Morning came a little early for me.
4:30am - "Saurabh, your alarm tone is ringing for the past half an hour." exclaimed Saikat in a voice which seemed half sleepy.
I wondered if he was sleepy, then why was he waking me up?
"Dont want to get up now. Let me switch off my mobile and you will have no tensions about my alarm tone"
They always complained my alarm tone to start ringing at the middle of the night when everyone is sleeping. So I preferred switching off my cellphone altogether, instead of snoozing it or stopping the alarm tone.
"Agar tu hum log ka dost hai, aur humari dosti tujhe pyari hai, to abhi uth aur sofa me chal"
Waking up a person at 4 o clock in the morning who has slept at 1:30am in the night in this manner is pretty appalling.
Yet, I clenched my teeth, and gathered enough energy to leave my cozy bed and go to the hall-room and sit on the sofa.
In a drunken state, Sandy started to speak, "I knew Saurabh would come. My dad had told me that he is the most mature person amongst all of us. A bit childish at times, but there are fewer people who are as mature or more than Saurabh. Being a Bihari, he will always stand for his friends. Saikat is a genuine person as well."
Satty and Gobra had been to Chennai to meet their college friends during the weekend.
Saikat, Sandy and Bratish had been awake the entire night drinking Royal Stag which I had purchased for them, after waiting for over an hour in the rain the previous evening.
The conversation carried on and each one of us started remembering the golden days of last year where we did three trips together and started getting nostalgic.
Our friendship had taken a new shape.
It was stronger, more genuine and seemed ever lasting.
At this point, we thought only death could break such a bond between the four of us.
However, it would only be time that would decide the same.
Saikat, Sandy and Bratish went off to sleep at about 6 in the morning.
But, something kept me enchanted.
My thoughts were still occupied by Shweta.
She had promised me a couple of weeks back, that she would go out on both Saturdays and Sundays with me.
I was not sure, if she would keep up the word this weekend.
I sent her an sms at around 5 in the morning, and then another one at 8.
I was still not sleepy.
I watched a few videos on the internet to pass my time.
It was 8:30 and i decided to just lie down.
I never knew when i fell asleep and when i woke up, i saw my dad calling on my phone.
"Beta, how are you. Good morning" said my dad.
"Good morning papa. I just got up. "
"We have left for Gangasagar beta. We are on our way."
I had a talk with dad for around 10 minutes and then wished him good day.
I checked both my indicom and vodafone cell to find out if Shweta tried to contact me, and i found no messages or missed calls.
I tried calling her the very moment, and found her cell busy.
I thought, she might have been talking to her husband.
I thought, this is the last time I have contacted her. She was upset about something for the entire last night. She never told me the reason, and said she would talk to me the next day.
But, i waited and she never called back.
I had sent her a number of messages and tried calling many a times since last night but she never replied.
I decided not to contact her and disturb.
5 minutes later she called up.
"Saurabh, I am sorry, I was on the phone with dad"
"Its ok Shweta, you are too busy for me. I dont mind it. You are married now, it is not surprising."
"No Saurabh. My dad has been diagnosed with diabetes and two other urinary diseases. I was over the phone with him for the past half an hour"
"Oh, I am sorry. I think, it must have been after he recovered from high fever. May be the side effects."
I had limited medical knowledge. But, i wanted to share my belief, which made me utter those lines.
"Diabetes is still curable, so need not worry. Being under good medical attention, he would recover soon."
"Yes, I know. He is advised 15 days of medical treatment. I hope he gets well soon"
"Yes, he would. For sure"
"Aur batao, kya kar rahe ho? I am sorry, since morning, i was busy with washing clothes and doing other work babu. I could not call up. I really get busy during the weekends"
I had no courage to tell her that i had sent her so many sms and tried calling plenty of times.
Although she knew it, I did not want to remind her, because of what she told about her dad.
"I know you are angry, i did not contact you"
"No, thats fine. I understand."
She was silent for over 15 seconds. Its a huge amount of time, when you are talking on phone. i somehow felt that she has still not recovered from her last nights mood. She was not talking and that made me ask her, "What has happened. You are still not talking. Its been over 15 hours now. Cant you share it with me?"
"Saurabh, my life is hell. I really dont know what to do. Anyways, leave it."
I did not want to indulge too much into her personal life, by inquiring with a few more questions.
"Well Shweta, everyone has some problems or the other. It is only us who can solve it. I understand the problem that you have is very complex and something that you cant help. But.."
Shweta was silent again.
"Leave it Saurabh", she broke the silence.
I wanted to ask if she wanted to go out today.
But, I ended up saying, "All right, you carry on with your work and my best wishes are there with your dad. Let us talk later"
"Hmm. Bye"
"Take care"
I disconnected the call.
I thought to complete my work of transferring Rs 5000 to dad's account as I had received my salary.
I had a bath and left for my work.
Took out around Rs 6000 cash from the nearby ATM at Bomanhally.
It took around 10 minutes for me to reach Madiwala, but i was not sure about the exact address.
I called up Simi, and asked her to search for the exact address.
"How will i tell this to you sitting here in Kolkata" she remarked.
"I wish you had got some sense. Google it and find it yaar" I said.
"Hindustan Towers. 1st Floor" she answered.
"Thanks. Bye now"
"Listen wait. When will you reach?"
"Let me find it first, how can i say now?"
"Ok. wait. Muuaah. Love you"
"Hmm. love you too. Bye now, let me search for it."
I searched the entire place, asking traffic policemen and local public, but no one could tell me the correct address.
I could not locate the building.
So, i finally decided to go for ICICI bank, as dad had access to my account there.
I reached Koramangala, as Shweta had told me that she had used that bank's branch there.
I reached there and saw the bank was closed.
Then I realized, it was the 1st of May and a bank holiday.
I was very close to Shweta's home, so i tried to call her up and see if she could meet me then.
"Kya kar rahi ho?I am near your home. Came for bank's work, but did not realize, that its a bank holiday today"
"Oh, you should have realized it dear."
"yes, my mistake"
"Hmmm"
"Do you have any good restaurant, where i can purchase my lunch from?"
"Nandini Palace is there Saurabh. Get it from there."
"yes, i will see."
"Umm. I will come at 3pm to pick you up"
"No Saurabh. it would be very hot then. The sun would be at its peak. Lets meet at 5pm."
"All right. Take care then."
"Bye dear."
At least she said, she wanted to go. I was wondering if she would go anywhere today with the mood she had.
I reached back home.
Had a long talk with Simi.
At around 4, I dropped my clothes in the washing machine and left for the gym.
I had not been to temple for two weeks.
The series of events happening with me were not too good over the past two weeks. I wondered, if not visiting the temple was the reason. So, i decided to complete my exercise at gym and then go to the temple.
Shweta wanted to meet me at 5pm, but her tone still made me feel that it was a forced one and not out of her own sweet will of meeting me.
So, i thought, i would not call her up.
In case she is interested she will call me to know, if i am coming or not.
I went to the gym around 4:05pm with so many things running in my mind.
It was around 4:52pm when i was working on my triceps, when my phone rang. I rushed to the treadmill, where i place my phone in a small curvature on it.
I took my cell out of the cover and found, it was dad's call.
"yes dad, how are you? Did you reach there?"
"haan beta, pahoch gaye. We are at Gangasagar now. Have taken the hotel, and everything is fine"
"ok great."
"What are you doing beta?"
"At gym dad."
"Ok. Here is your mom. Talk to her now"
"Haan beta. Kahi gaya nai aaj?"
"nai mummy, abhi nikla nahi. Plan hai, dekhte hai shaam ko jaunga."
"Khana khaya?"
"haan mummy"
"Kya banaya aaj?"
"Kuchh nai. Bahar se lake khaya"
I carried on with my conversation with mom for the next 10 minutes.
After which i resumed with my exercise.
The phone rang again in two minutes.
"Kaha ho? Abhi tak aaye nahi?"
It was Shweta's call.
"I thought, your mood wasn't good enough for the meeting. So, i left it on you to decide finally"
"I had told you Saurabh, we will meet in the evening, as its not that hot then"
"Hmm. I am at gym now"
"Oh. Ok, then may be i should call up later"
"No sweety, its okay. I will freshen up and leave in half an hour"
"ok. come soon. Will wait for you" said Shweta
"Bye."
I went home. Splashes water on my face.
Before i left to meet Shweta, i thought i should go to the temple.
I took my bike out and rushed to the temple.
But, it was closed then.
I went to the other temple, and that was closed too.
I went back home, thinking i will visit the temple at night after meeting shweta.
I came back. Dressed myself up.
"Where did you buy this from?" asked Saikat
"What ? this T shirt? Brand Factory" I replied.
"No, the perfume which you are wearing today"
"Oh. Its a gift. Avantika"
"Jiyo beta."
I gave a cheesy smile.
"Will Hard Rock Cafe be open now" I asked Saikat
Yes, it should be.
Sandy knew, i was going with Shweta.
But, i told Saikat, it was Avantika, with whom i was going out.
I left around 5:30pm and met Shweta in about 15 minutes outside her residence main gate.
She lived as a paying guest.
"Hmm. New T shirt?" she said.
"Yes" I said.
She sat as pillion on the bike. I adjusted the right mirror at front, so that i could see her.
She gave a rise smile.
I could see her swollen eyes.
I said "How many hours?"
"What hours?" she replied
"How many hours did you weep today?"
"Shut up Saurabh. I just woke up, thats why i look this way"
"Shweta, its been over one year. Itna to samajh aata hi hai"
She pinched my right shoulder while a smile of embarrassment covered her face.
I pressed the self-start button, placed my feet on the gear to place it on one and started off.
"Kaha chale?" I asked her.
"Kahi bhi" She answered.
"I wanted to go for Housefull. Suna hai achha hua hai. But tumhare aansuo ne sare plans pe paani fer diya"I said.
"Chalo, kahi baith ke baat karte hai" I continued.
"haan, wahi karte hai" she said.
Our bike stopped at the Forum Mall signal.
"Jaldi chalo na. Ye itne sare signals kyu hota hai bangalore me?" she asked me.
I had no answer.
I looked into the mirror to see her and replied, "So, that I can spend more time with you"
She was all smile with that comment, and looked at me in the mirror.
"Kya dekh rahe ho?" she asked
"Tumhe dekh raha hu" I answered
"wahi purana face." she replied back
"Meri nazro se dekho, har pal naya lagega" I said in a very poetic tone.
She pinched me again with a smile.
I knew, she liked it when she pinched me.
Forum Mall signal made us wait for over 10 minutes after which we left and found signals red everywhere.
"Aaj ka din kharab hai. Aaj har signal red mil raha hai. Bahot baar, jaise signal me pahochte hai, green ho jata hai" I said.
"hmm" She looked lost with something.
She was watching another bike standing in the signal, which had one full family.
The husband was riding with her wife. One small kid were sandwiched in between the two, and another one was sitting over the tank.
"Jaante ho Saurabh, when i was a kid, I used to travel the same way with papa and mummy. I never used to leave them. Even when they went to the doctor, i used to be with them.
One day, they left me alone and went out somewhere. When they came back, i refused to open the door of my room. I had locked it from inside. I was crying very loudly. They just wanted me to open it, but i did not. Finally mummy threw a toy snake to scare me. It worked. I was frightened. I opened the door in a hurry and stuck in mummy's arms. Childhood kitna achha tha na Saurabh. i dont like this maturity."
I could understand, she was meaning her married life with the term "maturity".
Going by what she had narrated, her post married life seemed a little sad.
I did not know what to answer, as in most situations i never know.
"Yes, I know. Childhood is always the best phase in life" I said.
"Yes Saurabh. No tensions. Nothing"
We had reached Brigade Road by now.
I filled up the bike's tank with a couple of litres of petrol.
I parked my bike at a shopping mall there.
"Gol-gappe Saurabh. Khana hai. Please."
"Ok. Khao"
She gulped down one gol gappa after the other.
She wanted me to have it as well, but i denied.
She somehow managed to force a couple of them inside my mouth.
We left from there and she purchased a headset for her music player at Rs 399
We sat at Cafe Coffee Day.
Got a nice place there.
"Haan Prem bolo." She received a call in her mobile
"Bahar aayi hu. Friends ke sath. Aap kaise ho?" she continued
She got calls from her husband every 10 - 15 minutes she was there with me.
She had a talk for about 3 minutes and then disconnected.
She took my mobile, and clicked my picture.
She started to surf the pictures folder of my mobile to see the picture of Simi.
"Saurabh, I had a big fight with my husband last night. That was the reason, I was not talking to anyone. I am sorry, I behaved that way"
"Thats okay, Not a problem"
"You know Saurabh, I went to Delhi but I could not talk much to Prem. He used to come every night and say that he is tired and used to go to sleep. I was crying one night and he did not even find out. Somehow, he came to know that I was upset. When he came to know the reason for the same, he told me to let him know, if I want something. Now, you tell me Saurabh, how can I keep telling each and everything to him. Cant he understand me?"
"Yes, he should, but every person may not be the same. You should let him know to start off. May be, after sometime, it will become his habit"
She started playing with my fingers.
I asked her as to what she would like to eat.
We ordered cold coffee, coffee with ice-cream and a chicken sandwich.
"Ye kya hai?"
"Veg sandwich" I said.
She did not have much of a chicken. So, I thought if i say that its chicken to start it off, she might not even touch it. At least, she would take a bite before she realizes.
"Wow. You have also gone vegetarian for me?" she said.
"Yeah. Kind of" i replied
She took the first bite and said, "haha,I knew its chicken. its okay. i can have it"
and she pulled my left cheek.
"Oh, let me pull the other one as well, othewise tumhari shaadi nai hogi"
"You still believe on these things" i asked.
"I used to, until I got married" she answered
"You should have chicken. Its good for your body. Hot chicken will make you a hot chic" I said.
"Hot what?" she enquired.
"Hot chicken" I said.
"No, the second one"
"hot chic" I replied.
"You mean, gaal?"she asked
"no.. Its not cheeek. Its chic. It means, 'maal'" I said
"Oh, achha. I am not a hot chic"
"meri nazro se dekho, tab samajh me aayega." I justified my comment.
She looked outside the window and asked, "You call her hot chic?"
"Naah. She is a daughter of a rich girl, trying to dress up in the best possible way, but does not appear to be a hot chic"
"To kaun hai yaha pe?"
"cant see any one right now. Will notify you once i come across one"I remarked
She pinched me again and we broke into laughter after this comment, and then her cell rang.
"Hi Prem. kaise ho? Burger kha rahi hu."
She continued her conversation for the next 2 minutes before she hung up.
"Saurabh, hum log Hard Rock cafe kyu nahi gaye?"
"You screwed the plan. I had no problems" I said.
"Hmm. Pata nai, ye problems kab khatam hoga life se"
I tried to change the topic of depression and said,
You know, i have observed something.
"Kya?" she asked
"The day you are sad and depressed, you come dressed in salwar suit and when you are happy and in jovial mood, you always wear t shirts and jeans. Am i wrong?"
She broke in a laughter again and said, "Mai kisme zada achhi lagti hu?Bolo na"
I could not chose between the two options, as i was not sure as to what she was expecting and what can make her upset.
"Meri kaha aukaad ki mai apke bare me kuchh bol saku. Aap to har dress me pari lagti hai."
She pinched me again and started playing with my fingers.
"Hi Prem" her cell phone rang.
This conversation with her husband was taking longer. So, i took my cell phone out and decided to talk to simi. She was busy with tuitions. I told her I was with Sandy at Cafe Coffee Day.
She interrupted saying, that she could hear a girl's voice.
I said, its Romita.
So, she asked me not to be a kabab-me-haddi.
She was busy so she had to hang up.
Shweta was still busy.
I took the coffee with ice-cream and ate a bit of it and then took another scoop and forwarded the spoon to her mouth. She opened her mouth and gulped it down while still on the phone.
I carried on with the same action for over 5 times, before her husband hung up.
"Saurabh, Prem kabhi kabhi shaq bhi karte hai. Abhi maine kaha tha ki burger kha rahi hu, aur fir bola ki sandwich kha rahi hu, to puchh rahe the ki sach bolo kiske sath ho aur kya kha rahi ho? Maine bola ki pehli baar galti se burger bol diya tha." she said.
I replied "How does it matter? Kuchh bhi khao. Haan, sach bolna achha baat hota hai. There should be transparency"
May be this word "transparency" was not liked much by Shweta and she looked outside the window.
I understood, that she is now feeling guilty of not telling her husband that she was with me.
I said, "Kya farak padta hai, ki tum kya kha rahi ho. Sandwich ho ya Burger. Ab bahar ho to kuchh bhi khaa sakti ho"
I suddenly realized I was actually messing up the entire matter and decided to give my tongue a stop or else it might say a few things which I never meant.
So, i changed the topic and said "How is he?"
"he is good. He wants me to talk to everyone in the family everyday. My family is very big saurabh, and cant find time to talk to everyone. Morever, i dont understand as to what to talk to them. I just say a hi and i find nothing else to talk about"
"haha, i can understand. Just a few basic hi hello should be enough."
"hmm."
Saurabh, we should leave.
Prem was asking me as to what I am doing so late outside.
"Hmm. Let me pay the bill and come back"
I paid the bill. it was Rs 260.
We went out.
Took the bike out of the parking zone. Paid Rs 10 for parking and left.
"Saurabh, how much would an inverter cost?"
She carried on her conversation as she sat on the bike and we reached near her home.
"Saurabh, this t shirt is looking very good on you."
"Thanks"
"Kab liya?"
"Last week. Apke absense me"
"Hmm. Kiske sath gaye the?"
"Kya farak padta hai Shweta."
"Fir bhi, puchh nai sakti. Mere gair haazri me kisko bike ke peechhe baithate ho"
I did not reply.
she understood, i did not like this question.
I knew one thing. She might show possesiveness one day and can kick me out the other day.
So, i decided to remain silent.
I dropped her home. She purchased fruits on the way.
While she was leaving, i asked, "So, you will study tomorrow"
"yeah, little bit. Bahot padhai ho raha hai training me" she continue,"we will meet in the evening tomorrow"
I thought, i would ask her to meet at 3 instead of 5pm like today. Go for a movie till 5:30. Go to Hard Rock Cafe and stay there untill 7:30 and then have dinner and return back by 9pm.
But, then i resisted myself from saying that much, and restricted myself to just saying "OKAY"
She left.
I took a U-turn to take my way to home
I saw her again. She was looking back while walking front. She saw that i was watching her, so she bid me good bye with her hands.
I shook my head and then lef t the place.
I reached back home.
Took a naan roti from the nearby shop Swastik and had my dinner.
Had a talk with papa, mummy and bro.
They all have started watching the movie Border.
Rinky has also come home tonight.
They wanted me to watch it. But, I am finishing off this story for the first of may.
