"Are you following me?"
Me: "Uhh...what? Why would I?"
"You are following the same path as me"
Me: "Oh common...do I have nothing else to do? I have a test today...don't disturb me."
"Now you are just being rude"
Tell me what would you say to that?
I felt like banging my head to any nearby wall. This girl is such a pain...and adding to that she is my neighbor. It can't be worse than this. Remember Varsha from Minutes of Meeting? Yes...that's the same girl.
But sometimes she can be seductive...very!
Wet long hair...the beautiful scent emanating from her body after shower. I am slowly surrendering myself to the lust of her eyes...the same eyes that were red hot some days before.
Well the red hot eyes had a charm in itself. Until you are being safe of any impending attack;you are free to relish the expression.
My morning routine has changed somewhat. I wake up at five now,freshen up and then rush to the balcony. She would be there everyday combing her dripping wet hair. To me,that's a huge turn on! I would look at her for minutes with my mouth wide open; and she then gives a wry of a smile. Damn she is seducing me!
Simply irresistible...I was too much mesmerized by her presence at the balcony.
This went on regularly till my sim-cat results arrived. I think it was my fifth attempt. My parents were concerned of where I will go, what to do next,what will I become.
Good moments somehow leads to a pile-driver of headache.Yes,I love this pile-driver word...like grinding into a wall of pain in turn inducing more pain.
Having a jobless son was having a huge social stigma upon them. It's not that I was not trying. I had cleared many interviews only to be rejected by the HR. But it is how it is right?
It was November night...if I remember correctly. I never studied so much in the four years of engineering of what I was doing now. Aptitude,English and then there is the grammar....such a pain.
One puff of smoke and I would be back to my books. I went to the roof to get refreshed. Starry nights are awesome and the silence all around adds to the beauty of it.
Varsha: "It's amazing isn't it?" she spoke from her roof.
I was taken aback for a moment. Then realised...this girl will not let me live quietly.
Me: "What are doing here...staying up this late?"
Varsha:" Don't shout...everyone is sleeping"
Me: "oh...okay"
There was a hush around us...I could see her trying to tell me something which was making me uncomfortable. But I remained silent looking at her eyes...she saw that and finally broke the silence.
Varsha: "I was not able to sleep"
Girls do it...regularly...telling you half the information of what's needed.
Me:"Oh...and why is that?"
Varsha: "Ahh...nothing; I graduated na...they will fix my marriage soon"
Me:"Hmm...and you don't want to right?"
Varsha(smiling): "You seem interested?"
Me:"I am just asking"
Varsha: "I don't have a choice"
Me:"We always have"
Varsha: "Job to mila nahi hai....badi badi baate karta hain!" (You don't even have a job and you are speaking big things huh!)
Me: "You sound like my dad now...ughh"
Varsha: "Hey...sorry"
Me: "I may not have a job...but I would suggest not to do anything that you will repent later in your life now...rest is your choice."
Varsha: "I would remember that"
Me: "Good...I will get back to study then"
Varsha: "Umm...hey...could you wait for a little longer? I have to tell you something"
Me: "Tell me tomorrow ok...we have a class tomorrow...bye"
Before she could say anything I was already downstairs....studying. Perhaps I should have waited...but getting a job was more important for me then.
That was the end of Varsha...she never went to the class again and I was too focused on my career.
It's been five years now. I would have forgotten her by then until this very moment.
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Me: "Hey I just arrived home"
Mom: "Don't be a baby...carry these to Mr. Chakraborty's home"
Me: "What's in there...it's freaking heavy"
Mom: "Don't just complain...just deliver them and come back...I have five more bags"
Mr. Chakraborty's only daughter is getting married today. I remember her tying rakhi to me nd now we are here. It seems awkward....I am getting old and still unmarried. Free bird...he he!
"You have so grown up now...
So when you are getting married?"
Relatives...nagging the wedding bells around my ears. I wanted to run from the scene but these hounds will catch you in every corner.
"I didn't decide yet" and off I go to my home.
The wedding ceremony was at night...so we were there since evening. There was a huge party. We Indians have so much to show at weddings...really.Nothing much to say here...we already know how much we splurge in at ceremonies.
I had to hear the same bells again for the night. Luckily,my sister was along with me...so I diverted all the wedding stuffs to her and let her enjoy(wink)!
We were sitting...after the meal...which I should say was epic.By then the in-laws arrived.
Me and my sister had no energy so we decided to say put.
My sister then whispered to me:"Hey didn't you use to wake up for that girl standing there?"
I looked up scanning the whole floor. Yes,Varsha...I remember the face.
Me:"Get lost...but how did you know"
Sister: "I just know...like I know about Ankita"
Me: "Hey that's old school...everyone knows...but mom doesn't right?"
Sister: "Not yet...do you want me to?"
Me:"Oh...please...leave that to me."
Sister(winking):"Yeah...waiting for it"
"Hey what's with those karate videos?" Varsha came near us. She found us too! My sister left from the scene.
Me(smiling): "I like karate...should have learned it when I had the chance though"
She looks old now..and I couldn't resist asking her that.
Me:"What happened to you?"
She smiled and said: "marriage"
The word had more weight than it seemed. I could see the eyes being still,wandering...but still forcing a smile.
Varsha: "Can I sit here?"
Me: "Yeah sure"
Varsha: "It's been a long time"
Me: "It sure is...I can see changes already(smiling)"
Varsha(laughing): "Where do I even begin?"
We talked for some brief time. I can say that she wanted to talk to me more...I don't know why but I guess eyes don't lie.
Ms. Chakraborty was finally getting married. She was looking very beautiful....my rakhi sister....would now get married. Great!
Me: "I should get going"
Varsha: "So soon? Won't you wait for her to leave"
Me: "Oh I have been here for hours...she needs her parents more than me.Besides I am going tomorrow. It's been nice to meet you!"
Varsha: "Oh! yes. I am very glad and should thank you for talking to me"
Me: "Why wouldn't I? Keep in touch ok"
Varsha: "Sure"
It kind of stumped me the way she talked.I felt something was off. Perhaps I could have stayed for some more time....if that helped her.
How the choices we take, shape ourselves...I guess I knew what she had to say. Maybe the story would have been different if I would have listened to her on the rooftop five years ago. Maybe it is another story to tell one day....but not now because I am involved into something else...something of more importance now.
******************************************************************************
Me: "He called you again?"
Ankita: "Why? yes...twice a day"
Me: "And you are okay with this...considering what happened earlier?"
Ankita:"I know...but he is a nice guy"
Me: "hmmm"
Ankita: "Mr...are you getting jealous?"
Me: "Offcourse I am"
Ankita(smiling): "he he...feels great to be one being fought for...I will be sleeping now ok...good night"
Me:"Yeah...good night"
Sister:"You are such a loser"
Me: "Oh common....you are spying on me now?"
Sister(laughing): "Oh...I will never let you breath freely"
Me: "You...I will kill you today"
Sister: "Maaa...dekho maarche!" (Mom...look...he is beating me)
The next day while leaving home...I walked past Mr. Mukherjee's place. The door was locked from outside. I hoped that Varsha would be there...but she wasn't. I hope she would be in peace and happy.
I checked my phone:
Ankita: "Woke up sleepyhead?"
Me:"Yup,well and before time"
Ankita: "Oho...that's surprisingly great"
Me: "Oh...you have not yet seen the surprise that I can give"
Ankita:"Yes please...waiting"
Me: "Hey,when does your sessions start?"
Ankita: "From day after tomorrow"
"cool...I will be there"
I thought for a minute....then removed the last four words and pressed send.
The story continues ☺
