And at the same time, Sumit broke down and said
“Purvi is already engaged!”
@#$^!%@%^!@*W*!
Ten: The Love Matters
Aakash and Sumit were sitting in Okayama garden. They both had bunked the office for the day. They had some serious issues to be discussed and you know that as well. They had few vada pav and tea, sitting amidst green, looking at water flow and each other every now and then.
Sumit broke the silence and started speaking. It’s on the first day we met she told me she was engaged. I was all so cool and happily smiling. In fact I have also met Mohit.
He had stayed here for 2 days when he had come to drop Purvi to Pune and to make sure that she had settled up well. Purvi had introduced me to Mohit on second day of her office. We had been to the dam. Mohit told me to take care of her before he left.
Sumit continued, you know purvi has a funny story. On the day of her engagement she eloped as it was with some other guy and on the same day she got engaged with Mohit in temple with all the friends support. They said they were in love since 8 years. I was so much happy to see them both. They have a reactive chemistry. Now both the families have agreed for their marriage. She is getting married in 6 months. Approximately.
Look at me! What have I done to myself? I had thought such things happen only at movies. Never in my life had I imagined this would happen with me. I literally never knew when Purvi became part of my life. Only positive side I can see is that she will be a good friend to me for my lifetime!
Aakash had wide eyes and was speechless. Literally! Like never before. There was silence for ten minutes. Aakash then said, “I only have one question to ask!”
Eleven: The One Question
Aakash said to sumit, its only today I understand the meaning of “complicated relationship”. It’s tangled. The most tangled web. Before I ask or say something else, I have only one question to ask,
“Friend or More??”
There was a silence again for ten minutes. They both were watching the magnificent beauty of Okayama garden. Sumit answered, I would be a worst friend if I propose her. May be some relationships are meant to be so. Though there will always be a small desire, I don’t want to spoil it for myself, Purvi and Mohit. If I express it, maybe we may never talk again in future.
The day’s ahead look merrier to me if I don’t express my feelings and stay a good friend to her like I am now. She will definitely be happy with Mohit.
Aakash interrupted, “Are you sure Mohit is not a villain guy? Then you will turn up a hero, rescue her and marry?”
Sumit started laughing. I am most sure that Mohit is a much better guy for Purvi than I am. They both are dancers. They have met each other in dance class and they have ambitions of opening a “theatre for arts” in future. They are a couple with dreams and ambitions and I am proud that they are in my friend circle.
Aakash exclaimed, well then there you have a solution for your problem. When you trust and respect them so much, even you don’t have rights to be sad. Be happy for them and never think anything odd again. As a friend I can’t see you in bad mood. It’s for all of us and for you.
Sumit promised to be happy for everything and take this as a “most preserved” memory of his life. He then asked Aakash, you seemed to be very happy before I said about engagement. What was it?
Aakash said I have been controlling myself in sharing with you this since then and started jumping out of happiness in the garden yelling
“Anwesha will be in Pune”,
“Anwesha will be in Pune”,
Loudly! And everyone in the garden were staring at him!
Twelve: The Good Old Shoes
Aakash suddenly realized that he was in the park and people were watching him and he was clueless on what he was doing. They both laughed at each other and headed back home. The sun was about to set. Sumit was still pleading him to tell more about Anwesha and Aaaksh was blushing every time. He just said, “Long story bro. Some other time!”
That night Aakash could not sleep well. He had a slide show of memories that were passing his thoughts. All the memories of his college life, not only because of friends but also Anwesha, who was part of it. Aakash’s slide show of thoughts will definitely bring back your memories as well.
My friend’s delicious birthday bake,
Forget the friend and fight for cake!
Lunch time boxes pile,
Stealing food is always the style!
Though we don’t know class schedule,
Canteen time-pass is the fuel!
Desi food no one can beat,
We don’t mind eating at street!
We sure fight for the last bite,
Slowly grab without the sight!
Beach trip is mandatory,
Fun there is compulsory!
Aakash was in bed and very slowly; all his thoughts got converted to dreams!
Thirteen: Knowing Anwesha
Next day post work, both were sitting in room and “Explain me! Empty all the questions I have” said Sumit. Aakash had those special effects on his face when he started talking about Anwesha. He was looking like an ice cream topped with chocolate and cherry. He started speaking out like a non-stop train.
Anwesha was a diploma student and she had joined the batch from 3rd semester. They were a month late and most of them even never used to speak. Amongst the herd, I noticed this beauty. You know the definition of “beauty” is subjective. I will explain you how her goodness made her look beautiful to me. They had horrible scores in the first exams. Anwesha was crying. And I saw her crying as I was passing by. Well then I did nothing because I could not. That is when I kind of started liking her. It was attraction at “cry sight”.
One day in class when professor asked does anyone want to give a seminar, the class was quite. No one even bothered. Anwesha, stood up and said, “Sir, I would want to. I will.” Everyone started laughing. I did too. Anwesha, felt a little low and kept her head down. As usual, professor scolded at us and asked Anwesha to give her best!
Seminar was a week ahead. She always used to sit in lab and work. She often used to discuss with professors. She used to be sitting alone most of the times. She always had this scary look on her face, as if she is still not accepted in class environment. She used to carry a small bag with her with few books and a Tiffin box. She always used to leave a little hair at front and most of the times used to dress in white. Gosh, I don’t know why I observed her so much! Oh snap!
Fourteen: The Seminar
It was the day of seminar and for everyone it was the usual day. For Anwesha, it was different. She had even updated a Facebook status saying
“First seminar and hoping to do my best!”.
To that there was a reply from her brother saying “You have always rocked sis!”
That comment from her brother seemed funny.
Anwesha was on stage and she stood still. She wasn’t speaking. Professor said “You can start Anwesha. ” She could still not speak. She started with “good morning” and her voice was shaky. There were slow murmur’s in the class. Then she slowly started up. I don’t know from where, may be from the window all the energy came up. She just picked it up. She got better with every sentence. The slide animations were beyond perfection.
There was an education hunger in her eyes. Her words were sharp. None of her sentences were ambiguous. Her tone was as needed for every sentence. It was like the best presentation ever! As she stopped, she had little tears in her eyes. She still stood down to earth and there was a huge applause. Professor appreciated her efforts and also complemented “One of the best presentations seen.”
That’s it! Anwesha, got many friends that day. Some people are born to bring reforms. Anwesha gave that feeling to the class as family. Since then there was lots of talks. Lots and lots. Even in class hours. She apparently became “class representative”.
That evening, the co
mment from her brother,
“You have always rocked sis!” got a hundred likes!
You won’t believe, that one small step of seminar changed her life. I literally saw the meaning of “great things are often built from small actions”.
Fifteen: A Step Closer to Anwesha
I somehow started liking college days more than holidays only because I could see her. I still never dared to talk to her. I used to talk with every other girl in class with ease. I was always that last bench guy who did his stuff in class hours. Anwesha became class popular. She used to organize events, class trips, study like mad, party like great mad. I could see the craze and madness in her. She even started a literary club at college. She always had bright eyes. She had this charity organization she used to work on some weekends.
One day, she walked to me and asked “Do you have a space in your team for project?”. It was for final year project team. Yes. The days pass very quickly. I did not know what to reply. I just said no and the team was already having four members. She smiled and said, “Let me know if I can still crash in”.
I made one my friends agree to move to other team and texted Anwesha that evening, “Anwesha, we can take one more in team. Himanshu just moved out.”
For Anwesha Texted back, “Oh, I just agreed to join Sahitya’s team”
I was feeling the burn. I did not know the reason. I could not say it to anyone. There was nothing wrong in what had happened. Still,