Just fight the current and reach the shore

by Badurdeen F.Ayesha

Raagav and Sonia had been friends for a long time. They always rejoiced in each other's company. Raagav is a sales manager while Sonia is a creative, budding fashion designer who never lost her spirits throughout her hard times. Their friendship began when Raagav helped Sonia pick up her things when she was nearly hit by a speeding motorbike. Sonia had insisted she was alright, but Raagav, seeing her bleeding hand had insisted on accompanying her to the clinic closeby. That was how their friendship began, and later on grew with their random meetings in the bus, restaurants or other places.

Raagav always kept his distance and his decent and chivalrous behaviour kept their friendship going. One day, Sonia saw a change in his behaviour. He kept smiling and looking in a way that made her blush. She did not even know why she blushed, for she was not sure of her feelings about Raagav.

Yet, the way he started to behave later on made her believe that he loved her.

The love in his eyes and the breeze around when she was with him convinced the fact that he loved her. Even the topics he now chose for conversation were dreamy. So Sonia started to float in a cloud of love. She waited throughout the night for a call from him, answered all his messages eagerly and even pasted his photo in her cupboard.

For the first time in life she started to understand the four letter word, LOVE. Unfortunately, barely did Raagav recognize the change in Sonia's behaviour and that she was about to confess her love, Raagav brought in a tragic twist that Sonia had never imagined.

Ecstatic

It was a gloomy day with no breeze, no birds singing and no life around. Yet, Sonia was ecstatic because she was about to meet Raagav. She had asked him to meet her on the beach as she thought it appropriate for her big confession, as Raagav had promised her a surprise of his own. Sonia was unable to stop thinking how perfect the moment was and how happy her future would be.

Raagav came on time, handsome even with his tired look and dishevelled hair. Sonia could not help grinning, thinking how love had changed her senses. "May be love is blind after all", she said to herself smiling, while looking at the approaching Raagav.

For Raagav the day in office had been tiresome. Yet, as he was about to meet Sonia and see how his surprise would be for her, all his good mood and stamina kicked into place. Sonia saw the eagerness in Raagav to get close to her and was happily waiting for the surprise he had promised before she told her own. Raagav came close smiling broadly, and said, "In order to maintain the surprise as a surprise, your eyes have to be tied".

Straight

"You're not kidnapping me, are you?" she jested while turning for him to tie the folds. "Hell no, I'm going to kill you straight." he jested back and they both burst into laughter. Sonia at that moment could not help but feel like living in bliss.

When he opened the folds she never ever in her wildest dreams expected a beautiful girl in a white dress and long black shining hair to be standing beside Raagav, holding his hand. Sonia did not know how to react, she just stared at Raagav and the girl. Raagav was enjoying every moment of the surprise he had planned. Just as he had expected Sonia was stunned by his choice of life partner.

He was very much sure that she too would approve of Ria. So he introduced them both. "Sonia, meet my girl-friend Ria. Ria, meet my good friend Sonia".

Sonia could not help but feel miserable. Yet, she pushed down the urge to sink down and weep and mustered up a smile for the girl who was smiling at her. That moment gave Sonia a stinging pain she had never experienced before. So, after the introduction and a little more conversation about how Raagav and Ria met, etc, Sonia took her leave which she was sure would have been awkward.

Throughout her drive home she wept bitterly thinking how deceiving Raagav had been. Every time she wanted to shut off the memories, fresh ones taunted her. "Why? Why? Why me Raagav? Why use me to trail your love when it was not for me? Why did you speak sweetly when you never meant any of what you said? If Ria had been your choice why did you break my heart? Did you do this on purpose?" she questioned the air Raagav inhaled as she was sure she would break their relationship if she questioned him.

She continued to cry for a long time. Finally, she took the decision. She was now determined to shake away all her emotional turmoil by focusing on her work. With that resolution she drove home, hurt but determined.

Days passed with a lot of strain for Sonia trying not to think of what had happened in her life during the past months. But for Raagav days flew like seconds as Ria was now mostly with him. He was very confused as to why Sonia had not contacted him after she left that day. Yet, he never bothered much about it, because when he was with Ria, he never had time for worries.

Chance

Things started changing in Sonia's life. She got a chance to work as an intern with a famous fashion designer. Working with him brought a lot of improvement in Sonia, professionally. One Sunday, when all the staff had worked an extra day, on a foreign project, Daniel brought the good news that the design for the "London Fashions" in which Sonia had worked really hard had been selected for the finals. The whole room cheered and Sonia was pleased to see others happy. For real happiness was not something that she was able to fancy nowadays. So when Daniel came to her with the envelope she was confused, and opening it, almost cried. When she looked at Daniel with tears in her eyes, he patted her head saying, "You deserve it". Then turning he said, "Guys, I hereby announce Sonia as the representative of 'Daniel Designers' for the fashion show in London."

The roar of applause brought Sonia back to earth. She was beyond amazement to comprehend all what Daniel had said. Her dream of visiting the beautiful land of London had come as an opportunity to show her talent. Thus, for the first time after four months she felt really happy and thanked Daniel and the others for their support. That day for the first time she did not think of her life's messed up state when driving home. The pleasure of visiting London, to show her passion for her work, kept her mind busy.

Finally, the day arrived and Sonia flew. The fashion parade was exquisite and the designs were novelistic. Sonia was not at all nervous, for she knew that her design was unique. The crowd consisted of around 300 people representing 100 countries. As announced after the parade, 25 countries would be selected designers for 25 famous companies around the world.

Parade

The parade was conducted for four days and Sonia enjoyed every part of the city. She bought many souvenirs though she had no one to share them with at home. Sonia's design was exhibited on the fourth day. The results were due the next day, and she waited eagerly. The results though was something she had confidence in, brought her immense happiness when announced. 'Daniel Designers' was selected as one of the 25 designers and honoured with a project for a well-known company in England itself.

So ended Sonia's journey successfully and everybody in office cheered a great deal and Daniel who was more than happy threw a party at a Five-star hotel. Everybody was enjoying the party. After a few minutes Sonia decided to stroll around the Galle Face beach, when she accidentally met Raagav and Ria walking hand in hand.

Meeting Raagav after six months brought back all the pain she had pushed to the back of her mind with a lot of tears and hardship. But, she instantly composed herself. Raagav was very happy to see his friend after a long time. So he said, "Looks like someone was busy overseas?" and then congratulated her. Ria too expressed her pleasure in meeting Sonia and when informed about Sonia's success she gave her a hearty hug.

That was when Sonia saw the diamond ring on Ria's finger. When Ria caught her staring at it, she happily said that they were engaged today. Sonia could not help but feel terrible but she congratulated the couple and even hugged Ria before leaving.

Sonia did not cry though she was hurt. For she had learned to compose herself. She even attended the wedding after four months. She was happy, for she realized that she had become much more stronger, and, looking at the loving couple she believed they were made for each other and that Raagav is Ria's prince.

Driving to the beach directly from the ceremony she stood in the place where she felt her heart break, a few months ago. At that moment she thought, "Good news and happiness would always follow a bad news and sorrow, just like the dawn after dusk. All we have to do is fight with the current till we reach the shore just like these waves."