Is love blind? .......Oh yes it is!! - Episode 18

Someone else in another part of the city was equally worried…A month has passed since she sent an email to Jeeth…..He hasn’t replied yet……She sends 2-3 mails daily but she gets no response….He doesn’t come online regularly nowadays…..Even if he is online, the moment she pings him, he goes offline…..She doesn’t understand the reason….From whatever they used to chat, she had felt that he loves her too…..Now that she had made the first move of proposal, why is he backing out??She couldn’t get his real feeling for her….She was reminded of all the chats, the conversations…everything came to her mind!! 

Didn’t he love her?? Was he flirting with her??? Was she just a pass time for him??
She had only one answer…..may be she was being used……The feeling of being rejected was killing her like hell…..Her delicate and sensitive heart was hurt!!! She had never felt so sad before…

She is a bit of cranky and frustrated now…and she has gone into a mode of complaining and scolding herself….all out of sheer disappointment!!!

Sheetal’s POV:
Anjali and Ashu were right… [On the verge of crying]…I am a stupid…… [**sobs**]…..Dreams remain dreams forever……They can never become …..There is nothing called love…..It’s all a waste of time….No guy in this world is trustworthy…All are cheats!!!

[In between her sobs, she has second thoughts…how can I jump to conclusions like this??May be he didn’t get my mails or didn’t get time to come online…..She herself knows that the reasons are unrealistic…She wants to give it another chance…..She sends a mail quite opposite to her thoughts…she is in her usual lovable innocent self, she is kind of requesting him to come online and asks for a direct open talk…..She sends the mail and keeps checking it every 5 minutes……She refreshes her inbox again and again….]

[After dinner…..]
I will check my mail once more…….[a new mail has arrived and to her pleasant surprise, its from Jeeth…..her Jeeth, atleast she wants to address him like that!!!]

the main has just one line.......
Hi Princess,
am online….will talk!!
-Jeeth

[Before you proceeed reading further, let me give a brief insight to Jeeth’s character
Jeeth wanted Sheetal to become desperate for him….Thats the reason, he didn’t reply immediately…he was waiting for the right time to reply…...He knew that she would agree to what he says if he made her fall for him madly and then make her desperate …..He understood that Sheetal deeply loved him and a slight knock of his could make her do weirdest of weirdest things just for him…..Sheetal’s character wasn’t hidden from him……Her innocent, dreamy nature only made things easier for him…..]

DreamyPrincess: hiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Jeeth….how r u??

Jeeth_007: hmmm hi….bolo….kya baat karni hai??

DreamyPrincess: Jeeth, I have sent all that’s in my heart….and you haven’t replied

[Jeeth becomes silent for a while]

DreamyPrincess: u there??? [No response for a long time….she buzzes] BUZZZZZZ

Jeeth_007: So u love me Huh?

DreamyPrincess: tumme abi bhi uss pe shak hai??

Jeeth_007: haan hai….

DreamyPrincess: Why??

Jeeth_007: dekho princess, main bhi tumme pasand kartha hoom….par mujhe nahi lagtha ke hai pyar hai

DreamyPrincess: Kyun jeeth???

Jeeth_007: Kya jaante ho mere baare mein?? Sirf meri naam, na??

DreamyPrincess: aur yeh bhi ke main tumse pyar karthi hoom

Jeeth_007: wake up from ur dreams Sweety!!!!It doesnt work as u see in dreams We don’t know anything about each other except for our names….We need to know everything about each other…..

DreamyPrincess: toh teek hai na…..tum apne baare mein batao…..

Jeeth_007: Sweety sweety…..not like this.....we can’t do it here……

DreamyPrincess: phir???

Jeeth_007: Let me be clear with this, the truth is that I don’t believe in unseen love………mmmmmm,… lets meet up in some cool place and talk……

[She is silent for sometime…..]

Jeeth_007: tum gabra gayi na?? maine kaha tha na…yeh pyar vyar kuch nahi hai…..Pyar hoti toh tum darti nahi, aur mujh par shak bhi nahi karthi…….main jaantha tha, tum kabhi milne keliye haan nahi kahoge…..koyi baat nahi…yeh sab khayaal mann se nikhaal dho…ok?

DreamyPrincess: Main miloongi….kab aur kahaan milna hai??

Jeeth_007: tum sach much milna chahthi ho?? I don’t want to force u….

DreamyPrincess: nahi…main sach mein tumse milna chahthi hoom…..

Jeeth_007: toh teek hai…..i am in Mumbai next weekend…..i will mail you the details….

DreamyPrincess: hmmmmm…..

Jeeth_007: that’s like my princess…..ok sweety, catch u later….bye…tc…gud nyt…..sdz

DreamyPrincess: bye…

***************************************
Back to Sid’s beach house……

[Anjali eats just 2 spoons of whatever is served and stops….She is not able to eat further [Sid brings her favorite dessert chocolate pudding…..She doesn’t finish that too]


Sid: tum kuch kaa nahi rahe ho….


Anjali: mujhe chalna chahiye……looks like its going to rain….I should reach home before it gets worse……waise bhi bohat dher hogayi…..


Sid: Okie…but finish the dessert atleast….


Anjali: [looks at the bowl and shows disinterest] I can’t eat any more…

Sid: okie fine….lets go….

[He is reminded of her dreams, so he opens the door for her….then closes it carefully after she gets in…… In between her thoughts, she notices it but pretends as though she didn’t…There is a slight drizzle……Anjali loves such rides….She closes her eyes and breaths in the smell of the wet soil…..arising due to the first rain of the reason!!!]


Anjali: [eyes still closed] hmmm….i love this fragrance…..pehli baarish ki pehli bhoond!!!
[Sid comes nearer to her….She isn’t aware of that…..He smells her hair…..]


Sid: And I love this…Jasmine….


[His sudden closeness makes her feel awkward and she turns away….She looks through the window…..]

Anjali’s POV:

Something strange is happening … How did I allow him to come close to me??
….Why didn’t I scold him??Why didn’t I slap him?? Something is wrong with me…..

As he said, do I really love him?? Am I falling for a person whom I hated once??….. Me and love, No way……I love his company, does that mean that I love him….[Inspite of such thought,, she turns to look what he is doing…..He also turns in between and at times their eyes meet….]


I can’t do this…..I shouldn’t have come here….I don’t want to fall in love, I don’t want to do the same mistake that everybody does….How many time have I adviced and even scolded Sheetal and Deepak? I can’t do the same mistake…..


God save me from this whole mess….


[She keeps praying while Sid switches on the radio……a conversation between a caller Meenal and RJ is going on…….]

RJ: Meenal, aap ne jo kuch bhi kaha, usse lagtha hai ke aap ko pyar hua hai…..
Yeh song….khaas aap keliye…..

A soft romantic melody starts rolling……
“Jaadu Hai Tera Hi Jaadu, Jo Mere Dil Pe Chhane Laga
Jaadu Hai Tera Hi Jaadu, Jo Mere Dil Pe Chhane Laga
Deewaane Mere Yeh Toh Bata Kya Kiya Tune, Meeta Sa Dard Hone Laga
Yeh Kya Huwa, Pehle Na Aisa Hota Tha, Main Hoon Kahaan Main Jaanu Na
Yeh Kya Huwa, Pehle Na Aisa Hota Tha, Main Hoon Kahaan Main Jaanu Na

Koi Mujhe Itna Bata De, Ghar Ka Mere Mujhko Pata De
Jaadu Hai Tera Hi Jaadu, Jo Mere Dil Pe Chhane Laga
Deewaane Mere Yeh Toh Bata Kya Kiya Tune, Mitha Sa Dard Hone Laga
Yeh Kya Huwa, Pehle Na Aisa Hota Tha Main Hoon Kahaan Main Jaanu Na
Yeh Kya Huwa, Pehle Na Aisa Hota Tha Main Hoon Kahaan Main Jaanu Na
Koi Mujhe Itna Bata De, Ghar Ka Mere Mujhko Pata De
………………………………………………………………………………………………….”

[The song irritates her and she switches off the radio…..]


Anjali: bakwas….isse bhi abi aana tha!!


Sid: [laughs] tumme kya hua??? Accha song tha….off kyun kiya??


Anjali: [angry] I don’t like it….if you want to listen, you can switch it on…but I will get down here…..


Sid: [grins] kitna gussa karthi ho!! Woh bhi itna sa baat ke liye…..teek hai baba, no radio, are u ok now??


Anjali: hmmm….


Sid: [on a serious note] I know the reason for your anger….plz dear…don’t get tensed….Nothing changes just because we confess to each other….We still remain good friends…


Anjali: [doesn’t deny anything] plzz Sid, not now….


Sid: [deep sigh] ok……


[The rest of the ride goes on quietly without much conversation……]


Sid: [mind voice: abi usse akela chodna hi teek hoga…..]

[They reach Anjali's home......Anjali starts to open the door but Sid stops her]
Sid: wait a min....allow me!!
[He holds out his hand across to the door and opens it......This brings a small smile on her lips....because she expected him to get out and open the door for her.....]

Sid: aisi hi muskuraatey rehna.....tum par yeh smile hi suit karthi hai.....


Anjali: [smiles and says just] bye....


[She gets out of the car and walks towards the gate......Sid waits....he expected something more from her....She turns back when she reaches gate....Sid is already looking at her...Their eyes meet and she smiles sweetly....]


Anjali: [smiling...] gud night....

[Sid is overjoyed with just one small gesture from her that he literally jumps....Smiling to himself, he gets back into the car......He is almost sure that she loves him tooo]


[To be continued]

Is love blind? .......Oh yes it is!! - Episode 17

[Sid is standing spellbound listening to her…..he is not able to control himself.....He slowly walks and hugs her from behind…….She is in a dreamworld too….So she does not refuse but stands still….A beautiful silence prevails……..]
Shining in the setting sun like a pearl upon the ocean
come on feel me Girl feel me
Shining in the setting sun like a pearl upon the ocean
come on heal me Girl heal me
Thinking about the lovin making and life sharing come
and feel me Girl feel me
Shining in the setting sun like a pearl upon the ocean
come on feel me Come on heal me
O aaja tu bhi mera mera
Tera jo ikraar hua
To kyun na main bhi keh doon keh doon
Hua mujhe bhi pyaar hua
Tera hone laga hoon khone laga hoon Jab se mila hoon
Tera hone laga hoon khone laga hoon Jab se mila hoon

[Their beautiful moment is broken by a sudden thunder roar…….Anjali snaps out from her dream and breaks away from him…..Both feel awkward and embarrassed….She walks forward and Sid joins her too…….They continue their walk quietly….They are yet to come out of that trance]

Anjali: [breaking the silence] we are walking for quite sometime now…..You wanted to tell something, right?
Sid: hmmm…..I wanted to talk about us…..This beach has been a witness to my passions, my desires and my love….thats the reason I chose to talk it out here…..[halts]

Anjali: hmmm…..go on….i am listening…

Sid: ummm…we are very close friends…Your friends dislike our friendship…Inspite of all that, you have always been a good friend to me.….But you are not just a friend to me…You are more than that…You are very special and dear to me…..I mean….i mean….[stops] I don’t want to beat around the bush….The fact is that I love You…..[he tells it too quickly that Anjali is confused if she heard it right]
Anjali: [rolling her eyes]WHAT??

Sid: yeah, I meant it…..I really love you…..I can’t think anything beyond you…..I need you in my life…..I want you for me, with me always……I want you to laugh with me, cry with me, fight with me, scold me, LOVE ME……..LIVE WITH ME……..

Shining in the setting sun like a pearl upon the ocean
come on feel me Girl feel me
Shining in the setting sun like a pearl upon the ocean
come on heal me Girl heal me
O Aise to mann mera pehli bhi raaton mein aksar hi
chahat ke haan
Sapne saujaunta tha
Pehle bhi dhadkan ye dhun koi gaati thi
Par ab jo hota hai woh pehle na hota tha
Hua hai tujhe jo bhi jo bhi
Mujhe bhi is baar hua
To kyun na main bhi keh doon keh doon
Hua mujhe bhi pyaar hua
Tera hone laga hoon khone laga hoon Jab se mila hoon
Tera hone laga hoon khone laga hoon Jab se mila hoon

[Sid just expects 2 things when he pours his heart out to her….Either she bursts on him or says “I love you too” but she doesn’t do both…..She walks further towards the sea and stops….her feet touching the water…She looks at the setting sun…….Having said this, Sid feels lighter at heart now….he comes to her……]

Sid: Anjali, are you angry with me?
Anjali: [looks at him] I will not say that I didn’t expect this from you…..I did expect it…I knew that I would have to give a reply to this sometime but now when you have confessed, I am short of answers……I really don’t know what to say….The truth is that I haven’t thought about it……

Sid: Come on Anjali…..I know you like me too….
Anjali: Sid…I like you as a friend but…..[pauses…..thinks]I have to think about it….
Sid: take your time….I don’t need a reply now…..[mind voice: take whatever but say “YES” dear!!! I can’t live without you]

Anjali: [slowly] lets go back….
[Sid nods and they go back to the beach house………They have a quiet dinner…..a romantic song feebly heard in the background]

Aankhon se chu loon ke bahen tarasti hain
Dil ne pukara hai haan Ab to chale aao
Aaoge shabnam ki boondein barasti hain
Mausam ishara hai haan Ab to chale aao
Baahon mein dalein baahein baahein
Baahon ka jaise haar hua
Hamara maine mana mana
Hua mujhe bhi pyaar hua
Tera hone laga hoon khone laga hoon Jab se mila hoon
Tera hone laga hoon khone laga hoon Jab se mila hoon
Shining in the setting sun like a pearl upon the ocean
come on feel me Girl feel me
Shining in the setting sun like a pearl upon the ocean
come on heal me Girl heal me
Thinking about the lovin making and life sharing come
and feel me Girl feel me
Shining in the setting sun like a pearl upon the ocean
come on feel me Come on heal me

[Both raise their eyes few times during dinner but she bends down when their eyes meet…..He smiles and continues eating…….]

Sid: [mind voice: I know you love me too…..par kehne se darr thi ho…..mujhe koyi jaldi nahi hai….tum kitna bhi waqt le lo par jawab “Haan” hi bologi!!!!! ]

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

At the same time, someone else is also proposing…….Its none other than Deepak……

Deepak’s POV:

As I thought I reached Aashu’s home…..It was Anjali’s idea to visit her on that Sunday…..She scolded me for not having any plan for the day “kaise deewane ho tum?? Maine kya kaha tha tumse aur tum kya kar rahe ho? I told you to spend more time with her, na?? arre, koyi plan banao aur usko milo!! 

Saying this much, she cut the phone in the morning….When I called up Aashu, she asked me to come over as she was bored too….She couldn’t get Anjali on phone and so she was alone at home….Anjali didn’t tell her about Sid’s b’day party and I too didn’t bother to tell her what I knew…….It was anyways better for me if Anjali and Aashu didn’t meet up…….That meant Aashu would be all alone with me…..Sheetal was anyway busy with her Jeeth….She wasn’t interested in group activities these days…..She preferred sticking to her PC and chatting with Jeeth….

[for readers, they don’t know that Jeeth is her net friend and that she hasn’t met him yet, they just think that she chats with Jeeth in her free hours or rather make her hours free to chat with him whenever she couldn’t meet him outside…..]

Aashu opened the door for the second bell…..As expected, her first question was about Anjali….

Aashu: hi Deepak…..whats going on with Anjali?? I am not getting her on the phone….Did you speak to her???Where the hell is she??


Deepak: [stammering and hesitantly as I was managing the situation with a lie….I wasn’t well versed in this] I spoke to her in the morning….She is fine…Maybe her mobile is not charged….or her battery is down!!!


Aashu: [laughs uncontrollably] what happened to you?? Not charged and battery is down….both mean the same yaar!!! Chalo teek hai….tum beto…


[Deepak looks around…her dad and mom were in their room…..Her sister,Anisha was seeing some stupid movie….She was a complete movie buff….quite opposite to Aashu….Occasionally she looked at us]


Deepak: [in a low hushed up tone] Aashu, I need to talk to you in private….


Aashu: [rolling her eyes in worry] what happened??? Is anything wrong??


Deepak: No yaar..plzz…


Aashu: ok ok….lets go to the terrace…..nobody will disturb us there….


[They climb the stairs and reach the terrace…..The sunset made the sky crimson red….Looked like the sky was blushing…..It was a beautiful sight….but Deepak’s mind wasn’t relaxed or enjoying the sight…He was nervous no doubt but was also worried about what could possibly happen……Aashu could even end their friendship……He could also be out of the group….]

Deepak: [mind voice: should I say it??? Or may be some other day??oh no Anjali will kill me…..She had given me strict instructions that I should say it out today……]

Aashu: [patting on his shoulders] what are you thinking?? You wanted to talk in private….Go on….nobody comes up at this time……


Deepak: [coughing and his throat seems to have dried up]


Aashu: wait a minute…I will get you water….[She hurries down the stairs]

Deepak: [Mind voice: I will call up Anjali once]


[He dials the number and Anjali picks it up in a hurry….Anjali is with Sid at that time…..This is the first phone call that Anjali picks up]


Anjali: Ek minute Sid….Haan Deepak bolo….


Deepak: Anjali, main Aashu ke ghar mein hoom….


Anjali: ohhh….did you tell her???what did she tell??


Deepak: Anjali Anjali….hold on…..i am not able to tell yaar….tum bhi hote toh accha hota….


Anjali: [sarcastic] haan haan…..tumaare support ke liye hum poore college ko bulaa lethe hai…..[scolds him]You idiot…..don’t waste time…tell her today….phir job hi hoga, dekha jayega…..Dont postpone it further….I am cutting the call….tell her….I will call you back after I get back home…..and I want to hear a good news then….chalo…bye….[She cuts the call without hearing his response]


Deepak: [loudly] Anjali wait wait…….


[Aashu comes up at that moment and hears him calling Anjali’s name…]


Aashu: Anjali ka phone hai??? Dho, mujhe bhi baat karni hai….[snatches the phone from Deepak]


Deepak: She cut the call


Aashu: [disappointed] ohh……koyi baat nahi….i will call her again….

[But this call is cut and phone is switched off by Sid]


Aashu: [angry] she cut my call…and now switched off the phone too!!! I know she is out somewhere with that fellow, isn’t it??


Deepak: may be!! I don’t know


Aashu: But I know….thats why she is cutting my calls…..


[Deepak is irritated….He snatches his phone from her hand]


Deepak: [loudly] can’t you just leave her alone?? Why are you behind her like this?? She is not a kid…She can take care of herself!!


Aashu: What the hell??? How dare you shout at me like that??She is my best friend and I cannot leave her like that….


Deepak: sorry Aashu…I didn’t mean to hurt you or your friendship….[He turns towards the terrace wall and looks somewhere else]


Aashu: [silent for sometime…..then decides to speak] Deepak….I am sorry too….I was just annoyed by your sudden direct comments…..I was already in a very bad mood because of Anjali…


Deepak: [turning around] hmmm that’s ok…I understand….


Aashu: tumme kuch kehna tha na….batao…..
Deepak: [remains quiet for sometime, Aashu waits patiently till he opens up] Mujhe laga tha ke tumme khud hi pathaa chal jayega…..meri dil se pad logi….par yeh nahi hua…..[deep sigh]
Kya kehna hai kaise kehna hai, mujhe nahi patha…..bas itna jaantha hoom ke main tumse bohat pyar kartha hoom…..mujhe galat math samajhna…..mujhe nahi pathaa kaise tum mere dil mein aa gaye…[Aashu’s face changes on hearing this but is silent…Deepak continues further]
I have no words to tell you what you mean to me….I have tried telling you this a lot of times but was not able to…… I am happy that I told you this atleast now….All along I was carrying a pain within me……Now that pain is gone…..


[He looks at her expecting a positive reply from her...she is shocked no doubt but she composes herself and speaks]

Aashu: [takes a deep breath] First of all sorry that I couldn’t understand your feelings earlier….I could see and understand only your friendship…......Now that you have told me your real feelings, I know you will be expecting a reply from me……I don’t want to delay that reply……[pauses for a moment]Main tumme koyi galat fehmi mein rakhna nahi chahthi……[looks at him intently….he looks at her too]mere dil mein koyi aur hai……[he looks at her the same moment] hmmmm....I mean I have someone else in my life already……
[It was the least expected reply….that too from Aashu……Deepak is shocked…..Aashu could read that from his face]


Aashu: I know you are shocked because I never think or talk about love…… Anjali is not aware of this too…..It is not a confessed open love affair…But we have known and felt each others love …..I cannot think of anyone else in his place………….

Deepak: [disappointed and let down and his eyes were just conveying one thing "Aashu, you could have told this before……."]

Aashu: [as if she read his eyes] We haven’t told anyone about it……I am waiting for him to return to India…..


[Deepak doesn’t want any other information on him…..He just walks off from there…..]


Khayalon Mein Lakhon Batein Yun Keh Gaya
Bola Kuch Na Tere Samne
Oo O
Huye Na Begane Bhi TumHo Ke Aur Ke
Dekho Tum Mere Hi Bane
Afsoos Hota Dil Bhi Yeh Rota Hai
Sapne Sanjota Hai
Pagla Hua Soche Yeh Hum they Miley
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


[To be continued]

Is love blind? .......Oh yes it is!! - Episode 16

[Rohit wants to break the killing silence….So he starts of with a compliment….He knew that no matter what girls love compliments…..]

Rohit: You are looking absolutely gorgeous…… [Dreamily] Beautiful as always……yeh dress tumme bohat suit kar rahi hai…..

Anjali: [smiling at him] acchi hai na?? Sid ne gift kiya……

Rohit: [suspiciously and eager….noticing the glitter in her eyes] kaun Sid??

Anjali: [rolling her eyes at him] Sid, wahi jiska b’day party mein hum jaa rahe hai…..maine bataaya na??

Rohit: [mind voice: “Hum” Did she mean that I should go along with her to his party?? But I don’t want to go there…….]

[Rohit wants to know the importance of Sid in her life……]

Rohit: [hesitantly] Anjali, do you need to go surely?? I mean if it’s avoidable, then can’t you just skip it??We can go somewhere else….I have loads of things to tell you…..[nostalgically] remember that old coffee house…..we used to chat till the waiter stares at us……Aashima used to join us too……[he laughs out loudly but Anjali just gives a smile…..]kitna haseen pal teh!!!

Anjali: hmmm…I remember….Those were wonderful days…..

Rohit: toh phir chalen….lets rewind and relive one of those days…..

Anjali: Sorry Rohit….Some other day……I need to go for this party…..Its bit too important….

Rohit: kya important??? Main important nahi hoom kya?? [realizing that he raised his voice…..mellows down] phone mein wish karlena…..jaana zaroori hai kya??

Anjali: plzz Sid, sorry…Rohit…..kal college ke baad chalenge….pakka promise…..

[Anjali referring to Rohit as Sid angers Rohit….He thinks “uske naam galthi se…..iss ka matlab woh zaroor important and special friend hai….”]

Rohit: kal possible nahi Anjali…..i am going to Banglore by late night’s flight……ek friend ke wedding hai, aur kuch official kaam bhi hai….
Anjali: oh ok….kab tak waapas aavoge??
Rohit: maximum 2-3 weeks….
Anjali: toh teek hai….tumaari waapas aane ke baad ek poore weekend memories refresh karenge….
Rohit: [smiling….his smile meant a lot of unsaid and unknown things] hmmm…ok….

[Again silence fills in the atmosphere…….This time, Rohit chooses to fill the vacuum by a song…..He switches on the radio…..A program about love is on air……The anchor calling herself Love doctor is giving remedies for guys and girls struck with love fever …..
Main preeth aap ki Love Doctor on your favourite program…….jaise maine kahaa Yeh shaam paagal deewanon ke naam……

Ab hum sunnenge ek pyar bari number khaas hamara previous caller Dev ke liye……..

A soft romantic melody starts rolling……
“mera dil bhi kitna pagal hai yeh pyar jo tum se karta hai
mera dil bhi kitna pagal hai yeh pyar jo tum se karta hai

par saamne jab tum aate ho, kuch bhi kehne se darta hai…….
………………………………………………………………………………………………….”

[Rohit steals a glance at times at Anjali….She is looking out through the window and seems to be enjoying the view……..…He looked as though he was yearning for a look from her……..The song seemed to portray his heart and his feelings perfectly…..]

[But it wasn’t doing any good to his already disturbed mood…..]

[Casual talks starts off between them at times but die out sooner than usual……]
[They reach the beach house]

Rohit: [with a deep sigh] lo….tumaare destination aagaya…..[looking outside, through the gate] but it appears empty….party kitne baje hai?

Anjali: its just 6:15 now….. and I guess the party starts at 6:30…..

Rohit: Do I need to wait?
Anjali: nahi nahi…..You leave…tumme thayar bhi hona hai na
Rohit: hmmm…..ok…..bye then…take care…..Go back soon!!!I would have dropped you back if I didn’t have my flight….sorry….
Anjali: hey don’t be sorry….i understand…..waise bhi Sid mujhe drop kardega….[she gets down and looks at him through the window] bye….have a great trip!! Enjoy!

Rohit: hmmmm…thanks…..[Anjali turns and walks……Rohit calls her]Anjali….
Anjali: [comes back ….bends forward and places her hand on the window] haan bolo….

Rohit: [longing to say something but is not able to……a strange feeling that he is going to lose her forever grips him……He feels that it’s a now or never situation but chooses to take that risk at the moment….] [smiles and places his hand over hers...that meant something but she wasnt able to assess what it was] kuch nahi…..tum jaao….


[Rohit reversed the car and drove away with a heavy heart…He didn’t understand the meaning of that feeling]
The song now on the roll was……
“Dil toh pagal hai, dil deewana hai
dil toh pagal hai, dil deewana hai

pehlee pehlee bar milata hai yahee
seene me phir aag lagata hai
dheere dheere pyar sikhata hai yahee
hansata hai yahee yahee rulata hai
dil toh pagal hai, dil deewana hai
dil toh pagal hai, dil deewana hai

saaree saaree raat jagata hai yahee, ankhiyo se neend churata hai
sachche jhuthe khwab dikhata hai yahee
hansata hai yahee yahee rulata hai
dil toh pagal hai, dil deewana hai
dil toh pagal hai, dil deewana hai
………………………………………………….”.

[My comment: I know Rohit’s behavior is confusing us….I will give some background to understand him and his situation better…..Rohit is Anjali’s good old friend…He is Anjali’s family friend’s son… He likes Anjali a lot….He had gone to US for his masters…..and now placed in Chicago….…He realizes that Anjali is more than a friend to him when he starts missing her like hell… The moment he realizes that its more than just a liking, he informs his parents about it ……Now Rohit’s parents, who are equally fond of Anjali and have no qualms in having her as their bahu, have formally asked Anjali’s hand for Rohit….i mean an official proposal, which Anjali’s parents especially her mom sees as the most suitable alliance for her daughter……The guy is well educated,smart and handsome, placed with the best job anyone could get, they know each other very well, and the most important that he has a clean decent character……family background is also good…….a proposal that no parent can deny…There was no reason why Anjali’s parents could differ from this….Everything was set except for Anjali’s reply…..Anjali is unaware of this sudden turn of events…….but Anjali’s parents actually think that she would be more than happy for this as they have seen how close Anjali and Rohit are……….
Rohit is dying to tell it to her but then he also wants to give her a surprise….moreover, he doesn’t want to propose to her directly and force her into anything…….He wants her to think and tell her reply officially to her parents……]

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

Anjali stepped inside the compund slowly….She was enthralled by the view…...A neat concreted path way lead to a portico……landscapes on both sides of the path multiplied the beauty of the entire place….There was lush greenery everywhere…..A large pool adorned the front portion...The reflection of the lights and the house fell on the waters creating a beautiful visual treat!!..

She could see the beach a little far away….….The richness of the landscapes and the posh bunglow in the center were showing off Sid’s financial status…….
But nothing of this mattered to Anjali now……She wasnt a girl who would fall for such materialistic things!!!
She was confused and also a bit worried by the emptiness of the place…She was confused if she landed up at some wrong place….Nobody seemed to be there except for her.…her eyes were searching for Sid…
She saw a security person coming towards her….


Person: madam, kya aap Anjali ho??
Anjali: haan bhaiya….
Person: [pointing to the lawn on the left side of the path way] Saab wahan aap ka intezar kar rahe hai….
[Anjali looked to the pointed direction……She saw a bright place amidst the otherwise dimly lit lawn…. There was a small pond on one side.....and a sit out on the other side...What met her eyes next was quite an unexpected sight……It brought out mixed feelings in her….She was excited but the very next second she was angry…….There was a welcome board with glowing and glittery letters “Welcome Anjali” written on it……She was like “What the hell??”….She quickened her steps to him….Sid stands up seeing her and is mesmerized by her looks…..He keeps staring as if he is seeing her for the very first time…. ]
Anjali: Hello Sid, Whats happening here? I thought there is a party here…and what I see here is just not what I expected!!!! Can you explain this???
[Her sudden outburst brings him back to reality…..He just smiles cheekily at her]
Sid: What is this dear??Is this how you greet your friend on his b’day??? Come on, give me a hug!!
[Sid just takes a step forward and takes the liberty of hugging her……The hug is tighter and lasts longer than expected…..He doesn’t give her an option or the time to react or refuse it…..She is forced to treat it as one of his pranks and she is not able to scold him further due his innocent looks…]
Anjali: [calming down and coming out of his embrace] Happy b’day!! Now tell me!! Where are the others??
Sid: I told you na….yeh party sirf aur sirf khaas dhost ke liye hai…..tumse khaas mere liye aur koyi nahi…..isiliye yeh poore shaam sirf Anjali ke naam!!!!
Anjali: but Sid….[looks around and clasp her hands in contempt] all this…I mean why??
Sid: chill yaar…..come…sit….you will know the reason soon…..
Anjali: [little nervous by his behavior…hesitantly sits] mmmmm…ok
Sid: tum bohat acchi lag rahi ho.....I am soo happy that you wore that dress!!!
Anjali: [smiles] mmm...thanks....
Sid: So did you have problems finding this place??
Anjali: no no….my friend dropped me here without any hiccups…..
Sid: oh ok….[he wanted to know who that friend was…his face showed that]
Anjali: [as though she read his mind] uska naam Rohit hai….He is a close friend…..

[Sid badly wished to ask “How close?” but chose not to….He just gave her a nod…..

A beautiful cake was placed on the table…..he blows the candle….asks her to join with him while cutting the cake which she does reluctantly…….He picks the first piece and gives her a bite…..He eats the remaining portion of the same piece….Anjali notices that and feels uncomfortable……but she is silent……]

[They settle down with some starters.......She chooses to have just orange juice and it is served to her…..She starts sipping slowly]


Sid: I want to tell you something…..i had been postponing it until now…..
Anjali: [raising her eyes from the drink and looks at him…..observes his change in tone and face] yeah…tell me Sid
Sid: [hesitantly] woh actually……[her phone rings and interrupts him…..It’s a call from Deepak]
Anjali: ek minute Sid…..Hello Deepak, bolo….[She gets up and goes a little far away to talk to him]
[She joins Sid again after 5 minutes….Its exactly that since Sid had been tracking it…….He is annoyed by the disturbance caused by the phone call]
Anjali: Sorry Sid, ab bolo….tum kya keh rahe teh…….
Sid: main humaare baare……[her phone rings again but before she could pick it up, Sid takes it from her hand and switches off the phone……Anjali is shocked by his behavior and rolls her eyes…Sid continues ignoring her anger] Sorry Anjali…..not now…..i want this time all for myself….I want just you and me here…..no one not even a phone call should disturb this……
Anjali is yet to recover from the shock….She is silent…..Sid wants to change the mood….

Sid: [getting up] can we go for a walk?? plzz.....The beach is just 5 minutes away…..Come…..

[Anjali half mindedly gets up]
[They start walking on the beach…An awkward silence sets in…..]
Sid: [just to save the situation] Anjali, can I ask you something?
Anjali: yeah…
Sid: What is your concept about love?
Anjali: [laughs] LOVE!!! Why are you asking this now?
Sid: just like that….tell me na….
Anjali: maine LOVE ke baare mein research toh nahi kiya hai…..[laughs out]
Sid: [maintaining the seriousness] accha chodo….yeh bataao….tumare life partner kaise hona chahiye?? I mean your dream guy??
Anjali: [a little embarrassed…She turns to the sea] mujhe nahi pathaa!!
Sid: [places his hand on her shoulders and turns her to face him] tell me….I know all girls dream about that…..
Anjali: [surprised by his action....and blushing]hmmmm ok…….[pauses, thinks and replies] all the normal conditions stay as such….i mean he should be understanding, trustworthy, tall, handsome…..etc etc all such stuff…you know what I mean….right? [smiles]
Sid: hmmm…[thinks about himself...all these suit him!!]
Anjali: [dreamily and in a sweet tone..her cheeks turn pink] hmmmmm......[thinks….she walks a bit and stands facing the sea]
A surprise call during the day to say "I Love You"
A small hug when I least expect it.
Opening and closing the car door for me.
Walking hand in hand quietly talking.
Caring about how my day went.
Offering me quiet loving passion.

these are my dreams about “that special someone” [giggles and blushes]

[uska muskuraana aur sharmaana Sid ko hilaayi diya…..]

(To be continued)