Thursday 31 March 2016

Inseparable Love

The golden rays of light cast through the window awakening me from my slumber. I arise from my covers and walk down the stairs. The cold hardwood floor sends shivers through my body as I walk down the hall. I approach the pillar in the corner of the living room and peek at my grandmother. Her long gray hair with subtle auburn streaks covers her face. She hears me and raises her head.

"Audrey is that you?" Grandmother questioned.
"Yeah."
"What are you doing awake at this time. Its breaking dawn."
"I don't know, I just decided to get up. What are you doing?"
"Ohh nothing, just looking at pictures."
I spot a picture of Grandfather, he looks pretty young maybe early twenties.
"Ohh he was so handsome and charming."
"Grandma I don't know If i ever asked, but how did you and grandpa meet?"

A smile appears on grandmothers faces and she lights up with joy. She walks over and sits in her antique mahogany rocking chair. I sit on the rug beneath her, adhere to every word that comes from her.
"Well It was a very long time ago the summer of '42 to be exact, I was a bit older than you, about fifteen. But things were a lot different then. I was crazy for Frank Sinatra my mother bought me a record I played that record all day and night."
I begin to laugh along with grandmother.
"I remember I'd just gotten a pair of new saddle shoes, I loved my blue ones. We even used to autograph each others shoes! We wore dresses and skirts and ankle socks just typical teenagers at the time. Oh dear I'm getting off topic aren't I?"
"Well yes, but your information was amusing." I inform.
"Well anyway I met your grandfather In the summer of that year. I'd never seen him around so I was intrigued by him.I thought he was quite handsome and I knew I would make a fool of myself If I was anywhere near him!"
"So he spoke to you?" I ask.

"Oh no, our friends actually did. They all wanted to do triple dates but he was with another girl and that really upset me that I had to go with another boy.We went to the diner nearby and then to the movies. The dates were fun but I wasn't really into it. Charlie, my date, asked to walk me home but I declined so I just walked by myself. Then I heard footsteps long after he left. It was a boy, no other than your grandfather trying to spook me but it didn't work."

"Oh I should've known!" I say with a smile.
"He just walked with me down the street, it was a little awkward just walking in silence. But then he said to me, how are you doing. I thought that was a little weird we had been walking for about five minutes now and he just asked me how am I!" grandmother says with a humorous tone.

"I was to shy to reply back though, I was acting a little stubborn. Cat got your tongue, he joked. I said no and that I just didn't want to talk to him. He said okay and that he would leave, but I didn't want him to. He walked a few steps and I told him wait. He paused and turned back to me. So you don't want me to leave is it? I told him I wouldn't say that. Oh I was so naive!" She says smiling the whole time through.
"He walked me all the way to my door and just simply left."

"Just like that, he just-----left?" i question.
"Oh I felt the same way, like why did he just leave like that he could've said goodbye!"
We both share a laugh in relation.
"After that we just seemed to connect with each other strangely. We were always with each other, we could rely on each other for anything, but I didn't tell him how I felt about him after two whole years. I thought we were inseparable until the day I found out he was leaving for the war."
"What war grandma?"
"World War Two. It was a very big deal the U.S, needed all the help we could get so they drafted as young as sixteen."
"Ohh yeah World War two was the worst."
"Yes, that's why I did everything In my power to stop him. But he was so headstrong on him going to fight for our country, no matter what I said could stop him. On the day of his deployment he wrote me the most wonderful poem about love. I didn't think I was so in love with him until that poem."
"That's so sweet."

"When he was gone I was really kept to myself. I didn't even talk to a boy, I only had eyes for your grandfather.I worried about him morning noon and night. But I couldn't even bare to think of him dying. I remember In the fall in '44 the radio announce that the war was over the nazis surrendered. Everyone was happy for the re-deployment, brothers husbands boyfriends everyone was coming back---- except for your grandfather. My worries began to build with each day, then week then month. I remember just breaking down and crying that night because I believed he had truly died. There was knock on my window which alarmed me.

To my complete surprise It was your grandfather! I was so happy to see him I engulfed him In a warm hug. He was soaking wet because it was raining cats and dogs outside. I ask him what he was doing there. He told me that those were the longest two years of his life, and that he thought about me every night. He said that he wasn't sure about his future and! that he didn't know too much about anything, but he knew he had a future and I had to be in it. Then he dropped down on one knee and proposed.
I cover my hands and gasp. "Oh Grandma how romantic!"

"It was very, I knew I loved him more than anythings in the world so I had to say yes. We shared a blissful kiss and hugged with joy. Our parents though we were too young so we eloped and that's how our life all began."
"Oh Grandma you're going to make me cry."
"I want to every time I think about him It's only been a year. I miss him dearly but I know that he wouldn't want me to cry. I still think that we are inseparable because even though he's not on Earth anymore he's always in my heart." grandmothers says sincerely.

I give my grandmother a hug unlike any other, the kind of long warm hug that you don't want to let go of.

Sunday 27 March 2016

Love spares no one

Today , My parents showed me another photograph of a girl. They had been in search of a Bride for me. After seeing the pic , I went into my room. I sat quietly holding pillow in my hands. I began to think  again about the marriage. I always wanted to fall in love , share magical moments with my lover and then one fine day tie the knot of marriage with her. But there was something inside me which always stopped me to do that. That was the story of my 2 classmates  Sanjana and Mohit.

My class mates Sanjana and Mohit had been knowing each other since childhood. They lived in same colony, Jagruti Vihar, New Delhi . They were good friends and studied in same school.
Mohit was very naughty and chubby guy. He mingled with everyone at ease, but on other side Sanjana was shy  and simple girl. But still they both were very close to each other and shared almost everything together.
I could still recollect the days when I saw them sitting on stairs and sharing each others lunch box.
I always liked the bond between them, they always found time for each other. There was something very interesting in them; whenever I looked at them, I always wished that they would remain same way forever, connected with each other.
They never allowed anyone else to come in between their friendships although many people tried to create difference to break the bond between them, that indeed was really strong. They sometime made silent conversation in sign language when they wanted to talk in crowd. They had superb understanding.
School teachers also  admired the fact that one side they competed against each other to get first rank and on other side they  remained friends apart from their educational competitiveness. Generally,  Mohit won the chase of getting first rank. They were great inspiration to other; they were considered another name of ‘friendship’.
Slowly time passed and we all finished our Intermediate .
And now it was time to get ready to make a clear choice for our future. They both took admission in same College for their engineering also. They still remained special to one another. In college,  Mohit opted for Civil engineering and Sanjana for Electrical. I believed, it was first time that they thought or did  something different . I also joined in same  college and opted for mechanical. This was when we three came together and formed our group. But I always knew that I was an ‘Extra’ in their lives.
In college also they continued their friendship in same manner as it was earlier. We 3 used to meet together during lunch time in canteen, and to share our day to day problems, issues, concerns, family problem, future goals etc…
Mohit once told he wanted to get a job in reputed Construction company, as he always wanted to build beautiful building and construct lovely house. This was his dream. Sanjana  showed her interest to pursue MBA after engineering from any reputed college. They both respected, admired and liked each other dreams.
But, The only definite thing about time is, it changes.
3 years passed as no time and It was our final year……
One day Mohit received a phone call from sanjana
Mohit :-  ‘Hello..’
Sanjana:- ‘Hi Mohit, This is Sanjana’
Mohit:- ‘ O hi sanju, ya tell me …’
Sanjana:-  ‘ I wanna meet you yaar ‘
Mohit :- ‘ hmm fine, where  ?’
Sanjana:-  ‘ Same place …’
Mohit:-  ‘ At what time ?
Sanjana:- ‘If possible , now’
Mohit:- ‘Ok sure give me half an hour , I will come there ‘
Sanjana, :- ‘Fine , I will wait for you …..’

Sanjana was waiting behind the staircase of that Old school . She was tensed.
Mohit came running there as he thought he was late .
Mohit :- ‘Hey hi, what happened you looked tensed, tell me’
Sanjana :-  ‘ Let’s  sit first ‘
They sat on  staircase .
Sanjana started-‘ Mohit, My parents are looking for a groom, they are planning for my marriage’
‘So what’s wrong in that , every parent have this concern for their daughter, It’s Good right ?’ Mohit said.
Sanjana:- ‘No, yaar I love someone else. And till date I haven’t expressed my feeling to him’
Mohit :-   ‘ Hey who’s  that, you didn’t tell me anything  about him. I understand, you don’t consider me your friend . Otherwise You would have told me earlier.’ Mohit said dolefully.
Sanjana:-  ‘Not that yaar, actually this marriage talk and all has made me realize that I want to marry that Guy.  I have been also unaware of my feeling for him.’
Mohit :-  ‘ Ok baba , tell me I will talk to him , I am with you. Don’t worry and Tell me his name. Do I know him ? Is he from our college ?
Sanjana :- Yes , You know him.
‘Vikas ?’   Mohit prompted in between.
Sanjana :- No….
Before Mohit could  make any other guess ,  Sanjana gathered some courage and said , ‘ It’s You ‘
Mohit didn’t believe what he heard just now.
‘What !!!  Me…..??’  he screamed loudly.
Mohit:- ‘No baba , No. Sanju, You are my best friend, in fact the only friend But I haven’t imagined you as my Lover or my wife. No yaar. I don’t love you in that way .”
Sanjana:- (Surprisingly as she was expecting a definite ‘Yes’ from his side)  But why?  I know you since childhood , we are no less than each other in any sphere of life. I think we can continue and make a good couple. I love you yaar. Please don’t reject me like this .
Mohit :- I am not rejecting you, but what you are expecting , can’t happen. I have other view on marriage, love, wife, etc ….
Sanjana:- ‘Do you love someone ? If not then why can’t me?’
Mohit:-  ‘No I don’t love any one right now . But I will tell you a fact , I always imagined a girls who would come into my life suddenly and set everything right for me. I always wanted to marry someone I haven’t seen till date and just surrender myself to her so that she can add colors to my life with her charm. I never imagined you in that way. So please don’t take me wrong. You are a nice girl , You will surely find someone good for you.”
Sanjana had tears in her eyes while listening all this . She came close to Mohit, kissed on his forehead and said in low voice-
‘All the best , May you get girl of your  life’  But you will definitely remember me. Bye.’
Sanjana left from there in silence.
Mohit stood there and realized that he broke her heart. But didn’t feel any guilt or regret as he was very much sure on the choice of his life.
Time passed and there was almost no contact between them for few days.
After 15 days Mohit received a call .
Mohit:- ‘ Hello ….who is this ?’
“Hello Mohit . I am Nita, Sanjana Mother’s. Can you come to NBH Hospital?”
Mohit :- ‘what happened Aunty?’
Nita:- ‘ Sanjana jumped off from building, she attempted suicide. She is in hospital ‘
There was a long silence. Mohit was shocked for a while , he didn’t understand what to do ..? He immediately left for the Hospital with no delay.
Sanjana was immediately admitted  in ICU, her condition seemed to be critical. Mohit reached  and sat beside her mother and tried to Console her. Doctor came out after examining Sanjana.
‘How is she doctor saab’?  Ms Nita asked.
She is out of danger now.But …She lost her legs, I am sorry for that But  she won’t be able to walk now.’
Nita and Mohit were stunned . This was like moment of grief for them. Nita cried a lot. Really Life became miserable for them.
Days passed by,  Sanjana came home on wheelchair. She went into depression. She spent her days constantly staring  walls and  speaking to none. She became like Living death body.
Doctor said   ‘She is in depression, and due to this she doesn’t react to things, Please try to keep her happy. This will only help her to come out from depression’
I used to visit her house regularly and try my best to keep her happy. Here on one side I was supporting her to gain her confidence and make a fresh start to her life.
And On other side, After a year from this Incident, Mohit got job in a reputed company. After that he  married to a Punjabi girl Nalini who also worked in same company. She was almost  same kind of girl which Mohit always dreamt of.
I didn’t tell this to Sanjana. Mohit almost forgot about his best friend Sanjana , who now was on the wheel chair. Sanjana couldn’t take the rejection by Mohit and attempted suicide. He never went to see her anytime. He always thought it wasn’t his fault at all. He never asked Sanjana to love him, he never asked her to attempt suicide.
Mohit was happy in his life. He achieved almost all thing which he expected from life. He believed in his happiness and was happy to be married to Nalini. One Night around 2:00 am Mohit heard Nalini’s voice, she was talking to someone on her mobile. He  observed that Nalini was talking to someone in very soft voice. Mohit didn’t utter a single word and ignored.
But same continued for few weeks.  He wanted to know to who Nalini talked late night once, she believed, Mohit went  sleeping.
Next Morning, when Nalini went to wash room, he  grabbed her cell phone and checked the call listing. He finds a Name ‘ Anshu’ to who she used to call in night. Mohit stored this number and kept the Nalini’ cell at same place before she came. He  sensed something  suspicious, so he decided to follow up on this .
In his investigation, he came know that ‘Anshu ‘ is none other than his boss ‘Anshuman Sahay’. And Nalini-Anshuman had been in affair with each other for last 2 months. Mohit couldn’t take this and decided to settle the matter. He was very angry with Nalini.
He immediately  went to her  …..
Mohit:-  ‘Who is this Anshu ‘ ? He shouted on Nalini.
She was shocked to hear that.
Nalini :-‘ No I don’t know any Anshu .what are you saying ?’   She replied in fear
Mohit:- ‘ I know he is that bas**rd Anshuman and you have an affair with him for last 2 months.’
Their argument continued for more than 2 hours , Nalini tried to defend herself but Mohit was not willing to listen to her.
Next day, Nalini went a bit early to office. She left a small  note for Mohit.
‘ I am going  to office early for some urgent work . We will talk in evening.Today everything will be settled’.
In office, Nalini directly went to Anshuman’s cabin and recited him the whole story.
Anshuman said-
‘ Nalini , I love you, if you also  love me then leave Mohit and come with me, I will give you all the thing which you always wanted . I am crazy about you and want you at any cost.’
Choosing Anshuman was  wise choice for Nalini . She will get everything from him, Money, luxury, everything which she had been dreaming of . Taking the advantage of the situation, Nalini went close to him, held his hand and said-
‘ Even I love you Anshuman ,  I don’t know why I married Mohit, That was  probably the biggest mistake of my life. I want to leave him . I always loved you but didn’t expressed’
‘Ok fine, so today’s Evening I will come to your  house and talk to Mohit to file divorce with You. If he agrees it’s fine or else I will see him then. Now nothing can come between you and me. ‘ Anshuman added.
Here Mohit was waiting for Nalini  to settle down the matter. He decided to talk to her and explains the importance of their love. Nalini reached home, Mohit went near to her and said-
‘ I am sorry, I behaved very badly yesterday I love you and let’s start all over again, I mean You and me are both made for each other so why don’t  you  love me  I will keep you happy always Believe me…..’
Before Nalini could say any word. There was knock on a door. Mohit  opened the door. He was surprised to see Anshuman on Door. He called him inside. After sitting on chair Anshuman told about his love and affair with Nalini.
He said :-
‘ I want you to give divorce to Nalini and set her free. she doesn’t like you. I want to marry her after you give her divorce, I don’t want anything wrong happen to anyone of us. so Please listen to me and do as I say .’
Mohit rushed toward Anshuman and grabbed his collar.
‘ How dare you come to my home and talking about my wife? Leave, otherwise I will forget that you are my colleague.’  Mohit added angrily.
‘You can ask to Nalini , to who she wants.  If she says it’s you I will leave now. Or else you have to go away from our lives. Because at any cost I will get her”  Anshuman replied with same anger in  his tone.
Mohit looked at Nalini , who was silent witness of all that was going through.
‘Why are you standing like a statue ?  Tell Him that you love me and want me ‘
Nalini  in low voice said-‘ Mohit I don’t love you. It’s decision time, I don’t want to cheat you , but I love Anshuman.’
Mohit didn’t believe this. He went crazy after hearing that. He went into kitchen and grabbed the knife. He wanted to finish Anshuman now. In this act of anger, a little quarrel broke out between the two and Mohit  killed Anshuman with that knife. Anshuman fell down  on the floor, blood was  pouring out of his stomach. He was dead. Mohit murdered Anshuman .
Nalini  rushed towards  Anshuman body and started screaming and crying.
Mohit  now realized   that ‘Nalini never loved him’ .He  didn’t know what to do now. He left everything as it was and ran away from the place of incident. Later , when Police arrived on the location, they found Nalini lying on floor in sub conscious state.
Lady constable sprinkled some water on her face and made her to come back to normality. When police asked about the detail , she narrated then the whole story. She told police, that Mohit did all this things and ran way from the spot.
After 3 days,  Mohit was arrested and  was under police custody , behind the bars. In Jail, sitting alone at the corner Mohit now recollected and realized that how he rejected the most appropriate proposal for  his life,  Sanjana.
He now began to realize his mistake for not accepting Sanjana  as his life partner. His desire to have Beautiful and mod wife brought him to this stage. He cried now and regretted for what he has done to his all time school friend and best mate ever ‘sanjana’
“I am sorry sanjana” he said in grief.
He’s  now remembering her and crying . But really it was too late. The twosome who always stayed together, who shared everything, who was source of inspiration to other now were at such a position, One was on wheel chair  and other behind the bars.

I have seen all these happening and my heart cries for both of them.
Still Today also I ask to myself some questions
* What was Sanjana’s fault ?
‘ She just loved her childhood mate thinking that they would be perfect couple together  and what she received in return  ‘ Wheelchair and depression for whole life’
* Why Mohit didn’t accept Sanjana
‘ Just to have someone coming from no where to change his life and add colors to it.’
* Why Nalini cheated Mohit ?
‘To have a secure and promising life with luxury and money involved ‘
*  ‘Why we think, chat we have are less important.
* Why our heart and mind cheat us and make us believe on thing which we are not aware of.?’
This is purely the case of expectation in love. We handle love very carelessly. We want more on everything, but forget the simple rule of love-
‘Never expect, just believe in love’ .

Thursday 17 March 2016

My Beloved Edith

Arthur stood at the gates and waited for the man to come. He was early today, keen to get started. He rubbed his hands together to stimulate the circulation and peered through the railings. Finally, the man arrived and unlocked the gate. He pulled at the heavy iron frame and it slowly opened.
     'Mornin' Albert, how are you feelin' today?'
     'Lucky.'
     'This could be the one, do you think?' the man enthused.
     'Aye. Ah think ye could be right.' Albert smiled and the man returned to the gatehouse. Albert walked slowly up the driveway and then he stopped. He couldn't remember where he had finished yesterday. His memory wasn't what it used to be. He reached into his overcoat pocket and pulled out his map. He checked the last entry. John Macleod, 23rd September. That was three days ago. He'd either forgotten to update his list or he hadn't been at all.
     'You're a bloody fool, Arthur.' He shrugged his shoulders. 'Oh well, I'll just have to start from Mr Macleod.' Using the map for guidance, he made his way to the desired plot and set to work.

After he'd finished a row, his hip started playing up. He sat down on a nearby bench and rubbed his leg.
     'Time for a wee dram.' He thought. He unbuttoned his coat and removed a half bottle from the breast pocket of his suit. He took a couple of sips and replaced the cap.
     'I better no drink too much of this,' he said, 'otherwise I'll get lost again.' Then he unwrapped his lunch. It was his favourite, a mutton piece with onion and mustard. As he chewed on his sandwich, he started thinking about the old days. Sometimes he could remember her quite clearly, her face right at the front of his mind, her eyes and mouth smiling at him. But then there were days when he could barely picture her at all. He had to write things down, but it was hard to do that all the time. Suddenly, he started to panic. He'd forgotten her name. This was his greatest fear.
     'What was it Agnes ...? Edna ...? No, that's not right ... Alice ...?' Names were flying in and out of his head but none of them seemed quite right.
     'Awe for Christ sake ... just think ...' he rubbed his forehead. 'Elise ... Amanda ...'
     It was no use. The only thing he could do was to carry on and hope that the name would pop back into his mind. He finished his lunch, pushed himself to his feet and returned to where he had stopped.

He looked down at the stone in front of him. William Rennie 1867 - 1922.
     'Well that's not her,' he thought. He continued along the line. Margaret Forsyth, 1899-1948. He stared at the headstone.
     'Could she be a Margaret? No ... I don't think so.' He moved on to another, and then another until he was at the end of the row. He got out his map and wrote down the name. Frank Gilroy 1903-1953, Row 7, 26th September. And so he continued. Row after row he searched, hoping that he'd come across something that would awaken his memory. But he still couldn't remember her name. This was the longest he'd forgotten it. He didn't know what to do. He sat down again and rested his hip. He took another few swigs of whisky and examined his map.
     'That's eight rows done ... I'll do another two and that'll be me for the day.' He was breathing heavy. The walking and the strain of trying to remember were tiring him out. He started on another row, Robert Hughes 1907-1979.

It was beginning to get dark. He was about to give up when he stopped at a small grave. It read,

To my Beloved Edith 
1900-1947 
Rest in Heaven

     He couldn't breath. He staggered back and then steadied himself.
     'Edith ... That's her name. That is it.' he thought. And then he realised.
     'Oh my God, Edith ... I've found you.' He bent down and touched the stone with the back of his hand, the way he used to touch her face.
     'My beloved ... Edith ... I've been looking for you for a long, long time. How did you no help me find you?' He rested his cheek on the cold marble and started to weep. It was like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. All those years without her had come to an end. He could finally grieve again for the woman he had lost so long ago. He looked at the plot again. It was covered in weeds, and moss had started growing inside the inscription.
     'What have you done to yourself?' he said 'You need a good spruce up.' Ignoring the pain in his joints, he got down on one knee and started pulling at the weeds.
     'You've got yourself in a right old mess. You need me to look after you don't you?' He put the weeds in his pocket and tried to rub the mould off the decorative stones that had been placed around the border. He picked at the moss with his nails and muttered under his breath. Suddenly, he stopped. He remembered about the man. Using the gravestone for support, he slowly pushed himself up again.
     'I've got to go, my love. But I'll be back tomorrow. I'll bring you flowers. I'll see if I can get you some fuchsias. I know how much you like them.' He ran his fingers across her name.
     'See you tomorrow, my Edith.' He blew her a silent kiss and made his way back through the rows of crosses and carved angels to the entrance. When he reached the gate, he steadied himself against the railings.
     'What was the date again?' He thought '1947.' Little threads of doubt started fluttering around his head.
     'I'm not sure that's right ... When was it ... just after the war ... and we'd moved to Denistoun. Tom would have been four. Was it 47? Or 48?' He tried to work it out with his fingers. Just then the man reappeared.
     'Awe right Arthur. Any luck today?'
     'I thought so ... but now I'm no sure ... I'll need to check something when I get home.'
     'Oh well there's always tomorrow if she's no the right one.'
     'Aye.'
     Arthur stepped out of the cemetery. The man closed the gate behind him, wrapped the chain around the metal frame and snapped the padlock shut.
     'I'll see you tomorrow Arthur.' but Arthur didn't reply. He was deep in thought.
     'His time will come' the man muttered to himself and he went back into the gatehouse.

Friday 11 March 2016

We swore we’d never fall in love with each other

The moment I accepted his friend request, a message popped up on my screen.
“Hey! Which branch are you in?”
I replied, “Computer Science”
“Oh okay”.
I didn’t know if I should have ended the conversation right there or continue. It would seem rude not to continue is what I thought and hence I asked,
“Why?”
“Just asked 😛 ”
“Which branch did you think I was in? 😛 ”
God knows why I used the tongue sticking out smiley. Feels kind of stupid right now.
“No idea 😛 ”
“Haha! You’re from Civil right?”
“Yeah :) Well I gtg now. A friend of mine called. It’s an emergency. I’ll talk to you later. Bye :)”
“Sure :) ”
Saying this, he went offline. I didn’t give this conversation much of a thought as I didn’t feel anything after talking to him. I was still online just scrolling through various posts. After about half an hour, he was back again.
“Hello 😀 ”
“Haha..that was fast”
He didn’t reply for the next two minutes.
I texted again.
“And you vanished again!”
“No no! I was actually waiting for your reply. :) ”
Now I don’t know why he would say that as I had already replied.
“I did reply!”
“For my hello? :O ”
Oh God. LAME.
“Lol. Hello there :). Happy?”
“Haha. yes 😛 ”
The next part of the conversation included basic introduction of each other and just like me, he was pretty excited that I was also a “Roy”. It seems kind of biased I know. But well, that’s how we all are in end. Aren’t we?
Days went by and eventually we exchanged numbers. Talking to each other had become like a routine by now. We decided to meet each other in person. He asked me to come near the parking lot at 4 pm. I was a little nervous meeting him for the first. I was a little late and I reached the place by 4.20. I saw him waiting for me on his Royal Enfield.
He wore a blue striped shirt, unbuttoned till chest, grew a light stubble. Honestly, I wasn’t impressed at first at all. I always preferred guys who were subtle and sophisticated. I don’t know what he thought of me at the first sight. Well, I’m no bomb myself. I’m one of those average looking girls who certain guys find charming( not all guys). I was plump, cheerful and usually people tagged me with the term ‘cute’.
He smiled and said “Finally we meet!”
I wanted to reply “Yes” but that is such an obvious reply and also no ice breaker.
I said “I don’t know how I hadn’t noticed you in the college all these days”
He said “But I have seen you. You’re always with Rhea”
Well of course he would know Rhea. Who wouldn’t? She was one of the most gorgeous girls in college. At least 90% of the guys in college had a crush on her. The other 10% were probably gay.
I said “Oh her. Haha! I’m not surprised you know her. You probably can’t take your eyes off her.”
He just smirked at that and went on to talking something else. We spoke for a while and went back home. Our conversations over the phone continued.
One evening while we were having this casual conversation and I mentioned about this friend of mine who also happened to be a senior. The conversation went like this:
Me: “Hey! You know Sachin right?”
“Yeah I do..why?”
“Just asked 😀 ”
“Whyy???? 😐 ”
“He’s a nice guy”
“Ahem Ahem 😛 ”
“Haha”
“So what’s going on? wink ”
“Haha..nothing! You chill”
“Hehe.. I’m all cool 😛 ”
“Sure ? :P”
“Yup 😀 ”
“Okay then listen. He’s such an amazing guy! So loving! The other day he kept me waiting for a while and hence he got me a chocolate to make up for it 😀 ”
“Okay. Is this some sort of punishment? :|”
“How is it a punishment?! I thought you were all cool 😛 ”
Oh yes. I was trying to get him jealous.
He replied, “Oh yes I am 😛 ”
I didn’t stop right there.
I continued, “So yeah, listen. He was with me on Rhea’s birthday. He walked in late and hence I was a little irritated. He came and hugged me and said ‘I’m sorry Rosh’. I mean how cute is that?”
“Okay. Are you done? :/ . This conversation is finally getting boring 😐 ”
“Hahaha..okay. Enough of Sachin for the day”
“Yeah that’s better 😐 ”
“Awww”
“What’s awww about it? angry face
“I thought you were all cool about it 😛 ”
“Yeah. So you go on telling?? :O ”
“If it doesn’t bother you, then why not? 😛 ”
“Okay I give up. I am jealous -_- ”
Hahahaha. YES!! Finally. The moment I read that sentence, I could sense myself blushing. I was happy that he was kind of possessive. Was I falling in love with this thug?
(to be continued)
###

Wednesday 9 March 2016

I still love you

Lisa gazed out over the Arabian Sea, feeling the faint breeze against her face - eyes shut, the white sand warm between her bare toes. The place was beautiful beyond belief, but it was still unable to ease the grief she felt as she remembered the last time she had been here.
     She had married James right here on this spot three years ago to the day. Dressed in a simple white shift dress, miniature white roses attempting to tame her long dark curls, Lisa had been happier than she had ever thought possible. James was even less formal but utterly irresistible in creased summer trousers and a loose white cotton shirt. His dark hair slightly ruffled and his eyes full of adoration as his looked at his bride to be. The justice of the peace had read their vows as they held hands and laughed at the sheer joy of being young, in love and staying in a five star resort on the Arabian sea beach . They had seen the years blissfully stretching ahead of them, together forever. They planned their children, two she said, he said four so they compromised on three (two girls and a boy of course); where they would live, the travelling they would do together - it was all certain, so they had thought then.
     But that seemed such a long time ago now. A lot can change in just a few years - a lot of heartache can change a person and drive a wedge through the strongest ties, break even the deepest love. Three years to the day and they had returned, though this time not for the beachside marriages the island was famous for but for one of its equally popular quickie divorces.
     Lisa let out a sigh that was filled with pain and regret. What could she do but move on, find a new life and new dreams? - the old one was beyond repair. How could this beautiful place, with its lush green coastline, eternity of azure blue sea and endless sands be a place for the agony she felt now?
     The man stood watching from the edge of the palm trees. He couldn't take his eyes of the dark-haired woman he saw standing at the water's edge, gazing out to sea as though she was waiting for something - or someone. She was beautiful, with her slim figure dressed in a loose flowing cotton dress, her crazy hair and bright blue eyes not far off the colour of the sea itself. It wasn't her looks that attracted him though; he came across many beautiful women in his work as a freelance photographer. It was her loneliness and intensity that lured him. Even at some distance he was aware that she was different from any other woman he could meet.
     Lisa sensed the man approaching even before she turned around. She had been aware of him standing there staring at her and had felt strangely calm about being observed. She looked at him and felt the instant spark of connection she had only experienced once before. He walked slowly towards her and they held each other's gaze. It felt like meeting a long lost friend - not a stranger on a strange beach.
     Later, sitting at one of the many bars on the resort, sipping the local cocktails they began to talk. First pleasantries, their hotels, the quality of the food and friendliness of the locals. Their conversation was strangely hesitant considering the naturalness and confidence of their earlier meeting. Onlookers, however, would have detected the subtle flirtation as they mirrored each other's actions and spoke directly into each other's eyes. Only later, after the alcohol had had its loosening effect, did the conversation deepen. They talked of why they were here and finally, against her judgement, Lisa opened up about her heartache of the past year and how events had led her back to the place where she had married the only man she believed she could ever love. She told him of things that had been locked deep inside her, able to tell no one. She told him how she had felt after she had lost her baby.
     She was six months pregnant and the happiest she had ever been when the pains had started. She was staying with her mother as James was working out of town. He hadn't made it back in time. The doctor had said it was just one of those things, that they could try again. But how could she when she couldn't even look James in the eye. She hated him then, for not being there, for not hurting as much as her but most of all for looking so much like the tiny baby boy that she held for just three hours before the took him away. All through the following months she had withdrawn from her husband, family, friends. Not wanting to recover form the pain she felt - that would have been a betrayal of her son. At the funeral she had refused to stand next to her husband and the next day she had left him.

     Looking up, Lisa could see her pain reflected in the man's eyes. For the first time in months she didn't feel alone, she felt the unbearable burden begin to lift from her, only a bit but it was a start. She began to believe that maybe she had a future after all and maybe it could be with this man, with his kind hazel eyes, wet with their shared tears.
     They had come here to dissolve their marriage but maybe there was hope. Lisa stood up and took James by the hand and led him away from the bar towards the beech where they had made their vows to each other three years ago. Tomorrow she would cancel the divorce; tonight they would work on renewing their promises.