.........and hence I support Indira Gandhi, her tactics might seem wrong today but they will be fruitful in the longer term." Arun completed his speech. A few claps were heard. Arun was one of the few from the assembled scholars who supported the ruling government and the prime minister. Arun got back to his seat. Some other speakers continued most having contrasting views. Although Arun did not agree to them he did took notes of the way they presented the points. Being a professor he thought these are somethings that he should adapt while he take lectures.
Last three days, Arun had completely concentrated on the conference. He had not pondered about the girl.He had booked his return ticket for the night train. He had made a friend in the last 3 days. His name was Suresh. He was a professor in Mumbai, being of the same age they connected very well. Suresh also agreed to Arun's views. Suresh had suggested Arun to visit the gate way of India. Arun had read about it and decided to not leave such an opportunity.
After the conference, he had some time to fulfill his wish. He sat in the familiar rickshaw and it brought back his memories of the first day. His travelling in the rickshaw to the hostel. The humiliation. Arun also remembered the words of his friend Vijay. Vijay was right, Arun thought he cursed himself to loose his mind over a girl and it was one of the most stupid things that he had thought in his life of doing.
The wind was blowing strong when Arun got down at the Gateway of India. He soon realized he was not the only tourist there. Arun had once visited a remote village in Orissa. It was near the sea. This was the second time he was seeing the large mass of water. There were a few ships that looked like dots near the horizon. After viewing the fantastic architecture of the gateway he sat on a chair,looking towards the evening sky. He saw a group of birds flying together. He thought it was symbolic to him since he was leaving for Delhi tonight back to his nest.
Arun had some time, so he decided to buy a newspaper. He walked to a newspaper stand and bought a regional newspaper. He wanted to check if there was any mention about the conference. Most of the pages of the newspaper had pretty much the same content that he had heard in the discussions over the last 3 days. Arun was not able to find any mentions about the conference. He read every page and finally turned to the last page.The last page looked more for the advertisers. He was about to the turn the page out of no interest, but suddenly something caught his eyes.
Arun was shocked seeing the picture of Gayatri in the newpaper. It was under the column where missing people are listed. He read the news carefully. Her real name was Kimaya and she was missing..............
Man! you do give some nice turn. :)
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