Love never ends. It only grows and grows till it fills your heart and your very being. Sunny could feel his heart brimming with love. In fact, it overflowed into his arteries and veins, into his lungs and liver and even into his brain.

Sushmita had been the one to make him go weak in his knees, since he could remember.

“I remember the precise moment, crouching behind a crumbling mud wall, peeking into the alley near the frozen creek. That was a long time ago, but it’s wrong what they say about the past, I’ve learned, about how you can bury it. Because the past claws its way out,” he thought recalling his moment of enlightenment when Sushmita and he were on their famous Ladakh trip.

Sunny was a silver fox. A handsome, slim man in his sixties, with a head still full of hair- all silver, his presence was commanding. Dressed in his signature white shirt and blue jeans, he dressed casually but everything about him was formal. No one took him or his words casually.

He was the epitome of success. He drove a navy blue Mercedes, though he loved riding his Harley Davidson, equally.

But life had not been easy for him always. Thinking back to his childhood, to his school days he recalled a mischievous boy, who was curious about learning, about life and about living a good life. His teachers would often have to scold him, at times even send him out of class for distracting everyone and not allow the smooth functioning of the lessons.

Yet, they loved him for his honesty and the cheer he brought along. Never a dull moment where Sunny Singh stood.

For years he was also idolized by his classmates.For not only would he crack the silliest jokes, but also be there to lend a helping hand to whoever needed it. From sharing his tiffin, to his homework (never mind a few wrong answers, here and there) to assisting in football-goals, to cheering for the children from the same house at Inter-house competitions, he could be counted on.

There were the Ravis, Rahuls, Diptis, Shrutis and there was Sushmita Das. Sushmita was smart. Her heart shaped face was framed by her two bobbing pony tails. Big, black eyes,with a hint of kohl, her soft flawless honey coloured skin seemed to glow. Not too tall, nor too short, her athletic body was a powerhouse of energy. She had joined in middle school, so was not really a part of any of the cliques. She was forced to keep to herself. Of course it was terrible for her, to be forced to be alone, but luckily she was a voracious reader and would disappear in the world of books. She was a meritorious student, who dreamed of being mischievous and playing pranks. Like an alter ego. Excelling in sports and games, soon got her a few friends.

As the children grew, hormones played a critical role in forging friendships and jealousies. Some who started off as arch enemies, parted ways as best friends forever. While some who seemed to be friends, couldn’t live without each other, revealed their hatred.

Hormones, food and games also shaped the physical appearance and mental agility of the students as they approached high school. Crushes, romances, fights emerged and suddenly the connotation of school became so much more than studies, exams, or teachers. It was a microcosm of the world itself. Some tackily dressed students, who would have forever been reprimanded for being sloppy, started coming to school dressed neatly, well groomed, ready to take on the world. While others, who were the ideal students, started lagging behind in their academics. Teachers did not seem to effect them nor did their parents.

***

On sports day, the last year of his school, Sunny recalled being excited about all the events he was to take part in. He had won the heats of all the races, 100 metres, 200 metres, 400 metres and 1500 metres too.

As the captain of Topaz house, he had already won Basketball and Football matches of the Inter-house competitions, so Topaz was leading at that point. Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald were strategising to win as many races and field events. The house master had already summoned him and directed him to lead his house by example, meaning to win all the races and events he was participating in.

The school ground was a riot of colours with students in their brightly coloured, yellow, red, blue and green tee-shirts and white shorts. The students were seen busy in all events and activities. The volunteers were running up and down with the names of winners and certificates, to the victory stand. The Principal and Vice principal were busy shaking hands with those winners, handing them certificates and having photographs taken.

Loud cheering could be heard across the ground and the school buildings. Few names were being chanted as the students supported their favourite athletes. Teachers were seen walking around to maintain discipline, as well as encouraging students to do their best.

It was time for the 1500metres final race for boys. The students lined up. There were Bakshish, Ritesh, Ashish, Rahul, Vijay, Padmanabhan, Ravi, and Sunny. They were on their marks…ready, get set and a loud whistle sounded from the PT teacher, as away they went.

Hurtling round the tracks all 8 were pushing themselves to get ahead. None watching them would have been able to make out who was better. Their classmates were clapping and calling out their names, urging them on with urgency. Vijay had taken the lead and as he pushed himself into the top gear, he opened up his strides, pumped his fists faster and increased the distance between him and the rest. Bakshish, swore loudly and egged himself to move faster. Their legs were moving in rhythmic motion, as their hands guided their limbs into moving faster and faster. “Go Sunny! You can do it!” suddenly broke out loud and clear as Sushmita cheered for her House Captain.

It sounded like music to Sunny’s ears, which directly resulted in an increase in dopamine! The sudden burst in Sunny’s strides, took him steadily ahead of the leading runners and just hundred metres short of the finish line. The tough competition  reminded the spectators of famous Olympic races.

 None was going to relent, their feet literally flying, barely touching the ground, the determination and focus etched clearly on the young faces were palpable around the field. Loud cheering, clapping, calling of names topped the euphoria as Sunny breasted the tape. Topaz house went wild! The athletes collapsed as they turned into heavily breathing beasts, disappointed or overjoyed being greeted by their friends. Some were rubbing their legs in preparation for the oncoming races, others offered drinks of lemonade or spoonfuls of glucose.

Sushmita and few others came running and patted their captain for winning the tough race, pushing the overall score on the leaderboard. Sunny felt a thrill coursing down his body as he shook the soft dainty hands. The smile on her face was worth all the pain in his body at that moment. He could have run a hundred more races.

Soon it was time for the 400metres, followed by 200metres which were won by Bakshish and Vijay respectively. The cheering reached the skies. Each time Sushmita and Shruti would trot upto their captain and soothe him in preparation for the next race.

“Hey Sunny, it’s the finale now. The 100 metres dash. You got to win this Captain. Just visualise ya! It’s a tough competition but you are a born Champ. Once you have put your mind to it, I know it will end as you choose! Go for it! You cant let Bakshish from Sapphire or Vijay from Ruby win. We still have a lead of 5 points.”

Sunny was stirred and set out to visualise what he wanted. He calmed himself and focused on what lay ahead. It was going to be the last race in his school ground. How many years he had run and played on it. Losing some and winning some. It never caused him to lose sleep, for who does not like winning? He would take his friends’ victories in his stride and never allowed it to cause bad blood. After all, didn’t the boys know exactly how strong each one was? But ever since he joined high school, each win was special. And captaining his house made it so personal. He wanted to win every match and every race, losing none.

He was a born leader. Even when he was playing mischief, none would carry tales as they were harmless pranks, eliciting laughter. The purpose was neither to malign, nor upset anyone.Thus he endeared himself to most of his classmates. Whether it was bursting crackers right outside the bio lab because the bio teacher would be startled at sudden noises or bringing cockroaches to be let loose near the girls, to watch them scream in horror, Sunny got off the hook at the end.

A strange look settled in his eyes as he got ready for his last race. The 100metres dash. The energy around the ground was electric. Students were not able to control their own emotions and crowded around the tracks. The PT teachers were blowing their whistles… Pweee, Pweee, to no avail, teachers were shouting for everyone to move back, but the cheering only soared. Finally the Principal was forced to take the mike and announce he would cancel the race if students would not comply.

Chatting nineteen to the dozen, children fell into place, cribbing and complaining. Oh! What a day it was!

Sunny, Bakshish and Vijay were stretching and loosening their muscles, giving themselves a pep talk. It was their last race at school. Board exams would gobble them up there on and their destiny would follow.

Rajeev, Dhruv, Prahlad, John and Vignesh all felt they had an edge as they had only run the relay races. They felt fresh and were rearing to go.

The race was announced once again. The roar that followed was deafening… only Rockstars would have appreciated it, not discipline oriented teachers.

On your marks, get set, …. Pweeee!

Away they went like colts at the race course. The hundred metres is the ultimate race, as there is hardly 11 to 12 seconds to prove one’s point. In fact sometimes its over, before one can blink. Students were screaming, “Bakshish!” “Rajeev!” “Dhruv!” “Prahlad!” “John!” “Vignesh!” “Veejaay!” but the loudest was “Sunny!”

“East or West Topaz is best!”

“Go Sapphire go!”

“Rip to the top Ruby!”

“Emerald you are evergreen !”

The boys ran like wildebeests escaping a lion on the African grassland. After a few seconds there was barely a difference of a few steps. Their hands and feet were a blur, as they pumped their fists driving the air in front creating currents to propel them faster. Their feet were picked up and placed in front so quickly that their heels touching their butts could not be seen, but only perceived. The rippling muscles in the hot September sun glistened when magic was created. “Sunny Champ, go, go, go!” was being chanted by his friends and house mates. Like a Ferrari in top gear, he blazed through the track, leading the field by a clear feet! He kept going as his feet couldn’t stop, and took victory lap after lap. The standing ovation he received lasted for a long, long time.

Shaking his Principal’s hand he couldn’t stop smiling and then he was hoisted by his mates. The House master tousled his hair and enveloped him in a bear hug. They lifted the Champion’s trophy but he lost his heart.

His eyes kept searching, the one he visualised, couldn’t be seen. That was the day he fell in love, truly. Often he wondered later in life, whether he had fallen in love weeks earlier?

Soon the dragon called Board exams, had swallowed their life. It was only studies, tests, exams, practicals, marks, applications to colleges, and entrance exams.

Sushmita, found herself in Sunny’s company often. Whether it was going to the canteen, cycling back home or returning the books to the library. It was pleasant company. There was always a joke, or a laugh to share. When she was stressed, she would seek Sunny out, knowing he would be able to dispel her fears with some whacky explanation.

“Its my last day tomorrow,” she said to Sunny at the canteen one day.

“It cant be, the farewell is next week. Where are you going before that?” said a shocked Sunny.

“My Granny is not well so my mother and I are travelling to Calcutta. We will be back just prior to our board exams.”

“Oh!” said the young man, who couldn’t visualise his life without running around her.

“I will miss you so much Sunny! You know, you are my best friend!” she uttered, barely audible.

And just like that Sushmita Das exited his life. But, the impact was lifelong.

***

Life has a strange habit of carrying on.

Sushmita did fairly well and went on to do her graduation from a well known college in Mumbai. It was a dream. All she had to do was dress up smartly in her jeans or skirts with matching accessories and have fun in the college canteen, or by lanes of the market adjoining the college. In between she and her newly forged friends would attend lectures. She was studying Literature and loved it.Three years passed in a jiffy.

She wanted to be independent, have a career, and then travel around the world a bit. One fine evening she made up her mind to tell her parents her dreams. She had just received the appointment letter to her first job and felt it would be the convincing factor. Walking into the aesthetic drawing room of their comfortable flat at Andheri, she was halted by strange voices. There were two strangers, in the room. A handsome young man and an elderly lady, probably his mother.

“Oh! Hello! Am I interrupting something?” she quizzed her mother.

“Hello Sushmita! There you are. We have been waiting for you. Come, come! See who is here.”

She looked at her mother slightly confused. “I don’t think we have met ever,” she said still confused. “Why don’t you sit down, Darling?” mother said.

“This is Manju aunty! Remember? She was in your father’s company, back in Baroda. And this is her son, Mohit! He has just started working in Mumbai, a few months back” she continued.

“Hello Aunty! Hello Mohit!” she said with a warm smile.

“I will just join you!”

“What a charming young lady Sushmita has grown up to be!” said Manju Aunty.

While the trio chatted on, Sushmita joined them and soon her father too returned from office. All had tea and some yummy, crispy samosas. The way the three elders were passing looks, Sushmita smelled a rat.

Mohit had an easy nature and was good at the art of making conversations. The young man with honey brown eyes that twinkled, a sharp nose and long hair that brushed his collar had an infectious smile. His well defined mouth was constantly busy, talking or smiling. His smile reached up to his eyes and engulfed those he was talking to.

“So, how are you doing Sushmita?” Mohit asked.

“I am doing well and looking forward to picking up a job soon,” she replied smugly.

“How long have you been here? Where do you work and what do you do to keep yourself entertained?” she enquired.

“I am an investment banker. I live at Lower Parel and love to watch movies. If I get some time, I go for a movie. There’s never a dull moment in this city,” he laughed.

“Darling, why don’t you take him to see the new book shop that has just been launched in Lokhandwala? In the mean time we oldies will catch up,” her mother suggested.

‘Strange’ she thought, ‘I am not a tourist guide,’ but she said nothing.

She showed him around the market at Lokhandwala a little,before proceeding to the new book store, ‘Kitab’. They browsed through the different sections, chatted a while and returned to their parents laughing and chatting,like old friends do.

It turned out to be a hectic evening with dinner invitations offered and turned down and the guests finally leaving late.

A few days later, Sushmita was apprised of Mohit’s proposal sent to her parents. She refused right away. Out tumbled her dreams and desires. Mrs Das was outright annoyed and rejected Sushmita’s plans. Her father, Mr Das, a man who had seen the world, was more patient. He approved of her plans but said the alliance was very good and she could always travel around the world with her husband. Probably he might travel for work around the world, allowing her to settle down in many places and explore to her heart’s content.

She was encouraged to talk to Mohit and check for herself if there was anything she didn’t like or found fishy.

Mohit called her on the telephone and asked her out to a play at Prithvi theatre followed by dinner. She accepted. At the theatre she approved of his looks. Dressed in a comfortable light blue shirt and white linen trousers, he looked dapper. His smile dazzled when he spotted her. He approved Sushmita’s choice of a blue and white striped sleeveless top, teamed with blue denims. Her hair fell like a silky curtain to her waist, making her look like a movie star.

Sparks between them were ignited and they hardly remembered the play they were supposed to watch. Sitting next to each other their hands and sometimes legs brushing the other, caused a fire to tingle through their bodies. Mohit couldn’t take his eyes off her and she mastered the art of looking at him through the corner of her eyes.The whole universe seemed to have vanished- leaving just the two of them, mesmerised.

Later at dinner, the waiter came twice to take their order, only to find them deep in thought, staring at each other. He had to call the manager to break their hypnotic spell. It remained their private joke till the very end.

In a month they got married. It would be nice to say that they lived happily ever after, but they didn’t. Life deals you the strangest of hands when you least expect it to.

***

Devastated Sunny, kept mooning for months, having lost his first love even before he could admit it to her. He was glad for all those moments he had deliberately chosen to accost her.Those memories were all he had to live by. He was convinced he would die lonely.

His parents ensured he went on to become one of the million engineers churned out every year. Then he moved to Delhi. The grandeur of Delhi and the crassness of its people ensured he was on his toes. Work, to his PG digs and back was his routine. He enjoyed his work. He was to look for new ways to improve client and management relations. Being a people’s person, meeting people, getting to know their peeves and grouses gave him an insight into the city he had adopted as his now.

Over many months and few years, the dull pain in his heart became faint and one could see glimpses of the old Sunny… cheerful with a hint of mischief.

One day as he was rushing to meet a particularly important client, who had a long list of complaints, he crashed into someone coming from the opposite side. “Ouch, watch it mister!” said a painfully female voice. The musical tone, sounded so pleasant even when annoyed and complaining, he rushed to help her and apologize. “I am so sorry Ma’am, pardon me. Let me help you with all your things. I …I… think I am turning senile, and batty,” he said not meaning any of it. The chic receptionist came rushing to assist, she had a secret crush on Sunny, like so many other women in the office.

“No, thanks,” brushed off the lady in a beige business suit and a pale, pink silk shirt. Her hair was in a bun, but few tendrils escaped in the crash, to dance about her flushed face and her dark eyes rimmed with kohl. Her tortoise shell glasses helped to heighten the beauty of the eyes and Sunny found himself drowning in them, without any warning.

After everything from pencil, to pen, to lipstick, to a copy of ‘Gone with the Wind,’ was meticulously picked up and put back in her large, tan tote bag, she turned to look at the offender. She seemed speechless to find a handsome man, middle-aged, with attractive eyes and the most charming smile. She wanted to kick herself for being so high handed. She wanted to hug him… probably kiss him, not fight with him. ‘That’s what happens when you are out to pick fights!’ she chided herself.

“Hi I am Sunny Singh, Head of PR in this company. Can I help you?”

“I am Rosita da Cunha… I think I have a meeting with you, right about now!”

“Ah yes! The reason I was rushing. Shall we proceed to the second floor? Our meeting is scheduled in my office there,” said Sunny sheepishly.

She had the grace to give him her hand and allow him to help her up.

That was how they met. The meeting ended with both parties resolving the issues amicably with a promise to meet in a few days to check on the progress. Which led to further meetings till they finally did not need the excuse any longer and could go for dinner. “Now that all your problems have been resolved, would you care to have dinner with me Ma’am? Just to mark the success of your being trouble free, and I can understand what we could do to avoid such troubles in future.”

“Sure, I think it would be good for our future business. Where?”

“I will meet you at The Ashoka, at 7:30 pm on Sunday. I believe their Raan is highly recommended.”

Dinner led to lunch, to more lunches and dinners.

Finally he could not hold it any longer. After dinner, at one of the quaint little restaurants they had discovered in Chanakyapuri, as the waiter was bringing in the dessert he blurted… “I love you Rosy!” The magic words she had been waiting to hear, for a long time, but shook her up when she finally heard them.

He took her dainty, soft hands in his and looked deep into her eyes as if he would dive into her very soul, as he waited for her response.

“Oh Sunny, I think I love you immensely,” she murmured in her delightfully sweet voice.

“Will you marry me? I promise to love and cherish you till my dying day!” he added passionately. “Shhh!” She placed a delicate finger on his lips and kissed her finger in turn!

They never could recollect how they got out and into his car. They could never recollect how they were entwined in a passionate embrace, their hungry lips searching and devouring each other as if hungry for love, since many lives.

Their marriage was a happy one for quite a few years. Happily married Sunny, now focused on establishing his own business. He started a private taxi service. It was slowly growing, till it became one of the top most services in the capital. He was in talks about expanding, starting franchises, training the drivers such that their clients were loyal to their service alone.

Being left on her own for long hours took its toll, Rosita started wondering if her husband had found other loves too keep him occupied. Her suspicious nature raised its head. If she burned in its raging flames, she did not spare Sunny either.

Slowly, their loving home was destroyed.

A school reunion was coming up.Vijay and Bakshish had coerced him to join the celebrations. Their class was to celebrate their fortieth passing out, anniversary. Sunny thought it would be a respite from the constant bickering at home.

Walking into the party, it was difficult to identify his old, childhood classmates. Not having met many, since parting ways after class twelve, he was at a loss. He hesitated a while then went to the bar to get himself a drink.

“Is that you, Sunny?” he heard the sweet voice he had often dreamt about, the last forty years.

Turning around, he saw an elegant lady, dressed in a shimmering white saree. The black eyes were sparkling, her heart shaped face was framed in silky black hair hanging up to her waist. The smoky black eyes, combined with a hint of pink cheeks and pink lips looked ethereal. “Sushmita? Sushmita Das… is it you?”

“Of course!” She squealed nonchalantly as she teetered across in her high heels to give her old friend a tight hug. The whole evening they kept grabbing moments to update each other and fill in the gaps of forty years.

Old friends were thrilled to meet each other and turned into mere teenagers snatching a few moments of joy, to brighten their mundane lives.

Sushmita admitted it had been a lonely and challenging life as she had lost Mohit to a freak road accident, leaving her to bring up their son and daughter alone.Her desire to be independent was fulfilled this way. She had yet to travel the world, though. Sunny admitted his failed marriage, but he couldn’t tell her about the years he had pined for her.

Everyone exchanged phone numbers and promised to keep in touch and meet often.

A few years passed by, everyone was engrossed in their lives.

One day, Sunny’s secretary announced the arrival of his old friend and classmate. Wondering who it was he asked them to be shown in. And there stood his heart throb Sushmita, smiling her beguiling smile. She had changed a lot. The passing years had piled their effect on her, but her smile and her sparkling eyes were just as he recalled. And that loving voice, just aged and matured.

“I was wondering if you could find some work for me? My kids have found jobs in far away places. I would like to visit them, now and then but would like to earn my own bread as long as I can. I am retired from my previous job.”

“Sure, sure,” he said scanning his thoughts to keep her close.

Rosita heard him humming that evening and was convinced, he was cheating on her. Fuming she packed a suitcase and marched out of the house. “My lawyers will contact you. I want a divorce,” she said sternly.

Sunny was crushed. That was the last thing on his mind.

But the legal proceedings had begun. He started hitting the bottle.

Many days later he ran into Sushmita, rather she came to him.

“Do you know, your manager is cheating you?” she asked.

“How can it be? He is Rosy’s brother. My brother-in-law.”

“I don’t know about that, but he has been doctoring the ledgers and I find he has siphoned off large amounts.”

“Let it be! I can send him off, now that Rosy has left.” He then told her about the divorce procedure. She felt sorry to see her old friend devastated and proceeded to comfort him, assuring him things would work out.

If only she knew how? And what a role she could play.

***

The divorce finally came through, Rosita claimed half of all his wealth, which he asked the lawyers to settle amicably. “What will I do with all of it, after all I am alone.”

Sushmita knocked at his door, and walked in. She had been appointed to check all procedures and documentation in the office, reporting only to Sunny. She was excellent at it. After reporting all the official matters, she asked his secretary to bring them some coffee. The old friends shared a lot over the sweet, aromatic coffee, which allowed their hearts to open up.

It became a ritual. At the end of the day Sushmita would report her day’s findings and they would discuss the problems or laud the good work being done. One day, it ended in his dropping her to her rented apartment close by.

Finally, she asked him to come in one evening to share her dinner.

Over some wine, she rued she had not been able to travel at all.

Looking at her over his glass, he felt the warmth of his love for her suffusing through his bones and weary muscles.

Gently he lifted her hand and asked, “Sush, I have dreamed of going to Ladakh since a long time. It broke my heart the day you announced you were going away, forty years ago. I wanted to run to the Himalayas and become a monk. I was contemplating which monastery to join, when my mother convinced me to complete my education, first.”

Sushmita watched him in silence, totally taken aback. “What did you say Sunny? Heart broken? Why? You are scaring me now,” she realised how much she had been craving a man’s touch for years.

“I love you Sush! Always have, ever since I can remember. It took me years to get over the pain of losing you. You don’t have any obligation. We can just be friends.”

But she hugged him, opening her heart as she realised what she felt for him, she felt for no one else. She loved him too, very dearly.

“I think I love you too,” she said as she snuggled against his heart.

“So, will you come with me to Ladakh?”

“Yes Boss, lets start our travels,” she giggled.

***

They reached Leh, in a few days on his Harley Davidson. Two silver headed people going on to live their teens, together and in love.