Twilight .....

Akshara was furious with Aditya, neither she could understand his intentions nor digest it. Adi was standing on his apartment balcony facing the Boston skyline.

"Adi, i need an answer for my question...." she said.
"Answer? for what?" he asked her back as if he never heard anything.
"U think you're smart? what is the point you're trying to prove?" she was really angry.


"Aksh, relax man...i here to prove no one nothing...." he said without looking at her.
"Adi i know you have feelings for Ananya, but when she herself told that she likes you why do you have to tell her that Siddharth like her and she should know that" - Akshara could not hide her irritation.
"Is it not true?" Adi asked her back...
"It is true but it is also very much true that you too like her and more than anything the truth is she loves you" she quipped.
"Can we talk something else...." Aditya wanted to get rid of this topic "I need a coffee, would you wanna join me" he avoided answering her.
"Atleast today you should have told her when she came over to our office to give her invitation card"
"Chill Aksh, get me a nice coffee.." he cajoled her.

"How can you? OK watever.....can't talk to you." She turned and picked up her wallet.


At the coffee shop, Aditya was sipping his cuppa with his eyes fixed on the evening sky. The sky had a scarlet cover. Looking at the same direction he mumbled

"Dont get mad at me Aksh, things are just fine"

"But she is getting married to Sid in a couple of weeks, don't you think atleast now you should tell her"

Akshara held his hands assuringly and said "Dunno what to say but i wish you be happy...ok time for me to leave see you tommorrow in the office"

"Sure ! Taxi..." he stopped the passing cab "Bye..take care" he waved at her.

"You take care Adi" She replied back with a concerned face.

Adi was walking back to his apartment mulling over the turn of events over the last 14 months. He moved from Atlanta to Boston for a new project. The first meeting with Ananya rolled in front of his eyes. One evening he was returning from the office and suddenly the sky opened up. He ran into a nearby Starbucks and ordered for a Latte and was looking outside. The waitress kept a cup on the table and he instantly took it in his hands busy watching the rain outside.

"Err! Does it really taste like Latte ? I doubt it" He heard a sweet voice right behind him.

"What?" he turned and looked at this girl standing behind him with a bright smile.

She was not tall, but was perfectly slim, fair and the smile on her face would capture thousands of hearts. She was wearing a cream capris and a olive green tops. He could see the thin long drop earrings dancing when she casually put a strand of her hair behind her ears. All these happend in a flash of a second.

"I said, it would not taste like Latte" She smiled again

"Why and do we know each other?" he asked her with a confused look.

" 'coz I ordered a Mocha and it found the comfort of your hands" she said.

Adi was ashamed to have taken a cup that was not his.

"Oh! Shucks....I am terribly sorry " He extended the cup towards her.

"That's ok, if you like Mocha yu can have it, i shall taste your Latte" she continued "Ananya..." She extended her hands towards him.

"No thanks! btw i am Aditya" He had to struggle with the cup before he could take her hands for a quick intro.

"What a way to start a friendship....." He smiled again and showed a corner table where they both settled for the next half hour. Outside the window, the rain had just ceased and he could see the red lights outside from the wet glass pane.


Adi stopped at the red light, and also he came back to his senses. He had to wait for sometime before the lights go green for him to cross the road.

A week went by and that morning Akshara entered the office and as usual saw the bulletin board for any new info. She was surprised to see Adi's CAR ON SALE ad. She went straight to his cabin.

"Adi what are you upto?"

"Hey Aksh...howz yu dear?" He pulled the chair next to him for her to sit.

"May i know one good reason for you to sell your car?" She was mad at him

"I can say thousand dear but you relax...." he smiled at her and took her hands.

"Stop smiling, for once i hate to see you smile........" she pushed his hands.

"I am goin back to India...." he said

"..........." there was a silence in the bay.

"When....Why ?" her voice barely came out

"When -this monthend....and why-i had to...." he responded turning towards his monitor.

"Without even telling me....and wat do you mean by had to ???" She asked him back.

"Aksh, i'll tell you everything in detail...trust me...now i've got some quick things to finish before deadline. Will catch ya after work dear...bear with me" he patted her shoulders.

Akshara was visibly upset and walked back to her seat like a zombie. She could not wait for the work day to get over. The moment clock struck 5, she sent a text msg asking Adi to pack up and start.
immediately she shut her system down and went straight to his seat. Adi was shutting down his system.

They both got down the elevator and were walkin silently for a while...

"Adi, i would want to tell me what's goin on in your mind" she killed the silence.

"Nothing Aksh....We need to buy gifts for Ananya...."

"I have already bought the gift over the weekend, we're all ready for tomorrow" she said and ddn't ask him anything.

The next day Adi and Akshara went to Ananya's wedding. The wedding was happening in a local hindu temple. Ananya and Siddharth looked made for each other. Adi was looking at ever smiling Ananya and Akshara was watching Adi all the time.

"Let's go wish them..." he said to her

They both walked towards the couple and wished them a blessed married life and handed over the gift. Ananya looked at Adi and said Adi need to talk to you...

After a while, Ananya managed to come to the place where Adi and Akshara were standing...

"Thanks very much Adi and Sorry for everything, i had always wanted a nice,understanding guy all through my life for years and years to come. I realise now at this moment that Sid would be there for me forever giving me that comfort and i trust him fully. I dunno how immature i was when i came to you and it was so nice of you to make me realise whats in store for me with Sid..thanks again...." before Adi or Ananya could say something someone called Ananya and she went saying "Excuse me will talk to you folks later..."

Aksahra looked at Adi....

"did you hear that... years and years to come...." Adi was smiling at Akshara

They both were returning from the marriage and came to Adi's apartment. Akshara was sitting on the couch looking at Adi standing on the balcony facing other side...

"Adi, I can't take this anymore...i need answers....if u really consider me as close to you.." She could not control....

Adi walked in and took a small file and handed it over to Akshara and went back to his balcony. Akshara went through the file and tears were rolling down her eyes. her body was trembling as though she was in north pole and face became pale and tears fell from her eyes like a falls during monsoon time. The file had the news of Adi suffering Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and his chances of survival are limited.

She was weeping and went running towards adi and hugged him and cried her heart out.

"You never told me...Why" She was crying...

"I know my end but I wanted everyone to be normal with me and not move with me just to remind me of the inevitable. You always ask na What's up with me and i should have told Ananya....but the years and years of trust that she wanted is what i cannot give her. That only Sid can give...." He said and walked inside took a bottle out of the fridge and emptied it."

Akshara came to him and gave a tight hug and looked at him on his eyes which had already filled up. She never uttered a word went from his apartments.

The next few days went in total silence. Even though both were meeting often and Akshara spending most of her time with him she spoke very little. Adi used to be his cheerful self trying to make pull pranks on her but she'd respond with a small smile. She helped him pack things for his return journey. Only thing that she used to ask him is "Can't you take some special treatment here itself". He'd immediately say "India has best medical facilities nowadays may be i will end up living few hundred years after taking the treatment there".

On the day of his travel, Akshara came to his apartment and helped him get ready and said she'd be off to the office for a important meeting which she couldn't avoid. She'd told Adi that she would come straight to the airport immediately after the meeting.

Adi was waiting in the airport for Akshara to come. Some of his friends had come to wish him goodbye. they were all in a cheerful mood pulling each others legs not knowing the real reason behind Adi leaving the country. After some time adi saw Akshara coming hastily towards him.

She came and said "finally managed to be on time" gave him a bouquet that she carried and a card.

"I was waiting for you..." Adi whispered to her

"I know you would...." She whispered back

They were all talking for some time before they heard the final call for the flight adi had to take.

Akshara was weeping...hugging Adi...Adi couldn't react to the situation. He was feeling bad to leave Akshara like this. He said to her "Dont worry i will try to come back"

Akshara was looking at the flight that just took off....

Adi was looking at the bouquet and the card Akshara had given and he was feeling depressed.

"Anything to drink sir" The stewardess asked...

"No thanks!"

He casually saw a letter kept in the card. He took it out again and it read..

"Adi,

I thoroghly understand your rationale behind you not accepting Ananya's proposal though you liked her. She needed support from the guy forever which you could not guarantee. So, you moved away from her and tried to be a good friend. I have always been a good friend to you (i trust so) so i realise that what you need the most now is support and understanding... forever. And, i have decided to give that to you and i can guarantee it for years and years to come. Yes, I love you and i want to be with you no matter how much ever short lived our life together would be. I know you'd not accept to this, that's why iam writing this to you and i would be travelling back to India in tomorrow's flight. I've quit my job as well. I will be back in the country and waiting for your call no matter how many years it take. Do not call me to say a "NO".

You always talk about the inevitable, whatever be that inevitable be, lets fight it out together and face it.

Waiting for your call and that's inevitable for me.

Always your ...Aksh "


Adi read it with a small tear drop on his eyes. He simply closed his eyes and started to think....Akshara was standing on her balcony watching the twilight sky.

Rafa's French Connection

Felicidades Rafa !

What a impeccable match Rafa played yesterday. Was it Roger after all playing against him? The No 1 in the world?? I doubted...but had to believe when roger himself said "Yeah it was me" in the post match interview. Boy! was he outplayed, blasted off the court by this Spanish torpedo. At 22 yrs, Rafa has already become a legend on his own rights by making Paris and Roland Garros his backyard. Four in a row...what a feat..Hail Rafa !!!

"See you @ Wimbledon!"

But, next comes Wimbledon - The Championships, the mecca of tennis, the green grass, Strawberries and cream, the purple and green and of course "ROGER - The Wizard of Swiss". Federer would be licking his lips thinking of this defeat and a shot at Nadal @ the championships. It would be a awesome treat for all tennis fans if we end up in another Roger v/s Rafa @ the championships. I wish....

And you thought a blog on tennis without a mention of ANA ? Can't be :-) ANA is now the numero uno woman tennis player and of course the French Champion.

Tagged Satish..

My gud friend Satish had tagged me and wanted me to answer these below questions. I've done that based on the current mood

1. What could be the 1 wish you will ask if a genie comes in front of you?
A: It'd be to ask for 3 more wishes and the 3rd wish would be another 3 wishes.

2. What could be the 1 period you would want to go in a time machine?
A: My childhood days.

3. What will be the 1 question you will ask if you happen to meet the captain of a UFO?
A: Err! Hope that thing doesn't run on Petrol/Diesel...

4. What will be the 1 thing you would do if you are to go invisible for 1 minute?
A: Would there be a start and stop button to indicate the 1 min??

5. What will be the 1 thing you do if you have 1 crore rupees rite now?
A: Would count it if its really 1 crore.

6. Who will be the 1 person with whom you would love to live life long, apart from your Parents, Partner, Bro or Sis (same sex)?
A: That would be a life time decision,hmmm...lemme think....


7. What is that 1 song which you always hum, without even sensing that you are humming it?
A: Keeps changing from time to time

8. What is that 1 mannerism in you which can be easily noticed by others?
A: May be my non stop conversations :) Not sure though!

9. What will be the 1 thing which you would want to take with you to your grave?
A: My body, just for the benefit of the people alive.

10. What is that 1 habit of yours, which are trying hard to get rid off?
A: I dont try to get rid off anything, i like to be me...

11. Who is that 1 person who deserves a tight slap from you rite now?
A: Myself for lot of things....

12. What is that 1 food item you will not say NO, anytime when offered?
A: Coffee!!!

13. Who will be that 1 dead famous personality, whom you would want to come back alive?
A:

14. Who is that 1 teacher, you would not forget anytime in your life?
A: None specifically.

15. Who is that 1 friend, whom you are missing so much rite now?
A: Sridhar....busy with his own routine.

16. What is that 1 thing you would do if you know your death date?
A: Would just pray that i should forget the date. The greatest suspense in life is the death date..dont want to spoil the suspense.

17. What is that 1 thing which you are planning to dispose for a long time and hasn’t done it yet?
A: Nothing specific.

18. Who will be that 1 famous personality, with whom you would badly want to date?
A: Ana Ivanovic (as of today)

19. What will be the 1 lie which you have told, would want to be true?
A: I am the best !

20. Who is that 1 person with whom you are madly in crush rite now ?
A: One??? u must be kiddin....


I want all those who read this to tag.

My Euro'08 Team

The good old new life....

The wedding hall was slowly getting empty. The guests were leaving one after the other and the crowd had dwindled into a group of close family people. Deepa was getting ready for this farewell of hers. She was a bundle of mixed emotions. She wasn't sure if she was happy, sad, scared, worried, tensed or what not, but she knew that each of these emotions were blended in a perfect composition just like a expert chef blends ingredients into his favorite dish.

She was coming out of her room with her wedding dress looking out at the happy group of family members expecting her. She could see her parents beaming proudly, her sibling, her aunts, uncles and few close friends. She couldn't imagine how her life has turned around in a span of 24 hours. Deepa'd kind of expected this, but in reality it was more overwhelming than she expected.

Her mother came to her and held her hands and kissed on her forehead. Deepa could see a drop of tears at the edge of her eyes waiting to break the barriers anytime. Deepa's eyes were looking around for he newly wed husband Tanmay. There he was standing with a smile, talking to his parents near the entrance of the hall. Deepa kept walking towards the door looking around at the settings. The same hall which was bustling with activity the previous night with people with happy faces, lights glittering all around, orchestra playing best songs and young n old dancing to the tunes as if there was no tomorrow. But, Deepa knew there would be a tomorrow which would not be so easy. She could not come to terms with the fact that how can the human mind go through these fluctuating emotions. Deepa was able to understand that life was all about Living In Fluctuating Emotions.

She was brought back from her thought by her mom, when she said

"Take care of health, don't argue or fight with their family members, try and adjust to the situation as it demands. Do call us once in a while..." She was crying her heart out now....

Deepa's eyes were also swelling with tears and she couldn't control a bit of it. She was hugging her mom and was crying.

"Don't leave me just like that ma, come and see me often..." She was crying like a kid.

"Stupid girl, how can we ever leave you. Have you ever thought of us without you.." Mother responded hugging her and wiping her tears which seemed to be Perennial now.

By then her dad came to her and said slowly to her

"Deepu, be a good girl there and take care. Never forget your mom & dad" - He could barely finish his statements before which his voice broke down.

He was tryin hard to hide his tears and wanted to put a brave front in front but he was just another loving dad who could not bear the sight of his cute little loving daughter moving to a different family saying bye to him.

"Papa....." Deepa hugged her dad and cried her hearts out. Her mom & dad joined.

"Why are you crying now...don't cry my sweet heart. This is a phase of your life, happy phase..you need to cherish it.." He was consoling her not realizing he was crying himself that makes Deepa cry more.

He wiped the tears from Deepa's eyes as her dad took her to Tanmay and his parents and said "Take care and she is little adamant so please bear with her" he said with an affection only parents can show.

"Don't worry, she's our daughter from now on" Deepa's mother in law replied.

Deepa turned towards the doorstep and saw the fully decorated car waiting for them to take her away from what she'd cherished till then.

Deepa's mind was brimming with thoughts, No more i can call my parents and sibling as my people, no more i can call the place where i was as my home, no more wakin up late and shout at mom for a cup of coffee, no more late night shows/movies, no more of these girlish tantrums at home. Can't wake up to see mom busy with her daily chores and Dad with his morning newspapers. No more daily tiffs with sibling, no more complaining on each other to mom and dad. No more Sunday afternoon lunch with family together, No more get together with good friends.


Will i have an identity for myself in the new place or should i shape myself in accordance to how others are more like water in a container. Why girls have to go through this? Why cant they stay with their parents after marriage. Why can't there be a mechanism where in the married people stay for sometime in each of the parents place. All kinds of thoughts, she couldn't realize what's this all about.


What if i have to see my parents or sibling, what if they need me by their side for whatsoever reasons. What life of a girl that she grows up to a beautiful maiden with the help of her parents and one fine morning dumps them for a guy coming for somewhere. Or is this the law of life? Mom would have done the same thing. But did she not handle it with such matured grace. Does it mean mom was happy leaving her parents place? She would have had her own sorrows, losses, disappointments but she had taken it all to be with her man of choice. After all this is LIFE - Living in fluctuating emotions.

That's when she felt the warmth of Tanmay's palms in hers. Tanmay held her hands firmly and came close to her ears and whispered

"I can understand what you feel now baby..though i can't say that there is no change whatsoever but can say one thing that this change would never make you regret in life. would play my part to make sure your life remains pretty much the same and you relish the future as much as you did your past if not more..."

She looked at his eyes and he meant it.

"......." she didn't have any words to utter just laid her swollen face on his shoulders to let him know that she trusted him like never before and Tanmay could feel her tears on his shirt.

The final battle...

I am a warrior, thats how i would like to call myself. I fight battles never want to be bogged down by whom i fight with, how powerful they were. I was facing the eye of my bitter enemy in the middle of the battle field. He was standing giving me a stare from yonder. My heart was beating much faster now. I could see that he was holding his weapon pretty strongly. From the way he gripped it i could see that i wanted me to be gone. I was sure scared a bit but was not gone yet. I was as determined as him to take him on. I was holding my weapon on my hands too. I was well prepared with my full set of armory to safeguard me from his barrage of attack.

I could see him making strategic placements of his troops, i could see one moving from behind me to a different position from where he can attack me. He had men in all position to attack from all the sides. I was taking into account where and how i can move making sure what to expect from whom.

I was clearly outnumbered by the opposition, i had my friend and he is no less a soldier than mine. He gave me a comforting look and said "We're the last hope, We should do it for all of our brothers who are defeated. Even if we fall we should have made the impact"

"Nothing to lose, everything to gain.." i nodded and prepared myself to face the final battle.

"Attack" was shouted one guy who was across in front to my left and my enemy raised his weapon against me to fire, I used my weapon to catch him off guard and ran for shelter as fast as i could. My friend was fully supporting me using his weapon he was covering me and was running to.

The next 2-3 of shots were taken at him and he manged to survive them and we both were progressing well...managed to deceive their soldiers and march on. We were at the door step of victory and my enemy had only 2 shots at me all he need to do was to knock me with that.

There he fires his shot and man it was a great one and it hit my shoulder and i fell down. I was grimacing in pain. My friend came running to me and said "come on mate you can do this, don't worry we're almost there. Just the final salvo...and who else but you can do it..."

I was more determined than ever and i got up to face him for one final time. My mind was full of varied emotions, determination, fear, anticipation. I was not sure what he'd do now, i looked around to see where the others were and what they're upto. I adjusted my armor and held my weapon. I could see everyone closing on me with thier shouts to intimidate me.

My enemy swung his weapon at me and i was able to make a perfect contact with mine and i saw his weapon flying away and he was stunned to see such a move from me. The others were trying to cover him came running towards the main field, before which i could run and reach the castle. My enemies were crest fallen and they've accepted their defeat.

There i was standing with hands raised as a victor never to be intimidated by the opposition and my friend was jumping in joy "We did it! We did it!" holding the stumps marked "CASTLE LAGER" in it. Yes, we have won, won the match handsomely.
It was a close cricket match and we were able to make it through at the end.

Ride in the wind!

Karthik was sitting on the beach @ ECR looking at the deep blue sea. The beach was relatively clear with only very few enjoying the waves. Karthik always liked to sit on the shore and watch the waves dance to the nature's tune. The way one wave
crashes into another and create a beautiful pattern on the water was like a great artist's brush weaving magic on his canvas.
The fading light, the sound of waves and the kids playin in the water the setting always gives him the much needed peace. He
used to sit for hours in the fading light till its dark and just look at the reflections on the water.

Today Karthik had come little early since he felt bored to death, the sun was slowly going down the skies. He saw this girl standing alone in the waves a few paces from him. She was looking at her feet touched by the waves and burying it in the sand. She walked on the sand to see her own footprints with such joy. Karthik was enjoying all of these....once in a while
she was giving signals to the group that was standing few hundred meters from her. But she remained aloof enjoying every
moment on the waves.

She was charming to the core and he didn't miss that cute little dimple on her cheeks whenever she smiled. Karthik liked the
child in her and was watching only her with a smile that never faded from his face.

Little did he realize that she didn't left her footprints on the sand but actually in his heart. After a while she went with
her group and darkness took over. Karthik sat for a while thinking of that girl and then he started back.

For the next few weeks he was trying to avoid thinking of that girl, but the more he tried not to think the more the thoughts of that girl on the beach came to his mind. He tried recollecting her face he could not, never was he able to bring her face back in his memory but still he was thinkin only about her.

"What’s up with you man...you don't even remember her face and then why this feelings?" He asked himself looking at the
mirror.

He didn't know...but he couldn't resist thinkin of her, actually he didn't want to resist at all.

"What’s wrong in thinkin about a girl....whom you're never goin to meet...doesn't hurt anyone" he convinced himself.

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Aditi had come for the beach on the ECR road with her friends and was really excited to see the waves. Aditi always wanted to have a house on the beach front and daily she can go and talk to the waves and feel the wind. This was her visit after a very
long time. She'd gone though a torrid time that her fiancée met with an accident and her life was turned upside down. she was
slowly recovering from the loss.

Her friends were not interested in actually enjoyin the waves but were busy talkin about the
office gossips. They'd come just to make Aditi feel better.

She walked a few paces from them and started to relish her time with the waves. She was talkin to herself, singing her favorite tunes, playing in the sand as if it was her last day and she was the only life form in the whole universe. Once in a while she was making sure her friends were there waiting for her and she saw this unusual looking guy sitting few paces from her, staring at her actions with a stupid smile. She was initially irritated and even thought of walking to him and ask whats up with him. But, then controlled herself against doing so. After sometime she started to leave with her friends and she casually looked at this guy and was surprised to see him looking at her direction and she thought "whatever...." and left.
Something was making her think of this guy for the next few weeks.

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A couple of months of hectic work in office, Karthik was asked to leave to Singapore for a project work. Karthik badly wanted
this travel as he thought it'd break the routine. On the day of his travel, he was thinkin about the trip and what’s in store
for him. This girl with no face never haunted him for the past few weeks as he was little excited about the onsite trip and
the challenges it'd pose him. He took a call taxi from his home and waved good bye to his parents and went to the airport.
Since he has travelled abroad quite a few times, he was quick to check in his luggage and got the boarding pass.

"Can I get the Aisle seat please..." He asked at the counter.

"Sure..." the guy obliged...

Karthik thanked the guy and went straight to a Fresh & Honest coffee bar and picked up a freshly brewed coffee and went and
sat near his gate with his newspaper. When the announcement came to board the flight, he walked straight into the jet and
found his seat and settled himself comfortably. He moved to the window seat and was looking outside the window and saw a buzz
of activities happening on the tarmac.

He was suddenly disturbed by a voice..."Excuse me...that's my seat you're sitting"....

He saw a fat old woman and got up saying "Sorry"....he came out on the aisle letting the old lady get in to her seat. That’s
when he saw that beautiful, adorable face few rows behind. He could not hide his excitement after seeing the girl from the
beach in the same flight. He cursed himself for havin not thought about her for a few weeks.

Karthik said to himself "Never lose this opportunity my boy...u may never get it..."

He quickly went to the stewardess and asked if he could get a window seat, knowing that the seat next to her was the only
seat available.

"Kindly be seated sir, the flight is full and we'll see once the flight takes over." the stewardess answered and he was
expecting that answer.

He was restless till the flight took over, the stewardess came towards him and said "only one seat is available sir would you
like to take it. It's on the rear end of the carrier."

Karthik thought "What do ya think i am gonna answer?" and said "That's okay anything for an window seat" and moved towards the seat.

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Aditi saw this familiar lookin guy talkin to the stewardess and walkin towards her. She thought he must be another guy who
wants to start a conversation with these good looking stewardesses. Before she could finish thinking there he was talkin to
her.

"Can I..." he pointed the window seat...

She moved away and let him get it thinking "What if I say NO?"

He thanked her with a smile. "Nice smile and smart too..not bad" she thought and smiled back without much interest.

He did not miss the dimple on her cheeks this time around.

She went back to her novel...just to be disturbed by him...Aditi was like this tryin to put a cocoon around herself to make
the world believes that she was a bold confident woman while actually she was very fragile.

"That’s a nice novel I’ve read it...." she turned at him irritated and said "yeah looks like...."

"Well I am Karthik...." He said with a smile....

"Oh ok... nice to meet you" She tried to avoid the conversation and luckily for her the hostess came and asked if she'd like
to have something...She started a fake conversation with her to divert his attention. She thought he'd have understood her
intentions...And, the next 3 hours went without any interventions except a couple of casual glances from that guy, which she
didn't mind.

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Karthik was walkin through the immigration point and he saw her in the queue next to him. He felt embarrassed for having been
treated the way he was. He thought "may be I interfered in her privacy a bit". He left and took a cab and went to Little
India where his hotel was booked. The next 3 weeks went for him real hectic with late night stays at the office, meeting up
with clients and of course vague thoughts about this mystery beach girl. That Sunday he and few of his team mates were
planning to go to sentosa islands and he'd told them that he'd meet up in city central. So, he thought of taking a bus to that place. He came out to a nearest bus station and was waiting. He saw the same girl asking something to people nearby and was looking concerned. He thought of walkin to her and start a conversation but was not sure after the last time in the flight.

He looked at the watch and realized that he was already delayed and at the same time he could see his bus coming at some
distance. He again looked at the direction of the girl, he could not see her. He thought, now you have to take a call, finish
this for once by taking this bus and deleting her out of your life or you can do a search, find and replace your thought with herself. Almost immediately, he started running towards the place he saw her...it was an impromptu decision and he had to take it, after all he is chasing not a girl but his life.

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Aditi saw that this guy saw her from the distance. She was feeling sorry for her behavior in the flight. She'd actually
liked this guy and was worried if she was melting from her tough girl types. She wanted to apologize to him but she had to
take the bus that was ready to leave. She was in a dilemma to do what. she went near the bus and looked at him if he was
coming towards her. There was this guy who surely saw her and identified but didn't try to come and talk to her instead he
was looking at the watch and bus coming. So she thought maybe he was a nice guy and was hurt by my reaction and she felt bad
and got into the bus. The moment the bus started to move she turned one more time to see Karthik running towards her
direction searching for her, but it was little late. The bus had moved and only she could see him and he was still searching
there.

For the whole week, her mind was filled with Karthik and whatever happened these few months. She was not sure as why all of
this is happening, why she and karthik bumps into each other. Is this what they call the SERENDIPITY ? She was not sure.
But, one thing she was sure, the next time if fate shows him to me, I got to go to him and Apologize to him.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It'd been a month now, Karthik had completed his activities and had to return back to India today. He was packing all of his
things. He checked to see if it was heavy, he felt it to be lot lighter compared to the weight his heart was carrying. He
could not understand this.

"Why is this feeling for a girl whose name also I don't know" He asked himself. Though he didn't get an answer he knew that
it was happening to him.

"Am I in love with this girl? How can it be..What I know about her...how ever she will like me..." He was confused.

"Will I ever meet her? May be she was from Singapore and settled here. May be I met her in Chennai when she was on a vacation
or something. May be she is married..." all kinds of thought were goin through him as he picked up his luggage and started
towards the hotel lobby.

He checked out and was travelling in the CAB towards Changi airport he was thinking "So as I leave Singapore I should leave
her thoughts here for sure. There is no point taking an extra luggage with me in my mind back to India for nothing" - He
decided. In the flight he was trying to think he'd not carried any extra weight, and that made him feel light.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aditi reached Chennai airport and picked up her luggage and was moving out of the arrival gate where her father was waiting
for her. She waved her hands to him without any excitement and he took her luggage and they went towards their car. As they
started to move out of the airport, she glanced at this fellow coming out of the arrival and was none other than Karthik. She
wanted to shout to her father to stop the car and go running towards him and say Sorry and say what she feels about him. She
couldn't do so, she continued to look at his direction whilst her father was asking her about the trip.

"Aditi...Are you ok" Her father asked concerned.

"Fine dad, just feelin tired" she tried to cover it up

"Ok we'll be home soon and mom would be waiting for you. We have a surprise for you...." He gave a wink at her.

she smiled back and nodded but never bothered to ask what that was.

At home, her mother was well prepared for her with dinner and on the dinner table she was telling about the alliance they've
found for her and told that his name was Aditya and he would be coming from his onsite trip next week and would come and meet
her that following Sunday. Her dad added, that he was a nice boy, he has met him once before that boy went to onsite and how
the boy respects elders very much, well educated and in a pretty decent job.

Aditi was not sure how to react, she had this surprise from her parents all of a sudden, shock of how to take it and worried
if she can start a new life with a new person

"Maa...I need time..." She said

"See you need to see your life and also us... we're getting old too..." Her father and mother told in unison

She couldn't say anything...just went into her room.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Karthik's friend raghu had invited him for his engagement function and there he was very surprised to see the girl standing
next to Raghu as his fiancée was none other than the girl who came with the mystery beach girl to the beach. He was very sure
about it. Karthik was excited, he could not resist his desire to find out about that girl.

"What about the resolution of not thinking about her...." his inner self asked him...

"I don’t have any resolutions.." he replied and shut him off.

After the function was over, Karthik could wait no longer and went straight to Raghu and told him everything and wanted to
know about that girl. He along with Raghu went to her to raghu's fiancée Megha and spoke about this.

"Aditi...are you talkin about her..." Mega asked..

"I dunno her name..but all I know is she is for me.." Karthik replied with confidence.

"I would suggest you to take it little slowly as she......." Megha started telling about Aditi and finally said "She is
still in a fragile state and not sure about a new relationship. So you better stay away from her and I won’t talk about you to
her as well".

Karthik said thanks to her and moved away.

"Hard luck buddy" Raghu consoled him. "Never mind" Karthik replied and left.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It had been 3 weeks since Aditi came back. Aditi was slowly preparing mentally to face the guy coming to meet her but somehow the thought of Karthik kept coming to her.
She was confirmed that he was a nice guy and would be a perfect understanding person for her.

"Is this some kind of telepathy or what" she asked herself thinkin about how she felt so comfortable with a guy whom she has
never met for more than twice or thrice, hardly spoken to each other yet this feeling.

Just then she received this call from an unknown mobile number...

"Hello..can I talk to Aditi ?" A guy's voice...

"Yeah speaking..may I know who this is?" She asked...

"Aditi, This is Karthik. The guy whom you met in the Singapore airlines and also on the beach. Now please don't hang up. I
know we have not known each other much or spoken to each other much. But from the moment I met you I really feel that you're
the girl of my life and I am not sure why I have this feeling that you too like me but not ready to show it. You might be
surprised thinking how I got your number...it’s a long story, but I feel it’s all destined that we should talk to each other.
Would you mind coming to ECR beach this Sunday evening? please...I know it’s tough on you to go on a call of a near
stranger...but please..I would be waiting for you...." He said in one sentence and waited for her reply...

"But..Sunday..I have....." she started..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Karthi interrupted her and said

"Please Aditi....just once meet me...you'll never regret it in your lifetime I promise..." he was pleading.

"Ok I will try...." She said and hung up.

Raghu was was looking at Karthik hanging up..

"Are you mad.....why do you have to do this? Things are goin in the right way for you and her too...why now you give a call
like this? your father had also finalizing on some alliance and she also getting close to marry someone..I don’t understand
you....."

Karthik smiled and said..."Just to make her comfortable that I am the right choice for her man..."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aditi could not sleep for the next couple of days, she was battling with herself

"Should I go or not go ??" this was the question that was going through her mind...

Sunday morning her dad came to her and said "Aditya had called and said he'd meet you at Coffee day near Besant nagar at
sharp 7pm.He has your photograph so he must be able to identify you. Feel free to talk to him. I am sure he'd be the right
choice for you and you'll like him too.

Aditi thought "Karthik asked me to come by 5PM so may be I should go meet up with him to find out what he has to say and then
go to meet Aditya."

"fine by me dad...do you wanna join me when I meet Aditya?" She asked her parents.

"No, you both meet up and talk freely" Her father replied.

"That's fine dad..." She held his hands.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Karthik was standing in front of Aditi on the same place where he saw her for the first time.

"Is this destiny or what ?" He broke the silence...

Aditi looked at him and much to the surprise of Aditi, Karthik kept talking...

"This is where I we first saw each other and here we're standing in front of each other discussin about our life together
even though we haven’t talked much or met in the days between...I know all about you, your past and your fears about a new
life..I know you're goin to meet up with a guy today....You might be thinking why I called you after I know all of
these...don't you"

Aditi nodded....in silence

"Because I have this strong feeling of you're mine and I am yours and I can understand you more than I can understand me...I
can be your faith, I can be your confidence...I can be your light showing the way of how life's lived....Trust me Aditi...."

Aditi was feeling little strange how she is standing in front of this guy whom she doesn’t know much, proposing to her. But,
she liked whatever Karthik said....She couldn't react to that. She was scared to take a decision, confused...

"I need to go...." She said with tears in her eyes....

"Ok fine.....I've told what I had to tell....finally I leave it to your decision... All the best in your life...bye for
now..." Karthik said and showed her the way....

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aditi was talking an auto and was goin towards Besant nagar to meet Aditya but her eyes were filled with tears and mind filled
with Karthik. She was thinking

"What should I do? should I accept Karthik and speak to parents about him? or should I accept Aditya ?? Parents seems to be
convinced about him.."

Just then her mobile started ringing and the screen reflected "Karthik Calling..............."

"Hi, I know you must be feeling terrible now for having met me and now you're going to meet the guy your parents have seen
for you...but I just called you to tell one last thing which I forgot...."

"What....." she asked

"You don't have to go to Besant Nagar instead go straight to your home and tell your dad that you've met Aditya...Karthik
Aditya and he has agreed for this wedding and has left the decision in your hands. Take care....Bye...." He hung up.

Aditi felt like it was all a dream.....What is this joke....she called her father and asked what's his full name was...

"Why suddenly?? his full name was Aditya Karthik or something..." He said..."But at their home they all call him Aditya" He
added...

That was enough was Aditi...her happiness had no bounds...."OK dad talk to you at home" She sounded happy...

She was wiping the tears from her eyes which was not ceasing at all.....

She called Karthik again.....

"I need to meet you...now...." She was excited...

"To see me...all you need to do is ask the autowala to stop...." he said

"STOP...STOP here....here you go" She paid the money hurriedly to the auto driver who was puzzled at her behavior...

She got out and looked around and there Karthik was standing on the opposite side with his bike...smiling at her....

Aditi ran towards him and stood right in front of him....there was silence.....tears were running over her cheeks...

"Can I have a ride ???" She asked him....

"Sure dear...I’ll take you for a ride in the wind...." he said and started his bike....

U, ME aur HUM

"Karthik i might not come for the party this Saturday", Rupa told over the phone.

"I know you wouldn't, so i have already informed the junta" replied karthik.

"That's my man, you know about me so much...." She sounded excited.

"Hey, i forgot to get the saree for my mom, may be i'll go today and get it" Karthik was irritated with himself.

"I know you'd dumbo, that's why i bought it yesterday itself, come home and pick it up" She replied cheerfully.


This is Karthik & Rupa in a nut shell. They've been the best of mates for many years now. They both went to school, college together. Now both of them work in the IT industry. Though both are in different organizations Karthik knows all Rupa's friends and vice versa. Everyone was jealous about their relationship.

whatever be the things Rupa and Karthik would never forget to discuss it with each other before taking a decision.

Karthik went to her place the next day to get the saree she'd bought for his mother. He was greeted by her mother..

"Come in Karthik, howz all @ home?" she enquired

"All are fine aunty, Rupa there" he was particular to meet Rupa.

"Why you wont talk to us?" His mother made fun 2 him..

"Come on aunty....how can u ask such questions"

"kiddin son...u can't leave without having lunch today" she ordered and went in.

Karthik was a well known person for rupa's family, in fact more like one in the family. He never felt an outsider to their family and same was the case with Rupa @ Karthiks. He walked straight into Rupa's room.

Rupa was sitting on the swing on the balcony with her Robin Cook novel.

"Hey! wassup?" he tried to get her attention...

She turned back and came with a big smile on her lips and came running....

"Karthi, missed u dumbo, we haven't met in 3 days you know?" She sounded desperate.

"What to do Rups, lotsa work and appraisal time you know..."

Karthik always liked being missed by Rupa. He looked at her talking with him but for him all he could see was Rupa. There she was, his angel in front of his eyes sitting and talking to him. He did not hear a single word, instead Phil Collins was singing "Another day in Paradise" on his ears. He kept looking at her without uttering a single word. Rupa was talkin non stop, he could see her excitement in the face. Talking about the face, who else can have such an impeccable face.She was wearing a plain white tops and a long blue skirts. She had her hair tied up in a knot behind. The mere sight of her in front of him created frenzy in his mind.

"Look at her eyes man" he thought. "It looks surreal, how can a eye say so many things at a time, Nose pointed straight, sharp and perfectly chiseled. And, then the lips, oh boy! they must have been made from strawberries". He saw those cute little earrings dangling on her ears dancing to her every movement of head. Karthik could not resist his imaginations.....

"Man, i must be the luckiest person in the whole world that i got Rupa, She is mine...mine and mine only" his heart was screaming as if he was Jack of Titanic.

"Thud..." He was brought back to senses by Rupa, who gave a playful slap on his cheeks.

"Hey dumbo....what are you thinking? I am telling you seriously and you're silent?? I was asking you about me talking to my parents about marriage??"

"Thinking about you.. and me..." he said to himself.

"What about whatever i said now....are you ok with it? Can i proceed and talk to my parents about marriage?"

Karthik was literally flying in air, he could not believe what he heard just now. He was waiting for this moment for a long long time.


"Go ahead Rups, if that what you want. But, careful they might misunderstand. be patient whatever be their reaction on this..." He said to her..


"Sure honey...this is why i asked you...you make me feel so comfortable..i need it all through my life..You're an angel, sweet rascal, Darling" She hugged him...

"Okies, get me the saree, i shall pack it in my luggage otherwise i might forget when i leave tonight" though he didn't want to get out of her arms, he had to....

Karthik was leaving the country for couple of months on an assignment.

"I would try to call you in between, but if iam not able to please dont mind. I would just be thinkin of you" He said to her...

"Me too...would miss you the next 2 months, i wish you were here to help me go through this time when i talk to my parents" she sounded dull...

She opened the draw and gave a gift wrapped package. She said "it's a copper sulphate color mysore silk saree. Don't open it to see...".

"You're the best Rups..." he said thinkin that is mom is lucky to get such a daughter in law.

"That i am...." she said "Karthi, Take care...do try to call me.." She was almost in tears amidst her smile...

"u 2 dear..." he left...

The next two months turned out to be the most tough period in Karthik's life. The work pressure was so much that he lost few kgs of weight and he was so tired mentally and physically. More than that the feeling of staying away from Rupa tormented him. He had successfully completed his assignment and had confirmed the return flight tomorrow. He called rupa to inform her that he is coming back.

Karthik dialled Rupa's number using a calling card..

"you n me...in this beautiful world..." he could hear her ring tone..

His heart was thumping hard to hear her voice after long time and also he was little scared about the decision of her parents. The past 2 months he never stopped thinking about that. But, somehow he was confident that everything would be perfectly fine.

"Hello...." the voice came at the other end..

"Rups....its me Karthik"

"Karthik...this is aunty..Rupa had gone for shopping...she forgot her mobile at home...how are you son?"

"Fine aunty and all of you ??" he enquired back

"All are fine. I was little angry with you and rupa. you people hide this from us. At least you could have told na about the relationship...when are you coming we're all waiting for you"

Karthik felt happiness like he never felt before..so looks like everything is fine, he thought.

"I am coming tomorrow, i called to inform that only..."

"Come home straight, don't have to go to your room." aunty said much to his elation.

"sure aunty, try to send Rupa to the airport na...8:45 arrival" he said..

"Sure...how will she not come..." aunty replied.

"Ok aunty... fine will catch you all tomorrow. My calling card is over and i dont have another one. bye .." he hung up.


Three months went by and now they are in the wedding hall. Karthik was standing next to Rupa and Rupa was adjusting his shirt collar and was introducing him to everyone on the dais.

"This is Karthik..Didn't i tell you all that he would wear this color shirt...you know he knows everything about me and me about him..we both were made for each other. I can even tell what he thinks right now and so does he...We both have such a bonding over the years."

Karthik looked at her and handed over the gift to newly wed couple Rupa and Siddharth wishing them a wonderful married life.

Rupa said "Whats this formality dumbo..." she put her arms around his arms and posed for the photo.

"When you can understand me on everything, how could you not see the feeling i had for you all these days Rups" Karthik's inner voice asked Rupa....

"Smile please..." The photographer was ready to click...

Karthik tried his best in vain. There he was posing for a photograph on his sweetheart's wedding trying to hide the tears getting caught in the photo..

Silver lining...

"Final call for the flight LA345...passengers please proceed to gate number C15" the crew lady announced on the microphone.

"Excuse me...excuse...." Divya waded her way through the people who were busy waiting for their flights and those who were busy walking around the terminal..

Finally she managed to squeeze herself just in the nick of the time before the hostess could close the door of the flight.

"I am sorry!" Divya smiled at the hostess...

"That's ok M'am can i see your boarding pass?" She was polite and looked at the pass Divya showed her.

"This way to your right m'am, fourth row on the left she pointed towards the seat on the economy class.

"Thanks very much!" Divya walked towards her seat.

The flight was not full due to the off season. Divya made herself comfortable in her seat and turned to the guy sitting next to her and said "Hey! am i late ? sorry..."

"That's okay dear, i was little worried that you might not turn up..." the guy said.

The guy sitting next to her was none other than Shekar, smart, athletic and had that special something that every girl would find it hard to resist. No wonder Divya couldn't resist either. Divya and Shekar were in love and they both had planned to get married.

"Are you tensed?" He asked her

"A lot, not sure if i am really ready for this..." Divya said searching for something in her handbag.

it turned out to be a tissue which she used to wipe her forehead and turned back to Shekar and said

"Strange to see the flight empty..."

"Yeah, weekday and not a season time also...but why do you think you're not ready" he came back to the topic.


"I dunno..quite a few things..." she was in a thoughtful mood..

"like..."

"What...." she missed his question....

"I asked like what.." he was not ready to leave either....

"Like....would i get the same love and affection that we shared all these days after marriage....like would i get the same sharing and caring that you gave all these days before marriage..."

"why do you think you'll not get these...." he retorted

"Don't you know Shekar...what's wrong in me getting worried about things not to change" she argued...

'Divvy...nothing would change..everything would remain same.....dont you have to worry..." he comforted her...

"Everything...how can you say that?" She seemed tense...

It took lots of time for Shekar to convince divya for this marriage. She was vehemently against this and was worried that her life would change completely upside down once she gets married. Shekar used to be surprised how Divya can be so against marriage after being in love with him for more than three years. Shekar had to spend so much of time with divya to make her understand marriage is aprt of life and no one can escape that. Also, he had to tell it's such a nice bonding between two people which every person should go through in life. And, finally one day he was able to break the code and make Divya accept. Here they're leaving to India for marriage.

The next couple of hours went in silence with Divya closing her eyes thinking about the marriage to come and Shekar. Shekar didn't want to disturb her and so was watching the silver lining on the clouds through the window.

"Passengers attention please..." the stewardess announced bring back Divya and Shekar to thier senses...

"We're starting the landing procedures, kindly keep your seat belts fastened and bring your seats to a upright position"

Divya was watching the stewardess checking each row by walkin on the aisle.

Shekar turned and looked at Divya, she seemed little clear from her face.

The flight landed with a heavy thud....and was slowing down...

"outside temperature...." the announce ment continued...

People were busy getting up from their seats to pick up their luggage....

Divya looked at Shekar and said "This is it..."

"Yes sweety, this is it....no turning backs now...we'd decided on this together" he held her hands....

"Yes no turning backs..." she hugged him tight....

After a while, when the crowd had cleared a bit, Divya got up and took her luggage and got ready to move...

She turned back and said "I hope you'd be watching every moment from now on....Though you're no more today it was your words that kept me driving in life and now this marriage too...It was you who showed me that i had the strength in me to see life without you...I love you and would do so till i breathe my last..." tears were rolling down her cheeks as she saw the faint image of Shekar vanishing before her eyes...

Divya wiped her tears and kept walking towards her new life thinking about her love life with Shekar, the accident that took the life of Shekar, the days when she thought her life had come to a standstill, the days when she imagined Shekar to be with her and the words Shekar told to convince her for a marriage with Rishi. Everything was like a dream to her. As we walked out of the airport lounge, She saw Rishi waiting with a flower bouquet in his hands waving at her.

She saw the silver lining on the sky......

Sapling !

It had always been Raghav's wish that he adopted a child right from his college days not sure though why. Thankfully for him he got an understanding wife in Vinitha who had supported his idea of adopting even before they had their own kid.

They searched all over the country in various cities and towns to finalize Nethra. She was in an orphanage in Chennai. The baby was fair and cute. The moment Raghav and Vinitha saw the baby's eyes they knew it was their elder daughter.
That eyes said the story of her needing a parents, her loneliness, her desire to live in this world just like any other human being. Vinitha bent down and looked at the baby, she could see her own eyes swelling up with tears in the baby's small eyes.

"Netra...." She called faintly...

Raghav looked at his wife proudly....

"Netra..our princess..." She said looking at him..this time the tear drops managed to get out of her eyes and hit her cheeks.

"Netra is ours...honey..." Raghav held her hands firmly...

This was how it all happened 6 years back.

Now Vinitha was carrying her own baby, and the little
family was abound with joy. More than anyone else Nethra was really excited to have her own little brother or sister with whom she can play and feel that oneness. She was always curious and anxious about every little thing.

"Why is mummy's tummy big?" She would ask

"Because, that's where your li'l brother is sleeping"

"Why doesn't he come out"

"He'd very soon and you can see him too"

"you told i was sleeping in the cot when i came?" she frowned...

Raghav used to tell her the secrets of her birth and adoption by small stories that a kid can understand at its age and he wanted her to know that through him rather than someone else telling.

"yeah baby....you were sleeping in the cot like ...tell me what? he questioned her back..

"Princess..." she replied with a smile

"But, why i didn't sleep in mummy's tummy? She had no space in it?" Nethra continued..

"hmmmm yes dear..mummy had lotsa space for you in her heart and hence she carried you in her heart..." saying this he looked at Vinitha..

Vinitha gave a thankful smile and held Raghav's hands. Netra came running to Vinitha and hugged her.

Special Bday !!!

Yesterday being my B'day i thought it'd be just another day as it should have been.

But thanks to all of my good friends for having made it double special by arranging for double dhamaka celebrations.....

First the regular cake cutting at the office cafeteria and to make it even better the SURPRISE BASH @ SACHIN KA DHABHA with cake cutting and a dinner arranged by all of these nice fellas....Boy!! What fun we had.....

I know friends doesn't need formality but still from the bottom of my heart i wanted to say..."THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THE WONDERFUL DAY...and of course the wonderful gifts"

Confession.

"Enough! Don't start your non sense again...." Tanmay shouted at Deepa.

"Who started this??? " Deepa retorted

Deepa and Tanmay were married for 2 good years.

They worked at the same company. Tanmay liked Deepa for her assertive and confident outlooks, likewise Deepa too liked Tanmay
for his naughty cute ways. So, getting along was so easy and natural. Both of them knew that they were comfortable with each
other's company and yearned for more.
Soon Tanmay proposed to her over a coffee and she accepted without much fuss. So, here they're happily married, though the
situation today was not so happy..

"You were ready to do anything when we were not man and wife? now everything is non sense..." Deepa was angry...

"I don't have time for this now..." He sounded uninterested...

"When have you ever had time for me?"

"Deepa...what's happening to you? why are you getting so hyper for almost everything..."

By now, Deepa started crying and Tanmay never liked to see Deepa crying.


Couple of years back, in the office one of Deepa's colleague has said something to her which had hurt her so much that she
shouldn’t bear it and she called Tanmay for a cup of coffee and cried her hearts out to him. Tanmay couldn't stand to see her
sweetheart crying so he went straight to that guy and gave him his piece of mind. That was the last time the guy spoke to
Deepa. they both had hearty laugh about it quite often.


But, today is a different day. Deepa is crying and crying because of him and he could not do much about it. But, still he
didn't like the view of Deepa crying. such fights have become a regular story and it's not usual for Deepa to cry for such
tiffs.

"I am leaving....." he walked away without even looking at her, simply because he didn't want to get a glimpse of her face with
tears.

"Whatever....." she responded with words hardly coming out of her mouth as she was sobbing.


In the office, Tanmay was engulfed by work that he completely forgot what had happened at home in the morning. While he went
for evening coffee he was thinking that he should go home and console Deepa who'd have come from her work earlier. He thought
he'd say her sorry with a bunch of flowers and then lift her in his arms and say that he would do whatever she says to. After
that he could not wait to meet Deepa. Sharp @ 7:00 he picked up his car keys and said good bye to his friends who were
surprised to see his excitement and left. It was raining heavily outside and he could not see the road, yet he managed to
drive somehow just to get into the arms of his sweetheart. On the way he didn't forget to find a florist and get some flowers
drenched with raindrops.

upon reaching his home, he parked his car and went straight towards the door and pressed the bell.

"............", There was no response

He repeated it for couple of times with the same result.

He looked at the watch, 8:13pm the watch showed. aah, the rain and the traffic he thought. He took the keys from his pocket
and tried opening the door and it opened. Tanmay was confused, "Where's Deepa?" he thought, as he did he switched on the
lights and went to the fridge and had a gulp of water.

"It's raining heavily and she's not home. She never called even to say that she'd be late" he thought as his hands were busy
dialing her number.

"Sorry the subscriber could not be reached...." answered the voice of the lady to whom he'd given a face.

"What's this why is she not reachable ?" Tanmay asked himself and he started to get worried.

"She never cried for such things before..did i hurt her so much?" he was angry with himself..

He tried calling Suman her best friend in the office to find out about Deepa.

"Hi suman..how r you?"

"Hey Tanmay...me fine and you?? Deep was dull today hope everything is fine at home?"

Tanmay was relieved at the same time worried. Relieved because he knew Deep went to office as usual and worried that she was
upset the whole day.

"All fine...Deep left?" he asked casually..

"yeah, she left early saying she had some work.....is everything really fine?" he could sense the worry in her voice

"Hey everything is perfect....i just casually checked..thanks will talk to you later"

"Bye Tanmay, any help call me...take care" she seemed not convinced.

"U too..." he hung up the phone.

Tanmay was really worried now and looked at his watch, time showed 8:55pm. He was not sure whom he should call at this time
with this heavy rains. He locked the door and took his car and went along the route how Dee paused to come by auto or by bus.
He could barely identify anyone on the route as it was still raining and he did not miss even single auto on the other side
to see if he can see Dee pain anyone of that. Every 5 minutes he didn't forget to call Deepa's number, just to hear the good
old lady's voice that the subscriber cannot be reached. He went till her office and then came all the way back to home
anxiously expecting the door to be open and Deepa standing at the entrance waiting for him.

But, he was out of luck...he could see the door locked.

By now his mind started rewinding his conversation with suman. "She left early saying she had some work...." the words kept
coming back to him.

"What could be so important that she left early....never hinted me anything.."

"Could it be that she came and packed her things and left me forever to her mother's place or somewhere?" he immediately
checked her luggage. It was intact. He told to himself "Deepa would never do that to me....or may be i hurt her so much and
she really took a decision" his mind was playing tricks with him.

Tanmay could not even think of a life missing Deepa, he can feel a lump in his throat and his eyes were battling hard to hold
on to that single drop of tear.

"May be she committed....or someone kidnapped..oh God! why am i thinking like this....." He was battling with his own mind..

"Deepu, just come to me....just gimme a call....don't leave me for whatever be the reason....." he was begging to himself...

He saw the watch again 10:37pm, he sat in the couch lookin at the flowers he had brought for her. The raindrops had gone dry
by now, but the roses were smiling at him just like Deepa used to when he tease her...

"I am sorry! i would never hurt you..please come to me..." his heart was screaming. He could understand the meaning of the
english words "helpless","lonely" what not. He could not sit there without Deepa, without her childish pranks on him, without
her dummy anger on him, without her affectionate scolding’s...

"Deepu, what's happening to me....come back to me....." he almost cried....

"you're my fire....the one desire...." his mobile ringed rather sang.......

Tanmay pounced to take his cell to see the words "Honey calling....". his heart started beating heavily..

"Hello, Deepa...where are you?" he kept asking...

"Hello..Tannu..." the voice was feeble...

"Deepa yeah go on... where are you?" he was restless

"Tannu....friend......rains.....caught....scared.." words were breaking, seems like network not following...

"Deepa, u r breaking...." he was getting desperate

"........Canal bunk road....." he could hear only that and the line went mute...


Tanmay promptly tried deepa's number, he seemed to be having a crazy knack of troubling the old lady..."subscriber could not
be reached"

He immediately took his keys and started to search for her again...."Canal bank road, why she went there...doesn’t she know
that little out of city...." he was thinking...

"she said something about caught..scared..God she must be safe...she is everything to me...please help..." his lips prayed..

The next 25 minutes seemed to be an eternity...

He turned left and the board showed "canal bank road". the road was dark and lonely, he felt it'd be horrible if he himself would have been stranded there...he could see shadow of a person alone under a tree with little light from the shop nearby.

He stopped the car and ran out towards that person..."it must be Deepa" he was telling to himself...

It was Deepa, looking at the other side worried to the core....constantly dialing her mobile and keeping it to her ears...

Tanmay was bit relaxed to see her standing there in one good piece....

just when he was about to call her, she turned towards him and came running to him and held him tight. she was crying,
"Tannu, i am standing here alone for the past 2 hours and i could not reach you as well.."

"I came to the mall nearby and thought of getting you your favorite brand of shirt as a gift and thought would make up with
you..left early from office....it was raining heavily and when i was returning to home...the auto stopped and due to rains no
other auto came. After some time it was again raining heavily and i am waiting for some means to get back....." she finished
in one big sentence and started to cry......

"Honey...relax..relax.." he took her to the car and made her sit next to him and started to drive back home, firmly holding
her hands with one of his hands.

"Are you still angry with me....i am..." Deepa asked wiping her tears....

"shhh!! shhh!!..." He gently kissed her on her forehead and said "i would never be......ever....Sorry..." he confessed...

The rainy sky, dim lights, moving car and both in each other arm gave them the perfect setting for a most romantic drive.................

Journey in the wind....

Vinay was late for the train, he was instructing the auto driver to hurry up. The summer season had started to arrive in Chennai and he could feel the heat and perspiration. Vinay works for a IT firm in bangalore and as every other software professional once in a month he travels to chennai over the weekend to catch up with his parents. He kinda like this weekend travels as he gets to see the buzz around him everytime with people moving from one place to another, thier urgency, irritation and all the different emotions like a package in whole.

"We'd reach central in time na?" Vinay asked the driver

"Almost there sir..." driver said in a comforting tone

In the next 5 minutes there they were CHENNAI CENTRAL. The view he saw, he would have seen it atleast a 1000 times in various movies. the red building stood majesticly in front of him floodlit everywhere.

He paid the driver and started running towards thinkin ab out which platform he need to go. He could see in the display boards that his train was about to leave and was on platform 5. He hurried past all the crowd who kept coming towards him as if they were desperately trying to stop him from boarding. Finally he manged to get into his compartment S4, he quickly checked his name in the list and there it was "27 Vinay M 28". He was about to get in before his eyes stopped at another name in the list "29 Aditi F 26".

Vinay was smiling and thoughtnot a bad gift afterall for hurriedly making to this train. He went in and plced his backpack on his berth and looked around for any good looking girl. He could see a family already ready to retire on thier births.

That exact moment the train had started. Vinay was worried about the unknown unseen Aditi, "May be she cancelled her trip or may be she missed the train like i would have...". As he let his thought fly by he was brought back to this world by a voice

"Excuse me..."

"Ah! sorry.." he moved and in the process he could not see the face of the girl who crossed him and was facing the opposite direction towards the window. He could see her hair with gentle curls and nice pony tail.

Aditya then got into his upper birth and plugged his earphones and started browsing a book he had with him....

The train started taking pace and he could feel the cool air coming from outside and of course ilayaraja's soul stirring song all made him feel relaxed and he went to sleep.


An hour later, vinay was woken up suddenly and was sweating a bit. He thought may be a bad dream and turned around that's when he suddenly reminded of Aditi. In the darkness of the compartment he was searching for her, all he could find was an empty middle birth. He knew straight away that it was her berth and may be she had gone to the restroom. After a 15 minute impatient wait for the unseen beauty he got up and slowly got down from his berth and moved towards the door of his compartment, not forgetting to check if the restroom is engaged.They were not...

He stood there near the door for few minuutes, thinkin about this mysterious girl Aditi.


"Take care you might fall...." his thoughts were disturbed by the voice came from behind.

Vinay turned back to see this girl standing lookin at the passing lights...

"Thanks! but iam ok...." he responded

There was a silence....

"Iam vinay...do you work in bangalore?" He started the conversation thanking his luck for having got this opportunity

She was silent....

"Are you ok...." he asked

She turned back at him "yeah i work in bangalore...i am Aditi"

He could see her face in the dim light of the compartment. He felt the complete setting was perfect like a candle light dinner...where he was sitting opposite to her with her eyes glittering and her lips had that naughty smile...

".....ok bye" he could see her moving back to her seat.....

"Wow....whatta girl" he thought goin back to his seat.

He looked at the middle berth, much to his disappointment he saw her sleeping with blankets covering her completely.

Next morning, he got up at City junction and immediately saw the middle berth, she'd gone..left without a trace...

"she must have gotten down in Cantonment" he thought to himself and was thinking may be should have talked to her more the other night.

For the next few weeks his life went pretty normal until one fine day he saw Aditi with some guy in the forum mall near the PVR cinemas. He thought "there she is but this time with some guy...who could it be?"

while he was thinkin he could see her walking towards him, he thought she'd no way remember him and was acting as if he was not lookin at her.

"Hi vinay...do u remember me....Aditi ??" she spoke to him only....

"Aditi...hmm yeah....in the train..." he simulated a false recollection....

"yeah...this is Rohini and Ajay my friends....thot you'll not remember me" she seemed friendly

"For a sec i thot....anyways nice meeting yu guys...catchya me gotto go..." He didn't like to be around with she in the company of another guy....though there was another girl with them.

He walked away and around the corner of the fllor he slowly turned back and looked at her...there she was looking at him. Her look did something in him at the same time he was little embarassed that he was caught looking at her.

The next 3 days went in her thoughts and he wanted to know more about her, though he was constantly reminded of Rohit. That morning he was leaving for the office waiting for an auto...."Auto" he put his hands firmly before the coming auto.

The auto driver pulled up and Vinay saw the auto occupied and hence was looking for the next one.

"Vinay...watta surprise?? wanna join me for a ride?" Voice seemed familiar by now for him...it was Aditi...

'Hey....it's ok..."

"Come on where do yu wanna go ?" She asked almost instantly..

"Richmond circle" he slowly said

"I am goin to St.Marks road..hop in" she pulled him in...

Vinay did not know how to react for this extra friendly girl.....just got into the auto...they were discussing generally abt thier companies, where they stay etc etc...

"9886425362" my number....she gave

"Thanks..." he gave a missed call to her mobile

"9886111130 calling.... " the number flashed on her screen

"hey yu have hutch too ?" she seemed happy...

"yeah..gotto leave now bye" he got down

"Call me sometime...." Se waved goodbye..

Vinay was confused not knowing how to take this whole thing...is she really a nice girl ? is she really friendly or is she some kind of conwoman tryin to make friend and then trap me??" "or is it that she likes me..otherwise why would someone remember an acquaintance in a train journey and come this close" all kinds of thought were goin through him....

Vinay liked the feeling of thinking that she likes him....

That evening he got a call "Aditi calling..."

"hello..."

"hi Vinay..u free? thot of speakin to you..."

"Go on..."

"when would you leave the office ? can we go together? my roomie said she'd be late today so can you join me for dinner...feelin bored to eat alone" She was spontaneous

"err..sure..i'd love to.." he could get the words...

"Ok same place where i left yu in the morning...sharp 7:30" she hung up


"Wow..." Vinay could not believe his luck..he thought why would she want to have dinner with me when she has other friends...i am sure she likes me...

At 7:30 he was waiting for her in the corner....she came there in a bike with Ajay, who dropped her and waved good bye to both and left...

"Ajay is not joining us ?" vinay asked...

"No, i didn't tell him we're goin for dinner..." she seemed not interested in talking about him.

"Oh! ok..." "She wants to have dinner with me and not him.." Vinay was in a state of bliss...

They both walked to three quarter chinese restaurant and sat on a corner table...

"What would you start with ?" he asked...

"Anything of your choice.." she smiled back....

"How do i know what you like..." he asked her..

"Anything you get me i'd like..." she shot back...

"this is working..." he thought in his mind and ordered for a few starters and main course...

While they were talking he could not miss her looking at his smile, his mannerisms, his antics...

He decided she is my girl....should i tell her now what i feel ? he was askin himself....

"I'll pay..it's on me.." she brought him back..


"No way..i would take this opportunity to treat a sweet charming girl.." he said not sure from where these dialogues comes to him...

"No..but...i called you" she was reluctant..

"He gave his card tothe bearer and said forget it...whats in who pays...." and pushed her hands so that she could not give her card..

They both walked to the corner of the street took an auto and he got down at koramangala...while she left to her place...

Vinay was thinkin, this was the best day in his life..he found his girl....or may be just a crush? "No no.." he was trying to be strong.

the next week was very busy for him at the office, neither did he call Aditi nor he received any calls from her...but he wanted to talk to her,see her...he didn't call her thiking if i call her often she might think iam desperate.

Eight days later he felt little relaxed and thought he'd call her and talk, he dialled her number...some guy answered...

"Hello can i talk to Aditi?"

"Aditi...evaru...wrong number..." the other end went dead...

"Wrong number?? how could it be ? i spoke with her the other day...." He was confused and worried as well...


Vinay tried calling many times in vain and was desperate to find Aditi...

He was growing impatient and was tellin to himself

"may be i need to search in cantonment station... no no St.Marks road... or may be three quarter chinese...."

"Auto..yes i need to catch auto...."

that's when Vinay's old father came to him and held his son in a consoling way and said "dont worry my son we will...we will.." and gave him the tablets he needed to take in such situations...


Tears rolled down from his dad's eyes looking at his son who was suffering from schizophrenia.....