A Story(Left Untold)

when the last of the guests had left, he closed the door and shambled his way through the unkempt room; the unmistakable smell of whiskey reluctant to fade away, and into the room which awaited his desolation in greed. he thought of the young boy who accompanied his uncle. the boy had curious lofty eyes that saw a hazy picture of the gruesome future that lay lurking just around the corner. he thought of the boy as he drew out an old family album from one of the drawers. he turned the leaves without once making an attempt to stop the train of memory that ripped past his inebriated head nonchalantly. but he had to stop, he knew that. it was his 10th grade farewell photograph.

he stands amidst a group of 16 year olds, their hair nicely groomed for the occasion and their faces outshining the spotless new suit they wore. he is standing to the left of the class captain sachdev who, as always, is smugness personified. to his left is rajany, his girlfriend, and the only thing in the world he could feel proud of, the only thing which placed him above sachdev.

soon the photograph session will come to close and the party would begin.

seated on the wicker chair and blinded by the mirky uncertainty of what could have been and a contrast it held against what is, in a figment of pang-filled moment, he realized there never was a party. only a postcard of derailed imagination.

a jerk of emotion overcame him as he fought the tear that would refuse to be held back. for once, he let go of it. he let go of himself and his bruised ego. for once, he did not think of what sachdev would think of him in this pityful state. 'soon there will be a morning craving for me and i dont have to care'.

he thought of the young boy again and how he submitted demurely to his uncle's orders. it disturbed him immensly. he banged his fist upon the table. a few photographs flew up and floated in mid-air. the others lay concealed in his heart-shaped box.