What Was It?

A true story.

Basavaraj Salimath

8/25/2012

Prologue:

I

t was one of my old teachers. I was in a bookstore shopping for books. I was leaving my school for an apparently grand hostel. I had just met an old teacher and was in talk with her.

“Leaving us and going? You’ll find life difficult without all of us,” the teacher said.

“I don’t think so. I’ll go and become what I was here, again,” I said dismissing the teacher’s remark.

Little did I know that I was going to an infidel and I would feel the lack of each one of them, every moment, every second.

Twelve days later, as I was about to leave my home and city for probably eternity, I felt a sucking emptiness in my chest. I was having problem to breathe. A big lump formed in my throat. TI city was flying by. This was probably the last time I was seeing the place and surrounding which was my world till now. Tears welled up in my eyes and I regretted each and every decision of mine that had led to this. I wanted only one person to be with him that night. I almost screamed for that person.

It was too late.

TI city entry gate was left behind and all I had was dear memories.

But what was it that made him want to stay?

I pondered over my last spent year and I had the whole night to myself to think. I was thinking when I suddenly came to terms with the million dollar question in my mind.

What was it?