A Happy New Year Story

I like to make myself believe that time is moving slowly. It’s hard to fathom the year that is passing by. But by the time you are reading this it would already have been 2016 :)

So today I don’t want to do anything.

The story I am writing today is about the moment I witnessed while taking a stroll.

It’s not even 31^st yet. 11.30 pm...Thirty minutes to 31^st.

I decided to take a stroll outside after having my dinner. It’s quite boring here but at least there is cool breeze outside. I love winters. Do you?

There is some privacy about winter which no other season gives you. In spring, summer and fall, people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savour belonging to yourself.

The free wind is blowing through your hair...delights to feel; winds that longs to play with your hair!

I should return back to the story now :)

***

“Good Night”

How wonderful isn’t it? A simple sentence...yet somehow touches the emotional note. You must have felt it too right?

He: “Sleep Sleep”

She: “Yeah...I should maybe.  What are you doing?”

He (smiling): “Me? It’s afternoon here and if you could please give me some respite then I can have my lunch”

She: “What did you just say? I am disturbing you now?”

He: “I didn’t exactly mean that”

She: “No no...I heard it. I am disconnecting my call now”

He: “Oh common. I didn’t even say anything”

She: “Mister you know well what you said”

Yes. Like always the girl fights for no reason and the guy feels helpless. So what does he do?

Well, he gives in obviously!

He: “Sorry”

She: “What?”

He: “I am sorry”

Sigh of relief isn’t it guys when you get forgiven for no reason at all. Yup...no use of having self respect at all.

She misses him every day and so does he.

If I stood still and let the tide come in until it was up to my neck; that’s the best way I could describe how I fell for you. For them it wasn’t love at first sight and it’s not like that they slept with them in their thoughts.

Then suddenly I was in waters too deep to stand and I guess if I would have taken a step back earlier, I may have been able to save myself. But it’s worth it. Worth not saving I guess :)

She: “It’s an hour to New Year”

He: “Uh-uh”

She: “What uh-uh? Only few days remaining...I can’t wait”

He: “Day what?”

She (furious): “Did you just forget that?”

He: “Forget what?”

She: “How can you forget the most important date of our lives? Are you okay?”

He: “Can we talk for a moment? I have to tell you something”

She being a bit sceptical: “Okay...tell me”

He: “I may not be able to make it”

She was completely taken aback. It felt like something hard hit straight at her face.

Ever had a really hard jab at your face? Yes...it feels like that.

He: “Hey you there?”

She (sobbing): “How can you not make it? We planned this before at least six months ago. Everything is set accordingly. Now you are telling like this”

He: “I know but I can’t do anything here”

She: “Your work is more imp...”

There was silence for some time. He was able to hear some rattling sound and of footsteps scrambling around here and there.

He: “Hello?”

It was after sometime that she spoke in a tone as low as possible.

She: “I think someone is here”

He hand was shaking. Holding the phone around his neck he paced the hallway unevenly and spoke.

He: “Where are you now?”                                                                     

She: “In my living room. I am very scared”

He: “Try to calm down”

She: “Are you serious? I think it’s coming from the balcony...oh god I can see the shadow”

There was silence from the other end now. Perhaps he was shocked and unable to decipher his reaction to it.

She: “Tell something please. What do I do?”

He: “Run towards the door...don’t talk much. He could be able to hear it”

She (scared): “What if he catches me?”

He: “Don’t think...just run”

And she ran with all her will. She could see the door at front. Just five meters and she would run away. But just then two big arms grabbed hold of her from behind.

The person with a shrilling voice spoke: “Not fast enough”

The line was still connected to the other side. She was scared to death and could feel herself being dragged away inside.

She screamed! With all her energy she screamed...out loud so that someone listens to her. She was sweating herself of fear. Is this the end of her?

Then suddenly the person set the hold loose and said:

“Whoa whoa...calm down girl...I was kidding”

She was shocked at the predicament. She turned towards the person and he removed his mask and said

He (smiling): “It’s me”

She opened her eyes wide. From fear to shock to this! She smiled a bit.

He (laughing): “You had quite a scream a...”

She slapped him while he was finishing his sentence.

He: “What was that for?”

She: “You think this is funny?”

He: “Obviously...I planned this!”

She: “Well, this is some kind of a sick plan”

He (smiling): “Oh common...some adventure huh”

She: “Don’t talk to me”

Okay...so this is where the guy consoles the girl and fills the air with romance. You are getting it right? Movie romance plots...its full of them.

He: “You come here”

She: “What are you doing now...no...Just leave me”

He: “I am grabbing you”

She: “Oho...now you want to play good huh...get off me”

He (laughing): “Oh I let loose my grip alright...look at you. Sticking to me”

She (smiling): “We are in the balcony...people must be watching”

He (whispering): “It’s almost New Year...everyone is busy. We should be too”

A Happy Birthday Story

Everything we know, that you know, comes in form of a story or ends up in me penning it down; to live forever.

Every moment is crucial, it’s beautiful. Perhaps stories are mere narratives but at least I try to put in some meaning to it. It is that mere narration that gives coherence to the confusion of our experience.

Loving my explanations...aren’t you? J

I am just trying a way of creating a shape out of the mess, which I am full of. Perhaps it binds us together.

***

How does it feel to blabber or talk to oneself? I guess it works fine because I do the same all the time.

Yes...I do feel lonely.

Ba da ba ba da ba ba da

Ba da ba ba da ba ba da

“You don’t have to believe me”

    “Nah...I guess its fine”

“Shit! I guess I was dreaming again”

   “But what’s wrong in it?”

“Yeah right”

   “Seriously what’s wrong? Another day like always”

“Arghh...why does it have to be this day?”

    “Be calm be calm....it has not arrived yet”

They say to smile in the mirror. Do that every morning and you’ll start to see a big difference in your life.

“So why I am not smiling?”

    “Smmmiileeee” the cheeks extended till the point of tension with all teethes visible quite beautifully.

“Eeehh”

   “Oh...What’s that?”

The canine teeth had a striate of the chicken she had last night. She struggled with her tongue to get it out.

“Ahh...nice” and she ate it.

“Eeehh”

   “Smiling see”

She looked at herself for quite some time. Her face has more content here than any other place.

Beep beep

The cell phone rang upon receiving messages.

***

He: “It’s just a matter of some hours”

She: “Doesn’t matter much...any other day for me”

He: “But not for me” You can place similes here ;)

She: “I am getting old”

He: “So? We all are”

She: “And fat”

He: “Oho...who told you are fat? You are just fine and cuddly”

She smiles...and then replies.

She: “So cuddle me nah”

There was a bit of silence but then he replies.

He: “I should have been there now”

She: “Aww...it is okay honey”

He: “Not okay okay but kind of because it has to...damn”

She smiles even more.

He: “I will call at least five or ten minutes ago otherwise your line will be found busy then”

She (smiling): “So sweet of you but don’t worry no one remembers anyway”

He: “Seriously? No one does?”

She: “Every year same story”

He laughs at it.

He: “At least I remember”

She: “Oh...you should!”

He: “Ahh...Is it?”

She (smiling): “Yes absolutely...else I will fight with you”

He: “Yes please”

***

“I hate this phone”

She went to check her phone. Bank messages...credit card statements...argh!

It is quite funny when you were expecting something but end up getting something else entirely. 

Yes...it is very disappointing.

I was told “You can’t get everything you want!” Well...when do I? Faltering every time and looking 

up expecting that this time everything will be alright. But then again!

Wait wait...you are getting this story right? It’s a birthday story which is quite different considering the fact that the title is so obvious.

How does it feel to be wanted and not wanted at the same time? Peculiar...Yes

Expectation of a certain occurrence is sometimes naive but it is not always the case; for you had cared for every possible person you are with but you don’t get the same in return.

“Same story every year?”

She laughs at what she just uttered. She laughs when she panics.

***

“Happy Birthday”

The Remembrance

You know what is my real problem? The fact is that I remember it can't be undone.

Never Say Goodbye!

It’s all gloomy. The sky is damp, the weather is shrewd and the wind is hissing like snakes in a pit.

The artist was sad, for he was confused. Confused of what he should do. Should he pursue his dream he has been waiting for all these years or pursue the dream he is living in now? He was helpless; he wanted to talk but would she listen?

He called her and immediately disconnected the call. He looked at her picture. Smiling he said: “You are nothing short of my everything”

From yesterday, it's coming... from yesterday, the fear; It calls him but he doesn't want to read the message here. Looking back alone...we have no choice but to try, for our curiosity and for our fear of what will happen if we don’t.

He paints the same emotions on his wall. He finishes it and then he sits back and sips a cup of coffee and says: “Hey, it’s not that bad!”

An Umbrella Story

There are so many memories you can share with anyone...someone, and you just feel like that moment will just last forever, but it’s only in my head (sigh); it’s only a moment.

Life presents us situations where even the tiniest, seemingly unwanted, unusual things; the things you can live without, becomes a defining act at some part of your life.

The humble Umbrella! I never thought it until recently that it can become a part in a story. A rather funny moment in a random

***

It was a typical Saturday morning. I don’t remember what date it was...maybe 13^th; I so hate that date.

You know a thing about Saturday? It is perhaps the best day of the weekend cause Sunday to me is rather a pre-Monday where you just have to think of the treacherous Monday approaching.

I planned to go watch a movie. It’s been two weeks back to back that I have been watching movies alone. Yes...with my solitude.

Last week didn’t well and so this week...just went nuts and then I have radio silence which just scares the hell out of me. I mean how do you even handle silence? For me it’s suffocation. Feeling it?

Yup...you get it right? I woke up grumpy.

I will skip my morning routine and curse directly the sun. Damn you...why do you tan me?

Enter the life saver-Umbrella.

It’s a life saver. I mean look at the weather outside...with the heat burning your skin, it’s most comforting to have a shade over you. It gives you the protection you need and also the much needed cool to your head. Just imagine the situation for those who don’t have hair and don’t have an umbrella in this blazing heat.

With my lovely Umbrella I went towards my destination. The movie starts in about forty five minutes.

I reached the place in about twenty minutes. I booked online so just had to get the ticket. Solitude remember!

I see happy kids...running around the front passageway and then I see this girl looking at me. At first 

I thought she is just checking me out. Well common...I am handsome enough...hehe.

Then she did the most stupid thing that would have overlooked by me on some other day. but not today.

She just giggled at me angling her boyfriend at the same time! I thought what was wrong? Then I realised it was not my face, nor my attire, it was me carrying that umbrella that was making her laugh.

Well you know...to her it was not being cool. Seemed backward to her, is it?

I tried to ignore it...I get it a lot.

Like “dude...you are carrying an umbrella to this five star hotel” Hell with you man...I am protecting myself from this heat while you worry about your prestige of what other guys will think of.

Yes...this is a grumpy story....but it gets better.

I got my ticket and looked back. They were next!

That girl was still giggling looking at my dear umbrella. I felt insulted now. The grump grows and it will explode somewhere right? So I just did what I shouldn’t have perhaps. Nothing much...

I looked straight at her. Straight to her eyes and then shifted my gaze towards her boyfriend. The laugh stopped for now. I looked at him from top to bottom and then gave a sarcastic laugh at her with nodding head. The only word I spoke: “Huh”

Have you ever felt an idea implanted in you by someone’s expression that makes you think negatively about yourself, that what are doing with your life, like something is wrong. You become sad wondering what went wrong. The idea grows and you feel petrified.

Well...I just did that same thing. I shouldn’t have. It is someone else’s 13^th for today.

The wide teeth laugh was slowly fading from her face as she understood the deep sarcasm I put before her. She looked at her boyfriend for some time thinking of something. It’s saddening though...really for a moment I had thought about it but nope...no time. The movie starts in five minutes.

Maze Runner-The Scorch Trials...I had such high hopes on it. But just after watching the movie, I had the same thought as the Hitman movie I watched the previous week; like NASA having planned for a Mars programme which went on smoothly till docking at ISS, oh wait...it was fine while moving on towards Mars too but then they realised that they forgot to refuel at the docking station! So now the ship is just floating in space.

Why Hollywood Why?

Even Bollywood would have made that interesting with some cheeky songs and one liners.

Wait right here...I have got to tell you that if you read till now then thank you. The grump really ends 

here. Good things start now. Hah...lucky you!

I went out of the hallway checking my watch. It must be about time now. Let me look outside.

“Hey!” Garima signalled from near the front gate.

Me: “Oh, there you are”

That girl and her boyfriend were nearby us. They were fighting over something now.

Garima: “Don’t act cool…take out that umbrella…have you seen the heat here? I can hardly move without that”

I shrugged my shoulders and then looked at that girl. She surely heard that. Feel it girl!

Garima noticed that.

Garima: “Okay…What did you do?”

“Me? No no…I had nothing to…okay…a bit maybe”

Garima: “Can’t just stay quiet do you? Looking for trouble every time”

Me: “Trust me…it’s no trouble at all” I laughed a bit…been a long time since I had so much win situations.

Garima: “Hmm…By the way where were you?”

Me (smiling): “Oh…yeah, I was watching a movie”

Garima(shocked) : “So rude…without me you watched a whole movie and you made me wait!”

I paused a little and then spoke.

Me: “Okay…now that you had to wait for me a bit, so would you let me know of what the time is now?”

Garima: “What will that do?”

Me: “Just check it!”

Garima: “Twenty past Twelve”

Me: “So…how much late are you?”

Garima: “Oh shut up now”

An hour and ten minutes!  Just amazing

Yup…I knew she will be late as usual. So I came early and planned for the movie. Funny, how things panned out lately today.

I can still see them fighting till Garima landed me with a punch to belly.

Me: “Ow…what was that for?”

Garima (smiling): “I missed practice today”

Me: “Seriously? So I become your punching bag now huh”

Garima (laughing): “What other choice do you have?”

This is indeed true. So blinded we become…don’t we?

Garima: “So where are we going?”

Me: “Oh…you tell me”

Garima: “Hmm…let’s walk for a while”

Me: “Yes mam…

We would still need another umbrella though”

Garima: “Oh trust me…just come closer…we don’t another”

***

Well the story ended here. Good day? Not so much

For the very first time

I'm on my knees, I'm praying for a sign

Can't you see I've waited long enough?

Where do I begin?

Feverish

No words can explain, the way I'm missing you

“I am missing you very much”

Laughing she says “Sleep”

I had something else in mind. I have a hundred and two Fahrenheit level of fever and I am coughing profusely but still I need to write this one.

***

“Do you have a pen?”

It’s like I asked the most shocking thing ever. Wide eyed, she first looked around her to be sure that it was her I asked to; then after a brief moment she replied: “No!”

I felt sorry for myself for asking the question anyway.

I searched in my bag again hoping for a miracle to find a pen to write. Ideas don’t come by easy but when they start flowing, you got to take note of them. Who knows, bit by bit...those ideas may lead to a great story.

“Sweetie, pass me the pen please” seemed like her dad or uncle; who cares anyway...all I was concerned about was the pen I asked for.

She slowly looked inside her bag and then took out the pen to give to her whatever related guy. You Evil girl!

I looked straight at her. What the hell man! She knew what she did. Maybe that don’t talk to strangers has being very deeply hardcoded in her brains.

“Train thirty minutes alasyanga vastundi”

I stayed long enough here to understand the conversation among those fellow passengers, that the train was late by thirty minutes. Soon the announcement followed delaying it by ten more minutes. 

Just Great!

I was exhausted and I have a fever. I decided to take a crisp nap meanwhile resting my head on the one of the station pillars.

***

There is very passionate story about the water and the uvula. For him, she was nothing short of his everything. Day in day out, water would quench her thirst...to be with her. But that quenching was never quite enough for poor uvula.

Hot tasty burgers, crispy nuggets, Biryani...she just loved the touch of them as they slithered by her piece by piece. She was quite fanatic but then she felt the chill that shot through her making her really uncomfortable.

Water was very good at heart. He loved her so much. He offered his help only to see her happy. She was relieved to see him by her side.

One gulp, two gulps. Water was ecstatic to make her happy. But what happened next just broke his heart.

She asked for more fanatics’. The more she got the more she desired. Now she didn’t need the water anymore. Somehow coke came into picture and he was sidelined or ignored briefly.

Salt and lemon were very good friends with water.

“Dude, why are you chasing after her? You will suffer”

Water seemed foolish. He replies: “She needs me as badly I need her. She just doesn’t know yet.”

Chilled Coke, soda, beer, whisky...she loved them all.

“Who needs water mixed in these lovely times? I would rather have them raw.”

And she gulped as they again slithered past her. She felt the frenzy going through her. The waves started hitting her. She felt good...but that dehydration was slowly draining her of which she was completely unaware. She gulped some chilled coke. It felt good.

The water watched in distance. He wanted to help her dear uvula but simply couldn’t for she didn’t need him. She was happy though, about which the water was quite satisfied about.

“Maybe she doesn’t need me anymore” felt the water.

But the story was still not finished.

She got sick. She went sore. Even her dear coke couldn’t save her from her current predicament. It made her sicker. Suddenly those tasty delicacies, slurpy drinks became danger for her.

This came into the water’s observation. He went crazy. His dear one was sick and he couldn’t do anything about it. He went to the salt and pleaded for his help.

“Let her be sick, why do you want to go back to her again?”

“She needs me, please help me this onetime”

***

“That was one crazy dream!”

 I woke up to sudden ring on my phone. It was her. I checked the time...It’s been only half an hour that I had been sleeping while writing my story.

“Are you okay? You didn’t really sound that well”

When she calls back to says this line, and then you know that you are one lucky guy. Ahh...Sweet.

“Not really” and the cough started ruining my speech.

“Gargle...and take Honitus” her voice had more honey in it. God, I hope you are reading this (wink).

I went to the kitchen. Poured a glass of water and went to add salt.

“Water and salt” I laughed as I turned on the gas.

The story was still incomplete and so I continued to write.

***

The snarling sound of the raging engine woke me up. My head was hurting. It felt like hundreds of drums banging in my head.

“Em Ayendi ?” That translates to what happened.

“Nothing” I replied involuntarily. But then I realised.

Hey! I just replied to that evil girl. The train won’t wait for my sulking to finish, so I just boarded the train. It was pretty empty for a seven thirty evening train. I got side lower though and oh the evil Satan lord, that girl had the upper one. Has the good God gone on vacation?

I had to bear her as she just sat there. Poor me...I just wanted to lay down for some much needed rest.

“You don’t sleep in train?” I couldn’t resist asking her this; on which I got this reply

“I sleep when I have to”

“Miss Pushpalata?” The ticket checker asked for the ticket. I literally laughed by hearing the name.

“What’s so funny about it?” she glared one eye towards mine. But I found the name really funny.

After the checker passed us I asked her, “So do your friends call you Pushpa?”

She didn’t seem to like that either.

I thought you can be involved with anyone if you are a bit funny. I guess I was quite wrong here.

But it didn’t end here. After some brief time she replied: “My friends calls me P”

Like seriously...P? What is logic here...I am simply unable to decipher this unusual thing of alphabet naming. Damn...some weird people the world has.

“So you write novels and stuff” she seemed interested. And why won’t she be. She hid the damn pen.

“Yes...I write” I replied.

“I am sorry for the pen. I thought you were some weird guy asking for a mere pen.”

I was tired and I don’t have the energy to sulk much. So I replied: “it’s okay”

“Why don’t you tell me a story? I kind of love them too”

Why does this girl leave me alone?  I wondered.

“One minute” I took two sips of Honitus and a Calpol and then started off with the narration.

“Have you ever heard a feverish story?”

***

Someone just shook me vehemently.

“I think you reached the station?”

“Huh?” I was looking haplessly trying to understand the situation.

“umm...station” Miss P. She woke me up for my stop.

“Oh...shit” I jumped out of my seat and grabbed everything to just run for the door.

“Hey...the train will have an engine change, so you still have about half an hour to get down.”

I told you this girl was pure evil.

“Great Timing” I was amazed though at the speed I woke up and ran towards the door.

She smiled and said “I liked your story”

This made me smile too. I thanked her and got down the station.

While I was going away from the coach she shouted back at me.

“Hey!”

I yelled back: “What now?”

“I would have preferred water too”

I heard the horn. It was time to leave. I smiled at her and waved back. Bye!

***

Quite feverish indeed! I guess it was just enough to complete a story.

I closed my laptop and checked my phone.

“Good night” she said an hour ago.  I got to sleep now.

The fever started on a Monday morning but the cough is still there.

I hope Honitus works

The Extant

 “Can I lay by your side?”

Yaeba! I love that smile, unravelling those double tooth of hers. It melts my heart like a hot chocolate lava cake.

 Did you ever come across one girl; never lose her!

“Go home”

“No...I am here now. I will be next to you; take care of you. I will make sure you are all right”

Smiling she says “I will be fine”

*******************************************************************************

Manish: “I have one weird observation”

Me:“Oh god”

Manish: “What?”

Me: “No...Nothing; you may continue”

Manish: “Yeah, so you know we are good friends right.”

Me: “Is that even a question?”

Manish: “He he...right; But think of the scenario of girls”

Me: “Uh huh...I am listening”

Manish: “I mean consider those three girls there...they seem to be very good friends like us...good friends”

I knew about which three girls he was talking about. I had been looking at them since the moment we arrived here.

Me: “What is your point?”

Manish: “Not yet”

Me: “I guess that’s okay?”

Manish: “It surely is...now if am not wrong, wherever they go, you would always find them together 

right?”

Me: “Yes maybe?”

Manish: “It surely is. Again those girls would surely have their boyfriends”

Me: “And what makes you say that?”

What’s with boyfriends? It is like those spoiler alerts which you never want to hear until you have seen the actual movie!

Manish: “Oh...don’t get your hopes up. Have you looked at them? Beautiful, fair girls are rarely single and the way they are giggling; they surely are one pair each.”

Me: “Umm...so?”

Manish: “So the boyfriends become good friends too cause they have their girlfriends to impress to right?”

You too agree right?

Me: “What choice do they have?”

Manish was smiling sheepishly.

Me: “What’s so funny about it?”

Manish: “Funny, because it is never the other way around!”

Me:“Man!”

It took some brief moment to grasp his thought process.

Manish: “What a weird thought right?”

Me: “Yeah...it sounds more like you need some kind of help, like thought!”

Manish: “He he...it just crossed my mind”

Me: “God...what more crosses your mind?”

Manish: “Many more weird things I suppose...he he”

Me: “So why did you call me here?”

Manish: “First you take me to my wife. I have a birthday to celebrate!”

“Oh...yes” I forgot but it’s nice to play like you remember it.

I carried him from the bench to the wheel chair nearby.

It’s been four years since the day he lost his legs. Saving one’s life...my life; by putting him on the line.

Me: “Damn, you are so heavy”

Manish: “Put me down then...I can even crawl and get up. No problem”

Sometimes we just utter out the first thing that comes to your mind without thinking about who we 

are with, how would they perceive your thoughts. Same happened with Manish.

Me: “Umm...I didn’t mean to...”

Perhaps he understood that I was trying to joke around or it was getting a bit embarrassing for both of us.

Manish: “Yeah...fine. Just put me back in my chair, fast. She should still be sleeping when I return home.”

****************************************************************************

Leaning against the back of the chair, he clutched his chest as he coughed and battled for breath. He had never experienced anything like this before. It felt like he had a blockage in his airways and he couldn’t take in any air.

Feeing numb, he found an urgent sense of purpose for he knew he must call the hospital where he knew she lay gravely ill.

 “I am sorry. We tried our best”

The Doctor’s words pierced straight through his heart. The heart which was grasping for air was suddenly not grasping anything at all.

Numbness kicked in and suddenly there was no meaning of life at all.

Manish: "Hey, sit down for a moment”

Me: "What are you talking about..sh..sh..” Unable to control the tears I let it loose. Manish understood too.  

Anger, confusion came along.

Me: "All this is my fault. I should have been there”

Manish: “Gaurav, it’s not your fault. Now sit down for a moment and listen to me carefully”

Me: “Sit down? How the hell can I sit down now? What are you even taking about?"

I barged out of the hospital having no clue to what I was up to. It felt like a dream that I needed to desperately wake up from. Everything seemed so unreal around me.

I could hear the distant “Gaurav...Gaurav” plea from Manish. I was completely losing it. My head started to spin.

Perhaps I was getting a stroke or I was close to death for I felt a bright light before me. It felt like the gates of heaven were opening for me. I would be together with Akshatha again. I spread my hands wide open for her to embrace me again.

Then a sudden jolt changed everything. I was pushed away five to six feet from my place of embracement. I felt cheated. But then I slowly came to senses; the sight was hazy no more. I could see a carrier truck beside me with Manish some thirty meters away.

Shocked over what I had caused, I struggled to get up and then rushed back to him. He was still breathing with his eyes open. Whispering to me he says:

“I can’t feel my legs”

I would never forgive myself over what I had caused to Manish and everyone around me.

**********************************************************************

“Happy Birthday” we sang in unison.

Smita was overjoyed over her husband giving her the surprise.

Smita: “I love it”

Manish: “Well...anything for you hon.”

It isn’t unusual for events in your everyday routine to trigger a strong emotional reaction, because different events can be reminders that your loved one is no longer with you.

The same happened when I was standing there watching Manish and Smita celebrating with their two lovely kids. Putting a smile on their family is the least thing I can do or at least be a part of it.

I joined them soon.

Me: “I am sorry I could not bring any present”

Smita: “Ahh...no present from family Gaurav. You are my sweet brother”

I smiled vaguely.

Suddenly, Smita came up with a beautifully coloured thread and tied it around my wrist.

Me: “What’s that for?”

Smita: “Today is Raksha bandhan too!”

I felt embarrassed now.

Me: “I am a terrible brother”

Manish (laughing): “Indeed you are”

Me: “Again, I am sorry I have nothing to give you right now”

Smita: “Oh...again? I am telling you I don’t want anything”

Me (smiling): “Fine”

Smita paused for a while and then spoke: “But still as a sister I should get something in return right?”

Me: “Oh...yes...umm...you should”

Smita: “hmmm”

Me: “hmm what?”

Smita: “Let me think”

She looked at Manish and they both nodded in agreement. I was not getting it.

Me: “Tell me what can I give you in return?”

Smita: “There is something I...in fact we want you to do”

Me: “Uhuh...to do what?”

Smita: “I want you to be happy”

It was clear now. Do I not look happy? Yes I clearly do. But deep down it was never the same after Akshatha. I know it and they too feel it.

She continued: “All we want from you is to settle down now. I will be good for you”

Me: “hmmm”

Smita: “You you will keep it as a promise right? Brothers should never back away from their promise(s)”

Me: “I will think about it”

Manish: “You realise losing her was not your fault right?”

Me: “Yes; but at the same time I can’t forgive myself for past mistakes”

There was a hush between us.

Manish: “Guilt is a poison Gaurav. See I am still whole right. My life has never been wonderful like this now. So why are you letting yourself down?”

Me:  “I don’t know”

Manish: “You know I forgave you a long time ago”

Me: “Thank you Manish”

Manish: “But not for what you did the other day!”

Me: “huh...about what?”

Manish: “About what? Dude you rejected Avantika!”

Me: “Oh...that...he he...she is a weird girl”

Manish: “Common man...even I would have hit on her”

Smita(unimpressed) : “Hit on what?”

And we all shared a laugh.

Smiles are contagious; you catch it like flu.

So start smiling and laughing as much as you can. Have a hearty laugh over every amusing situation. Laugh even at yourself and smile at the simplest pleasures in your life.

Because a smile is a curve that sets everything straight...wink ;)

The Reboot

I hate the date thirteen and that too in April. There is a reason people call it unlucky and the month being a month of fools. For me it was a personal dilemma.

“I am such a fool”

“Dude...If you are man enough then go talk to her”

It still rings a bell.

*********************************************************************

“A year and four months; how are you?”

People generally say “Hi”or ”Hey” or even ”Hello” and all I said was this...seriously, I had no opening line other than that.

“I am fine...what about you?”

Her reply; great...now the ball is in my court. What should I say now? Obviously, repeat her line.

“I am fine too”

It is like echoing others line but still works most of the time. But I did not stop for I had to blabber anything right. So I muttered this:

“So what are you doing after internship?”

Seriously? One could easily tell by this that I was stalking her profile secretly even after what happened in previous year. Oh wait...she did too. The half smile coming out of the corner of her lips was evident enough.

Too much detail? Nope...I still know her minute details.

Yeah...I know, awkward.

“Final year” She did reply though.

Crisp, short replies. That is both kind of scary and also mysterious. God knows what cooks inside of their heads.

“Cool...placement season then” I gave a thumbs up which perhaps she did not like.

“Next semester”

Okay this was going nowhere so I said the most stupid line one has ever said. Yes more stupid than the above ones!

“It is not awkward for you right? Talking to me and all”

“No” She replied. Why does it have to be short...damn. But still she didn’t feel awkward; that’s a good thing right?

“Hmm...” another safe option when you have nothing to contribute to or you are too weak to say things. Yeah...the second one obviously!

She then unfolds herself...in words

“I wouldn’t have spoken to you then either”

There was a brief silence. I shouldn’t have said that.

“So where are you now?”

“Oh...yes...I am in Tech Mahindra now” I continued “In Bhubaneswar...oh no no...not that I was there from the beginning; I was in Hyderabad before, then came here...so yes..Now ...umm...Bhubaneswar”

She laughs...ohh...Sweet.

Smiling she says “I am really happy for you”

We shared a smile for some time. Some more time spent.

I can’t share everything you know! He he...good times; personal ones.

Me:“So you are okay, okay?”

“Ha ha...good good, fine fine”

Me:“You read my blog I hope?”

“I am sorry, I am not aware of it”

Me:”Oh...fine, no problem...I will mail you..Same email id?”

“Yes...or maybe you can text me...I have the same number.”

Me: “Oh...okay” (smiling)

“You still have my number?”

Me: “Yes”

She smiled briefly and left towards home. I too walked towards my place when I received a text.

“I still have yours”

I looked back. She was looking at me.

Then what? Don’t watch too much movies. Here normally the hero runs for the girl and then kisses her passionately. Oh, there is a romantic track in the background too.

No-one kisses in their first meeting...or rather a re-meeting.

Well; the rundown and the kisses were there later but the track definitely wasn’t.

Rest is history (wink).

*********************************************************************

I love food and I love my friends. When both of them are together then it feels like heaven.

“I was such a fool then”

“You still are now”

The swarma was spicy enough but the words were even more than that.

“What?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

And everyone started laughing. Some even said “cry baby”. I could not stop myself for a smile too.

I feel good, I feel rejuvenated...again.

Well everything seems so perfect right?

It was the same, two years and seven months ago too!

But still...I am happy now.

This is for you ☺