Book Title: Song of the Day: Stories
Author: Preet Modi
Publisher: Westland
Number of Pages: 112
ISBN: 978-9360457952
Date Published: Sept. 16, 2024
Price: INR 209
Book Excerpt
Tum Jab Paas
As a kid, did you ever think that rather than us moving, it’s the trees that are going backward?’ Aryan asked Tanya in a tired voice. They stared outside while standing at the exit door of a train compartment. The blue haze of a gloomy winter morning brushed up against their faces.
‘Sometimes, yes,’ she replied as she rubbed her eyes. ‘The sun’s almost up now. I can’t believe we were talking the whole night. We’re lucky we didn’t get caught by a teacher.’
‘I think it was the best night of the whole trip. I’m going to miss this. Not so much school, but just this feeling right now. It’s a shame there’s only a few months left before we go to college.’ The train swayed up and down rhythmically as it raced along the tracks.
‘Your hair is so soft.’ Tanya playfully stroked Aryan’s head as she drew her face closer and pressed her nose gently against his. ‘I think I really like you.’
Aryan felt his heart wallop faster than the train. He wanted to say it back, but somehow, the words got caught up in his mouth. A moment of silence settled into the air between them. Tanya drew herself back and stared at the ground. Her fingers nervously traced the fabric of her uniform.
‘Tanya, it’s just the timing of things—’
‘It’s okay, you don’t have to explain yourself. I know you’re going to go to college in London. I’m so proud of you,’ she said, mustering a weak smile. The train rattled momentarily, producing a sharp noise that sliced through the air. Tanya almost tripped but managed to hide any traces of an imbalance.
‘You’ll come back to Delhi though, won’t you?’
‘Yes, I’ll fly back every time I have a break.’ There was a shiver in Aryan’s voice. He attributed it to the cold air outside.
‘That’s good. I’m happy I’ll get to see you even after school ends.’ Tanya’s smile widened as she spoke. Aryan felt as if he saw warm shades of pastel when he looked at her. With the right half of her hair tucked behind her ear and the left half falling in front of her eyes, the thought of the inevitable distance between them stirred an ache in the pit of his stomach. Maybe Tanya realised what Aryan felt then, for she gently drifted forward to hold him. In their embrace, Aryan whispered something into Tanya’s ear, but the train’s whistle shot a blaring sound, drowning it into oblivion. Though she couldn’t hear what he said, the muffledtone of his voice gave away enough. They stood there in each other’s arms for a while. It appeared to dull the ache in their stomachs but created a new one in their hearts.
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Excerpted with permission from Song of the Day: Stories by Preet Modi, published by Westland.
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