Back to the memories

He ran towards the broken watch helplessly gasping for breath. He gathered all the broken pieces of the watch in his palm and closed his fist. Keeping his fist close to heart, he kept his eyes stuck at the wall Infront of him.

Suddenly, he ran towards the wall and hugged it with his hands wide open. Blood drops ran down his palm kissing the ground below. The pain from the broken glass pieces of the watch wasn't noticeable before the pain of losing his girlfriend.

All the prisoners including the officers in incharge were taken aback by this behaviour of Jack. He was dragged back to his cell considering the safety of other prisoners. Back at his cell, he laid the broken pieces of the watch bare on the floor and kept staring at them.

How beautiful the watch looked even in this broken form? Every broken glass piece made him visualise some most soothing moments of his life with Jasmin. He went back to the days of his research work when he and Jasmin had met for the first time.

The sun shone beautifully that day. The sun rays kissed her face and made her glow even brighter. Her bright face captured the eyes of every boy of the classroom. Jack was even one of those boys who changed their seats daily just to find a perfect corner where the lecturer's voice wouldn't be audible and the eyes would rest peacefully at the beautiful mermaid seated on the first bench of the third row.

Jasmin's footsteps into the classroom would turn all the eyes towards her. She would move to her place gracefully, open the window beside her seat and would het seated down with the same elegance and grace. Then, she would take the water bottle from her bag and would have two sips from it peeping at the mountains beyond the windows.

Jack always wished to steak her bottle someday and taste her heavenly lips. But, he never had had the guts to do so. There was a magic in her charm. She wasn't the fair white beauty. She neither dressed up with fashionable new clothes everyday. She even didn't have makeup caked up on her face. She was different from every other girl in the class.

She was different in every way. But, whatever she was, she dominated the hearts of all the boys of her classroom. She received many offers for coffee date which she used to turn down politely. However, she was even different in her views towards being the queen of hearts.

She was well acknowledged about the emotions and feelings which every boy of her classroom had for her. But, she never entertained any proposal or such kind of approaches. She had a handful of friends with whom she used to be with all the time. She was a kind girl and was always ready to help someone in need. The generosity in her eyes, the beauty of her heart, the elegance in every action of hers made Jack fall for Jasmin more harder.

After the classes, she would either go to the lawn or to the library. Rarely did she ever venture into the canteen area. But, she used to join the birthday parties of her peers at the canteen. Nonetheless, she even went to Jack's birthday party.

Her entrance into the canteen enlightened Jack's eyes. That day, even she was smiling at Jack. With her open hairs falling over her shoulders, she looked even prettier than usual. After the usual cake cutting, she handed over the gift to Jack.

Jack was so lost in her looks that he held her hand by mistake instead of the gift. The sounds of laughter broke out in the canteen which settled down soon. After the birthday party, everybody went back to meet their own commitments and so did Jasmin. Jack went to the counter to pay the bills and decided to go back to his hostel.

Few metres away from the gate of the college, he saw Jasmin standing there in a tensed mood. He went to her and asked her, "What happened Jas? You look tensed. Anything serious?". Jasmine replied in a casual mood, "No. Nothing like that. I'm ok."

Jack could see her worries in her eyes and asked her again, "We are classmates. If there is something worrying you, you can say it to me dear." This time, she felt it safe to disclose her problem to Jack and burst out, "Actually I got late while returning from your birthday party. So, my cab driver has went away. He ain't even picking up my calls. I really don't know what to do. I need to reach the hostel by 6pm."

Jack looked at his watch. It was 4:50pm. The girls hostel was 20kms from the college. He stared at Jasmin's tensed face and took out his phone to hire a cab online. After 2-3 mins, he looked up to her charming face and said, "Don't worry Jas. I have booked a cab and it would be here around 5:15pm." Jasmin replied, '' Thank you so much Jack."

Jack was extremely thirsty. He wanted to have some water. He asked Jasmin, "If you don't mind, can I have some water from your bottle." Jasmin instantly replied, "Yes sure" and handed him the water bottle. While returning the water bottle, Jack's bracelet got entangle with Jashmin's shirt which was hanging low from her wrist.

Jack tried a lot to get back his bracelet while his heart stopped him from trying. While Jasmin attempted to make everything correct, she unfastened the knot between the bracelet and her shirt but unfortunately broke Jack's wrist watch. The watch fell down into pieces. Tears came into her innocent eyes, and she started fumbling, "I'm so... I'm sorry..Ple..Please excuse me.... We shall get a new watch now."

No words of Jack could console her and she started making herself feel guilty. She forcefully dragged Jack to the brand new watch store which had opened recently near their college. She chose a watch for Jack and paid the bill. Jack stopped her a lot from paying the bills but she resisted and said, "Have it as a token of our friendship." With these words, she extended her hands towards Jack. Jack was overwhelmed and too excited. His hands were actually shaking but he managed to shake hands with her.

Until then, the cab booked by Jack had already arrived. Jack ordered the driver to speed up and they were lucky enough not to get stuck in the traffic. They reached at the girls hostel by 5:42pm. After boarding down the cab, Jasmine said, "Thank you for this amazing day. Bye and take care." She even waved hands at Jack to which Jack replied with all his emotions and energy.

" hey! Jas" called by Jack.

Jasmin turned around to Jack. She made some gesture to ask what the case is.

" thank you for this gift, it's my 25th birthday" Jack had a smile in his face.

"Happy birthday friend" Jasmin wish loudly. The sound echoed in the air.

The feelings of their first meet was still afresh in his mind. The day wasn't long ago. It was just the best birthday of his life. These memories brought tears to his eyes.