WE all were requested to assemble in the school auditorium for the staff photograph. All the staff members started gathering there. I was in the examination department and by the time I reached, all the best places were already occupied. Everybody was comfortably sitting with their pals and friends who were closer than other colleagues. Automatically the seating arrangement was done in a smooth friendly manner. The appearance from a distance was like the physical map of any country with invisible lines making it feel like the political map with so many states. It is so obvious that we tend to gel with others on the basis of our common interests and likings. I entered the hall with the same hope that someone must have kept some place for me in their vicinity. But alas! I got shock of my life. All those whom I considered my friends were already with some other peers. I felt very bad, and as always my transparent face made it so loud and clear as expressions.

Well, I took the last row and started chit chatting with some who offered not only the place but were feeling honoured for me being with them. I was trying to be normal, but my heartbeat was so loud and was constantly disturbing and reminding me about the inner turmoil. How can this happen? Why didn’t they keep some place for me? Are they really my friends? And so on....stupid logics fuelled the fire with in me. Somehow I moved out of the auditorium and left for home without talking to anyone. I shed some tears while driving, I realised when we are disturbed our wisdom takes the backseat and when our eyes are full of tears then the vision also blurs. I collected my emotional strength and wiped the tears and decided, not to talk to anyone whom I believed and expected.

Next day, I followed my directives very strictly and had a complete control on my expressions. I didn’t even looked at them forget about smile. It is not easy to be, what you are not actually. I avoided all those people whom till day before, I considered my friends. The photograph clicked on that day was later cancelled due to some reasons, and was again done in small groups. Day 3 also went in the same way. I don’t know how I could hold myself for 3 long days. I used to cry discretely, to let go the lava that was accumulating within me. It was a cold war, they too were suffering, but none took the step. One fine evening, after reaching home I was just scrolling my mobile as time pass. The door bell rang, I opened it and saw two of my friends standing there to hit me hard and fight me.

What kind of wars are these in which no bullets, no bloodshed, no swords, no external injuries still the whole body remains in pain. We three had big tears in eyes; none of us uttered a single word still every feeling was conveyed in an accurate way, without any misunderstanding. Our faces were red, eyes were wet, nose dripping, throat chocked, words missing still the communication was flowing freely. At times, I feel do we really need words to communicate with a few. And for the few the whole dictionary is not enough. Oh, what a feeling it was!

It was a deep, silent communication of souls. They were saying sorry, I too was apologising. We didn’t know whose mistake, what created this misunderstanding. But after the precipitation the clarity in thoughts improved, we were feeling happy and light. Our connection is now more bright and tight. That momentary anger was so close to a condition called danger. It is better to open up, take initiative to resolve and move on. It is always good to take a small step .... Say sorry, hug them, hold them, love them, feel happy and secure and enjoy the best bond of togetherness. As beautifully said, doston shaq dosti ka dushman hai, apne dil mei isse ghar banane na do..... You cannot see your reflection in boiling water. Similarly, you cannot see the truth in a state of anger. When the water calms clarity comes.