Is love blind? .......Oh yes it is!! - Episode 15

Its midnight and Sheetal is still chatting with Jeeth……

DreamyPrincess: u there??? [No response for a long time….she buzzes] BUZZZZZZ
Jeeth_007: haan…bolo sweety…..kya problem hai?

DreamyPrincess: problem hai jeeth…..tum itna chup kyun ho?

Jeeth_007: [flirtingly] I am listening to you sweety…..
DreamyPrincess: [dreamily] tum kuch kaho na!!
Jeeth_007: Princess, mujhe bohat neend aarahi hai…..hum kal baat karthey hain…..
DreamyPrincess: [stubbornly] tum mujhse bore hogaye kya??abi baat karo na??
Jeeth_007: pakka kal iss samay online aavunga….phir bohat baat karenge…..abi keliye bye sweety…..gud night, sweet dreamzz….
DreamyPrincess: [sweetily]tum aavoge toh dreams sweet ho jayega…..

Jeeth logs out....

[Sheetal actually feels that Jeeth is in love with her too…..She doesn’t feel the need to explicitly tell that out…..She doesn’t think a confession or proposal is required since they are already in love….. All this on one side, but still she always wishes a simple “I love you” atleast from him…..But he keeps dodging her with all his sweet talks…..She decides to let him know her state of mind through a love message……She sends him a mail……]

Dearest Jeeth,
**I can't believe how great you make me feel,
When I'm with you, I have a great time
The thing is you see me for me
You make me laugh smile and feel beautiful
No guy could possibly be this great
It's almost like it's too good to be true
I feel like I'm stuck inside a dream but when I talk to you, it's so real
You get my jokes and I get yours
I hope this love never ends.**

With lots of love
Your Princess (only yours)

[Let’s wait for his response to find out whats in his mind]

################################

Sid’s POV
Days passed by quickly….My b’day is on Sunday…..It was Thursday already….just 2 days more…….
How do I do it?? Shall I write a letter??? Or shall I recite a poem on my love???Oh god, surfing the net did no good…..

Reading”101 ways to propose” also didn’t work out….
I am still short of ideas…..leave alone ideas, I was lacking the basic thing….. the courage of looking into her eyes and speaking my mind…….I had to do something…..Meditation, yoga, workout…..whatever whatever was required!!! Finally I decided to do it my own way…..

I didn’t meet her that day……I knew that I would blabber out something if we met face to face….I left college early for buying some gifts for her……..Nothing seemed worth for her but I settled down for the best of things…..I knew that she loved gifts….She was this cuddly softy type who loved small small things…flowers, cute show pieces, teddies…….I bought everything except the flowers…..Red roses would be perfect…..I ordered a big boquet for Sunday……
Finally I got a dress for her…….It was exhibited at the shop…….A display mannequin wore it……
I imagined her instead in that outfit……She looked amazing in it…..It was one of her favorite colors…..

I snapped out from my imagination and smiled…….I got it gift wrapped and left…..
Next day in college was tougher than I thought……I had to gift her the dress…..I didn’t know how……It was break time….I went to her classroom….She was amidst her friends……..I stood outside and tried calling her…..but she didn’t notice me…..

I walked a few steps away from her class, stood near a window and sent her a message…”I am waiting at the assembly room…Plz come”


I stood there to know her reaction……As expected she smiled when she got my message…..**a sign of love**….thats what the book said…..[he grinned]


She looked around but I ducked to hide from her eyes……Then she found some excuse and tried to come out…..When I saw that she was coming out of the room, I ran to the assembly room….normally it would be empty always but for some important meetings and announcements…..hence I chose that place…….

I waited….i heard her foot steps…..i geared up myself for her questions……


Anjali: Hi Sid…..What happened??Why did u call me??
Sid: [I walked to her] relax relax…..come sit down…..[pulled a chair for her]
Anjali: [sitting down] hmm…..ab batao
Sid: [hesitantly] ummm…..meri b’day keliye invite karna tha
Anjali: [screaming] B’DAY!!!!! When????Why didn’t u tell me before????[She was going on and on???]
Sid: [as a reflex action, tried to shut her mouth and stop her] hey wait…..dheere bolo….
Anjali: [uncomfortable with my gesture.....loosened my hold] ok ok…..when is it??
Sid: coming Sunday……the party is at my beach house……that’s the address [I handed over the address]
Anjali: ohhh….[looking at the address] sabko bulaaya hai na??
Sid: [pauses and nods slowly] hmmm….sab nahi…..sirf kuch kaas friends!!! [I stressed “Kaas” and at this looked at her….]

Anjali: ok…..I will try my best to come….


Sid: no try business……you have to!!! It’s an order!!


Anjali: ok baba…..I will come…..waise tumaari woh special friend zaroor aayegi na??main usse wahi milungi!!![smiles and winked at me]


Sid: [a slight frown creeped into my face but I hid it] hmm….yeh lo…..tumaare liye ek chota gift [I handed over the packet having the dress]


Anjali: [surprised] yeh kya hai???i have to give u a gift…It’s your b’day…….Why are you giving me?


Sid: plz Anjali….maine kaas tumaare liye pasand kiya hai…..ek dress hai…..wear this when you come for the party!!plzzzz


Anjali: [hesitantly] actually Sid, don’t get me wrong….aise gifts main accept nahi kar sakthi…..


Sid: [disappointed] I will get u wrong Anjali……agar yahi gift Aashu, Sheetal aur Deepak dhete, toh tum le lethe na?? Tell me honestly...


Anjali:[thinks and tells hesitantly] hmmm…


Sid: matlab ke tum mujhe apni dhost nahi maanthi….right??


Anjali: nahi nahi aise nahi hai……[noticing his disappointment and sadness] teek hai….i will take it…but let this be first and last time….plz don’t buy anything for me hereafter…


Sid: hmmmm [mind voice: we will think about that after Sunday dear……mere mann mein jo tumaare liye pyar hai….usse toh tumko lene hi padega!!][I smiled slightly]


Anjali: [in a hurried manner] main chalthi hoom…..Aashu tension hogayi hogi….


Sid: see you on Sunday evening….


Anjali: [smiling] hmmmm….


**************************************************
Its Sunday morning….


Sid gets up late after the night long party with his close friends……At 12 he got a b’day wish SMS from Anjali…He doesn’t reply to see if it makes any difference to her……

As he expects, She waits for his reply for 10 minutes and sends him a message again….”Did you get my b’day wish?”……He replies “yup….thanks”

She doesn’t reply further….He knows that she is angry but he chooses to ignore her for the moment.…


It looks at the clock….its going to be 9…..”Oh no, Mom had asked me to get ready by 8:30”……He jumped out of the bed……He had to call Anjali and check if she was really angry too….

Sid: hello Anjali gud morning…


Anjali: oh Hi Sid….[in an uninterested tone] BTW Happy b’day!!


Sid: [was enjoying the feeling that she really felt disappointed when he didn’t reply to her SMS] what happened??Are you not well?? Didn’t you sleep properly??


Anjali: [stopping him] Sid Sid…..I am alright…I mean Fine….don’t worry


Sid: [mind voice: Worry….i am enjoying your “mood out” darling!!][He hears his someone knocking on his door]


Girl: Sid, tum thayar ho kya?? Aunty kabse tumaare liye wait kar rahi hai!!!


Sid: haan Smriti….aa raha hoom!! Sirf paanch minute dho…..


Anjali: [mind voice: SMRITHI…..woh kaun hai??...Sid doesn’t have any sisters….phir yeh Smrithi??]


Sid: Anjali….main tumse baad mein baat kartha hoom….mujhe abi sabke saat mandir jaana hai…..


Anjali: arre arre….Smrithi kaun hai??


Sid: [mind voice: oh ho……JEALOUS!!!…**another sign**] [grins] I will call you later….bye bye….


[He cuts the call without waiting for her reply]

He finishes all his programs with his mom and family…..they have a grand lunch out…….

He calls her up once he is back in his room alone…….


Anjali: hello…. [She doesn’t addresses his name]


Sid: [grins] Sid bol raha hoom…..


Anjali: woh toh dhikh raha hai…bolo, kaise phone kiya?


Sid: [mind voice: baap re baap itna gussa…..][Ignoring her anger] I just called to check if I should come and pick you up in the evening….


Anjali: No thanks Sid….mera dhost mujhe wahaan chod dhega…..


Sid: Dhost? Kaunsa dhost??


Anjali: [sarcastic] hai koyi…tum nahi jaante…


Sid:[suspiciously] oh ok…..


Anjali: then see you there…bye…


Sid: See ya…..


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

So far we havent seen what Anjali thinks.....and what is Anjali's situation amidst of all this.......The next few parts aims this point

Anjali’s POV:
Something was different in his behavior….But I am no better either…..Why am I bothered about the girls in his life? I shouldn’t have asked about that girl….whats her name? yeah Smrithi……Sid kya soch raha roga?

[Anjali is having her coffee and thinking if she should go for the b’day party or not…debates going on in her mind…]
Sid kitna arrogantly behave kar raha tha….usne meri SMS ka bhi reply nahi kiya…..mujhe ignore kar raha tha…..oh oh main bhi kya kya sochthe rahethi hoom….woh kaise bhi treat Karen, mujhe kyun farq padega….Kyun nahi padega….main uski friend hoom….phir wahi baat sochne lagi…..[her mom comes from the kitchen with a plate full of kachoris]

Mom: Anjali, yeh lo garam kachori….tumaari favorite…….

[Anjali doesn’t notice her Mom as she is lost in her own thoughts]

Mom: [looks at her and feels strange][mind voice: isse kya hua?? Pehle tho aisi nahi thi] ANJALI….[raises her voice] ANJALI…..
Anjali: [snaps out] haan Maa, aapne kuch kaha?
Mom: [angrily] bohat kuch kaha…Kachori le lo…
Anjali: [in an uninterested tone] mujhe nahi chahiye….
Mom: kyun??
Anjali: [irritated tone] kya kyun? Mujhe bhook nahi hai….

[She gets up and goes to her room…]

Mom: [to Anjali’s dad…he is seeing TV in the living room] dekha aapne…aapke laadli ka viyawar…..main keh dehthi hoom….jitni jaldi ho sakhe iski shaadi pakki kar lethi hain….

Dad: [glaring for a second at her mom] hmmm sochthe hain…..


[Anjali’s room]
She is getting dressed up for the party….She opens the gift packet……She is surprised seeing it……”Its soo beautiful, meri favorite color bhi hai…..Sid ko dress select karna bhi aatha hai….”

She wears it on and stands in front of the mirror…….She is obviously happy with the sight…….She picks the matching accessories……she wears her favorite red stoned set……….clips her hair loosely at the back…..


[After nearly an hour, Anjali comes dressed up….She is looking like a princess in the meroon dress]
Anjali: Maa, ek friendke b’day party hai….shayad late aavungi…

Mom: kya matlab, late aavoge…..main bohat din se dekh rahi hoom….tumaari behavior kuch teek nahi hai…..kis friend ki b’day hai? [Thinking] Tumaare saare friends ke b’day mujhe maaloom hai….aaj kisi ka bhi nahi hai na!!!

Anjali: tum uss friendse mili nahi ho Maa….jaldi hi milavungi….ab main chaloom….

Mom: Aashu bhi aa rahi hai??

Anjali:[irritated by Mom’s questions and is silent]

Mom: [angry] Maine poocha...Kya Aashu bhi aa rahi hai???

[A new voice pitches in…..]
Voice: Aunty ji…..woh mere saath aa rahi hai…..

Mom: [looking towards the door] ROHIT…tum kab aaye??.... [Turns to Anjali] tumne bataya nahi ke Rohit aane waala hai

Anjali: [in a casual manner…..very unusual of her] Hi Rohit….
Rohit: friday night ke flight se…..[playfully] Maine Anjali ko phone kiya tha…..Kya usne aap ko bataya nahi??
Mom: [looking at Anjali] nahi beta…..yeh kahan kuch kehthi hai…..[sarcastic] sab kuch humme hi pathaa lagaana padtha hai….[smiles at Rohit]
Rohit: [looks at Anjali silently.....admires her for a moment] Actually maine hi usse kaha tha ke aap ko math bataye……main aapko surprise dhena chahtha tha…..

[Rohit smiles back too…..Anjali is confused with their smiles but just ignores it……She looks at the watch meaning that its getting late….Rohit understands it]
Rohit: Aunty ji, main Anjali ko le jaaum
Mom: [smiling] haan haan beta…..woh tumaare saath aayegi toh mujhe koyi chintha nahi hai…..lekin chai nashta ke baat…..
Rohit: [keeping his hands on his stomach] no aunty….phir kabhi…..….i had a grand lunch….uske vajhese kal thak mujhe bhook nahi lagega!!!
Anjali: hum chalen Maa….
Mom: ok beta….par dher math karna….jaldi ghar aajaana!!
Rohit: don’t worry aunty….i will take care of her…..
[Anjali looks at Rohit and gives a false smile]
Mom: hmmm…..bye beta…bye Anjali….

[Rohit opens the door for Anjali….She sits and adjust her dress properly….They start to the beach house……..]

[Anjali is confused if she should ask him if he wants to join the b’day party….but she decides not to ask…..Rohit appeared to be in a confused state of mind too….]

Rohit: [mind voice: Why is she silent??She met me after such a long time and she showed no signs of anticipation…Last time I met her, she didn’t close her mouth for 2 long hours….I had to remind her that its time for dinner…..and this time, its soo different….She didn’t talk to me over the phone too….mere aane se kya usse koyi farq nahi padaa?? Ya phir, mujhse sharmagayi hai……kahi, aunty ne kuch kaha toh nahi!!Whatever the reason, this Anjali is quite opposite to the Anjali I know, I understand, I like……I _____]

(To be continued)

Is love blind? .......Oh yes it is!! - Episode 14

Aashu’s home: She is waiting for Deepak…..Deepak comes dot on time……They start to college on his bike

Deepak: [hesitantly] sorry Aashu….

Aashu: [hears it faintly….so she comes nearer to him] sorry?? Kyun??

Deepak: [her lips touch his ears lightly] kal ke liye…..kuch aur soch mein dhooba tha…aur tumse rudely behave kiya…..

Aashu: [in a concerned tone…….moves closer to his ears…..it made him feel a bit awkward] it’s ok Deepak…..i guessed it……tumaare aur Kripa ke beech mein kuch tension chal raha hai na??

Deepak: mere aur Kripa ke???? [In a loud voice….slightly angered]

Aashu: haan….tum dono ke beech koyi jagada hai na…isiliye tum tensed rahete ho…..

Deepak: yeh sab tumse kisne kaha?

Aashu: Anjali ne……aaj subah ussne phone kiya tha…..

Deepak: [he is so angry that he can swallow Anjali as such!!!] [Mind voice: ANJALI!!!! Main hi idiot hoom…..usse help lene chala…..woh help karthe karthe aur mushkilen create kar rahi hai!!]

Aashu: kya hua?

Deepak: kuch nahi!!

Aashu: mera matlab hai….tum dono ke beech mein kya hua tha??

Deepak: [getting frustated] maine kaha na hum dono ke beech kuch bhi nahi hai….na hoga!!! Pehle thodi friendship thi par ab ho bhi nahi hai!!!

Aashu: [taken aback by his reaction] itna gussa??maine toh aise hi poocha tha…..

Deepak: pooch ne keliye yahi baat milaa kya??

Aashu: [angry] haan…..yahi milaa….mujhe wahi baat jaan na hai!!

Deepak: tumaari problem kya hai Aashu??

Aashu: meri problem????

Deepak: haan….Kyun kisi aur ladki ko hamaare beech laa rahe ho???

Aashu: Excuse me!!! Hamaare!!!! What did you mean by that???

Deepak: mmmmm….I meant why are you dragging her name in our talks???

Aashu: tumse baat karna hi behkaar hai…..chalo….college aagayi…..leave me here……[pointing to the lab building]

[Deepak is angry with himself for spoiling yet another opportunity……He drives off leaving Aashu there…..]

Sid’s POV:
Days passed by and our friendship grew…..I was close enough to call her at any time….We spoke about anything and everything under the sun…..Here and there, I used to indirectly hint my love for her….. But she never responded to it…..either she didn’t understand it or she chose to ignore it……She kept asking me about the girl in my life…..I wondered if she was feeling jealous or was she getting possessive….As a matter of fact, I was loving that feeling……

The feeling of being owned by her…..My friends often made fun linking us….”A girl and a guy can never be so close if they are just friends….It must be something more than that…..She is surely in love with you….So go ahead and propose, she will never disagree” this was their ready made advice for me!!!

I had initially thought that our growing friendship was a blessing in disguise but as time flew by, I felt otherwise……Our growing friendship prevented me from directly proposing to her…..What if she broke the friendship???What if she mistakes me???What if she rejected me??
I never had the guts to face such questions!!!

Meanwhile, Deepak and Aashu used to hang out a lot…..Unofficially, they were treated like a couple now though both denied it…..Anjali used to talk a lot about them…..on how she avoided Aashu and let them alone…how Aashu mistook her and fought with her? etc etc……

I would say Deepak’s love for Aashu was favorable for me….I could spend more time with Anjali…..There was nothing happening in her life which I didn’t know…..She being the chatty, chirpy girl, used to tell everything to me…..Many a times, she used to tell me “What would I do without you?” and at those times atleast I felt that she loved me too…..

Finally, I decided to make that last move…..I made up my mind to propose to her…..I chose my b’day which was exactly a month later as the D-day…….This b’day would either be the best day of my life or the worst!!Whatever, I decided to go ahead with it…….

Deepak’s POV:
Thank god, our tiffs got resolved and we were comfortable with each other…..I should thank Anjali too….She played a main part in this……..

But Kripa remained a mystery yet…..
On holi, we had a quarrel which created kind of cold vibes between us…….She just plainly refused to talk to me….for the reasons best known to her……Anjali and Aashu tried to talk to her about it but she changed the topic quite easily and slipped away…..

But I found out her problem…..She was in love, that was for sure…..but with whom???None of us knew the answer……

Once, I saw that she had left her scrap note book at her desk…..…….I took it with the good intention of returning it safely……If left there, it might get misplaced…..

I didn’t show it to anybody else…..something prevented me from doing so….Afterall it was a personal possession…..We aren’t supposed to trespass that……..So I refrained myself from opening it too…..But fate had decided it the other way……The air from the table fan in the canteen corner blow the book open….I stole a glance at the page……One sentence said it all…

"Why did you come into my life? Will you vanish like a mirage? Night is the time when everyone sleeps but that’s the time for me to wet the pillows with tears….."

I closed the book and kept it back at her desk……I had enough problems for myself and couldn’t take on more….Moreover such matters are way too personal and sensitive to be discussed with a third person like me….

[He didn’t have the slightest idea that the person who gave her the biggest pain was he himself and he wasn’t a third person afterall!!!]

Sid’s POV:

I started preparing for my b’day……All along, I used to celebrate my b’day in phases…..The b’day eve belonged to my friends….we used to meet up in some big place, and party till the early hours of the next day……My entire next day belonged to my mom…….She gets some pundits to perform poojas for my well being…..a visit to the mandir was in the agenda too……That’s my mom’s way of celebrating a b’day……especially mine……She is always concerned about me……Are all moms like this??

Whatever it was, I wanted all those blessings and prayers for that day……

I neither wanted to hurt my friends and their sentiments nor my mom’s beliefs…….so all that remained as such this year…….But the evening was exclusively dedicated for Anjali……I never told her about my b’day…..I kept it a secret…..I wanted to give her a surprise…..may be she knew my b’day, may be not…..but we never discussed it….may be she wanted to give me a surprise…..i wished that it happened………….

#######################################

Yahan, wahan, sab jahan bas pyar hi pyar hai………….

“True love is considered the blessings of God. Love is a beautiful song. Two strangers sing this beautiful song. Love makes life worthwhile. It causes an emotional roller coaster ride.

When a person loves someone truly, it would be unconditional. Love is blind, as one becomes selfless. Love is one of the most intense feelings, as you can touch, see or hear it. One can feel this love within heart. True love is not scared of anything. Everyone experience this wonderful feeling once in his/her lifetime. So, get ready to propose your dream girl or boy.”

#######################################

One romantic Sunday evening…………… (Exactly a week before Sid’s b’day)

Both our lover boys are going through this tough phase of love……on the verge of proposing!!!
One more person who is cupid struck and is unable to propose is Sheetal…….She is finally out of the virtual dream land and facing the hard reality of true love………….

Sid & Anjali are out on a walk on the beach…….Sid suggested the plan and she willingly sprang up to it…..
As the waves touch their feet, they are enjoying each others company and the cool breeze…….The sensation of the cool water is sending up chills in both of them……
Anjali is talking non stop….about her friends, about her day etc………

Sid is silently admiring her, uske masoomiyath, bacche jaisa hasi, uske aankhon ke chamak………and thinking about his love……he just wants to tell her his love, hug her, show the intensity of his love…..kiss her……….One look into his eyes and that said it all……but Anjali never bothered to focus on him …….She was engrossed in her sweet nothings and giggling all along…….I wondered “Was she purposefully ignoring his looks and feelings?? Or was she so innocent??”

Kaise Bataye Kyun Tujhko Chahe
Yaara Bata Na Paaye
Baatein Dilon Ki Dekho Zuban Ki Aankhe Tujhe Samjhayen
Tu Jaane Na
Tu Jaane Na
Tu Jaane Na
Tu Jaane Na

Deepak is at his home and thinking about his past conversations with Aashu……All the outings and conversations ran through his mind again and again……

Everything appeared perfect between them now except for the fact that Aashu never acknowledged or reciprocated to his love……She always chose to treat him as a friend and ignored his unsaid love……Nothing could be predicted from her face, her eyes, her words……She was soooo casual with him….no jealousy, no possessiveness, nothing which could show that she too had feelings for him……He felt that his confidence was slowly leaving him…….Anjali used to continuously keep boosting him up and asking him to go ahead…..”arre Deepak, aise kitne din chalega…..kabhi na kabhi tumko yeh step lena hai…..jitna jaldi kahoge utna tum dono keliye accha hoga”

He thought about her words and smiled at it…..”Kuch toh signal milna chahiye, yahan toh ek nazar bhi nahi milaa….phir kaise aage chaloom” 

As always, it looked as if they were miles apart in their feelings, in their hearts…..though they were physically near…..

Hmmmil Ke Bhi
Hum Na Mile
Tumse Na Jane Kyun
Milon Ki Hai Fasle
Tumse Hai Jaane Kyun
Anjane Hain Silsile
Tum Se Na Jaane Kyun
Sapne Hai Palkon Tale
Tum Se Na Jaane Kyun
Kaise Bataye Kyun Tujhko Chahe
Yaara Bata Na Paaye
Baatein Dilon Ki Dekho Zuban Ki Aankhe Tujhe Samjhayen
Tu Jaane Na
Tu Jaane Na

Tu Jaane Na
Tu Jaane Na


[Back to the sea shore……
Her hair is left loose and he feels that it is wavering to the rhythm of the waves………..her dupatta keeps caressing him…….she tries to control it but fails miserably……..the gentle feel of it is soothing to him…….In between, he looks at waves and thinks…… “How fortunate they are…….Waves and the sands had an ongoing love affair…….How beautifully they express their love!!!” ]

Sid’s mind: Each time a big wave comes towards us, she jumped to my side and clung on to my arm……..She held me tightly….She didn’t loosen the grip till the wave went back….The longer she was in my arms, the more I felt she loved me………In between her giggles, our eyes locked for a second but she would look away into the never ending sea…..If it lasted for more than that, she would have realized how much I loved her……she would sense my passion for her……

Nigahon Mein Dekho Meri Jo Har Bas Gaya
Woh Hai Milta Tumse Hoo Bahu

Ooo Jane Teri Aankhen Thi Ua
Ya Baatein Thi Wajah
Huye Tum Jo Dil Ki Arzooo

Tum Paas Ho Ke Bhi
Tum Aas Ho Ke Bhi
Ehsaaas Ho Ke Bhi
Apne Nahi

Aise Hai Apne Gile
Tum Se Na Jane Kyun

She was admiring the beauty of the setting sun……
Night was setting in…….Stars peeped out slowly from their heavenly abode…….chand kahi dhika nahi….…..mere chandini ko dekh kar shayad chand bhi bahar aane se sharmaagayi!!!

Ek toottha hua taara dhika…..Anjali closed her eyes to wish something……I closed my eyes too…….I wonder what she wished for…..i badly wanted to know it……but my wish was quite clear…..

”All my coming days should start and end with Anjali……I wished to see the sunrise and sunsets with her in my arms”……I opened my eyes quickly and realized Anjali was looking at me……”tumme bhi inn sab mein vishwas hai”….I replied looking at the sky…”haan…bohat vishwas hai”

Anjali:[curiously] accha kya wish kiya??

Sid: tum kaho……girls first!!!

Anjali: wish ko bataana nahi chahiye….poora nahi hoga!!!

Sid: ohhhh…..toh main bhi nahi bataaunga….I need this wish granted at any cost!!! [I said that in a determined tone]

With that, we moved on…..a soothing silence set in…we seem to enjoy that….”uske mann mein friendship ke aage bhi kuch hai….yeh sirf dhosti nahi ho sakthi……” I felt someone chanting this in my mind……I smiled…….

She noticed my smile but didn’t ask the reason…..she was never like that…..She never missed an opportunity to talk or question…….Instead she responded to me with a smile……It was not a "typical Anjali smile"….

It looked different today……but cute…..everything she did was cute!!! But her smile confused me this time…….
May be she longed to hear my confession….but I remained silent as we walked on and on…….


Aashu was also in some deep thoughts, she didn’t have her friend near her….She missed her…..jabse Sid ke dhosti mili hai, woh mujhe ignore karthi hai…….I just wish she doesn’t fall into his traps…..I wish she acts sensibly……
Am I getting over protective for her??? may be, afterall it is my duty to protect her…..she is my best friend and……………..ummm friend!!!

Aashu also dreams of someone……….He is not there with me now….par woh mere dil mein bas gaya hai…….

[The scenes alternate between…Sid-Anjali, Deepak, Aashu, Sheetal……..]


Sheetal is engrossed into her PC....no no she is not studying.....her thoughts are wandering somewhere between her dreams and the virtual world........she is chatting with someone…….Its jeeth…..hmmm yeah, he is her net friend…She hasn’t seen him yet……She doesn’t know anything about him, is he real??If so, where is he? Is his name really that?? What does he do??? Nothing…..nothing at all……but she just knew one thing, that she loved him…..yes….she is such a stupid innocent girl……

Sheetal may be physically miles away from him but her heart always beats for him…..She always thinks about him which make her quite close to him……..His mind is however not very clear.....Does he love her too or is it just a time pass???......Thats something which only time can tell!!!

Milon Ki Hai Fasle
Tumse Hai Jaane Kyun
Tu Jaane Na
Tu Jaane Na
Tu Jaane Na
Tu Jaane Na

Khayalon Mein Lakhon Batein
Yun Keh Gaya
Bola Kuch Na Tere Samne
Oo O
Kaise Bataye Kyun Tujhko Chahe
Yaara Bata Na Paaye
Baatein Dilon Ki Dekho Zuban Ki Aankhe Tujhe Samjhayen
Tu Jaane Na
Tu Jaane Na
Tu Jaane Na
Tu Jaane Na


(To be continued)

Is love blind? .......Oh yes it is!! - Episode 13

Deepak’s POV contd:
But will confessing my love to her spoil our friendship….What if she can’t even think of such a relationship??What if she misunderstands me and breaks her friendship with me?? Woh gussey mein kisi bhi haq tak jaa sakthi hai!!!

I have to make sure that she also thinks the same as I do before I put my heart across to her….But how will I do that? How will I make sure that she loves me too?[thinks for a while]

Anjali can help me out in this….Afterall they are best friends!!!
I will call Anjali and talk to her…..I think she knows to a certain extent…..
He starts to dial her number and thinks if it’s too late to call her…but decides to call anyway

Anjali picks it up after 2 rings…….

Anjali: hi Deepak…….main tumme hi phone karne waali thi……was in a dilemma since it was late……

Deepak: accha…kya baat hai??

Anjali: tum bolo…..tumne kaise phone kiya?

Deepak: [hesitates and starts] Aashu ke baare mein…… [Anjali breaks in]

Anjali: Haan main bhi wahi pooch na chahthi thi……tumne Aashu se kya kaha??

Deepak: [eagerly and cautiously] maine kuch nahi kaha!!!

Anjali: kyun nahi kaha????

Deepak: [confused] matlab??tumne kya sochaa???main usse aisi achaanak confess karoonga…..

Anjali: CONFESS???? [laughs out] tho finally tumne maan liya ke tumme Aashu se pyar hai!!!

Deepak: tumme nahi pathaa???

Anjali: ab tak sirf shaq tha….but ab confirm hogaya…..tum tho bade chupe rustam nikhle…..

Deepak: [embarrassed and smiling] mujhe bhi abi abi pathaa chala….isiliye…..[starts blushing]

Anjali: teek hai teek hai…..samajgayi…..

Deepak: tum toh samaj gayi…par jisko samajna chahiye woh tho…. [Stops]

Anjali: Uss keliye bhi tum hi responsible ho…..tum kahoge nahi toh woh samjegi kaise??? Bohat mushkil se aaj tum dono ko akele choda tha…..aur tumne kya kiya?? [rolling her eyes] Usse teek se baat thak nahi ki…..poorey plan fail hogayi!!!

Deepak: [worried] hmmm…..kya woh mujhse naaraz hai?

Anjali: naaraz nahi…….[pauses] bohat naaraz hai!!!

Deepak: actually I was scared that my feelings for her will come out without my knowledge…..

Anjali: let it come out….aakir Aashu ko bhi pathaa ho na chahiye…..

Deepak: no no……I want her to know only if she too has the same kind of feelings for me……otherwise, my love will remain within me forever……!!! Agar uske mann mein mere liye friendship ke seva kuch bhi nahi hai toh woh bura maan jayegi…..aur hamara dhosti katham hojayega!!!

Anjali: [without much thought] but Deepak…… [He interrupts]

Deepak: no yaar…..I can’t even think of losing her friendship!!!

Anjali: [thinks] hmmm I think you are right……so, what are you going to do now??

Deepak: not only me……We!!! I need your help….

Anjali: hmmmm…anything for my friends…..[pauses] tum dono ko milaane keliye main toh puri koshish karungi…..par pyar ka pehla kadham tumme hi utaana hai!!!

Deepak: [feeling lost] hmmmm yeah…..

----------------------------------------------------------------
Another Day in college

Anjali came in quite early that day……. Aashu’s scooty had a flat tyre and her papa sent it to the mechanic……..Aashu called up Anjali and checked if she could pick her up…….Anjali knew that if she refused, then Aashu will take Deepak’s lift………issiliye lab ke bahaana banaa ke college jaldi aagayi……Aashu ko shaq zaroor hogaya hoga…..Anjali aur akele lab meh, aise ab tak kabhi nahi hua…..

Aa toh gayi par Aashu ke bina bohat bore hogayi…….

She leaves the lab and comes to the canteen………She chooses a hard to notice table and sits there silently over a cup of coffee and a romantic novel!!! She is soo very engrossed in the book that she fails to notice Sid’s arrival……

Sid came in noiselessly and sat opposite to her……He didn’t want to disturb her…..She was lost in the book….or was she lost in some dream??? God only knows……Whatever it was, she was near him…..that was the only thing that mattered to him…..

After some time, She sleepily yawns and closes her book……that’s when she noticed him just opposite to her and looking at her intently…..She was shocked by his gesture….She wasn’t sure why he came there…..

Anjali: Sid….tum????

Sid: haan main…..kya main college nahi aa saktha??

Anjali: of course you can…I meant so early in college!!!

Sid: hmmmm…..i couldn’t sleep the whole night…….subah hone keliye wait kartha raha……
Anjali: [smiling naughtily…his SMSs comes to her mind] hmmmm hamesha dreams main hi ho, right??Tumaare sapnon ki rani, kayaalon ki mallika nahi aayi???

Sid: aayi hai na!!usi ko dekhne keliye itni jaldi aagaya!!

Anjali: [looking around] accha….kahaan hai??? Mujhse nahi milaaoge??

Sid: [low voice: tumse kya milaana…..tum hi tho ho]

Anjali: kya kaha?? Maine suna nahi….

Sid: kuch nahi….woh bohat sharmaathi hai…aur darthi bhi hai…..phir kabhi milaaunga!!!

Anjali: [concerned] haan…darr toh hoga….pyar hai toh side by side darr bhi hoga…..

Sid: [doubtfully] is it??? Lagta hai ke tumme pyar ke baare mein bohat information hai!!! [False smile…..he doubts if Anjali already loves someone….]

Anjali: haan….hai…..ab dekho Deepak Aashu se kitna dartha hai!!!

[Anjali had spilled it out in a flow of words….she never meant to share it with anyone else….]

Sid: [relieved to some extent] ohhhhh…..aisi baat hai!! [To hide his relieved expression, he continues to ask about Deepak] so, Deepak and Aashu are in love!!!

Anjali: [wants to hide it from him...hesitates and then speaks] no no…..i didn’t mean it…. [Pauses…She is confused about what to tell him] actually I meant….. [Sid understands that she is searching for words and interrupts]

Sid: Its ok….you don’t have to explain…I understand……[pauses for a second and then continues] I am not so close a friend to you that you tell me everything, right??[His voice reflects his disappointment….his rejected feeling….]

Anjali: [places her hand on his just to console him….She could see that he is hurt] no Sid, it’s not what you think…. [Thinks for a second and then speaks] The fact is that Deepak loves her….i mean its one sided……I don’t know if Aashu feels the same way….. Deepak is a good guy…..Aashu would be very happy with him…...If Aashu likes him, then I want them together……I don’t want Deepak’s fear or Aashu’s ego to come in between them…….As a friend, I want to help them sort this out at the earliest…..

[She removes her hand from his and breathes a sigh of relief…..She is glad that she finally found someone to talk about it…..She poured out what was in her mind for so long……]
[Sid feels very happy that she spoke to him so openly and thought him worthy to share her secrets….It was quite evident that she considered him a very close friend]

Sid: [talks after thinking for a second] you know what??? The only thing you need to do is to give them some private space…..Their feeling will come out easily……

Anjali: [nodding] I know…..I am trying to do it!!

Sid: but…..do you know what that means?? It also means that you will be left alone…..If two of your best friends become a couple, then you lose your freedom on them……Don’t feel hurt when you come face to face with that feeling……

Anjali: [seriously] hmmm…..par kabhi na kabhi hum sab ko aise situations ka saamna karna padega na……sabke zindagi mein aisa ek mod aatha hai……..

[She is indeed sad about the fact that she and Aashu will no longer remain the closest to each other…..She will have give away that “closest” tag to Deepak or for that matter someone else...some day…Afterall friendship takes a backseat when love begins……As always, that thought brings a sad look to her face……She snaps out of her thoughts and winks at him to lighten the situation] 

Sid: [mind voice: I am in love with that….wink and….that naughty smile!!]

Anjali: waise bhi, main kahaan akeli hogi….tum honge na mere saath!!! [She adds on playfully]

Sid: [low voice: hamesha hamesha ke liye] hmmmm…..always….. [His mind is also lost in some
thoughts…he feels very happy that she has a special place for him….else she wouldn’t be saying that]

Anjali: woh sab chodo…..tumaare baare mein batao…….tumaari best friends kaun hai?? Aur tumaare mallika….. [Stops and smiles at Sid who sports a confused look] I will call her mallika since I don’t know her real name…..usse tumaare friendship se koyi problem hai kya???

Sid: [mind voice: tum bhi na Anjali…..Pyar ke baare mein badi badi baaten karthi ho…..aur mere mann ke baat nahi samaj paa rahi ho…..kya mere aankhon mein tumme tumaara chehra nazar nahi aatha??]

Anjali: [snaps her fingers] tumme kya hua?? Tum bhi kamaal karthe ho….baaton baaton mein uski sapne dekh ne lagthe ho……bohat pyar karthe ho na usse??[Anjali is visualizing Shweta as his lover when she speaks all this…..College mein sab log jaante teh ki Shweta Sid ke peeche paagal hai!!! So she assumes that he loves Shweta too]

Sid: bohat se bhi bohat!!!! [His love beaming in his eyes and words]

Anjali: She is lucky……. [Sighs]

Sid: [wants to come out of that topic…so he picks up the novel she is reading] Love story!!! Hmmm toh tumme romance mein interest hai…… [Corrects his sentence realizing the mistake] I mean romantic books mein interest hai??

Anjali: sirf romantic books hi nahi……padhne layak ho toh kuch hi padh lethi hoom…..haan…par romantic books zaada pasand hai!!

Sid: how is this book? Is it good?

Anjali: hmmm it’s a good story but I guess it’s a tragic one….title aur prologue se aisa hi lagtha hai!!!

Sid: phir toh mujhe nahi chahiye…..[serious look]… I hate tragedies especially in love….

Anjali: chill Sid….it’s just a book….you are taking it way too seriously…..

Sid: [still seriously] book ho ya life…..finally pyar hi jeethna chahiye!!!

Anjali: [sensing the tense situation, decides to leave] accha ab main chalthi hoom…..and…… [Pauses]….thanks!!!

[Sid breaks away from his thoughts and listens to her…….His facial expression shows a question mark!!.....So Anjali explains]

Anjali: I mean thanks for the time…..I feel so less burdened after talking to you……

Sid: anytime dear!! [That brings a light frown in her face but she hides it quickly and smiles at him…… He tells it unknowingly and he didn’t intend to address her like that…..]

Anjali: catch you later….bye…..

Sid: see ya….bye….take care!!

(To be continued)

Is love blind? .......Oh yes it is!! - Episode 12

Anjali: hmmm…..i will get going now……Bye….
Sid: [wanted to stop her] Anjali…ummmmm…..[after hesitating] Shall I drop you??
Anjali: [after thinking for a moment…..If she refused the lift, she would have to take an auto…so she agrees] ok…

[They move to the parking area and there is a huge crowd there…..But they manage to find Sid’s bike and they drive away…..]

**********************************************
Aashu’s POV:
Deepak’s behavior was still the same…..he remained quiet for the rest of the movie….He seemed lost in his own self…….I didn’t bother too…..I just ignored him totally and enjoyed the movie…..
Movie got over…..Deepak didn’t offer me a lift....damn he confuses me again….but I took the lead and asked him…. 

Aashu: Deepak, will you drop me home??

Deepak: yeah…sure….come….

At the parking area, I saw Anjali…..I was shocked that she was with Sid….they were driving away in Sid’s bike…..

Aashu: [clutching Deepak’s hand] hey Deepak…Look, that’s Anjali na??…[after a moment’s thinking] hmmmm so she went for this…..she has immense guts yaar….She left us and went to see the movie with Sid and that too in the same theatre…..She ignored all that I said….It’s true that love makes a person dumb and spoils friendship…..I just hope that she knows what she is doing and take care of herself…...

Deepak: [becomes impatient] can we leave now??

Aashu: [surprised at his weird behavior and careless talk] hmmm chalo…..

[They leave for Aashu’s home……]

Scene at Anjali’s home:
The ride to Anjali’s home was so joyous and pleasant…….The cool breeze gave a romantic atmosphere….Anjali is least aware of what is happening in his heart…..she is ignorant of what his heart feels for her! But she enjoys the cool weather, the gentle breeze gushing on her face and the beautiful serene night…..The bike ride was so soothing!!! Sid rode the bike as carefully as possible since Anjali was with him…..His heart was thrilled to have the love his life with him in such a romantic situation……He was enjoying every moment of it……but he didn’t have the courage to propose to her…..

They reach home…..
Anjali: thanks Sid….gud night….

Sid: gud night…
[She walks to her gate……]

Sid: Anjali…[she turns back]

Anjali: yeah….

Sid: ummmm….nothing….[she starts to walk again but he calls her back] [mind voice: come on Sid, you can do it….call her back] suno……

Anjali: [she comes back and stands next to him…she understands that he wants to tell her something] tumme kuch kehna hai na…..bolo….

Sid: [mind voice: was she expecting me to tell it??]ummmm…yeah…..i mean……. [He stops and hesitates]

Anjali: I am waiting….

Sid: [looks at the sky as if he is going to recite poetry…Anjali laughs but Sid is undeterred….] the night is so magical, isn’t it?

Anjali: [smiling and looks up too…..] hmmm…

Sid: do you know the reason??

Anjali: no…. [Thinks that the guy has gone crazy]

Sid: [looks at her] It’s because of you Anjali….. [Anjali’s smile vanishes and she becomes serious] It’s just because you are with me….ummmmmm…..[pauses…….silence prevails…..]

Anjali: So?????[Anxious about what he is going to tell]

Sid: So…….. [He feels that all his courage is washed off] So………Thanks!!!

Anjali: [surprised by his answer] what??? I mean thanks for what??

Sid: Thanks for making this night magical for me!!! Thanks for your company!!!.....thanks for everything!!

Anjali: ohhh….ok…..mujhe bhi tumse kuch kehna hai……bohat pehle kehna chahthi thi par nahi keh paayi….ab kehdoom

Sid: [expecting something special] kaho na…..[mind voice: ab keh bhi dho na…..kaho ke tumhe bhi mujh se pyar hai!!!]

Anjali: ek minute…..[opens her bag….] close ur eyes!!

Sid: [mind voice: Smart girl…..toh tum pehle se hi love letter likh kar aayi ho…..] [Closes his eyes and holds out his hand for the letter]

[Sid feels Anjali’s hand on his face……He smiles and opens his eyes]

Anjali: bura na maano holi hai……Happy holi Sid…..

Sid: [shocked] kya tumme yahi kehna tha…..

Anjali: haan….tumne kya socha??

Sid: kuch nahi….tum ghar ke andhar jaao….bohat dher hogayi!!

Anjali: hmmm….bye…..

[Anjali leaves…..She leaves behind a rather shocked but smiling Sid....he was amused at her childish innocent behavior…..he stands there till she enters the house and then rides off….

But somebody else is also seeing all this silently…..Thats Anjali’s mom and she is not very happy seeing her daughter come home late and that too with a guy!!]

Deepak’s POV:
My mind was an ocean of questions when I returned home after the film…..hazaaron sawal mere mann ko pareshan kar raha hai….Where did I go wrong? Aashu ke saath ek pal bitaane ke liye thadaptha thaa……aaj jab woh pal aaya aur maine aise behave kiya!! 

She was with me for the entire film and I behaved as if I was with some stranger…….ohh God, what is happening to me?

I was longing so much for her company.......I wished that our friends left us alone……

Anjali left us in each others company and what did I do? I ruined the entire evening…… Why did I feel so uncomfortable? I haven’t felt so uneasy before….I wished the film ends soon…..

I guess i must gather the courage and tell her.....Only that will solve my problem........

Sid’s POV:
The evening was so beautiful....ek ek pal haseen tha…..I never thought that my beautiful dream would come true so soon…..I still can’t believe that she was with me the whole evening…..hmmmm but the truth is that you are always with me….within me…..

Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas Tum Rehti Ho
Jeevan Meethi Pyaas Yeh Kehti Ho
Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas Tum Rehti Ho

I wish the evening never ended…….I wish she is with me through out my life

Sid took out his phone and stared at her number…..yeah they had exchanged their phone numbers. Though Sid knew her number before, it was made official today…She had given him the number willingly…. now he could call her or message her…..nothing stopped him…..

Shall I call her??But what will she think?? She might think that I was dying to call her though that’s a truth…..of course I was……I am and I will always be dying to speak to her…….I will send her a message first…….

Next Scene: Its late night……Anjali calls up Aashu

Anjali: hello Aashu….

Aashu: [in an uniterested tone] hmmmm hello

Anjali: how was the film?

Aashu: [sarcastic] first tell me how is your headache??tumne medicine li yah phir sirf rest kiya?

Anjali: woh…actually??

Aashu: [interrupts and continues] ya phir koyi movie dekhi??

Anjali: I was about to tell you that Aashu!! Actually I met Sid at the theatre…he had an extra ticket…..toh Maine…..

Aashu: toh tumne uske saath film dekhi…..aur mujhe miley bhi nahi….

Anjali: jab hum paunchey film shuru hogayi thi

Aashu: interval mein aa sakthi thi na?mujhe akele chod kar chale gayi…..woh bhi uss Sid ke saath!!!

Anjali: akeli???? Tumaare saath Deepak tha na?

Aashu: uske baare mein baath math kar!!!

Anjali: [eagerly] kya hua?? Koyi jagada kiya kya?

Aashu: jagada karne keliye bhi baath karni padthi hai!!! Usne mooh nahi kola…..mujh se kuch baat hi nahi ki…..ajnabiyon jaise behave kar raha tha….

Anjali: accha…[thinking].......na jaane ussne aise kyun kiya??

Aashu: hmm…..kuch toh reason hoga…..god only knows what??

Anjali: [mind voice: woh reason toh main pathaa kar ke hi rahungi]

Aashu: [angrily] mere baath chodo……tum apni batao…..maine laakh baar kaha hai ke Sid se dhoor raho…..phir bhi tum uske saath film dekhne chali!!!

Anjali: Sid utna bhi bura nahi hai Aashu…..

Aashu: tum phir se wahi baat keh rahi ho!! Main keh rahi hoom na….uske dhimaag mein kuch na kuch toh zaroor chal raha hai……usse dhoor rehna hi hum sab ke liye accha hai!!!

Anjali: teek hai teek hai….main aage se khayaal rakhungi……

Aashu: [in a calm and caring tone] I am not forcing my thoughts on you babes……I am worried about you……issiliye itna sab keh rahi hoom….

Anjali: I know Aashu…..you don’t have to explain that to me…..I will surely take care of myself……don’t worry!!

Aashu: hmmmm…….accha rakthi hoom…..mujhe bohat neend aa rahi hai!!

[A beep sound informs the arrival of a message in Anjali’s phone at that time…..]

Anjali: ok…then…..go to sleep……gud night…..sweet deamzzzz

[They cut the call……Anjali checks the message….Its from Sid]

Message:
"On this cold night, in my room, i look at the bright stars in the dark sky & dream of your sweet smile on your cute face!
Good night sweet dreams!!!"

Anjali smiles seeing this message…..and decides to reply

Sid’s phone beeps……He picks it up quickly and is curious to see her reply…..

"I wasn’t smiling but this message surely brought a smile on my face!!!! Good night & sweet dreams to you tooo!!!"

He is happy that she responded…..He doesn’t want to stop the conversation……So he replies again……

Anjali smiles when her phone beeps again………she opens the message……..
"Ek khubsoorat chehra mere dil mein bas gaya hai……aur mere neend ko churaake le gaya hai…."

A gentle breeze caresses Sid....the breeze carries a jasmine fragrance.....and it reminds him of her fragrance......the night they spent in the library......the first coffee that they had together......
her lavendar perfume.......her dancing earrings......and the most romantic bike ride with her waving dupatta gently gliding across his face due to the cool breeze.....

BG Song:
Har Shyam Aankhon Par Tera Aanchal Lehraye
Har Raat Yaadon Ki Baarat Le Aaye
Main Saans Leta Hoon Teri Khushboo Aati Hai
Ek Mehka Mehka Sa Paigham Laati Hai
Meri Dil Ki Dhadkan Bhi Tere Geet Gaati Hai
Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas Tum Rehti Ho
Jeevan Meethi Pyaas Yeh Kehti Ho
Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas Tum Rehti Ho

She thinks “flirting huh?” and decides to play along after a moment of thinking….

Sid is having the phone in his hand and waiting for her reply……he opens it almost instantaneously
"Dher raat jab kisi ki yaad sataaye, thandi hawa jab aap ko sahalaye, karlo aankhe bhand aur so jao…… kya pata jiska khayaal ho, wahi khawbon meh aa jaye……"

Sid smiles and says to himself “that’s cute!!”

He replies…..
"Agar tum keh rahi ho toh woh zaroor aayegi……aaogi na?"

Anjali looks embarrassed by his question……Before she could respond further, another beep comes…….
"Sorry sorry……I meant aayegi na?"

Hmmm…..that’s way better Sid…..She decides to end the conversation…..
"Pathaa nahi…..agar free hogi tho aayegi…..so jaao aur uske intezar karo……I am feeling sleepy too….bye…gud night….sweet dreams!!!"

That leaves only one option for Sid to reply back…..So he replies “"Bye…..gud night"”

Sid: [to himself] free hogi??? Matlab?? Did she mean to say that she has someone else special in her life??will that someone be Rohit?? [Then sternly after some thinking] No way Anjlai….tum sirf meri ho……aur tum sirf meri kwaabon mein aa sakthi ho…….agar kisi aur ne tere sapne dekhe, toh main uss sapnon ko hi mitaa dhoonga…….Yes, I will shatter those dreams!!!!

BG Song:
Tum Sochogi Kyon Itna
Main Tumse Pyaar Karoon
Tum Samjhogi Deewana
Main Bhi Iqraar Karoon
Dewaanon Ki Yeh Baatein
Deewane Jaante Hain
Jalne Mei Kya Mazaa Hai
Parwane Jaante Hain
Tum Yunhi Jalate Rehna
Aa Aakar Khwabon Mein

(To be continued)