Showing posts with label Series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Series. Show all posts
Friday, 27 May 2016
Not a love story: Phone a Friend
Note: Is this your first post of the series? Wait. Start reading from here: Not a love story: How they met?
With the passing
weeks, the bond between Sahil and Eshita became weaker
because they hardly talked. Most of the time when he pinged her, she was either
out for shopping or was busy somewhere else. And this thing, after a certain
time, started frustrating him, as he was the ONLY one who, evidently, took
measures to stay in touch.
The situation grew so
bad that he even started to doubt whether the two of them really shared a
special connection ever. Or, whether all of that was just a common affair for
her. Or in other words, she judged the conversations between them within the
boundaries of friendship. Not an inch more, but maybe, a mile lesser. And all
this made him highly distressed.
The signs of unhappiness, dejection and resentment were clearly
visible with the way Sahil started to lose his
calm in minor matters. Due to this, he started to spend more time being alone.
Although, the two of them did talk at certain occasions but it was more
formally tuned. Nothing magical happened that would revive the old Sahil; the one who was
bright and bubbly. It was shocking that a girl could do that to him. That he
would completely loose his mind on her. Undoubtedly, he had his likings towards
her and was seeking for more attention than what he was receiving. All these
things really played a game with his mind. Life was changing for him. Or maybe,
he was changing.
But one final day he decided to
speak to a close friend of his, seeking advice on the same. This was the first
occasion that he has opened up to anybody on his personal life. He always
believed that personal matters once spoken are not in your control. You can’t steer its spread
and exposure. But, he didn’t care any longer about
that thing from happening. Rather, he wished that she (Eshita) could
know what her absence has turned him into.
So, he calls up Rupasi, a-more-than-a-friend-and-less-than-a-girlfriend
kind of friend. They both shared almost everything, except for the relationship
part from Sahil’s end, apparently, which was yet to
make its debut. Rupasi, on the other hand, had a boyfriend for 3 years now and she
has seen many ups and downs in all that time. Thinking of which Sahil thought
her to be the perfect person for contact.
“Hey champ! What’s
the problem, tell me?” said Rupasi assertively.
Almost like she knew that something is wrong the other side.
“What?! I mean, how
do you know?” replied Sahil who was
totally perplexed with the witching skills of his friend.
“See the time. It is
5 and I am in the class. You know this thing and yet made a call. So,
eliminating the odds, something must have really gotten wrong. Simple.
But see the irony, you watch Sherlock Holmes!” she chuckles.
“All hail the queen” responded Sahil with a
grin. It was the first time in days when he genuinely laughed.
“You make me feel good, know this” he added.
“I know, I know. Why
not? I am the only girl who talks to you. And you are not gay from what I know” replied Rupasi while
rolling her eyes and throwing a devilish smile back.
“Oh! Come on. There
are a lot of girls who talk to me…….once in a blue moon” he chuckles.
“Hahaha! Acha tell me the issue. I need to get back to the class”
“Oh! Yeah. Sorry. Long story short, I like a girl who doesn’t give me attention anymore that she used to once. This
thing frustrates me. What to do?!... And if, you need to know the entire story,
then we can have a word when you are free?” asked Sahil in
desperation. He needed a solution to this. Quickly.
“Mmm… hard for me to process anything at the moment. Quick tip:
Call her right away and have a normal conversation. This will seize the
curiosity bug inside you for a few hours. Update me afterwards. Ttyl. Bubye.” She replied almost
with utmost assurance and dominance as if she knew what was best for the
ongoing situation.
“Ok. Sure. Bubye” and he hangs up.
He then immediately calls her up which he had thought to do it
since a few days. But then, ego and hurt did not let him dial the number. Men and ego! You see.
“Hello” replied a manly
voice from the other end.
A lot of background noise from Eshita’s end made it impossible for Sahil to hear
anything.
“Hello, Eshita?!” he confirms.
“Sorry, she is in the
washroom. Mind calling her later” replied the hefty
voiced male.
“Ok. By the way, who
is this?” asked Sahil in a meek
voice.
“This is Anurabh.”
“Ok Anurabh. Tell Eshita that Sahil called. Thanks. Bye” and he hangs up instantly.
Upon disconnecting,
an unsettling chill swept through him. He couldn’t think of anything at all. A gush of thoughts and
questions struck his mind. He was already not well with the happenings and now
having found that Eshita was going out with her ex added kerosene to the fire.
He was in need to
have a word with her and that too as soon as possible.
To be continued….
Monday, 17 August 2015
Not a love story: The first almost date- Part 2
Finding it hard to recall the previous story? Read here: Not a love story: The first almost date- Part 1
Oh! Visiting for the first time? Welcome. Read this: Not a love story: How they met?
‘Hi’,
said a 5’10 inches tall, muscular guy with no sense of wearing casuals and
an enigmatic grin stood behind Sahil.
With
a weary smile, Eshita responded with a single word, hi.
‘What’s up, won’t introduce me to your new friend,
huh?!’, he said with an impulsively creepy
gesture.
‘Ah, yeah.. Meet Sahil. And Sahil, this
is Anurabh.’
They
both exchanged a practiced smile and shook hands as most guys do. It is a
gentlemen’s statement which sets a good tune, generally. None of which happened
there though.
Sensing
the awkwardness sipping in, Eshita said frantically, ‘Sahil had his birthday yesterday. We were
celebrating here.’
Sahil gave
a flat lipped smile to confirm the fact, wondering about the need to reveal that.
‘Hey, belated happy birthday man’, the muscular guy extended a hand to wish him.
‘Thank you’.
*Please get it over*
Another
aura of uneasiness clouded around them. All because of the nosy new guy which
nobody liked at that point, including Eshita.
‘Mmm… So, will leave the two of you enjoy the
treat.’ The giant left sensing discomfort
around. And, Eshita immediately gave a sigh of relief.
Sahil wished
to ask about the guy but didn’t weigh in to sound desperate. And simply sighed
in relief. But he had his theory, assumptions and curiosity, everything inside,
locked safely to unleash some other time. Some better and comfortable moment.
They
both finished the food and beverages. The conversation after the strange meet with Anurabhdidn’t
bloom. It drifted above the normal topics here and there. And after a few
minutes they both left for the day bidding good-bye.
Later
that night while conversing something, Sahil popped up a question
about Anurabh. He wished to know who he actually was remembering the edgy
atmosphere earlier around Eshita, especially.
Sahil was
curious and bold enough to put that up to Eshita. She took her time to
reply and after so much of typing… she said, ‘He was a friend.’
Sahil didn’t
believe her. But he didn’t wish to play lawyer-lawyer that time. So, he drifted
the subject to something else.
‘Up for a truth and dare game?’ *winked*
‘Mmm… all right. Sure’, said Eshita with brooding eyes, as if
recalling something important. She was still not through with the question
of Anurabh.
Anyways,
they kick-started the game and it subsequently got interesting with
the passing time. Nobody was willing to sleep even at 2 in the morning. Their
eyes started to water, fingers yelled for a break and other biological signals
were clear that sleep has knocked at the doors. But they didn’t attend to it
and kept the game going.
And
as the game progressed, they came to know about each other even more. With
every passing question and every information shared, the bond was strengthening.
After all, they knew each other’s little secrets now. And secrets bind two
people just like fevicol. Quickly and strongly.
‘Ok, so 1 last question for tonight. You ask’, said Eshita. Seemed like she opened the door
for the sleep.
Knowing
the condition, Sahil gave a devilish smile and almost typed a
question regarding that bulky, puzzling guy, Anurabh, this
morning. But right before pressing enter, he reconsidered.
He
contemplated that if he questions about him again to her, then she might get
suspicious about his unsettling curiosity. Presumably, she will feel that he
doubts her, which he does, but not want to make it so obvious. And that will
not be a good signal to send.
But,
also at the same time, he wished to ascertain his deductions about Anurabh and Eshita.
He wished to know that he was right about the situation. And that Eshita lied
to her. His child like enthusiasm was at the peak. So, he rephrased the question
as..
‘Is there anything that I should know about you?’ *fingers crossed*
Eshita immediately
replied, ‘No, I have told you every
important thing.’
Sahil kept
patience and didn’t type anything to put the bait.
When
people hide something, they feel extremely uncomfortable with another person’s
silence. So, they either blur out anything or something relevant, to convince
the other person under such situations.
After
20 secs of no reply, Eshita did become a little anxious.
‘There?’
She asked.
No
reply. Sahil was simply testing her patience and waiting for the
answer that he thinks is right.
After
another 30 secs, she added, ‘Seems like
you have slept’. Restlessness was all over her.
She
could see that the messages have been read, so that made her uncomfortable.
She started to ponder whether Sahil knows the truth or has his
doubts. Or whether she is just over-thinking about it. She kept evaluating and
assessing for a while. And with no reply coming from the other side, made her
clench her fingers in tension.
But
finally, after 2 mins, she wrote this.
‘Seems like you have slept. No problem, we will
talk tomorrow. Also, one thing about which I lied earlier is that, the guy you
met this morning, Anurabh, was my boyfriend. We broke up last week. Sorry
to lie about it. I hope you won’t mind. Have a great night. Tc.’
And
she went to sleep peacefully with no burden. She spoke the truth. She was a
free bird with no guilt.
Sahil on
the other side banged the desk in victory. He knew there was something fishy.
His detective skills were improving with Sherlock’s episodes on a roll.
He
was happy to know that she revealed the truth. Mostly because of his own
efforts. But the thing that puzzled him was why did she hide it in the first
place?! Whether she thought he might not like it and this would affect the bond
between them. Or, she simply wanted to keep it personal. All this was blurry!
And
such questions raided his mind continuously until he caught a sleep. He didn’t
reply to her because that might have generated another round of questions and
speculations about his sudden absence and arrival. However, he planned on
sending a message in the morning at the earliest. And with that he closed his
eyes and got lost in the peaceful darkness.
To
be continued…
Monday, 27 July 2015
Not a love story: The first almost date- Part 1
There he was at Café Coffee day, at 5pm sharp, waiting for her and analysing his decision of being on time. How could he not work this through that a girl is always 2 quarters late on arrival?! Seemed like, those Sherlock episodes of last night didn’t work it’s magic on him.
Nevertheless, as expected, she came 15min later than the theoretically assumed time. 5.45 pm it showed on his watch along with a little disappointment on his face mixed with a pinch of regret.
Almost helping himself from the anti-climax and tiredness of waiting for someone, he stood up, walked to the other chair and pulled it out for her.
With more of a sorry-I-got-late-please-don’t-be-mad than a thank-you-for-the-chivalry face, she took the seat.
‘I am really sorry for making you wait like this.’ She immediately said apologetically enough to melt down Sahil’s little anger.
As a matter of fact, Sahil never liked to wait for anyone. He was an on-time guy and wanted others to appreciate the value of time as well. But much to his woes, things have never been the way he wanted them to be.
‘No, it is fine.’ He blurted immediately as if rehearsing it since hours, may be months, with different people at the receiving end.
Unable to comprehend the latent tension on the other side, she switched off the sorry-mode, assuming that would be of no use. After all, she has never been a make-up girl. She found it tiresome and tough to reconcile for her wrong doings after a certain point. And that point was mostly an honest ‘I am sorry.’ That’s it. Apology made for her.
Sahil didn’t like to stay with the wind too. He moved on fast. Something that time has taught him through the hard way. So he blended well and asked what she would like to have.
‘One peppy chicken roll and café latte’, she said almost hiding her excitement. She was a big time foodie and never compromised food for an hour-glass figure. ‘Who would skip delicious meals for something so materialistic,’ she would say. However, those calorie filled meals weren’t visible by her looks. Morning yoga and cardio have done its magic have paid well.
Then, almost interrupting him, she took out a gift from her purse and with a sweet sugary smile passed that to him.
He didn’t foresee that up to this extent, so he took it as a massive surprise which was quite evident through his next-to-weird reaction.
‘Oh my God. I… didn’t… mmm… that’s so sweet of you. Thank you.’ He said while fighting a frog in his throat and making awkward gestures to blend in with the situation.
She answered with a smile when he slowly placed that rectangular shaped gift box while guessing what’s inside it. He gave up too early and went on to order the food stuffs.
‘Thank you, I seriously didn’t anticipate that. You actually shocked me twice today. Haha.’ He said after coming back.
Sahil had a way of expressing himself. If he had a grudge or something he disliked, he would say it indirectly through something sweet. It is kind of an encoded message in a box of chocolate. So, mostly it went unnoticed or stayed hidden behind that alluring other sentence. This way he confessed and let go of the things while not hurting the other person. He disliked hurting people. So he avoided it as much as he could.
‘Haha. I am actually sorry for coming late. And about the gift, it is the least I could do for you birthday boy.’ She grinned.
Eshita believed that one should never visit anyone, on their birthday or a birthday party, without a gift. No matter how small it is, never go empty-handed, she thought, just like Sahil.
‘You are very smart, I must say.’ He said with the first genuine smile of the evening.
‘Thank you. Thank you.’ She chuckled.
Meanwhile, their orders comes and were about to get into business of eating, sipping coffee and more talking, but all this was taken aback by the ghastly look on Eshita’s face when she caught a glance of somebody. Somebody familiar to her. A lot familiar.
Monday, 20 July 2015
Not a love story- The birthday
Note: Read
the first chapter of this mini series here.
He
logged into his Facebook account and saw 6 notifications. 3 were the truly
displeasing candy crush requests, while the remaining were the birthday wishes.
But out of all those, the last one caught his mind that read, ‘Eshita has
written on your timeline’.
 |
| Sums up a birthday! |
Unable
to contain his excitement, he immediately clicked on the link and got
redirected to the timeline post of hers that read,
‘Wish you a very happy birthday
Sahil. May you get whatever you want in your life.
PS: Too bad you didn’t tell me
about your birthday. Thank God I surf Facebook round the clock and took notice
of other people’s wishes on your timeline. This will have consequences (party
type). *wink*’
He
read it and smiled. And after thinking for a second he typed the first
thank-you message of the evening.
‘Glad to see your message. Thank
you for it. I am ready to pay for my sin. *wink*’
Thereafter
he quickly skimmed through the rest of the wishes on his timeline. He thanked
each one of them who took their time out to wish him luck. The feeling was
profound because he hid his birthday info on Facebook a year ago only to
include people who genuinely cared and made efforts for him.
After
15 mins…
He
was watching a video on YouTube when a notification sound caught his attention.
He paused the video and clicked on the Facebook tab. A childlike glee spread on
this face. It was Eshita’s reply to his earlier comment.
‘You should be. *wink*’
‘Hi. Thank you for the birthday
wish. I didn’t anticipate that.’
He promptly sent this and waited curiously for her reply.
‘You’re welcome. Though I am
angry that you didn’t tell me about your birthday.*sad*’
Over
the two weeks of interaction, this thing never caught up as a subject to them.
They mostly discussed anything except for their favorite color, hero, heroine
and birthday.
All
those basic questions that once acted as a conversation starter for most people
was surprisingly overlooked by them. May be, the times have changed. Now, you
don’t have to discuss lame things, like favorite colour, to carry on a
conversation. The list of topics is huge today. And people have become even more
open.
‘I am sorry. But this thing never
crossed my mind. By the way, when does your birthday come?’
‘Yeah, right. It will be on the
29th of the next month. Do not forget to wish me. Haha!’
‘I won’t.’ He made a mental note so as not to forget about
it. Although, he quickly added a reminder to this cell phone because of his
terrific memory power which has gotten him into a lot of trouble lately.
‘Are you free tomorrow?’ He added.
‘Mm… yeah. Why?’
‘For dealing with the
consequences. *wink* Birthday treat.’
He crossed his fingers in desperation. Something that happens with most of the
guys when they invite a girl and do not wish to be rejected or put on a wait.
‘Ahaaan. Would love to. When?
Where?’
‘Whatever time and place suits
you.’
‘Ok. Then, Café Coffee Day at
5pm?’
‘Seems fine.’
‘Alright then birthday boy. Time to
catch a sleep. See you tomorrow. Once again, happy birthday. *smile*’
‘Thank you. Have a great time.
Ciao. *smile*’
With
a thoughtful face and a set curve of bliss he logged out.
Thursday, 16 July 2015
Not a love story: How they met?
In the 21st
century, there was a boy. Average height. High hopes. Low spirited but always
willing to take risks for experiences. And looked more like the Indian version
of Clark Kent (Minus the physique).
 |
He had his definition
of love, the same as that of Gerard Butler from ‘The Ugly Truth’; true love is
a myth. And relationship is a slow poison. He was adamant. Unwilling to change
his thoughts and theories about love and whereabouts of it. After all, he had
his share of bad experiences in the past.
He was living his
mediocre life. Took fun, as much out as possible, from a mundane routine and a
boring job that did not pay well too. He was a big fan of Facebook, Twitter and
WWE. Give him 2 mins of free time and he could be found gazing his phone’s
screen, scrolling, reading, judging, assuming and what not.
His profession has
gotten him to be in touch with numerous girls of various shades and lifestyle.
Some liked party animals, unlike him. Some liked the chocolate guys of the 80s
that had a classic style of showing their fondness. And likewise, the list of
characteristics and interests were endless
with permutations and combinations. Almost.
However, there was
this girl, a little healthy (almost fit) and had alluring eyes with a gentle
gleam as if they were new to the world. The smile was enough to encourage
people to wash out their forlorn make-up. She was eccentric and straightforward.
But went blunt only under special circumstances. Mostly stayed jovial and
chilled.
One fine day they got
into a conversation because of some business purpose. However, the conversation
soon took a different turn and there was an endless discussion about movies, TV
series, songs and every other thing that entertains anybody. Not everything,
though.
Only when the eyes
yelled for a break and the head turned to look at the time, which was 4.30 in
the morning, they exchanged pleasantries and went to sleep. Unaware what the
coming days would be like, they dozed off. At least, she.
‘I didn’t know we had
so many similarities. She is intellectual
and witty. Hope we talk again.’ With this thought in the mind the guy dug
his head in the pillow. Switched off the lights, raced the fan speed and went
to slumber for good!
