Is love blind? .......Oh yes it is!! - Episode 45

Smriti: [mind voice: Iss Sid ka saath dene keliye mujhe Anjali se drama karna padaa….. poor Anjali…..na jaane woh mere baare mein kya sochthi hogi……aur kya sochegi…..kabaab mein haddi jo ban rahi hoom…..]

[On their way….]
Anjali: Where are we going??
Sid: wait dear…..itna impatience bhi acchi nahi hai….
Smriti grins while Anjali rolls her eyes at Sid….
Sid: Oh my god…..Anjali don’t look at me like that…..[grins]…I feel that I will burn down to ashes!!
Smriti: hey Sid….car ko uss mall ke saamne rokho…
Sid stops the car near a mall and Smriti gets down…She comes near the front seat and waves at Anjali…Anjali is confused and lowers her window
Anjali: What happened??? Why did you get down here Smriti??? Do you want to buy something?? Shall I come with you??
Smriti: why are you silent Sid, bhabhi ke sawaal ka jawaab dho…..Dont pull me into your game!!
Anjali: kya ho raha hai??? Will someone explain???
Smriti points to a grinning Sid and waves a bye…..Anjali is irritated and tries to get down when Sid stops her by holding her hand…..He starts the car and speeds off leaving behind a relieved and smiling Smriti….Anjali: [freeing her hand…and furiously] SID!!!! What game are you playing with me???
Sid: Oh noooo Anjali…..dont ever shout like this….I can feel the car shake in fear!! [smiles cheekily at her]
Anjali: enough of your stupid jokes….
Sid: I am not playing any games…..its a simple prank….just for fun….Smriti isn’t coming with us….she is going for a film with her friend……I just offered a lift…..thats it……
Anjali: [secretly glad to hear…but poses a false anger] so both of you were fooling me….
Sid: [understanding that she is acting] yeah sort of..[grins]
Anjali: YOU!!!!! I am not coming with you…drop me back home…..or just stop the car and drop me here…..Go alone and have dinner…..
Sid: hey hey……I was just playing and you are taking it way too seriously…..I have planned this outing after lot of troubles…..so now don’t be a spoilt sport…..
Anjali: [cooling down hearing his reply][mind voice: shaayad issne mere liye kuch khaas plan kiya hai!!!….i have to go and see it] okie….but no other pranks…..ok?
Sid: yeah sure baby….
Anjali: [rolling her eyes] ohhh plzzzz don’t call me baby…..it sounds too odd from you….
Sid: how about babes??? [grins at her]
Anjali: Sidharth!!!! [punches his arm lightly]

**********************
[Meanwhile Sheetal in her room…..she is crying silently…..Something is deeply troubling her from within….She is yet to share it with her friends……]
Sheetal’s POV:
Why did you do this Sam??? Am I the reason for your wrong conclusions???? Maine tumme ek accha dhost samajhkar galthi ki hai kya???tumaare baare mein sochaa, tumaare liye concern dikhaaya….kya yeh sab galath hai??Can’t a guy and girl be just good friends???why do you want to spoil it???

[10 days back…..]
[Sam’s phone rang and it’s a call from Sheetal]
Sam: haan….bolo sheetal….
Sheetal: Hi Sam…tum college nahi aaye??…..is everything ok??
Sam: yeah yeah…..everything is perfectly ok……
Sheetal: then why didn’t you come???? [she hears him sneeze] are you fine Sam???
Sam: a slight cold….thats all
Sheetal: Cold???why didn’t you tell before??….did you take any medicine??? Don’t ignore it….doctor ke paas chalen???….[she goes on with her concerns but he snaps her in between]
Sam: oh oh…Sheetal….its just a minor cold…..dont worry so much…..
Sheetal: I know you wont take care…..i am coming to your place right now….
Sam: Sheetal Sheetal….[She cuts the call] yeh ladki over concerned hai…..thank god all the other guys in my place have left…..nahi toh aaj bas hi jaatha!!….[smiles]

Sheetal’s POV:
--------------------
Maine aise achaanak usske ghar jaane ki baath kahi…what will he think about me???what will his house mates think??? Shall I call him and tell that I am not coming???
No no….why should I bother so much??? He is my friend and he is not well…..he needs me……that’s it….no more thoughts on that……

At his place…..
Sam: Hi Sheetal…..ghar locate karne mein problem nahi hui na?
Sheetal: nahi nahi….koyi problem nahi hui…..
Sam: Come on in……
[She comes in and settles on the couch on the living room….She looks around…..It can’t be called neat but was surely cleaner than what is expected from a bachelor’s room]
Sheetal: It looks clean…..
Sam: you call this clean??i just cleared the mess when you said that you are coming here….it was a short notice, na?
Sheetal: sorry about that Sam……I shouldn’t have turned up like this…..why did you take the pains???
Sam: hey…..no problem…..its just that I would have made it more presentable if I had planned it before…….
Sheetal: I came here to help you Sam….not to give you more pains…you sit down now….don’t strain like this…..
Sam: I will get you coffee…..phir baatein karthe hai……I make the world’s best coffee, you know???
Sheetal: just sit here…..ek din world’s second best coffee peethe hai….[Sam looks confused at her statement…she smiles and clarifies] I meant that I will make it……where is the kitchen???
Sam: no no….kitchen is all messed up yaar…..dont bother…..
Sheetal: that’s all ok for me…..I will manage…..…..
[She goes to the kitchen….Sam follows her after few minutes…..]

Sheetal picks the bowl of boiling water from the stove when Sam comes from behind and tries to scare her…..She is really shocked or rather scared and the hot water spills on his hand……

Sam: ouch!!!!!!!!!! [withers his hand in pain and burning irritation]
Sheetal: Ohhhh god……I am sooo sorry……come here soon…..
[She takes him to the kitchen sink and opens the tap…..She pours water over his hands and wipes it…..then blows air slowly over it giving him a soothing feel……he keeps looking at her]
Sheetal: I am sorry yaar…..you came in so suddenly and I was so scared……
Sam: its ok…..its not your fault….
Sheetal: no it is my fault….i had to be more careful……do you have an ointment???mujhe dho, apply kar dhethi hoom….
Sam: its ok Sheetal…..its not needed…..
Sheetal: you don’t decide that….give the ointment…..
Sam: you wont listen to me…its in that draw….[points to the place]
Sheetal: [brings the medicine and starts applying it] it will be alright soon…..issne lagaane se swelling and redness nahi hogi….
Sam: [drooling at her and overwhelmed by her caring nature]Sheetal, will you care for me like this always?
Sheetal: [looks at him hearing his sudden weird question and smiles] yeah…of course……do you have a doubt??
Sam: [reassured and continues] life long????
Sheetal: [puzzled] what are you asking???i didn’t get it….[leaves his hand and gets up……she closes the ointment tube and places it back in the draw]
Sam: [following her] kya tumme sach mein samaj nahi aa rahi???
Sheetal: [walking away further from him] nahi….tum kya poochna chahthe ho??.
Sam: ok I will tell you directly……[turning her to face him]..I love you……….do you love me??
Sheetal:[moving away from him] What are you saying Sam??? Why are you even thinking like this??
Sam: Why???? Cant I love you??
Sheetal: We are good friends….uss friendship ke beech mein love kahaan se aaya???
Sam: just friends boll kar hum kyun humaare feelings ko dabaakhar rakhen??
Sheetal: mujhe aise koyi feelings nahi hai…Love is not something that will come just like that…I have overcome my bitter experience after a long struggle…..and you know all about it…..i have lost trust in love…..it will take time for me to believe in it again……………..[pauses and looks at him]i am sorry if I have given you wrong signals…..
Sam: [deeply hurt by her reply but gathering up] don’t you trust me too???? Anyways, I don’t need a reply so quickly…think well and then tell me……
Sheetal: there is nothing to think Sam….You are a great friend…nothing more…nothing less….I don’t want to lose your friendship…[she stresses friendship] but plzzz don’t force me into something else……I cant do it…..
Sam: [angrily]So what was that care and concern you showed to me?? Don’t tell me its just friendship……You got so tensed and restless when I didn’t turn up for college….and you came here to see me..….will anyone do all this just for a friend?? Tell me!!!

Sheetal: [equally angry] excuse me….if I knew that you would take out such a meaning for all that I do, I wouldn’t have come here…..ek dhost ki help karne aayi….par lagtha hai ke maine badi galthi kar di hai…..
Sam: tum yeh sab baatein dhosti keh sakthe ho aur khud ko fool kar sakthe ho….par mujhe nahi!!!
Sheetal: shayad tumme asli friendship aaj tak naseeb nahi hui…..tumaare friendships shallow honge…….saare ladkiyan dho din mein tumaare girl friends hua honge….but don’t count me in that!!
Sam: [gets flared up since she belittled his love for her and also mentioned about his flirting nature which he left just for her] ok ENOUGH…..lets cut it short…….either you accept my love or we just part as strangers…..either way is fine with me……
Sheetal: [taken aback by his strange question and angry shouts]WHAT?? What do you mean by part as strangers??
Sam: you heard it right…..i meant what I just said……its love or nothing at all…..i am not interested in this kind of relationship!!
Sheetal: you are behaving so childishly Sam…..you are being unreasonably adamant….and you are spoiling our special friendship…..
Sam: You know what??? What seems so special to you seems meaningless to me??
Sheetal: I think I am wasting time by arguing….[turns towards the opposite direction in disgust]
Sam: then don’t do it…..just leave…..
Sheetal: [turns to him in disbelief if he said that] I cant believe that you said that Sam…..jiss sam ko mein jaanthi thi woh tum nahi…you have changed……[he pretends that he is not interested in talking to her]….ok fine….Good bye!!!
[She leaves the place in total disbelief and anger….Sam is irritated by her refusal too….He never expected such a reply from her……]

Sam’s POV
Sheetal, this is the only way by which I can make you confess your feelings…….How many more days will you be mourning over a lost love???kab tak Jeeth aur pehle pyar ke baare mein sochthe rahoge?? How long will you punish yourself like this???how long will you hurt yourself??? I know I hurt you very much……I am hurt too……I never wanted to behave like this…..i didn’t want to confess it this way either…it just came out in a spur of the moment…… Sorry Sheetal….I am very sorry

Sheetal’s POV contd:
Mere dil ko samajhne waala ek saccha dhost milaa tha…….par woh bhi baaki ladkon ke tarah hi hai…kitni jaldi mere friendship ko khatam kar diya…….You just did that so easily Sam…..You asked me to leave without a tinge of hesitation….!!! You saved me from Jeeth and motivated me to overcome that instance….You asked me not to cry for that cheat!! ….but now, you made me cry…[drying up the tears with her kerchief but her eyes keep brimming over and over again] why aren’t my tears stopping?????Is he so important to me??? no, i cant let my emotions overcome my decision........i need to distract myself from his thoughts…….i will talk to Aashu…..

Aashu is in a telecom with Deepak…..
Aashu: Hello Deepak…I hope you are fine…..
Deepak: mere chout par salt and pepper dhalne keliye thanks…[after a moment]….Don’t you know that I am not fine??? And you very well know the reason for that…..
Aashu: hey, mera sawaal bohat casual tha…..tum ussme aise meanings math nikhaalo!!! Anyways, all is well now…..so why don’t you just forget it??
Deepak: you and your friend might be fine….not me…..
Aashu: “Your friend”??? Anjali is your friend too idiot….
Deepak: yeah she was…till she supported Sid……not now…..how dare she justifies him?
Aashu: don’t be silly Deepak……whatever it is, Sid saved you today….else just think about Kripa’s state……
Deepak: don’t irritate me further by talking all this…..he shouldn’t have interfered in my matters……see what he has done…I cant even talk to Kripa now……I am dying to know if everything is fine with her at home…..
Aashu: teek hai……forget him but Anjali…..she is our Anjali yaar…..what is your problem with her??…..i know she supported Sid in this matter but she did what she thought was right……..its all individual perceptions, you know!!! So forget all this and talk to her…..
Deepak: oh yeah as if she is dying to talk to me…….she is the one who fought with me……she walked away angrily…….anyways,Kripa se baat karne ka koyi idea bolo???tell that first….
Aashu: hold on……Anjali first….i cant let you guys cling on to a silly issue for long…..tum log apne fight resolve karo….after that Anjali herself will give you ideas to talk to Kripa…..[just then Aashu get another call on her phone which is from Sheetal] hey Deepak, Sheetal is calling…..let me connect her too……then lets do a conf call……[Sheetal is in too] hi Sheetal…..kya hua?? aise achaanak call kiya???
Deepak: yeah what happened dear???…..usually you talk only to seniors na??….!!!
Sheetal: shut up Deepak…….Aashu, tumne bathaaya nahi ke yeh bhi call mein hai…..ask him to stop talking nonsense……..else I will cut the call….Deepak don’t irritate me, ok???
Deepak: hey what did I say to irritate you??….i was just playing as always….OMG, looks like something really really wrong with these girls….such weird behavior!!!!
Aashu: [sensing Sheetal’s state of mind] enough Deepak….if you have forgotten, let me remind you that just a moment ago, you were also behaving the same way!!!! Anyway, lets check what Anjali is doing!!
Deepak: you girls always team up and push me to a side….anyways why leave her alone???….call her, let her also speak her part!!!
Aashu: SHhhhhhh Deepak… what do I do with you?????...you keep talking bak bak like a loser!!!……. be silent for a while…..let me call her first…Sheetal, stay in the line…don’t go away, ok??
Sheetal: no way Aashu…..i need to talk to her too……call her up……

Meanwhile, our couple reach a sea side resort
Anjali: [mind voice: looks like Sid has planned a really big surprise for me!!!kya hoga??]
Sid: [mind voice: looks like she is expecting a big surprise from me!! But I haven’t planned anything like that!!! Shit!!!! i just hope I don’t anger in the process………] come Anjali, lets go in….

[Sid goes to the restaurant manager while Anjali waits at the lounge….she overhears 2 waiters speaking that the entire restaurant is booked for a couple today and she silently rejoices over it]

Anjali: WOW Sid, tumne itna badaa surprise plan kiya…..You made me feel special today……You will get a gift from me for this surely…..mere dil ki baat aaj tumme bathaa hi dheti hoom!!

At the manager's desk…..
Sid: how is it possible????? So many tables are empty….but you are saying that all are reserved…..I just need a table for 2……plzzz arrange something quickly…..
Manager: Sorry sir…..the entire restaurant is booked by a single person…..…..we cant do anything sir…….sorry…[he turns back to his work while Sid is talking to himself in frustration]
Sid: Shit!!…how will I tell this to Anjali???? She will kill me for this….. I should have booked in advance……you know what Sid, you are over confident…..and that lands you in big trouble always!!!!
[A sudden male voice snaps him out of his self talk]
Voice: Any problem???
[Sid turns to the direction of the voice to face a smart handsome young guy dressed in casuals with a sweet magical smile……]

[To be continued]

Is love blind? .......Oh yes it is!! - Episode 44

Aashu: WHAT???? Yeh tum kya keh rahe ho??? Oh oh Deepak, why did you go there???? Accha teek hai….hum abhi aathe hai….dont worry….
Anjali: kya hua?? tum itni tensed kyun ho??
Aashu: raaste mein bathaavungi….chalo….hume abhi Kripa ke ghar jaana hai…..
Anjali: [surprised] Kripa???par kyun?
Aashu: chalo toh sahi….
[Anjali tells some reason to her mother-in-law and goes with Aashu]
Aashu: Deepak, Kripa ko ghar drop karne gaya tha…..uski papa ne Deepak ko dekhliya aur badaa hungaama kardiya….
Anjali: Kya???? Par kyun??
Aashu: pathaa nahi…..lagtha hai Kripa ke parents bohat orthodox hai….especially her dad doesn’t like her mingling with guys……
Anjali: iss samaane mein aisa bhi honge kya?
Aashu: tumme kya lagaa….sab humaare parents jaisa honge….par ab usse bhi badi problem hogayi…..
Anjali: what is that?
Aashu: He isn’t allowing Kripa to enter her house!!!
Anjali: Shit!!! Poor girl……she would have started crying as usual…..
Aashu: hmmmm….inn sab ke beech Deepak phas gaya…….he cant leave the place like that……
Anjali: pyar kiya toh nibaana padega na??
Aashu: shhhh….dont even tell that word…..ek lift keliye itna problem, I don’t know how he will react if he knows about their love
Anjali: waise Deepak hasn’t proposed na??
Aashu: nahi re…..he is still between the dhosti – pyar chakkar……
[In between Sid calls up Anjali and she tells him the new problem…..he says that he will come if required……Though Anjali objects it first, she gives up eventually…..Within her mind, she wants him to come and help her and her friends….]
Anjali and Aashu try to convince Kripa’s dad but he is stubborn and start accusing all of them for Kripa’s change……
Kripa’s dad: tum sab ke wajeh se hi meri beti itni bigdi hai…….na jaane kya patti padaayi tum logon ne……She has started bunking classes, going out for parties, boy friends etc etc….[stares at Deepak when he stresses on boy friends]
Anjali: uncle, aap galath samaj rahe hai……hum Kripa ke dhost hai aur uske boora kabhi nahi sochenge…..
Aashu: haan uncle…..hum uske help hi karna chahthe hai…..
Kripa’s dad: bas bas…..kya kya help karthe ho yeh main acche se jaantha hoom…..
Kripa: baba, meri friends ke uphar itna badaa ilsaam math lagaayiye……they haven’t done anything
Kripa’s dad: dekha…..mere saamne mooh nahi kholthi thi….ab mujhse zabaan lagaa rahi hai!!! aisa hai tum logon ka saath…..
Kripa: plzz baba….aisa nahi hai….
Kripa’s dad: tum chup raho…..tume iske saath aana jaana goomna sab accha lagtha hai na?? iske saath chale jaao……main nahi rokhunga….
[The group is unsuccessful in convincing her dad when Sid walks in]
Sid: uncle ek minute…..aise galthi math keejiye….Kripa ke life ka sawaal hai…..
Kripa’s dad: tum kaun ho??? Kya tum bhi iske dhost ho??
Sid: nahi nahi….main iski pati hoom….Sid[pointing to Anjali]
Kripa’s dad: ohh….iski shaadi bhi hogayi…..par lagtha toh nahi…..
Sid: wahi toh…..Anjali aisi hi hai…..khair, humaare baath chodiye….…….Kripa bohat acchi ladki hai….aap uskeliye galath decisions lekhe usse sazaa math deejiye….
Kripa’s dad: tum kehna kya chahthe ho??
Sid: aap bade hai, samajhdaar hai….humaare tarah hasty decisions nahi lethey hai……
Kripa’s dad: saaf saaf kaho….aise gumaa phiraakhar baatein karna mujhe pasand nahi….
Sid: ok ok……mera aur Anjali ka shaadi bhi ek quick decision tha……mera ek galthi aur uske papa ka jald baasi….dono ke wajeh se hogayi……..agar aapne Kripa ko ghar se nikhaal diya toh kya hoga???…sochiye…
[Kripa’s dad visualizes what all can happen and his wild imaginations also include a register marriage with Deepak……]
[Sid goes on in the same way and her dad is almost convinced and mellows down…..Anjali, Aashu and Deepak are silent viewers….]
Kripa’s dad: nahi nahi…..[suddenly snaps out of his wild dream and looks at Sid]
Sid: kya hua uncle???
Kripa’s dad: kuch nahi……teek hai….tum itna kehte ho toh iss baar keliye maan letha hoom……par aage se aisa kuch bhi nahi hona chahiye….[he says looking at Kripa]yeh lift dhena, drop karna, milna, milaana sab bandh…..
Sid: haan haan uncle……ab wahi hoga jo aap chahthe hai…hai na??? [He looks at Kripa, then Deepak and Anjali and Aashu…..Kripa just nods to him……Deepak is a bit agitated but nods reluctantly….He looks at Sid in an accusing manner….]
Kripa goes inside with her dad and mom…the others walk out of the apartment complex……
Deepak: [angrily stamping on the ground] SHIT!!!!Sid, tum yahaan kyun aaye??humaare taraf se decisions lena aur Kripa ke Dad ko promise karna, yeh sab kya hai??……I don’t understand why you interfere in our matters…..
Sid: maine toh bas tum logon ke help kiya……iss mein galath kya hai??
Deepak: Galath…..[Anjali pitches in and stops Deepak from speaking further]
Anjali: stop it Deepak…..ussne hume ek problem se nikhaali hai….aur tum thanks kehna toh dhoor usse dhaant rahe ho!!!!
Deepak: tum uske side matth lo ok???
Aashu: chodo bhi na yaar…..He just helped you…..
Anjali: kyun na loon???
Deepak: chup raho Anjali….pehle poocho isse…kyun aaya yahaan??
Anjali: Sid ko maine bulaaya…..is that fine???
Deepak: ok fine…..jaao ab…..bye
Sid: tum log kyun jagda kar rahe ho?? chill yaar!!
Anjali: [holds Sid’s hand and dragging him along] come on Sid, lets go….
[Sid looks at them helplessly and gets into the car]

Sid: [shouts as if in pain] aaaaahhhhhh!!!

Anjali:kya hua??
Sid: nothing……just checked if I am dreaming……..I cant believe that you just fought with ur close buddy for me….[grins]
Anjali: [sternly] I would have done the same even if it was someone else……..there is nothing to feel happy about…….you saved the situation somehow…….So……[stops]
Sid: So??
Anjali: so Deepak should be grateful and not angry with u……..
Sid: hmmmmm……..but u know what…..i am not angry with him………poor chap…….they are so much in love with each other……..and even before confessing, they have such a big problem……anybody can get angry and tensed up……..forget it! I think u guys must help them…..
Anjali: You really think that he loves Kripa??
Sid: [nodding] yeah of course….tumme kyun shak hai??
Anjali: kuch nahi…..bas aise hi poocha!!!
[a long pause follows before Anjali slowly starts off]
Anjali: kya tum iss shaadi se regret karne lage ho?? Tum khush nahi ho, right?? I mean did you seriously mean what you said to Kripa’s dad??
Sid: [looks at her and takes a deep breath]main hum dono ke baat kar raha tha………you aren’t happy either, na??
Anjali: [silent and not able to answer that direct question...for once she wanted to end this hide and seek but wasnt able to answer it so easily]
Sid speaks up and tries to change the topic…….
Sid: oh yeah….let me ask you before I forget…
Anjali eagerly turns to his side and waits for him to say it
Sid: whats your plan for the evening??? Are you tired??? Or do you have plans for another round of combined study???
Anjali: oh noo no…..i just want to crash onto the bed…..
Sid: ohhh ok….[his voice has a tinge of disappointment]
Anjali: [after a moment’s pause, manages to speak up] why did you ask?? Did you have any plans for us??
Sid: [pleasantly surprised by her question and especially by the “plans for us”….he smiles to himself] hmmmm sort of…….i thought we could go for a long drive and a dinner……[she turns to him and he immediately corrects his invite and adds on] that is if you wish to go……I know you wouldn’t like it whole heartedly but for the others at home, especially mom…[halts] ……she would be really happy if we go……..
[Sid wants to assure to his mom that everything is fine between them]
Anjali: [excited about Sid’s plan for a date but hiding her excitement, speaks up as if she is doing him a big favor by accepting to go with him] ok……
Sid: [grins and sarcastic] its ok if you don’t want to go…..i understand that you are tired
Anjali: I said na, I will come with you…..
Sid: ok then…..lets go home and tell mom our plans…..
Anjali: hmmmm……anyways, I need to change too….
Sid: [looking at her] what’s the problem with this dress???? I don’t think you need a change now…..
Anjali: [sternly]I need to change…..
Sid: ok baba…..lets not fight for this now…..
Anjali: [smiling] now that’s better
[They reach home and Sid happily informs his mom about their romantic date…….As expected his mom is more than happy to hear this…..They haven’t ever planned such outings after their wedding…..]
Anjali wears a green saree and looks even more beautiful and gorgeous…….Sid is surprised to see her dress up like this

Sid: [mind voice: why is she doing such things and making me crazy?? She looks so beautiful and I can hardly keep my hands off her…….i know she purposefully does such things… She dresses up to kill me …..mujhe helpless and miserable feel karaane keliye aisi harkathen karthi rahethi hai……You are a sadist Anjali…..na jaane tumme yeh sab karke kya khushi milthi hai!!!] 

Meanwhile, Anjali is seeing at her own reflection on the mirror and talking to herself….

Anjali: [mind voice: aaj hamaara pehla date hai and I want to look special Sid…..I have dressed up just for you Sid…..i hope we break the ice between us today Sid……tum meri help karoge na Sid??]
Anjali comes before Sid and gestures that she is ready to go…….

Sid: [forgetting his irritation for the moment] You look good!!
Anjali: [a slight blush makes her cheeks go pink]thanks…..
They come down together when Smriti passes by…..

Smriti: aap dono kahi jaa rahe ho kya?
Sid: haan……dinner keliye jaa rahe hai….
Smriti: Dinner!!! WOW!!
Sid: [looking sideways at Anjali and smiles naughtily] Wanna join us???
[Anjali is stunned by his question and turns to his direction]
Smriti: main???
Sid: of course tum…..coming??
Smriti: nahi nahi…..aap dono ke romantic date mein mera kya kaam???
Sid: aise koyi baat nahi hai…..hum bas time pass keliye jaa rahe hai…..hai na Anjali??? [turns to her]
Anjali: [snapping out of her shock] haan haan kyun nahi??? Aavo na Smriti…..[mind voice: yeh Sid ko kya hua hai???? aise kyun kar raha hai??? shit!!! Acchi kaasi plan ko bigaad diya…..]
Sid: dekhaa…..ab tumme koyi problem nahi hone chahiye….right??
Smriti: are you sure guys??
Anjali: [half heartedly] yeah smriti……join us…..
Smriti: [casually] ok…..give me just 5 minutes….
[She comes back ready in few minutes and they leave together…..Anjali is irritated a little but she sure loves Smriti’s company…..]
Anjali: [mind voice: romantic date ko kaise ruin karthe hai, yeh koyi Sid se pooche……][smiles to herself]
Sid: [mind voice: Anjali, tumaare mann mein kya chal raha hai, yeh main acche se jaantha hoom……]
Smriti: [mind voice: Iss Sid ka saath dene keliye mujhe Anjali se drama karna padaa….. poor Anjali…..na jaane woh mere baare mein kya sochthi hogi……aur kya sochegi…..kabaab mein haddi jo ban rahi hoom…..]

[To be continued] 

Is love blind? .......Oh yes it is!! - Episode 43

[Aashu narrates what happened to Sid…..and Sid understands the reason for Anjali’s sudden disappearance…….Anjali’s best friend and her only loving caring brother were in love and she didn’t have a clue about it……Anjali’s anger and ego would have soared up naturally….]

Sid: [after listening to all what Aashu said] tum fikhar math karo….I will bring her back home safely….usse milthe hi, tumme phone karke bathaa doonga…..and haaan haan, tumse bhi baath karvaavunga…..
[Sid drives towards Aashu’s place….He checks each and every corner where she could be waiting for getting an auto or some mode of transport…..He spots her at the bus stand near Aashu’s house]
Sid: thank god she is there……[Sid stops the car and runs to her]
Sid: have you gone crazy Anjali????? What are you doing here at this time???
[She just looks at him but doesn’t say anything]
Sid: [tensing up] agar tumme ghar wapas aana thaa tho tum mujhe call karthi…main tumme pick kartha…....iss thara akele jaane ka kya matlab hai???? Idiot!!!
[Anjali silently gets into the car leaving behind a shouting angry Sid]
Sid: yeh ladki paagal hai aur mujhe bhi paagal kardegi…..filaal ghar le jaatha hoom….
[Sid gets into the car and drives her home….in between Aashu calls….He just tells her that Anjali is with him and there is no need to worry and then cuts the call…..]

Once in their private space……Sid tries to talk to Anjali…..
Sid: [caring voice]Anjali, itna gussa teek nahi hai….agar tumme kuch ho jaatha tho???
Anjali: [for the first time, speaks up] tho kya???? Kisi ko koyi farq nahi padtha!!!!
Sid: padtha hai…sab ko tumaare chintha hai…..jaanthi ho main aur Aashu kitne tense hogaye teh?? Sach toh yeh hai ki tumme humaari koyi fikhar nahi…..warna tum aise jaathi nahi…..
Anjali: shut up……..do you even know why I came like this???
Sid: I know…You are angry because of your brother and Aashu….right???
Anjali: ohh so she told you all about it….
Sid: hmmmm……kuch kuch bathaaya…..They love each other….
Anjali: and I didn’t even know about it……
Sid: tumme har baath bathaana zaroori hai kya?
Anjali: She is my best friend dammit…..i thought we never had secrets in between us…..and Abhi, mere bhai….he also hid it from me……..main unke dushman hoom kya?????
Sid: pyar aisa hi hota hai…..it makes us do weirdest of things…..uska koyi justification nahi hota!!!
Anjali: Enough…badaa aaya pyar ka testimony dhene…..oh yeah I know…..tum bhi unke side hi loge….You never understand what I feel…..
Sid: I know Anjali…..you must be feeling deceived….but….
Anjali: [with tears rolling down profusely]but what Sid, hiding it from me means that they don’t trust me…..Aashu doesn’t trust me……God, I still can’t believe that she did this….. She doesn’t trust my friendship……or maybe she thought I wouldn’t support her in this…..mere pheet peeche yeh sab chal raha tha aur mujhe khabar tak nahi……meri dhosti aur dhoston ko lekhar main garv mehsoos karthi thi…..ab mujhe sab fake lag raha hai……[rolling her eyes and doubtfully] kya tum bhi aise hi ho?????
Sid: [holding her shoulders and making her face him] kabhi nahi……kabhi bhi nahi Anjali……tum rona bandh karo…..i cant see you crying dear……[he wipes off her tears and hugs her tightly to console her……once her sobbing subsides, he speaks up] ab aaraam se socho……tum unke position mein hote toh tum bhi shayad aisa kuch karthi…..its not our fault…..nobody does it consciously……The thought of losing our love makes us commit mistakes which we never intended ……..
[Anjali though not fully forgiven Aashu and her brother but she understands that Sid has a point…..]
Anjali: [looking up to him but still clinging on to him unlike always] may be you are right…….
Sid: [relieved to hear her speak calm and also happy that she is finding solace in him] Good…..and I think you should hear their part of the story too…..[after a pause] You should talk to Aashu and Abi……
Anjali: [resting her head against his chest and holding him tightly] hmmmmm….par abhi nahi…..
Sid: [grinning and caressing her hair] no problem!!! jab bhi tumme mujhe hug karne se fursat miley tab call kardena……

[Anjali blushes and buries her face further making him grin again]

All of a sudden, she breaks apart from him and steps away…..He is startled and stands with his arms held out for a while…..then speaks up
Sid: kya hua????
Anjali: kuch nahi….mujhe sonaa hai…..
Sid: [completely clueless of what she has in her mind but yet doesn’t want to ask her anything] hmmmm
[Once settled down in their respective sides of the bed, Sid starts talking sarcastically]
Sid: dekho, maine kahaa na….pyar hai hi ajeeb…..saamne waale ke dil mein kya hai, pathaa hi nahi chaltha……par ek baath hai……kitni bhi chupaane ki khoshish karo, pyar nahi chuptha……kabhi na kabhi kisi na kisi tarah se baahar aa hi jaatha hai……..[grins and starts playing with the table lamp]
Anjali: [irritated with his love psychology and the continuous on and off of the light, gets up] Sid, now stop it haan…kaunsa pyar kiska pyar???? [not allowing him to speak] yahaan koyi pyar vyar nahi hai….samjhe tum??……I was slightly disturbed and upset by Aashu…..and you tried to calm me down……uskeliye bohat bohat shukriya…..nothing more to it……ok???
Sid: [smiling cheekily and in a casual manner] ok…tum itne hyper kyun ho rahi ho???? I was saying about Aashu’s love……uski secret love baahar aa gayi na…..i was talking about that yaar…..par tumne kya sochaa???
Anjali: [closing her eyes realizing her mistake….then quickly falling back to the bed] kuch nahi…..Gud night!!
[Sid gives her a flying kiss and coming close to her ears…she feels his warmth but shuts her eyes tightly…..He talks in a soft romantic manner]
Sid: [softly] Gudnight honey, sweet dreams…….
Anjali has a hard time resisting herself from her emotions….she tries to shut all her senses and pretends to have slept already…….

Aashu’s POV:
Abi, my best friend’s brother…that was the only connection between us…….Anjali used to talk a lot about her bhai……..Even before seeing him in person, I knew a lot about him from Anjali’s chats….
After we met too, we shared just a casual friendship...I used to visit Anjali’s place almost daily……. As kids, me, Anjali and abi used to play and have fun…. Nearly 5 years elder to us, Abi always had this caring, protective bhaiya image…….
After school, Abi stayed in hostel for his college…..He came home only during holidays……It was only when I started missing his presence in Anjali’s home, did I realize that I felt something more for him….Even then, I was scared of my thoughts…….i felt I was thinking stupid…..How can I do it?? He is like my brother!! What will Anjali think????What will Abi think??? They will laugh at me….they will scold me……I tried to burry it within my mind………I forced myself to believe that it was not love…I am too young, so it can never be love….….It was just bullshit!!!
Two years passed by with such conflicting thoughts and not knowing what was in store for me………
Our 11th standard holidays began…..Abi came back for holidays too……..I felt a sudden distance created between us…..He wasn’t mingling with me like he used to……I cursed myself thinking that he would have sensed my stupidity and so he is staying away…….I tried my best to keep away too….
Me and Anjali had planned a day out…….I was supposed to meet her at home……When I reached her place, her mom and dad were leaving for some function……..They said Anjali was getting ready and Abi had gone out somewhere….
I walked to her room…….Abi’s room was just before hers……..The door was slightly open and my eyes casually fell on his table……..His books were all scattered on it……..I felt a sudden urge to arrange it properly…….Anyways, Anjali was still getting ready…..
I went in slowly and started putting them back in order when his personal diary caught my attention…..I was tempted to open it on one side but again, I knew it wasn’t right to read somebody’s personal diary………but I wanted to know badly if he had written anything about me….If so, then what that was??
I apologized in advance and opened it…….He had written many things about me…..but nothing specific to his feelings for me……I just flipped the diary quickly when a page turned up…..It had a specific date…..a year ago….i think it must be one of the days during the last long vacation…..It had my name written in bold letters and he had placed a rose on that page…….
I was confused……Was he indirectly saying something?..i stood there holding that dried up crushed rose for a while…..I heard a voice taking over from there……”So finally, it has reached the right hands…”
I closed the diary quickly and put it down and turned back….the rose was still in my hands, I tried to hide it behind me……..Abi was standing right in front of me…..I was shocked, apologetic and didn’t know what else to say or do…..I was wondering what he would be thinking seeing me trespassing his personal space.……After a few silent moments, he stepped forward…….Not able to look at his face, i was looking down
He caught hold of my hand which was behind and brought it to the front……the rose, obviously came along……..”I was saying about this” he spoke up slowly pointing to the rose……”It took a year, but finally it came to you”
I looked up to him and our eyes met……We never said anything to each other at that time………From his eyes, I realized that he too had been living with the same conflicting mind state……..now he sported a relieved, relaxed look……I blushed and freed my hands from his and ran out of his room…..
We never spoke about this or for that matter about our love for a long time after that……….It was only before he left for his masters that we spoke again…….
The truth is that we weren’t sure of what we wanted……then how could we speak to others about it??? Initially, there was a kind of uncertainty and also an unknown fear…..”how will our parents react? How will our friends react??”

After hearing Aashu’s part of the story, Anjali speaks up suddenly
Anjali: par tum mujhe keh sakthi thi na??? did you think that I will be against your love??
Aashu: aisi nahi hai Anjali……I was scared of how you will react….main bohat gabraa gayi thi……sorry…….[tears flood her eyes]
Anjali: [wiping it and comforting her] tum meri best friend ho yaar……mujhse kaisa darr?? I am just angry that you hid from me for such a long time……..[seeing Aashu’s dull face] Accha chodo…..actually i am happy now…..i always used to think that our friendship would get affected if you get married to some stranger and go off somewhere…….par ab koyi tension nahi…….hum dono hamesha best friends rahenge……hai na?? [smiles like a small kid]
Aashu: [hugging her] thanks dear….thanks for understanding……..[kisses her cheek] tum nahi jaanthi ke tumne kitni badi tension dhoor kardi……thanks
Anjali: another thanks and I will slap you…..[smiles and after a moment’s thinking] par ek baat hai….i wont call you bhabhi and all……samjhi??
Aashu: samajh gayi…….We are best friends and will remain like that forever!!
Anjali: [thinking] mmmmmmm……ab main bhi samji……kaise har baat bhai tak paunchtha tha……[smiles]
Aashu: hmmmm…..kehna toh padega na…..aakhir tumaari bhabhi jo hoom……[grins]
[They laugh out and hug each other……]
Anjali: waise mera bhai bhi chupa rustam nikhla…….abhi poochti hoom…..
Aashu: ab wahaan bohat raat hogi na??? He would have slept….
Anjali: oh ohhhh……bohat fikhar ho rahi hai……koyi baat nahi…..ek din neend karaab hone dho….
[She calls up Abi and he picks up after a long time]
Abi: hello Anjali…..
Anjali: hmmmm…..kaise ho bhai???? Teek ho na??aap mujhse bohat baatein chupaane lage na…..
Abi: tumme sab pathaa chal hi gaya hoga na???
Anjali: hmmmm….Aashu ne kuch kuch bathaaya……main aapke mooh se sunna chahthi hoom….
Abi: aur kya sun na hai…..jo bhi usne kahaa wahi sach hai……We are in love sis…..
Anjali: ohhhh…..aur agar main uss love keliye No kahoom toh…..
Abi: tum aisi kar hi nahi sakthi……meri choti si pyari si behna ho na??
Anjali: [shuddering off the pampering and pretending anger] jaao jaao…mujhe nahi sunna…….pyari behen hoti toh itni badi baat mujhse nahi chupaatha…….
Abi: plzzzzz sweet heart……..humne kuch bhi jaan boochke nahi chupaaya…..bas ek bhool hogayi…….Sorry…..
Anjali: teek hai teek hai……maaf kiya……sirf Aashu ke wajeh se……meri best friend ko kabhi hurt math karna…..uske aankhon se ek aasu nikhli toh main tumme nahi chodungi….
Abi: ab bas karo drama queen….bohat hogayi…..
[They talk for a while more and then cut the call……]

[Sid had left Anjali at Aashu’s place the next morning so that they can talk and sort out the differences……..They are on their way back home……..Anjali is happy that Sid made the right move at the right time and set things right between them……..]
Anjali: [looking at Sid] Thanks…….tumaare wajeh se sab teek hogaya….
Sid: hmmm…..maine wahi kiya jo mujhe sahi lagaa…..good that you understood and sorted out the problem……I am happy for Aashu and Abi…
Anjali: main bhi bohat khush hoom…..[smiling] next time, when bhai is here, I will get them engaged….[grins]
Sid: hmmm….
Anjali: [noticing that he sounds a bit upset] kya hua???? aren’t you feeling well??? [touches his forehead]
Sid: [removes her hand] kuch nahi hua……I am alright……
[Anjali feels that Sid is behaving differently…..]

[Few days pass by…….Anjali and Aashu are studying at Anjali’s place when Aashu gets a call from Deepak]
Aashu: WHAT???? Yeh tum kya keh rahe ho??? Oh oh Deepak, why did you go there???? Accha teek hai….hum abhi aathe hai….dont worry….

[To be continued]

Is love blind? .......Oh yes it is!! - Episode 42

Anjali comes out really wishing to tell Sid about her new mind state towards him…..but in her hesitant state, she does some random things….like checking the mobile…..she finds her mobile in silent mode and changes it back…..Sid is annoyed and disappointed about her action……He sits back holding his mobile with a pillow on his lap…He pretends to be uninterested in what she does……Anjali wonders who turned it to silent mode but doesn’t worry much about clarifying it……

Sid: [gets a bit furious seeing that][mind voice: tumaare pati tumaare liye apna tour chod ke yahaan aaya hai aur tumme apni mobile ki padi hai……cant you even thank me for that Anjali???]
She slowly comes and sits near Sid….Sid doesn’t look up to her
Anjali: I want to tell you something Sid….
Sid: [slowly looking up but his heart beating fastly] yeah Anjali….tell me…
Anjali: woh…..woh….main tumme [hesitantly] thanks kehna tha…..
Sid: [little taken aback by her sudden change….][mind voice: kahi isne sun toh na liya???] thanks??? Kyun??
Anjali: [slowly]tumne mere b’day keliye apna tour chodke yahaan aaye aur mujhe surprise kiya…..usikiliye….
Sid: ohhh…..[stops and decides to tease her] actually maine anjaane me aaya….Smriti ne kahaa ke tumaari b’day hai…..so just decided to wish you…..thats all……waise wahaan bore ho rahe the……so Sam, Tushar and me came back….
Anjali: [looks at him sarcastically][mind voice: Sid, I know that you are lying….Smriti told me about your surprise party and other plans for me] ohhh…is it??? Then I take back my thanks…..[smiles…..Sid smiles too seeing her smile..]
[In between their smiles, Sid glances at her romantically……]
Sid: aur….
Anjali: [stops smiling] aur kya??
Sid: tumme kuch aur bhi kehna hai kya?
Anjali: ummmm…..[hesitantly]nahi….kuch bhi nahi….
Sid: [mind voice: ab keh bhi dho Anjali…..itna kyun sathaa rahi ho….]
Anjali: [noticing his glance]tum aise kyun dekh rahe ho??
Sid: kya hua??? mere dekhne se tumme koyi farq padtha hai
Anjali: [turning away] nahi toh…..mujhe kyun farq padega???
Sid: [turning her face back to him and in a caring voice] idhar dekho Anjali……hum kitne din aise ladthe rahenge???kuch bhi ho, hum dono husband and wife hi rahenge na??
Anjali: [tears in her eyes and relieved that he told whatever she had in her mind] hmmmm…..
Sid holds her hands and draws her nearer…..As she comes nearer, Sid is shocked by a snap……He was in a trance and Anjali snaps him out from it…
Anjali: SID…..tum kahaan ho?kya soch rahe ho???? Maine poocha, tum aise kyun dekh rahe ho???
Sid: [out of his romantic dream….][low voice: kaash main waise hi keh paatha…..] oh…..actually….[pauses when Anjali’s phone rings]
Anjali: its Aashu….ek minute Sid, abi aathi hoom….

[Anjali goes into the balcony to answer the call]

Sid: shit……Aashu ko bhi abhi phone karna tha……
At the balcony……
Anjali: Hello Aashu…..why did you call at this time???
Aashu: ohhh yeah, I forgot…..tumaare pati dev ko boora lagaa hoga na??sorry dear
Anjali: Aashuuuuu……[stops and continues].accha teek hai….kaho kya baat hai??
Aashu: [sarcastically]Anjali madam…main yeh pooch rhi thi ke agar tumaare honeymoon aur romance khatam hogaya tho, hum thoda padaayi bhi karlen??? Exams are going to start in a month’s time……..aur tumne kuch bhi padaa nahi hai….
Anjali: [freaking out]EXAMS!!!! Kab kahaan???
Aashu: dekhaa…..tumme yeh bhi nahi pathaa……hum kalse padaayi shuru karthe hai…..tum mere ghar aajaana…..combined study karenge….
Anjali: [thinking] hmmmm…..
Aashu: ok then…bye dear….good night….
Anjali: bye

Anjali comes back to the room and starts to talk when Sid’s phone rings…..Sid excuses himself from her and goes to the balcony now

Sid: bolo Sam….kya hai??
Sam: kuch nahi yaar…..ek idea chahiye….
Sid: IDEA???? Iss waqt…..kya?
Sam: mujhe Sheetal ko kuch dhena hai….
Sid: toh???? Main kya karoom??? Should I act as a post man??
Sam: no dude…..i want some choices for gifts……
Sid: hmmmm….kya tum pehle baar kuch dhena jaa rahe ho???
Sam: haan….sort of….
Sid: tum usse pyar karthe ho na??? aur proposal karne waale ho na??
Sam: nahi nahi…..
Sid: so tum pyar nahi karthe, right???
Sam: no yaar…..pyar hai bhi….aur nahi bhi….i mean I am not fully sure…..
Sid: toh gift kyun dhene chahthe ho???
Sam: ek simple gift….jiska koyi meaning na ho…..aise kuch kaho na??
Sid: [thinks and speaks after few minutes of silence]Simple gift……hmmmm….Flowers…..usse accha aur koyi gift ho hi nahi saktha….par red roses nahi….ok?? Red roses pyar ki nishaani hai….
Sam: hmmmm….then how about yellow???
Sid: yellow means friendship……is it just plain friendship??
Sam: NOOOOO……yellow cancelled…..Pink????
Sid: nahi yaar…..pink ko kuch meaning nahi hai…..i think roses nahi….kuch aur flower dho…
Sam: hey…roses nahi tho kya dhoom???? Don’t tell me to give jasmine and all…
Sid: do you think I am sooo silly????? [Thinks for a while and suddenly pops out with some idea] ORCHIDS……give her orchids……purple orchids……it indicates care, concern and respect for the person!!Sam: WOW yaar…..thats what I call an excellent idea……I loved it…
Sid: thank u thank u…..
Sam: waise ek baat poochum……
Sid: haan poocho poocho….
Sam: [sarcastically]tumne kab flowerology mein PHD kiya???
Sid: [little annoyed] is that important now??? Jaao jaao apna kaam karo…..Go and impress your girl and don’t disturb me…..
Sam: tumme bohat jaldi hai……busy ho kya???
Sid: haan……oh actually Anjali meri intezaar kar rahi hai….
Sam: [giving a shocked expresssion] WHAT???? Waiting for you!!!
Sid: Haan…..isme itni surprise hone kya baat hai??
Sam: [sarcastically] Nothing……but if she is waiting, let her wait for some more time……don’t go so quickly…..make her realize your worth….
Sid: tum meri zindagi ke saath khelne ki idea dey rahe ho kya??? Ab rakho…..
At the same time……
Anjali: yeh Sid kitna time le raha hai……lagtha hai ke he wont come now……[Anjali lazily rests her head on the pillow and cuddles around….]


[But Sam doesn’t allow him to keep the phone….they keep talking for another 20 minutes……At the end of which, Sid manages to escape from him……Sid comes back to find Anjali sleeping peacefully……He is disappointed and is angry with Sam for holding him there for long…….He pulls up the blanket for her and sits near her]

Anjali’s POV:
Aashu ne teek kahaa tha…..padaayi ke seva baaki sab kuch back seat pe rakh kar aa tho gayi par concentrate nahi kar paarahi hoom……..Books spread all over Aashu’s bed…..Aashu was reading it loud for me…..everything sounding like greek and latin to me not because I didn’t understand the subjects but because I wasn’t concentrating one bit……I wasn’t listening to what she read…….i was feeling guilty but couldn’t help it……I was recalling about what happened before I came here……Sid didn’t tell anything against me spending the night at Aashu’s place……..Usually, he disliked me going out of his sight……but today he never seemed bothered about it…He instantly nodded to what I said and also offered me a lift happily…..What could be the reason????Why didn’t he try stopping me???? …but why was that affecting me??? I also wished that he stopped bothering me na???? but that was a old story…..now it was….[I stopped thinking further…..i shifted my thoughts and looked at Aashu…..She had stopped reading and was glaring at me…….]
Aashu: [angrily] Anjali, whats your problem dear???? Where are you????
Anjali: I don’t know yaar….i am not able to focus on anything…..
Aashu: [angrily] Why??? What happened???
Anjali: samajhi nahi aa raha….
Aashu: lo…..itni si baat……chalo, main phir se samjaathi hoom….
Anjali: [stopping Aashu in between] nahi re…..i said I cant understand Sid’s change in behavior….
Aashu: for god’s sake Anjali…..concentrate on this……no other talks….ok??
Anjali: [shuddering away all other thoughts] OK……shuru karo…..
Aashu: ek minute….i will bring 2 hot coffees……that will drive away the sleep and laziness……
Anjali: hmmmmm………

Aashu went down to get coffee…..time is almost 11:30…….I was thinking about what Sid would be doing at that time….”would he be sleeping??? Or would he be thinking about me???
Aashu’s cell buzzed…….It was ringing continuously and Aashu wasn’t anywhere seen…..I tilted my head to see who it was…..The name flashing was “ABI”…….i was tempted to know who it was because the only Abi I knew was my…..[pauses] no no…..He can’t call my friend at this odd time……Aashu getting a call from a stranger at this time was also next to impossible…..Who is this then???? I took the call……I froze when I heard the voice…….

Voice over the phone: sweetu….what took you so long?? Koyi paas tha kya?? Or are you angry with me????

[I put the phone down as soon as I understood who it was……I was angry, upset….sad, disappointed….on the whole I was feeling horrible…..i couldn’t stand there one minute more…..nor could I act normally to Aashu…….I didn’t think anything further….I walked out without waiting any further]

Aashu hears a sound at the door when she is climbing up the stairs but she ignores it as her imagination and goes to her room….
Aashu: where is Anjali??? [looking at the rest room] may be she is there……
[Her phone rings again…..Aashu picks it up happily]
Aashu: listen, I cant talk for long now….Anjali is here…..
Abi: ok ok……but tell me why didn’t you speak the first time I called you….
Aashu: When?????[Both suddenly understand what would have happened…….Aashu rushes towards the rest room] Anjali…..Anjali….suno….let me explain……..[back into the phone] Abi, lets talk later……I need to talk to her now…….
Abi: hmmmm…. …..i will talk to her also….but later….right now, she must be angry, damn angry with me……[deep sigh]anyways, you take care….bye
Aashu: bye…
[Aashu bangs on the door but is shocked to see the door open and Anjali missing there…..She rushes to the front door……She realizes that Anjali has left……She is very scared………]

Sid’s POV:
I wasn’t getting sleep anywhere near me…..i was still engrossed in her thoughts……I managed to study something…..then decided to forcefully sleep……I had just closed my eyes when my phone rang……Anjali…..it must be her…though she fights with me, she cant be without me……she needs me for everything…..…..i thought…..i smiled to myself and took the phone……It was Aashu…..Her voice was shivering or may be breaking in between
Aashu: Hello….. Sid
Sid: haan…..tell me Aashu……Did she ask you to call me??? [grins]
Aashu: nahi Sid……Anjali kahi chali gayi…..mujhe bathaaya bhi nahi……come here quickly
Sid: zaroor uski idea hai na?? mujhe wahaan bulaane ki….maan na padega…..tum bhi kuch kuch acting aur voice modulation kar lethi ho…….agar main tum dono ko jaantha nahi toh zaroor fool ho jaatha….
Aashu: [loudly] Plzz Sid…..this is not a joke……I am serious……Anjali is not in my place…..
Sid: What?????But why????
[Aashu narrates what happened to Sid…..and Sid understands the reason for Anjali’s sudden disappearance…….Anjali’s best friend and her only loving caring brother were in love and she didn’t have a clue about it……Anjali’s anger and ego would have soared up naturally….]

 [To be continued]