next stop- Cochin. He still struggled to find a face in the crowd for whom he was waiting so long...
*
After an hour exactly, the train entered the station. I was overjoyed. The last hour had been the longest hour of my life...
I boarded the train.
And the 45 minute long journey to the port began...
* 
It was 8pm now. Ali had lost all his hopes by then. No message, no intimation... and worst still, no 'she'. He started walking from the port to the railway station. He had to catch the last train to Cochin. 
With heavy steps, and often looking back at the deserted port, he walked. The fishermen were returning home with their nets and catch... The sun had sent in the dusk and now the night started taking over. Ali sobbed. The tears ultimately would reach the huge sea lying still... making the tears amount to nothing.


*
I was counting 45 minutes... The train was halting unnecessarily, I felt. When it became real dark, I reached the station near the port. Wondering, would Ali be still waiting?
I managed to hold the red box in my hand and my purse together; and jumped out of the train. I was frantically hunting for the 'exit' door... Too many porters and people were making their way out of the station. I squeezed myself and finally came out of the station! Ah! 
Finally I would meet Ali!
*
Dragging himself, Ali reached the station. Finally. The weight of his luggage was not as much as his heavy heart. Why do we crave for the 'last' meeting? Why is it so important to see person you love when you go?...he was asking himself. 
He climbed the steps.
Reluctantly queued up for the ticket. 
And then, his train whistled. He hurriedly pushed himself inside and sat by the window.
Looking out, he was thinking about her. The moments they spent together... Her smile, her witty remarks, her caring manner of going about things... how his mother liked her so much, how she would tease him and then shyly say out her heart...


Just then, he saw a figure stepping out of the train hurriedly on the other platform. It was HER!!
He stood up.
He tried to pull the chain... but the train started by then and started speeding away.
He ran to the door of the boogie. But he could not get to it... too many people, being the last train.
He saw the platform go by. Now he could see just the darkness around... and in his heart.


*
I picked up the folds of the saree and ran to the port. There was no Tonga, no rickshaw... I ran and ran, taking help from the people I saw on the street...
Finally I reached the port.
It was empty. Not a single soul.
I was frantically hunting for people.
I saw one atlast. "There was a crew of sailors... where are they?"
"Baisahib, you are too late... The last ship deported three hours ago."


I squatted down... tears not ready to cease...
I gathered myself somehow and walked to the end of the port.
I saw a small white paper shabbily stuck on one of the poles. I pulled it, and tried to read under the shining moon...
' A long wait. For you today. Had faith you would come to see me. Atleast someday.
I now do not know when we would meet again. But you be in me always. 
Ali.'


My throat was choked. All I could react was through my tears... burning my cheeks as well as the inside.
I stood looking at the still sea. 
Searching for the 'last' ship which might have taken him away from me...