Is love blind? .......Oh yes it is!! - Episode 48

[Anjali and Aashu walk towards their table….Kripa and the guy are discussing something and fully engrossed in the book…Anjali clears her throat to get their attention….Kripa who hadn’t noticed them initially looks up and gives them a warm smile…the guy smiles too before getting back into the book]
Anjali: very busy huh???
Kripa: hmmm sort of…..engineering mechanics is so complicated yaar…..I am struck with this problem…..Chiru….i mean Chirag is an expert in this subject…..So he is helping me out…..
Anjali: ohhh is it??? That’s cool…..
Kripa: then how are your studies going on??
Anjali: Aashu darling hai na??? isiliye mujhe koyi tension nahi…she manages it for me too…..I can relax……
Aashu: hey its not like that…..Anjali studies really hard but she is playful, a complete prankster..[grins at her]….and bit of lazy too….so I just need to keep screwing her from time to time…..!!!
Kripa: that’s so sweet….life becomes so beautiful if there are friends like you….[sighs deeply]
Anjali: hey hey….dont feel so much….you are our friend too…..[when Anjali doesn’t move from their table, Aashu speaks up]
Aashu: Anjali, you are wasting their time……you can talk to her after the exams…..now lets move on with our plan….[correcting her words when Anjali rolls her eyes at her] I mean lets go and study too…..
Anjali: [crunches her teeth and in low voice]hmmm that’s better…..come…. bye Kripa…..bye Chiru….
Kripa: bye…[she sits and gets back to her studies]
[Anjali and Aashu didn’t have to search much for Deepak……They see him just around the corner outside the canteen]
Aashu: hi Deepak…..Where were you??? Anjali was searching for you….
Deepak: [sarcastically] oh is it?? Great Anjali madam is searching for me, Why?? Is there some task for me to do???You people get reminded of me only for doing some jobs na??
Aashu: DEEPAK!!! Anjali khud yahaan pichle baatein bhool kar tumse baat karne aayi hai…..Why are you starting a fight now???
Anjali: [casually] kehne dho dear…..he has thousands of worries….thats why he is talking like this….[deep sigh] I can understand!!!
Deepak: excuse me….mujhe koyi worries nahi hai….even if there are any, i don’t need your sympathies….
Anjali: [in a sad tone] hmmm…..i know its tough but I am happy that you finally realized that its not your cup of tea…..
Deepak: [angrily] what are you talking about??
Aashu: [continuing from what Anjali said] tum usse bhoolne ki decisions le liya, yahi sahi hai…..we are relieved tha you took the correct decision at the right time…..propose karthe tho aur baat thi….par ab koyi problem nahi hai!!…..
Deepak: both of you are confusing me like hell…..clearly bolo….
Anjali: didn’t you get it?? We are talking about Kripa…..tum usse pyar nahi karthe na? isiliye hum bohat khush hai!!
Deepak: [losing control] what the hell!! Who told you this nonsense??….did I say that to you???? How can you just imagine things????
Aashu: hey hey…relax!! We didn’t imagine anything…..We felt it from your behavior towards each other….moreover Kripa doesn’t hang out with you like before….
Deepak: Her [pointing to Anjali] Sid is the reason for that….we have created a wall between us unwillingly just to keep up our promise to her dad….that doesn’t mean that we broke up!!
Anjali: BREAK UP!!! Let me remind you….You both haven’t confessed your feelings yet…..pyar hi shuru nahi hua phir kahaan se aaya break up??
Deepak: sab kuch bolne ke zaroorat nahi hai ….some things are beyond words…..….[he goes towards the canteen when Aashu calls him back]
Aashu: tumme nahi hoga….but I guess Kripa surely needs to hear it out from you…..and I don’t blame her…..every girl wishes that…..she might want to hear those 3 words from you….
Anjali: you better do it soon…else someone else will over take you….uske baad rone dhone se kuch nahi hoga ….
Deepak looks enquiringly…..
Aashu: hmmm yeah, Kripa tumaare paas hokhar bhi tumaare nahi hai…usse kohne ke baad devdas bankhar goomne se kuch haasil nahi hoga….[grins when he doesn’t notice]
Anjali: [speaks as if she doesn’t know anything] Aashu, yeh Chirag kaun hai??
Aashu: [both start talking about Kripa and Chirag totally ignoring Deepak’s presence just to make him jealous] oh yeah….Kripa’s new close friend….and you know something…[smiles] Kripa usse pyar se Chiru bulaati hai!!
Anjali: yeah Chiru… he is taking out so much time and effort just for her!!! How sweet na???
Aashu: haan haan….abi bhi canteen mein Kripa ke help kar raha hai
Deepak: [surprised to hear that] IS IT??? [turns to the canteen]
Aashu: [on a serious note] Deepak, if you really want her to be yours, tell it out….do it before it is too late……
[Anjali nods to it…..Deepak looks at both of them and then rushes to the canteen]
Aashu: come, lets go and see what he does…..
Anjali: [grabs her hand suddenly] nahi nahi….he may propose to her in an impulse…but if he sees us, he might not do what we wanted him to do…..so, lets not go there and distract him…..
Aashu: WOW, my childish Anjali is talking logically…..I am impressed….
Anjali: hmmmm…..woh toh hai….kitna bhi unchaaha ho, a wedding is a wedding and it has its impact on us…..
Aashu: hey…..kya hua??? tum kab se itne serious hone lage??..[laughs and after a pause].…..dont change yourself Anjali…..it doesn’t suit you dear….
Anjali: [brushing it off] no no i was just joking yaar…..forget it….next is “mission Sheetal”…..usse dhoondthe hai….lets find out what her problem is!!!
[they start walking in search of Sheetal]
Aashu: hmmm….kuch dino se woh bhi upset hai….lagtha hai ke Sam se koyi problem hai!!
Anjali: sab log love mein pad kar hi problems ko invite karthe hai…..Love is a pain!!!! [grins]
Aashu: [sarcastically and grinning] oh yeah…..guess who is saying that!!!
Anjali: ok ok…I will change my words…..Love is a sweet pain that tortures us like hell and pampers like heaven at the same time….ok???
Aashu: hmmm that’s better!!! Its so sweet that we don’t feel like spitting it out and its so bitter that we cant swallow it in!!!
Anjali: experience talks!! Abi as a brother is so loving and caring….i guess he is caring and loving as a lover too….right???
Aashu: [blushes] hmmmm….
Anjali: hey bolo yaar…..i am your best friend na….tell me!!! [adamant like a kid] You have never opened up on your love experiences….
Aashu: What should I tell?? Sab kuch bathaaya toh tha na??
Anjali: hello….hello…story ko 1st chapter mein hi stop kar diya tha….what happened after that??? Or forget that, tell me some interesting thing that happened
Aashu: [thinking] kya bolum?? We never spent much time with each other…..Abi went off to US and I am here…..but yeah, we talk almost twice or thrice a week over phone…..then we chat over net too…
Anjali: really?? he talks to me just once a month and that too after so much fussing!!! Aashu bhabhi, tell my brother to think about his little sis too!!!
Aashu: [blushes and smiles]……
Anjali: [seriously] your love is very unique and strong da……inspite of being a long distance relationship, You guys carry it off so well even without seeing each other for so long!!!
Aashu: hmmm that’s true….i feel it getting stronger each day……but at times, I miss him so much that I just want him to come back…..but I know its not possible…..[a tear drop glistens at the end of her eye]
Anjali: [holding her hand tightly as if consoling her] I understand…..dont worry, ek din achaanak aakhar bhai tumme surprise dega!!! [thinks about where Sid is and what he might be doing at the moment]
Aashu: [a slight smile appears….she notices Sheetal sitting in the classroom] Sheetal….
Anjali: mmm….why is she sitting here alone??? Come lets ask her…..

Aashu: Sheetalllll….what r u doing??
Sheetal: oh hi, nothing much……just finishing my incomplete notes….
Aashu: good girl…..she is doing the right thing….
[Anjali is silently observing her as she finds Sheetal’s behavior odd]
Sheetal: kyun mujhe aise ghur rahi ho Anjali??
Anjali: tum bohat alag sa behave kar rahi ho….isiliye tumme dekh rahi hoom…
Sheetal: nothing like that yaar…..i am just bit tensed about the exams…..lots to study na?
Aashu: hey why this tension?? Hum sab hain na?…..we will study together….
Anjali: bilkul….humaare saath padna…
Sheetal: hmmm…thanks…
Aashu: what happened Sheetal? Something is worrying you….i can see it in your face…come out with it
Anjali: [seeing Sheetal’s reaction to Aashu’s question] batao yaar…kya problem hai??/ why aren’t you the same old dreamy jolly girl?? We don’t like this Sheetal…..she is boring, you know??
Sheetal: [a sad smile emerges on her face] hmm…I know….but cant help it yaar….I don’t think I can be the same girl….
Anjali: aisa kya ho gaya tumaare life mein???itni gumsum kyun ho??? aur aise disappointing baatein kyun kar rahe ho?
Aashu: We wont allow all this….humaare group mein koyi aise sad sad nahi rahega….kitne happening group hua kartha tha….ab kya hogaya???
Anjali: [grinning] kisi ki nazar lagi hogi……nazar uthaarni hai….
Sheetal stares at Anjali…..Aashu snaps in
Aashu: jokes apart….Sheetal darling…..whats the problem?? Did Sam fight with you?
Anjali: tell me if that’s the problem….i will make sure he falls at your feet….main Sid se ek baar keh doom tho woh sab teek kar dega…..Sam ko tumaare peeche peeche lagaa dega….
Aashu: oh oh….tum phir Sid Sid kehne lag gayi….uski baat chodo….humaare baare mein bhi kuch toh socha karo!!
Sheetal: I said na…I don’t have a problem with anyone….especially Sam….I have nothing to do with him….just leave us alone for god’s sake….dont interfere in our matters…..
[Saying this much in one stretch, she leaves the room……]
Aashu: iss ladki ko hua kya hai??
Anjali: something is terribly wrong….we cant leave her like that…..lets talk to her right now….
Aashu: wait a minute….we will talk surely but nothing about her worries or problem…..lets talk something else and change her mood….
Anjali: okie….come
[They catch up with Sheetal and they convince her that they wont ask anything regarding her problem…..They go to the canteen together to know about Deepak….They see Kripa sitting alone and in a shocked state..]
Anjali: Kripa Kripa, kya hua….tumne kisi bhoot ko dekha kya, aise kyun betae ho??? And where is Deepak??
Kripa: [points her finger to a direction] He went to that side….
Aashu: [doubtfully] did he say something??
Anjali: [seeing Kripa’s state and silence in low hushed up voice] I guess he messed it up….He has confused her like hell…..
Kripa: [hearing the last part] he didn’t confuse….but I am shocked….i just cant believe that he said “I love you” to me…..[still staring at the wall before her]
Aashu: really??? did he really say that??
Sheetal: [cheering up] hurray…..does my friend have so much courage?
Anjali: then what??main aur Aashu ne kitna hardwork kiya….will all that go waste just like that??
Kripa: [snapping out and puzzled at her comment] aap log ne kya kiya??
Anjali: [changing the statement] kiya nahi…karne waale hai....[looks at Aashu]…. Deepak tumse propose karein aur uske saare worries dhoor ho jaaye, usskeliye Aashu ne bohat saare mandiron mein mannat maangi hai……..
Aashu: [low voice: ANJALI…..iss jhoot mein bagwan ko kyun laa rahi ho……humme paap lagega yaar!!]
Sheetal: [laughing out] Aashu dear, looks like you will have to go to every temple…..everything seems in place now…..
Anjali: yeah yeah….All is well now!!!
Kripa: but dad….agar unne iss baat ki khabar lagi toh….
Aashu: jab samay aayega, sab kuch teek ho jaayega….he will also agree….dont worry about it now….
Anjali: yeah, we are there na….we will sort out everything…..but tell us how he said that…..
Sheetal: yeah…that’s the most interesting part…..tell us….
Kripa: now that’s a big story….i still cant believe that it happened…..

[Flashback…..Deepak rushes to their table literally spitting fire of jealousy!]

Deepak: I need to talk to Kripa urgently….so pls excuse us…. [The guy looks up at Deepak and then at Kripa]
Kripa: Deepak, whats so urgent??…we are doing something very important….
Deepak: I need to tell you something which is even more important….[turning to Chiru] Chirag, tumaare close friend Anitha ko tumse kuch kaam hai….tum jaakhar uski help karo….Kripa ke doubt ko main clear kardoonga
Chirag: [closing his books and gets up sighing] okie…..bye Kripa….bye Deepak…
Kripa: [turning to Deepak] Why did you send him like that??? I called him here….what will he think???
Deepak: he wont think anything…..He has a small inclination towards that Anitha….I helped him to get close with her….trust me he would be grateful to me…[grins]
Kripa: [angrily] Crazy!!! Humaare padaayi disturb karke aise stupidity bol rahe ho!!!! Are you that jobless Deepak???
Deepak: cool down dear….[pressing her shoulders to sit down] sit down and relax…..[hands over a glass of water…after she appears calm, he slowly starts talking] I just wanted to talk to you, is that a big crime???
Kripa: [cooling down] hey its not that…..I was just irritated because u interrupted while studying!! [bending her head down] moreover, after whatever happened the other day, we decided na….that we will maintain a distance…..
Deepak: that wasn’t my decision….Sid ka decision thaa aur humne chup chaap usse maan liya….i wasn’t convinced one bit….and yeah sorry about the interruption….
Kripa: anyways, that was needed to cool down baba…..but I think we shouldn’t repeat such things in future…..baba ka gussaa jaanthe hua aise risk lena nahi chahiye tha….we behaved stupidly!!
Deepak: tumme kabse pyar mohabat ke baatein stupid lagne lage?? [Kripa looks up at him when she hears the word “pyar”…Her eyes asking a thousand questions…Deepak continues sensing her queries….He replies to all her unspoken words] I know what you are thinking now…..I haven’t told you till now….as i felt that you have understood without me telling it…I thought that our relationship doesn’t need those 3 words ….ek confession ki zaroorat hi mehsoos nahi hui….or may be [pausing for a moment]….I didn’t have the courage to tell it directly…….but now, I feel I should just say it to you…..i just realized that all relationships demand a confirmation….and you have every right to hear those words from me…..Shall I??
Kripa: [mind voice: I hope he is saying about telling “I love you”….boldho Deepak….tell it before you lose your courage][low voice and nodding] hmmmm….
Deepak: [their eyes lock each other and appear to be in a trance] I LOVE YOU….[Kripa realizes that those words have a strange mesmerizing effect which can only be felt and not expressed….She keeps looking at him while he breaks the silence after a few minutes]I know that its a yes from you too…….but I don’t want to force you on that…..tell whenever you feel like……I will wait for it….
[Deepak gets up and goes out of the canteen as a relieved person]
[Flash back ends…..present…..Anjali, Aashu and Sheetal clap their hands and cheer her up]

[To be continued]

Is love blind? .......Oh yes it is!! - Episode 47

[She slightly bends and places her head gently on his shoulders while enjoying his song……He gets a shivery tickle when she does that and his song goes out of rhythm…….She suddenly sits up straight and makes a funny face at him….]
Anjali: stop it…….dont kill that cute song……[after a few moments] hey hey stop the car……
Sid: Why???
Anjali: stop, phir bathaathi hoom….[Sid stops the car and Anjali opens the door and steps out in the rain]
Sid: heyyyyyyyyyy its raining….dont get out dear
Anjali: how unromantic of you Sid…..you come along too
Sid: no way……[he tries to grab her hand but she shrugs off his hand and gets out…]
[She starts jumping and playing in the rain….Sid is a silent viewer to her craziness….He just smiles at her childish behavior……She was being her innocent self swirling around and completely drenched in the rain….He keeps gazing at her through the front glass…….At one moment, she looks at him too…….Finally the magical moment comes up…….In the subconscious state, the truth comes out finally……]
Anjali: [looking at him and smiling sweetly…..a slight blush and then looks up towards the sky….swallowing rain droplets and in the top of her voice] SIDHARTH, I LOVE YOU ………..
The loudness of her voice attracts audience….Sid cant believe what he just heard…he is happy, confused and also embarrassed by it…….He jumps out of the car and catches hold of her….while she is still screaming out her confession again and again……
Sid: ok ok….agreed...i love you too...…but for now, come with me….else the whole world will know about it…..
Anjali: jaanne dho Sid…let the whole world know……I AM IN LOVE…..YOUR ANJALI IS IN LOVE…..

[Sid smiles and forces her into the car and drives off….She mumbles to herself all the way home……his smiles don’t stop as he keeps thinking about what she did and said!!!]

By the time, they reach home, Anjali is fast asleep…..Sid opens the door for her….he smiles at the innocence of her face…..He lifts her in his arms as he doesn’t want to disturb her sleep……She rests her head against his chest……He carries her to the room……]

Sid: [placing her on the bed carefully] she is fully drenched…..aise hi sone dhi toh bhukaar aa jayegi….got to change her clothes…..but how?? [pats her] Anjali Anjali….change your dress and then sleep….
[He removes her sandals and slowly looks up at her innocent face……] kya karoom??? [thinks for a while]

[Next morning……Anjali wakes up when sun rays falls on her face…..She squints her eyes and gets up…..she feels dizzy and her head appears heavier than usual……She tries to recollect what happened last night…..]
Anjali: [mind voice: Sid ke saath jagda, Aashu se phone par baat, woh sab toh yaad hai…..phir kya hua?? How and when did I come home????] [looks around and sees her sandals lying on one side…..her clothes lying on the chair…she looks at herself and sees that she is in her usual night dress…she is confused seeing all this] yeh sab??? Sid kahaan hai????oh god, mujhe kuch yaad kyun nahi aa raha??
[Sid comes out of the bath at that time…..He stands in front of the mirror and starts combing his hair…..through the mirror, he sees Anjali sitting up on the bed and looking perplexed……He is reminded of her drunken state and her confession in the rain….His gaze catches her attention as she glides her fingers through her hair and looks into the mirror….His grin makes her feel uneasy…..She quickly gets up and rushes to him….Sid turns to her and smiles sweetly]
Anjali: [angrily shouts at him] What did you make me eat yesterday??What did you do to me??
Sid: [shocked at her anger, keeps his hand on her shoulders] hey what did I do?? Why are you angry?? Tumne khud kuch pee li thi…[Anjali snaps him short]
Anjali: [Pushing away his hand]tumne jo kuch bhi kiya woh sab bhool kar tumme ek acche dhost, ek life partner ke roop mein sweekaar karne ki khoshish kar rahi thi…….but I never thought that you are such a crooked, perverted character…..tumne mera mazaag kar ke rakh diya!!! Mere unconscious state ka faydha utaaya???Shit!! tum kabhi sudhar nahi sakthe…..you hurt my feeings once again Sid…..
[she leaves the room banging the door behind her……He doesn’t spell out anything….He just thrashes the comb on the dressing table and storms out into the balcony…..]
Anjali: [mind voice: maine aise insaan ko trust kiya….He will never reform…get that straight into your head Anjali!!]
[In her confused state of mind, she doesn’t notice Smriti coming towards her…They clash with each other…]
Anjali: Oh sorry Smriti…..maine tumme dekha nahi…sorry
Smriti: kya bhabhi….hangover abhi bhi baaki hai kya??….its ok……happens sometimes…..
Anjali: [rolling her eyes and tensed to the core] how did you know??? Did Sid tell you??ghar mein sab ko pathaa hai kya?
Smriti: Oh god…..aapko yeh bhi yaad nahi??? You were fully drenched and Sid didn’t want to let you sleep in those clothes……..usne hi mujhe utaakhar aap ke dress change karne ko kahaa…….you were struggling with it ……I helped you change, remember??
Anjali: [realizing that she misunderstood Sid] really??
Smriti: yeah of course!! Really bhabhi……
Anjali: oh no….i made such a grave mistake!!! [runs back to the room…she spots him in the balcony and walks towards him slowly]
Sid: [at the same time] [mind voice: Anjali, tum kab mujhe samjogi??]
Anjali: Sid….
Sid: [surprised to see her back so soon,angrily] now what??? Did you forget something???? Aur kuch kehna baaki hai kya?
Anjali: hmmm..kuch hai…..
Sid: What?
Anjali: Sorry Sid….i am really very very sorry….maine gusse mein bohat kuch bol diya….i thought you….[Sid breaks in]
Sid: [angrily]you thought that I changed your clothes and took advantage of your drunken state…..You thought that I will cross my limits without your knowledge and consent??? Isn’t it??
Anjali: plzz Sid….i said I am sorry…you could have told me the truth!!
Sid: how many times Anjali???? How many more times will this continue??? Tum mujhe galath samajh na, aur phir sorry bolna…..arent you tired of this???
Anjali: I know its my mistake….i have no control over my anger….poore sach jaan ne ke pehle logon ko judge kar dethi hoom….…..as a result I hurt people around me….[looking at him in a apologetical manner] especially you Sid…..humaara shaadi itni jaldi aur unexpected thi na…isi wajeh se upset rehthi hoom…
Sid: how long will you worry over our wedding???….i know it didn’t happen at the rightest of manner……but Anjali, its high time you get over that…..lets forget it and move ahead….
Anjali: hmmm….
Sid: [looking at her seriously] sirf kehne se kuch nahi hoga…..we need to build our relationship afresh…Hum dono ke beech atoot vishwas chahiye…....I should be fully convinced that you have accepted me as your husband and also trust me whole heartedly.…….and that will come only with…..[stops and looks at her]
Anjali: with what??? What should I do???….i will do my best to make this work out….
Sid: I will come straight to the point……I want to take our relationship one step further….i mean I want you to be mine…. i know you love me....and i dont doubt that love….but i want to make you my wife with your consent with your permission……[lifting her chin up to face him] do you understand what I am saying?
Anjali: [blushing and lowering her head] hmmm
Sid: ok…..then cheer up and be ready to become Mrs Sidharth from now on….. [smiles and lightly slaps her blushing pink cheeks] hmmmm for now, go and bring me a cup of hot coffee….

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

Next scene…..
[College library…Aashu and Anjali take up some books and clarify the doubts they encountered during their study time….Anjali doesn’t show any signs of anger……..on the contrary, she is in a very happy mood…all because of Sid…Aashu is surprised seeing the sudden change….She decides to ask Anjali about it later……They reach the canteen for a short tea break……Aashu grabs this opportunity]
Aashu: What happened to you??? Yesterday you were in such a bad mood and I felt that you wont come today…..but today you are in a very jolly mood!!!
Anjali: [smiling] hmmm something happened which cooled me down….now don’t ask me what that is…..I can’t say it to you…..
Aashu: [smiling] no no, I wont ask……reason kuch bhi ho, tum khush ho, mere liye itna hi kaafi hai!!
Anjali: [smiling] You are the best yaar!!!....[looking around]waise, Sheetal aur Deepak kahaan hai??
Aashu: hey, don’t act as if you don’t know??? Did you forget your fight with Deepak??? Were you drunk when you talked to us??? [Anjali gulps the hot tea when she hears that…and Aashu is shocked] ANJALI….the cup wont run away, drink slowly…….[coming back to the point]Poor chap, he is very upset…..
Anjali: [thinking] don’t worry, we will make him fine…[thinks about what Sid said, he asked her to help Deepak confess his love]….but first we should make him confess his love to Kripa…
Aashu: its not possible…he isn’t brave enough…..moreover Kripa ke dad ke wajeh se dono bohat gabraye hua hai…..iss haal mein, baat tak nahi karenge….proposal toh bohat dhoor ki baat hai… …..
Anjali: [Looks towards the canteen door and sees Kripa and another guy from her class walking in together….Anjali winks at Aashu] Impossible ko possible banaana hi humaara kaam hai!!!…..[Aashu looks at them and grins]

[To be continued]

Is love blind? .......Oh yes it is!! - Episode 46

Voice: Any problem???
[Sid turns to the direction of the voice to face a smart handsome young guy dressed in casuals with a cute dimpled smile……]
Manager: [turns around and with a sweet pleasing smile] nothing sir……the restaurant is all yours……Just tell us whenever you are ready to order…….
The stranger guy is facing Sid and doesn’t listen to the manager…….As if judging Sid and his request, he speaks up to the manager still looking at Sid
Guy: Give him a table……
Manager: [surprised] SIR….but….
Guy: [giving the manager a glance] mujhe koyi problem nahi hai bhai….…..just give him what he wanted……
He smiles at Sid and Sid returns the smile too hearing what he just said…..
Sid: hey no mister…ummm..actually, its ok….I will try some other place…..you needn’t…[the guy interrupts before Sid completes]
Guy: [holding out his hand] Arjun…..
Sid: [shaking hands with him after a slight hesitation] Sid…..Siddharth

[10 minutes later…….Anjali and Sid are at their table]
Anjali: Sid, who was that guy with you??
Sid: [looking up from the glass of water]oh…..he….he is ACP Arjun Rawte…
Anjali: [suspiciously] Do you know him??
Sid: [chuckling] no…just met him…but I must say, he is very friendly…..
Anjali: you took so long!! Were you speaking to a stranger for so long?
Sid: [mind voice: he isn’t a stranger anymore sweetheart…..he is my new love guru…..….][smiles] actually, he booked the entire restaurant for his wife……….but he willingly gave us this table….he is too good na??
Anjali: [slightly furious knowing that Sid didn’t book the restaurant….her face changes visibly but she doesn’t say anything…instead she appreciates the other couple] how sweet!!! So deeply and madly in love…...[after a deep sigh] his wife is very lucky!!
Sid: [looking at her with a slight smile][mind voice: aww darling, I know you are disappointed….but I didn’t want to lie about this…..ab humaare rishtey mein kabhi koyi jhoot nahi hogi…….but I promise that I will make you feel the happiest, luckiest girl on earth very soon][smiling romantically] they are together after a long separation….……and that guy is dying to spend quality time with his wife….he has literally kidnapped his wife …..[laughs out saying that] a runaway honeymoon!!! Sounds funny na??
Anjali: [sounding frustrated] What??? You find his state funny, is it???
Sid: hey hey its not like that dear…..the way he told me this sounded funny, that’s all!! Poor guy, what will he do if he doesn’t get one private moment with his wife!!
Anjali: [a slight smile appears, dreamily] WOW soooo romantic and interesting!!! Wife se itna pyar…aur itna kuch unke saath keliye…..!!
Sid: you find it romantic??
Anjali: of course…issme kya doubt hai??…..[thinking for a moment]oh no, are we trespassing their private moments??
Sid: nahi nahi….he is happy having us here……[mind voice: if you have the same attitude towards our life, I would be very happy dear] now now…lets forget them and get back to our [stops abruptly]
Anjali: ours what??
Sid: [grins] our dinner!! Lets order…..
Anjali: [low voice: lunch, dinner…..poora time khane ke bare mein sochte raho…..tumme aur kuch soochtha bhi hai kya ??] hmmm
Sid: [hearing little of what she said] kya kaha??
Anjali: nothing….i asked you to order….i am hungry too….
[They place the order and wait when Sid tries to break the silence….]
Sid: tumne kuch special dish kyun nahi order kiya???
Anjali: [mind voice: I am totally mood out and you are the reason for that……….my hunger has died out and I don’t feel like eating anything at all]
Sid: what happened??kyun silent hogayi??
Anjali: nothing…..i am dieting a bit…..
Sid: [with a naughty smile] hmmm yeah….[looks at her] ..you have indeed become plumpy…..accha kiya ke dieting kar rahi ho….
Anjali:[not expecting such a reply from him…..she is really irritated but just smiles and controls her anger by drinking water] hmm…..yeah I am even thinking of skipping dinner…..…..[looks away from him]
Sid: [sensing the anger in her cool answer…he understands that a storm is brewing inside her] no no…..thats not needed…..[looking at her intently once more]hmmm I got it now….[changing his opinion to cool her down]…actually its your saree and not you….iss saree ke wajeh se thoda plumpy lag rahi ho….you are just perfect dear……you just have to wear it properly….
Anjali: [smling at his struggle to pacify her, sarcastically comments] tum koyi expert ke tarah bol rahe ho!!!
Sid: [he is happy to change the topic] yeah I am an expert indeed…
Anjali: [sarcastically]as if you have worn a saree….
Sid: not me…but bohat saare ladkiyon ko pehnaaya hai…..
Anjali: [rolling her eyes]KYA??kisse??
Sid: [without realizing what he is saying and to whom he is talking] that shweta group hai na…..unko……at the end of our 2nd year, we had organized ethinic day…..and these girls na…kisiko bhi saree pehna aathi nahi….so I helped them wear it……afterall our batch’s prestige was at stake…so I had to take it up as a challenge…..but it was interesting, you know!!
[Anjali is angry to the core and bites her lips in rage]
Anjali: [mind voice: yeah yeah idiot……girls ko saree pehnaana interesting hi hogi!!……]
Sid: And guess what….Shweta got the best dressed award too…..
Anjali: [mind voice: OMG shweta again!!!……so she is not behind you just like that…..agar tum yeh sab karoage, woh tumse chipak kar hi rahegi!! I cant blame her for that!!]
Sid: what are you thinking???you don’t worry…I will teach you too….[grins]
Anjali: [angrily] yeah yeah…I will keep that in mind next time……[pausing for a moment….she doesn’t want to open up angrily and show her jealousy….so she gets up] I will be back now…..
Sid: [getting up] kahaan jaa rahe ho?? Main bhi saath aatha hoom….
Anjali: I am going to the washroom….and I am not a baby that you accompany me everywhere….

[Anjali storms out with her purse before Sid can say something…….Sid sits down and anxiously waits for her while Anjali walks towards the poolside]
Anjali: shit, sabhi guys aise hi idiots hai…look what he just said…..helped girls in wearing saree!!! And he is telling that proudly as a big achievement!!!!…..here I am trying to forget all past things and expecting a new beginning….but he keeps irritating and annoying me….pehle toh koi planning ke bina date ke liye mujhe laana…aur phir, ab Shweta ke bare mein aise baatein keh kar……instead of making me feel special, he is doing all such annoying things!!!……[stamps on the floor angrily when her mobile buzzes] who is this disturbing me now??[opens the purse and sees Aashu’s name flashing] Ohhh Aashu…..you called at the right time……I was dying to talk to you….aur tumne call kar diya…..
Aashu: that’s telepathy……..you wished to talk and I called……hey, why did you fight with Deepak?….He is upset..[Anjali snaps her in between]
Anjali: Aashuuu….why are you talking about that now?? Did he send you as a peace messenger??? But plzzz, I am not in the right mood for his justifications and apologies….some other time ok??…….[Deepak, who is hearing all this shoots back]
Deepak: oh oh Anjali Madam…I am not waiting here to give you justifications and apologize….so don’t even think that I will say sorry…..

Anjali: what the hell is happening?? Aashu, why didn’t you tell me that he is on the line too?? Deepak, are you spying on me??

Deepak: hello hello, spy work and all is your work……I have better things to do, ok?? Aashu asked me to wait in the call…..moreover what is your problem if I am here??? Oh yeah, I know, you girls cant gossip about me na??

Anjali: tumse baat karna hi behkaar hai…..Aashu, I will talk to you later….i neither have the mood nor time for this silly issue…..[she cuts the call before Aashu says bye]

Anjali: [sarcastically][mind voice: aise silly friend aur flirty pati ho toh life mein aur kya chahiye…]
[Anjali angrily walks back when she sees the waiter carrying a tray full of glasses to the pool side…..She stops him and picks a glass]
Waiter: madam….[Anjali snaps him short by an angry look and shoots back]
Anjali: add it to our bill…..[she gulps the contents down before the waiter could say something….The waiter carries on after giving her a silent nod…..]

[Food has arrived and Sid is patiently waiting for her……..Anjali comes back and sits down……He smiles and starts serving her……They start eating silently……After about 5 minutes…..
Anjali starts pressing her fingers on her head……]
Sid: kya hua Anjali??? Are you alright??
Anjali: kuch teek nahi lag raha…..i am feeling uncomfortable…..my head is spinning……
Sid: you haven’t eaten anything……it might be due to hunger…….it will be fine if you have something……..[but seeing her state, he adds]Anjali, come on get up….lets go to the doctor…..
Anjali: plzz Sid, doctor nahi chahiye…..I want to go back home….i just want to lie down…..
Sid: okie…lets go…..
[When paying the bill, Sid understands that Anjali drank something which made her dizzy…..He smiles at her state and pays the bill……He helps her to the car carefully and drives off……..
It is a cool rainy night and such a night is always romantic!!]

After moments of silence…..Anjali breaks the silence…..Sid is startled by her sudden talk…..
Anjali: kaisi pati ho tum??? kitna haseen raat hai aur uphar se bhaarish bhi……tumaare khoobsurat biwi bhi saath hai……ek gaana nahi gaa sakthe tum?

Sid: [startled by her talk][mind voice: lagtha hai drink ka asar shuru hogayi!!!] [smiles sweetly romantically at her] gaana??? Tumme kaunsa gaana chahiye wifey??
Anjali: lo...woh bhi main kahoom kya????[circling her finger near her head] tum ek dham paagal ho Sid!!!
Sid: [in a funny tone]oye oye….main tumaara pati dev hoom!!! Thoda respect dho!
Anjali: is it???? Then sing a song!! Thoda kya bohat saaare respect dhongi!!!
Sid: [sings casually] Gaata rahe mera dil, tuhi meri manzil....kahin beete na yeh raaten kahin beete na yeh din
Gaata rahe ...
Anjali: stop stop!!! Kuch aur naya gaana gao!!
Sid: [looks into her deep eyes once and starts singing] Aankhon mein teri....Ajab si ajab si adayein hai..hoo Aankhon mein teri..Ajab si ajab si adayein hai

[She slightly bends and places her head gently on his shoulders while enjoying his song……He gets a shivery tickle when she does that and his song goes out of rhythm…….She suddenly sits up straight and makes a funny face at him….]

[To be continued]