INNER VOICE - SEASON - 2 STORY #2 - 'RELATION'

TITLE CREDIT - ITISHA

“RELATION”

TWENTY FIVE YEARS BACK!

It was the coldest day. Winters ruled the city. Amid all the chaos outside, a car was roaming on the clear road tearing the layers of fog that was settled in the air. The bright headlights of the car made sure that, the one driving the car could see through the thick fog. A man wearing a leather brown hat, white cotton shirt and a brown journalist jacket over it was busy driving the car and humming a Mohd. Rafi song that played in the car, “Main zindagi ka saath nibhata chalata gaya, har fikr ko dhuwe main udata chala gaya” He was just 40 years , but his thick moustache and dense beard made him look like a more matured and more than his age. His car had his ID placed on the dashboard of the car, just near the Ganesha idol that was planted on the same desk. The id had his name on it – “SATYA” – Sr. Research Analyst.

He was busy humming a song, when suddenly he saw a spark of light approaching his car from behind. The fog was thick, and so he couldn’t make out what vehicle was coming from behind. In a while, he could see a car like figure chasing his car. The rear view of side mirror of his car made clear that the other vehicle was approaching in speed. His left hand moved towards the volume button to lower it down in the meantime his left toe pressed a little clutch that lay beneath it and just before he applied the car brake, he shifted his gaze from the side mirror to the head mirror of the car and simultaneously his left hand changed the gear from 3 to 2 as the car slowed down a bit.

By now, the car, with a maximum speed by passed his car and skids in front of his eyes at a distance. In a reflex, he applies the brakes hurriedly and his car comes to a halt. With an amazed expression, he watches the car skidding ahead in speed and hits a tree. It was a major accident that he just witnessed. He was in a shock! But what happened the next moment was even much scary.

Two boys came out of the car. They struggled to walk straight, it seemed they were drunk. They opened the car’s dickey and pulled off a girl forcibly out of it. The girl’s hands were tied up with a cloth. A cloth was tucked in her mouth. She was crying. She looked helpless. She looked miserably in pain. The two boys placed her on the road, abused her, looked here and there and got inside the car leaving her as on the road.

Satya was completely shocked to watch all this from a distance. He picked up his mobile. Switched the engine of the car off and got off the car swiftly. It was chilled outside. He locked the car and crossed the road. He could see the girl struggling on the road. As he moved a little near, he was frozen. The girl had a severe head injury. Slowly as his gaze went down near her hands, he was shattered to see that the girl lying in front of him crying, and begging to him – was pregnant. Looking at the size of her swollen stomach, he could immediately sense that she was in her last trimester of her pregnancy term. He was completely lost for a moment, when he heard the broken cry from the girl lying on the road. 

Without wasting any further time, he bent forward and took off the cloth tucked in her mouth. As the cloth came out, the cry was audible louder now. Satya shivered. He could just imagine what this girl must be going through. He leant a little and tried opening the knot of the dupatta that was tied around her wrist. There was a sweat around his forehead; he could no more sense the chilly breeze around him. As he untied the entangled the knot, he could see the brutal marks imprinted around the slender wrists. There were dark maroon patches around her fair wrists. The girl had a sigh of relief, but the tears still kept flowing from her eyes. She struggled to bring both her hands together and begged before him. Satya looked at her in mercy and held her begging hands with his one hand, while his other hand was busy dialling a number. And just in a few minutes, there was sound of an alarming ambulance approaching them.

The ambulance halted at a close by hospital and the patient is taken on a stretcher straight to the operation theatre. The girl looked at him with hope as she was taken to the operation theatre. As the stretcher progressed through the hospital ward area towards the operation theatre, Satya, who was running along the stretcher, just prayed to God that everything be fine with the girl. As the operation theatre was seen clearly, the ward boy asked Satya to wait outside. The stretcher moves inside. The door closes and the red light just above the door where O.T. was written – was glowing.

Satya was standing opposite the O.T. shattered. There were so many thoughts coming up in his mind at that moment – as if the whole scenario just floated again in front of her eyes. He was returning from a party. He was happy. The next day it was Sanjeevini’s birthday. Sanjeevini was his childhood friend whom he loved the most. They planned to celebrate her birthday the next day and get married in the coming months.

Soon the happy images were now replaced by the cruel images. The entire picture of what happened in front of him on the road side started to play. He was lost in trauma, when he heard someone calling for him, sir...sirr....sirrr... this time a tap on his shoulder and his trance was broken. It was a ward boy. “Sir aap Dr. Shashank ko ek baar mil lijiye please” he said pointing out at the doctor’s cabin. Satya nodded and walked towards the cabin. He enters the doctor’s cabin. The silence there was scary. Satya was emotionless for a moment. The doctor looked at him and gestured him to take a seat in front of him. Satya sits. His legs nervously tapped the floor. He looked tensed and stressed both at the same time. Tiny sweat bubbles arose on his forehead.

Dr. Shashank places a formality form in front of him, misunderstanding him to be the patient’s relative. Handing over a pen to Satya, he said, “Sir her condition is too critical, we need to operate her immediately, a lot of blood has been oozed already, I am scared if we have to choose between anyone of the two – so there is hardly any time left, please hurry up!

“Please save the child – doc!” .... came the answer spontaneously. Satya still didn’t have any clue why did he say so in the first place – but it seemed that this was destined too!

After a few nervous moments sitting and looking into void, Satya’s silence was broken. His phone vibrated. It was Sanjeevani’s call. He rubbed his eyes, cleared his throat and was about to pick up the call, when a nurse came around and said “sirrrr... Dr. Shashank is waiting for you in his cabin.

Satya stands up from the chair he was sitting on, looks at the vibrating phone and keeps it in his front pocket without answering and moves towards the doctor’s cabin. He enters into the cabin. This time it was not silent... the room was filled with a cute cry of a little baby. The baby was wrapped up neatly in a clean towel. Dr. Shashank handed the newly born baby to Satya.

For a moment Satya was speechless, the small eyes of the baby were still closed; the skin was so soft and delicate that the blood vessels were clearly seen as the baby cried loudly. As the baby cried, his small arms waved in the air and the tiny fingers that formed a fist as it fastened in reflex.

“Congratulations! Beti huyi hain apko; lekin I am sorry – hum apki wife ko bacha nahi paaye!” Before Satya could respond to this, the baby’s tiny fingers caught hold of his shirt button. This was the moment that melted Satya deeply. Tears came out of his eyes as he saw that innocent baby clinching his tiny fingers to find the secured touch and a warm hug.  He took the little baby closer and hugged her tight in his arms. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he kissed on the baby’s forehead. It was truly an emotional sight to watch.

“Doctor!” he said. I would like to see the baby’s mother. Dr. Shashank nods and indicates the sister to take him to the ward where she was shifted to after the operation. Satya walks inside the ward, with the baby in his arms. The girl, whom he brought from the road, lay in front of him motionless, wrapped up in a white bed sheet of the hospital. He felt helpless and disheartened. He cursed the fate to be so cruel with these two unknown strangers – whom he didn’t know till date, but the destiny chose him to save one of these two less fortunate souls. He moved a bit backwards and looked at the sister – indicating her to start the formalities of discharge soon. As he was about to leave the ward room, the sister came near him with a gold chain in her hand. “Sir, ye patient ke gale main tha when she was brought to the hospital, now this is your responsibility” she says and hands over the gold chain to Satya. Satya extends his one hand and looks at the chain. It had a golden pendent in it. There was a name written on that pendent. “Mitali” was embossed in a cursive Lippi.

Satya moved out of the ward holding the baby in his arms. He comes of the hospital and looks at the baby, who had fallen asleep by now. He looked at her, takes her tiny hand in his and plants a kiss on her wrist and whispers slowly in her ears, “Beta aapka naam apki mumma ne “Mitali” rakha hain...pata hain apko!” and he kisses her.

The next day Satya calls up Sanjeevani and narrates everything that had happened. She understands the situation but she is helpless; Satya was asked to make a choice between her and the baby. Destiny tossed its coin again and this time Satya was too sure – he chose Mitali in his life.

Years passed. Satya enjoyed each and every moment of little Mitali over the years as she grew up. Her first school, her first degree, her first judo completion, her first job and her first encounter towards being a woman from a girl – in all these transformations, Satya stood by her like a strong pillar, a friend, a mentor, a guide and probably everything; it’s not easy for a male to play the role of a versatile mother – but he had mastered himself in the skill of motherhood too!

Mitali was a bright student throughout. Very confident and bold and goes without saying – that she was an independent lady. She was very much fond of Satya and his research projects. As a child she loved travelling to various places with Satya for his research projects. Now that she has just been graduated and got her job, it’s now time for a father like figure to be her best friend. There was a cute bonding between the two. They cherished each other’s company that they didn’t need any other people around. As she grew up, she made a few good friends too, whom she considered as her cousins and close buddies.

One day Mitali came with news – important news of her life. She loved a boy in her office. The moment she accepted his proposal of marriage, she asked him to come and meet Satya – her everything. She used to call him “Sattu” pyaar se.

Satya was happy to know about the boy in her life. Mitali was very focused in her life, she will choose wise for herself- he knew in the heart of heart; hence he accepted their relationship. But suddenly that day a father was shaken – till now – there was just one man in her life but now there will be two; priorities change in every woman’s life the moment she lets a man in her life for the lifetime as her soul mate. But this time Satya was happy to accept the fate and destiny with a smiling face. But somehow he was a bit hesitant to face the situation when Mitali would walk away from his house with the man of her choice. He was shattered and hence decided not to attend her wedding. So he decided to let his neighbours perform all the rituals and ceremonies of her marriage and he would stay away from the marriage.

Present Day!

It was Mitali’s wedding today. The house was decorated with fresh lily flowers. A huge shamiana stood ahead of the gate. Small candles were placed across the pathway of the staircase. ‘Gende ke phool’ looked too beautiful on the white marble flooring in form of a floral rangoli. Mitali loved the floral rangolis. The entire arrangements were made especially for her by Satya.

Mitali enters the living room, takes her phone, places on her ear and is busy instructing someone over call, “see I am not gonna marry without you... so now I leave it to you, if you want to see me happily getting married, you have to come.” and she disconnects the call angrily. Dekho main kuch nahi jaanti, tumhe aana hi hoga mujhse milne. Koi aur mujhe dulhan bana dekhe, isse pehle main chahti hu kit um mujhe dulhan bana dekho bas! Yeh zidd hain meri! And she disconnects the call.

And then looks for Satya in the entire house – but Satya was not found. Later, as she enters the open area where the shamiana was planted, she found a havan kund where the panditji was busy chanting the marriage shlokas and the couple who was sitting across the havan kund was Mrs and Mr. Gupta – her neighbours. They look at her and points out at her to come and join her in the vidhi, but she angrily walked in her room without saying a word.

The very next moment there is a knock on the door! Someone from her cousin screamed, “Yaar Mitali, tera dulha toh bada hot lag raha hain aaj, chal ek nazar bahar aakar dekh toh le usse!”

Mitali was in no mood to respond, she walks towards the closed door and replies in anger, “Tum log jaao, main nahi aaungi bahar”

She leans on the door frozen. Tears cornered her eyes, but she was reluctant to cry, as she knew that he doesn’t like tears in her eyes. She was about to move away from the door, when suddenly there was a 2^nd knock on the door!

A familiar male voice came from the other end! “Iss darwaje ki ek chabbi mere pass bhi hain, shayad tum bhul gayi ho”

Finally, she opens the door – It was Satya who was standing at the door. He wore a white sherwani gifted by Mitali to him. She rushes towards him and hugs him. Thank you Sattu! she says and hugs him tight. Mujhe toh aana hi tha – “meri beti ki zidd puri jo karni thi; looking beautiful my princess! He said planting a kiss on her forehead. 

They both then walk towards the shamiana where her better half was waiting for her to take vows of marriage!

“And this is how, every girl looks upon her father as her BEST man of her life, the relation of a father and a daughter is indeed the best one”

INNER VOICE - SEASON - 2 STORY#1 - 'BACHCHE'

TITLE CREDIT - JJ

“BACHCHE”

So, you think that all our past alumni students will join on the 16^th December, just for a reunion; it’s been 10 years, everybody is busy now days in their respective worlds, a trailing voice was heard from the other side of the phone. Everyone shall be present aaji Saheb (grandmother), be rest assured. “Main sab bandaro ko har ped se pakad kar lekar aunga don’t worry, akhir Shashtri sir sahi kehte the, main madaari hu” and they both laughed. The tensed atmosphere became light. I have talked to everyone and they have confirmed, assured Kabir. ‘Bas aaji apni make-up artist Monika nahi aa payegi us din, usdin shaadi hain uski, so woh khud ka make up karne main busy rahegi...’ Aaji laughed shyly and hung the phone.

Kabir Mehta (Batch – 2007) was the favourite ‘natkhat’  bachcha of the Vidyamandir Natya Niketan. Shashtri sir used to love him for his sense of humour and instant improvisations on the stage. He was excellent actor for comic roles, but the tragic part of his student life was, that Shashtri sir never offered him any comical role to play. Sir always said, “Jo aata hain, bas wohi karte rahoge, toh naya kab sikhoge, ek chiz main mastery beshak rakho lekin baaki sab chizo ki bhi jaankari rakho, tabhi aap ek all rounder performer banoge”  He truly believed in what he said, and this is how all his students learnt not only the acting, but also the other major parts of dramatics – that is direction, writing, make-up, handling lighting on stage, handling music, backstage management, costume designing, set designing, camera recording, anchoring and what not. This philosophy of his life was very motivating and kept us on our toes even today!

Yes, that was Late Dr. Divakar Shashtri - a strict and disciplined teacher, a courageous orator and an independent personality who led his life setting examples for all his students. He was a man of his principles and always spoke truth. He was a well-known name in the field of theatre and performing arts.

But above all these accolades, he was a very loving and caring teacher. He was like a father to all of us. He loved all his students as his own children. He never had any children of his own, but he used to profoundly say, “mere students hi mere bachche hain, mera guroor hain”. He was indeed a best teacher, a mentor, a guide and a best friend to his every student.

Everyone was set to arrive on the decided date that is 16^th Dec. But Kabir Mehta and Keshav Adhikaari (Batch – 2001) that is me, we have decided to turn up two days ahead just to make the necessary arrangements for a smooth event. Keshav gets a call from Jazz (Batch – 2009). Jazz was the one who played ‘Naarada’s role’ in one of the most prominent plays during his batch time.

Jazz – “Haan Keshav dada, aapse ek jaruri baat karni thi”.

Keshav – “Aree Jagjit.. “Narayan! Narayan” kaise ho? Dekho Naarad ji, ab baatein toh hongi hi na jagjit...once you reach here, now let me get back to arrangements, aap sabka swaagat bhi toh karna hain buddy!”

Jazz – “Offo! Dada – Jagjit is too old fashioned – “call me Jazz na...”(childishly he requested)

Keshav – Hmmm...Jag...mera matlab hain Jazz, see you tomorrow, Jazz interrupted and said, “apko Kabir bhaiyaa ne mail bheja tha kya?”

Keshav – Mail? Kaisa mail?

Jazz – Wohi toh dada, yeh Kabir bhaiyya dikhte hain utne simple nahi hain, kuch toh chal raha hain unke dimaag main, I am telling you, dada – something is fishy! Jazz said in one go.

Keshav – Dekho Jagjit, I mean Jazz (correcting himself he said), I think the problem with you is that, you have started treating the people of your real life as if they are your routine detective story characters, mockingly he commented.

In addition, he said, well, I know Kabir since last 10 years, ‘inch bhar bhi woh nahi badla hain, haan bas thoda sa health conscious zarur hogaya hain pehle se woh, baki waisa hain, ‘apna ziddi Ashwatthama! ‘Ashwatthama’ was a famous character that Kabir played on stage in one of the inter-state competition). He was offered this role by Shashtri Sir as a challenge. And none other than Shashtri sir himself directed this play then. Kabir not only played this role but also won the competition and since then, he was fondly called as ‘Ziddi Ashwatthama’ by his class mates’.

Jazz – “Haan dada, (again cutting Keshav, Jazz speaks), abhi tak woh uss character main se bahar nahi ayaa hain.” Ab aap hi bataao kya zarurat thi unhe Maj. Rao ko bulane ki? Unka kya kaam iss reunion main? Dada, “ek baat aap samjho, agar Dronacharya ji ne Arjun ko apna chahita shishya naa banaya hota, toh Ashwatthama ko Kauravo se dosti kyu karni padti bhala? Isshara samajh rahe ho bhaiyya aap?”

Keshav – “Laughs...tu bhi naa Jazz..abhi tak apne character main hi hain, dekho kaise baatein idhar se udhar kar rahe ho! chal abhi rakh phone”, a lot of work needs to be done the event is just one day away (disconnects the call).

Kabir is busy on a call, when Keshav sees a taxi being stopped at the gate of Vidyamandir. Aaji steps out of the taxi. Keshav walks towards the gate, makes the payment, bends and touches aaji’s feet and hugs her. Aaji hugs him warmly and says, “aree mera sabse honhaar bachcha”  mera “Dharmaraj Yudhishtir” and plants a gentle kiss on his palm. Both of them walk inside, “mera shaitan bachcha kaha hain?” she looks at Keshav and inquires about Kabir. Keshav points out at Kabir, who is still talking with someone over call. Keshav calls Kabir and indicates about the arrival of aaji. Kabir moves a little away from the vision of both of them, as if something talking something secretly with someone. For the first time, Keshav experiences such annoying gesture from Kabir, but he nods his head in a ‘no’ and moves towards aaji with a glass of water. After a while, Kabir comes running to aaji and hugs her tight and kisses her forehead. As usual the ‘natkhat bachcha’- the most mischievous child of the institute forgets everything for a while and starts a never ending conversation about with his guru ma – aaji.

Keshav looks their conversation from a distant and smiles. He then takes a few steps towards the passage that connects to the main auditorium. The wooden staircase leads him towards the passage area where a big wooden board is planted on the main wall – it’s called the ‘Hall of Fame’ – wherein the list of student names who have topped from the Vidyamandir Natya Niketan has been embossed in bold fonts along with their respective batch year. Keshav Adhikaari is a tall man – so his fingers could reach to the topmost name – ‘Keshav Adhikari’ (Batch – 2001) that was embossed in the first row. He touched each alphabet of his name slowly and was lost in the memory lane. He remembers, his first role – ‘Dharamraj Yudhistir’ the role that matched with his own personality. 

He remembered the first day of his college and then the day when he specially came to meet Shashtri sir in the year 2017, when Shashtri sir had addressed in an international theatre festival about his journey. He still remembers how Shashtri sir took interest in making the Hall of Fame board, just to see it during his last days. Tears rolled down his cheeks when he remembered the last words of Shashtri sir – ‘Keshava’ promise me that you would always visit this place with all my other 7 bachchas at least once in a year to meet me here at this place – he said pointing at the vacant auditorium then. Keshav got completely emotional while remembering his last meeting with Shashtri sir. ‘Keshav’ was the most obedient and most talented student of the entire department, and he was too close to Shashtri sir, as he was the student from the first batch. Shashtri sir used to call him – “mera bada beta” in front of all his students. A confident smile floated on his face as he remembered those words. 

His eyeballs moved to the 2^nd name in the list – ‘Kavery Krishnan’ (Batch – 2003) – A girl who came from a conservative south Indian family, who had oiled hair and a little dark complexion, she was very shy initially, but later she went on to become the most confident student. Shashtri sir offered her the role of ‘Draupadi’ – a role exactly opposite to her nature. And she nailed it! Brilliantly she portrayed the character and won the trophy at the National level, and made the entire department proud. 

Keshav scrolls down his gaze further – the third name in the list was – Noori Ahmed (Batch – 2005). The girl who was born and brought up at an orphanage, the owner of that orphanage brought her here so that she could be trained in dance and acting. Shashtri sir thought she would justify the character of ‘Meera’ and yes, he was true - the benchmark she set as ‘Meera’ was so high that her act mesmerised one of the owners of a leading production houses from Mumbai, and this is how she got her first chance to work as a female lead for their new film. Keshav feels the thrill in his spine as he remembers ‘Meera’. 

The next name on the list was ‘Kabir Mehta’ (Batch – 2007). Keshav moves his fingers on this name and takes a deep breath when suddenly; Kabir’s loud voice falls on his ears and breaks his memory trance. He looks around in the direction from where the voice was coming. He takes a few steps towards a corner of the passage – Kabir was instructing someone. “Tumhe alag se batana padega, kal samjhaya tha na tumhe, kisiko kaano kaan khabar nahi honi chahiye, tumhe tumhara hissa mil jayega aadinath!” Keshav frozed in his place when he ovderheard the name - ‘Aadinath’.  He remembered that once Shashtri sir had mentioned in his personal conversation, about ‘Aadinath’. He was Shashtri sir’s nephew, his brother’s son. Who never loved his uncle and was always after his property and this institute. Keshav nodded his head in a no. He can’t believe his ears, it was ‘Kabir’ who was talking to ‘Aadinath’ and the most disheartening part was to learn about the ‘Hissa’ – what was it all about? 

I must go and talk regarding this with Kabir as soon as possible (he thought to himself). As he progressed ahead towards the auditorium – a few more voices fell on his ears of which the first voice was a familiar one, it was Jazz – who was standing near the door of the auditorium. He was wearing a half pant and a white shirt half tucked. He was wearing a black leather jacket that was gifted by Shashtri sir to him as a token of appreciation when he played the role of ‘Shakuni’.  Jazzz... he whispered, when suddenly Jazz turned around and with a broad smile came running to Keshav and hugged him. Dada!!! He said with joy. Good to see you jagjit...oop! Jazz... he said correcting instantly, and they both started laughing aloud. By the way – Jazz is now a well-known writer. He runs his own show that features the thrilling mysteries and detective stories. 

They both sat on the chairs that faced the stage of the auditorium when suddenly a focus light fell on the main stage. Both of them looked up! A boy wearing denim jeans with a red t-shirt and a hat stood leaning on the wall. “Dada lighting theeka che?” he inquired waving at Keshav. “Hein...daarun!” came the reply from Keshav. The boy in the red t-shirt jumped and hurriedly ran towards Keshav and hugged him and Jazz one by one. 

He was ‘Raghav Banerjee’ (Batch – 2013). Proud of you young man, Jazz said patting on his shoulder. Suna hain tum sabse bada light man bangaya hain – “Sabko ujjala dete firte ho!”  I mean you run a famous company that produces the flood lights for the stadiums, not bad haan! He played the role of ‘Karna’ aur aaj tak usko puri batch – Surya putra ke naam se address karti hain. That’s indeed an achievement.  

As the three walked towards the front row of the auditorium, they heard a tapping sound of high heels that grew loud as if someone is walking towards them. Soon they saw a slim and trip girl who appeared from the right wing of the stage. She was holding a script in her hand. Instantly as she looked up, the spot light fell on her finely highlighted red coloured hair flicks, she had a pierced eyebrow too. She was wearing a micro skirt with an off shoulder black crop top. Her face glowed and made a golden outline near her ears, where the silver danglers were glittering and suspended on her bare shoulder surface. She wore a dark maroon lipstick, a proper blend of make-up and eye shadow that complimented her clothes and hair colour talked more about her personality. She was none other than ‘Ananya Gujral’ (Batch – 2015). The last and the latest of the 8 bachcha log that Shashtri sir had. She was an excellent anchor. It came naturally to her from her parents who are both national journalists. She never had stage fear. She was a fighter. Shashtri sir was proud of her. Once during her college days, she played the role of a ‘seeta’ she was so convincing in her character that each one of us used to forget who she really was? 

The image of a modern girl and a fashion model used to be overshadowed with the simplicity and elegance of the character she portrayed. Such was her grace and beauty when she performed. “Keshav dada” she addressed and moved towards Keshav. Keshav hugged her and soon all of them start walking towards the passage area. While Keshav and Ananya walked ahead, Jazz and Raghav followed them. Jazz was awestruck and mesmerised with her beauty when, suddenly Raghav puts his hand around Jazz’s shoulder and mockingly commented – “rehne do Jazz – tum nahi sambhal paoge issko! And with this, both of them laughed aloud.  

All four of them cross the area where the hall of fame board was placed. Keshav glances at the board and the name that he see is ‘Kabir Mehta’ (Batch – 2007) – he instantly remembers about ‘Aadinath’... Keshav now is looking around for Kabir, but Kabir is seen nowhere. He asks Ananya, Jazz and Raghav to walk towards the kitchen area to meet aaji and he walks towards the gate #2 of the institute. 

'The 2^nd gate was a new gate made recently two years ago. This gate allowed the actors to directly walk towards the green room after their performances, just to avoid the unnecessary crowding of the audience that followed them after their performances. Kabir was standing there talking to someone. His angry gestures were so visible and loud that forced Keshav to re-think about the advice given by Jazz to him a day before. Kabir looked tensed and restless from a distance. Keshav thought not to discuss anything and wait for the next day when the reunion was organised.

16^th Dec, 2019 – the day arrives!

The entire institute was illuminated with lights as if it was Diwali. The gates and the wooden furniture was decorated with yellow ‘gende ke phool’.  The entire institute was decorated as if it was some festival or a grand carnival that was happening. The stage was properly set with a podium on its extreme right wing. Five chairs were properly placed in the centre of the stage. On the other side, a lamp with the wicks was properly placed and nearby ‘maa saraswati’s’ idol was placed with a floral garland suspended over it.  Another light was illuminated from the centre stage from beneath the stage – it exactly fell on the banner that was pinned properly in the centre of the large curtain. Just near to the last chair, a wooden table was placed on which a photo frame of Shashtri sir was placed with a fresh floral garland resting over its edges. Just adjacent to the stage was a music system box that had the audio speakers connected. Saraswati vandana and Vishnu sahasranaamavali chants were audible at a very lower volume. The dim lights looked beautiful when it fell on the smoke that rose from incense sticks that are now ignited. The entire atmosphere was pleasant and soothing. Keshav looked at the auditorium. The audience started walking in. Students from various batches started flooding inside the auditorium and within 15 mins the entire auditorium was houseful. The front rows had all the dignitaries and legendary teachers and a few close friends of Shashtri sir. After a while the programme started with the felicitation of Aaji Saheb (Shashtri sir’s mother) and light lamping ritual. Ananya entered the stage confidently and set the show started by her welcome speech in a most stunning way.

Just when the programme was about to begin with a Ganesh Vandana by a few small children, Kabir entered the stage and walked towards the podium. Everyone was surprised at this interruption. The next few moments were very disturbing for all of us. Kabir started talking. “I welcome you all on behalf of the Vidyamandir Natya Niketan on its successful completion of 10 years” after a brief pause he says, this programme is not a reunion actually! The moment he announced this, everyone around started murmuring. What is happening here? As I was above to move a little near the podium, he looked at me and continued speaking holding the mic. He said, “TODAY WE ALL ARE GATHERED HERE ON THE OCCASION OF ‘NILAMMI’ (AUCTION)” – the auction of this institute. The very place that imparted training in theatre and drama, is now on a SALE – so I welcome you all to come forward and quote your prices. Keshav was broken. Everybody around looked shaken and disheartened. People started discussing amongst themselves. The entire auditorium was wrapped in an unusual silence.

Keshav looked angrily at Kabir. When suddenly a small light fell on the floor from a half opened door crevice. The door widened. A tall figure was seen standing blocking the light. The figure started walking towards the stage passing through the aisle seats of the auditorium. Everyone turned around to see who it was. Raghav quickly illuminated the spot light on the image that walked through the auditorium middle passage. As the light fell on the figure, everyone was frozen including me. Shashtri sir!!! The same white kurta pajama with a brown khadi waistcoat over it, and an orange Maratha sahi paghri. I could not believe my eyes! How can a dead man walk in alive? Silence was evident now in the entire auditorium. I was shocked and so was everyone around. I walked towards the man who looked alike Shashtri sir...in disbelief. I approached him. For a moment I lost all my senses and became blank. How is this possible? My heart skipped a heartbeat. As I was about to touch the hand of that man, he shifted his gaze at me and said, Keshava!!! How are you my boy?

I was frozen. Even the voice was same. But I couldn’t believe that moment and was still in a shock. I was so much disturbed at this incidence, that I couldn’t decide whether to cry or be happy. For a moment, darkness came in between my vision, I was about to fall, when suddenly a pair of hands held me tight and supported me.  I was breathing heavy. Tiny droplets of sweat popped up from my forehead, even the AC in the auditorium failed to keep my emotions at ease. I turned around to see who held me. Another shock! It was ‘Monika Seghal’ who was smiling at me. I uttered...Monn, monn, she interrupted me and said – yes dada – I am Monika Sehgal, Batch – 2011. Aree dada, wohi Monika who played ‘Shikhandini and Amba’ in our cultural event.

Keshav now stood looking at both, Monika and the person who dressed up like Shashtri sir. He was clueless. “Lekin aaj toh tumhari shaadi thi naa?” he inquired in disbelief.

“Yes dada”; came the answer from the podium. Kabir it was. He was miserably laughing holding his stomach. Suddenly everyone came around and surrounded me. Kabir stepped near me and couldn’t hold his laughter still. “Aree dada, aap bhi naa! “Sach main Bhole Bhaale Yudhishtir nikle!” Gaur se dekho – Monika apne dulhe ke saath hi aayi hai yaha!, he said pointing at the male standing in front of him dressed up as Shashri sir. Badi hi ziddi hain ye, she wants to have her marriage feras here in this auditorium itself, jaha se usne shuruvaat ki thi “Dada aap kaise dhoka khaa gaye pehchaan ne main inhe? He went near that person and pulled off his moustache. It was ‘Aadinath’ who stood there laughing holding his breath. Everyone laughed aloud holding their stomach. When aaji saheb walks near Keshav and clarifies, “Keshava – it was all Kabir’s idea! Finally uske comical improvisations kaam kargaye! After all his is known for his pranks and jokes. How come you failed to guess this. Woh sab to theek hain aaji, lekin iss Monika ka kya karu main? Keshav commented. She is still weak in one area! Monika comes around and asks in curiosity – which area dada? – “detailing beta detailing”.  He said pointing out at Aadinath – you have smartly done the make-up and made him look alike Shashtri sir – lekin mere bachche – you forgot to take a note of the important detail, that Shashtri sir had a black mole near the left earlobe and see what you have done?

Everyone looks at Aadinaath closely now.  A black mole was painted artificially near his right earlobe. Everyone present in the auditorium started laughing aloud. ‘Jhalli kahi ki!, screamed Kabir aloud.

After a brief break, once everyone was settled and the silence prevailed again within the auditorium, Keshav asked Kabir – “Tum, abhi do din pehle aadinaath se konse hisse ki baat kar rahe the Kabir” Aur ye Nilaami ki baat? Ye sab kyat ha? Aadinath comes near Keshav hugs him and confesses, dada I am so sorry, I had grudges for Shashtri uncle, but later I realised, I was wrong. Now I don’t have any grudges for him. You all are lucky to have him as your ‘guru’, I am so unlucky that I belong to his family and still I failed to understand him.

Kabir climbs up the stairs and walks towards the podium, holds the mic and speaks. “Dada Nilaami yeh hain – Kabir indicates Raghav to switch off all the lights of the auditorium and starts a short film as a documentary – called ‘NILAAMI’.  Everyone watches the documentary. In the last part of the documentary, there was brief coverage of Shashtri sir’s interview. Keshav watched attentively. Shashtri sir mentioned in that interview that it was his dream project to see all his 8 bachchas to perform live on his written script – ‘NILAAMI’ which he would like to direct.” As this message ended, everyone had tears in their eyes. It was a nostalgic moment for all of them. 

Kabir came near Keshav and hugged him. Dada, two days before – I was instructing or rather begging to Aadinaath to come to India and play this role – “aajke show main usko uska hissa dene ki baat bata raha tha main!” Because no one from us resembled so much like Shashri sir as he does, I had to convince Monika to join him too – as she was supposed to do the make-up and the entire transformation in his personality.

Keshav took a deep breath and opened his arms widely to embrace all these students. “Bachcho tum sab kyu khaas ho – ab samjh main aaya – aur ye madari toh jaadugar nikla” – he taunted looking at Kabir! Aaji saheb too smiled and nodded at Keshav.

Everyone was happy and finally the much awaited reunion happened in an interesting manner. The audience enjoyed the various performances and the evening was one of its kind – worth remembering for a lifetime!

A special surprise too was organised that evening – a dramatic monologue being presented by the two most talented actresses – Kaveri Krishnan and Noori Ahmed. Of course they joined late but they were family too were an inseparable part of this family – they too belong to the clan of ‘Shashtri sir ke bachche’

Present Day!

Everyone is back to work now. As promised to Shashtri sir, Keshav organises a get together with all these 8 bacchalog at least once in a year. Shashtri sir must be really proud of all his masterpiece and unique bachche.  And now each one of them continues to come and take a workshop and train the current batch students. They have made me – the general secretary of the students association and so I take keen interest in arranging for the students all the activities along with Aaji saheb and yes – with the blessings of our beloved father like figure – ours truly Shashtri sir! 

WE - STORY OF BISHU AND GARGI 💓

'WE'
Story of

Bishu 💓 Gargi 

A huge white bungalow that stands out in a wide street of the MG Road is all set to see a new morning today. The golden plated name plate of the bungalow “Mishra’s” looked clear and loud. The balcony that overlooks just ahead of the car shed area seemed amazing today. The tickling sound of the wind chime placed on the balcony ceiling was soothing for the ears each time as the cool breeze made its way through it teasing the wind chime naughtily.  A huge white metallic gate surrounded by a well maintained garden area welcomes all its visitors warmly.

Bangalore - Current Day!

Cold mornings and a cup of hot black tea go hand in hand. Hey! I am Bishwajeet. I am a branding manager in one of the biggest multinational companies of Bangalore. My day begins with my routine chores, jogging, stretching, gardening and.....remembering her!

Her? Well! ‘Woh baad main bataunga’...But today I added an extra adventure to my routine. I had a masala chai...which I skip often. But since Renu masi is in town, she sees to it that I am being given all the leverage to do what I want to do! – Thank God! At least some leniency is granted to me in her presence, “Varna maa toh har baar, mujhe discipline main hi rakhna janti hain; Uff maa bhi na”

But as they correctly say, “All good things come to an end soon” so was this, my leisure time. I was made aware that I had to follow the rituals of being a best friend and have to look grand in my best friend’s wedding! Zabardasti ka level toh dekho zara, I am forced to believe that there are no good clothes in my wardrobe, and I am supposed to put on some new trendy stuff, just to look good! I mean, why so much investments in the things, that I already have...and those are pretty good! But ‘maa’ is ‘maa’ as always... “usko toh lagta hain ki karan johar ki har movie ka hero main hi hu, jab dekho tab mujhe sajaane main lagi rehti hain” So subah subah bhej diya mujhe for shopping...” And, I just cannot put her wishes at a bay... “achche ladke apni maa ki baatein ko kabhi manaa nahi paate!” (I am sure you all will agree to this, because humein bachpan se ‘BE A GOOD BOY’ wali training di gayi hoti hain, jo bade hote hote bhi continue rehti hain!)

Looking outside the taxi window, I thought to myself that there is someone else too whose wishes I cannot overrule. ‘Bade hokar ek baat to samajh aa gayi, ek toh maa ki baat aur dusri uski baat – dono ko hi ‘jo hokum’ karke sambhalna padta hain, warna bande ki toh khair nahi, samajhlo!’  Haan! coming back to her, her wishes were a command for me...because she too was special...“Was!”...“How can she be a past thing, when her thoughts are still a part of my present”....I thought to myself.  She can never be a matter of ‘WAS’ for she will always be an ‘IS’ for me for a lifetime!

I was lost in her reverie, when a sudden short break brought me back to my senses. “Arree sambhalke! Theek se chalao, abhi accident ho jata toh?” I shouted at the taxi driver. “Huwa to nahi hain na saab!” he replied in a callous attitude. The driver was too rude and irresponsible, “mann toh kiya ki complaint kardu iski”, but then, I was in a good mood today and she was still in my thoughts, so I decided not to waste my time & energy after this ‘nakchda’ driver so I decided to halt my journey. ‘Accha suno yehi ruko, kitna hua?’ I inquired.  ‘Saab sau rupaiye!’, he replied with the same attitude looking at me from the front mirror of his cab.

I knew he demanded much more than what the actual fair was, but I didn’t mind paying him; after all I was happy today! The reason behind my happiness was a phone call from my dear friend Raghav.  He is getting married in the next month. Being a Sunday today, I thought let me shop for myself, “Smart dikhna hain boss, aakhir best friend ki shaadi jo hain!”. So I paid him immediately and got of his cab. While walking towards the showroom, her thoughts kept on playing hide and seek in my mind and I was busy smiling shyly in the market place. ‘Love makes you behave awkwardly! Isn’t it?’ With this thought, I entered the showroom. It was a huge showroom with different areas allotted to different brands of clothing and a special area was allotted to all the traditional ethnic wear collection, both for men as well as female. They have named this particular zone of the showroom as – ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge’...God! Now I know, “what role does Bollywood play in our lives”

Welcome sir! The representative of that section approached me and greeted me. I briefed him about my choices and he presented before me all the ‘best’ collection that they had to offer. While I was flipping through a few selected sherwani’s, she again piped in my chain of thoughts, as if suggesting – “what to choose and what not to”. I recollected that her favourite colour was dark blue.

Once during our college cultural events, she was in charge of my dressing and she chose for me, a blue coloured jute waistcoat which had a pocket in the front; beneath which I wore an off-white linen Chinese collar shirt with a matching formal trousers and to match up with my look, she asked me to put on my head, an ethnic colourful Rajasthani Safa with a delicate brooch affixed in its front fold,.

“You look hot Bishu!” she said looking at me, placing the safa on my head and adjusting. I still remembered that moment. She then came near me and whispered in my ears softly, “now only one addition is to be made”. She opened her hand bag and took out a small piece of zip lock transparent bag from it. It had a red kumkum powder in it. Applying a ‘tilak’ on my forehead, clearing her throat she murmured softly, “Ab ye Dulha pasand hain mujhe, jahahpanah!” She smiled and winked at me. I simply loved her when she used to wink.

An unfamiliar male voice interrupted my sweet memory flow. “Sir, which one have you selected out of these?” He inquired. “I shall keep this one”, I said pointed at a dark blue waistcoat kept separately. “I would also like to buy an ethnic Rajasthani Safa with a brooch in its front fold; do you have it?” I inquired looking at him. He took me to the assigned sections and I got the Rajasthani Safa with a brooch in its front fold, exactly alike the one that she wanted me to wear during one of our college functions. God too is very hopeful this time in shaping up my destiny, it seems!

In the hope to meeting her again, showing trust in my destiny, I purchased all her favourite stuff. Oh God! She still rules my heart!

My phone was ringing, it flashed, “Raghav calling”!! I picked it up and shouted in excitement, “Bol be kaminey!” This is how we often prefer addressing each other. “Sunn bey nalayak! Eshaan, Roney, Sid, Yudi, Amit, Sandy, Neha aur Radha sab aarahe hain!” All have confirmed to reach by 15^th February, tu bata, tera kya scene hain nalle!” he inquired. A brief smile came on my lips listening to the word ‘nalle’, that was a college slang that we used to tease each other with. “I shall reach on 16^th February, in the morning!” I replied. Hmm “thoda jaldi aata to maza aata, chal koi na, milte hain solah ko” he said and hung up. There was something that was missing in our conversation though. I was feeling restless and hesitant at the same time, the mind ordered not to ask but the heart was adamant as always!

So I decided to listen to my heart. Next thing I did was, texted him inquiring about her, “Sunna bhai, woh aa rahi hain kya?” ‘Pata nahi’, he replied instantly. “Uske chakkar main meri shaadi mat miss karna, varna teri shaadi nahi hone dunga kabhi, mere devdas” he reverted with a messaged with a winking smiley. I smiled and nodded my head. Raghav and me share a different bonding altogether since college days. We studied together, we stayed in hostel together, we roamed together and we had all the masti and fun together, ‘yaha tak ki, hum dono ki life ka pehla crush bhi ek hi tha – Ms. Maya! Hamari hindi wali teacher!  I am really happy for Raghav and can’t just wait to go to Mumbai and meet this rascal and other morons. But in the heart of heart, I am also yearning to see my queen there. Somehow, it has become a precondition for my visit to Mumbai now. Her memories followed me while I was returning home.

Sleep refused to intervene me when I was busy remembering her. It was 4 am and I was still awake, thinking of her. This time, I won’t give up! I shall propose her for marriage. But, what if she doesn’t show up for Raghav’s marriage? Negative and positive thoughts kept floating on my mind, when somewhere around 6:00 am I managed to catch some sound sleep.

During the day, I kept busy with my office work. Back to back meetings were lined up for me as the closure of financial year was just around the corner. But in the evening I fetched some time for myself and visited a nearby coffee shop remembering the old days when we used to come at the coffee shop with friends.

‘Coincidences are the sweetest when you don’t choose them, but they choose you!’  

They bring in front of you those people whom you least expect to meet. It was one such sweet coincidence when I met my old friend, Sunil. We were in the same college. And suddenly along with some good coffee, the old memories started unfolding one by one. We discussed everything; from the college canteen fun to the pranks that we played with our teachers, from flirting with girls to dating with our ex-girlfriends. It was fun, recalling those golden days. 

We both were excited about Raghav’s marriage, but unfortunately he couldn’t attend it, as he had an outbound conference to attend. I made every possible attempt to dig the information about Gargi, her whereabouts; but as usual I was just left with more questions and there were no answers for me, no cues at all. I don’t know where and how can I find her now? After spending some time, both me and Sunil departed from the coffee shop. He departed from the cafe with some good college memories, and I with some grief. I was sad but I didn’t lose hope. I tried calling many of our mutual friends who were in our batch. I took some numbers from Sunil. She was not there on any social media platforms. So calling was the only option I was left out with. Tired calling a few people from our college time, but the answer still remained same, we don’t know Bishu”.

It was 13^th February. Now I was worried even more I couldn’t find out whether she is coming or not?  I felt like crying. I was feeling low and depressed, when suddenly my phone vibrated. I got a text on my phone, my smile was back. The message said, “Are you Bishwajeet? From the Bangalore? University passed out from the batch-2007?”

The message came from an unknown number which was not saved in my mobile’s phonebook. So I thought I should give a call rather than reverting back through message on the same number. I called up, it was a girl. ‘Hello!’ She said, Hey ‘hi am I Bishwajeet’, I said. ‘Hey, hi this is Priya, I got your number from Gargi’s parents,’ she replied.

Listening her name was such a treat to my ears, I tell you! A wide smile curved on my face when I heard her name. For a moment my life paused. I wanted to know more about her, her whereabouts and stuff. My happiness knew no limits now.

I started asking questions to her.  I even didn’t notice what Priya would think of me at that moment. I literary felt that it was Priya’s viva class and I was the examiner. “Do you know Gargi? How is she? Where is she? Is she still in Bangalore? I inquired everything in one breathe. She took a moment to settle down, took a deep breath and then responded. ‘Yes! I know her, she is in the US now, and her marriage just got fixed’.  

Again there was a brief pause. A similar incident happened with me a few years back where I was standing between a reality and my dream was just a step away in front of me. I remembered a situation where I was batting and there were 6 runs to win of just 1 ball, and I waited for the bowler to bowl me an easy one so that I could hit for a SIX! But, unfortunately!  The bowler surprised me by bowling an unplayable delivery - and I lost the game that day! As they rightly say, “What you expect is a dream, but life is no dream, for it’s a hardcore REALITY”.  “Hello!...are you there?” Priya confirmed from the other end. But I was lost completely! The pause continued between us for some time. Bishwajeeet! – These words fell on my ears again and I was brought to the reality again. I was still in a shock to learn about Gargi’s current status.

Priya interrupted the silence by coughing, thereby giving me a cue to react and say something. I gathered courage without any further hopes and reacted shockingly. “What??” I literally shouted over the call. I was totally shaken by now when I heard about her marriage.  Priya’s next few lines did not fall on my ears, I was completely lost somewhere.

‘Hello! Hello! You...there?’ She confirmed. “hmm yes yes!” I responded in a low voice. ‘So that’s where I needed your favour, will you help me?’ She asked. I was totally unaware about the whole thing. I had no clue which favour she was referring to? I felt that I missed out on important information, though. But I will make a fool of myself if I ask her to repeat what all she mentioned a few minutes ago. “Saala male ego bhi aise waqt par beech main aajata hain, ki banda chahte hue bhi question nahi puch sakta”. And now I don’t want her to know that I still love Gargi... as it was of no use now! My heart reminded me of an old movie song – “Dil ke armaan aasuo main beh gaye” Immediately I shook my head and turned around to see the wall, absolutely blank and expressionless.

14^th February (The Next day)

Yes! It was a valentine’s day for the entire world, but for someone like me, it was just another day, full of dullness. I tried keeping myself busy. Maa was ready with my tiffin and I could clearly see some questions for me, floating in her eyes. But, I didn’t had the courage to face her then; so without looking in her eyes, I started walking towards the main door.

While I started walking towards the main gate, I got a call from my boss. He inquired about me and my leaves that I got sanctioned by the HR department recently. He was happy to know that I had finally taken a leave for a week. Isn’t it strange? My boss was happy for me taking leave from my office work, but the reason for my smile was completely lost somewhere. I hung the phone and looked around. My cab was ready. I got into it and started shuffling through my mobile responding to a few urgent emails from my clients. Being a branding manager, I was always ready on my toes to get some new clients for my company. But today, even the tone of my responses was dull. Immediately after I was done with the emails, I took out my hands free plug-ins and pretended that I am listening to music; this was a common trick from my college days, to avoid the conversations. And now I am mastered in it. “To avoid the conversations with the outside world, we often cover ourselves in a cocoon, but what about the arguments that are going inside? How does one shut oneself out of it?”

In some 20 minutes we reached my office. I realised, that the hands free were just inserted in my ears, but the music was off! I headed towards my cabin. My colleague greeted me a good morning on my way – I wondered, what was so good about today’s morning! One thing about human psychology is for sure proved – “The stimulus that effects us from within – has a more than proportionate effect in our behaviour too”. I told myself, “Chalo achcha hain, issi bahane human psychology pata to chali”

There were some routine tasks piled up for me. I hurriedly finished them, but in each and every work that I approached, her thought never left me. I wonder how she would look as a married lady, with a ‘mangalsutra’ around her pretty delicate neck and a ‘red mark of ‘sharp vermilion’ in her forehead. I wanted to see her, wanted to listen to her beautiful voice, wanted to feel her innocent and her loud laughter that was her USP in the whole college. Her unique way of telling stories...God! I missed her all these years. We had the best moments together.

15^th February

I want one more chance to meet her...please please please God...my heart cried out, when I heard someone entering my cabin, I turned around to see who it was. It was Ranjan. My boss. Ranjan was standing just around my desk. He inquired with me about my preparations for the leave and other stuff. There was not much difference in me and my boss. We shared a very good informal bond with each other. He knew how excited I was a few days ago when I learnt about Raghav’s marriage. In fact, he was the first in the office, to know from me about my college days, my gang, our pranks and other stuff.

But, unfortunately, I didn’t share with him about Gargi. I don’t know why I did not share with him about her; something stopped me from doing so. But what? I still don’t understand...Yes! It was my indecisiveness as always that held me back then.

I know I have paid a heavy price for my indecisiveness in my life, ‘Kaash tab dil ki sun li hoti aur thoda courage dikhaya hota, toh aaj yeh nobat hi naa aati’. I planted a fake smile on my face trying to portray that everything is fine, not to worry at all and looked at my boss; He handed over a file to me saying, “Ye client file hain, tum jab vapis aao, tab inse meeting karlena haan! Important hain.” I nodded in a yes with a brief smile and took the file in my hand and kept inside my cupboard and locked it. I picked up my tiffin, and indicated him that I am feeling hungry. We both walked towards the canteen area silently. While walking down the corridor towards the canteen, I replayed all her beautiful memories in my mind.

I remembered, it was 16^th October, her birthday; She proposed me then. She was looking beautiful that day. Her memories are all so close to my heart still!  As I was walking down the corridor, I felt that I was actually walking down the memory lane with her. Every single step reminded me of that day when all this happened. All the memories started to come alive over again!

We all were invited in her birthday party and amid all the festive she made an announcement, that she loves me and what to marry me. I was a big fool, not to understand her true feelings then. Yes! It was because of my indecisiveness that she left me. Now there was no point in repenting for such foolishness, as she is gone now! God! Now I was missing her even more, I felt terribly helpless!

I got a gentle tap on my shoulder, it was my boss. I came back to where I was. He pointed out at a table in a canteen. I looked at the empty table and then looked at him. I told him in a low voice, “Ajj health kuch theek nahi hain, aap lunch karlo, I want to go home”. As a good gentleman, he inquired if everything was ok. I shook my head in a yes and left the canteen space immediately.

I went home. Maa was busy packing my bag, I didn’t respond in front of her, but something within me pushed me to move ahead and attend this much awaited marriage. There was a cruel duel going in my mind, I was happy for Raghav and my other friends, as this was a good reunion after 4 long years. 

BUT! My mind was still stuck up somewhere in her. I tried to call Priya in the evening but her phone continuously showed switched off. And as they correctly say, “an idle mind is a devil’s workshop!”; But today my mind was so much noisy, that if the devil would have been here today, it would have been scared of all the arguments and noises coming out of my mind and would have promised me not to return to me.”

I thought I lost the battle. Completely lost in deep sadness, I was sitting watching the sun set outside my window; I heard a knock on my door. It was maa. Holding a bag she came towards me. Bishu, you forgot this waistcoat and safa beta, tumhara favourite haina ye, she said pointing out at the waistcoat. She came near. Handed me the bag that I packed for myself.

I looked at her and said, “maa iski zarurat nahi hain ab”, bhaiyya ki shaadi main jo sherwani khareedi thi wohi lekar jaunga main”. I said and turned to see the sun again. She left from my room without saying anything. I wonder why I felt like hugging her and crying on her shoulder that moment when she was near.  Late night I got a call from Raghav, he was inquiring about my itinerary for the next day, so that he can arrange for my commutation from the Bandra Terminus. I refused him for any help and further convinced him that, I shall manage myself so he should not worry about me.

Before I could catch up some sleep, I chose to open my college bag again, and flip through some of the best stuff that I had which brought with it smile on my face. These were the special moments I will be reliving tomorrow with my college buddies again. I flipped through the photo albums, the last day messages written on our uniforms, my fingers rolled on the scarf that was lying near the photo album; it was her scarf. It was a blue and red floral chiffon scarf, one of her most favourite possessions that she cherished a lot during our college days. It still has her fragrance wrapped around in it.

I remember the occasion, when I got her scarf. We were playing a truth and dare, and as a challenge of dare, I asked her to give me one of her most favourite things she possessed; to my surprise, without thinking twice, she took off this scarf that was wrapped around her neck, and gave me. She loved me truly, she proved that day. I asked her the next day, what was so special about her scarf, and she said, “Papa gifted me this scarf on my 16^th Birthday, just one year ago before he passed away”, I put on this scarf remembering him Bishu.  I was taken aback by her candid gesture. I hugged her and slowly whispered in her ear, then why did you give it to me? It was just a game Gargi! She was close to tears, when she mentioned, “After papa, it was ONLY you to whom I am completely devoted to”. Every girl wants someone in her life who matches to the love and care that her father has given to her all these years, and I could see no one else but you Bishu in that role. Because I love you Bishu” she said and I hugged her tight in my arms and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead. I didn’t say anything, as I wanted to be just by her side that day, consoling her and caressing her by giving her all the comfort and care that she expects from me. Time froze that moment. It’s still my favourite moment and will always remain special for the lifetime.

The wind chime made a soothing sound as the cool breeze just passed by through it. Hereby allowing me to slowly return back to where I was. Her memories made me nostalgic and so I tried to wrap up the things in a hurry, a photograph fell down from the album. I picked it up, it was a group photo taken during the cultural program. She was wearing a blue bandhani silk saree. She looked pretty and adorable. She carried a classic elegance with her. I moved my eyes to the other people in the photo when I saw, a few girls standing in a row with her. There was a girl standing right next to her in that photo. Someone had encircled on the face of that girl standing next to Gargi. I didn’t understand what was that circle made for? But just out of curiousity, I flipped the photo to see if something was written on the back side. To my luck, I found something scribbled there. It said, “To priya with love from Gargi”.  It was a hook! I was reminded of Priya. “Perhaps God has its own way of creating metaphors at right time!”

Hurriedly, I wrapped up my bag and started searching for my phone. I dialled Priya’s number, but to my surprise, her mobile still showed switched off.  I forced myself to sleep but Gargi’s thoughts didn’t allow sleep to come that night. I managed to keep the alarm set at 6:00am sharp.

16^th February

The day! I was waiting for arrived. I woke up early, finished my chores and was ready. I was leaving from my home, when maa handed me a box of fresh homemade ‘Besan ke ladoos’, she knew well, everyone in my batch used to love these laddoos and they all expected it whenever I used to return to the college after the Diwali vacation break. I hugged her and thanked her for taking care of my friend’s expectations so well, even today.  “Maa logon ka bhi ekdum correct calculation hota hain, unko pata chal jata hain which technique will come to rescue when” handing over the laddoo ka dibba she said, “Beta Raghav ko meri aurse dher saari shubhkamnayein dena aur haan, lagey haath mere liye bhi ek achchi bahu dhundkar hi aana...(and she winked at me).” ‘Bas yehi baaki tha!’ I thought to myself.  My heart responded, ‘Yehi toh karne jaa raha haina tu – Mr. Devdaas!’  Smile came on my lips instantly, but I hide it from my mother and left home for the airport.

                                                                                                              

It was still dawn when I stepped out of the cab and walked towards the entry gate of the Bangalore’s Kempagowda International airport. The early morning February air was pleasantly cold. I was travelling to Mumbai after 4 long years. All the college memories again started flashing in front of my eyes. It had been four years since we graduated from the same college. This wedding was also going to be a reunion of our batch mates. It is going to be fun, but what I didn’t know was that the reunion would begin much ahead of time; right in the queue in front of the airline counter!

I was almost sure it was her. Same height! Same long hair! Same complexion! My curiosity knew no bounds. I had my eyes glued to her. And then about 60-odd seconds later, when turned, she proved me right. My ex-girlfriend...no-no, my Gargi, stood two counters ahead of me in that queue. We had never met after the college farewell. A thunder shock ran down my spine. I was awestruck. God!  What should I do? My hands were cold. In an air conditioned lounge, I had tiny bubbles of sweat sliding over from my face. I was frozen.

Things happen to me when I least expect them to happen! Still I was happy to see her at the airport.  But, the thought of her marriage, still haunted me, I wanted to go ahead and talk to her. As I initiated towards her, I received a call, it was an unknown number, hello! I said, yeah hi this is Priya, this side.  Sorry, I lost my phone so couldn’t keep in touch with you since last two days, but hey you are going to Mumbai today right? She finished saying everything in one go. That’s correct but...but...I was falling short of words, when she mentioned about Gargi. Listen carefully she said, I just came to know that Gargi is in India, infact In Bangalore and she too is going to attend Raghav’s marriage. Did you get that! And most important is that she too is going to board her flight today itself, so go and find her out...and talk to her ASAP. That moment I felt as if Priya is a Godsend Angel an ultimate love guru to mend my broken love life. Like a teacher she guided me everything. I was now focussing on two things at a time, my ears were busy listening to her instructions and my eyes followed my future life ahead of me. Priya was talking about something that was new to my ears!

Too many things happening at the same time for me. Ok wait! What’s going on? I was very confused, so I asked her what exactly the matter was. She reminded me of the favour again by giving me the reference of our prior telephonic communication. You remember that day I called you and mentioned that I need your favour? 

Hmm... I was caught! (My heart spoke again – arree she is talking about the day when your male ego came in between! Remember?” Oh yes, yes! I remember. But what do I say, I was confused. She explained me again, look I know she still loves you Bishwajeet, It was because of her mother’s wish that she is marrying another guy in the US. You still have the game under your belt. You still have these 5 days to win over her HEART, perhaps this is your last and final chance Bishu, please convince her to marry you dear! Just go for it, everything will fall in its place once this happens!

Priya requested me and I was frozen then and there. Truly a Godsend angel she was. “But!” I said. Arree no ifs and buts now! Go and propose her straightaway, I know she loves you and waiting for your answer even today! Without any second thought and indecision, with all the courage I decided to listen to my heart.

Thank yooooouuuuu Priyaaaaa...you made my day sweetheart! I screamed in excitement and happiness; a few passengers standing nearby gave me a dirty look, as If I have spoiled their private party! Who Cares? I shrugged my shoulders off, hung the phone and moved ahead swiftly with my eyes on her.

God! This was the biggest surprise I have ever expected to come my way. I rushed through the crowd paving my way to approach her. While on my way, I felt regret in my heart, why did I missed out on this valuable information then.  “Ladke aise hi hote hain...jhalle..”.my heart said...and I was like, “whatever!!!”

And my 2^nd regret was, “Aree yaar!!! How do I get my Blue Waist Coat and the colourful Rajasthani Bandhani safa now?” I just left it back home thinking that she won’t meet me!  Now this is what I call a perfectly bowled unplayable delivery by Mr. God!, and all I have to do is simply let it go!

I looked above and thanked God, “Thanks for bringing this sweet miracle in my life again” (In the background there was an announcement that mentioned – LAST & FINAL CALL).

I shook my head in a yes and said to myself – Indeed! This one is my last & final call... Chal beta Bishwajeet – isse pehle k eek aur miracle ho jaay, apne kaam pe lag jaao.!

To be continued.....

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        Please do share your feedback, suggestions, inputs, remarks and also your criticisms here on the blog itself or on the mentioned email address. Trust me I am really looking forward to know from you about this story. Lots of love.

     Zelam Tambe (Kabhikabaar)

     Email: - zelamtambe07@gmail.com or kabhikabaar@gmail.com