~~~AGAIN~~~

Previous Post :- http://jasmit-arora.blogspot.com/2010/08/on-that-night.html

It was early morning.. around 5 A.M. when Jasbir's cell started ringing.. It rang once.. then twice.. thrice.. but all calls went un-attended..
Shruti.. she never had to make so many calls.. Jasbir always respoded.. midnight sleep.. office meeting.. whatever be the situation.. Shruti always got an answer from him before she tried for 2nd time..

But today was something different.. almost like yesterday...

Last night when she called.. Jasbir threw the fone hard on the floor.. Shruti coundnt even complete what she wanted to say.."Jasbir.. I am sorry.. please listen to me.. I.."

Almost 30 hours .. and she couldnt sleep.. she desperately wanted to talk to Jasbir... who by no means was answering to her..She knew she was wrong.. she knew Jasbir loved him much more than she could ask anyone in her life.. but she never expected him to react in this manner.. not answering her call.. not calling her..

few months back.. Jasbir told her.."Shruti.. I love your voice.. the way you speak.. the way you call out my name..I love to listen each word of yours.. and.. I love to see your eyes when you speak.. they go so deep when u have heart in your words.. I love to see your lips.. when you speak.. and when they join.. I feel its me and you who are meeting each other.. in ur every word.."

but now.. he wouldnt talk to her.. wouldnt meet her.. he said her once.."The day i will get to know.. you wont be mine.. i will end my life.. there is no point in living.. like a dead man." and it was then the second time when Shruti slapped Jasbir.. after that he promised.. he would never do that..

she couldnt wait more.. she rushed towards Jasbir's home.. she reached there in about half an hour..

pushed the door bell.. and his grandfather came out.. she touched his Grand Pa's feet.. and asked about Jasbir.. and got the news that he dint come from office yet.. she tried calling him again.. but found that the mobile was ringing somewhere inside.. inside the house.. she very well knew the ringtone.. it wasnt changed since she had once set.. when one day they were sitting in the park... it was her favourite song.. that they both heard amlost 100 times that day.. with one earphone in each of their ear.. their heads and heart joined..

she rushed inside the house.. following where the sound came from.. she went inside the bedroom.. and found that he left the mobile at the home only... his Grand Father came from behind.. said to her.."O mobile ghar te chhadd gaya.. main almaari wich rakh dittaa.. kii gal ho gayi..? enni subaah..?" (he left mobil at the home only.. i kept it in almirah.. but what happened..? early morning..)..

Shruti.. she had now tears in her eyes.. she hugged his Grand Pa... and cried her heart out.. she told everything.. that happened just 2 days back.."Dadaji.. you might not be knowing.. my father has arranged my marriage to a guy of our community.. my sister.. she did love marriage few months back.. but now she is going through a very tough phase.. she is getting divorced.. my father was very worried.. and without asking me.. fixed my marriage to his friend's son.. i dont like him at all.. I love Jas.. I got him back after 10 years.. that night when i saw him.. I felt I got my life back.. I have lost him once... I dont want to lose him again..

dadaji.. we met 2 days back.. I said everything to him.. he asked me to run away with him.. he said he could not live without me.. I said.. this cant be done.. just for my own sake of happiness.. I cant ruin my parent's lives.. your family reputation will also be at stake.. they will lose the confidence of living happily.. walking their heads up.. shame is not the gift that we are ought to return for their love towards us.. after that we never talked.. its been 2 days.. he has not called.. he is not picking my call since yesterday.."

Dadaji consoled her.. patted her back.. and asked her to calm down.. gave her a cup of tea.. and asked her to wait till he arrives.. they can then clear everything.. that is stuck between them.. and asked her to pray to God.. HE will help..

then after few minutes.. Shruti's cell started ringing.. his dad called.. definitely.. finding his daughter missing .. he would be worried.. she picked up the call.. "Shruti.. where are you..? Come home.." He said only this much.. and dropped the call..

she touched Jasbir's Grand Pa's feet again.. and asked for his blessings.. and left for her home..
as she went inside.. she saw Jasbir in her room.. looking at the pictures Shruti had framed in her room.. on her table.. one of them where when they were at the beachside.. hands in hands and beautiful sunset in the background..

her dad followed her in the room.. "Jasbir came so early in the morning.. looking for you.. and you wre not here.. this is not good.. I am telling this for the last time.. stop all this now.." and he left the room murmuring something..

Shruti's eyes were all wet.. the kohl had totally disppeared.. making black streaks on her cheeks.. she was still crying.. and crying she went on knees.. her face covered in her hands.. she was hurt.. she couldnot marry the guy she loved most.. her father wont let her..

Jasbir went to pick her.. wiped her tears.. and made her sit on the bed.. and gave her some water..

"I've talked to your Papa.. I have said him that we will not do any such thing that will put a shadow of shame on their lives.. I just came to say this to you.. I couldnt sleep since 2 days.. everytime when you called.. I thought what to say..? I had nothing left in my life.. after I came to know that you wont be... " and he stammered.. he recollected his words.. stopped his heart from crying.. and continued.. "I will live the way I have lived past 10 years.. with you in my heart... without you in front of my eyes.. but I want you to be happy.. happy for your parents.. for your life.."

Shruti was still crying.. she couldnot stop.. her whole body ached.. tears were all dried up.. crying she clutched Jasbir's hand.. and said "sorry..".. Jasbir had a long look of her face.. and he left..

~~~RIDE~~~

As a hard day finished at the work for Ravi.. he prepares himself for leaving the office.. excited about the following holidays.. an extended weekend..

but to make sure he dont have to land up office again.. he worked till 4:00 A.M. .. pending work has now the status Completed.. laid back on his chair..hands behind his head he closed his eyes to feel the satisfaction.. happiness converted as a smile on his lips.. he slowly stood up.. took the bag in his hand and moved towards the basement parking where his bike was parked..

he opened his bag for the keys.. but keys fell down from his pocket.. confused.. he smiled at his stupidity.. picked up the keys.. switched on the ignition of his bike.. and kicked..

suddenly the light of the basement went off.. it was total dark there.. so he put the headlights on.. but then generator started roaring.. and light was all there..

he moved out of the building.. guard bidding "good night sir.."

it was pretty rush at that hour of the day.. call centres timing were little late in the day.. but as he moved forward.. he found before he used horn.. every one cleared the way.. cars, trucks, cycles.. pedestrians..

it was not a usual sight for him.. he felt special.. he was still very happy that he completed his work.. and now has 3 days to enjoy..

and while driving.. he moved with the turn to catch the highway... after a distance.. he found someone from behind was using dimmers .. might be.. needed to overtake him..

he tried to adjust his rear view mirror.. but found that the vehicle stopped.. so dint bother and continued driving..

few Kms ahead.. he passed a troup of banjaras.. and as he moved forward.. crossed a guy.. who on seeing Ravi.. shouted "Saaahab Jii..." .. loud enough to make Ravi stop.. he turned his bike.. and moved back to him.. but to his surprise.. he found that guy standing still.. he dint move... talk.. he stood with his eyes wide open.. and suddenly those eyes started burning..

buring.. with red flames..

Ravi was horrified.. he threw the bike.. and started running.. without even looking back.. but then thought that going on bike would take him out of the place much faster way..

so he stopped and turned back.. but then when he saw something that he could not believe on earth would have been possible.. bike was floating in the air.. and was slowly moving towards him..

he saw that the man.. with burning eyes was now almost like a stone statue..

the bike came in front of him... and ignition headlight everything went on in a split of a second.. bike came much closer to him now.. and then.. he felt someone's breath on him.. heavy breaths.. and from the invisible he found a face of a woman appearing to him.. who seemed to be sitting at the back of his bike.. her eyes were red..

she wore a black gown.. hairs straign down to her waist.. she seemed to float an inch above the pillion.. very similar to the way as bike was to the ground..

she looked at Ravi and smiled.. who was standing there as a piece of shit and wished someone could clear him from this sight..

she walked in the air and came to him.. hold his face.. which was already blue after watching all this.. his eyes matching the colour of his face couldnt bear more.. so he closed his eyes.. and then he suddenly felt as if something passed through him.. through his body..

the woman was trying to hug him.. but couldnt.. she get passed through Ravi everytime she tried.. Ravi stood there silently.. she then again smiled.. and stared in his eyes..

this time he dint close and stared directly in her eyes.. she started crying..

Ravi felt somethinng different.. he saw himself into a dark world.. it was dark everywhere.. nothing he could see except this dark lady.. but then he realized he was in the air.. much much above the surface he used to walk on..

he couldnt understand what was happening to him.. and suddenly he started seeing spirits all around him.. women... beautiful women.. with red eyes.. all trying to touch him.. but could do nothing and passed through him..

he felt as if this was his last day (or night may be..).. but then the woman who was with her all the time.. pushed all spirits away.. and pushed Ravi to the ground..

ravi touched the ground.. and started running again.. towards his bike.. and found that woman again.. she flew towards him.. tried to kiss his forehead.. this time her tears fell on Ravi's eyes.. and with the first ray of the sun.. she vanished..

................

after the holidays.. he was again travelling through the same road..

he found that the ride is something different again.. he saw below.. he was floating in the air..

he smiled..

he looked in his rear-view mirror.. found nothing.. but 2 red eyes gleaming in the darkness of night..

he left his handle.. and tried to hold the hand that tried to hold his shoulder.. and felt divine..

~~~Words~~~

Wednesday.. some day of August.. a month when sky is mostly covered in grey.. had some deep impact on Dev's life.

A life that had lost all the meanings for being happy.. Dev looked as if married sorrow and taken 7 births of promise.. though he wished that this could be his last birth..

17 years of age and so much pain.. this is not natural for a young boy who goes to school.. rides during rains.. plays during summers.. parties at evenings and somehow manages to pass in English during the terms..

this guy.. Dev doesn't deserve such a low life.. that too specially when he had the most beautiful day of his life just 2 days back.. on Sunday.. the first Sunday of August that world popularly call as Friendship day..

Dev, Arun, Vikram, Ashish, Naina and Gul.. friends as I knew them.. had some very different story behind each of them.

This special Sunday was planned out very perfectly by Dev. He managed 2 roses ( for the girls ), 1 Card and some amount of money for the fuel and dinner party from his Rs.50 monthly pocket money, that he saved since 4 months.. just make this one sunday special..

it was evening.. and his heart had already started racing fast.. he had called up 5 people at his place.. and was waiting for them.. and then Gul and Naina arrived (they used to go together only, when it came to visiting friends.. who felt insecured.. nobody knew..) and after few more minutes rest 3..

vikram knew very well what Dev's heart was going through .. he was the one who pushed Dev to talk to Naina... whom Dev loved staright from his soul.

dev look into Vikram's eyes.. impatience and worry clearly reflected.. but Vikram patted his thigh.. suggesting to cool down.. Dev tried to smile.. be a good host for the evening.. but could hardly speak.. his voice has certain numbness attached to it.. and gravity of his feelings pulled him down..

he constantly looked at Naina.. the girl of dev's life.. thoughts.. dreams.. future.. present..

Naina.. big eyes.. dusky complexion.. shoulder length hair.. divine smile and voice of dev's heart.. Naina.

Salwar kameez.. somewaht like skin colored with some Peach colour embroidery.. she looked Goddess to Dev.. who could hardly keep his eyes off her.. Naina kept noticing this but only smiled.. and everytime she smiled.. Dev heart stopped for that moment.. just to slow down the time.. and cage that moment for longer period...

6 people.. 3 bikes.. dev asked naina to come with him.. and she smilingly agreed..

what about the rest 4..? I dont know..

It was drizzling when they stepped out of Dev's home.. but decided to reach the restaurant as soon as posible.. for the dinner that was planned weeks before.. as the 2 bikes left.. dev suddenly wend inside the house.. and came back with a rose..

"Naina.. mmm... Happy Friendship Day to you.." and Naina blushed.. Pink overtook the sensous dark tone of her.. and Dev felt divinity during all these moments..

while they started for the restaurant.. the drizzles were now big drops of water.. falling hard on them.. It was sure that the rest 4 of them would have definitely been at the place and reserved the table.. so Dev slowed down his bike.. Naina clutching his shoulder felt relaxed.. and Dev drove the speed at which even running person could overtake..

He adjusted his rear view mirror to look at naina.. he cud see pearl drops of water on her face.. eyelids.. lips.. with she smilingly looking at the mirror..

they were talking through eyes and listening through hearts..

After they reached the venue.. they saw all 4 of them standing outside..

Dev asked them to go inside.. and order some snacks and coffee.. and as Naina started to walk with them.. he hold her hand..

Vikram took everyone inside as dev said.. and asked dev and naina to dry up and then step in..

Dev took out the handkerchief and gave to naina.. she wiped herself up.. thanked Dev and returned the Handkerchief..

Dev folded that piece of cloth and put that back in his pocket... and then he took out the card he bought.. and gave it to Naina..

Naina was surprised.. she was not expecting this..may be she was.. she had smile on her face but worry in her eyes.. some question.. why.. what.. me..? why..?

"please read it.." Dev could only say this much...

naina opened the card.. and read.. till the end.. folded it and put it back in her handbag.. and walked inside..

After that whole evening she never met eyes with Dev.. who looked nowhere else but her face.. that denied to show any smile later that eveving.. she finished her dinner and left with Gul soon..

Dev...!! His sleep vanished.. his dreams broken.. His present ached his heart and he wished he had no future.. no life.. He died every second..

Monday.. Naina dint come to school.. He tried calling her.. but she wont answer his calls.. he cried whole night..

Tuesday.. Naina came to school.. but refused to talk to Dev... he stood outside her class during whole recess. she dint step out of the class.. dev was awake whole night.. without any life in him..

Wednesday.. some day of August.. Today..

Dev dint go to school.. remained on his bed whole day.. refused all his meals and snacks... all the friends coming and going.. he dint talk much.. Vikram asked him to relax and then again a bell rang.. his Grandfather came and told him that some girl has come to visit him..

Dev went out and sprang back to life on seeing Naina.. he almost cried.. but hold back his tears..

"You dint come to school today..?" Naina asked Dev who was smiling ear to ear..

"I had no purpose coming there.. you woudnt talk to me.."

"I was searching for you today.. i need to ask you something.. and i want you to answer truthfully.." Saying this Naina took out the card Dev gave him on Sunday.. "i want you to read it.."

"read it..?.. but why.."

"because i want you to.. .. see Dev.. i too like you very much.. you know that.. dont you..? I dont want any thing hidden between two of us.. everything to be transparent.."

And suddenly the light went off.. 7:00 P.M. Load shedding..

a moment of silence and then Dev started saying..

"Dear Naina..

Its not about how you look.. how you talk or how you walk.. its all about how you make me feel..

It has been weeks since i realized that i cannot do with my life without you..

This might sound strange to you but i cant believe any thing could be more beautiful than you.. more heavenly than your company.. every day when i see you smile.. i fell for you.. everyday u make me know the wonderful meaning of love.

Youe are the perfect meaning of happiness to me..

I fear of the moment when you will go away from me.. I think i might forget breathing that day..

Naina.. i want to be with you all my life.. I want to die holding your hands only.. seeing into your eyes..

something has changed my meaning of life.. that "something" is your love Naina..

i dont know whether you love me or not.. but i totally believe.. i wont be able to love anyone now.. after knowing you.."

Naina was shocked.. Dev said each and every word exactly he wrote on the card.. she then hold his hand and kissed him..

dev was taller than her.. so she stood on Dev's feet.. Dev hold her to her waist.. and they kissed again..

After few moments when they opened their eyes.. they were wet.. with the happiness that drenched them few moments back..