Bhavya was happy, watching two of her close friends getting engaged. These events usually carry that positivity of genuine happiness with emotions running deep along with memories of past and the ones that are imagined of the future.
Bhavya looked at her watch, it was time to go for something important. Bhavya said her goodbyes, sat in the car and cursed how hot the seats had become due to the summer sun. Then she was on her way driving.
Bhavya had driven for almost 2 hours to attend this engagement, but she also had another purpose in mind. Initially it did not bother her much but recently it was bringing out unwanted thoughts.
Bhavya parked the car in front of Himani’s house and she walked in. Time was limited, Bhavya had to drive 2 hours back and complete an office assignment. Thank you, corporate life.
In Himani’s room, clothes were piled up on one side, although clean, the room had dust on some corners. Himani was on her study table typing her way through the computer. The face and eyes showed that she had been at it for a while.
“You need to get out of here and get a cup of tea or coffee,” said Bhavya
A few moments later they were sitting in a coffee shop. Himani was quiet.
“You do not reply to my messages anywhere, on social media or messaging applications. What’s going on?” asked Bhavya
“I answer your calls though..” said Himani
Bhavya had an instant brush of irritation, “If you haven’t noticed, there is a crisis of time in everyone’s life out there, most of my relatives only get time to call on my birthday or after it, once they see it on social media.”
“Whose fault is that? People used to call each other all the time..” said Himani
“Fault? Times has changed, people have changed, the way of life itself has changed,” said Bhavya
“It’s still a fault no matter how you see it,” said Himani and then there was silence as Bhavya thought of a response.
“I have decided to stay away from the gadgets, smartphones, televisions as much as possible,” said Himani
“Why? What do you do then?” asked Bhavya
“I read books. You should try it, they reduce a lot of stress”
“So, books made you quit electronics?”
Himani used her straw to move the ice in her iced coffee and said, “I was having this constant feeling of tiredness. I am spending enough time in front of the computer screen for work. More screen time? It was getting bad, I could feel it, so I detoxed my life from all the digital parts as much as possible.”
“But… life nowadays cannot function…” said Bhavya trailed off with conflicted thoughts
“I think most cannot see the line between need and more than need. I mean there is like entirely new professions and businesses out there, counting on people to never leave the screens,” said Himani and she often imagined this scene in her mind, where the entire world was going dark for people who could see light only within the screens
Bhavya drove slower on her way back, she decided not to connect her smartphone to the car’s infotainment system and after a long while, just completely stay focussed on the road ahead.
Written by Anuran Chatterji
Early Morning Memories 