Start Of Something New.....Part 2

Bhubaneshwar it is…

The day was Thursday. I was grooving in the plethora of love; the music of a second new beginning was setting up quite nicely. It’s been 3 weeks now that I was kept in ‘business wait’; boon in disguise maybe. Anusha and I were doing pretty well in our relationship. After the first meet near the auto stand, we met very often after office hours and the frequent five minute chat between the shifts; though it’s not the same-especially without ‘her’. Not that I don’t like Anusha but maybe because I didn’t let go of her; But how can I? …sigh.

“I love it” Anusha was overwhelmed by the pearl ring that I bought for her. Amar Sons was giving fifty percent discount to TechMahindra Employees and its near Paradise. Good place to hang out in Hyderabad. We had lunch at Paradise; typical Hyderabadi biryani and then pitcher. I hate to waste food but never realized that they give so much in a plate. Anusha was used to it and laughed at me first but then was amazed when I had gulped the whole plate plus some from her as well. One and a half plate biryani. Ha!

After the beautiful lunch I took her to Amar Sons. One pearl necklace for my mother and a ring for Anusha.

It could have been all yours

I was lost in my usual thoughts when came the call from RMG Allocation.

“You are allocated for project requirement at Bhubaneshwar.”

Good and bad news at the same time…I always wanted to go to Kolkata…being Bhubaneshwar is still good…only five to six hours from Kolkata by train. But on the other side I had to leave Anusha here. When I told her the news she felt happy for me but it was quite evident that she did not want me to leave. I can’t do two things at the same time and it’s not a movie. Career first. If you don’t have any money even the one you love will leave you. Hard fact but it’s true.

I called my friends and got to know that they got the same location. Cool. The same reporting time- Monday at 9.00 a.m .With only three days left it was complete madness. We were told that we may be relocated soon so I packed my luggage in advance and so did my friends. But still much is left. I made a promise to Anusha that she will never miss me for I will be with her always via phone and facebook. All those never-be-apart promises,I gave to Anusha that lovers usually do.

It was the same with her too…lots of promises, lots of love…but now she’s not here.

I could not find any tickets on my own so thanks to Neeraj, my fellow batchmate, I with my friends Abhik and Debayan finally found the tickets for Konark Express leaving on Saturday. Phew!

My PG buddies congratulated me…Kinshuk my best buddy there gave me good advices and also helped me pack some final stuffs. I felt sad for Anusha and for me too. It was going so well between us and I was happy after a long time. The idea of separation scares me….one has already broken me!

Train departure time was at seven in the morning and I advised Anusha not to come against her wish. I simply don’t like goodbyes.

As always I reached the station way before everyone…at six. Too much punctuality is not good…I was literally getting bored there…I called my parents and then Anusha that I reached the station safely and I would have a safe journey…At last my friends arrived and within five minutes train arrived. To Bhubaneswar…go go go…

Sleeper class…with friends…awesome; except the weather. It was hot…to be exact excruciating and in addition to that we got upper berths. Amazing!

I tried touching the roof of the train (from the inside) and then decided not to dare to touch it again…ever. It was frying and my hand too for some time. I couldn’t sleep that day nor did I let my friends sleep. Oh hey…I am a good boy na? Absolutely.

Twenty hours of heat…with scarce water even though we bought sixteen bottles of water. Just imagine! I resolved never to travel like this again whatever be the scenario. Finally at four thirty in the morning we reached Bhubaneswar and the moment I stepped foot on the state I realized what I would be facing. Familiar conditions for me for I am from west Bengal and the weather here is quite the same but unlike Hyderabad which I was starting to love…I was with Anusha. Here there is no one….only the humidity. I was sweating like anything. Four months of body fluids now pouring out from my body. Rest of us faced the same issue. My god why? Why now?

“Are you ok” Anusha messaged. She woke up all night for me. Talked to me; the only breeze I had in my whole journey.

“I am ok, just reached Bhubaneshwar. Will call you once I reach the Guest house.”

Company has arranged for our temporary accommodation in Best Inn. We took an auto and went there. Oh hey…one thing…Dhaikirikiri is never used nor does it have any meaning guys! I asked about it to the auto driver and he laughed about it. My friends sat dump as they could not understand Oriya. I do. My father was posted here for seven years. I learned Oriya from him. Maybe I can’t speak Oriya quite fluently but can definitely understand as to what they are saying.

We were very excited about our food prospects.

“Maaccho Bhaato” was the theme all along. Finally after a long time we would be able to taste eastern food, Fish curry, Aloo Posto, Muri Ghonto…oh! So good.

Next day we reported to office and were let known that we would have training for a month. Damn….again? Then exams! Dhur…Training jokes came flowing from my peers. Suddenly it was batch 1075 again. Good times. Only if Anusha were here.

It’s time to search for accommodation. We zeroed in on S-35,Maitri Vihar. Three bhk flat , five minutes walking distance from office; it was the perfect. We paid the cash and took the keys from the owner.

“No girls allowed here. If I see any I will throw you out” the owner said assertively. Like Anger is in his nose, ready to be deployed.

“Absolutely, no worries uncle.”

The owner gave a stern look at us and then gave us the keys. So now it’s done… Home sweet home!

We had the weekend with us so we decided to move in slowly. We were five people…Me, Abhik, Debayan, Jit and Nilanjan who will be staying together here. The idea of furnishing the flat got us exited.

First for me but thanks to others our furnishing plan went smoothly. Lights, fans, beds, utensils were all

bought one by one without any hassle. Wow! I could not have done this all alone. Thankyou guys.

“It’s Sunday man, let’s go somewhere…” Jit demanded that we must hang out outside. We agreed.

But where?

Forum Mart….Bhubaneshwar has few malls…but it will suffice…for now.

After some serious shopping since nearly 4 months, we went to our usual stuffs, roaming and checking out hot girls…he he that’s a routine maybe…but please note that I am a good boy. Ha!

But as it happens that one moment can change the complexion of the timeline. I was having a good time when I came across a beautiful couple…both were made for each other; I can tell by just watching how they looked at each other…it had been the same…with her. Both were standing near Manish Creations admiring the wedding dresses…

“It would look nice on you…

Same as you…just fix a date then”

The girl came to me and asked to take their picture with those dresses in the background. Quiet painful for me as it’s bringing back those memories, those moments that I want to lock out forever somewhere untraceable; but simply can’t. But still with a smile I gracefully accepted their request.

“Let’s run and get married.” She kissed and told “let’s go”

“umm…hello bhaiya…is it done yet?”

“Oh….huh….yeah…let’s see…yeah it’s done” I could see their strange looks on me holding the camera and lost in thoughts. They took their camera and left from the scene.

“Dude what happened?….everything’s fine with Anusha na?”

My friends were watching me the whole time while I took their picture. They thought something went wrong with me and Anusha. But that is not the case. They simply won’t understand my dilemma. So I replied

“It’s okay man….no problem at all” Everyone laughed and I don’t know why. Puzzled!

The fifteen minute auto ride seemed like an hour. I was thinking of why I dated Anusha when I could not get over her…even after a year that we broke up. I should have told her that the moment we were starting our relationship. Why I could not get over her? Do I love her too much? Why now? Why?

Sunday night….and my friends decided that we would celebrate our relocation to Bhubaneswar and our new home by having a party among ourselves. Alcohol was eminent and then chicken too.

The hanging out plan failed for me completely. In my view I should not have got out. I not able to think straight and everynow and then I think of Anusha and think that I have not done justice to her. That she deserves more. Not a incomplete man like me, broken, confused. My friends were having so much fun at our new home and I didn’t want to dampen their mood. They deserved it…Me too.

I took leave from them and went to the balcony for some fresh air.

“I am missing you so much…come back now!”Anusha texted me….she loves me so much…she doesn’t have to…Should I tell her? But how?

I still was not adjusted to the humidity. I don’t know when I will. At least some cool breeze was flowing along with a sweet scent. Like a street hound I smelled hard to search for the direction from where it was coming. Then I found it.

Across the street just opposite our house was the house of a lawyer-A.K Mohanty. A girl was waving goodbye to her dad, probably going out for some work in his Audi A-7. Yes the smell…it’s definitely coming from her. I was taken aback when she moved out of the house to give something to her father. My god she’s beautiful. She was wearing a cream color top and light brown skirt. The complexion of her skin was radiant enough to look like the moon light had fallen directly on her-the only glittering light in this darkness. Wow!

After a long time I have seen a girl that has blown my mind….those who are to be falling in love with by the very first sight. Anusha and her I had forgotten everything. Only thing I saw is her….effect of alcohol? Maybe.

“Aashimaa….where are you? Come in now” voice of a proud mother…so it seems. They must be proud of her. At least I am….blown to pieces.

I realized soon what I was doing now…falling again…such a weak heart! Something has surely been wrong with me.

Anusha…her….and now Aashimaa…I just don’t know what to do now…

Music soothes your senses and I usually prefer after some drink…I went straight to my room, lay down, put on my earphones and now lost in the oblivion.

It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need you now.

And I said I wouldn't call but I'm a little drunk and I need you now.

And I don't know how I can do without.

I just need you now

I just need you now.

Oh, baby, I need you now.

“I love you…Always.” I murmured….But who?