Elena

The bizarre silent around us sucking out the bravery inside me and the eternal Mumbai traffic sounds seemed to be a soothing music playing as the cold air hit me sending shiver all down my spine.

I was hell tired travelling back from college. It was our last day on college.  Music, dance , games, all screams and cheerings  drained the energy out of me. More than everything bidding bye to fellow mates was the most hardened feeling all over the day. Blinking my eyes and holding back my tears when everyone is giving their speech was the toughest part of my day.

But it all went down when Riya gave her farewell speech. She started with how she was scared when she entered the college. Rantings from seniors, sneak outs from hostel , all random discussions in college canteen , checking out college seniors whenever , wherever possible and last minute exam preparations were the highlights of her farewell speech. From every description of her experience I feel tears running over my cheeks. I closed my eyes let me to vision all the good times we had these four years together. Everything flashed like a dream.

" That was an awesome speech " I turned myself towards Riya who was silently watching over the passing lamp post as the train moves. I am sure that she wasn't counting the lamp post. She is going through the same emotional experience I going through.

But one person who seemed to resistant to all over these feeling was Sonakshi. She was zoning out every five minutes. I was also sure about that she never listened one farewell speech completely.

"Sona! Are you fine?" I touched her shoulders hoping isn't she holding back.

" Yah I am fine" she gave a monotonous voice.

"Sona you don't seem so? What's bothering you" Riya leaned forward towards Sona.

Sona got hold of Riya's hands when a pang of jealousy hit me up.
Riya and Sona are good friends but I am supposed to be Sona's sister. Do I don't deserve it? Or Riya,  Doesn't she recongnize my feelings?

Sonakshi hugged Riya and cried in her arms. I feel my body tense and I was feeling low sitting there. I wanted to get out, leaving my sister alone will not be good.

"What happen?" Riya asked her as she hugged Sona back comforting her.

Sona cried more in her arms. Riya pulled her back. Wiping her tears off Riya began,

"Is something bothering you? Is it about farewell? "

" No " Sona's voice was almost a whisper.

" Then? " Riya asked squeezing Sona's hands.

"I got into Goa institute of management " she spoke between cries.

Wow!!

"Wow! Sona. Congratulations! Why are you crying for ?" Riya asked as she hugged her in happiness.

"It is in Goa. My family will never allow me to leave Kolkata.
For college in Mumbai I had fought a lot. It is not that they are not open minded, it is just that they are scared about the dangerous of the society. Goa will be like Germany to them. They will never allow that. In contrast here I am want to explore all around. How do I even ask them when  I already know that they would deny it? " Sona stated the truth.

" Well , it is not a crime to ask for it. It is not a crime to convince them for it. Tell them about practical situations how people send their children to abroad to pursue their studies. Look at Vikram  he is  going to London for MBA " Riya spoke.

" That's never gonna happen. I know Sona's father better than you Riya, he will just offend Vikram's parents " I marked my presence.
Sona nodded in agreement. Riya sighed beside me.

" Listen Sona , Your father's worry is right. He cares for you, he cares for your future above all he loves you so much. As far as I know him, he will definitely allow if you ask him in a proper way , having self - confidence and passionate approach , tell him how much you want to explore world, tell him about your perspective of exploring and learning experience. Sure he will understand you and know how stronge her daughter became after she managed herself in Mumbai. He would never stand against your decisions. I guess " Riya convinced her.

The rest of journey went with Silence in surroundings as we fight with our emotions.