It was another such day where I was standing at my balcony, one more puff of cigarette and it would be my fourth in the past one hour.
That was a cue for a bad mood day.
Namrata, my wife, came to check on me twice comprehending whether she should ask me for dinner or not.
I observed her. I waited. I heard her ringing anklets moving away in the dining hall.
As expected.
Ours was not a lovey dovey kind of relationship, but was not forced either. I didn't know if she wanted me or if I wanted her, but here we were trying to untie the tangled knots of our relation. I think this is an arranged marriage where you try and try and again try to fix something which is not yet broken but is in risk of being broken.
My mind is fuzzy and buzzing with unnecessary thoughts right now, I guess way too much inhaling for the day!

I was 31 when the typical Indian mentality hit me. Being the oldest in house my ears were under continuous chirping songs of marriage.Therefore I had to comply with my parents and approve with their choice as my bride. It was not like I had someone in life but I was never interested in an arranged setup but what we imagine is not life yet what befalls us. Namrata and I were engaged before we knew and married before we could process.
Whilst all this I could only remember that Namrata and I had studied in the same school for a while. I never knew if Namrata was my classmate or my senior or my junior. My school friends group was indeed a big one but I am not able to figure out Namrata's face between them. None of mine were as quiet ,calm and composed as she is. We do not hold up any long conversation beyond pleasantries and our whereabouts.
Leaving the trail of thoughts behind I reached the dining room before I caught up with my fifth one. There she was, all humble with no complaints. How could she live in all this mess. Does she not have any questions? Did she love someone else? Does my presence not affect her?

She served dinner and sat beside me.I was eating so fast that I bit my tongue and a hiss escaped me. She was fast near me.
"Why are you always in a hurry Vijay!" Her concerned voice is too melodious.
" I don't know." Was my lost response.

" Is it hurting?"she asked.

" A lot." a reply I don't know was for her question or our situation.
She brought some cold water and jaggery for me but all I could focus on was her ringing anklets.
This was it, I had to ask.
" Namrata were we in the same class?" She was too stunned to reply like it was an out of syllabus question.
"Yes" was her short reply.

" How come we don't know each other!" Curiosity dripping in my voice.

" We knew!" She was fast this time.

" Really,why I can't remember!" Did I lose my memory for five -six years between.

" You were my first friend in school" This was something beyond shock.

" Really."Am I suffering from alzheimer's this young.

" Remember I was a new admission in eight standard under army reserved seats in mid of August and everyone was wondering why I came so late. I clearly remember my first day and you were sitting beside me. We exchanged some idiotic jokes and the vibe just clicked. You introduced me with your group and indeed that was a big one. I was so nervous among this many people but Slowly and steadily we became good friends. I was always intrigued that how can somebody be this social. I always thought of you as my best friend and I never got the reason behind it. I think those school friendship are so innocent that it stays with us throughout our life devoid of any forgery and selfishness. But ours was short- lived.

My dad was again transferred within six months and I had to leave after final exams. I wanted to share my contact with you which I usually do not but never got the chance." A smile crept on her face while narrating the incident while I could only remember some vague glimpses.

"Why did you not tell me?"

" I never knew you remembered me or our friendship. I am habitual. I had left so many places, met so many people, and forgotten a thousands of them. Demerits of being an Army brat" I smiled over her answer and asked what I wanted to for so long.

"Mrs. Namrata Vijay Sharma , would you like to be my best friend throughout my life so I can give you a chance to never forget me!"

" Is your friendship that memorable!" She asked with a teasing smile.

"Try me" I too had a teasing expression.

And she went off to place the dishes in the kitchen but her ringing anklets were more melodious now like they accepted my proposal.