a half baked love story - anurag garg

8/20/2019 A Half Baked Love Story - Anurag Garg

1/518


2/518

A Half Baked Love Story

Anurag Garg is an engineering

graduate from BVCOE, New Delhi.Random thoughts, eligible to be put

together in the form of a storyline

dragged him to his destiny, and he

finally found his forte in writing. He

finds himself close to nature and

believes in creating circles of love

and service around him. He lives in


3/518

New Delhi and works in the IT

industry.

Gunjan Narang, an aspiringeducationist, was born in Delhi. She

embraces reading and writing as her

escape from the real world as well as

a door to it. She wishes to explore theunexplored places of the world and

write about the fast-evaporating

everyday life of people.


4/518


5/518

SRISHTI PUBLISHERS & DISTRIBUTORS

-16, C. R. Park

ew Delhi 110 019

[email protected]

First published by

Srishti Publishers & Distributors in 2012

This impression published in 2014

5th impression, 2014

Copyright © Anurag Garg • Gunjan Narang,

2012

All characters in this book are fictitious, and

any resemblance to real persons, living or dead

s coincidental.

Typeset by EGP at Srishti

All rights reserved. No part of this publication

may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval

mailto:[email protected]


6/518

ystem, or transmitted, in any form or by any

means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,

ecording or otherwise, without the prior

written permission of the Publishers.


7/518

“The greatest pleasure

in life is doing what

people say you can’t

do” Dedicated to all

those who motivated us


8/518

Acknowledgements

Life seems to be a vicious circle ouncertainties. I have always been uncertain

from the day this book released to the day

became a national bestseller. But, there are

few reasons and a few people who make livinbeautiful amidst all these uncertainties. The

are the sole motivation and inspiration behin

everything big you do; they actually make yo

forget all the outcomes and encourage you t

go on and make it on the cards.

My first thanks to the Almighty, my Guru

and my parents for all the selfless support, car

and love, as this is all one needs to plug away.

My sisters, Vidhi and Purti, for being s

hopeless with me every time! They’re the bes

isters in the world.


9/518

People come and go, but each one of them

eaves an impression on your life – some good

ome bad. I would like to thank all those wh

have helped me knowingly or unknowingly.Mohnish Rajput for being whatever he i

Sahil Narula, my twin brother; Gitanjali Babba

for her beautiful stories, and the way sh

narrates them (with a clap and a huge smilemy Zohanian gang and Xavier’s group for th

wonderful moments we spent together.

Ayush Dinker and Sunill Kaushik for makin

people judge the book by its cover. Thank yo

for such amazing covers. Aditya Kapil for hi

ime to make a fantastic teaser video.

Last but definitely not the least, Gunjaarang for being there all the time and Srish

family for their unparalleled supervision.

– Anurag Gar


10/518

Ma, Papa, even if I have not voiced it, I am

hankful to you for being the patient an

understanding parents that you have been. I am

proud daughter.Shreyanjana, my love, thank you for readin

his book and providing an honest feedback, an

for keeping it in the front row of your treasur

house of books. I simply adore you.

Nikita, many hugs for your open

heartedness and for bearing with every word o

his book. I am glad I could receive you

critical reviews at last.

Nitti, immense love for you

encouragement, love and (not-so-long) stres

busting drives.

Richa, I cannot thank you enough for readin

he book carefully to look for pages that mad

people cry. Yes, you can kill me with a hug.


11/518

Srishti family, I owe you a great debt o

gratitude for your natural disposition to b

upportive and accommodating, and fo

embracing us with a happy smile.Ayush Dinker and Sunill Kaushik, I applau

your creative efforts for making the covers tha

have given the book its identity.

Anurag, for your eternal patience with m

before and after the book came into being

Thank you for being a friend before being a co

author.

You, the reader, holding this copy right now

my heartfelt gratitude for reading our work an

aking out the time to write to us. We owe th

uccess of the book to you. – Gunjan Naran


12/518

CONTENTS

Untying the knot!

There’s No way out

Life goes on

ew Year ’s Night!First glimpse!

School Days

Lack of guts in my butts-1Lack of guts in my butts-2

Love in Delhi!

First Date and an Empty wallet!Life after love!

Judgment day~

Fish the hitch!


13/518

First Kiss ~

Heartaches..

Spaced out!

Out of the blues - Kolkata

The last promise~

Heavens Cried

And I moved on..

Epilogue


14/518

“

S

Untying the kno

o, do you Love me Aarav?Radhika looked at me wit

searching eyes as she wore her peacoc

colored chemise over her unzipped bludenim.

Perfect sense of dressing she had

must say, though I loved her bein

senseless. Her petite figure alwayprompted me to do something erotic. W

both were having a good time from th

ast two hours in the minus fourth floo

parking arena of Select City Walk mal

nside my black tinted car.

The engine was on, to chill th

ambiance for having such a fiery tim


15/518

consistently for hours. I was utilizing m

dad’s white color money in a very tinte

way and Radhika was enjoying ever

int of it. But something had gone wronhis time.

“What kind of an inane question i

hat? What has happened to you? I tol

ou not to gulp down so many shots i

one go!” I replied with a serious look o

my face, shoving my hand through he

ong and sleek hair.She was entirely sitting over me o

he seat adjacent to the driver’s one.

Coming back to this ghoulis

conversation, she replied “Shut up! was just wondering if this is love o

something else… just because the ever

ime we meet, we end up doin


16/518

something fleshy like this. There is n

fondness between us, don’t you …”

I interrupted and pacified her, “what

What the fuck do you want to say? Isnt fondness that we both are spendin

some decent time here, doing some o

he worthiest things? You’re drun

baby!” I think I sounded rude.

“Hey, hey…Why are you talking to m

ike this? Calm down! Have I offende

ou so much by asking if you actuallove me or not?”

Now, though she spoke in a ver

sweet voice, she sounded rude this tim

for sure.

“Look Radhika don’t you dare to talk t

me like that, don’t make it more knotty”


17/518

ried to calm her down pointing a finge

owards her, my way of calming peopl

down. As the conversation grew

flashier, she turned down off to thadjacent seat, zipping on her denims an

ooked outside the other window

flawlessly doing what girls do whe

hey want their boyfriends to deligh

hem by some captivating one liners

Though, I was not at all in the mood t

chuck her out but still…to bring thsituation in control, I relaxed, took

deep breath and replied in a less rud

beat this time.

“Ok Radhika. My baby! Listen to meJust tell me, who the hell knows wha

his word ‘love’ does exactly mean?

have been searching the meaning fo


18/518

ears. Do you expect me to shout m

feelings for you at an echo point? Wil

he multiple echo voices prone my lov

for you? Or should I run in the fieldwith a guitar in my hand singing out t

ou?” I added a laugh and a wink, no

required though.

“Aarav, why do you always have t

end conversations like this? You thin

t’s funny? It’s not! Love is a very pur

feeling. You don’t understand. I think it’all about care, attachment and the zeal i

ou to be with your partner. But look a

us. Do we seem to be in a relationship

The emotion that lingers between us iLUST,” she highlighted the word. “W

are together, not for each other, but fo

he physical satisfaction that we provid


19/518

o each other. Don’t you think we’re jus

agged as in relationship while we don

give a damn about each other’

emotions; we don’t understand eacother; there’s no love… just…lust” sh

ended up looking straight into my eyes.

Over time, I have lost the tendency ogetting sweaty whenever someone ask

me anything looking into my eyes. Thi

was the first time I saw a burninpassion in her to love me. The A.C. wa

still on, but suddenly the temperature i

he car rose abruptly. She was actin

otally altered this time. She was nmore the Radhika I knew three month

before the college started.

Radhika was my recent fling wh


20/518

came face to face via facebook. Findin

love’ was becoming so informal thes

days. All you need is a facebook accoun

with a chic display picture, full adobphotoshop art in it and you win a new

girl to go around with. Unfortunately sh

made it to my college, fortunately, i

business administration, not in bachelor

of technology. Both officially an

unofficially I was her senior. We jus

used to hang around, but out of nowher owned her. She told me to keep quie

on our relationship in college. I wonde

why girls are so over-protective abou

such insignificant things. Well, thahought leads me to an undiscovere

erritory- Girls’ psyche! Anyways th

hing is that, we never talked abou


21/518

personal matters to get to know eac

other intensely. Intertwined fingers

holding hands, cuddling, and all tha

azz, were enough, for me of course, tstrengthen the pillar of our relation.

completely agreed to what she said bu

“why now?” was the question tharushed through my mind.

Her innocent demand puzzled me al

he way, may be because I was nevewith her to care, be attached or to mak

her happy but just for a label of being i

a relationship or just to furnish this lus

n me. Everything was going off beanow. I was totally baffled about what t

say. Still I congregated some forte to pu

down on her.


22/518

“But you never asked for all this. Yo

were going so easy with the way we ar

connected. Why now?” I questioned he

again. But somehow, I was unable took into her eyes.

“What? Should I ask you to love me?

she questioned.

“But I do love you” I almost pleade

his time.

“But I can’t see it. I can’t feel it.

can’t touch it. I can just hear your easwords that lack any sign of emotions fo

me. Nothing Else.”

I was getting very irritated now.

“How can a man who doesn’t eveknow what love is, make a girl fee

blissful? Happiness to you is liquor

ove to you is lust, talking to you abou


23/518

his is approaching idiocy. You better g

and cram what love is, but I am just s

very sure that a man like you will neve

come around this beautiful feelingEver!” she ended bellicosely throwin

her hands in air.

I had nothing to say in this chat. He

ast sentence seriously choked me deep

nside. I gulped some spittle and looke

away from her. Somehow I struggled t

stop myself from crying. Otherwise shwould have laughed I guess. Her word

eft me speechless but still I managed t

settle down this sweltering situation.

“Look sweetheart, we’re spendinsuch a great time together, ain’t thi

enough?” I tried to persuade her. Sh

was such a bimbo, a real beauty with n


24/518

brains. I loved her, with or withou

clothes is another question.

“Ok then tell me one thing, is ther

any future of our relationship, Aarav?she fired another question from he

question bank to which I was tired o

answering again and again. This time

finally decided to stay quiet but gave he

-don’t-think-so kind of a look. “The

what next?” She lost her control.

I could imagine her being a steaengine furiously giving out smoke fro

her ears. Her forehead wrinkled and sh

fired some ugliest allegations on me

hough they were correct to some extent.“What the fuck do you think o

ourself huh? Am I just another whor

for you to get your legs over me ever


25/518

ime to satisfy your drunken ass?” He

nose tip went red and her eyes wer

about to burst out and blood ready t

pour out of them.“Hey mind your words girl! Did I …

. . I” I shouted with one hand in air,

gesture to give her a fair last warning t

erminate her offensive conversation.

“Did I what? Blurt out whatever yo

have in your mind! You want to hit me

hit me then!” Her voice broke and a teadropped down from her right eye, som

others followed. She had goaded me t

such an end of this meaningles

relationship.“Let it be then.” I murmured and the

raised my voice in irritation.

“Did I ask you to fall in love with me


26/518

Did I force you to come out this late wit

me in a minus fourth floor parking t

ndulge in such sensual affairs afte

getting drunk? Look I did NOT sign contract of ‘I will love you forever’ o

we will have two kids after marriage

with you ! Grow up Radhika! It is not

big deal at all in this era. I have alway

pampered you with the finest of things

our dress, your accessories, you

haircut and even your lingerie has beefinanced out of my wallet girl!” I pause

o breathe. Her face reached rare shade

of red.

“Do I not love you? Isn’t this lovhuh? Have I not supported you when yo

asked for? Have I not amused you ever

single moment we were together! Now


27/518

ust stiffen up your lip and don’t yo

cry!” I pointed a finger at her and sai

sternly.

And girls never do what has been tolo them, in fact they do exactly th

opposite. She burst into tears. “Oka

hen let it be, live your life and I’ll liv

mine. Go, find yourself a lover, don

create a scene over here” I said roughl

as it was beyond my control now. Sh

stared at me with a puerile look on hefair beautiful face. Her dark eye

glittered as she managed to conclude thi

conversation, “You’d never understan

what love is Aarav. Never!”She wiped her tears off and got out o

he car, pulled out her blue stelatoes an

walked away leaving me all shattere


28/518

from inside with a tear drop on m

eyelash, though it will never fall dow

again for a chick at least. All I have t

say is-I have always had a baexperience in car parks. An untying o

another knot hit me today, but a

someone has said-let go of what yo

can’t change, because life goes o

anyhow!

My eyes followed her until she turne

o look at me, another gesture inspirefrom a scene of a romantic Bollywoo

flick. However, I hate those worthles

ove stories, where everyone get

contented in the end, but the reality oife is far away from these unreal tale

of love.


29/518

looked away to find my commodity, m

rue love I guess, Jack Daniels. A

whisky brand, not my boyfriend o

course.It wasn’t a new situation for me. I ha

had girls around me for a few weeks

days or even hours. I wondered how thi

one lasted for more than a month. B

god’s grace, I was single again, ready t

mingle. This one had ended in a prett

dirty way, but I guess, she well deservet for being so senseless.

There was a little pain in my heart, t

which my brain responded like- shut th

fuck up dude, pump blood and stooveracting. I had my fireball-Jac

Daniels.

Whisky started taking its toll on me


30/518

Something whacked me. I felt all alon

n this world again. Feelings tha

croaked in me months back starte

spawning again. Each and every memorwas hitting me back. I never felt lik

going back home that night. I sat dow

on the shore of a lake near my house.

It was 8:30 pm, I received no cal

from my mum. I turned my music playe

on and launched myself with the mothe

of all spirits. This was so unforgivinhis time for me. I recalled everythin

hat happened to me in life. I fe

shattered. I was getting down wit

whisky, which led me into somprofound memories with Anamika.

I just got into missing her. It happene

o me every time I gulped more than tw


31/518

glasses of whisky. With each and ever

sip of it, a new memory of her wa

killing me leisurely. Her face, her smile

her fondness in me was just letting mdownhearted. I too had tears somewher

n my eyes. I don’t know why she wa

still ruling my heart and mind.

When I was putting the last touch o

he bottle, I saw 9 missed calls. It wa

my mom. I saw the time. It was shar

11:00 pm. All the emotions and hereminiscences robbed me and left m

naïve. I felt weak and off-color and

ooked-for someone to take me home bu

no one was around. I hoisted myself uand went straight towards my car. I fel

down on the floor, thankfully not in th

ake. An ice-cream seller towed me up


32/518

“kya hua beta, theek to ho” he said.

could not hear him distinctly. I was s

unconscious that I even did not repe

myself from going home in this state. ossed the man’s hand away and opene

my car.

I was driving at fifty kilometers pe

hour on the first gear. Whisky makes yo

otally outrageous, I guarantee. I reache

home and tried to smell my own whiff. I

was unpleasant odor for someone whnever drinks. I decided not to utte

anything and just lay down on my bed.

ook baby steps. I knocked at the door.

Tragically, it was my sister. Shopened the door in disgust. I stood erec

confidently so as to give no clue that

was badly drunk. She looked at me fro


33/518

upside-down and created some dreadfu

ooks on her face. May be it was th

disgusting whiff of the whisky which no

only took her breath, but also gave hesome taste of it.

“Are you drunk? Mom! Look here’

our dear child in a very adorabl

position” she shouted. I didn’t utter

single word but I still wondered tha

how did she come to know about this.

ust added a smile in my dull emotionand unintentionally uttered somethin

witty. “One whisky, please! The first on

was not that tempting, you know. Make

fast! Otherwise call the manager of thibar”.

“Bar?! Are you nuts or what?” Sh

almost pushed me this time. This whol


34/518

act led me to some mind-numbing an

never-ending lectures. One-by-on

everyone came out.

“What happened Vaibhavi, why yoare shouting so loud” my mu

questioned.

“Momma, shouting is always loud

silly momma”, I chuckled.

“Look at this shameless guy. Firstly

he is arriving so late and secondly, he’

badly drunk.”“And thirdly… kindly state at leas

hree reasons…” I said and giggle

again, unaware, that I was making th

situation more acute.“My God! Totally disgraceful! By th

way, where have been for so long?” m

dad interrogated this time, coming fro


35/518

behind and trying to be in limelight o

his whole act. But he had forgotten that

was playing the lead role here.

“Tell me, I am asking something” hquizzed again, his interrogation styl

reminded me of some ACP Pradyuma

from the CID series. The way he rolle

his hands, twisted his fingers and mad

astounded faces. But one thing I alway

admitted was that he was just such

errific father. He was a BITS Pilanpass out and I was not even eligible t

appear for its entrance test. But he neve

accused me for that. He always backe

me and cheered me whenever I wamislaid, but I never paid him back as

son.

“Sir, I have just asked for a drink


36/518

These bar tenders here sir, they must b

aught some hospitality. Just one drin

and I promise to leave. But they are her

o rest, lazy people…I am too concerneabout the future of this bar ACP

Pradyuman” I cried unknown of wha

shit I was uttering.

My father couldn’t take it anymore

Perhaps I had crossed the bridge of hi

patience…No! I had demolished it.

A sharp blow on my face jerked mand I heard a blast! Oops! It was th

momentary contact of my father’s han

and my cheek!

Suddenly my mother started crying, boiled the situation hastily. The scen

now was no less than a picture-perfec

drama act.


37/518

It all happened outside my main door

even two or three sneak peek neighbo

aunties keenly scrutinized the situation

They had now got new masala for thnext day’s kitty evening. My mothe

would surely be absent for that. Slowly

was turning out to be an unashamed idio

but still a matter of concern for m

family. My endless shameful deeds wer

fetching nothing, but only nicking m

values, my respect and my spirits foeverything that happened to me.

To hinder this whole drama my fathe

dragged me in. It was no more funny fonow, even my mother emitted a well

known one liner from old hindi movie

“Yeh din dekhne se pehle tune mujhey


38/518

uthaa kyun ni liya bhagwaan!”

Being an epitome of ignominy, I to

declared something inexcusable. “Go

doesn’t want melodrama mom, so hkeeps you here”, and guffawed.

Even the word shameless would hav

felt ashamed of me, I was crossing limit

now. My sister took my mother in he

bedroom and my father too left me.

Whisky slowly kills you. It was doin

no less harm to me as well, I was abouo be kicked out of my father’

materialistic possessions.

I could no longer bear to stand straigh

and stumbled badly. I just remembehaving slept on a cold surface throughou

he dark night.

I well deserved to sleep like a dog, t


39/518

be treated like a dog. This is what other

hought. For me, I wished I were a dog

Just get a bitch by my side.


40/518

W

There’s No way ou

orst part of being drunk at nighis that you’ve to face th

consequences early morning, especiall

when you’ve set up enormous sceneafter drinking in your own chuffin

house. A twinge in your head remind

ou of the quantity you gulped down an

our family reminds you of the blatanbehavior you displayed after bein

bladdered. Things become worse whe

ou realize that the weekend is now

week away. I got up at about ten, afte

completely exploiting the snooze optio

n my alarm clock, scratching my bumps

Home is the place where you can scratc


41/518

our bumps exactly where it itches. I ha

he nerve to get out of my room and shou

for breakfast. No one was there to atten

me.My sister entered the dining room an

set a plate for herself.

“Serve the breakfast for me”

commanded.

She gave me an angry stare dreadfu

enough to jolt me.

I swallowed.“What would you like to have sir

Vodka? Should I make it lime this time?

she said through her teeth.

I narrowed my eyes at her and strodowards the fridge.

Empty!

What the f….!


42/518

“Will anyone tell me why am I bein

subjected to this brutal behavior?”

asked, infuriated.

“Why don’t you ask the ACP sir?” shreverted instantly.

I growled and left for college.

I murmured to myself as I stepped ou

of the main door. Indian neighbors I tel

ou, three women stood beside our door

whispering to each other.

“Totally drunk, he is extremelshameless Mrs. Gupta, I was about t

appoint him as my daughter’s tutor…”

She stopped as she saw me approach.

“Oh! It’s your lovely daughter that have to teach aunty? Why not? Sh

dances really well when she’s drunk…

Reverb is perhaps her favorite pub…


43/518

even the bouncer knows her really wel

Maybe she can as well give me som

dance lessons” I managed a smile as

spat my words at the gossip queens anumped down a flight of stairs.

The frustration of a bad morning ma

spoil the impending hours of the day. N

breakfast, a crabby sister and a fresh fal

apart are enough to reduce you

happiness to rubble. I told my brain t

shut the fuck up and concentrate osomething better.

On my way many curious eyes greete

me and worsened my frame of mind. M

parents have been telling me constantlo bother about the chuffing society i

which we have to live. It is not me wh

decides how to live my life, societ


44/518

does. Right and wrong are no more th

ssues of morality. Rather, they are th

privilege of the society. These chiefs o

society are seriously messing up lives ofrivolous youngsters like me.

The Delhi metro was again offerin

more mood spoiling opportunities

Constant halts and apologies for delaye

ourney irritated hell out of me.

Acquaintances, briefly aware of you

faux pas, point at you, nudge the onehey accompany and whisper to eac

other. Bloody losers! They don’t hav

he guts enough to confront you and sa

heir opinions about you aloud at youface.

‘The next station is Punjabi bagh’.

I heaved a sigh of relief as m


45/518

destination arrived. My relief was shor

ived. At the entrance of our engineerin

wing, for no reason, stood Radhika wit

swollen eyes. She purposefully applieno eye make-up to highlight the puff

eyes she had. Beside her, stood the hun

of the Business Administration wing

Debashish Sen. He was a typica

Bengali boy with a satisfactory dressin

sense and good physique. Girls found hi

dimples pretty electrifying. Despite alhat, he was gawky at times. Ha had bee

one of the people who nurtured har

feelings for me for being in

relationship with Radhika. Radhika haonce informed me that he had asked he

f they could be more than friends. H

proposed in an awkward manner.


46/518

I remember it made me roll on th

floor and laugh at his proposal.

He had bent down on his knees in

corny manner, took Radhika’s hand ansaid, “kya aap humaare bachho k

sagey bhai behen banne ka mauk

dengi?” Gawky, as I said.

Now that I and Radhika had split up

t was his chance to display some heroi

deeds. He strode towards me in a class

gait. An eye contact was established. Hnarrowed his eyes at me. I gave an ugl

stare.

There was tension in the air. I reache

my pocket for my knuckles. Heavenknow I wanted to hit him hard fo

nothing. I tapered my eyebrows at tha

plague.


47/518

He growled and … aaaannnchhiiii!

He sneezed. Gawky, as I’v

mentioned over and over again.

I managed not to laugh.“So, you want to be turned insid

out?” Deb made a poor attempt a

hreatening me.

“I believe in application rather tha

verbalizing, you asshole!” I snarled an

approached him to give him a smack i

his dimpled cheeks.He must have felt dizzy for a while

for longer maybe. I had no intentions o

ceasing him of his end, but I had bette

hings to do in the collegeI clicked my fingers and pointed

finger at him. Not the index or the pinkie

nor the ring or the thumb, it’s the one yo


48/518

pull up when you don’t give a fuck.

He recovered the trauma and steppe

back.

From the corner of my eye I noticehim holding Radhika by her shoulder an

rying to stop her tears that flowe

endlessly. I wonder where do girls ge

heir tear stocks from and altere

shoulders every time.

I walked untroubled and entered m

classroom. It was now the professor’chance at me.

“Look, college’s cool dude is here

Welcome him my friends” He raised

brow at me.“Please continue sir, no formalities”

smirked.

“Get out of my class you spoiled brat


49/518

Good-for-nothing! You think you’d ente

my class half an hour late and I’d let yo

shake off that easily?”

“I’m not late…I’m early for the nexecture” I said and made a face.

The whole class giggled as Mr

Talwar scowled. This particula

professor had unidentified grudge

against me. I tried to solve them in th

beginning, but now I think answerin

back is so much more fun!The college was much of a chaoti

building these days. Every next studen

was either busy in organizing an event o

n coordinating one for some rubbiscredential. I was busy in hunting fo

some good-looking chicks rolling up

from Delhi University to our campus fo


50/518

attending such a lackluster carniva

After a long hectic month of som

udicrous assessments, this was the tim

for putting some ice on our heads.Everyone left to join their respectiv

events and I and Karan left for occasio

n anticipation. Karan Arora, my bes

buddy, a bulky guy with a harebraine

persona, also the one who keeps fallin

prey to even the poorest of bullie

without any reasons. Nobody knewanything better about me than him at thi

point of my life, he was a bestie indee

from high school days! Some pretty ho

chicks lingered about in the collegpremises. I was damn bored of the girl

of our college. Headlines today: Colleg

carnival brings new stock for admiral!


51/518

We sat on a bench which had the clea

view of all possible happenings. Girl

walked by and we gave numbers out o

en corresponding to their figures. Mosof them were a six! Looks are deceptive

so don’t just look. Give a full stare! An

we did the same.

Suddenly, I noticed a familiar face in th

crowd, seven if you ask me. A slim gir

dressed in a body hugging charcoal graop and denims, pulled out a pencil fro

behind her ear as she instructed som

volunteer about some event’s chores.

Oh fish! MISHKA! Small rounworld!

Mishka Narula and I studied togethe

ill tenth standard and changed ou


52/518

schools. She willingly did that due to he

iff with a guy and I changed

unwillingly. Parental care you know

They wanted me to study in somremarkable high school, which literall

scratched my life out. We were not i

contact for four long years, but we use

o be great friends. Some experience

ead us spaced out. I knew she wa

friends with Radhika, the bitch told m

once that they both were high schoofriends. Literally, it is a small roun

world!

For a moment I thought of saying hi t

her. Then I noticed her approaching mopical foe- Deb.

“WOAH! Is she dating that loser?”

wondered “like I give it a damn!”


53/518

I turned to find my way to somethin

better to think about.

From the corner of my eye, I notice

Deb and Radhika greeting Mishka likshe’s some very beloved friend. I had

momentary eye contact with Radhika

Deb was standing right behind her like

bodyguard.

Mishka suddenly raised her hand t

call out for me. Radhika nudged her

abruptly pointing her little finger at mand whispered something. Girls! I tel

ou. They are faster than Indian medi

when it comes to publicizing issues

Mishka, who seemed pleased to see ma fraction-of-a-second before, gave

disgusted expression. I didn’t bother t

greet her and walked out of that even


54/518

with Karan.

The best part of the college carniva

s the platinum opportunity to sooth

our eyes with best of human wonders –girls of all shapes & sizes, all color

and heights are available, dressed i

heir best to draw the attention o

admirers of beauty like me. I must hav

been looking pretty handsome that day.

noticed many hot chicks eying me ever

now and then. Desperate singles you calhem!

“Hiiiiiii… Aarav!” a familiar voic

erked me out of my thoughts. I turne

around to respond and found Mishkooking at me with some mixe

emotions.

“Oh! Hi” I couldn’t speak more tha


55/518

hat. Actually, I didn’t want to fuel an

conversation with her that would lea

me to Radhika.

“How have you been? Changed smuch ehh?” she said in a taunting accent

“Change is the rule of life” I reverte

rudely. “Excuse me, I need to go” I said

“Wait! I need to talk” she exclaimed.

“What?” I said, avoiding any ey

contact with her.

“I need to know why you did this tRadhika?” she had fiery eyes as sh

abruptly shot her question. It wa

personal if you ask me!

“And why the fuck I’m answerable tou?”

“This is how you talk to an ol

friend?” her tone softened. “This is how


56/518

’m, got a problem? Then don’t talk t

me” arrogance ruled my voice.

“You used to be such a reserved an

decent guy, what has become out of yoAarav?” she said stressing on the wor

decent’ trying that emotional blackmai

hing on me and I had no intentions o

becoming a victim of her words.

“I need to go!” and I paced toward

my gang. She strode towards me an

clutched me through my elbow.“But I need to know why, the thing

Radhika told me about you were just no

realistic to me”, she emphatically said

“If not now, then whenever you want”.“How about never?” I said as I jerke

her hand away and joined Karan an

gang to get something out of the day.


57/518

walked through the crowd of part

animals, a dozen memories of m

secondary school years hovered m

mind.“Oh I’m sorry!” a sweet voic

apologized as I felt something scorchin

my skin. “Owww, fuck man!” I uttere

as I turned in disgust. A lovely lad

dressed in a black off shoulder top an

blue denim mini gave an apologeti

smile as she spilled her hot chocolate ome.

“Pleasure is all mine!” I spoke

elongating each and every letter as

assessed her from top to bottom, yoknow, ‘top to bottom’, with two bi

pauses.

“Sorry?” she said, laughing at m


58/518

reply I guess. I regained consciousnes

and realized I should have said “It’

okay!”

A hand suddenly went around hewaist as I took the napkin from her.

“I just spilled my hot chocolate”, sh

said in a childish tone to the guy wh

had grabbed her and made a puppy do

face.

‘Why all hot girls are committed t

such nasty puppies?’ I asked within.Her full lips and the pink gloss o

hem drew my attention. Juicy ones…he

ips.

“Come let’s get you another onove”, said that bastard and he kisse

her. My gaze followed her sexy legs.

wondered how girls manage to flaun


59/518

such revealing clothes in this chillin

winter.

“She’s gone…hot one by the way”

said as Karan punched my shoulder.“Darn it! Her curves have ruined you

ou were lost in the depths o

her…”Karan paused and winked at me.

“Eyes” I added as we both laughe

hard.

I enjoyed the company of this asshole

He never tried to make a mess out of mife. I cleaned up the hot chocolate fro

my jacket.

In the evening, war of DJs, perpetua

party, girls, and much more awaited usMy party freak gang soon joined me.

grabbed a bottle of whisky from Kara

and we were on for a grand party.


60/518

Deafening music, alcohol, and ho

chicks the trio makes life a heaven t

ive.

I suddenly felt something vibrating imy jeans. Oh! It was just my phone, mus

be mom.

Unknown number, I disconnected.

We partied hard that evening.

bothered to look at my phone at 2:0

a.m. Five missed calls from the sam

number.I texted my sister that I’d stay at m

friend’s place for the night, as i

nforming her mattered at 2 am.

A lot of alcohol had poisoned oublood and the body heat was rising. W

went to Raman’s house to spend th

night, a Richie with a separat


61/518

apartment.

When I regained my senses, my hea

was stuck to a hairy chest.

“Whose darn bed is this? Why are you i

our boxers? Bloody hell! Why am

only in my boxers?” I panicked.

“Hey hey! Chillax! I’ve not rapeou”’ said Raman as he grabbed hi

pillow, turned over and snored again. H

slid his hand down to scratch his filthass, while Karan was forced to rest o

he floor.

I looked for my clothes, put them o

and walked out. My phone again disilly things to my pants. I sometime

really hate the vibration mode. It was th

same number, who the hell is pesterin


62/518

me now?

I was about to pick the call but now

he battery ditched me.

I drove towards the hell-my homehome pest home!

The best thing about reaching home a

12 noon is that you only have to fac

mom. It is far easier to tolerate her whe

dad isn’t around. She speaks and

gnore, easy enough. But perhaps al

dogs have their day, this was my dayMom wasn’t at home. She had gone fo

her kitty.

My empty stomach mad

embarrassing noises. I broke into mhouse and conquered the kitchen

Gobbling up a sandwich, I put my phon

on charging. As I switched it on, it ran


63/518

again.

“Hello, whose this?” I said in a

mpressive tone expecting a hot chic

with a sensual voice.“Hi Aarav, does it cost you a millio

dollars to pick a call?” “Who’s that?”

said as I chewed my sandwich.

“Mishka this side, can I have a few

precious minutes of your day sir?”

“What is it Mishka?” I asked

annoyed.“I want to meet you.”

How straight forward! This is how

she was. Different from other girls in th

sense that she never offered long uselesconversations, only blatant significan

statements.

“I have a busy schedule this week.”


64/518

“I never said that meeting you nex

week is a problem for me.”

“I’ll see to it, okay bye” I hung up.

Mishka’s sudden interference madmy stomach twitch. Maybe it wa

something you call-guilt. But I thought

had become immune to being guilty fo

breaking up with bimbos.

“Aaargh!” I roared, growled an

hrew my sandwich away.

A text beeped on my phone.

“Derz no point of avoidin me…m no

here 2 make u feel guilty or 2 showe

ectures on u… jus wana talk 2 u…pct a rply –Mishka”

“luk Mishka, I seriously don’t wan

discuss bout anything, leave m


65/518

alone…u r no1 to sudnly cm n make

mess of my life lik that…so jus mind u

own chuffin busness”

This is what I wanted to reply, but

preferred avoiding.

If she doesn’t want to make me fee

guilty, why is she so desperate to have word with me? The question boggled m

mind.

strode up and down my room, pulle

he curtains, jumped up and down m

sofa, skipped through televisio

channels but the restlessness didn’t pasaway.

The doorbell rang. Mishka’s terro

shook me. Has she now tracked m

house? I stumbled twice before


66/518

grabbed the door knob and opened enough to peep through.

To my relief, it was just my lovel

mom. She didn’t give expressions as have described before.

Suddenly, when she entered, sh

ooked like a fierce version of India

police officer ready to sputte

nterrogative statements on me about m

absence from the house and my late

coming. I could visualize her dressed ikhaki uniform tapping her stick an

eyeing me with a raised eyebrow.

“Oh mom! It’s you! I’m so glad you’r

back! I’m so damn hungry, get somethino calm my belly down” I made a modes

attempt to distract her from the list o

questions she was preparing in her mind


67/518

A mother is an epitome of care, sh

forgets everything once her child crie

with hunger.

Well, this was just an assumption omy splendid mind.

“Do you want me to pack your bag

and throw you out with them or are yo

ourself abandoning the house?”’ sh

shouted loud enough to scare the pigeon

away from our window.

Umm… my mom- the modern momuses alternative ways to show love an

care.

“I’m ashamed of my womb that gav

birth to a drunkard like you. Your fathehas never touched alcohol all his life”

Well, now this was surely a

exaggeration.


68/518

She sobbed and continued, “I wonde

f his blood still rushes through you

veins. Oh! No! It’s alcohol only. W

brought you up for witnessing this day?and my mother broke down into nois

howling.

“The whole world pinpoints m

because of you. I cannot walk out of th

home. You are the burning topi

everywhere. My friends bitch about m

because of you. Firstly you missed youIT for that girl and now doing all thi

rubbish.”

Well, this is what pinched a bit to

much. My past was my real and onlweakness.

I am not the actual problem, my deed

aren’t the slip-up. Society is wha


69/518

bothers my mom!

“Calm down mom!” I reached out t

her to hold her.

Bang! She hit me real hard.“Get lost! Live at whoever’s plac

ou want to” She shouted and switche

back to crying.

“I am so sorry mom”, I uttered m

most-used-phrase with a shameles

smile and caught my mother’s han

gently.And my job was done. I saw her hear

melting. I wiped her tears and hugge

her. I had mastered the field of femal

psychology by now. I could handle anof them pretty easily.

I stayed home all day despite th

frequent ugly stares and cribbing fro


70/518

everyone in the house.

I dragged myself and tried to spen

ime on Facebook, phone games, starin

at the walls, trying to discover newangles of lying on my couch to have

better view of my ceiling fan and so on.

My phone rang.

Not Mishka! Not Mishka! No

Mishka!

Well, maybe my prayers were waste

n compensating for the sins of mprevious birth. There was she- the recen

pest of my life and there was no way ou

For once I thought of flushing my phon

but then I dropped the idea and pickeup the call.

“Hello!”

“Hello Aarav! How are you?” sh


71/518

alked in a highly cheerful tone.

“I’m fine…so?”

“Do you like to party?”

“Yeah, who doesn’t?” I exclaimed buon realizing whom I was talking to,

calmed down and continued, “But why?

“Remember Devika?”

Why is she bringing such rando

opics in between?

“The girl sticking to your side 24×7 i

school?” I tried to sound oblivious, bun reality, I could never forget that gir

She secretly had a crush on me. She wa

oo garrulous, nosey and well… I accep

she had a cute smile.“Oh shut up Aarav! She is in the tow

for new year celebrations”

“In town? She went abroad?”


72/518

Well, now this was something actuall

unfair on my part. I was better than he

n academics, still, she gets the break t

foreign universities. Luck, what the fuckMishka’s never ending chatterin

distracted me from my gloomy failures.

“Yeah…you know, those well of

people throw their children in foreig

universities. She’s returning this wee

and throwing a New Year party – al

friends are invited, she’d be just shappy to see you”

“Oh wait! Who said I’m coming?”

“Of course you are coming. N

excuses! Farmhouse, chilling winterbonfire, drinks, music! Eeeiiii! I’m s

excited! And our first invitation goes t

ou. You can’t turn it down like that


73/518

Have some courtesy handsome.”

“Okay, I’ll tell you about my plans”,

replied in an exhausted tone and hung up

Whoa! She didn’t utter a word abouRadhika. Maybe she really doesn’t wan

o have a sneak peek into my life.

Party…eh? I really needed a brea

from pubs and bitches. Not at all a ba

dea! “But if Mishka is coming…NO

That means Radhika is coming!”

shouted loud enough to agitate my father“Alcohol not yet off your nerves Mr

Son of ACP?” Dad commented.

I got up from the couch, went straigh

o my room and banged the door.I slept to avoid random thoughts.


74/518

K

Life goes on

aran, the asshole’s call woke mup the next morning.

“You’ve not yet been suspended fro

he college. Are you coming or not?”“Hmm…catch ya in one hour”

awned and took a leave from my bed.

The day was quite monotonous until came across Deb.

“I’m going to take you down”’ Deb se

a spark.

“Fucked in the head or what? Deb’keema is on the menu today”, I said t

Raman and Karan as we laughed ou

oud.


75/518

We both snarled at each other as Deb

dared to grab my collar.

Radhika came running and caught m

arm. “Leave him”, she nearly pleaded.“You must have asked your swine

head guy to stay away from me”,

growled and jerked her hand away

Deb gave me a little punch in m

belly. It felt like a tickle.

“So, a warning ain’t enough huh, yo

son of a bitch.”I curled up my fingers into a punch.

Radhika rushed for help.

A whole lot of free show viewer

gathered around. Only one of them hahe courage to intervene- Mishka. Sh

made unsuccessful attempts to depart th

wo enemies. The crowd scattered th


76/518

moment our dean surpassed. Deb th

coward ass hugged me to escap

suspension. I gave him a sharp blow i

he ribs as he tried to offer a bear hug. wished I could kick him hard in th

groin.

Suddenly Deb fell on the ground.

“Deb!” Mishka screamed in terror

“What happened to him?” she shouted a

me.

Deb was lying on the ground, himouth bleeding.

“He must have done something”, sai

Radhika in a terrified tone.

“Help us to get him to the doctor yomotherfuckers!” Mishka shouted at th

crowd gathering to watch the drama.

had never seen Mishka getting so hype


77/518

and uttering such swear words.

Two boys stepped forward to help

Deb to get into a car.

I got worried indeed.“I’m gonna get your balls!” Radhik

spat the words at me as she dialed

number, maybe an ambulance,

wondered, too astounded to thin

properly.

A few minutes later, I realized that th

SOS dialed by her was not 102, it wa100!

Unlike very often, Delhi polic

reached in time!

“This guy, officer, he had issues witDeb. He has tried to take him down onc

before as well. I can get you man

witnesses” Radhika blurted as


78/518

watched, not knowing what to do. Ther

was no point in running away.

A broad chested police inspecto

faced me as I swallowed. The inspectoheld me by my collar.

“Another rich man’s brat, aren’t you?

he said and laughed wickedly. “Aah

How I love taking up such cases.”

He gave me the once-over as if h

was getting extreme sexual pleasure b

ooking at me alone. What can be worshan falling a prey to a gay polic

officer?

“Bbbbbb…but you can’t arrest m

until that guy gives his statement. I jushugged him.” I stuttered and made a

attempt to at least delay my lockup.

The inspector nodded and w


79/518

prepared to depart for the hospital

Meanwhile Mishka and Deb had gone t

he hospital. That day, for the secon

ime, I got the opportunity to ride in PCR. It is surely not a car you’d like t

be in, especially seated in the back sea

with the hawaldaar . Some ol

memories rushed via my nerves again.

We arrived at the hospital where Deb

had been admitted. Mishka and Radhik

stood there with some acquaintances.“Are you happy now?” Mishk

shouted and gave a disgusted expressio

as she saw me coming.

“Quiet ma’am, please, it’s a hospital”a nurse came to my rescue. The docto

came and informed about Deb’

condition. He had hurt his rib bone bu


80/518

his condition was pretty stable now

Permission was granted to the inspecto

o visit him. It was now time to welcom

my new accessory-handcuffs!Inspector went inside the ICU. Wha

s taking him so long! Every second wa

a burden. Deb was now going to aveng

for everything, of every encounter wit

me, Radhika’s breakup, his broken rib!

was in deep shit. Everyone’

expressions made it difficult for me tstand the situation.

The inspector came out after 90

seconds. Yes I was counting each an

every second. I raised my hands towardhim, surrendering my hands to th

ingling handcuffs.

“The boy said he doesn’t want to fil


81/518

any complaint against Aarav. There wa

no fight, and Aarav didn’t hurt hi

deliberately”, the officer declared.

“But sir! I can get you a half a hundrewitnesses against this man”, Radhik

spoke through her teeth.

“If Deb files no complaints agains

him, we cannot take an action. You’r

free to go boy, be careful in future.” Th

gay officer patted my shoulder and left.

was too perplexed to react. I lookearound. I felt my body being drained o

something. I could make no sense o

anything. I was totally numb. I rushed t

he doctor.“Can I meet him once?”

The doctor nodded and I ran into th

room.


82/518

The whole hospital apparatus gave

sharp blow to my head. The door behin

me screeched open again and Mishk

and Radhika entered. Deb was lying ohe bed with all those oxygen mask an

crap that I had only seen once in my life

“Why did you do this favor to me?

my voice broke.

Deb opened his eyes and smiled.

“Because I am not Aarav” His word

were a mere whisper but they echoeseveral times in my head. I stared at hi

n utter astonishment. A tinglin

sensation rushed up through my spin

and affected my eyes. They were moist. swallowed.

“He’s not the guy I’ve known sinc

childhood. I know people change, bu


83/518

hey transform so drastically?” Mishk

murmured the rhetorical question t

Radhika.

Forgiveness is the biggest revenge, had heard, and today, I was experiencin

t.

Deb’s gesture had invoked in me

feeling that I had become invulnerabl

o: shame, guilt.

My knees could no longer bear m

weight and I fell on the floor, my heaheld in my knees. A stinging sorenes

conquered my chest.

A gentle hand rested on my shoulder

“Are you okay?” Mishka’s voice strokmy ear. The nurse entered, “Grant hi

some rest, move out please.”

Mishka supported me to get up


84/518

Radhika’s hatred towards me knew n

bounds. She kept murmuring every now

and then.

We moved out to the hospitacafeteria. I still couldn’t have

complete control on my senses. The girl

didn’t force me to speak. Only girl

know when it is right to leave someon

on their own. If they can chat endlessly

hey can also maintain a comfortabl

silence to soothe you.“Ahem! Coffee?” Radhika broke th

perpetual noise of kitchen utensils.

I nodded my head in agreement.

absent-mindedly gulped down th

coffee all at once as if it was water an

moved out of the cafeteria.


85/518

I had always longed to see Deb in thi

condition. What had happened to m

now? Why am I being so affected by th

situation? Or is it his words that havkilled the shamelessness in me?

wandered aimlessly in the lawn.

Many classmates had gathered ther

for Deb, they had hatred for me in thei

eyes. They absolutely detested me fo

my evil deed. One chance and I’d b

heir prey, quenching their thirst of mblood. I couldn’t establish an eye contac

with them. I suddenly had a strong urg

o meet Deb. I took long steps toward

CU.The scenario of the hospital alway

upsets me and reminds me of some ba

memories I made long ago!


86/518

Pain is such a dominant feeling i

every heart in the premises- a feelin

hat I had forgotten long ago. Sweepin

my thoughts away, I peeped through thCU window to have a look at Deb. H

was fast asleep. The nurse rushed int

me to inform that he was on anaesthesia

turned back and found Radhika an

Mishka in the corridor.

“Will he be alright?” I managed t

ask, still not able to look into their eyes.“What do you…”, Radhika roared bu

Mishka caught hold of her.

“Yes he’ll be fine very soon. I thin

ou should go home. Your family musbe tensed, we’re here for him. Don

worry”, said Mishka in a restful tone.

I didn’t respond to it and walked t


87/518

he lobby and occupied a bench there.

The day had exhausted me physically

mentally and perhaps emotionally a

well. Yes, emotions weren’t completeldead in me. The dormant sentiment

were paving their way through my heart

took a nap sitting on the bench.

suddenly woke up when someon

wrapped a shawl around my shoulders.

“Oh I’m sorry I woke you up son” I

was Deb’s mother. She looked like ypical Indian mother, her face showe

extreme pain as a part of her own fles

was experiencing immense pain, al

because of me. Hats off to the mothewho had come to comfort the culprit o

her son! I shook my head. “How’s Deb

now?” the question came involuntaril


88/518

out of me. I had never expressed suc

concern for anyone.

Radhika surpassed. She looked at mand gave a promiscuous look. “I though

ou went back to some pub t

celebrate,” She said.

I shrugged.“Umm…well, Deb woke up a few

minutes ago. He’ll be discharged i

about three days. By the way, yodropped your phone at the ICU. You

mum has been calling a lot of times.

nformed her that you were caring for

friend in the hospital. She sounded likshe didn’t believe me. No one expect

care and affection from you.” Sh

aunted, almost threw the phone into m


89/518

face and left.

I went to the rest room and splashe

some cold water on my face. I saw

myself in the mirror. Was this the samguy that I had seen early morning in th

mirror. How can an incident, suc

nsignificant, change me so drastically?

My phone buzzed again. Mom!

“Hello, yes mom?”

“Now which bar is your lodging thinight? And who was that girl? To

decent to be your friend.”

“MOM! My friend has faced a seriou

accident, I’m here with him at thhospital. I slept for a while, so my frien

attended the call, that’s it. I’ll be hom

as soon as things settle.”


90/518

“Are you okay?” Mom’s voic

suddenly softened.

“Yeah mom, bye. Love you. Tak

care”“Huh? Come again?” She sounded s

astounded. “Who’s there?”

It had been so long that I bid goodby

o mom like that. “Come on mom, I lov

ou. Bye now” And I disconnected th

phone.

Deb’s thought suddenly replaced al

nonsense in my mind and I walke

owards the ICU to meet him. Mishk

and Radhika were already sitting besidhim throwing lame jokes to cheer hi

up.

“Ahem…well, may I join you guys?”


91/518

nterrupted their friendly conversation

There was deadly silence for a whil

until Mishka stood up to offer me a sea

beside Deb.“Yeah, why not. Come and sit here

She added a pleasant smile.

I hesitated. Deb made a gesture to cal

me near him. I sat beside him.

“I…I’m…I mean…you…” and then

had a lump in my throat on seeing th

hospital apparatus again. I couldnspeak.

Deb raised his hand to pat m

shoulder, his face showed the extrem

pain that the movement was causing himheld his hand gently and rested it by hi

side. Deb always reminded me o

Kishnendu, and the relation we shared


92/518

Anyways, coming back!

“I’m sorry” I finally spoke with mois

eyes.

Radhika threw her hands up in the ain disgust. Mishka gave her an ugl

stare.

Deb just smiled.

“Aarav was here whole day for you

Mishka made an attempt to change th

opic.

“And he was here because of me thwhole day” I spoke out of guilt and hun

my head down in shame.

“And we’ll be together from now on

Deb chuckled and shouted because of thsudden jerk in his ribs.

“Friends?” He said as he raised hi

hand towards me the way children d


93/518

after a fight.

I again felt a lump in my throat. Wh

s he so darn forgiving? He was makin

me feel more guilty by his gestures.“Still holding some grudges, huh?

Deb said and winked at me.

“Nah!” I shook hands with him.

“Oww!” he screamed in pain.

“Oops! Sorry!” I gave an apologeti

smile.

“I don’t forgive you”, he suddenlbecame serious.

“I know it isn’t that easy for you”,

grimaced.

“Hey chillax boy! You’ve punishment” And the innocent smil

returned on his face. He winked a

Mishka and Radhika who were sittin


94/518

quietly meanwhile. Mishka winked bac

and Radhika groaned.

“Anything sir”, I stretched my bac

and sat like a sincere student.“Anything?” he asked emphatically.

I nodded.

“Well, you’ve to spend the new yea

with us” He grinned.

“And?” I was expecting somethin

ike a punishment.

“That’s it. New year night with usOur lovely friend is throwing a party a

her farmhouse.”

“I’ve already told him, infact the firs

nvitation went to him”, Mishka nearlumped with excitement.

“Oh! Great then! So that is you

punishment, your act of contrition and al


95/518

hat crap!” Deb smirked.

“Ok, I’ll come”, I said.

The nurse came to tell us that docto

was going to visit now, so we museave the room.

“Take care Deb”, I patted his han

gently and walked out after Mishka an

Radhika.

Deb’s mother encountered us in th

corridor. “Thank you so much beta, fo

being here at this difficult moment “, shsaid as she came closer.

“Aunty, he’s our friend. He’s ou

concern as well. Don’t say thanks

please”, Radhika said and hugged her.Deb’s mother tried to hold back he

ears but she couldn’t. She was just lik

any other sentimental Indian mother, wit


96/518

a tired worried face, down with th

burdens of a married life.

“You all must go home now, you

parents must be worried”, Auntexpressed concern.

“Okay. But please let us know if yo

need anything, aunty”, Mishka said an

we left.

We moved towards the hospital ex

and it was time to break th

uncomfortable silence hovering betweeus.

“So, may I drop you both at you

house?” I tried to be a bit chivalrous.

“We know our way to our respectivhomes” Radhika uttered bitterly.

And then the girls had a little non

verbal conversation via eyes.


97/518

wondered why do girls prefer t

exchange emotions via eyes. Boys aren

aware of this language. They are no

rained at this. And then it is Us who iblamed for not understanding thei

feelings. Won’t it be easy if they say ou

oud what they want?

Mishka delivered the conclusion o

heir conversation, “can you please dro

us at my place?” “Oh yes, sure”

expressed my happiness in being of anhelp.

I realized that there was no car.

buzzed Karan to get his car and reach th

hospital as early as possible.Karan, the driver for the day, was a

our service in fifteen minutes.

The ladies got seated at the back an


98/518

we drove towards our destination. Onl

Mishka’s guidelines were the silenc

breakers throughout the way.

We reached Mishka’s place in abouwenty minutes

We received some war

acknowledgements from Mishka for th

favor, while Radhika turned awa

pretending to make a call. We bad

goodbye to the girls and I kicke

Karan’s bummies and asked him to dropme at my place.

I hugged and thanked the ass for hi

help in need.

I rang the doorbell.“So, you’re back! Bladdered again?

My crackbrained sister threw th

question at me as she opened the door.


99/518

I ignored her, as always.

“Ewww! You smell like morphine.”

“Because hospitals don’t offe

whisky”, I reverted back rudely.“Oh! I see. So that friend’s acciden

was not a fictitious story?” She tried t

provoke me.

“Why don’t you just get married an

pester your in-laws instead?”

I pulled her pony and poked her in th

forehead. She ran to catch a hold of mas I laughed and ran forward. It had bee

so long that I had not had such brother

sister-ribbing-moments with her.

She pinched my ear and dragged me tmom who was serving dinner for me.

followed her crying in pain and shouting

”Ow! Ow! Ow!” till she finally decide


100/518

o release my ear and clutch my spike

hair.

“He’s quite eager to get me married

mom”, she complained.“I don’t see a problem in that”, mo

winked at me and gave me a hi-five!

My sister gave a wild-cat look bu

finally joined us in the cheerful moment.

“I missed you so much”, she said a

she ruined my hairstyle by ruffling m

hair.I wrapped my hand around he

shoulder and cuddled her.

She was the most annoying girl of th

world if you ask me, but this annoyancwas the world’s most lovable annoyanc

o me once.

Yes. Times had changed me, but wha


101/518

exactly changed me was the questio

people asked, and I never had a

answer! Mishka was trying the sam

hing I guess, her sudden new invitatioeven after meeting again after such

ong time, smelled fishy to me. Anyhow

family was a forgotten territory but no

now. I felt a bit transformed again, th

wheel of time always played purposel

with me.

I had heard-small incidents may brinhuge changes in one’s life. I wa

experiencing this time and again in m

ife. Who knew it- I’d spend such

oyous moment with my family; I’d bfriends with Deb, who was born to b

my enemy; I’d live without bein

ntoxicated for one whole day; I’d sta


102/518

n hospital because I’m concerned abou

he one I have hurt.

Well, life is enigmatic. But it goes on

and I realized it again.


103/518

“

O

New Year’s Nigh

h! Aarav?” The beautinterrogated and stepped toward

me and offered to shake hands.

She raised her sunglasses and restehem on her head.

Devika it was!

“It’s so good to see you, you haven

changed much, eh?” she said cutely.“My pleasure, but yes you hav

changed a lot Devika. I was unable t

recognize at first! Anyways, how hav

ou been there?” I said with a wink.

“It is all great out there, but not yo

guys unfortunately”, she stated making

cuter face now.


104/518

“If you people are finished, shall w

proceed for the party, we are alread

short of time?” Mishka finally broke he

silence. Meanwhile Deb managed tsmile with broken ribs standing besid

he beauties.

THE DAY had arrived. Everything waset. It was now the time to heave a sig

of relief. We claimed our coffee mugs a

he large gathering hall in the farmhouseAn ideal New Year celebration wa

going to happen right here, in front of ou

eyes.

The setting was huge! Green dewgrass, dark foggy night, decorative light

added to the magnificence of the scene

The freezing wind chilled my body. Log


105/518

of wood were ready to be lit. Food

drinks, music, everything altogethe

created an enthralling effect.

“Whoa! Now that’s something!” Deexclaimed.

Friends had started to gather. The

greeted them warmly.

Karan and Raman came a bit late,

hugged them.

“Changed again, eh?” Karan said as

smiled at him.Loud music and party animals fille

he place. Everyone shook their legs, at

heir belly out and drank to the fullest. I

was good to see old acquaintancegather at one place. I drank a lot, indeed

Changing in every aspect is also bad.

The music stopped for a minute.


106/518

It was 12! We were in 2011!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY NEW

YEAR! HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY

EW YEAR!The music started again and

continued to become louder. I remembe

having dropped on the dance floor. De

carried me to the couch. What for?

Oops! I was drunk! I kissed Deb o

his head. It happens when you’re drun

hard!“I love you bro! I really do!”

shouted. We all hugged each other!

A few couples who were having thei

private moments were disturbed by mnoise. I gave them an embarrassed loo

and showed thumbs up!


107/518

t was getting colder. The drunken part

animals had started to disperse. Couple

sat in corners kissing and cuddling eac

other.Deb left me alone to get something t

fill his empty stomach. I focused hard t

balance my head and looked around me.

One of the duos was perhaps having

quarrel. I eavesdropped.

“My family won’t allow, we have n

future”, and the girl broke into tears. Shsighed and continued.

“We need to get separated. I am sorry

love you. But this is just not possible

My family would die of shame”And she started sobbing again.

The guy was, in a moment, down i

he dumps, his face turned pale and h


108/518

fell on the ground. “Please contro

ourself, you have to be happy, for m

sake, life doesn’t stop. You have to live

ou have to love.”The guy looked at the girl an

managed a few words, “Will you be abl

o love someone else?”

The girl had nothing to say and sh

walked towards the nearby tree fo

support.

The guy seemed deprived of life and could visualize him as a crying statue.

I had no control on my own body, but

stepped forward to help him.

Tears trickled down my eyes. I pattehis shoulder lightly and hugged him. H

whimpered.

“I sympathize with you boy, I ca


109/518

empathize indeed”

Deb caught me and apologized to th

guy. He still was sitting dead, only tear

giving sign of life in him.The moment took me into my pas

Everything was fresh and clear, ever

memory that I had erased burdened m

chest. I started breathing heavily.

Karan and Mishka came to help me.

Deb arranged a couch for me near th

bonfire.It was about 2:00 AM. Almos

everyone had left.

We were too tired to move. My tear

didn’t have any plans of stoppingMishka finally gathered the courage t

draw near and demand the reason of m

perpetual moaning.


110/518

“What is troubling you Aarav?” sh

asked in a low voice.

“Nothing.”

“C’mon, Aarav, you can share witus. You’ll feel better!” Deb exclaimed.

“It isn’t a single event, it’s th

unsurpassed chapter of my life tha

aught me to love, to live…in a moment

was the happiest person of th

universe, and perhaps I was not destine

o be so content and opportune…anhen everything changed… I wa

deprived of her…of everything…it wa

a dark phase of my life that change

everything.”Everyone had their eyes glued on me

was yelling like a madman. It was no

only whisky this time. Something els


111/518

had struck my chords!

“Beer has taken over his senses”

Devika murmered.

Everyone ignored her.“Can you please be a bit more clear

may we be a bit more informed?” Deb

demanded. As Karan tried to sa

something but I interrupted him.

“I don’t have the courage to live thos

moments again… I have been runnin

from this for a long time. Let it be aelapsed memory”, and then my tear

resumed flowing.

Everyone started insisting.

They were extremely interested iknowing my story, even Karan had som

eagerness on his face, though he knew

hings but still was unaware of the whol


112/518

story.

Indian crowd is always keenl

nterested in knowing about every happ

or sad experience of someone’s life.Deb occupied my right side and said

“No one can force you boy, if you ar

comfortable in telling your story, we’r

our listeners, or else…yours is the fina

verdict.”

This is how you can differentiat

between friends and good friends. Goofriends always place your comfort a

heir first priority. I had no intentions o

urning down their requests now or yo

can say the rolls down in my heaprovoked me to yell those moments o

ife. It happened to me whenever I drank

I made up my mind to address th


113/518

audience. I cleared my throat. Seeing m

getting ready to be a story teller

everyone settled around the bonfire an

ooked eagerly at me. For a moment felt like an old grandma being awaited t

narrate a story to her children.

I gulped some spittle and uttered, “

had a love story…I fell for someone…

she was my love, my life, the mos

beautiful and lovable creation of th

almighty…my angel, Anamika!” Mvoice broke. “This is what you wer

asking for, Mishka. Something tha

otally changed me. You’ll get you

answers today!”I looked up to find open mouthe

crowd staring at me, discontented by th

statement I just made.


114/518

I began…

The fake smile is in place, the tears ar

well hidden, my eyes show nothing bumy voice has a story to tell .

The first glimpse of her which left m

squandered .

I was lost, she ruined munknowingly.

It was then, when my heart wen

astray,She made me fall, she inspired m

up, she helped me to live and wen

away…


115/518

J

First glimpse!

uly 2, 2008.My secondary school board

were over. I had scored pretty averag

n them. Well, 88.7% was considered aaverage score in my family. I had t

change my school as my father wante

me to study in some good repute

school. I was dragged away from mfriends. I felt like a primary school kid

unwillingly sent to school that day.

This was the first time I saw her.

reached school in time, as it was my firs

day in the institution. To be mor

depressed, I had taken science stream

Everything was making me anxious. I fe


116/518

an urge to run away. I wasn’t a ver

sociable person. So, I couldn’t gather th

courage to take an initiative to introduc

myself to the new devils that surroundeme. I personally believe that they shoul

have been courteous enough to help m

feel comfortable in this new school.

Friends hugged each other as the

were meeting after a long summer break

But I had no one to even ask that how

was I feeling, who the hell I was, no onbothered at all. And I, so reserved as

person that I didn’t even have enoug

guts in my butts to make friends s

quickly. What would if they say NO, wcan’t be friends with you? I didn’t wan

o be the laughing stock of this schoo

The setting made me paranoid.


117/518

8:00AM. An announcement swiped

sudden wave of discipline in th

classroom. Everyone started leavin

with their diaries.“Hey, you don’t look concerned at al

about the assembly. Ehh?” a chirp

voice asked.

He was Rahul, the first guy I cam

across. He was a dark and handsom

aatt boy, as tall as a Lakers basketbal

player.“No, actually I don’t have a diar

with me. I am a newcomer in thi

school”, I mumbled pretending to b

nnocent.“By the way, I am Aarav” I said

finally with a smile moving my han

owards him.


118/518

“Hi, I am Rahul, prefect o

8thstandard” he said with pride, thoug

he last part wasn’t so necessary.

“No problem man, our class prefect ifrom our standard only. I’ll tell her abou

his. Come fast.” He assured.

We both left hurriedly. He got lossomewhere. I soon remembered m

father’s cliché-beta dost vost sab sat

chhor dete hai musibat ke samay.

could easily strike a chord with mfather’s philosophies. I was in a hel

and I had no friends here. Surrounde

with such crappy thoughts, I starte

finding where to stand. Finally recognized a few faces from my clas

and stood behind them.

The prayer started and I was leas


119/518

nterested in anything. The weather wa

overcast. It seemed that the cloud

would start crying anytime to sympathiz

with me. A few drops were sensed by uon the bare skin. Meanwhile, our clas

prefect started doing her job. I looke

for Rahul around but couldn’t find him a

all even when he was taller than anyon

else standing there. I repeated m

father’s words in my head.

I could just hear her voice as shstarted checking from the last lad.

didn’t look back at her. She starte

dragging students out from the queue du

o faults like long nails, dirty shoesmissing school belt and tie, or no diary!

Her voice was as soothing as of

nightingale. The moment she came to me


120/518

turned my head upright looking straigh

at her, she was almost four inche

shorter than me, so I looked down int

her eyes. A tremor rushed within mmuscles which made me realize that the

oo existed in my body. Those twinklin

eyes were trying to ask something but

had no answers at all.

My mouth was left open for next te

seconds. I felt choked and was unable t

breathe. She was a rare beauty. She wanot too fair, no long hair. A frame o

hick-black spectacles covered he

beautiful brown eyes. She was as no

beautiful as someone descended froheavens but indeed too beautiful to an

human eye. She made a pony tail, looke

worried, small nose, red lips, a mol


121/518

signifying her beauty on her lower lip a

he left.

Gorgeousness diffused in the ai

slowly. We both looked at each other. could not move from my place, my bod

was almost paralyzed. My heart skippe

beats for the first time on seeing a girl

Perhaps because I was standing so clos

o a girl after such a long time. Lastly

remember I was so close to my firs

crush in 6th standard. We both tried tkiss for the first time so disastrously tha

we ended up doing nothing i

repidation, may be because we were no

clear about this procreation system ohumans. She told me that she’d b

pregnant if we kissed for more than fiv

seconds. Those words still strike m


122/518

chords. Pre-puberty days are the silliest

but the most beautiful days of one’s life.

Coming back to my close encounte

with a gorgeous girl and my madlbeating heart!

She looked at me from my shoes to m

hairstyle, very keenly.

Am I looking handsome?

Will she be impressed?

I wouldn’t open my mouth, in case

have bad breath.Oh! I realized she was probabl

checking for errors.

It was my tendency to get covere

with sweat and my body froze whenevesomeone asked me something lookin

straight into my eyes. She did the same

perhaps more. She took everything awa


123/518

from me in her first sight. I looke

somewhere else to get back to life. I

was a batch tucked on her right pocke

hat exposed her name and designatio“Anamika Roy: Prefect XI standard”

which I read as ‘perfect’.

“Where is your diary, show me you

hands” she inquired in her saccharin

voice as she looked at my nails.

“Umm…err… actually…” being th

most shy personality surviving on thisphere I could only utter this much o

facing a divinity like her.

“Oh! That means you don’t have it

she said as if she is just going to give thhird degree to me for such a mino

error. It was such a big school wit

housands of students that I even didn


124/518

expect her to recognize that I was a new

student.

She held my hand to drag me out o

he queue and to present me i

a half baked love story - anurag garg

Documents