Serial blasts had rocked Delhi, 13 September 2008. I was at home with my family and everyone was safe. We were all glued to the news channels. My father, had by now started enquiring me about the coverage of the media. I was now in final year of my Bachelors in Journalism, I guess that was one reason.

My mother was talking to my elder brother in Bangalore, who had just called in to check if it was alright here. And she confirmed our well being to him, through her wet eyes, while my younger brother laughed at her. We are used to her crying when Bhai called in from Bangalore, almost everyday. Amidst the commotion of all these things, I got a message from her. ‘You alright, na’

And, that was it, when I realized that there is something with this month of September and me. What followed in the rest of the months of the year was always magical. It was this month in first year in college when I had discovered, that I can fall in love too. And the next three years will never remain the same as I had expected.

We grew closer to each other, more than anyone else in the class. The next September I doubted that if it was just friendship, when one day I scolded her over her revealing dress and the next day she covered herself so much so that her image of a fashion icon went into ashes, or that day when we exchanged answer sheets during the examination. She would return them to me with a special note every time about finishing my paper fast.

I doubted it more when she just came to me when I was playing cricket in the canteen and say I’m hungry.

I replied to the message, and asked if she was alright too. She didn’t reply. She never did that whenever I tried to break that virtual ice between us. But, I knew that its my final September, and this was enough for me to act.

My Facebook status last year had established me as much in love, but the girl was a mystery to all till now. And, perhaps the mystery was now a disappointment for her. ‘I am dying to hear, who is that lucky girl’ was a message I got on facebook from her.

The examinations were to follow, and we had to organize our college fest. I was more than busy to distract myself to other things. I decided to postpone the proposal, to the day I was born 20 years ago, I was so sure.

And the day came. She refused, the same day.

It may not help me, and my solution to September could make you laugh too.

But, I am going to sleep while my eyes are open. And please do wake me up when September ends.

(Fiction)