Dil, Dosti etc...

Backstab - Part 4

2010-01-15T00:24:00.001+05:30

Whenever at any board meetings any issue cropped up or if any matter was to be discussed, then Veer and Shikha would always be at loggerheads. Every time trying to cut the other and contradict each other.

But these gruelling debates would turn into love, no-one could ever even imagine. But it did happen. Since Abhishek and Manvi were busy with the daily chores of office, it was decided to send Veer and Manvi to Agra to attend a conference. Well, Agra – the city that houses The Taj – the symbol of love, who could resist falling in love.

In front of the Taj Veer proposed to Shikha and she consented.

Post the Board meeting, at Vishal’s residence, Vishal, Manvi and Veer were discussing about ways to bump Abhishek further, but they still couldn’t understand how come even the other party turned out to be a fraud.

“It was because of me.” entered Shikha.

Rest of the three together,
“You.”, in a proper questionable and shocking tone.

“Yes. It’s me. I also have a small revenge to take against that f*****g loser.”

Veer concerned, “What did he do to you sweety?”

“I will let you know soon. Currently I am more interested in getting rid of him from my life and teach him a lesson of a lifetime.”

Now, since these four master-minds had shaken hands together, Abhishek was sure to have a royal time, and all that in a situation where he does not even know he is being targeted and some people are up in arms plotting against him.

Well, no one is alone in this world. Tables had to turn but the question was, was it in favour of Abhishek or it tilted further towards Manvi and gang.

Once Manvi was late for office and there was a surprise waiting for her when she entered Abhishek’s cabin.

There inside talking to him was none other than Meghna. She silently hid behind the door but failed to hear the entire conversation.

After Meghna left Abhishek’s cabin just as Manvi was about to enter, she saw Meghna going straight to Shikha’s cabin. Now that was more of a shocker. Do Shikha and Meghna know each other? And why are they meeting up in Abhishek’s office?

Here again she slid behind the door and tried to overhear them. And this conversation was a lot more audible.

“What do you think you are doing Shikha?”

“Meghna. How come you in my office?”

“Shikha, didn’t I tell you not to do anything to Abhishek.”

“But he spoilt your life Di. How could I let him go off so easily?”

Manvi was stunned. And in her anger she did one of the biggest blunders ever.

She marched directly into Abhishek’s cabin and gave him two tight slaps right across his face.

Abhishek was way too shocked to react. He just kept staring at Manvi in her eye while she broke down.

“Why the hell did you have to do this to me? I have always loved you more than myself. And you…you ditched me for that s***t.”

Abhishek still was not aware of what exactly was she talking about as it had been a long time since he and Meghna parted ways.

“Just to stay in touch with that b***h, you gave her sister the job. Now I understand why were you stressing on Shikha getting the job instead of Veer.”

Now, that was a shock for Abhishek, as he was totally unaware of the fact that Shikha was Meghna’s sister.

And the next thing he does is summoning Shikha to his cabin.

Meghna had left the office, but the office atmosphere was surely going to be in turmoil.

Shikha entered Abhishek’s cabin, and seeing Manvi in tears at the other end, she understood that something was surely wrong, and had to be really careful with her words.

“Ms. Shikha. Can I please know who was that female you just met in your cabin?”

“Sorry sir, but if I am not wrong, she came to my cabin after meeting you only.”

“Don’t try and act over smart with me. You clearly know what I am pointing towards.”

“Yes, Mr.Abhishek, I know what you want me to speak about.”

“You are fired.”

“You can’t do that.”

“Do you know whom you are playing around with? I am the owner of this damn company.”

“I don’t care.”

“Do you wish to leave with respect or thrown out from here?”

“None of the two.”

“And what do you think will convince me not to fire you?”

“We both have a copy of the employment contract signed between us. It clearly states on the 5th page clause no. 7, that even if both the parties agree the contract cannot be brought to an end before completion of a year.”

“You think that contract is going to save you.”

“Atleast for your company’s reputation, you may have to. And then there are just six months for that year to get over. And by then who know’s, even the company maybe over.”

“What the hell are you trying to say?”

But Shikha jus walked out of the cabin, and Abhishek did sniff in that something was fishy.

Next Part Releases on 11th February, 2009

Backstab - Part 3

2010-01-02T04:01:00.002+05:30

Abhiman Services Ltd. had bagged their first service contract with the help of the team working under Shikha. They had literally slogged day and night for a week to be able to provide the best back-up strategy and presentation to convince the prospective client over their reliability inspite of them being the newest entrant to the industry.

But it became a point of envy for Veer as she had bagged the first contract for the company ahead of him. And since both of them were on a probationary period, she had notched an early lead into the race.

Well not really. Veer had the full support of Manvi in his efforts. It sometimes made people doubt the reason for the inclination, but as long as they brought work for the company, nobody ever questioned. And within a month of the start, Veer and his team successfully got charge for a multinational company’s activities. It was a really huge contract with a contract value being 10 times more than what Shikha had acquired.

So, now the real battle had begun. The survival of the fittest. And this had also brought him to an extent in the good books of Abhishek, as at the end of the day he was interested in business and nothing else.

With a steady workforce of 20 people working for the company, though in groups, one headed by Veer and the other by Shikha, the company was going great guns. But as it is said that fights could be a start for a new relationship. It holds really true in their case.

Two people who couldn’t stand the other person, and were always upto some political move to outdo the other, imagine the two of them falling in love. Truly filmy style. Well, that’s another long story to be told some other time, but surely a sweet and romantic one.

But this story does play a vital role in the story of Abhishek and Manvi. The question is whether to strengthen the weakening bonds or detangle the loose ends. That only time would tell.

Back to Abhiman Services Ltd. The company was now more than 6months old, and it had been already 3months since Veer and Shikha had put behind all their differences and started working together as a team. And that was also after confirmation coming in from Abhishek to retain the two. But then why was the company not progressing. Hardly any new assignments were being procured and all the old one’s were running behind schedule. Was it because of the workload or some selfish motives of an insider?

Abhishek had lost his sleep as gradually his investments were eroding and he could do nothing about it. Profits were far from sight. On the contrary the situation was such that the company was paying penalties for delaying the completion date. Things were not at all smooth and beyond control.

Abhishek was totally unaware of what was going on behind his back. Well loads of plotting and backstabbing were the grim reality.

And who was the culprit. None other than Manvi. And was she alone in it. Well, not really.

Lets move back to the conversation between Manvi and Vishal at the mall.

“Manvi, please stop crying. You know that I can never see you cry.”

“Why did he have to do this to me? I loved and cared for him so much and this is what he gives me in return.”

“But what can you do about it. Maybe just leave him.”

“Nope. Not so easily.” Manvi continued wiping her tears. “This b*****d needs to learn a lesson.”

Vishal was rather stunned.

“What are you planning to do?”

“He wants to start a new business. I will take him to bankruptcy and then dump him.”

“You got to be kidding.”

“I am hell serious. And Vishal, please I need your help in this.”

After a bit of hesitation, Vishal gave in.

Abhishek wanted to know what was actually happening and how come all of a sudden the tide had turned against his company and so he called a meeting of the main personnel’s of his office, the Board Meeting.

While in the midst of the meeting, Abhishek got a call from an unknown number,

“Is this Mr.Abhishek.”

“Yes, speaking, may I know who is on the line.”

“That’s not important. What is important for you is to know that two of your clients are actually fraud companies and their offices have just been raided and seized by the police officials.”

“What?”, Abhishek had got the shock of his life.

These two were the first contracts bagged by Abhiman Services Ltd.

But then there was a smile on the face of Manvi and even Veer.

Well, the connection was pretty evident. Veer was Manvi’s reply to Abhishek, for ditching her for another female.

Veer was Vishal’s younger brother.

Equally shocking was a wicked smile on the face of Shikha. Now what was she upto?

It’s better if we leave it on time to answer this question.

Next Part Releases on 15th January, 2010

Backstab - Part 2

2009-12-24T00:00:00.001+05:30

Abhishek & Manvi were in search of an associate who could be highly qualified to help them run the business smoothly, but at the same time not demand a high remuneration. So, in short they would have to look for young people with hardly any experience, but a vast knowledge base and put in their entire enthusiasm to achieve their dreams in life.

That’s when Abhishek interviewed Shikha. She was young, dynamic, good-looking and most of all, her qualification perfectly fitted into the criteria. Abhishek was bowled over by her confidence and had almost made up his mind to appoint her, when Manvi intervened with seeking Veer’s appointment at the post. Manvi felt that in the circumstances in which they are and the qualifications they are in search for, were all present in Veer and he would do an amazing job if appointed.

Both Abhishek and Manvi stressed upon appointing their selections as the companies new associate. Just then, they learnt that their bankers had approved of their venture loan. So a thought crossed their minds at that point of time.

Veer and Shikha both got their appointment letters within a week’s time, to join from next month on a probationary period of 6months. The better performer would continue and the other would be asked to leave.

But to get this appointment letter, both had indeed put in a lot of efforts. Their efforts were not to prove themselves as the better candidate, but actually prove that the other wasn’t worthy of the handling the post. A bit of politics even before joining the office, so the real office politics was yet to come.

But why all this for a petty job?

But how come, after seven years of togetherness, a point of dis-agreement.

Well, sorts of both of them had points to defend themselves. A few months before quitting the bank, Abhishek was gradually getting attracted to his colleague Meghna. They used to spend most of the time together at office, and if that was not less, Abhishek even began dropping her home. That was just the start. Later on, he would drop over for a coffee and at times even stayed overnight. And then what happened I guess only the two of them know.

Manvi was out of town for her Ad research and was informed of all this by Vishal when she came back.

Now, the question why did Vishal tell her and how did he know.

Vishal and Meghna used to stay in the same building, or to be more precise they were neighbours. So he had seen the two of them many a time’s together, late at nights.

And then one day, incidentally Vishal bumped into Manvi at a store.

“Hey, Hi Manvi.”

“Ohh!!…Hi Vishal.”

“Long time. Atleast you remember me. How have you been?”

“Still your sarcasm hasn’t left you.”

“So, you still remember some of my habits.”

“Why do you enjoy hurting someone so much?”

“You were the one who desert guys, and then we look for someone else. First me and now Abhishek.”

“Shut up. And wait a sec. What did you just say? Desert Abhishek. My foot.”

“Then inspite of you being there, why does he need another female.”

“I don’t get you. Can we just sit over a cup of coffee and you tell me what you are exactly trying to tell.”

They went and sat at a nearby coffee shop.

“Don’t tell me, you got no clue about it?”

“If I had a hint of what you are talking about, then wouldn’t have bothered you for sure.”

“No formality. Even after that incident, I tried to be friends, but you only ran away.”

“Can you please get to the topic? I need to rush back home.”

“I have seen Abhishek with Meghna many a times. He drops her home, and lately has even started staying over at times.”

“How do you know all this?”

“She is my neighbour. She was my associate’s fiancée. They were engaged and were about to get married. But due to some reason the marriage broke off and she moved out of her family house.”

There was silence for a while.

“She moved in just around two months back. Since then, Abhishek has been seen around, very often together. Its even talked about, that he is the reason behind the marriage being called off.”

“What rubbish?”

“You think I am fooling around. Then you are most welcome to come over and check the visitor’s register and speak to our neighbours. You will know it for yourself.”

Manvi was in tears.

They spoke for a while, bringing back old memories and how to get out of the current situation.

She was heartbroken. She didn’t expect this sort of behaviour from her long time beau Abhishek.

“Thanks Vishal.”

And she left the café after having no words to defend Abhishek.

Vishal offered to drop her back home, but she preferred the rick instead.

Abhishek confessed all to Manvi about him and Meghna.

“I didn’t even realise when did I got dragged away in that direction.”

“How could you do this to me Abhi.”

“I promise you, this will never happen again. Just give me one more chance.”

“You actually think all’s going to be the same after all this.”

“Sorry Manvi. You know that I can’t live without you.”

“I can see that very well. I left my parents and my career behind for your sake, and this is how you treat me back. I wasn’t hurt so much when my parents refused to recognise me as their daughter after my decision to live with you. And if it wasn’t today that I met Vishal by chance, I would have never even have come to know the truth.”

“Ohh…so that b*****d…Vishal told you all this. You still meet him that f****r”

“It was just a co-incidence that we met each other at the mall. And you have no right to talk about all this, after what you have done.”

The debate lasted for hours, with Manvi finally giving in but surely with some sort of grudge in her heart. And on realising that Vishal was the person who told Manvi all, he felt insecure once again, thinking that the two still meet and are getting closer and recollecting those old college days when the two were awarded the “Hottest Couple In college” tag at the Prom Night.

So after so many years together, the cracks had begun to crop up, just for a small mistake, a small lust maybe.

But was actually everything back to normal or…???

Next Part Releases on 2nd January, 2010

Backstab - Part 1

2009-12-15T00:00:00.001+05:30

It’s been seven years to the relationship of Abhishek & Manvi. They were dating each other since their college days. They surely could be counted amongst the rarest of couples to be going steady, even though starting off at a teen age.

Currently they were in the process of setting up a new company, and had just zeroed it upon the data entry business. They were in the look out for young professionals, of their similar age to fill up the vacant posts in their newly floated company. They named it Abhiman Services Ltd.

Abhishek was a Commerce graduate, and was working in an international bank since four years, before finally deciding to call it quits.

Manvi was a graduate in Mass Media, and was employed with the top ad firm in town, before halting her career ambitions to support Abhishek’s endeavor in the new territory of business.

Manvi sticked along to Abhishek’s decisions and always supported him, right from his decision of dropping out from the MBA course, post completing his graduation, till date. She was probably the only motivating factor in Abhishek’s life.

So how did Manvi enter Abhishek’s life?

It was the annual awards day in college and the college was in look out for two new comperes for the function. That’s when they met for the first time. They initially met up as co-hosts, gradually with the turn of events changing the relationship to friends, best friends, so-called good friends, and eventually turning that officially to that of a couple.

Alongside, as there mutual relationship progressed, also saw a sharp climb in their respective popularity charts in the college premises. They soon became the most sought after hosts for various events within the college.

But as it is rightly said that, if you do not stay put down on earth as you soar to greater heights, your ego & attitude is bound to bring you crashing down. Though, Manvi stayed firm on her feet, Abhishek became a dreamer of reaching out at those things, the prospects of accomplishments of which were bare minimum. And just when his career was at its peak, he made the biggest mistake of letting go off to host a show at the city level. He turned down the offer giving vague reasons, thinking he would be given a more lucrative offer, which eventually didn’t happen and he washed his hands on this opportunity.

And Vishal, a popular model, from the same college replaced him as the host for the event alongwith Manvi.

And, that was a huge leap in Manvi’s career, when an announcement almost became an obstacle to her rising career. All of a sudden out of no-where, Abhishek confirmed to the college magazine in an interview that he & Manvi have been seeing each other for three years. The fact was kept hidden so far, as the declaration would make it sort of mandatory for organizers to invite the duo to host the event & not as singletons.

But luckily, with changing circumstances she handled the uprift professionally, but finally gave up the field, when she realized that her upward movement was creating a sense of insecurity in the mind of Abhishek. And anyways that was there last year in college.

And the insecurity in the mind of Abhishek was not that he did not trust Manvi. There was more to there past. Vishal was Abhishek’s best friend in the first two years of college. And during those two years Manvi was Vishal’s girl. With the turn of events and circumstances, friendship between Abhishek and Vishal had taken a bad turn.

Vishal was a popular host in college, and was aspiring to make it big it in the modelling industry. Manvi was against this idea of his, eventually leading to their break up. During their two years relationship, Abhishek had met Manvi just a couple of times. Vishal did manage his relationship and never let his friends down. But then Abhishek and Manvi came to know each other only when they became co-hosts. And then soon turning into a couple, created a rift among the trio. The friendship broke off without even giving in a second thought.

This was the reason of Abhishek’s insecurity. What if Vishal tries to take Manvi away from him? What if he still likes Manvi? What if he still seeks revenge?

And in that frame of mind he did the blunder of going public about his relationship, indirectly putting a full stop in Manvi’s rising career.

Four years post graduating out of colleges, they are still together, and now venturing into an altogether new horizon, after pooling in all their contacts, finances, and resources into this new venture. It was sort of a dream come true for Abhishek, & Manvi just hopped along as his shadow.

The duo were soon to be engaged and preparations were on the way. They were getting engaged against the wishes of their parents. But well who cares. They had stuck to each for seven years against their parent’s desires; so taking a step ahead in the relationship wasn’t surely a big deal. And then this was not the only step taken by Abhishek against his parent’s wishes. His decision to quit MBA, quit the high profile job, start of a new business, were all against his parents wishes.

But this is not the story only of Abhishek & Manvi. There is also Veer and Shikha.

Next Part Releases on 24th December, 2009

...Breaking News...

2009-02-01T23:44:00.004+05:30

The Best Buddies (fiction) story goes off net from immediate effect.

It will soon be replaced by short fictional stories, with lesser number of parts & completed within a shorter time frame.

Hoping to continue to receive your continued readership & comments on improving the blog.

Thanking one & all for their patronage to the blog.

Will try my best to live upto your requirements.

Jai Ho!!!

Best Buddies - Does History repeat itself? - Part 16

2009-01-19T01:42:00.003+05:30

TO ALL NEW READERS, PLEASE READ FROM
Part - 1
TO KNOW WHATS HAPPENING IN THIS STORY.

The night was over, but the after happenings or actually after shocks of the day had not actually even begun. The mom’s debate was somewhat just like the trailer.

Early morning I was totally blasted off by the accounts sir for this being the worst performance ever under his teaching of mine. It was so embarrassing that people expect so much from you and you fail so badly on their expectations.

If that was less, then came in Ishita.
“Remember your face when you didn’t rank first in class, when Ronak had just joined school. And what you upto dude? Have you gone nuts.” And when girls start speaking, all comma’s and full stops are jumped over and she continued for a while.

That was the morning session of the three-session day. Later in the school, the teachers started off criticizing every student after the other.
‘Such a poor performance.’
‘I have never seen such an academically poor class.’
‘You are the cream students of the school and this is how you perform.’

It was like a mental torture, worse than the third degree torture in Mumbai jails.

But one of the issues pending was my resignation from the school cricket team. Discussion on that was still pending. And I knew facing Mr.Sinhal, the sports in-charge will surely be a difficult task.

The talk did happen, but much before I expected it to happen. He called me in his cabin.

“Nikhil. I spoke to your teachers and some friends after I received your message. I know, being in 12th studies needs to be your priority but then I have seen the passion in you for cricket and it’s a sports you surely can pursue.”

I knew this would happen. I was spoilt for a choice. Studies or cricket? I stood their silent for a while.

“Its now or never. You have to decide now. Many tournaments are currently lined up. Its time to make it big. It will be the biggest mistake to quit, especially when you are leading in the chase towards the top. But then the decision is all yours. I can’t force anything upon you. You take a call. And I shall respect your decision.”

I had a fair idea of the events lined up and the chances of hitting it to the top if I continued with it. Just when I was ready to take in the chance, the events of the day before came flashing in to my mind and I had to continue into a longer thinking break. I was confused, but a decision was pending. I needed some time.

“Sir, I have a small request. I need some time.”

“In sports time is all important. I need your decision by the end of the day. No-one would be as happy as I would if you take back your resignation, and no-one would be as supportive as me if you stick to your decision. Rest I leave it to you. You are smart enough to decide what’s good and what’s not. Have a nice day.”

I left the room, in a weird state of mind, totally unaware of the people walking up and down the corridor around me. They might consider me to have gone crazy, but I myself didn’t know what exactly was I upto.

I tried to look out for Ranbir, but he was in midst of an inter-school football match, so that did not work out. The next option was Ishaan.

He was in the auditorium practicing for a play to be performed a few days from now, for some dignitaries coming down to school. But he wasn’t accessible either, as he was inside the hall, and for so-called security reasons, other students like me were not allowed inside. I tried hard to persuade the security guard to let me in, but he was too stubborn to let me go. My all attempts failed to convince him of the urgency of the situation. At one point of time, I felt like knocking him down and enter. He was just adding fuel to my frustration fire.

I quietly walked to the canteen and settled down for a cup of coffee, and was thinking of the decision I had to take. I wanted to continue with my passion, as without it, I would be half dead. But then, if I continued, the taunts at home of spoiling my so-called bright future and studies would begun to deteriorate would commence once again.

But then don’t we have a choice to decide, what we want to do? Why are we always governed my others dreams and aspirations? Do our dreams and aspirations have no value? Or do we also force them upon someone else in the future and live though them?

More than the decision-making thoughts, these questions began to haunt my mind. I was feeling irritated and even agitated to an extent.

And just when you are in a dilemma, in midst of a storm, you either face a survivor or you face the end. A guy, somewhat of my age only, was in the school uniform, so basically a fellow student came and sat next to me, and that’s not all, he even did kick of the conversation,

“Hey, how come Mr. Popular is alone today?”

“I am sorry, but I don’t know you.”

“I am Manish. Manish Singhania.”

I have indeed heard that name, but just couldn’t recollect where.

“I just met Mr. Sinhal, and he told me about your case. I had heard about you and your skills on field and was interested in meeting you since long, but never got the chance. Today was a lucky day indeed.”

“I am sorry, but I am actually finding it difficult to recollect your name.”

He was talking about something else, and I asked him something else, heights of confusion state, must say.

“It cannot be anyone other that Sinhal Sir, himself from whom you would have heard about me. Ex-cricket captain of the school, Best Player for three years in a row, Best Captain for two years in a row, National Player Award winner, Cricketer of the Year Award recipient. I am the same Manish Singhania.”

“Exactly. It’s an honour to meet you. You are like a living cricket legend in school. You were the first to bring the Under 19 Dubai Cup to an Indian school campus. I am so sorry for not recognizing you. Actually I am in a very bad state of mind and so such mistakes do happen.”

“Relax dude. Its fine. An its your mental dilemma that brings me here.”

“But wait a minute, can you please tell me, what prompted you to quit cricket at the peak of your career?”

“I was in the same boat in which you are sailing right now. Under parental pressure I quit cricket to improve upon my academics. And that’s the question you are facing right now, whose answer is still unknown to you, am I right?”

“Yeah. But the news that came out was you had to quit because of an injury. So was that a false rumour?”

“Very much. It was fabricated to be presentable to the outside world, as it wouldn’t have been accepted in the orignal state. Very few people know the truth, the truth which even I find it difficult to face at times.”

“But then, couldn’t you have had continued cricket, since the entire city knew you and your strength.”

“The inside reality is known to just a couple, and I tell you, so as you can take the right decision. My mom had died and for the sake of my younger sister, and me, dad got married once again. And came in the typical step-mother. Though she was very caring about my sister, she somewhat had some issues with me. She would emotionally blackmail me saying that, ‘Just because I am your stepmother you don’t listen to me and don’t study. The world will think that I have been a bad mother’, and on. So, I had to finally call it quits in 10th when I reached my saturation point at home. It was a forced decision, and not my personal one.”

“So, basically haven’t you thought of a comeback?”

“That’s not possible dude. After quitting cricket, things got worse with studies. Zero concentration as I was always deviated towards the game. At the end of the year, all this drama made me really weak, mentally and emotionally. I still feel for the game, but the passion is hidden at a place, difficult to find it back.”
I could see water droplets accumulating in his eyes. But he was strong enough a sportsman to control them.

“So, what do you expect from me?”

“Don’t quit the sport. It’s your life. If no cricket, you will have no value buddy. Studies will be affected more that what it currently is.”

“But the family pressures.”

“Reassure them. Get their confidence in your favour, that you will not neglect your studies. They will understand. I failed at that point. I just don’t want history to repeat itself. That’s the reason I am here, sitting next to you. I don’t want you to repeat the mistake I had made.”

“You have made my day, buddy. Thanks a lot.”

The day was over, so after giving him a quick hug, I left to meet Mr. Sinhal.

“Sir, just wanted to tell you, that I continue and take my resignation back. Thanks sir, bye good night.”

Just when I was running out of the building, I bumped into Ranbir.

“Nikhil, Mr. Shukla told me that you were looking for me, anything urgent.”

And then comes in Ishaan from behind.

“Nikhil, the security guard was like you wanted to see me urgently, anything wrong.”

I started laughing like crazy, and they stood there puzzled.
“Guys I have taken a decision, will tell you people in the bus, lets go.”

...to be continued...

Best Buddies - Life Car - Part 15

2009-01-05T00:21:00.003+05:30

TO ALL NEW READERS, PLEASE READ FROM
Part - 1
TO KNOW WHATS HAPPENING IN THIS STORY.

Well, who would ever think that shocks and surprises are meant to be continued for at least a day after they start. Confused?

Well after that awesome party last night and the feeling of not being single anymore had just begin to get below my throat when some other news was just ready to push all that out with a huge gush. It was time for results.

Results of what? Well, of the exam I had written a month before the cricket tournament. Wasn’t that supposed to be ages back? For we students yes, but for teachers & parents it was just a month or two back.

On top of that they even expect us to remember what mistakes we had made and where had we gone wrong. Who will make them understand that we cannot use more than 2% of our brain. It’s illegal to use more than that. That’s why Einstein was very often considered an idiot.

And yes these are just tactics to defend the blunder in exams I had committed a few ages or actually months ago. 63% on the report card. It was touted to be the next breaking news on television, beating the Sensex lows. The lowest in the history of Nikhil’s life. ‘Drops below 80% for the first time ever.’

And then I surely had some company. Ranbir was no better at 60%, well but Ishaan was the best of us three at 75%. How the heck did he manage that? Was the paper leaked to him? Naah, not possible, before he would read a question, I would have had a copy of it. So that option was invalid.

And just I was trying to look out for the viable options, Abhisek came running from behind to the proffesor. Sir, you gave me one mark less here, sir half mark here, sir some more here please, sir this is right, sir this answer is in the text book, sir the other sir gave this right. What the heck? Is he gone crazy? Actually he was smart, he increased almost seven marks after that bargaining session.

I was stunned. I had never seen something like this in my earlier school. How can you even ask the teacher to increase marks at random?

Once one of my friends had tried to request the teacher to increase two marks not given in a question, genuinely, and she threw the paper right on her face.

And then began the discussion on who was first and second and so on. Who leads whom and who’s trailing. I was totally out of the race. Well I did stop caring and bothering about it. I overheard that Sajith and Abhishek were joint first.

Sajith was absent and Abhishek wasn’t looking so happy though he was first. The last was English lecture. We had asked the teacher to give us a free period and she willingly agreed. And then Abhishek goes to mam and is like, there is a mistake in correction of Sajith’s paper, he deserves a mark less. I was stunned, like how could he do this.

That’s when someone shouted from behind,
“Just because he did not want to share the top position with anyone.”

Was he being selfish and mean? Now that was surely questionable and debatable. Maybe what he did was morally wrong but then he wasn’t wrong when you look at the situation from his point of view. Now who wouldn’t want to stand first in the class, and that also sole holder of that position.

Well, what’s the use of thinking about this, anyways things will not change and will remain the same, ‘Nerds will be nerds.’

But loads more verbal attacks awaited me at home. Mom was at her best.
“63%. I would always tell everyone that you have the potential to top in boards this time. With 63% you think you will even come in top rankers list.”

And this was just the start. She literally made me recollect my marks of mast 5-6 years and none of them below 80%. And then she was like, stop this and that, study for so many hours, you have stopped taking studies seriously, you have become careless, you just don’t care for me and the list was just going on.

At the end of it I was so frustrated and angered by the entire lecture, that I announced,
“Since past 3years you have got problem with cricket. I will leave it. Happy?”

Said that I ran to my room and bang, jumped on my bed, head down. I was already shocked with my result and Mom had already forced me to cross my saturation point. Thinking about studies and some other random stuff, I just didn’t realize when did I fall asleep.

I woke up a couple of hours later. By then Ishaan and Ranbir had invaded into my room.
My anger with the morning debate was far from over,

“What are you two doing here?”

Ishaan signaling Ranbir not to speak, himself spoke,
“Get ready in 10minutes and we are off for dinner.”

“I am in no mood guys, some other day.”

“Stop acting like a spoil sport and change quickly. We are getting late.” added in Ranbir.

“So why don’t you both leave. I am not interested in coming with you guys.”

And then Di steps in,
“Stop being rude to them. Don’t vent out Mom’s anger on them. They have been waiting for more than an hour.”
“Di, you please stay out. I am not in a mood to speak to anyone. Just leave me alone.”

Ishaan quietly pulled Ranbir out of the room and even Di left.

I was not going to calm down soon. In Di’s words, I was fuming in anger.

And then people generally take hasty decisions in a hurry and anger and I did the same.
I messaged Ansh, the cricket team captain and my sports sir, that ‘I quit cricket and would not represent the school in any future matches. Strictly no negotiations.’

In that same mood, I went to Mom, and boasted of the message to her,

“That’s it. Now I have quit cricket. You want me to leave anything now.”
She didn’t reply and so I just banged out of the room, and this time around not to my room, but to my favorite corner of the creek.

My eyes were dry post the crying session and I was sitting there alone, with not a living soul around, but just me, myself and the sky and water.

Staring at the sky, for the first time ever, I wasn’t speaking to myself. I just did not understand what to do. I wasn’t mentally stable to even face myself.

And just when you stop thinking and expecting anything from yourself in life, surprises prop up.

“Want some french fries dude?”

“Ishaan. You will never improve.”

“I am your friend after all.”

And then even Ranbir jumped in,
“Even I am their.”

“Anyone left?”, I added in.

And then Ishita, Sneha, Bhavika and Sania came out of nowhere.

I was just wondering where was Miloni, and came in a message from her,
“FAITH Makes all things possible, hope makes all things work & love makes all things beautiful. May you have all of them. Love you Jaan.”

Ishita started off,
“We are friends, we need to keep it. How could you even think that we will leave you alone when you need us.”

This line took me back to the times when I was leaving Mumbai for Dubai, and she was in hospital.

“Arey… eat those fries or pass it on to me.”, Bhavika spoke in.
And everyone broke into a laughter.

When the happiness surrounds you, who says sadness creeps in. Happiness has no bounds and ends, it just keep rising.

The Pizza Hut guy came in and delivered oven fresh pizza’s.

My mouth was watering. I just love pizza’s, and these people just made my day.

“Margarita pizza. Awesome guys, whose selection was this?”

Ishaan replied,
“Any doubt.”

“Well, apart from Ishita no-one really knows my taste, so it got to be her.”

Ishita in an acting angry tone, “Then why did you ask?”

With pizza in my mouth, I went and hugged her.

This night was memorable. These people literally made me forget everything that happened earlier in the day. It lay there in the backburner of my mind, though the consequences of it were yet to be faced by me in the near future.

The night wasn’t over yet. It had just begun. After having a feast, we went on a walk. We walked as if there was no end to the road. Over the bridge to the other side of the creek. The night view of the creek and buildings sidelining it made it a not to be missed scene.

Life wasn’t so dull if I actually think about it, though it wasn’t in the best shape also. After the awesome India trip, came in the tragedy as a speed breaker and the results as the police officer. Gradually my life car moved from the fast lane to the slow line, but luckily the red signal was yet to come. But with friends like these, I am sure there is nothing called red signal in my life. They pep up your mood whenever and wherever it is needed.

... to be continued...

Best Buddies - The last Singlet of the Triplet - Part 14

2008-12-14T01:02:00.004+05:30

TO ALL NEW READERS, PLEASE READ FROM
Part - 1
TO KNOW WHATS HAPPENING IN THIS STORY.

Ranbir was back to Dubai and so was Ishaan. Even Ishita had landed in Dubai just a few hours back. So basically I was expecting life to hit normalcy soon and things to be back on track.

The first thing that Ranbir did after landing was to come to my place, and was taken by shock when he found out that I was almost hospitalized for low blood pressure, just because he broke the news of Ronak’s suicide to me. He then vowed never to break such news over the phone ever again.

Well, even I promised myself never to leave my friends, come what may. Stand by them at all times and remain friends forever. Its actually tests like these that help us realize what friendship means, and then people like Ishita, Ronak, Ranbir & Ishaan who add value to it. Still, I continued to consider myself a bad friend, no matter how much Sneha did try convincing me that I was a really good friend.

But things had changed a lot over the past week or so. Somehow Sneha dominated my thoughts, though totally as a friend and nothing more than that.

For instance, a huge party was thrown to mark the friendship day & celebrate the win of Ishaan and gang. I was initially hesitant to go, but somehow Sneha convinced me to go, just for the sake of my friends and for Ishaan, though Ranbir and Ishaan’s persuasion efforts failed earlier.

I was over the Ronak incident by now. And then suddenly Sneha arouse my so called hidden crush on Ishita. That also to such an extent that she even asked me to ask her out, before the friendship day bash, and go there as a couple.

Totally brainwashed by her, I totally acted as per her directions and in full enthusiasm without any normal consciousness asked her out, just for the party happening that night. She was taken aback, as she didn’t expect all this all of a sudden. And then Miss Diplomat very politely declined my proposal.

There the first girl I ever ask out rejects me. But somehow I didn’t feel so dejected. I took it very much sportingly as if nothing had actually happened. In real terms, somewhere deep inside my heart I was hurt; it’s just that I did not feel so. In real terms, I seriously don't think I had a crush on her. How can I?, she is such a sweet buddy, and thats about it.

Sneha convinced Ishita’s action by saying that probably she wasn’t ready for it, as I approached her without any signal of my having feelings for her. Girl’s are really smart at backing their counterparts very effectively, no matter if they have never met, or to whatever extent wrong they would be.

So I pulled myself together and got ready for the party. Di was like as if I was dressed up to see a girl or probably for my own marriage. And according to Sneha, the formals made my look like the most suited bridegroom of the day.

It was actually a bit embarrassing to be praised as a would be husband, but indeed I was flattered.

I was just outside the party hall waiting for Sneha, as we had decided to go together for the day. Actually Ranbir was gonna come with Sania & Ishaan with Bhavika, so, basically I just didn’t feel like going alone. It was a bit weird to go with a friend, but she had no issues, then why would I have.

Just then Miloni came along, alone. We spoke casually for a few minutes and then suddenly she goes like,

“Will you be my date tonight?”

I was just going to inform her that I have already a date for myself, when Sneha signaled from behind to go on with her. Somehow I was lost of thoughts so just went along with Miloni. Sneha knew about Miloni and my hidden infatuation towards her.

Somehow I was really pepped up, pairing up with Miloni that night. I danced like crazy that night. I had never enjoyed a party so much. Ishita, Ranbir and Ishaan were shocked to see me burning the dance floor with Miloni. It was a hell of a night.

Later on, after the party all of us went to the beach, as it was pretty close by and going back home was totally out of the question.

I was actually carrying out with Miloni, and the best part about it was that I myself was not informed about it.

Ishita, Ranbir & Ishaan were so dead sure that Miloni was just more than a date, they were even ready to bet on it, and were not at all ready to get off the stand they had taken. Somehow, after a really long deliberation by Sneha and intervention by Miloni, they agreed to the fact that I am still officially single, since birth.

It was a clear dark sky with the moon illuminated by the sun’s light. A perfect romantic night out. Miloni just then untied her hair, and she was looking gorgeous like never before in that navy blue gown.

Ranbir and Ishaan were just waiting for a chance.

“Somebody is in love.”, and soon Ishita, Bhavika, Sania and to my surprise even Sneha joined in.

I was out of words to defend myself again.

After a while, the girls were sitting together and discussing their usual stuff, and we guys were just staring at them.

Then suddenly out of nowhere, Ranbir got a rose and pushed it into my hand. And almost threw me towards the girls. I was really confused of what was going on around me.

There, Sania, Ishita, Miloni, Sneha & Bhavika, all stood in a semi-circle, with me at the center, and Ishaan & Ranbir behind me, kicking me on my back every few seconds to speak something.

And if all these sudden happenings were less, Sania pulled Ishita aside, and so did Bhavika pull Sneha. I guess they were indicated by Ranbir & Ishaan to do so.

There with the vast sea stretching behind us, the dark sky on top and the scintillating moon right over Miloni’s head, me kneeling down with the rose on one hand, and her hand on the other, I finally opened my mouth,

“Will the world’s most beautiful girl I have ever met, accept me as her boyfriend”

There was pin drop silence. The world around us as if came to a still.

“Yes.”, was all that she said.

And before even I stood up, rose petals came showering upon the two of us.

I had just given up the single tag, and these people were already as if in a mood to get the two of us married.

Ranbir and Ishaan congratulating me with the words,
“Enter the zone at your own risk.”

After all this, we all finally sat down by the seaside, exploiting the time and weather to its fullest extent.

Ishita began with the talks for the night,

“We dedicate this night to the newly weds, I mean the newly committed couple, Nikhil & Miloni. As the host for this midnight talk, my first question to the two of you, how did you people meet?”

I had just opened my mouth to reply, when Miloni started off, so I obviously had to shut up.

“Well, he was on his way to Kolkatta for the cricket tournament, and I was going there for a wedding. After some technical snag, my seat was shifted next to his. His face was worth seeing when I was seated next to him.”

But as far as I remember, I was sleeping. But she continued.

“His mouth was wide open. And what a dumbo he was, he did not even bother asking my name or anything. I only had to start the conversation. That’s how we met for the first time.”

Ishita then continued,
“That is true Nikhil style. Now it’s the turn of Bhavika & Ishaan. How did you people meet up?”

Is it that girls normally dominate in a relationship? I was literally sensing that. Here also, it was Bhavika who replied and not Ishaan,

“Well, we met a cousins wedding. He was from the groom’s side and I was from the bride’s. There is this ritual of hiding the groom’s shoes. So he was responsible for hiding them. He was looking really nice that day, probably the only time till date. I was told to get the shoes from him. I casually asked him for the shoes and he willingly gave them to me, realizing his blunder only after I left. After the wedding we met, and hit off really well. People already had started calling us a cute couple and they were like, how about two weddings today. And that’s how we are together today.”

Now, she went a step ahead of Miloni. It was actually an attempt to prove, their guy is better than that of others. And here, me and Ishaan scratching our heads, and thinking what was Sania going to come up with.

Ishita continued,
“So cute of Ishaan. Now, the third couple of the lot, Sania & Ranbir.”

And as expected, Sania spoke first,
“Jaanu, you want to tell or shall I.”, though it was a lovely way to ask, her eyes said it all, that you better reply in the negative.

Ranbir goes like, “Jaan, you shouldn’t even be asking, carry on.”

“Well, I was Nikhil’s date for the party at Spellbirds. There even Ranbir & Ishaan were present with their dates. Though I had come with Nikhil, I was more engrossed in a conversation with Ranbir. He was really a smart guy. We remained in touch for a while and then he asked me out before leaving for Bangalore, last month. Since then it’s been a great time.”

Well, frankly speaking that was really nice & sweet and the least exaggerating of the three and closer to reality. Hats off to Sania.

So basically that was all for one of the most memorable days of my life, as we took a cab back home, I dropped Miloni at her place, though the only thing missing that night was the goodnight kiss, probably some other day, well night.

...to be continued...

Best Buddies - Realising the importance - Part 13

2008-12-05T00:43:00.004+05:30

TO ALL NEW READERS, PLEASE READ FROM
Part - 1
TO KNOW WHATS HAPPENING IN THIS STORY.

The journey back to Dubai was pretty smooth, basically like no hiccups during the travel. In the almost three hours flight, most of my time was spent smiling at the round of events happening in almost the last 2-3weeks.

The Jai-Ranbir friendship break up mystery, and leaving for Kolkatta just before the reality was going to be disclosed, then getting lost in the city, breaking the three instructions, losing the finals, back to Mumbai after months, then to Delhi, Ronak’s miserable life, Ranbir’s taunt, but to end on a happy note, Ishaan’s birthday.

Like its been said in popular movies, in the end, all’s always well, and if it’s not, then the movie is still left.

Post reaching Dubai, Mom had given me strict instructions to get back to the boards and make me realize that I was in 12th, the year that can make or break my life. My sports sir was like since this is your last year, prove your cricketing skills. And if this was less, Di goes like; in the last year in school also you will remain single.

My brain was already spinning with all this thoughts, when the movie of my life had another major turn awaiting me.

I was alone at home, and all of a sudden Ranbir called up.

“Hey, Nikhil, how was the flight back. Enjoyed with the airhostess on flight?”

“You got to be kidding dude. They were all those aunty types.”

“By the way, I wanted to give you some news.”

“Don’t tell me you are not coming back to Dubai soon. I will shoot you.”

“Dude, their is something more serious to talk about.”

I was feeling rather scared.

“What’s about it? Tell me.”

“Nikhil.”, and after an abnormally long pause, “Ronak committed suicide.”

“What?”
I had got the shock of my life. I was just not able to digest the news. And hundreds of questions like, why, how, when did all this happen came splashing into my brain.

“When did all this happen. And any idea why did he do so?”, I some how picked up myself and the courage to ask Ranbir this. I was actually in totters.

“The next day after you left, some policemen went to Ronak’s house for some investigation related purpose. That’s when they revealed the entire happening. Just a few days before the accident some guys tried misbehaving with Sejal and Ronak had called in the cops and got them arrested. After their release, they were seeking revenge. That day, after Ronak dropped Sejal, these guys followed her with acid in their hand. She was trying to run away from them, and accidentally stepped on the road, when the speeding car, threw her away.”

I was already in shatters, after hear about Ronak’s suicide, and this just made matters worse. I was gradually losing control over myself.

Ranbir continued, unaware of my mental status.
“Ronak’s parents had decided not to tell Ronak the truth, but he had overheard the entire conversation. He locked himself into his room. When he did not open the room for several hours, his Mom got worried and they broke the door. But, then it was already to late. Ronak’s had etched out Sejal on his hand, which also cut his nerves. There was blood all over the floor, and Ronak was no more.”

I guess, my brain and heart had reached their saturation point.

I just shouted,
“He killed himself, because of me.”, and then slammed the phone down.

Actually the phone slipped of my hand, I had fainted for the first time in my life.

I don’t even faintly remember, but after a few hours when I got back to my senses, around 10 people surrounded me. Mom was crying, Dad was tensed, and Di expressionless.

The Doctor then said that I was fine now and listed down a few medicines.

I knew I had loads of questions to answer, I could actually see them on their faces. A couple of my aunts and neighbors also filled in my room. All staring at me, and me turning my head from left to right just like in a tennis match with no clue what’s happening and like a typical saas-bahu serial, what’s going to happen next mystery.

Thanks to Di, they all left the room soon and I felt a bit relaxed. Actually for a while I did forgot about Ronak’s suicide till Di, closed the room and asked me,

“What’s wrong Nikhil? Your blood pressure was really low. How could you be so careless.”

And then I came face to face with reality, Ronak was no more.

I told Di in brief about everything from what Monica told me, to what Ranbir did.

She anyways knew Ronak and was also taken aback and couldn’t come to terms with what happened.

But then I somehow began to blame myself for his life. If only I had not left him alone in these times, maybe he would not have taken such an extreme step.

I was actually being a too harsh on myself and hit myself a couple of times till Di stopped me. I began crying like a small baby and slept on her laps for a while.

It actually took me a few days to get back to a bit of normalcy and that also just because I began moving out a bit. For the initial days I was totally under house arrest.

But it was a totally different me. Hundred percent silence, no interest on what’s happening around me and at times I wouldn’t even know that some person is next to me. I was lost in my own world.

In the mean time I backed out from a forthcoming Cricket tourney also, and that surely didn’t go down well with the team and officials, thinking that I was being really unprofessional and not being sporty. But surely things were not in my hand and not at all under my control.

I was given strict instructions by the doctor to not to be carried away emotionally as that could actually do a lot of damage to my brain. And with those instructions Mom made life all the more difficult for me, with one hundred and one restrictions imposed upon me.

During these times, I did miss Ishaan and Ranbir a lot. Ishita also was not in town. The loneliness actually began to eat me and failing to realize that this is actually what Ronak had gone through. Every few minutes I could see the helpless face of Ronak in front of me.

Walking alone to tuitions and back with no one to speak to. I was gradually being isolated as I surely was not in any mood to make any new friends whom I could spend some time with. It was really difficult for me to spend every minute as Mom put even a restriction on cricket, so catching up with teammates was also out of question.

Life was never so bad. I somehow mentally balanced myself as the week passed by and understood the trauma that Ronak would have faced. Whatever happened, the untimely death of Ronak and to some extent even that Sejal did hurt.

All this actually did help me realize the importance of Ronak and his friendship in my life. He help a special place in my heart, which no one would ever be able to replace.

That’s when I met Sneha. She was Mom’s school friend’s daughter. They had come over for dinner and she was actually from my school. Basically that was the first day after Ronak’s death that I had smile, that’s what Mom felt, I rather not comment anything on that.

She was a good looking, decent and smart girl but somehow I was least interested. I just didn’t bother about who she was. The most annoying part was when Mom goes like, ‘Why don’t the two of you go on a walk to the creek.’

I was not even in a mood but Di forced me to go, and helplessly I did. But this was actually a turning point. I really felt better that day when I spoke to some one, and we actually were together for a couple of hours and I did speak my heart out. We went and sat at my favorite place and I really enjoyed the time spent. I did not even realize when did the time fly by, till Di called me up to come back soon.

I was really feeling lighter after the walk and conversation. Somehow it was nothing less than magic. It was a very different and refreshing feel that I was going through. Thanks to Sneha, for whatever she did.

The next days I totally spent in her company and she did help me realize that it wasn’t my entire fault after all for what Ronak faced though I actually convinced her that somewhere I could have stopped it. Sneha, I can say actually totally brainwashed my thinking process. She gave me a new perspective and approach to life and brought me back to reality from my dream world.

I enjoyed her company and got over Ronak and even missed Ishaan and Ranbir less frequently, as according to her, it was a time of transition in our friendship, so that I actually realize the actual value of my friends that I have always failed to realize. I stopped taking friendship for granted from then onwards.
A new Nikhil was in the making, rejuvenated and transformed.

...to be continued...

Best Buddies - The Birthday Gift - Part 12

2008-11-16T01:52:00.003+05:30

TO ALL NEW READERS, PLEASE READ FROM
Part - 1
TO KNOW WHATS HAPPENING IN THIS STORY.

A long drive on the roads of Delhi, especially in the night is just indescribable. The clear dark sky, with stars twinkling and straight traffic free roads is just and added advantage.

Later on we all i.e. Ranbir, Ronak, Monica and me sat on the terrace of Ranbir’s house. Just then it struck Ranbir and me sort of at the same time that preparations for Ishaan’s surprise birthday party was yet to be made.

We sat there staring at the sky wishing if some idea could strike us soon. And then out of nowhere Monica jumped up and goes like,

“He is participating in Youth Cult Fest right?”

I staring at Ranbir, giving the expression like what’s wrong and then reply to her,

“Yes.”

“Your work is done guys. Your surprise will be planned. Give me time till tomorrow morning.”

Ranbir prompted in,

“What you thinking to do?”

“Guys just leave it to me. The entire plan will be sketched and told to you in the morning. Can we go to sleep now, Please.”

“So you told that just so that you could go to sleep. How selfish?”

“Shut up Ranbir. Leave it to me. Goodnight Guys.”

Monica and Ronak got up and went to sleep downstairs.

I and Ranbir stayed up for a while, trying to enjoy the last few days in Delhi and the vacation.

But the sadness of Ronak condition caught over my face. Somehow all the while, with the aim of giving support to Ronak I hid it, but couldn’t help it any further.

And if my situation was so difficult, then imagine how difficult it must have been to bring the smile on his face.

Ranbir saw it on my face and was like,

“Nikhil, whom do you love the most, at present.”

Going into a deep thought. What was that supposed to mean? On second thoughts, I love my family, friends, couldn’t think of anything else.

“Common answer Nikhil. Be specific, and please don’t be a diplomat.”

That created all the more the trouble. Specifically, who?

“Don’t take so long. Lets put it this way. Who has always been your support and you always look upto whether you are sad or happy.”

“It got to be Di. She has actually been a support system for me many a times.”

“And how much have you missed her in the past few days.”

“Actually a lot at times but then things around me helped not to remember her a lot. I mean in Kolkatta the team was there and with a few I share a good rapport. And then you have been here in Delhi all the while so hardly I remember her.”

“That’s what the whole point is. You have friends all over you so you don’t miss the person you love the most and on top you know that you will be with her in a few days from now.”

Ranbir was talking more than just common sense. He was not just the usual himself.

“Imagine his situation. New to Delhi, hardly made any friends, no family support, met Sejal, and she gave him the life he missed all the while. More than a girlfriend he saw a friend in her.”

This statement actually hurt me. I mean I have never been able to realize that there are some people who will always need you, no matter however far you are away from them. They see you as a lifelong friend and you just don’t tend to realize the truth, and when you realize its to late as that person feels that you are not going to be back and they decide to move ahead and then you end up staying there hoping for things to turn in your favor, repenting your earlier action.

“And accept it or not. He missed your entire group of Mumbai. You people were his lifeline. And he couldn’t see anyone taking your place in Delhi and that’s what made him lonely. His parents are working and spent really less time with him and even they couldn’t keep their married life happy. So the best moments of his life have been with you people. You considered him your best friend. Dude, he was totally dependent on you.”

He was hitting out so badly to me. I mean I just couldn’t stand all this any longer.

“I am not sure if you noticed or not, but his face did brighten up on seeing you, but just he couldn’t express it, as he was in a deep shock already.”

He was right. I seriously didn’t notice all that. How could I be such a fool? It’s said that if you listen to your heart carefully then you will always hear the voice of your near and dear one’s. Probably I failed to hear myself.

“Sorry if you felt bad, but that’s the truth buddy. The earlier you accept it, the better for you. Anyways me off to sleep. I know you will not be able to sleep tonight, but if you feel like talking to someone, you can always come to me. And don’t bother to think that did Ranbir say all that.”

Just when he was walking downstairs he goes like,

“By the way, I didn’t find a good time to tell you, but I am dating Sania. Details later on. Goodnight.”

For a minute, I was shocked, but then I had others thinks to ponder over, so I somehow postponed the thinking on this topic for an indefinite period.

It actually took me a while to get over all the attacking words of Ranbir. But then actually he wasn’t wrong.

I have known Ronak for quite a lot of a time now. But somehow he was acting strange and a lot changed. He was not the same guy I was a friend with.

Then actually putting the puzzle pieces of Ranbir’s words together, I realized the mistake of my life. I had left Ishita alone when she needed me the most, and then Ronak.

I descended down the stairs into Ronak’s room. I was quite sure he would be awake.

I went and sat next to him, where he was sleeping. But I was wrong. He was sleeping soundly and as per what Monica had mentioned it’s been time that he would be sleeping so well.

I sat next to him for a while, remembering the time we spent together. The school life was way to good to be forgotten and the time spent is just unforgettable.

I remembered the incident, when we are playing around in the science lab and a glass broke and smoke was going up the air and the fear on our faces. Inspite of knowing that we were not at fault we were so scared that we sat in our class for the entire day without uttering a word. Slowly and gradually the incidents just came flashing by and me lost in them.

It was really late so then I decided to go to bed. Just when I stood up, came in these words from Ronak,

“Nikhil. You will leave without even saying a word.”

I was stunned. He was actually awake.

“Ronak, its just that you were sleeping peacefully so just didn’t feel like waking you up.”

“Remember when you came to my place first time for a stay over and when I was so badly in need of sleep and you people would not even let me close my eyes.”

“I very well remember. You wanted to sleep because next day you had your first date.”

“Shut up. It was nothing like that.”

We started discussing all those moments, laughing at those incidents and time went passing by and we didn’t even realize when did we time pass by and we dosed off.

The next morning I woke up with the loud noise of Monica.

“Nikhiiiiiiiil. Ranbiiiiiiiiiiiir. Where are you guys?”, shouting at the top of her voice.

I woke up with a sprang and rushed out.

Even Ranbir came running in.

“What’s wrong Monica?”, I asked.

“You people are not even concerned that tomorrow is your friends birthday.”

“Ohh. Yeah. You said you are planning to do something. What’s the plan? Atleast tell us now.”

“Fine listen.”

“Tomorrow is the finals of the Youth Cult Fest at the Delhi National School. Vipul, my friend is one of the organizers at the event. So he has just told me that, The Indian School from Dubai has qualified for the final round.”

“That’s great news. Finals on his birthday.”

“The Trophy will be a perfect gift for him, I guess.” added in Ranbir.

“You are right.”

“Can I please continue with the plan?”, I and Ranbir nodded in the affirmative.

“It’s highly likely that they will be practicing past midnight tonight as the final show needs to be put up tomorrow afternoon. So basically that would be the best time to give him a break of some time and get in his birthday in style.”

“She is right.” I prompted in, although it was uncalled for.

“But frankly speaking he would not even prefer wasting a minute on all this. This trophy and event is really close to his heart.” Came in Ranbir’s comments.

“Guys relax. Alls set. At around 11p.m. tonight, Vipul has called in a meeting with the school coordinators to discuss the final line of events. That’s when through special permission you people enter the school premises. You have just less than an hour to decorate and put things in order, and all this without disturbing the school atmosphere, practice sessions and schedules. It’s a big risk sort off on Vipul’s head.”

“But then how do we manage all?” asked Ranbir.

“”See, the meeting gets over at 15 minutes to twelve. And it takes almost the same time to reach the main hall where your school would be practicing. Some people from the organizing school will be there to help you and update you with help from Vipul. And actually you will not even need to do anything. Vipul will try and have arranged a majority of the work internally already before your arrival. You just need to spring in the surprise at 12.”

The plan was really well made. But the only concern was about the finals the next day. I had lost the final cricket match and so had Ranbir lost the final football match. Will he win or lose in the finals? It was really weird to think about it and a sudden gush of blood flowing through my body made me feel all the more scared.

That night everything was so well formulated that things happened the way they were supposed to even before we thought of an alternative. Ranbir and I were just waiting to spring upon the surprise on Ishaan.

Ronak also joined in on my pressure, as I thought it would be a good change for him.

The last fifteen minutes before twelve were those when we just couldn’t control our emotions and that’s when we were signaled that Ishaan was on his way to the hall. The entire hall had been decorated and the practice had been halted for the next half an hour.

Ishaan came in earlier than expected, in short, before twelve. This was something not in our hands so we had to change the idea a bit at the last minute.

We sent Shaina, the assistant co-ordinator out to stop him still twelve. But this guy just wouldn’t stop.

“How come the practice has stopped?”

“Ishaan, we had a scheduled break at this time, if you forgot.”

“Fine, just come along with me, we need to decide on certain things.”, and with that even before poor Shaina could do anything, Ishaan pushed into the room.

Luckily the hours hand just slid under the minute’s hand, it was twelve. He switched on the lights and turned back.

Ranbir and I came running in with the entire team singing the Happy Birthday music in the background. He was surely astonished at what he was seeing.

After a round of wishes and hugs and gifts, and the usual cake cutting ceremony we sat down at a corner for a cup of coffee.

“How the hell did you guys land up here?”

“Indian Domestic airlines have really good coverage.”, came in Ranbir’s reply.

“Ya right. Very funny. By the way guys, guess what, we have reached the finals and it happens in a few hours from now, I am really excited and nervous at the same time.”

Hats of to Ishaan. He didn’t even bother about his Eighteenth birthday. Probably if it was not for us, then he wouldn’t have even celebrated it. He deserves a pat on his back. I haven’t seen a guy with so much sincerity and dedication to work.

“By the way, what happened to your tournaments.”

And as if I had taken a silent vow, Ranbir replied,

“We both lost in the finals.”

Now, that surely wasn’t encouraging. The smile on Ishaan’s face gradually faded away.

I guess the feeling that ‘what if even I lost the finals like them’ crossed his mind.

He took leave from us, but asked us to stay back, and watch them rehearse and suggest points of improvements from the audience point of view.

He was working really hard to grab that trophy the next day.

The event started off with a bang of performances followed by the presentation of the acts of the two final teams. They were said to be on a head on clash right from the start till the just concluded last set of events.

I must admit that the opponent had an upper hand in terms of the over all performance. They had put up a really impressive act beyond imagination. But my gut feeling supported my school and Ishaan. And also, though over all they were a better performing side, they had a few glitches in their act that could cost them a lot of points and that could turn things in our favor. But frankly, ours was also out and out a really splendid put up.

The results were to be declared in just a few minutes and my heart beat rate was faster than normal. I had not got this feeling even while playing the finals a few days back in Kolkatta.

The three of us held our hands tight just when the results were to be announced.

“And the time has finally arrived to bring this event to a close. As it’s said all good things come to an end, and so the Youth Cult Fest is also over. But we make sure that it does end in style. A time that we remember by as the audience and surely the teams that clashed on this very stage. And then on this stage, I will declare the winner in a few minutes from now, and this very stage will be thrown open for the party for the winning team.”

Why do these hosts have this habit of exaggerating things beyond a limit? I just felt like snatching that card from his hands and declaring the winner.

“And not wasting any further time, I declare the winner. Well before that, any guesses?”

Why doesn’t this loser on earth understand that there is no time for guesses and I will faint of excitement if he doesn’t declare the winner now.

“Yes you are right. It is the team from overseas, The Indian School, Dubai.”

The three of us jumped together in joy, Ishaan hugged the two of us and ran to the stage with the rest of the team to put his hands on that trophy.

Finally we shall be taking the winners trophy home. And surely this was the best birthday gift, Ishaan could ever ask for.

We partied hard that night till late. And as the host had said, as all good things come to an end, I was going to leave Delhi the very next night.

I had earlier planned to delay the flight, just in case Ronak did not normalize soon, but all was well, so I was going to leave as per schedule.

Ronak was gradually reaching his normal best and recovering really fast from the incident.

Ranbir was going to spend some time with his relatives and then turn back to Dubai, while Ishaan had to attend a wedding in Delhi and then return back.

So basically I was going to be alone in Dubai for a while. Well, no issues I boarded the flight back to Dubai, happy, satisfied and after a really memorable trip from Kolkatta to Mumbai to Delhi.

Best Buddies - Expect the unexpected - Part 11

2008-10-31T01:37:00.003+05:30

TO ALL NEW READERS, PLEASE READ FROM
Part - 1
TO KNOW WHATS HAPPENING IN THIS STORY.

Leaving behind friends in Mumbai, I headed to Delhi with those memories, which I will surely not forget for this lifetime.

After landing in Delhi I waited outside for almost and hour for this Mr. Late Lateef to come. Ranbir had promised me that he would be on time but as usual he was late.

And then I was just thinking what excuse would he be giving today. Traffic Jam or the airport enquiry had said that the flight has been delayed by an hour.

I was like he was surely going to have it badly from me this time. How much can you make a person wait?

Well, in this time just glancing around I saw a familiar face. It was I guess the same girl in the flight from Dubai to Kolkatta. I had actually forgotten her name.

Just when I almost reached her, she took a cab and headed off and that’s when her name struck my head, ‘Miloni’.

And then I turned around to be at the place where Ranbir had asked me to wait for him. Just then he came banging into me.

“Dude who were you running behind in that cab?”

“Which cab?”, and then before he asks me another,

“Ohh wait…that one. I will tell you that. But can you please tell me what stopped you from coming on time?”

“I actually landed a few hours back so went home and dozed off. And then the great alarm ditched me, so that’s why I got late. Sorry buddy.”

“Its okay. Anyway are you planning to just keep chatting here only or to take me home also.”

“Ohh…yeah…almost forgot. Come along the car’s parked on the other side.”

So after walking for almost 30minutes we found the car. I guess Ranbir was trying his best to get on my nerves.

And then when we had just reached half way through the airport to his home, the car broke down. My head was actually even spinning now with the turn of the events.

“So, how was you football finals dude. The trophy must be at home I guess.”

“The final was just awesome dude. It was the best match I have ever been a part of. We had two players injured in the midst when we were leading 2-0. Then after half time, their captain ended up with a Red Card. It was a superb match and an amazing experience. I so wished you people were their.”

“Dude. Who won?”

“The opponent team. 3-2.”
And I started laughing like crazy forgetting that I was pissed off with him a while back. I even forgot that I had just lost a finals and he was the captain of the losing side.

Instead of supporting him, I just couldn’t control myself. And he looked a bit embarrassed.

“Dude, Shut up. I was awarded the best sportsman of the tournament.”

“Sorry. I just couldn’t help it re. Congrats for that award, I will check out the trophy at home.”

The car was repaired and we drove back home. Ishaan’s birthday was the day after tomorrow so loads of planning and arrangements needed to be made.

A refreshing bath was followed by a heavy breakfast cum lunch. And I was so tired that without saying anything further I just dozed off.

Later on in the evening we decided to go and meet Ronak first and help us with the preparations.

And so smart of the two of us that being totally unaware of the city we just left off with the driver in search of his residence as if he was some rockstar and every second person in the city knew where he lived.

After driving around for almost and hour we reached the place where we had been atleast 10 times in the last 60minutes.

He stayed on the 10th floor. Just when we were entering the building the useless security guard was like, where do you want to go? He was going to call up to inform him that I was coming up.

He even called up, but luckily for us no one picked up at the other end. He was like Ronak is not there so come later on. We knew that arguing with him was of no use.

So we finally gave up and took the turn back, when a girl came in shouting,

“You are Nikhil right? Ronak’s friend.”

“Well. Yeah. But how do you know me?”

“Ronak keeps speaking about your group and how much fun you all had together”

“Ohh.. Where is he now?”

“Why you didn’t meet him. He must be at home only. I thought you people must have met him and then leaving.”

“No. Actually that security guy was like he is not at home.”

“He is crazy. The intercom system has some problem these days. Come lets go upstairs. He will be really happy to see you here. Have you told him that you are here?”

“No. Thought of directly dropping in and giving him a surprise.”

“Ahaan. That’s nice.”

So she took us up in the lift.

“I am sorry but your name please?” I asked. Now obviously I can’t call her Didiji.

“Ooops..sorry. I am Monica, I stay in this building only. Ronak’s neighbor.”

“Well. He is Ranbir, my friend.”

And then Ranbir kept her busy; our hero was at his flirting tactics.

I rang the bell, and Ronak opened the door.

And he was like obviously shocked to see me there.

“Nikhil. You in Delhi? What a pleasant surprise.”
But somehow there was a different face he was hiding behind that surprised, puzzled look of me being there.

Now that left me wondering, what was he actually upto?

Then Monica prompted in,
“That useless security guard had asked them to leave, just because of that useless intercom of our building. Luckily I recollected Nikhil’s face from the snaps you showed me of the two of you and got him up.”

“Ohh… That’s so sweet of you Monica.”

“Guys actually Mom isn’t at home so …what you people want to have?”

“Dude. First sit. Nikhil and you are meeting after so long. Talk to him for a while.”
“Fine. Miss Monica Madame. I will just get coke if you don’t mind.”

“Permitted.”

Ronak dashed off to the kitchen and Ranbir got a call, so he got busy with it.

I finally got the time to speak to Monica of the indifferent behavior of Ronak.

“Monica, what’s wrong with him? He has never been like this. So silent, that’s surely not the Ronak I have known for such a long time.”

“You haven’t been in touch with him for some time I guess. Do you know Sejal?”

“Yeah. Like duh. My cutesi bhabhijaan. I had seen pictures of them both and Ronak had told me a lot about her.”

“She’s no more.”

“What?” I was more shocked than Ronak was shocked on seeing me here.

“She died a few days back in a road accident.”

I was speechless.

“His parents are now at her home. Her parents are devastated. But somehow they don’t realize what Ronak is going through. They were in a relationship for more than a year and were deep in love. There wasn’t a day when they didn’t call each other. Even when they were angry, they would just call each other up and remain silent. Even both of their parents approved of their relationship. They were even planning to get them engaged on Ronak’s 18th birthday, a surprise for him, just so that they can officially go around. Ronak & Sejal had planned to meet up as usual for a weekend. After the movie Sejal was returning home when this mishap happened. A drunk truck driver. Ronak wasn’t informed. He kept calling her and her cell was off. She was cremated and he was not even aware about it. He kept waiting for her call. He didn’t even get to see her for the last time. When she didn’t call for a few days, on one of the rituals after her death he landed up at her home and saw the garland hanging on her photo and everyone crying. That’s when he realized what had happened.”

I was stunned at the turn of events. I could do nothing more than sympathize with Ronak. I just could not imagine myself in his place, leaving trying to visualize what he must be going through.

“When he came to know, he just left that place and locked himself in his room for 24hours. We all were scared and wished that he doesn’t take any wrong step. He stopped eating for some days and just started talking a bit yesterday.”

I had no words to speak.

“Have his parents tried speaking to him?”

“Everyone has tried their bit. But you know what I think. He needs to cry to let the thing out of his heart.”

“You mean he didn’t cry at all when he found out.”

“No he just became quiet since he found out. Not a tear from his eye. He doesn’t cry, doesn’t smile, and hardly talks. Remains alone the entire day in his room. His parents keep crying, as they can’t see their son this way. But then what can even Ronak do?”

I just stood up and went to the kitchen.

“Ronak, remember how we used to try cooking at our home with the recipe book whenever our mom’s used to go for their kitty parties.”

No reaction from him.

“Can’t even give a fake smile, Ronak. Still the same yaar, Mr. Original.” After a brief pause, “Monica told me everything.”

And the very next minute he hugs me and starts crying. Somehow it made me feel better because I knew that this would reduce the weight on his heart.

He continued to sob for almost an hour. But we didn’t even bother stopping him. I was still wondering how come he controlled himself from crying for the past so many days.

He was a really strong guy from within. I had seen this in school. But this side was something relatively knew for me.

And then once he stopped crying, Ranbir and Monica did the job of bringing the much-awaited smile on his face.

He was surely not at his normal best but according to what Monica said; he was behaving way better than before.
It felt really nice, that I could play a part in helping my buddy get over his sadness.

...to be continued...

PS. : WISHING ALL THE READERS AN AWESOME DIWALI AND A SESKI NEW YEAR.

Best Buddies - Back to Mumbai - Part 10

2008-10-21T23:31:00.004+05:30

Part - 9
Part - 8
Part - 7
Part - 6
Part - 5
Part - 4
Part - 3
Part - 2
Part - 1

“Heyy… What’s up Buddy?”

“Ranbir. What a surprise. Nothing much dude. You tell me how’s Bangalore treating you?”

“Well. Bangalore is just too good for words. And by the way we have reached the finals of the tournament happening day after. By the way how many trophies have you added to your collection.”

“We lost in the finals but I won the Man of the Match. So it’s okay. So what’s you calling me now. And how did you know I am in this hotel.”

“Ohh..crap. Thanks I had almost forgotten. Dude its Ishaan’s birthday this week. I hope you remember.”, sounding really excited.

“Yeah. I do. Like duh. And all of us are in different parts of India so we will not be able to have a blast and bring in his eighteenth birthday in style.”, sounding a bit low.

“What if we can? Why don’t we get together?”

“You must be kidding Ranbir.”

“No re. I am damn serious. I mean instead of going back to Dubai catch a flight to Delhi, I do the same and we have a blast on his birthday and then head back to Dubai. What say.”

“Its an awesome idea dude. But..”, taking a brief pause so as to think if it actually is so simple as he is saying.

“No buts dude. Common anyways there is nothing to do in Dubai. And then Ishaan will not even expect us there.”

“You are right. I am in for it.”

“Finally. Anyways bye dude, I got to go for the party happening. Meet ya in Delhi.”

“Bye. All the best for the finals.”

And all of a sudden after the talk my mood just sprang up and I went downstairs for the party and had a blast of a night at Kolkatta forgetting the loss behind.

The first thing I do next morning is go and find a travel agent. But should I call it my bad luck or something else, due to certain unknown reasons there was no direct flight to Delhi for the next 48hrs.

But I was so keen on going to Delhi anyhow, so I booked a flight via Mumbai, left with no other option.

The thought of being back in Mumbai even just for a few hours made me feel nostalgic. I will be back in my city after I say just around 4-5 months. Actually that just was much more than just that ‘Just.’

Suddenly all those days in college and school and most importantly the feeling of being surrounded with friends 24/7 came flashing back to my mind.

And the thoughts are totally incomplete without thinking of how Ronak became my best buddy.

Flashback

“And after a very long time, we have a new first ranker in our school. Congrats Ronak. And Nikhil you have come second in this exam. Study hard next term, you have got some competition now.”

I was totally shocked. How can this guy who has just joined school beat me in his very first exam in school. He must have cheated or he is some teacher’s relative. I cannot come second.

I was really irritated and frustrated. And then all of a sudden after the teacher left, everyone went and surrounded Ronak. No one came to me. This all the more got on my nerves.

But then Ronak came to me, obviously unexpectedly. And before even he could say anything, I just slapped him right across his face, a tight one. This was totally spontaneous and I have no clue what prompted me to do so.

Everyone in the class started calling names to me. “Nikhil is a bad loser.”, became the Class Anthem.

I couldn’t bear all of this so I just ran out of the class. I was in a situation that nor could I react neither could I cry.

I went and sat on the terrace staring at the sky far away. I usually came here, as it was really silent and nice here. And then this is the only rule I enjoyed breaking or basically the only rule I ever broke in my school life till date till 9th.

Actually we weren’t allowed to go to the terrace for whatsoever reason.

I was actually feeling guilty of slapping Ronak then. In anger we just do anything without even thinking of its consequence. But then I can’t even help it. It was impromptu.

What more I liked about sitting there was speaking to myself aloud.

“I shouldn’t have reacted that way. What must be Ronak and other students thinking about me.”

And then someone spoke from my back. I got really scared as I though it must be some peon. I was already given a warning once for being caught leaving from the terrace.

“Its okay Nikhil. You don’t need to be sorry. You just wanted to let your anger out and you did so.”

It was Ronak. Seeing him there my anger actually was coming back. How dare he beat me in the exams. No one has ever done so. It is as if my birthright to top the class.

“I know it feels bad to come second after so many years.”

While he was speaking, I was mentally preparing myself for the next exam and to prove to all that I am the best.

“Even I was in your situation once and I reacted in a worse manner. I went and hit that guy with a blade. He was not able to write the next exam. And then what happened. I came first again. But I lost all my friends and the respect in front of the teachers. No one spoke to me then. I was alone.”
And tears began rolling down his cheeks.

I felt bad for him but also the message passed through my head.

“Ronak, I have come second so I should be crying, why are you.”

I wiped of his tears and told him sorry and we left the terrace.

On the way back I asked him,
“You told me that story to make me feel better or asking me not to cut your hand with a blade.”

We laughed our way back to the class and everyone in the class was shocked and as if their life came to a standstill seeing both of us together.

Back to Present.

Ronak has played the most crucial role as a friend in those two years of our friendship. He is actually responsible for a large extent for what I am today. He taught me patience and how to control my anger and leave my ego behind and be friends with all.

Actually after 10th he moved to Delhi and I stayed in Mumbai. So then things took a different turn. But we made sure we spoke atleast once a week. But gradually we ended up speaking just once a month.

The last I had spoken to him was when I left for Dubai. I haven’t spoken to him since then.

I then felt the urge to speak to him now. I picked up the phone and even dialed his number. But then I disconnected the line. I decided to meet him personally when I go to Delhi.

I was so looking forward to meeting him in Delhi.

Also I was really keen on being back to Mumbai, my home city.

So that night as all my teammates and coach boarded a flight back to Dubai, I caught the flight to Mumbai with my final destination being Delhi.

Next morning I must say, ‘Back to Mumbai!’

I landed in Mumbai early in the morning and had almost 6-7 hours in hand before boarding my flight ahead to Delhi.

The first thing I do after leaving the airport is go to college. I knew that I would find my entire group their. Obviously I missed all the fun I had with them and life had been so nice all the while.

And there at the entrance I meet my ex-crush turned really good friend Sonam. She just couldn’t believe her eyes that I was standing in front of her.

“Nikhil. You are in Mumbai. When did you come? No call no message.”

I started laughing and she was going red.

“Arey..Relax. I just came down today and am leaving in a few hours for Delhi.”

“You didn’t get anyone to fool since morning. You just came today and leaving today.”

“I will tell ya everything re. Can we just sit down and talk. And then where’s everyone re. Call them also naa. I so want to meet everyone.”

Just as we took a seat in the college canteen, came in Roadside Romeo Rohit from behind. And his style of wishing me was still the same, a kick on my back and then a hug.

“What’s up Dude. Welcome back to Mumbai. When did ya come? No call also re. This is only our friendship or what? And when are you going back.”

He asked all that in as far as I remember in a single breath. And then before I could even recollect and answer any of them, popped in Sonam.

“He is leaving in a few hours. That’s what he told me. Maybe he will tell you the truth.”

“Is she right Nikhil?”

“Yeah. I just came in from Kolkatta and heading to Delhi in a few hours. That’s why I dropped in to meet all of you people.”

“Kolkatta…Delhi…what… Are you on some airport hopping session?”

I started laughing at that one.

“No re. I had a cricket tournament in Kolkatta. And its one of my friends birthday in Delhi, so going there. I didn’t get a direct flight so I am in Mumbai.”

“Oh..so you have limited hours in hand. Any specific plans or you are at leisure.”

“Well. Yeah. I have some plans. To spend the time with you guys. Where’s the rest of the gang re?”

“Actually theirs a function at Priya’s place so everyone’s there. Both of us had some work in college so we are here. We are also heading straight there.”

“So whom are we waiting for. Lets leave.”

So we left for Priya’s home. The last I had gone to her place was also for a Pooja itself.

I was just waiting to see the reaction of the rest of the gang on seeing me there. They will be stunned for sure.

I entered the living room and Priya just screamed on seeing me.

Everyone just turned back to see as if a terrorist with a live bomb had entered.

After the Pooja at her place we decided to go back to our school and spend some time their.

The school was just the same, I mean how much would it even change in say around more than a year.. Basically all of us had changed a lot in this time.

We missed bunking classes, running around the campus, gossiping under the tree’s, the teachers and on top of that all of us being Together.

Ronak had moved to Delhi and me to Dubai. And the rest weren’t in the same college. Gradually we lost touch. We used to spend a major portion of the day together during those school days and then later on it was just a weekend or two out.

Suddenly Amit came up with this question,

“Why do we have to separate, just when we began to get better as friends?”

He was totally right. Just when we were matured enough to understand the meaning of friendship we had to part ways.

That statement of Amit just cropped up the silent topic.

Why do we even have to split in the first place?

Then we went and met our schoolteachers. It’s really difficult to have such teachers today. I have never seen any teacher so dedicated to their subject and students. We could actually depend on them for anything and everything. Many a times they even helped us solve our personal problems be it about a friend, family or girlfriend.

They indeed deserved the high regard that they commanded within us even after more than a year of leaving school and surely would continue to do so.

Then moving to the canteen sipping that cutting tea, it actually brought a lot of old memories back.

It was then turn for the library. Just moving hands over the place where we normally used to sit for hours just days before the exams and scratching our heads in tension. The vivid faces of different reactions whenever we failed to do a sum without looking at the solution came flashing.

Today we just laughed over it but these is what actually school life was filled with.

Breaking the rules was fun just because there was a restriction on something. Though I never broke a rule as far as I remember but someway or the other I used to help them out of trouble and so can be held responsible to an extent.

The sports room was indeed the best place to hang out. After school we used to spend a good portion of the day there. Though it wasn’t ultra modern but it was a good way to chill out after regular studies in the morning.

Lastly we went to the place where I started playing cricket and where the coach saw me play and selected me. It was in the backyard of the main building where hardly anyone used to go. Only a few of us went there and used to play. Seeing it in just the same mess as we had left it more than a year back had almost brought tears to my eyes.

It was now time to leave. The only person missing in today’s reunion was Ronak. His jolly nature was missed the most. He had this inbuilt talent to make anyone smile anyhow and his on the spot answers were a rare combination, adding his academic proficiency.

He could speak alone for hours and we would never get bored. Though many times we used to just wish he would shut up so that others could speak.

Well, from school we directly headed to the airport. All of them actually came down to drop me to the airport.

And that made leaving Mumbai all the more difficult for me this time. Everyone on the other side of the fence waving me a goodbye, with a desire to meet again but no idea when. Giving it a second thought I just felt like staying back and not go to Delhi or Dubai.

I just wished that time could be turned back and these good old school days came back and stayed the way we wanted as long as we wanted them to stay.

That’s when I remembered one of my friends line,
‘We do not bid goodbye to separate, it’s just a farewell to meet again.’

...to be continued...

Best Buddies - Cricket means parties- Part 9

2008-10-11T11:54:00.003+05:30

Part - 8
Part - 7
Part - 6
Part - 5
Part - 4
Part - 3
Part - 2
Part - 1

“Please do not leave your seats. We have returned to the Dubai airport due to some technical fault in the airline. We will back on the runway in 30minutes from now. There is nothing to panic about and kindly co-operate with the crew. Thank You.” came in the announcement of the pilot from the cockpit.

But as expected everyone in the plane did panic. There was loads of confusion and chaos. The noise was beginning to get on my nerves. I mean can’t just these people relax. They have landed back for their safety only and these people know their work. Can’t they let them do it by themselves? Everyone wants to try their hands in every new field.

I quietly put on my I-pod earphones and began to listen to the music. My seat was away from the rest of the team just because of some goof-up by the airline people. And then I just casually closed my eyes but then did not even realize when did I fall asleep.

Then came in the announcement, which woke me up.
“Please use your seat belts as we are ready to take off.”

I turned around to check if everything was in order and then turned back to tie the seat belt.

But wait, before I went to sleep some small girl was sitting next to me. Now all of a sudden she looked like one of my age. And then she looked beautiful in the sky blue dress that she was wearing.

And then she goes like,
“You are Nikhil from the school cricket team right?”

“Umm…..yeah.”, trying to act a bit over-smart.
Now whose she? And how does she know me.

“Hi. I am Miloni. The Indian School. 11th grade.”

I looked at her face, expressionless.

“Oh…so you are from my school. So where you heading to in Kolkatta.”

“To check you out.” And then after a brief pause, “playing cricket of course. You are going for the CBSE Annual Meet right?”

“Yeah. You seem to know a lot about me.”

“More then you can think of.”

And then the conversation kicked of which lasted for the rest of the flight.

While checking out at the airport, I asked her to come watch me play at a match and she had promised to do so.

I had my fingers crossed as I deeply wished her to come see me play.
Talking to her so felt like those days in India with Ishita and some of my other friends.

After landing in Kolkatta, while collecting our luggage their was another goof-up with the luggage’s as we were not aware where could we collect our luggage from and nor were the airport officials aware.

But soon things were sorted. All’s well that ends well.

But who said this was the end. This was I can say just the trailer. The movie is still left.

We caught the rickshaws for the hotel. It was early evening when we actually totally checked out of the airport so it was peak time and huge traffic jams.

And then our rickshaw driving trying to act smart to beat the traffic lost the follow up of the rickshaw in front of us, which had our coach who was aware of the route.

So we were lost in Kolkatta on the day of arrival itself. And also lost with us was another rick following us. So six of us lost in a new city. And then on top of this, it was that most of them were coming to India after ages and they expected me to find a solution as I have lived in India for so many years and these people assumed every place to be same like Dubai, in short Mumbai and Kolkatta is just the same with different names.

We went around the city for like almost for an hour hunting for the hotel. And then suddenly it stuck Namit, the fast bowler of the team that he has the address in his bag.

“Don’t you think you remembered it really fast.” Came in frustration from another teammate.

“Be happy, atleast he remembered guys.” Came in another and then we joked off the matter.

I took the address paper in my hand and after asking a few people we realized that we were standing right outside the hotel entrance and searching for.

Then came in Namit,

“Actually, I wanted to take you people on a ride around Kolkatta.”

Ya, right.

Luckily for him most of us were half dead or else he would have been.

So tired with the day’s happenings that we just dropped the bags in our room and off to sleep, skipping dinner.

And then the very next day we also had our practice match against some local school.

It was a rather weird climate out there. Just when we would think its going to rain, the sun will come out, shining bright.

But then it was indeed a good match. The ground was really well maintained and so was the pitch. A rather simple win I must say. The warm up session gave us a lot of confidence and an idea of what can we expect from weather, pitch and the ball.

The tournament was scheduled to get over within a fortnight.

Each team plays seven matches, in all eight teams, top four play the semi-finals in the knockout format and the winners of the semi-finals battle it out for the top slot.
Not really as simple as it sounds.

We were going to play the best teams from North, South, East and West India. In India cricket is indeed a religion. I mean if people are crazy in India about anything then it got to be Sensex, Bollywood, and Cricket. I had seen the fantasy behind all this, living 17years in Mumbai was enough to know this.

For people in India, they just die for a chance to be in a cricket tourney. Once in, they forget everything else, family and school is of no importance leave giving it even a second thought.

Well, after the trials we had some time to relax so just went around the hotel and a lot of timepass. The swimming pool was on the top floor, with Sauna and Jacuzzi. We all were having a blast of a time. I mean we just didn’t realize that time was flying by and we had an important inaugural match the very next day.

The day’s activity had kept us so busy that none of us had even bothered calling up back home that we have reached safely. So pretty late in the night when we realized, all of us ran to the nearest ISD booth.

Almost everyone of us got a nice hearing. But then it was time to pay for the calls.

“What none of us have carried our wallets?” came in Ansh.

“Wait Namit has his wallet.” Replied a teammate.

“Then pay the bill dude, we will give you back in the hotel.” Said Ansh.

“Will 50 Rupees be enough.” Asked Namit.

“You better had not brought the wallet.” Ansh expressing his anger.

In a hurry to make the call, we just left the hotels in a rush, with none of us bothering to carry our wallets.

Just when Sanjay and I offered to go back to the hotel and get the cash, our coach happened to be passing by and paid off the bill.

We went back to our respective hotel rooms. I was sharing the room with Sanjay and Manek. Just before sleeping we all started laughing off like crazy over the incident.

The inaugural match was supposed to be an exciting and a tough match for us, but we had it off with a simple win and the party had just begun.

A simple first match got us really a lot in the party mood. We would just wait to get back to the hotel and hog all the food laid out for us, enjoy at the disc for a while, lay down in the swimming pool, watch movies. It was like we had not come here for a high level tournament rather for a holiday. The only restriction being all of us stayed indoors within the hotel premises.

We ate like crazy and everything and anything served was over in just minutes after being laid down. I am sure the hotelkeepers were having a tough time keeping up with us.

So basically I broke the first instruction from Mom about being careful about my eating habits. I mean I was just dragged towards the food so I just couldn’t help it. After the first match we enjoyed like we had win the cup.

So the next day was a huge shock for us. We were thrashed in a manner similar to which we had beaten the other team in the inaugural match. It surely did the job of getting us on our toes. So we again got back to our practice sessions.

The third match we played hard and did snatch of a win. We really tried and covered up the mistakes of the previous outing. And so the fun rounds started all over again without bothering for the next match.

The fourth match had a nail-biting finish. It was the last over and I was trembling as we needed just 10runs to win. They had their best bowler in the attack. And somehow I gave away my weakness to him in the first two balls. But I managed to get 6runs with a ball to spare. I was really nervous, as I knew he knows what to bowl to me and I wasn’t wrong. Just with 4runs away from a win, I was bowled.

With this I broke the instruction of my coach of not letting away the weakness. I was really sad that day. The entire teams hopes were pinned upon me and I just couldn’t see those dejected faces of letting them down.

Four matches over, we had won two and lost two.

And then I was rested for the fifth match or basically dropped. That made me feel even more low. My mood became really bad. We won this encounter.

So that evening I just left the hotel on a stroll.

That was breaking dad’s instruction of not going out alone.

Around after 10minutes or so it started raining heavily out of nowhere. The hotel was way back and I would be completely wet by then.

A rickshaw driver offered to drop me back to the hotel but God only knows where all he took me. Some unknown street in this unknown city. My blood was like just freezing. And then he started of with some of his story tales about some murder and crimes.

I was already scared of him and on top of that all this. Then suddenly he stopped somewhere in between some chawl type of house and he goes like,

“Here normally all types of guns are kept”

Then he drove met out to another chawl,

“Saheb, want to try something tonight.”

“Nahin, just take me to the hotel.”, having no idea what he meant. I realized much later that he was talking about drugs.

He dropped me back at the same place where he had picked me up from and I felt like banging his head right their. But scared with the outing I quietly paid him the cash and left.

But the rains continued and there was no way I could reach the hotel.

Then someone pulled me below a roof.

Initially I thought it would be someone I know but then when I turned back, I didn’t recognize him. How would have I even, I had never met that person earlier.

I was feeling a bit scared now as I was new to the place and getting back to the hotel would be difficult as it was really getting dark then. And then that rickshaw Walla.

Luckily the rains stopped and I just rushed back to the hotel without even thanking the person. Actually it was also because of his presence I was feeling scared as thinking he would me some person related to that rickshaw Walla.

After reaching the hotel, that same person greeted me. He was the hotel manager. He had recognized me, but I had not. I thanked him and returned to my room.

Sanjay and Manek were just going out to ask if anyone had seen me as I was missing from the hotel since more than an hour now.

I told them what had happened and they just couldn’t help laughing. But I promised myself of never venturing out alone in this city.

I didn’t even play the sixth match as I myself opted to stay out. I was in a mental trauma.
Unfortunately we lost this game and the last match of the first round became all the more crucial.

We were playing our rivals from the Gulf. The winner was assured a seat in the semis and the loser would have to pack their bags. I was playing this match.

I surely did not pack mine. The opponent team was already exhausted, as they did not rotate the playing 11 and that clicked for us. We had a comfortable win and cruised in the semifinals.

In the semis we had lost to all the other three teams qualified so it would become really tough from now onwards. As the team in the semis would be tough to get over, and even if we did, it would be really tough to topple the opponent in the final.

But time would have its say.

For the time being the party fever was back but not so much fun as the seven back to back matches had drained all the energy out of us.

We paid back the opponents in the same coin. Basically we beat them in a similar fashion they had beaten us in the first round and we cruised into the CBSE Annual Meet finals.

We achieved this after 20years. 20years back we had reached the finals, and also won it. So expectations were really high upon us to achieve this feat once again.

The finals was going to be enthralling end to the tournament with loads more than just cricket going to happen their. It was going to be massive closing ceremony to the event.

But we all had the eyes on the trophy to take it back on that plane to Dubai. I was already thinking of how exciting it would be to have won that cup 20years back and got carried away to myself having got to hold it.

The finals started in a manner we had just desired. We won the toss and elected to bat first. All started well with giving a target of 225 in 25overs. The match also saw the first century of the tournament by me. I left my heart back in Dubai and played the knock I was longing to play for a really long time.

Victory was almost sealed with that target, as those were the highest runs ever on board on that ground.

But the second innings wasn’t as good for me as the first one. I dropped a crucial catch of the wicketkeeper captain of the opposite team who was in full form in the tournament. If I had caught that he would have been back in the pavilion for just 7runs.

Some how we got back into the game and their wickets kept falling. We were more interested in sending them back to the pavilions and just ignored the fashion or speed with which their score was building up.

It was in the last 5overs we actually realized that they needed just 30runs in the last five overs, with 3wickets in hand. So we had to decide upon a strategy, either to get them all over or waste the last 5overs. Their captain was still on crease.

Ansh was of the view that it would be really tough to hang them on for next 30 balls. So decided to attack to get the lower order out. I and Sanjay were of the view that not to let the captain take strike and waste the balls. But it was really difficult to make him understand and so we just dropped it.

Ansh trick paid of in the first over as their 8th wicket fell. But then their captain smartly kept the strike with him and went behind our bowlers and sealed of the win for them with 2overs and 2wickets to spare.

We had lost the match we should have won.

That was surely not the manner in which we desired to end the series. I was awared the man of the match but that was of less importance as I saw the trophy going to the opponents in front of my eyes.

That night again my mood was really low. Everyone was out partying trying to forget what happened.

I couldn’t go out with them, as somewhere I was to blame for the defeat by dropping that catch.

For a moment I felt so like quitting cricket.

I just wished if Ishaan and Ranbir would be their then. We wish so many thing to happen which never actually do happen.

Then again knocked at the door. I ran as if it was going to be Ishaan and Ranbir. I was crazy. It was Sanjay who was asking me to come down. I told him to carry on and I would join him in a few minutes.

Then again the phone rang. It would be someone or the other asking me to come down. I felt just like disconnecting the line.

I picked up the phone and just started of,
“I am coming down.”

But some one else replied. I mean it was from the reception.
“Sir there is a call for you.”

Call for me. Who would be calling me at like 10 in the night? No one even knows which hotel I am in.

...to be continued...

Best Buddies - Time to forget & Leave - Part 8

2008-10-03T01:24:00.005+05:30

Part - 7
Part - 6
Part - 5
Part - 4
Part - 3
Part - 2
Part - 1

The tournament and late night parties had left me exhausted and within a week I was to fly to India for the CBSE tournament. God knows how do Indian cricketers survive after so many matches.

Well, more then that I was interested in knowing the Jai-Ranbir friendship story.
I did feel like asking it directly to Ranbir and then dropped the plan.

But wait, I guess Ishita called up last night and she know’s the reason. Flip how the hell did I forget that.

The next thing I do, is try her number and it’s unavailable. Atleast 10 calls in a minute, just wishing that this time I might get through.

The suspense was beginning to kill me. I have no clue what the excitement was all about.

I again tried her cell after an hour and still off.

Why do these girls keep cell-phones when they want to keep it off? Just to show-off their fancy pouches.
And she doesn’t even have a landline to call up on.

Then back to cricket practice but calling up Ishita was all going on in my mind, so I was completely off play. And then we aren’t allowed to keep cell-phones on practice as it’s a source of distraction and now not having it was distracting me.

And the first thing I do after getting off the grounds is catch hold of my cell. And the unavailable saga continues.

I was actually getting frustrated to the core.

Today I decided to walk back home. Just felt like going on a long walk. So me and Sanjay decided to take on the walk.

There was more of cricket in our talks rather than anything else. Basically both of us have been vice-captains to the school teams in various matches and many a times my selection in the team has been doubtful like the one for CBSE Annual Meet.

On the way we decided to have a quick bite of a sandwich and so dropped in to a restaurant on the way.

We were just leaving the restaurant when all of a sudden Sanjay goes like,

“Hey Nikhil, that’s Ishita right, the girl we met at your party.”

I turned around with a sprang.

“And who’s that guy with her? I have seen him somewhere.”

“No idea. Lets leave. I am getting a bit late now.”

“Wait a sec. He is Jai, Science, our school only.”

Jai. What the hell? How the heck do Ishita and Jai know each other? I did not consider it wise to confront them now, so we just left the restaurant with the sandwich and a bottle of cold drink.

I was already confused with the Jai-Ranbir history and now there’s a new angle to it – Ishita.

“Jai and this guy Ranbir used to be really good friends. You would never see them separated. Then suddenly something happened that they could see each other’s face.”

Does Sanjay know something about them?

“Do you know the reason?” I asked.

He went in for a brief pause and then a car came honking and halted right next to us. It was Sanjay’s dad. So he boarded the car and left. I was alone walking, with so much of mess in my brains that I totally forgot that I had to leave for India, the very next day.

But again that thought vanished. Jai-Ranbir and now Jai-Ishita. What’s cooking? I was totally clueless.

Ishita was going to tell me, but her cell was off. And then I see her with Jai. I seriously don’t get the connection.

Well I was so getting bugged with this.

So next I do is call up Ishaan. I seriously needed a break. Even cricket, my passion couldn’t help me out. What’s wrong with me?

“Dude, where are you?”

“Practice buddy, you know naa..that I have that Youth Cult Fest happening in a fortnights time.”

“Ohh..yeah. By the way I am leaving tomorrow night for the CBSE Meet.”

“Awesome. That’s good news. But wait a minute, you don’t sound excited.”

“Actually…I am. But I don’t know, somehow I feel so low. I mean…I seriously have no clue why.”

“Dude,…you ok.”

I was silent. I was totally blank.

“Nikhil…you there? Listen, I am wrapping up the practice for the day. Meet you at our hotspot in 20minutes flat.”

Now that’s what I call true friendship. I knew that this event meant a lot for him. It was nothing less then a dream come true. But then he knew that I needed him urgently. And that’s why he was gonna be there.

And then there are people like Ishita who keep their cell off.

I reached the hotspot at the creek in 10minutes.
This was like the best place in town. You come here, alone or with friends; you are bound to go back happy.

The best about this place is that, everything around talks to you. I mean the passing water, that at times flashes up on your face, the birds that talk to each other, the breeze that blows by, the cool grass.

And everything of this has got a meaning a lesson to teach us.

The flowing water shows with its waves show us that life is just not the same. At times you love it, at times you hate it but that’s the fun of it.

The birds say that you are not alone. There is some one somewhere who cares for you and that person will always try to make sure that you never feel alone.

The breeze shows that you need to let things go by, specially those things which have turned up against you.

The grass tells us to be cool. Just because that’s the only time when we function normally.

“Want some fries?”

“Love you Ishaan.”

I just loved fries like crazy, and I was already feeling better.

“What have you been talking to yourself all this while about?”

“When did you come?”

“Since the time you have been in your deep-deep thoughts.”

I couldn’t help but just smiled.

“So still trying to unknot the Jai-Ranbir friendship mystery.”
“Actually,…yes.”
“That’s why I didn’t call up Ranbir. Because you would have been in an even more awkward position then.”
“Thanks for understanding.”
“Shut up Nikhil. Keep your thanks to yourself. Why are you so concerned about that? I mean its history, so why can’t you just let it remain an unsolved one?”

I again went silent. I did not have a reply.

“Nikhil, don’t you think more than that is required for a 17 year old guy.”

“I don’t know. But there is surely something that’s pulling me to it.”

“Why do you take things so seriously that they just lose the charm of it?”

“I am clueless yaar. I mean when I have heard something partially, I so feel like knowing everything about it. Its just the way I am. I just can’t help thinking about it.”

“And that’s why you have been messing up everything these days.”

“I didn’t get you.”

“Your cricket practices, your behavior at home, mood swings. Listen control your brain or else you will lose it forever.”

“But I have lived this way for the past 17years. And all’s well.”

“You must be kidding Nikhil. All’s well it seems. Dude nothing is well. Learn to ignore things, so what if it’s about your best friend. If he doesn’t bother anymore, if he doesn’t care, then why do you?”

“Even if he is wrong or has done something wrong or maybe is planning to.”

Ishaan went silent for the first time in today’s conversation.

“Reply Ishaan. How can you just see your friend ruining his damn life and stay silent. I mean I seriously cannot. No matter what it takes. I don’t care if considers me wrong or takes me in the wrong sense.”

“You are forgetting dude. You need to be in the system to change the system.”

“What system dude? Every second counts. By the time you try to enter the system only things change. By that time you might have actually lost your friend. So if in any case you are going to lose him, then why not by putting them on the right track.”

“Relax Nikhil. I think there is something more than Jai-Ranbir that’s bugging you.”

“Today I saw Jai with Ishita.”

“What?”

“Exactly I also gave the same reaction.”

“But just the other day she had told, that she knew no-one in our school.”

“No clue..Ishaan.”

“But so what, I mean like big deal.”

“Last night, Ishita had called me up and she told me that she knew the reason of their friendship split.”

“What rubbish. How’s that possible.”

“Now toh..even my curiosity is rising. So, did not she tell you the reason.”

“Actually my cell went off and the today since morning her cell is off.”

“Do you think that we should ask Ranbir straight?”

“I don’t think this would be the right time to as him. I mean we all are leaving for India in sometime. Maybe after that.”

“I guess you are right. But what about your mood. You are normalizing it or should I do the honours.”

“What you planning to do?”
Before I could even realize, splash water comes on my face from the bottle he was carrying.

And bang I almost run behind him the entire stretch of the creek, still outside our building.

“You are too slow Nikhil. God knows how they selected you in the cricket team.”

“Ya right. Its just that I injured my leg in the practice today.”

“Sporty reason. Anyways bye, its three in the night, go and sleep, you have to leave within 24hours.”

What the heck? It’s three. I had reached the creek at around 10. Time actually just flew by. And then now I was actually even feeling better. Thanks to Ishaan.

But wait. I was supposed to be home today before 10 or else Mom was going to kick me out or basically not let me in. Dead.

I was like Ishaan, I am coming over to sleep.

The next day I had an off from the practice sessions. Basically before killing a goat you feed them naa…same that way. Because after landing in Kolkatta I can’t even expect a single minute to chill-pill.

Well, that day I was busy like crazy. Instructions from Mom that don’t eat this, don’t try that, take care of yourself and a long list of do’s and don’ts.

Next in line was Dad. Don’t talk to strangers. Don’t go out alone. Don’t leave your rooms in the night. Kolkatta is not a very safe place and another list of Do’s and don’ts.

Then called up one of the coaches who was not coming along. Play this shot this way and don’t try this shot. Don’t let them know your weakness. This team is good at this. The pitches there are like this. The weather is going to be like that. One more list of Do & Don’ts.

I couldn’t help but listening to all this. And Di was busy laughing over me.

Then once packing was over Ishaan, Ranbir, Jai, Ishita, Bhavika and Sania came over to my place.

I was feeling like I was in the Indian Cricket Team and I was going to play the World Cup.

“So all set Nikhil.” started off Ranbir. To stay quiet is not in him.

“Yes, everything is fixed.”, I replied

“From now?”

“Yes. The hall, the date only the girl is left.”

“What you talking about?”

“You talking about my marriage only naa. All set it seems.”

And all of us started laughing and Ranbir was feeling so embarrassed.

That’s when Ishita came for the rescue.

“Why Nikhil? Very eager to get married. You are not even 18 yet.”

“Anything Ishita.”

Hearing her speak, it reminded me of Jai-Ranbir and Ishita knew the reason. But how and when would I ask her?

We were upto all sorts of time pass. Pulling each other’s leg. But then these are the moments I am going to miss for a month now.

Time passed by but I got no chance to speak to her alone. So the mystery was going to continue for atleast another month, still I return from India.

I left for the airport with Dad. And then Mom started crying as if I am going abroad for further studies and she wouldn’t see me for ages. Well that’s what you call Mom and you just can’t help it.

I checked in and Dad hugged me and was like,

“Go and make us feel proud.”

It felt so great to here those words. Dad would never express his feeling to us but I knew he was the best Dad on earth.

Once in, I called up everyone one after the other.
Here is what they had to say,

Ishita: “You better don’t come back without the cup.”

Ranbir: “Chak De.”

Ishaan: “Leave your heart back in Dubai and go.”

I boarded the flight and it was scheduled to depart on time. It was shocking that Air India was going to be on time and it actually even did.

But then around 10minutes after take off it landed back at the same airport.

A guy from behind my seat shouted.

“Kolkatta came. So fast. I did not even eat anything.”

But most of us were in a state of shock. I mean why the emergency landing.

...to be continued...

Best Buddies - Surprises Continue - Part 7

2008-09-16T00:31:00.001+05:30

Part - 6
Part - 5
Part - 4
Part - 3
Part - 2
Part - 1

‘What the hell is going on?’, I asked myself.

I was looking right and left, trying to figure out what is going to happen and what past happening is leading to this future happening.

Ranbir had actually had a fight with him some time back. They were really good friends at one point of time.

Ishaan decided to solve all their previous outstandings with a game of pool.

So instead of the usual meeting at the boxing ring, the pool table would act as one.
A game of pool was decided to act as the decider and the loser pays 100bucks straight and close all previous accounts.

And the game of pool started with Ranbir and Ishaan teaming up and facing one opponent.

It was not going to be a long game but promised to be an exciting one. Ishaan and Ranbir were good at the game as they usually had a game out.

But against their opponent, they stood nowhere. Although the game delivered to be an unforgettable one, Ishaan and Ranbir stood no chance of a win.

Ranbir had to shell out 100bucks for the loss. It was surely not a great evening for him I guess.

The loss did show on their face, but they just could not help it. I guess it hurt their ego.

Well I was in a good mood and in a mood to pull their legs,

"Were they your friends? And why did you gift them 100 bucks. You people never gave me even a single one."

Ishaan was as if just waiting to take his anger out on someone.
"Nikhil, shut up, are you in a mood to get beaten up by the two of us."

"Not fair. Now I know why you lost. You were two and he was one, still he won."

"Ranbir, don't you think he is talking a lot today."

And they ran behind me all the way still we reached a restaurant pre-decided by Ishaan and me.

Inside another surprise was awaiting Ranbir.

The same guy to whom Ranbir had just lost a game of pool too.

Jai was Ranbir's best friend at one point of time.

Jai-Ranbir were sort of an example of true and perfect friendship. Friendship like them was hardly ever seen. Both like complete opposites and yet so similar. They had known each other for almost 6years.
This is what I had heard about both of them from our classmates.

But then suddenly a few months back things took a weird turn and the two could not stand each other since then.

The only mystery surrounding this was the reason of the crack. The question was, what had happened that the two of them had to part ways. No one knows what had actually happened. The secret is locked deep in their hearts and it would be rather difficult to know the truth.

Jai confronted Ranbir,

“Sorry.”

I could see the emotions getting the hold of Ranbir.

Jai came forward and hugged Ranbir.
“Happy Birthday Casanova.”

Jadoo ki jhappi actually does work.

And I could see their damp eyes. I guess this was the best gift Ishaan and I could ever give Ranbir.

“Sorry Einsten.” Said Ranbir.

We still did not know the reason of what went wrong, but I guess things should never be so bad between friends.

So the four of us had a delicious dinner that night.

I had never seen this side of Ranbir before, so damn emotional. Who says guys don’t have heart and that guys are feelingless. Every damn guy has emotions within him; it’s just that he doesn’t show them.

But something more was awaited.

“Ranbir, I am going to States forever next week.”
This statement from Jai came as a shock for Ranbir.

“I just wanted to tell you that friends like you are scarce and wanted to only carry our good times to States and so I am here today. You are my best friend and will always remain.”

Ranbir was speechless.

We left the restaurant. Jai left for his house after handing over the 100 bucks he had won just a few hours back and then we left walking. A quiet walk on a summer evening.

Ranbir was not in a condition to say anything and we thought it was better to leave it to him to get over the stuff before we said anything. I could very well understand his state of mind at that point of time after all a similar situation had come up between me and Ishita, though I was on the other side of the fence then.

This was maybe the first 15minutes of our life, when all the three of us were together and no one uttered a word.

But half way through, Ranbir stopped all of a sudden.

“Whats wrong, Ranbir?”, enquired Ishaan

“Thanks a lot guys. You people really made my day.”

And then he raised his hand forward,

“Guys promise me that whatever happens, we will never break our friendship.”

And without waiting a second we put our hands on top of it, an agreement of lifetime vailidity of our friendship had just taken place.

Back to Wonder City, a quick Bye, Back to Home, and right to sleep.

Even on bed, I could not help myself from thinking, that what such thing must have happened that two best friends could not even stand each other, and if things were so bad, then how the hell that within a minute they forgot everything.

There surely must be some other reason attached to it. They surely didn’t break their friendship at their own free will, there is surely some other hidden fact.

The next morning I got a call from our cricket coach. The Dubai Under 18 Cup was starting in a weeks time and practice sessions would begin that very day.
Now the vacations were going to take a huge turn. After this tournament, next in line was the CBSE annual meet. The schedule was really going to be tight.

I guess Ranbir’s birthday was going to be the last happening outing of the current vacations. Because as soon as the Dubai Cup gets over, all three of us will be heading to India for our individual events.

But still the thing haunting me was the Jai-Ranbir debacle. I really wanted to get to the root of the problem.

And before I could think further came a phone call.

“Ishita, where are you? Since your surprise visit to my house, you have just gone missing.”

“Yaar, I had this Admission problem going on. So I was totally busy with it. I have finally got admission in your school.”

“Hey, that’s awesome.”

“Listen, then meet me for coffee at 8 at starbucks.”

“Done.”

It was after a long time that I was going to spend some time with her. I was feeling a bit weird also at the same time, no idea why.

We sat at the table facing the main road.

“So, found your Bride?”

No Hi, no hello, straight attack.

“I guess you are doing good, aren’t you.”

“Shut up Nikhu, I have told you so many times, that don’t even think of me.”

Well, then the usual discussion, how were you, missed me and how is everything going and so on.

I then told her everything about Ranbir and Ishaan, like how I met them and then about Bhavika, and also about Jai.

Even she was shocked to hear of such an unusual turn to a friendship.

Initially she totally denied accepting that such a thing could even happen.

But eventually she agreed to help me reach the core of the matter.

“Jai is leaving in a week’s time. So that’s the only time we have with us. Ranbir will not tell us, Jai is the only person who can.”

“Wait a minute. There surely is a third person who knows all this and that person is the centrepoint of this problem.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Give me some time I will let you know.”

“Arey, tell me now.”

“Have Patience Nikhil.”

As if this Jai-Ranbir mystery was not enough to ride a hurricane in my brain, she was adding more to it.

And then her phone rang, she told me Bye and just left.

What the hell? Confusion prevails and the mystery still continues.

I got busy with my practice sessions. Meanwhile even Ranbir was busy with his football team training sessions and Ishaan with the dance & drama. Also, Jai had delayed his flight by almost a fortnight so that surely gave us more time to find out.

The Dubai under 18 cup had started and we were considered one of the top contenders for the cup. But we lost in the finals by a close chase and the inaugural trophy just went of our hands. Well that did put us down a bit, but I did get the Best Player of the Tournament Award to boost my confidence.

Just post the match, Ishita called up.

“I have found out the reason behind the Jai-Ranbir friendship.”

“What, you serious? Tell me.”
There was a lot of noise in the background and I couldn’t hear clearly, still I kept the handset close to my ears, for whatever I could catch.

But then suddenly the handset went blank.

It was out of battery. The battery also had to get over now only. Why the hell didn’t I charge it?

I would not be able to speak to Ishita till tomorrow afternoon, just because of the after parties that followed the tournament.

Now again and again different thoughts kept running up and down my mind on what could actually be the reason.

And the thing I could not do, how did Ishita do it?

...to be continued...

Best Buddies - New Era - Part 6

2008-08-27T02:08:00.005+05:30

Part - 5
Part - 4
Part - 3
Part - 2
Part - 1

Ranbir was drunk, so all he needed was a bed to lie his body on. He wouldn't have even minded a thorn woven mattress to sleep upon, as if he would even realise it.

I and Ishaan sat on his bed talking about loads of different aspects of life.

We very often had this type of general discussion, very much like that mature people talk. It was as if the burden of taking care of half the world had crest fallen on us.

We were getting bored in the room, so we went to the balcony to enjoy the fresh air breezing through.

"This people in U.S. are so useless. They can't do a single thing by themselves, need our help at every move, and still blame us for all world crisis."
Ishaan started of with his hatred for the States.

Somehow he had this seed of hatred towards all Americans growing within him. There should be some reason behind it, but I still haven't dared to ask him. No idea why.

"Actually you are right. What right do they have to blame us for all this inflation."
Just adding fuel to the fire. I was really bad to start a topic for conversation and way bad at changing an on-going one. People normally got offended when I even attempted doing so. So, I rather prefered playing it safe.

"Those losers, keep attacking other nations for fun, hamper the World peace and then play the blame game."
You can give him a few minutes of preparations and he can speak against US for hours non-stop.

"Because of them the oil prices have shot up and they blame the Middle East for controlling oil supply.", I said, adding to what he just said

"If ever I got access to nuclear power, even by mistake, the first thing I would do is blow up America. If no American will be alive, then what the hell will they be able to do."

I just smiled a bit. It was actually getting way to heavy for me. And I thought I better take the risk of changing the topic.

Silence prevailed for sometime, luck was in my favour I thought so.

"So, what plans after 12th?"

"Nothing decided. Might study here or back to India."

I guess that was quite obvious, as he wouldn't go to US or there allies like UK or Australia for sure.

"What have you thought? Here or back to India."

Mom-Dad were planing to send me abroad like a few of my cousins who had moved out a year or two back. But I better don't say that, else he will think me as an American and kill me on the spot.

"Same case dude. Nothing decided as of yet."

Again after a few minutes of silence.
"I haven't asked this to you ever, I guess. How do you feel here in a new country?"

"New city, new people, new friends, altogether a completely new beginning. Frankly speaking, its very different from India. A complete change of life style and environment. The only thing common is that 24/7 you are surrounded by Indians."

"So where do you find it better?"

"I can't comment on that. I have lived there for like 17years, so I surely find it better there. But Dubai is also good. And surely friends like you and Ranbir will make things better for me."
I am rather a Diplomat you see. I can't hurt anyone's feelings ever, so as usual play it on the safer side.

Ishaan replied with a laugh.
"Any doubt. By the way, I somehow feel that you like someone. Just an intution, not sure if its true. Eyeing someone?"

Now is it some serious talk or casual or has Ranbir opened his mouth. Does he know or he doesn't know. I was hell confused, should I tell him the truth? Is it the right time? I kept thinking, and completely forgot that I had a question to answer to.

"So temme dude.", Ishaan asked again, kicking me.

And spontaneously all my thoughts vanished and the reply to tackle this question at this point of time, also went missing.

"Yeah, I had a crush on a girl, and she is dating someone else."
Wait a minute. Did i actually tell that? Isn't Ranbir supposed to be drunk. Then why am I acting as one.

"So here finally come's the revealation. Whose the lucky girl?"
I wish I had opted to sleep and not chit-chat at this time of the night. Why do such questions come at such odd hours?

"Let's go to sleep Ishaan. I am feeling sleepy.", trying to yawn I said that, although I was completely woken up by the last few minutes of conversation, and I could also see my attempt going down the drain.

"Shut up, sit there, and tell me."

I can't lie and it was my time to die.

"Bhavika.", another quick reply. Am i gone crazy? I replied without even being aware of what am I saying.

Ishaan stared at me for a minute as if getting ready to spring upon me. And then he started laughing. I also tried to smile, though I was getting to feel uncormfortable. It felt like the silence before the storm.
But he continued to laugh and fell of his chair.

Did I crack a joke or I said something that he didn't understand.

I also continued to smile, though in a very awkward position.

"So why did you not tell me this before."

"I..I..."I was looking for words. All the words from my brains dictionary seemed to have vanished.

"Don't hesitate dude, say it. I am your friend after all. You won't share with me, then with whom will you share it."

He was right. Very few people understood me so well. And he was one of them, atleast that's what I think as of now. And gradually I started feeling better.

"Frankly speaking, I wasn't sure of your reaction. Coz initially I didn't know you so well, and then lately I didn't want a girl to cause problem's in our friendship. And I am very bad at making people understand the reality. They usually tend to not to believe me and then the friendship eventually breaks."

He started laughing again. What the hell wrong did I say now?

"I never knew that my Mumbaiwala friend took friendship so seriously."

"Well, I am that way only.", trying to act as if it was something to be taken lightly and was rather some sort of an achievment.

So finally I guess there is someone I can confide in. I am normally scared to tell things to people, thinking that as if they are already in excess of problems and why to add mine to there ever growing list. And some people take in the wrong way, assuming that I don't trust them. What they fail to understand that I am that way only and nothing on earth can change me.

"Nikhil, what if I tell you, I already knew this?"
And again he started to laugh on my shocking expression.

"I just wanted to hear it from your mouth, just to make you feel comfortable. Ranbir told me this sometime back."

"I am gonna shoot Ranbir dead."

"Why don't you trust me."

"Its not the matter of trust. But then still...", I paused, I had no arguments to defend myself.

"Still, what? Dude, there should be nothing hidden between the three of us."

"I will try me best."

It's great to have people like Ishaan around. So cool, simple yet they are special, unique. And they put you at such an ease that you just keep spilling everything out of your brain to them.

I have hardly had any friends to talk to me in this manner. I guess it was the beginning of a new era of friendship.

"Nikhil, I guess we better sleep now, else we might not wake up tomorrow for the big day."

Both of us started laughing and went off to bed.

I and Ishaan woke up early the next morning, well afternoon.
We woke up Ranbir who was still fast asleep.

Ishaan started off,
"Ranbir your Mom is in the next room. Your, mine and Nikhil's mom are discussing something. Have you any clue?"

Ranbir sprang up as if it was an electric shock.
"What's Mom doing here?"

And then I added.
"Ishaan, remember his mom saw him drunk last night."

Whatever left sleep he had also vanished.

"Maybe his Mom wants to stop all his outings from now on."

"That's not fair. I don't drink everyday. Its just occasionally."

"Improve your english. It's not drink, its Drunk."

And I and Ishaan started laughing.

"Nikhil, when was the last time you saw someone being beaten by a broomstick."

"Its been ages."

"Then see it live in a few minutes from now, directly from Ishaan's residence that is my residence."

Ranbir was going red already.

"What useless friends you both are. Instead of thinking of helping me, you are laughing that in some time I will be royally screwed."

I felt like telling him, that I would have been royally screwed last night, if Ishaan had a different outlook to the Bhavika case.

"Let's just go and meet your mom, right Ranbir?"

"Nowayz. Are you gone crazy? Even if mom asks what am I doing, tell her I am asleep."

"We can't lie to your Mom, right Ishaan?"

Ishaan was playing around with his cell, I guess calling someone. As soon as he left the cellphone, came a cracking of a voice,

"Ranbiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrrrr."

"Screwed." Thats all Ranbir said before going below his blanket, trying to act to sleep.

"Ranbir, your mom is calling. Lets go."

Ishaan started pulling him off his bed.

Ranbir came with us to the other room, actually hiding behind us. I guess the only person of whom he has always been scared of is his Mom.

But I found his Mom really sweet, nice and caring. I mean which Mom was going to allow her son to drink often, keep shifting girlfriends and yet hardly say anything.

"What do you think Ranbir you are doing hiding behind there backs?", shouted out Ranbir's Mom. She seemed in a ferocious mood.

I and Ishaan split open and Ranbir stood straight facing his Mom.

"Let Dad come back from China. I will tell him what his son has been upto."

Ranbir stayed there quiet.

Normally he blabbered that much nonsense that he could easily beat girls in the non-stop speaking competetion. And now this wild horse was quiet.

'Craaaaccckkkk...', suddenly a cracker burst right below Ranbir's leg and he immediatelly jumped up shouting out loud.

And almost a dozen people came pushing themselves into the room from wide angles and different corners and a few of them picked him up from his hands and few caught his leg.

And began the ever so musical,

"Happy Birthday to you....Happy Birthday dear Ranbir....Happy Birthday to you."

And the birthday song continued.

Ranbir swang from east to west and soon up and down.

As soon as the song got over, began the 18kicks on his back, that also halfway in the air.

And if that was less, he was thrown up in the air and left to fall flat on the floor. That would have been the worst fall ever.

And that was just the start of the roller coaster ride for a b'day filled with surprise. This was just the start. I guess the brromstick would have been less painful.

His mom then gifted him a new laptop, that he wanted to buy for more then a year.

And all his friends, including me and Ishaan gifted him a Cell phone. He was even wanting a new handset for sometime.

Soon we had the cake cutting ceremony. And instead of us eating it, as it happens in every other party, it was more used for make-up purposes.

Ranbir actually looked a perfect clown in the make-up, specially with the red nose. We all did our best as make-up artists, hopefully it was appreciated.

That was indeed an eventful afternoon. Even post the surprise party, he still was half-unconscious all the while, as if he was in some other world surrounded by dragons and dracula's.

He was still trying to recover from the days shock, totally caught unaware with the irregularity of the days happenings.

Well, the entire credit goes to his Mom and Ishaan for the awesome idea. I mean it was something different, rather unexpected. A lot went behind keeping it hidden from him. Ishaan seriously did an awesome job with it. He was a true buddy. Ever ready to do anything for friends.

Ranbir didn't even realise that it was all cooked up, still the last minute.

His expressions were the catch of the day. From the news of his mom seeing him last night, to the the cracker burst, it was a motion of unmissable and unique chain of emotions and expressions.

Well so it was eventually declared a HIT surprise party.

Well, later in the day we went out for a game of pool and obvously I and Ishaan didn't carry any cash, as we had the ATM on foot for the day with us.

Anything was just a call away. And he got everthing we asked for in the very first shot.

But then things had an unusual turn there.

We were having our game there, when some roadside gangsters came in and began to act oversmart.

And Ishaan was pissed. I found out later that earlier also he had a fight with them and a heated argument kick started.

If that was less, then I guess Ranbir also thought it was the right time to clear off old debts.

I was the only one left to enter the league, but it made more sense to not to enter into action.

After all I trusted Ishaan and Ranbir with there potential.

...to be continued...

Best Buddies - How they met - Part 5

2008-08-08T08:08:00.007+05:30

Part - 4
Part - 3
Part - 2
Part - 1

It was around 1:30 in the night.

Mom-dad had gone to sleep and Di had left for her friends place.

So the room was all mine, but wait, ofcourse I had Ranbir and Ishaan for torture.

Even before I could lay my back on the bed, came the first arrow out of Ranbir's bow,

"Dude, who was she?"

And me like an innocent guy, as if not knowing anything,

"She...Who?"

And then came in the chorus, like the final warning,

"Ishita."

Flashback: Around two years back, when I met Ishita for the first time.

I and few of my friends were sitting in the college canteen.

A girl had just given two tight slaps to one of my friends.

I jumped in, to his rescue, or else maybe he would have had a couple of them more.

"What do you think you are doing?", I asked the girl.

And some guy from the back shouted,

"That's her style of breaking up."

Wow, what a style to say the final good-bye.

Before I could even react, she just walked off.

I started wondering how did my friend spend the last few days with her, she must have been a torture, whoever she was.

A few days later, I saw her at a railway station, arguing at the ticket window. She did not have change and the person at the desk was not ready to give her change for 100Rs. So, she took the entire station on her head.

"You people don't even know how to treat women. I will take a rally out against you people. You people think you have the right to do anything. I will start a camapign against you all. You will loose your job."

She blabbered non-stop for like 10minutes. The person at the window had to finally repent his action and gave her change from his own pocket and pleaded her to leave.

Luckily, there was the glass in the middle or else even he would have had experienced her slap.

But the on-lookers had a good time.

That's the advantage girls have, shout at the top of your voice and the world bows down to you.

A few days later, I saw her arguing with a rickshaw driver. He didn't have a rupee to give back to her, and she started non stop.

"All you drivers are the same. Inspite of having change you people don't give it. Just want to earn money by cheating."

And the lecture continues for another 5minutes.
I was just thinking, when does the slap come in. Maybe the driver had a good day.
When the driver felt that he was beating his head against a wall, he somehow managed to get a rupee and gave it to her.

And what she does, in front of the driver, gives it to a small poor boy begging on the roads.

Once incidentally she was with her friends at an ice-cream parlour, where even I was with my friends.

Some other guys also, I guess from my college were present there. They started whistling and passing comments.

A minute later, we hear three slaps back to back. We turn back, and its this was the same girl in action. The guys quietly left the place.

Now, she was a horror in my eyes. Friendship with her was impossible. How could anyone be friends with her? She spoke less with her mouth and more with her hands.

But I was wrong.

One weekend, I was on my monthly social visit to a orphanage, where I teach children.

There even she was there. Playing, laughing and enjoying with children.

I was shocked to see her there. A girl of this nature, at a place like this was impossible to think about.

Well, that was the first time I met her face to face.

The father of the school introduced the both of us.

Ishita, that was her name.

We just smiled at each other, and moved on.

But that smile was surely everlasting, she looked so sweet with that smile on her face, rather than that horrifying look she normally carries.

We again met at the library a few days on. She was trying to reach for a book, and I offered to get it for her.

"You guys, just need a chance to hit on a girl. Just saw a girl alone, and you come up to try and hit on her."

I surely didn't have any such intentions. I was stunned. With a hand on my cheeks, just to avoid the slap.

"I am sorry, but I was just trying to help you out."

"Help, my foot. I very well know guys like you."

I went and sat at the table, and began reading a newspaper, to shocked to even stabilise soon.

How did people even tolerate her for a second?

Next day she was on the same train I was in.

All of a sudden she came to me.

I was scared and jumped back, thinking she came here to slap me, which she forgot yesterday.

"I am sorry for yesterday. I was actually in a bad mood, and thought all guys are the same."

And again that killer smile and she left.

I was so addicted to such suicidal smiles.

That weekend, we again met, and that to again co-incidentally. She had come with her friends to watch the movie, and I was with my friends.

We just excahnged quick smiles and Hi's and moved into our seats.

As if meeting at the theatre wasn't enough, she was seated right next to me.

It was a romantic movie, and I was wondering what was she doing there.

And hopefully she wasn't in a bad mood today, or that would have been the end of me.

Somewhere toward the middle of the movie, her cell started ringing, and while trying to reach for her cell, she slipped all the coke and pop-corn on me.

And as if I had just appointed some advocates, my friends started screaming on her.

She was so shocked, that she just left the hall, and I guess with tears in her eyes.

I also went behind her, having no clue what pulled me out. I tried to console her, but stopping a girl cry is surely not my cup of tea.

But somehow, she stopped crying. But it was too late, I guess. The movie was over and people were moving out.

I offered to drop her back home, and we left walking.

That's when I actually found out, who the real Ishita was.

She surely was not that egoistic, angry young girl, I had seen her all this while as.

She was cool, frank, zero attitude, chatterbox, just like the girl next door.

She would easy mingle around, but was really short tempered.

Two extremes of her, from where its extremely difficult to get her back was, her anger and her emotions.

We soon became really good friends. Hanged around together, fought with each other, played pranks on each other and every sort of nonsense possible.

Once I went to her place.

If the daughter was like this, how would the rest of the family be, I just kept wondering till I finally met them.

"So, how many guys has she slapped so far.", asked her mom.

"First ask him, how many as he received so far.", interrupted her dad.

"I haven't slapped him yet.", came in Ishita's reply.

"That's why he had the guts to be here.", this one was from Ishita's sister.

"Nikhil, they are all gone crazy.", came in Ishita's quick response defending herself.

Getting in the mood, I also blabbered something.

"After all they are related to you."

She got so angry, that she ran behind me in the entire house.

Maybe that was her style to show me her house.

A few days later she dropped in at my place.

She had been there for like an hour, and Mom and she were chatting for like past entire time.

"Nikhil, why didn't you get her home before.", asked my mom, just when I entered the house.

I just didn't reply. What would have I even said.

Mom was busy talking that she forgot she had to even cook dinner, so she just decided to get it ordered from outside.

"Congratz, you won the bet, now out.", speaking ti Ishita, when Mom wasn't around.

I was just trying to get her out. God only knows what all she might have told mom, in my absence.

But mom just would not let her go. And I sat right across, just trying to bring that fake smile, every time my name came up.

Luckily time flied by that day and she went home.

My mom was so very impressed with her.

But my sister and dad were so dreaded by her presence that they gave me a warning never to get her back home. Mom had just forgotten everything including that we were also at home.

But, I had never seen Mom so happy in the past year or so.

Ishita surely had some magic in her.

We spent most of the time with each other and almost everyone in the school felt we were dating.
Once a guy came and asked Ishita,
"How is that loser boyfriend Nikhil...of yours doing?"
And came in Ishita's favourite reply.

A tight slap across his face, and she made sure he never showed his face to her again.

So no-one dare opened there mouth, or else they would have been royally screwed by our very own Ishita. The school was as if haunted by her and feared her as if she was the Ghost Principal or something.

But, I knew her in and out. She was like a coconut, hard from outside but tender and soft from inside. It was heaven to have a friend like her. She was the creator of most problems, and she had solutions to all problems.

Once she was angry with the entire class of ours. So she somehow convinced the History proffesor to keep a test the very next day.

And for the next 24hrs everyone kept abusing her like crazy.

No-one in the class was prepared for the test, and neither was she. So she came to the rescue of the class. She only convinced the proffesor again to delay the test by one week.

She was way to good at it. She had that strength to even melt stone with water. I always wondered how she did all this, that also so easily.

No-one ever said NO when she asked for help and she would always stand by you when you needed her.

She once started a revolt against a proffesor who had slapped one of our classmate's. Within a week's time she forced the principal to give a warning to that proffesor.
Once she starts, you just cant stop her.

No matter how dreadful she could be, people always praised her for she would stand by the truth always. She hated lies.

Her friends usually called her, 'Angel in Disguise.'

She never let her friends down, and never let them feel bored.

Back to present.

"So, basically that's how I met her, my first impression, and how our friendship grew."

Ranbir and Ishaan were just staring at me.

"What's wrong guys?"

Silence.

And then in a chorus.

"Do you like her?"

"You people want to be slapped or you want me to be slapped. She's just a friend."

"The typical Page 3 dialogue. We are just good friends.", popped in Ranbir.

The entire night I and Ishita were talked about like Breaking News on news channels that continues for atleast 24hrs.

Apart from that, loads of PS, movies, cards and nonsense talk was what we did the entire night.

It was one of the best ways to spent the first night after exams. Well the vacations have just begun.

A few days later, when the three of us were hanging out at the creek, we received messages of the inter-school events we were going to take part in.

Ishaan got confirmation for Youth Cult Fest and he was going to be in Delhi for the event in mid-July, thats 2weeks from now.

Ranbir was going to lead the footbal team in Football Mania at the grounds in Bangalore, towards the third week of July.

And then, surprisingly I was selected for the school team going to Kolkatta towards the second half of July for the CBSE annual Cricket Meet.

So, these were surely going to be some of the most awaited things in the near future.

After getting such awesome news in the day, we decided to party hard in the night.

And as usual Ranbir was drunk, and we carried him back home, reminding me of my first night out in Dubai.

But while entering the building, from no where Ranbir's mom saw us. We some how managed to rush into Ishaan's place, but a round of interrogation can be expected tomorrow.

...to be continued...

Best Buddies - Re-entry of past - Part 4

2008-07-19T00:36:00.009+05:30

Part - 3
Part - 2
Part - 1

Rubbing my eyes,

"Ishi..Dubai..How come..when..here..how?" I was going crazy.

She started laughing and just came and hugged me.

"Relax Nikhu. You aren't dreaming. You needed me and here I am."

"All of a sudden, over here."

"Remember my promise."

Flashback : A month before I left for Dubai.

I was walking back home, after a cricket match, we had won. I was so happy.

That morning I had a fight with Ishita, and yes she is right as usual, I can't stay a day without speaking to her.

'God! damn, pick up the phone.'

This was the tenth time I tried ringing her up in the past two minutes.

And the same old response.
'There is no response on the number you are trying to call.'

I had crossed the saturation point of frustration.

What the hell is wrong with her?

Somehow I felt a sudden gush of warm blood rushing through my body as if something unexpected had happened.

I again tried her cell, and the same reply continued.

In the morning she had come over to my place to take me out for shopping and I wanted to go for a cricket match. A long debate ended, with she walking out of the house.

And I was just wondering, whether I did the right thing by going for the match and not go for shopping, my cell phone started ringing.

The name Ishita flashed on the screen.

"Where the hell are you? I have been trying your cell since when. How can you treat me this way. Come let's go shopping and then for dinner. Speak something Ishiiii..."

"Nikhil I am Ishita's mother."

"Ohh!! sorry aunty. I thought it was Ishita. Where is she aunty?"

"She is in hospital Nikhil. Can you come now. Shivaji Hospital Room No. 233"

"Hospital....What happened?....But morning she was here....Whats wrong aunty?....Please tell me aunty."

"You come here, I will tell you. Come as soon as possible."

"Yes Aunty I am leaving"

I quickly put on the tee, wore in the slippers and rushed to the door.

"Di. Ishi is in hospital, I am going there. Tell Mom, I will be late."

She said something, but I had already left, to far to understand what she said.

I reached the hospital, and dodged all the obstacles and ran to find her room from left to right.

All the while, I still didn't understand, why was Ishi in hospital.

My brain was already going crazy with the thousands of unwanted thoughts running up and down my mind.

Finally I found her room.
But the room was empty.

Now, where was she, ran away from the hospital also. She is too good at running away.

Then I was just moving out of the room, when someone was coming in on a wheel chair.

"IIIIssssssshhhhhhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiiitttttttttttttaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa......."

"See mummy, I told you na, that he will shout to wake up the entire hospital."

And Ishi and aunty started laughing as if she had just cracked a joke.

She moved up to the bed.

And I was getting restless.

Aunty went out to get medicenes.

I sat next to her, and took her hands on my hands.

"How did this happen, Ishi"
I knew, that more than anything, she needed someone to speak to.

"After I left your house, I was walking back home, angrily. I was so lost in the anger that I didn't see the car coming in."

She caught her ears and like a baby doll said "Sorry!!"

"You always ask me to control my anger, but I never listen to you."

She was in tears and whenever I see a girl in tear, I just don't understand how to react and how to console them.

"Ishita, relax. You will get well soon. What did the doctor's say?"

"My both the legs are fractured, so I surely can't run away from here. They have taken some x-rays and tests now, reports will come in two-three days."

I spent the entire night in the hospital.

She could not stand on her feet, walking was far away.

I was scared as the worst could be expected. I had to be mentally stable to able to keep her strong.

Her reports were out after a couple of days.
I and aunty met the doctor.
He showed us the x-rays and the reports.
Aunty's tears burst out. And again I im in a dilemna, how to control her, especially when I myself was becoming mentally unstable.

The doctor just said a few words.

"Her bones have been fractured and muscles torn apart. Her walking on her own feet is highly unlikely. Rest leave it on God."

I then went to her room.
It wasn't going to be easy to tell her but, I would have to.

I went and quiety sat next to her.
"My tickets for Dubai are confirmed. I am leaving on 21st. Dad's job is confirmed."

She cared a least to reply. I guess she was already ready to hear the worst.

I hugged her, and softly put the news through her ears.

She didn't react. That entire day she stayed quiet. And I also didn't try speaking to her.

What would I have told her.
'Sorry, Ishi. I am leaving you in this condition and going miles away.'
How can I even think of telling her all this.

As the doctor suggested I took her for daily exercises.

After two weeks of exercise, she showed some interest and signs of improvement, but not upto the mark.

The doctor's had given there verdict, only in the rarest of cases she would be able to stand on her own feet.

I had to leave India in a week's time and Ishita is in hospital.

How can I go, when my friend need's me, the thought kept haunting me.
I don't deserve to be called a friend. I am like a blackmark on the beautiful world of 'friendship'.

I argued with mom and dad to postpone the flight, but they wouldn't agree.

I stayed lonely.
Di could not see me in this condition, but even she was helpless.

I usually stayed irritated throughout the day, and lose my cool on small issues.

Some answers in life are so difficult to find. Even the answers to the questions in exams aren't so difficult.

"Accept it or not. But this is life and you can hardly do anything about it. Just face it."

This was my Di's favourite statement whenever she had any problems in life.

Today, was the last day and I had decided I was not going to meet her.

I just couldn't build up the courage to face her.

Saying her goodbye was anyways going to be tough, but in this situation, even more.

I queitly sat in the car, and we left for the airport. My mood was low.

We reached the airport and I was just about to check in, when someone suddenly caught my hand.

I turned back in surprise.

"Ishita. What are you doing here?"

I dropped the bags I was carrying. She was there in front of me, on a wheel chair.

"You were leaving, without even meeting me. How dare you?"

I knelt down on my knee's. Water droplets pouring down my eyes and even hers.

"I...I...How could I Ishita?"

"That much only trust you have on your trust."

"Ishita..sorry."

"I want to tell you something."

"Tell naa."

"You didn't want to meet me just because you thought that you were leaving me behind in this condition. Nikhu, friendship does not demand physical presence always. Your friendship has always meant a lot to me and will continue to do so. So don't worry and happily continue with your journey."

"But..Ishu..."

"Nikz..all this while you have been trying to make me walk, but somewhere in my heart I had decided I wouldn't be able to walk. But now I promise you that whenever you need me I will be there for you, and I will be on my feet, without this wheelchair."

I took her hands in mine and gave her the final goodbye kiss. I didn't have any words to reply to her.

"Now, you better go and board that flight of yours now or else I will never let you go."

I gave her a hug, picked up my bags and left.

Back to Present.

"Ishitaaaaa.....you can walk."

And Ishita was up with a catwalk.

"See. I am on my legs."

I could hardly talk to her then.

Ishaan, Bhavika, Sania, Ansh and some other few of my friends turned up earlier then expected.

They are always late when you expect them on time, and always interrupt when you want some privacy.

Actually this was the first ever party at my place, so I wanted it to be different, and something to keep the exams miles away.

A light round of softdrinks started the evening.

Then loads of dance followed.

A bit of snacks and then came in the late Host.

Di did the honours of being the host.

After her entry, the party got even more livelier.

"So..lets start of with Paper Dance.", that was the first game Di started off with.

Ishaan and Bhavika, Me and Ishita, Ranbir and Sania, Ansh and Kajal & Ajay and Smriti were the dance couples for the evening.

And the real life couple, Ishaan and Bhavika made it through as the winners.

They really looked reaaly nice together.

Then a few other of my sister's favourite mastermind games.

Di had loads of surprises in store for us. It was rocking, and things had just started.

Loads of dance & music & dance.

Mom was handling the food department, as usual.

A heavy round of dinner that included garlic bread, pizza, pasta, bhel,and some other dishes I don't even know are they called.

'The food was mouth-watering.'

That's the best part of having a prty at home.

You get to eat a lot of varieties, which normally you don't get at home.

At around 12 everyone left.

Ishita left a bit early, and so couldn't speak to her a lot.

Ishaan and Ranbir were gonna stay over, and then I knew I was gonna be bombared with hundreds of questions, so was just mentally preparing myself.

For a while, we all sat in the living room, in short mom, dad, di, me, Ishaan and Ranbir.

The biggest mistake ever.

Mom & Dad started with there favourite question,

"What are you all planing to do after 12th?"

And when they start with the discussion, it just doesn't end.

For the next hour, that was like the hottest topic in town to be talked about.

Luckily after a while mom & dad felt the need of a sleep and we moved to my room, for the party for the three of us had just started.

...to be continued...

Best Buddies - This is Life!!! - Part 3

2008-07-06T14:24:00.002+05:30

Part - 2
Part - 1

I woke up early the next morning, inspite of a late hangover. I guess it was obvious, I wouldn't have had a good sleep.

My mood still wasn't showing any signs of improvement.

Then suddenly Di came into my room.

"Nikhil bhaiya...", and I cut her right there.

"Di, what's wrong with you, why are you calling me bhaiya, all of a sudden, I don't sell vegetables or milk or wash clothes. Bhaiya Bhaiya Bhaiya." I was speaking non-sense.

Di, came over to me, first felt my pulse, then my heart beat, my temperature, and then,

"Are you still drunk?"

"What's with this bhaiya syndrome all of a sudden?"

She started laughing like I had cracked the biggest joke ever.

"Oh..that...Ranbir had come the other day naa. He asked me, where was my elder brother. He thought I was your younger sis. Leave all that, what's with your mood Nikzz..?"

I was just waiting to tell it to her. She patiently sat there next to me for the next 30minutes and listened to everything.

"Nikhil, stop taking things so seriously now. You are a teenagaer, enjoy your teen life. Love and all can wait. Friends are way more important than all this. Because of Bhavika, don't ruin your friendship with Ishaan. Enjoy school, cricket, and friends. Cheer up now and get ready, we are going for a long drive. I have just cleared my final driving exam."

Short, sweet and so TRUE.

She went out of the room, and I just sat there. How am I supposed to react. I was so happy about her clearing the test, but this Bhavika thing was still afresh in my minds.

We went out for a long drive, and we saw the true Dubai, its deserts.

Later in the afternoon, we went for lunch. Ishaan, Ranbir and Sania also joined in and we partied hard, so what if it was afternoon.

In the evening I felt so relaxed, like nothing had happened, last night.

Thanks to my Best Sister. Every guy should have a sister like her.

School was getting fun every passing day. New friends, new happenings, boring chapters, class background comments.

And then I got busy with my cricket practice sessions, Ranbir with football and Ishaan with dance & drama. Our schedules mis-matched.

Then even the first semester exams were coming up. Things were getting a toll of us.

Wake up, go to school, then practice sessions, tutions and sleep, the day just got over with all this. We missed out on loads of stuff. Life was getting boring, monotonous and stressful.

At times I wondered, why have things changed so much over time. Can't the world understand, that we are still too young to step into the actual world.

We met rarely, but today was one of those lucky days. We went out for coffee, as we had a bit of spare time today.

"So, all set for exams guys?" asked Ranbir, as if he was done with the portion.

"You actually think so. I haven't even opened the book for tommorow's tution test."I replied.

"How could you even think of asking this question, Ranbir?", came in Ishaan's question.

"Chuck it, sorry my fault. So, how'z bhabhiji doing?" popped in another question from Ranbir.

"She's all fine."replied Ishaan, trying to avoid the start of that topic.

And then discussions about all random stuff started, but somehow the chapter of school, books and other school activites, would never give up.

'I just hate that chapter.';

'That Sir is usless'.;

'How can we finish that textbook in one day.';

'School is getting boring.';

'That nerd sits with the book the entire day.';
'Teachers and mom-dad, are like full day, open your books and study.'

These were the most common statements in our conversations these days.

Studies and sports were just what we had in our minds, whether we were sleeping or we were awake. Life was so dead. No time for family, friends or any other outings.

"As if there is no life beyond books.", said Ishaan angrily all of a sudden.

"Relax Ishaan. We just can't help it.", I trying to calm him down.

"We are actually born at the wrong time.", now Ranbir is indeed good at spoiling things.

Luckily the coffee got over, and we left. If the topic continued then surely Ishaan would have reached a boiling point and ended up doing something no one could ever expect, how he would react.

That night I couldn't sleep. Obviously Ishaan's wasn't wrong.

Have we just become puppets of the day. Can't we just change things in our favour?

And, what's the use if everyone is equally educated, another fight for survival begins.

A debate started of in my mind.

'Its a competitive world.'

'I am too small to face this selfish world'

'That's what you are being taught.'

The debate was like a mental torture. Imagine fighting yourself.

But, obviously thing's wouldn't change.

Days & nights passed in this fashion.

I was getting busy with the the Cricket matches. We had the Dubai Under 18 Cup lined up right after the semester exams. I had also sorted out differences with Ansh, and things were at ease between the two of us. And soon, I was promoted as the vice-captain of the side. Things were moving fast.

Ranbir was doing really well in football. They had won all the friendly matches they played, since his selection as the captain. The team spirit was really good, and Ranbir's attitude and approach towards the game had made the affect. Things were sailing easy.

Ishaan's practice was also in full swing. The group had recently won the first prize in Dance as well as Drama in the High School Fiesta. It is the most reputed event in the city.The expectations from the group was on the rise. Ishaan had also won the Best Performer Award at the event, and one of the girls in the group had bagged the Best Actress Award. Things were going smooth.

One weekend I felt like, enough now. I closed the dozens of books around me and that was just a few days before the unawaited exams.

Next second, I am ringing up Ranbir.

"Dude, get ready in 10minutes. We are going out for dinner. I don't care if you are tired or whatever. Bye."

And then Ishaan. And the same line, as if I had just mugged it for the exams.
"Dude, get ready in 10minutes. We are going out for dinner. I don't care if you are tired or whatever. Bye."

I am sure they must have thought, has he gone crazy.

But then what are your best friends for. They were there, when I wanted them.

We had a heavy dinner, and then went on a stroll. The weather was just awesome. A nice breeze, and then we had promised that the person who talks about school or books will have a nice kick on his back, from the rest two.

That evening we actually forgot about everything. School and books were miles away.

We had reached heights of stupidity.

Ranbir went and asked a passerby,

"Uncle, what's the time?"

"Its 1'o'clock."

"But in my watch its still 12:55 only."

Then we were playing football with small kids.

All of a sudden it started raining. So we started splashing water on each other.

We had become kids again.

We just didn't care about anything. We just wanted to have a care-free blast of a time, and we did just that. It was really fun to act childish again.

People around us though that we were drunk, but we gave a damn.

Around 5 in the morning we reached home, tired but after the best night out ever, all wet.

The exams started. More then the exams we were tensed about the major sports and cultural events lined up.

And after every exam, the standard dialogues,

'What a rubbish paper was set. The teacher who set it was useless.'

'I wish I just pass.'

And then some typical nerdo discussions.

'This time for sure I will not come first.'

'I did not get that one mark question'

And seeing all this I, Ranbir and Ishaan were like happy that atleast we shall manage to clear all.

After the last exam, we were supposed to meet at my place. Ranbir, Ishaan, Bhavika, Sania and few other friends were supposed to come. It was the much needed break.

Ranbir had come in early.

"Nikhil, I need your help."

"Tell naa.."

"I have a crush on Sania."

"Dude, are you gone nuts."

"I am serious."

"Let's see. But don't expect a lot from me."

"Arey..then who will help me. I will help you when you need any help. Promise."

And all of a sudden the Bhavika episode, right from the smile to the Spellbird's incident came in my mind as a flashback.

Ranbir saw my face, and asked

"Do you like someone?"

I couldn't hide it anymore from him. I just didn't feel like keeping it within me. It was high time I told him. After all he is my best friend, and had the right to know everything. I told him everything.

Ranbir didn't react. He was as shocked as I was at other night, at the party.

I was waiting for him to say something. I was out of words.

"There's nothing wrong in dreaming, just don't put the condition of its fulfillment."

That was the favourite line of my best friend in India.

Did Ranbir say that?

But wait, that was a girls voice.

Ranbir was staring at someone behind me.

I turned around.

"Iiiiiiiissssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiitttttttttttttttttaaaaaaaaaa...."

I shouted as if a ghost was standing in front of me.

...to be continued...

Best Buddies - Friendship Blooms - Part 2

2008-06-28T00:52:00.002+05:30

Part - 1

"Ishaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan......", someone had shouted.

I woke up with a sprang, with a sudden sense of shock, as if an earthquake had just hit the city. But as far as I know, Dubai, isn't prone to earthquakes.

And then I guess I had hardly slept for a few hours.

At the other end Ranbir fell of his bed, as if fighting a monster in his dreams, with hands and legs both in the air, before he took the plunge of the bed.

But, Ishaan didn't react. Now, how the heck, is he still fast asleep, after that cracker of a noise.

Then, all of a sudden, some women, entered the room. Directly heading towards, Ishaan's bed, removed the cotton buds from his ear, and again came.
"Ishaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan......wake up."

Wait, when the hell did he put those buds.

Now, who was she. Ishaan's mom? No ways, she looked way to young, maybe his sister then.

Ishaan, woke up, took a deep breath, a longer yawn, and said,
"Yes, Mom."

'MOM', I and Ranbir were staring at each other, maybe the same thought even crossed his mind.

Well, Ishaan, was the first to get off the bed, and he was staring at both of us, for almost a minute, as if he didn't remember where the hell from had we landed in his room. He stood their confused, and the silence continued.

Then me looking at Ranbir, "Ranbir, he is Ishaan, and you are currently at his place.", I knew I had to break the silence.

"And, Ishaan, he is Ranbir, the drunkard you brought home last night." Ranbir stood up, and walked to Ishaan, to give him an early morning hand-shake.

"Thanks, dude.", maybe he guessed it somewhat, what happened last night.

"Its fine.", then looking at me, "Both of you, freshen up, and come to the living room."

I was wondering, how will Ishaan introduce us. I mean,... like, he would say, this girl Bhavika, told me to get them home, so I did. And his Mom would be like, great, you did a great job, I am so proud of you.

But things weren't as bad as I thought. He had already told something to his Mom. We freshened up, had a light breakfast, and the food was so tasty, that we ate as if we were hungry for years. The alu parothas were, just the best on earth.

After that, back to his room. We told Ranbir, about what happened last night, and he felt guilty, atleast for that minute.

But, Ranbir was doing, I guess what he does the best. Emotional Blackmail. I had known this was on its way, as I knew him for a while now.

"Guys, please don't tell anyone, about it. Please....."pleaded Ranbir.

We had just given a partial nod, and he raised his hand in front,
"Promise?"
Yes, we also put our hands upon it and, shouted out loud, in a chorus

"Hip Hip Hurray!!!"

Now, I have still got no clue, what was that supposed to be for.

Anyways, soon after that, we went back home, and I just jumped on my bed, like Ishaan did last night, and dozed off, in my so called Dream World.

It was around 6p.m., and my cell started ringing. It was irritating, I turned from one end of the bed to another, covered my head with the pillow, but the cell wouldn't stop ringing. I wish I would just say CANCEL, and the call would be cancelled.

Well, had no other option, but pick up. It was Ranbir calling. Now what was he upto. I was in no mood for another mess up.

I accepted the call.

"Dude, get ready in 10 minutes. We are going to the corniche to play cricket. Even, Ishaan is coming. So, come down in flat 10 minutes. Bye.", and the line is disconnected.

He is always in some sort of hurry, while speaking on the phone. But, the word cricket, was refreshing.

Today, my 'gully' cricket was gonna be tested.

There were like 12 of us. Ranbir, Ishaan and me were in the same team. I was new out there, so no one wanted to risk me in there team, so I was the last to be selected.

And then I learnt, that Ranbir is in the school football team, and Ishaan is one of the best dancer and actor, the school has got. This was all in the chit-chat we did, when we weren't on field.

Well, we had lost the toss, and were fielding first. First ball and I drop a catch. And no one said anything, I was relieved, but that was just beacuse, they didn't know me. The next time I drop, I was surely gonna have a gala time, listening to their worldwide acclaimed abuses.

To top this, I was given a over to ball, and was hit for 6 fours. Now that was way to bad for a school team captain. I was hardly smashed for a four, in school matches sixes were far away.
I am not a bowler, but yet, even a new bowler would have done better.
Staying a few months away from the game, was showing its affect.

They had scored, 99runs in, 10overs. Now, that was a huge score to be chased, and chance of winning was 1 on 10. I knew I can bat well, and have opened on most occasions for my school and won matches, but after the debacle on field, I better didn't open my mouth.

Ranbir came and sat next to me.
"Cool it. Its just a game. Who cares. No one is gonna remember it tomorrow."

Our side began to bat. Ishaan opened. And out on the first ball. Three overs, we were 25runs, and lost the 4th wicket on the last ball. I was the last man in. Ranbir was at the other end. Nothing was expected of me, like duh. The bowlers and fielders became casual.

Just then, Ishaan came and whispered in my ears,
"Show them who you are."

I guess that was enough. I and Ranbir were going good, and it was the last wicket, so we had to be careful. 7 overs up, we were still just 42runs. Now, the pressure was building up.
Eighth over, I was on strike. The bowler, was the one, who had hit me for those six fours.

"I need to prove myself.", I murmured.

First ball, bang six, over the bowler.
Everyone was just staring at me.

Second ball, six, over the captain.
The captain, stands there stunned, had no other option.

Third ball, six, the fielder drops it.
Now, he was bound to be abused.

Fourth ball, coming down the track, six again.
I had levelled the score he had hit me for, 24runs.
A round of applause welcomed that six.

Fifth ball, the ball nicks the bat, another six.
Ishaan, and Ranbir were shocked, and so were the others as if I was having a spring in my bat.

Expectations, were high.
The chorus was loud."We want a six. We want a six."

Last ball, I guess I was gonna just defend it, that made sense, as a six was expected of me.

All of a sudden, some familiar women perfume smell, hit my nose. And like a typical bollywood film, I closed my eyes and got engrosed in it. It so felt like Bhavika being around.

All of a sudden Ranbir shouted, "Nikhil, bowl."

I opened my eyes, saw the bowl coming and played it. The bowler just didn't care about my dream world. But, luckily the ball flew up in the air, as if destined to cross the boundary line, SIX.

Six Sixes, now that was Nikhil back in action.

I breathed a sigh of relief, and within few seconds, I was standing in between the circle, formed by other players.
One after the other I turned around to see each one, and there eyes asking that,
"What have you done?"
Everyone, suurounded me, and lifted me in the air, and the opposite team, stood there in despair.
Last over, 10runs to win, and Ranbir did the needful. An unexpected win.

Ranbir and Ishaan came up to me, staring at me.
"What was that dude?", asked Ranbir, as if he had been dreaming all the while.

"People are not going to forget this one."

We left after the match, as no one was on a mood to play the next one, after such an exciting match for sure.

Ishaan patted on my back, as if I had just won the World cup. Well, maybe.

We were walking back home, when all of a sudden Ranbir, spoke
"Dude, you should be in the school team. You are just awesome. The school needs a player like you. I will recommend your name to, the sports in-charge."

"Hey...thanks a lot."

"But, how did you manage those sixes on your debut."asked Ishaan.

"Debut...Well, I have captained my school, back in India."

Now, that was another shock. I surely didn't look like a cricketer, leave being a captain.

I guess, we had enough shocks for the day, so we walked back home, with the general talks, which included, India's defeat in the tri-series final's, school's re-opening in a week and the useless teachers, boring routine, the attitude freak girls, the latest laptops and cellphones, Katrina Kaif, and all sorts of other non-sense.

A week had passed by, and we spent a hefty time together. Daily rounds to the corniche, at times for playing cricket, at times just for a stroll, then stayovers, playing cards, PS, and doing all sorts of non-sense.

We actually got to know each other better, this way. We knew each others parents, and they were releived, if we were together, which was the case almost each and everytime.

I had that goodguy, image in Ranbir's and Ishaan's family.

Ranbir was known as the most mischevious.

And Ishaan as the most matured of all three of us.

Well, we bonded really well, and understood each other so well, that we could so easily cover up for each other.

The friendship was blooming.

Like, once Ranbir wanted to go on a date, and he told his Mom that he was going out with me. And that loser, didn't bother telling me.

His Mom calls me up,

"Beta, give the phone to Ranbir, his phone is coming off."

Ranbir, what the hell, I have no clue where is he, what am I supposed to say.

But, somehow, i just told her, that he's not around, and she agreed, with counter questioning me, thanks to me Good Boy image.

So, we actually complemented each other, and that just made the difference.

The time passed by, and the school re-opened.

The school, was like heaven. I mean like, it surely looked much more than just a school. It had such a huge playground, the best events hall in town, a huge canteen and an equally huge library. It was like I had not come to a school, and was rather in some other world.

If you call this a school, then what shall you call the schools located in India.

The first day was good. The only part being bad, is the different buildings for boys and girls. But, Ranbir, the hearthrob, knew 101ways, to enter the other block, and meet his girlfriends. I enjoyed that part, imagine sneaking out on the first day itself.

But, what happens, when a Fool tries to make a foolproof plan. Thanks to Ranbir, we were caught. We had no reason, to be in that section, and there was no way out.

Some proffessor shouted,

"What you two boys doing here?"

We stayed silent. What would have we said.

"Why keeping quiet. Tell me, what here doing?

We somehow controlled our laughter, at her English.

"Come, supervisor with me. You lesson need to learn."

We had just taken a step front when, someone shouted from our back.

"Ranbir, Nikhil, did you meet Ms.Pereira? Did you handover the certificates?"

Now who was that. I and Ranbir turned back. 'Ishaan, Thank God.''

"Yes, Ishaan", I replied quickly, so that the teacher couldn't doubt us.

"Ishaan, you send them?", turning to us, "You should told this to me. Get back to classes, fast", and she walked off.

"Thanks Ishaan, you saved us", I and Ranbir said it in a chorus.

"Only thanks. I need a treat guys."

We didn't understand, what was he upto.

"Relax guys, there's some good news. I have been selected as the chief co-ordinator for the school, in next month's 'Youth Cult Fest'. He sounded so happy, as if there was something more left to say, like maybe he had just asked a girl out, and she said yes.

That was the first good news of the day.

"Thats, amazing. Now who should actually be giving a party.", I asked.

"Fine, this weekend, Spellbird's. Anyways, let me go and give the certificates. Catchya later on."
and he ran off.

I and Ranbir stood there amazed. 'Spellbirds', did we hear it right?

While running off, he added these words,
"Get your girl along. Stags not allowed."

"Is he gone nuts?", Ranbir asked me, while walking back to our class.

I just nodded, in the positive, "I guess so." I also kept wondering, whether he was in that block only to give the certificates.

Then, the entire day, Ishaan was missing from the class, so couldn't find out, what was he upto.

After school, Ranbir took me to meet, Mr. Sinhal, the sports in-charge. Ranbir knew him personally, and after all Ranbir was well known in school.

We went to his office. He was deciding a strategy for the next match, of no idea which sport, with a student.

Ranbir knocked on the door and entered.

"Morning Sir."

"So, how's the practice going Ranbir. The 'Football Mania' starts next month. We have won all tournaments, so far. We need to win this one, we have lost in the final for three consecutive years. We have got the best team ever, we can't afford to lose this time."

"Sir, we have no other option, except winning the cup this time."

"Good. And also, Niraj has resigned as the captain. So, for the friendly match happening next week, you captain the side, and then maybe Football Mania also."

"Sir, you serious. Thank you so much."

That was the second good news in the day.

"Sir, this is Nikhil. He has just joined school today. He wants to join the cricket team."

"We are anyways overflowing with players. We don't need new players, the team has already been decided.", the other guy interrupted, rather rudely.

"He has captained his school, in India, and won the inter's last year. Do you want to hear anything else."

"I captain the cricket side, so I decide."

It was going to be a heated argument, I thought. But then Sinhal Sir interrupted.

"We are resting the seniors for the Thursday match, right Ansh. So, lets try him in that match."

And unwillingly Ansh, the cricket team captain nodded affirmative.

"So, Nikhil Thursday morning, 7a.m. sharp, school ground."

And this was the third good news of the day.

"Yes...Sir"

Ranbir had done his work, and I had to just live up to his and the coach's expectations, in the match. Tension was building up, though I had played enough cricket already.

And then, the captain was going to be weary of my presence, so that was another thing I would have to set straight.

After school, Ranbir was busy with football practice, and Ishaan with the events lined up, so I went back home alone.

All the way back home, my thoughts kept jumping between Youth Cult Fest, Football Mania, Cricket, and obviously my very own Bhavika.

I told Di about everything that happened in school. I also told her about Bhavika, including what happened that night at the booze party.

And the next thing she does is,

"Mamma, good news. Nikhil has selected your daughter in law."

I was so angry. How could she do that.

After 5minutes of all this, she told me that Mom was not at home.

And what a fool i thought of myself.

"Di! Ishaan is giving a party this weekend. And he is like stags not allowed. What should I do?"

"Simple. Take me."

"Diiiii....."

"Take Bhavika."

"I don't even know her Di."

"Wait, let me think. Take along Sania, I will speak to her. She will bear you for one night, I mean one day.", and started giggling as if that was supposed to be funny.

"As you say Di.."I sounded so obedient, and I was actually just wishing that Di, suggests her name. She was the hottest girl among Di's friends.

I was almost gonna sleep, when Ishaan called up.

"Yes, Mr Cult, whats up so late?"

"Congratz! buddy, I heard you are in the cricket team. I just spoke to Ranbir, even he has become the football team captain. So, how was the first day at school."

And we kick started our usual talks. The day at school, was the hottest topic that night. I couldn't ask for a better start, having three good news, for me and my best buddies.

"So, dude thursday night, Spellbird's. Don't forget, to get a girl along. A surprise awaits you people there. Anyways bye, Mom's calling. Good night."

"Bye, good night."

I was, just gonna ask him, what's with the girl condition, but he disconnected, maybe next time.

And what's with the surprise.

Next day school was boring, as I had to sit in the class the entire day. And on top, Ranbir and Ishaan were also not in class.

Things were more or less the same for the next few days. BORING. Ranbir and Ishaan were busy with there stuff, and happily bunked classes. I was stuck in those boring lectures, though it was fun at times, like a lot of non-sense talk cropping up in between lectures.

Also, I didn't have the guts to go the girls block, to find out if Bhavika was in the same school.

Well, Bhavika was the only things that I hadn't shared with Ranbir and Ishaan. I just felt shy discussing about my crush.

Ranbir called up, that night. And before I could say anything.

"Dude, I broke up with Kajal. Now, I have no clue, whom shall I get for tommorow's night out."

Wow, what a guy, he's least bothered about the break up, he is more concerned about finding a girl for the next day's party. Hats off to him.

Actually it wasn't his fault. This was his third break up in that week. He was used to this.

"Arey, get some other girl along. You have many friends. Some one will surely come along."

"Actually, you are right. Thanks. Bye."

Then all of a sudden I remembered, what about my girl.

"Di.........", she was sleeping.

"Whaatttss....wwrrooonnggg Niksss...?"

"Diiii....did..you..ask Sania..?"

"Saniaaaa...said yes, now let me sleep."

Okay, so I have a date, and I go blush blush.

The next morning, Ranbir rang me up at 6:00. I was like, what's wrong with him. Why can't he just let me sleep in peace ever?

With a long yawn,"What's up with you so early, Ranbir?"

"Don't tell me you...you are still sleeping?"

"Let me sleep, and you also sleep. The party's in the night. Bye good night."

"Today is your cricket match, and its already 6:00A.M.", with a bit louder tone.

"Oh...shit. I will catch you down, in 15minutes. Bye Bye."

I sprang up from my bed, had a bath, took my kit, drank milk, and ran down.

We reached dot on time, thanks to Ranbir for waking me up. He had come along, just to be my motivator. Ishaan was going to turn up after half the match.

Ansh, wasn't captaining the side, but acted like a non-playing captain.

We lost the toss, and that was just the start of the negatives of the day. We were asked to field first. Our team had mostly new players, who had never represented the school, and we were playing one of the weakest school teams , Janpath School.

Our bowling was miserable, and we failed to get break throughs, and partnerships continued to happen. It was like, we were the minnows and they were the champs.

In the 25overs match, they scored 217runs, with the loss of just 3 wickets. Sanjay, who was captaining the side had his head down, all the while, till we left the ground. Ansh was furious. The bowling, was like we playing with new born babies, fielding was poor and the simplest of catches were dropped. I was also no better than most of them.

We were already down on morale, and this Ansh was such a.....ummm.....just felt like hitting the bat on his head.

The coach was silent. All he said was,

"The field is set for you, just prove yourself."

Now, had Ishaan given him some tips, on how to motivate me.

The fielders were ready and so the openers went down to bat. But, both of them were back, even before we could decide a strategy to score those runs on board.

10 overs down, we were struggling at 40/4. Janpath, had never won a match, and we had hardly ever lost to any team.

But, I guess it was time for things to change.

I was sent to bat. Sanjay was at the other end. A lot was expected out of us both.

Sanjay came up to me, and said, "Just relax, keep your wicket safe, runs will keep flowing in."

He was right.

We had played our role. 24overs up, we scored 200 runs. Last over, 18runs needed to win, and Sanjay was on strike.

The best bowler of Janpath, was supposed to bowl the over. That's when Ishaan and Bhavika came in. I was over-joyed to see Bhavika there.

1st ball, we took quick two runs.

2nd ball, Sanjay smashed it straight down for four runs.

3rd ball, another four, and the pressure is still on both of us.

4th ball, it was a bouncer, and Sanjay missed it, basically had to.

5th ball, first a wide, then we ran, tried two, but got just one.

Last ball, I had to face, six runs needed. In the entire match no six was hit, and then I hadn't even faced the bowler before. I was already sweating with the heat, and this was making me feel all the more worse.

And then Ishaan's line in the gully cricket match, the coach's motivating statement just before we set to back, and Bhavika's smile got me in full power. I just prayed to God, to help me make it happen.

The bowler took his run up, and I knew I had to play just one shot, a huge six, and yes that's what happened, down the track, and the ball disappears. I had done it. We had beaten them, by six wickets.

The entire team, came running in, and lifted me up in the air, as if I was the trophy.

Even my happiness knew no bounds. I was sure, this performance was enough to book a seat in the school team, and the coach didn't delay confirming the same.

I went back, and gave a 'jadoo ki jhappi', to both Ishaan, and Ranbir. They were also way to happy for me.

But, wait a minute, where's Bhavika? She had gone missing. Bad luck, couldn't talk to her, once again.

Today, was the most awaited party of my life I guess. I was so excited to go to a disc, plus it being Spellbird's, one of the best dining place in town. I was getting restless.

And as usual, I am too bad at my dressing sense. Thank God, he made Di, well I should also thank my parents.

"Di, what should I wear today."

"Umm...what''s Bhavika bhahi's favourite colour?", she was too good at talking rubbish.

"Bhabhi...Di, have you lost it. And Sania is my date tonight, not Bhavika."

"Sania, who said, I never asked her."

"Shut-up Di, you told me last night."

"Oh...then its okay. She loves black, so, wear the black jeans, and the black shirt you bought last week."

I changed into the party wear, and the last minute touch ups by my ever so make-up addict Di. Powder, cream, perfume, she had done it all for me. It was as if some girl was going to check me out for marriage today, actually I didn't mind if it was Bhavika.

I picked up Sania, from her place, and left for Spellbird's. Ranbir was coming with Dia, his ex-girlfriend.

But, wait who was Ishaan's date tonight. That was still a suspense.

I met Ranbir at the entrance. Dia, was looking gorgeous, but my date was better, she better was.

Ishaan had booked a table for six. The place was fabulous. The lighting was dim, yet it left a mark. Also the interiors were just undescribeable.

I, Sania, Ranbir and Dia, were seated at the cornermost table.

I and Ranbir got up, to get the girls and ourselves a drink, till Ishaan comes in.

We had just got the drinks, when I saw Bhavika.

"Hey, hi... Bhavika."

"Hi, guys."

"What are you doing here baby?" asked Ranbir

Before she could even answer, some guy, pushed between me and Ranbir, and hugged her.

I was so angry, so felt like kicking his back.

And then the face turns, ISHAAN.

I and Ranbir, stood there with our mouths open, staring at Ishaan and each other alternatively.

Then Ishaan, spoke, "Guys, here's the surprise. Meet Bhavika, my girlfriend and my date this night."

That was an unexpected major blow. I didn't know how to react. My mood changed. I became so motionless. I was not in a condition to see Ranbir's reaction.

We walked back to the table. We had some starters, and then hit the dance floor.

I wasn't in a mood for anything, but I better didn't play a spoilt sport. Things showed on my face, but somehow things went smoothly.

The music rocked, and the food was indeed mouthwatering. The place lived upto its expectation, and its popularity. And then, this was the first time I took in alcohol, just probably to feel better.

I was the only odd person out in the world, who would not have enjoyed at such a happening place. The news of Ishaan-Bhavika, relationship had taken a toll on me.

That night I just kept thinking about it.

I should have actually seen it coming.

The booze party; Ishaan in the girls block; the over happy reaction for Youth Cult Fest; treat at Spellbird's; stags not allowed; a surprise by Ishaan; Bhavika at the match in the morning.

I was a fool, that I didn't put the links together. And then I fell for her just over a smile, and took that vicious smile as green signal.

It was all my fault, and I knew I had to set things straight. It was gonna be tough.

My eyes were damp, and this was something I can't tell Ranbir or Ishaan, what would I even tell them. I felt so low.

This was surely a night I wouldn't forget.

...to be continued...

Best Buddies - The Meet Up - Part 1

2008-06-17T00:07:00.001+05:30

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, and bears no resemblance to anyone.

Introducing,

Nikhil, a smart, passionate cricket player, a best friend anyone could ever have, popular, and most wanted and missed by people.
(I will say my story in his words)

Ranbir, dude, casanova, not at all serious about life, wants to enjoy every second of life, always ends up in some sort of trouble, the most eligible boyfriend, friend of all your friends.

Ishaan, always confused about life, yet lives tension free, loves hanging out with friends, solution giver for all problems, a true friend.

I was new to the city, where many dreamt to be, Dubai. Dad had just landed a new job in an international bank, and we had just landed in the city of dreams a week back. I was strolling around my building, trying to familiarise with the area. Dead bored at home, I had no idea what to do to kill time and school was to re-open after a fortnight.

It was almost 9p.m., time to be back home for dinner, and I was sort of lost, as in wasn't sure, where exactly was my building, on the right or on the left. I had been out for almost an hour, and was now finding it difficult to find my way back.

I then saw someone passing by, and asked
"Excuse me, can you please tell me, where is Wonder City?"

Wonder City, was the name of the building in which I stayed. It was just an awesome building, with all facilities I could ever ask for. But I actually wondered, why was a building called a city.

"Its right there." pointing towards the right. "Anyways I am heading straight there, if you don't mind, then come along."

"Yeah, sure, thanks a lot."

The guy removing his i-pod earphones.
"So, are you new to the area. Actually I stay in Wonder City, and haven't seen you around before."
"Well, yeah, we have just moved in last week. So not much aware of this place."
"Oh! nice, By the way I am Ranbir. I stay on the 7th floor.", raising his hand ahead for a handshake.
Shaking hands, "I am Nikhil. I stay on the 8th floor."

Then all of a sudden came a loud sound of rock music being played. It was actually Ranbir's cellphone that was ringing.

"Hey, whats up babe's. I am out now. How about meeting on Wednesday?"

I could hear just one side of the conversation. I quickly calculated, that today was Monday, so he was talking about day after tomorrow.
Actually I was feeling happy, that, finally I know someone around, a prospective friend, and I missed out on the rest of the conversation, well who cares.

"So which school have you joined dude?" he asked.

"The Indian School. I just know the name, and basically nothing else."

"Well! I might actually be of some help. I also am in the same school. Just gonna go to 12th."

"That's awesome, even I am gonna join the 12th grade."

We almost reached our building, when a girl came running in, and pushed herself on Ranbir, hugging him.

"Where have you been Ranbir? Its been a week since we met last. I so miss you."

Even before Ranbir could reply, she continued," I hafta rush home, so see you soon again." And she vanished in a flash of a second, after giving a flying kiss.

I began to wonder whether that was for him or me, coz all the time, even while speaking to him, she was just staring at me, as if either she has just seen a ghost, well I don't surely look that bad, well maybe the hottest guy she has ever seen. And a smile sprang up on my face.

"She has a big time crush on me. That's what some of my friends say. But I don't think so. Bhavika's such a sweet girl."
I felt jealous of that statement.

'Bhavika, ahaan, so that's her name.', speaking to myself. Not bad Niks, start from name, you never know, where you shall reach. And again I started blushing. She was actually cute, no doubt.

"So see you around buddy, need any help, I stay in 703, drop in anytime. Bye." and Ranbir got of the lift on the 7th floor.

I was still lost in Bhavika, "Bye", that's all I said, that also after the lift closed. Surely he must be wondering, what sort of a absent minded person I was. Well I was still lost in Bhavika's world.

Back home, had dinner, and laid back on my bed still recollecting that sweet smile.

And all of a sudden a pillow came bang on my face.

"So, which girl are you lost in" asked Shrishti, my sister.

"Shut up Di, there's no girl." I trying to act normal, though I am way to bad at it.

"No girl, don't temme its a guy, you okay naa Niks."

"Di! you are gone crazy, just go to sleep, and let me also sleep."

Di, she was two years elder to me, but my best friend. I shared everything with her. You can say, she is my friend, philosopher and guide. She is the best person I know on earth.

Next morning, when I woke up, well actually it was post 12p.m., and went to the living room, their was a surprise awaiting me, Ranbir, was sitting in the living room, and chatting with my sister, and laughing out loud.

"Hey! good morning, you do have an early morning." came in Ranbir's comments, pulling my leg.

Before I could even reply, Di started off, "Maybe was lost in some dream world, right naa Niks."

I was yawning, like I had woken up after just an hours sleep, but this comment, threw the sleep miles away from me.

"Shut up Di." and turning to Ranbir, "When did you come up."

"Well, around an hour back, while you were in the dream world." and Ranbir and Di starting laughing, and that laugh was getting on my nerves.

"I will freshen up, give me 10 minutes dude.", and now staring at Di, "Di, give him the milkshake, Mom makes in the morning."

"Already, done Nikhil bhaiya, he is waiting for you, make it fast."

I just didn't want them to keep pulling my leg, so after my quickest ever bath, I took Ranbir to my room.

"So, what's up dude, so early in the morning.", trying to find out, what the hell was he doing at my place for an hour, with my sister, that also when I am asleep.

"Umm...actually dude, I need to go for a booze party, tonight, and I need to take someone along from the building, that's the condition my Mom has put. So, be ready at around 9."

"But.."trying to stretch a bit, "I don't drink. And then I also won't know anyone out there."

"Arey, just come along to accompany me, umm and friends, no worries you will make many out there. ", and he got up to leave."I am getting late, so catchya at 9 sharp. And be on time, I hate people being late for parties."

Before I could even think, leave answering, he left, and I was left in a weird position. Whether to go or not, what to tell Mom, I don't even drink, and thousands of questions came gushing up with the blood flow, to my brain, but the last question was the best,"Will Bhavika be there?"

It was 30minutes to 9, and I still hadn't decided what shall I wear to the drunkards club. In short, I knew I was going. But flat 15minutes, I was ready in my favourite tee and jeans, and thanks to last minute styling tips by Di.
"You are the best Di, love ya." I had just finished the statement and TING TONG, rang the door bell.
I just unlocked the door, and Ranbir pushed himself in, and pulled me out.
I had forgotten the keys home, and didn't even carry Mom's cell. I was sensing, being in deep trouble tonight, got a strong sixth sense, maybe.

We caught a cab, and he took me to some place, where we reached at 10, after beating the traffic at its own pace. All the while, I was gazing out at the lighting's, the architecture of the buildings and all. Ranbir was busy making some last minute plans for my first ever booze party. I bothered a least, as I was so lost in the surroundings. The city was like so clean, and the roads were so well maintained.

But something distracted me,
"Bhavika, you are better coming jaanu, no buts and excuses, I want you there in 15minutes." and bang Ranbir cut the phone line. I don't have a clue if she replied in the positive or not, but how could someone be rude, to a girl with such a sweet smile.

We waited below a weird shaped building, I guess with the buildings tummy popping out, for a while, and around 15 people gathered around us, and I just kept staring at others.

Ranbir, was busy hugging the girls, and meeting his friends, and I was standing all alone.

After a while we went up, to the terrace, and some girl unlocked the party hall.

The decors were beyond my imaginations. It looked more like a marriage hall, but surely not the place, for a booze party.

It was almost eleven, when the music was turned on, on full volume, and around 10 couples, were present on the dance floor, with glasses of that weird liquid in their hands. They were more interested in the drink, then their dance partner.

But, I was sitting all alone, at a corner, wondering, "What the hell am I doing here?"

Then, all of a sudden, out of no-where, Ranbir and his friends popped up, around me, and they were half drunk. They lifted me up, and before I could even think, I was in the air, once, twice thrice, and bang, on the ground. Luckily, the floor wasn't hard enough to crack my back.

But, here I fell, and there Ranbir, also did. I was flat on the floor, 'undrunk', he lay there, 'drunk'.

Yes, he wasn't conscious anymore, and I knew I was in deep shit.

I didn't know anyone around, and didn't even know the way back home. Now, what the hell am I supposed to do. I stood their, waiting for a magic, to turn things in my favour. And, yes I guess my lucky charm, Ms Bhavika, just entered the party hall, of part drunkards. She wasn't a drunkard, I guessed, atleast she didn't look one, but you never know. Never judge a girl by the way she looks.

She looked hot, in the sleeveless, Punjabi outfit, she had worn. I forgot, what, was actually going around me, and just gazed at her.

All, of a sudden, another drunkard, a loser I guess, pushed me, and I almost fell on her. We were lost in each other, for the next 30seconds, when, she shouted, "Nihkil move, whats wrong with Ranbir."

What the hell she actually said my name. But wait, whats wrong with Ranbir. He had puked, expectantly.

"Nikhil, take him home, he has had it beyond a limit."

Again, she said my name, I was still lost in her.

"Nikhilllllllll..........", she shouted again.

"Bu..ttt..., I don't know the way back."

"Ishaan, where the hell are you hiding.", she shouted again, but I couldn't hear my name, maybe she actually didn't take it.

Ishaan, was over well dressed for a booze party, maybe was confused about what to wear, for a booze night. And luckily I guess he wasn't drunk.

"Nikhil, even he stays at Wonder City. He will take you back.", said Bhavika and then turning to Ishaan, "Take, them back home, right now."

Wow, she has so much power. Although I couldn't talk to her, what a first meet up. She was indeed a dream girl. But like, a small boy, I quietly followed her orders, and left the venue.

"Hi.. I am Ishaan. Which floor do, you both stay on.", as we walked off the hall, with Ranbir on our shoulders.

I was still, gazing at her reflected image, in my brains. So, I took a while before I answered his question.
"Hi!, I am Nikhil, and he is Ranbir. I stay, on the 8th floor, and he on the 7th."

We went back home in the cab, and this time the Wonder City came way faster, than the time, we took to reach the party hall.

But, now I remembered, I didn't have keys, and it didn't make sense, to send Ranbir home.

"Ishaan, there's an issue."

"What's wrong dude?"

"I am not carrying my house keys, its quite late to ring the bell, and it isn't wise to send him home in this condition."

Ishaan, was staring at me, as if I had just asked his girlfriend out, and she had said yes.

And then he burst out laughing.

"No, worries, come over to my place. Stay with me tonight."

He stayed, on the 5th floor. We entered his home, and his parents were fast a sleep. We tip-toed into his room. Three beds lay their, with ironed bedsheets properly laid upon, as if waiting for us only to sleep on it.

And luckily Ranbir stayed asleep all the while, to avoid any chaos or drama, on the way back from the party hall, to Ishaan's residence.

We laid, Ranbir on the rightmost corner bed, and Ishaan took the middle, one. He jumped on it, as if I had come to steal it.

Within, few minutes, he was also fast asleep, to tired to even turn his head, leave trying to know about his room mates for the night.

I laid down, thinking about, spending a night at a persons place, whom I don't know anything about, more than his name. But, within another few minutes even I dozed off, too tired with the days happenings, from the happening Bhavika to the drunkard Ranbir. I guess he spoilt my would be date with her. Maybe something else was destined.

...to be continued...