With Love, Christina!

At last on that day, you will get celebrity like treatment. Everybody will look up to you. They will take photo with you. And most importantly, you will be spending your many year’s spending at one go. 

Yes of course, on your wedding day!

“Mama, I don’t want to get married. My bank balance is just Rs 10,000”

I didn’t have to think much to say that. There wasn’t any better reason not to get married. Mama almost laughed as I told this. Its said that, women don’t like revealing their age and men their bank balance. Mama didn’t expect me being open about it. But she swallowed laugh, not to hurt her son’s ego.

“So what is your plan?. Who is going to carry your legacy?”

Mom skillfully put the question before me. Every mom knows the art of framing perfect sentence, to push their children forward. They don’t let you relax after making a statement. They will always make you think ahead.

“I mean..I don’t want to invest big amount on my wedding. Just exchanging a garland and register marraging would be enough. Infact that would be awesome……Then we will have Biriyani from nearby hotel. I would rather donate that saved amount to cancer treatment hospital……..or some thing like that.” 

Mama didn't say anything. There was pause for a moment.

Then I said “Howz the idea, mama?”

That’s the toughest idea any Indian mom could accept. There was a mild shock in her face. Responsibility towards society is fine. But she would also have to answer all neighbors and relative’s questions. They are also part of society.

“Why there wasn’t any marriage ceremony?.”

“ We want to see the bride officially!” etc. All the questions for which she would struggle to answer, just like ministers, when they address press after a scam. Only difference would be they can’t ask for her resignation.

Although I wish she could answer them like this,

“Get lost! You people mind your own business…..”

“ Go have your own life!. Please let us alone”

“Oh!. Papa will come now. I have to prepare food for him…. In the mean while you go get your garland ready”, she said.

There was a beautiful smile on her face when she said that. She tactfully escaped from conversation. I had an awkward expression as reaction. She giggled and walked towards kitchen. I stood there watching her. Its very hard to match her coolness. She has a terrific sense of humor and wisdom. Some times feel mothers are angels sent down by God to look after us. Otherwise how could they have such amazing wisdom to carry the civilization forward, considering only a limited exposure they get from outside world.

All that world give them is troubles. They have been bearing us even before we were born!. And for all the care she took of us in her womb, all we give back is blame for all our mistakes.

“I don’t want that poor dress”

“Where is my shoes?”

“Today I don’t want rice!”

Natural state of motherhood is sacrifice and unconditional love. They would silently listen to our arguments and commands.

“How was your day?”

At the end of day, they would come and ask.

Mom might be still thinking on what ever I told her earlier. I slowly peeped in to kitchen. Mom was cutting vegetables.

“Oh I wished, if there was some one to help you”

Mom looked at me hearing my voice. I gave a faded smile, as I moved forward to sit on table across her.

“Why sir?”, she said as she continued her work.

“Am I not doing the job well?. That you have to appoint additional labour?”. She looked at me. I didn’t look at her. As I told earlier, its very difficult to match with her sense of humor.

“No additional labour required. I will help you”. Better stop talking and start doing.

I jumped down from table and leaned on kitchen table to take another knife. Mom looked at me. I didn’t look at her face. I took one of the Onion in my hands to chop it. Mom was still staring at me. I didn’t bother to face her.

“Hello looser!”, she called me teasingly. That made me laugh. I looked at her.

“Sir you do your job, I will do my job”, she said in her funny requesting tone. It was a cute expression on her face. She smiled beautifully. I looked at her like joker. I left the knife back. It gave me pleasure to be a joker, when I could bring smile on her face like that. I kissed on her cheeks. she accepted my love, like a mother bird taking her child under her wings. I was the small bird, still seeking little pillow to put heads down. There is no better meditation than spending time with your innocent mother. You don't have to go to 

mountain to meditate or become a yoga. All needed is to take a nap on your mother's lap.

“Go!. Let me make curry.….Am coming…..”

“… Want to talk to you!”, she said

“Ok Mama!”, I said. ‘Mama’ is the most compassionate word that comes to your lips.

I walked to the guest room. TV was on. I sat on the sofa wondering what she would want to talk to me. It could be something like.

“After certain stage of life, you will feel, there is a boundary for every relationship. You will need someone for ever, to share your life!”

My mobile phone pinged. I checked the unread message in my Inbox.

“I Love you.

Miss you,

Yours Loving,

Christina”

Women are beautiful, no matter from where they came from. Weather from Adam's rib or Mars or Venus. They make our life beautiful. How they love and miss us. As some one said, behind every successful man there will be a women. Infact you are double blessed, if it is two women. Do not misunderstand!. I meant mother and wife.

But wife is not a easy choice to make. You can’t find women of your life, just like go shopping a sandals or phone. Once brought we can't return it as well. Wives come without warranty, unlike products. We have to be 100 percent precise.

There is a famous quote from Robert frost, “A mother takes 20 years to make Man of her boy and another women make fool of him in twenty minutes!”

Of course its nice to have a girl friend like Christina. But when it come to wife, you prefer homely, traditional girl that your parents select for you. Its like looking for spicy chilly chicken, when we go outside and at home preferring traditional coconut mixed chicken curry!. Men will be Men, as said in some deodorant Ad.

Oh! God!. Just imagine my parent’s reaction, when I tell them that, I am marrying Christina. Imagine Christina kissing me in front of mom. That thought itself sent shiver down my spine. I don’t have guts to tell them. It will be better to break Christina’s heart than mom’s heart. As per Robert Frost’s quote, It will take life time for mom to recover from that shock. Christina will be ‘ok’ after twenty minutes!.

Well, jokes apart, Where is my sweet Mom?. She would have framed perfect sentence to tell me, by now. There was a silence in kitchen. All the chance, that she would come any minute. It was time to take the next step. As usual, turning points of our life happens in an unexpected moment. I didn’t knew my moment was waiting around the corner.

As all I did was to keep Christina’s photo along with my wallet on table. And quickly moved to next room, to watch my mom’s reaction. It was time to display my sense of humor to mama. Time to match her wisdom. Photo was kept in such a way that it would attract my mom’s attention straight away.

She came from kitchen. There was a tired expression on her face. Ofcourse that expression will change as she come across her daughter in law’s smiling face. She took the photo in her hands.

On the photo caption was “With Love, Christina”

Quit India

When Sachin Tendulkar walks in, people switch on their T.V and switch off life. In 90's when India had nothing to look up to the world, Sachin Tendulkar would walk onto the crease and smash bowlers all over the ground and keep the Indian spirits high. As India steadied its economy by liberalising in late 90's and then later went on to become an emerging economic power, Sachin had piled up tons of runs and records. Thus cricket and India are interrelated. 

Cricket to India, is what Burger is to America and cheap technology is to China. Cricket pumps passion and patriotism in the country. But as far as I am concerned, Indian patriotism is not merely waving national flag while watching a cricket match. We have a rich Indian heritage to look up to. We are the one of oldest civilizations in the world. We still continue to be the centre stage of world spirituality.

But off late it has not been happy days for our country. We have witnessed greatest economic slowdown since 1980's. After the British looted our country and left, Indian politicians made sure that Indian wealth doesn’t get looted like that again. Hence they slowly saved bulk of this wealth as currency in their foreign bank accounts.

All we could do was fold arms, take a back seat and watch all that was happening. But there was occasional spark when people like Arvind Kejriwal stood up and fought all odds. He broke the conventional concept of VIP politics. He gave up minister bungalows and moved out without high profile securities. For the first time a journalist fried all politicians live on T.V, saying nation demanded the answer. Arnab Goswami shouted like his own sister was raped, when the national outbreak happened post Delhi gang rape case. For first time a politician and journalist sounded like one among us.

That was when I had to meet my NRI cousin from Britain, who was never one among us. We were going home after receiving him from the airport. He had settled in U.K along with Uncle and Aunt long back. He had come for summer vacations. Although we had good childhood memories, we don't share any nostalgic moments anymore. All I expected from his company was silence. 

But he started as soon as the Car was on move. Somebody just escaped from being hit by our car. In India being almost hit by a vehicle, is one of your daily routine like brushing teeth, bathing etc.

"Holy crap mahn! ", He said. "Holy crap" is the English word that all NRIs use to react to anything in India. 'WTF' has become so common in India, that even fisherman use it.

"I guess here people walk on road and vehicles on gutters". He said.

"Infact NASA scientist could practice their space vehicle launch on Indian Roads before going on moon. It would add lot of experience. "

That was the first goal he hit. But then I am not the person to answer all this. Our Great leader Gandhiji taught us non-violent movements. He observed civil Disobedience movement before launching Quit India movement and making British leave India. So I didn't say anything. I peacefully concentrated on my driving.

And after all NRIs are total different breeds. In fact they are a bunch of confused individuals who have no country of their own, a person who doesn't understand the importance of taking pride in one’s rich heritage. If at all anything interests them about the country, it is the depreciating value of the Indian rupee, during their foreign money exchanges.

That was when our car passed a guy peeing on the road side. Its not that we don't have enough toilets in India. But we are big time nature lovers. For everything we do, we try to integrate nature in to it.

“The National Geographic calls this country a heaven on earth. Holy crap!..Rope tricks, sadhus, cobras, people lying and peeing on roadsides. Does all these happen in Heaven?!. It doesn't make sense at all”, He said.

Everything in India irritates NRIs. They are highly crictical of the way we walk, pee, shit, literally anything.

This time I responded. “See no country is perfect. If Britain was so perfect, then why did they loot our wealth and take it to Britain?”

He didn't bother to respond. He sat like he heard nothing. I wanted to say him more but then for the sake of great Gandhiji, I did't say him anything. Gandhiji taught us to love even our enemy. I have to love him for another four hours. Its a long journey ahead.

“Brother, can I have a page”, He said as I was reading the newspaper. We were sitting in a coffee shop to take a break from the long drive. I felt hesitant to give him, as the paper was completely filled with materials to boost his sarcasm. The first page had 400 crore scam, I turned to regional page. Although not huge, they were competing with national scam. A 20 crore scam! Turned to sports page, “India lost to Bangladesh!” I gave him page-3, the entertainment news. Afteral Bollywood is accepted all over the world.

But still trouble couldn't be avoided. Headline was “Why is Salman Khan not getting married?”

“Why are Indians obsessed about Salman Khan's sex life?” He said. “All they wanted is to get married and breed like pigs everywhere. Look at the population, real pigs!”

I stood up from the table. He looked at me, wondering what I was going to do. There is a limit for everything. It was time for the next Gandhian mode, “Quit India”. I just walked out of the cafe. Didn't bother to even listen, what he was saying from behind. Car started, Soon I was on the move, leaving him behind.

“Quit my car at least!!”

Happy Journey

It was a Monday, a terrible day!. Sun was smiling in the sky. What else it has to do?. I mean it just have to show up in the early morning and go back by evening. That's a routine job, some thing like watch Man Job. Nothing creative to do. Ohh! It almost killed me with its monstrous rays. Thank! God that Mr.Jabar died. I could rest in a bus shed built in memory of late Mr.Jabar. If at all not to pay a tribute to Mr.Jabar, the Bus shelter wouldn't have been built. It was not a bus shed but a cow shed. Even a cow would refuse to put dung in it. The roof of the shed was floating in air.

I was so worried. It was getting late like hell. A man was standing nearby. I asked him the time. He was very happy to help me and answered " Don’t worry sir, you will get it from a watch". For a minute there was silence. WTF! Man. I was like “Did you really say that?. You must be some guy who escaped from mental hospital. Get cured soon, brother”.

"Thank you very much", That's all I said. He said "Its ok, I love helping people". He then started talking about himself and never stopped. Poor guy he didn't know that he was a fool."

After an hour of waiting, the bus came. It looked like a municipality waste basket. It had whole China in it. It was too crowded. People were hanging from all sides. To my surprise, lots of people rushed in to the bus. Now, from where all these people came. I didn't see them few minutes back. Did they fall from sky just now?. These people have really made me angry, that an egg omelet could have been easily made on my burning head. I have no other option. It was getting late.

After going through the necessary evil of wrestling, I was able to get in to the bus; actually only a part of my leg, to be precise five fingers. Bus started moving and my balance too was moved. A moment of loss of balance would have resulted in my head crushed in to five chicken biriyani pieces under the tyre. I was not sure whether I will get bus ticket or ticket to hell. I love hell!. All my dear folks will be there. We would jazz party there. And if heaven was at neighborhood, Imagine Gandhiji coming out from heaven and shouting at us to keep the volume down!. “Hahah!!”. I couldn't stop laughing. People looked at me strange.

After few kilometers of travel their came a relief. Bus came to an halt. Could relax for some time. A policeman had stopped the bus. Driver presented before him all the documents. The policeman found a missing paper among document. Next moment we saw the policemen slapping the driver. The hit was so hard that the driver would have forgot his father's name. Thats só harsh. I hated these corrupt rascals. Wanted to do something. But as always in India, kept quiet.

Driver placed 500.RS among the documents and the policeman got the missing paper. I remember clearly that policemen also had entered the bus. The bus started moving again. The condition of bus was miserable with lots of wear and tear. It wanted to be like a racing car but she got to accept the truth that even when bull carts of state had a gear, state bus remained the same. Who is responsible for her pity condition?. Is it her mother, the state government?. Am not sure about her father, whether it is state transport corporation or private corporation.

In a flash of second I saw an empty seat in the front and I flied. I placed my bums towards seat and found myself sitting on someone's lap. Now Where the hell this person came from?. He had infiltrated in to my seat like Pakistani soldiers did in kargil. I felt like like a hurted Indian army. I wanted to kill him with AK-47 rifle. Blood pumped high inside me as if fitted to a motor and felt like it would soon overflow out of head. My elbow rose with out my permission to hit him behind me. Every thing looked blurred and in flash of second I had given mighty blow on his face. I quickly turned back to see him and I was stunned. I was thrown out of the bus by the policeman. He came near me, covering his bleeding nose.

The Unemployed

Have to do something to get out of this mental torture. Life is all about hanging around with all the agony and frustration. Michael thought as he tossed and turned in his bed. Its very hard to fall asleep when there is a heavy traffic in your mind. In fact world war was going inside Michael's head. Its been two days since he was living in that Inn. It was located on the country side.

Michael stood on his feet, hoping all the worries flowed down in to earth. Its not easy to leave your family and stay in an unknown land. He felt shiver down his throat as he thought about his parents. They would be worried, wondering where their son was. Michael opened the beer bottle. There is nothing like beer, that can control traffic jam in your head. 12% alcohol does the job.

Michael slowly sipped from the bottle. He felt better now. One does wonder what on earth does a 22 year old have so much to worry about. It is from social studies of class four that we hear the word Unemployed for the first time. But then we didn't know how torturing the word is. Michael was slowly reaching in to the world where alcohol can take you. He felt more and more light, as if all the burdens from his head were taken off.

Parents provide their children with everything they want, but their expectation in return remain as burden on children's head. He could still remember the expression on his mother's face when he told her that he wanted to become a writer. "There is no money in writing", she came out with a statement. "There is neither money in poetry, nor poetry in money", a beautiful quote immediately struck him.

To be a writer is a condition rather than profession. Almighty opens the door to truth, when one becomes the writer. Everything flows out of your pen like magic, thereafter. It was not that he wanted to change the world with writing, he just enjoyed doing it. He had found his existence through the expression through words. It is beautiful!

He took the last sip from the bottle. The ambiance from the surroundings was terrific. It further enhanced the drink. The bar was well lit up. Blue was the predominant color. There were a few paintings hanging on the wall. He had a look at all those paintings. As usual a naked woman was subject of all the paintings. He wondered if a naked woman was the most beautiful thing in the world. It had dominated all major art form for centuries. One of the women reminded him of his first love.

Alcohol along with the painting was taking him away from the problem. But there is no point in running away. One needs to face it. Hardest thing is when you wake up in the morning and think what you are going to do. People will keep coming with the killer question " What's next?". Some of them just need a look, to remind you, that you are unemployed. It seems all these people were employed since birth. Most of the unemployed minds are occupied with plans. You keep planning the whole day what you are going to do. But all you end up is in devil's workshop, with your idle mind. Or you could end up in Bar with your friends, who too are unemployed. Everybody compete with each other to become the best loafer. You might grow your hair or might not take bath for month to look hippy. You will be the superficial rebel at best. If none of the above happen, surely you might end up watching serials with your mom!. Its the time when u notice the things which you wouldn't have otherwise. You will know, in which class your younger sibling is studying. How the seconds hand move in the clock. How cool your dad's mustache is. How beautiful your house maid is!

The bottle was finished. Michael felt as light as a balloon. He looked around. The waiter had been looking at him for a long time. He felt annoyed. One comes to bar to have privacy. What the hell was his problem? Michael wanted to have a crack at him. To further surprise him, the waiter came closer. He was very thin. Michael could easily pin him on to the floor. But he couldn't even lift his arm now. He was feeling dizzy.

Waiter had something in his hands. It looked like a newspaper. Michael wondered why on the earth, did the waiter want him to read the news, that too at midnight. Suddenly a column got his attention.

"22 year old missing for last 3 days!". God damn it!, below the caption was his photograph.

Once again

Life has lost its true color and flavor.Artificiality has creeped in every corner”

Imtiaz scribbled on his notepad.

He further added,

“Every where masks!g

No real faces!”

He was not sure, what he wanted to write. He was a person who lived in his own world. He looked window next to him. There was nothing interesting outside. He had a look at his watch.

“12:50 PM”

It would be lunch break in 10 minutes. The seminar room was quite, except a man’s voice. He didn’t pay attention to it. Somebody was giving a presentation on “advertising is not just selling”.

He shifted his focus back to notepad.

“Advertising is just murdering”, he added.

He has come all the way to Delhi, to attend the two day seminar.He was appointed by his agency ‘Crayons’, to represent company proudly at event.

Seminar took a break for lunch session. Imtiaz was the first to move out. There was a coffee machine at the corner of cafeteria. It would be a rush in short time. Coffee would free him off the hangover of seminar hall. He waited for his turn behind a women. He made up his mind to leave back for Mumbai, as soon as possible.

The women was taking enough time. May be something wrong with the coffee machine. Her face could not be seen. She looked interesting from behind. He had not seen her at seminar hall. He fantasized a beautiful face.

Women turned back with her coffee. She moved straight, passing him. Imtiaz had a look, through the corner of his eyes. Anything beautiful is always a thing of curiosity. A glimpse of her face was managed. It was all in a fraction of second.

It was only a curiosity to see a beautiful face, but the face showed was more than just being beautiful. Imtiaz was shocked. He couldn’t believe. He made sure in his mind if it was the same person. Years haven’t brought much change in that face. He could recognise her. Imtiaz felt his heart beating fast. He had not even in his wildest dream had thought of meeting her again. He didn’t knew how to react. Should he call her?.Better not to. He didn’t knew how she would react.

Time was going. It would kill him rest of his life, if he doesn’t talk to her today. She was moving far. He took a deep breath.

Nanditha!, he called out.

The women turned back to look at the gentleman who called her name. She couldn’t recognize him at first.

Imtiaz closely watched her. He was not sure, if she would recognise him. He waited for her response.

Nandita’s expression changed. She couldn’t believe if it was the same person. She didn’t knew how to react. She had fear, if she wouldn’t deal with the situation properly. It would be destiny that she would have to meet him like this after a long six years.

He was looking at her, with his pretty face.He has put on weight. Nandita watched changes in her old friend with surprise. He has become more charming over the years. Old images from past appeared before her. Everything seemed like yesterday. She could still remember the day they met for last time.

Lajpat Nagar street was busy with the Friday market. They walked past many restaurants. Today both their wallets were empty. They had already dropped their plan to watch a film. Life has been tough since college days. They had to adjust with a plate of fried rice.

It was getting darker. Both of them were walking slowly. They waited for the bus. They didn’t talked to each other from long time. Although engaged in their own world of thoughts, they always enjoyed each other’s company. Silence would be for the things they couldn’t tell each other. If it was not each other’s company, they couldn’t have faced those tough days easily. They got in to the bus. It was only a 30 minutes journey. They were going back home, after the whole day of roaming in the city, to drop their resume in all possible places. It was a tiring day. Nandita took a small snap. At some time she fell over Imtiaz’s shoulder. He didn’t disturbed her.

Imtiaz and Nandita moved together like twins throughout the college days. They surprised everyone with the respectable relation they maintained. It could be said that, they fell in love with each other’s friendship.

The fear of being asked, the status of relationship forced them to stay apart only on valentines day. They silently sat among audience, away from each others, watching others competing for the best couple. Those days were best days of life, Imtiaz thought.

The bus stoped at Maharani Bhag. They got down from the bus. Imtiaz would accompany her till hostel compound.

Again they continued their silence, as they walked. It was only a five minutes distance. Imtiaz could see her beautiful face in street lights. He had doubt in his mind weather it was the right time to tell her. He didn’t want to land in awkward situation. But he had already made his mind. How long he can keep it with himself.

They entered Nandita’s compound. Imtiaz’s heart started beating fast. It would kill him like anything, if he doesn’t make it today.

“Will call you tomorrow, take care bye”, Nandita said in her tired voice. Her small beautiful eyes closed for a second. She showed the signs of weakness. Poor girl would be tired after the hectic day, Imtiaz thought. It was only because of each other’s company, that they could travel such long distances today. He looked at Nandita. He felt happy to have her by his side. He could see her from close. A gentle breeze flew her hair. She looked like a beautiful angel. She was the girl with whom he wanted to live rest of his life. He wanted to tell, how much he loved her.

Imtiaz went and kissed her. It happened in fraction of second. Nandita suddenly woke from her tiredness. She couldn’t believe what just happened. An horrified expression faded in to her face.

“How dare you do that?”, Nandita said in her unfamiliar angry voice. Her face turned redish.



Both of them sat across cafeteria table silently. Imtiaz took last sip of his coffee. He offered Nandita coffee again. Nandita silently said “No”

It was not easy for both of them meeting after long time. Nandita was hardly speaking anything. Imtiaz was not sure where this meeting is going to take them. Maybe she didn’t like meeting him again. She could never forgive him. Imtiaz couldn’t bear it any longer.

“You can leave, if you want. Please don’t feel uncomfortable”, Imtiaz said in his low voice.

“Why should I walk away?”

Imtiaz got terrified by her answer. Nandita was irritated. It meant that, he should leave. Imtiaz didn’t need a thought to stand up.

“Just give me some time”, Nandita said as she looked down.

“I don’t have time”, he wanted to say. But Imtiaz was a sensible man. He knew that, he should talk to her today. It was him who made worst out of situation that day. He could still remember tears off her face, 6 years back.

She didn’t say anything. A gentle tears droped off her eyes.

“Nandita.......I am sorry..I..”, He had tried to say some thing.

Then she broked in to cry. She was shivering as well. She turned back and walked off to hostel.

Imtiaz felt like crucified. He couldnt do anything.

Cafeteria have become empty now. They were sitting on window side facing each other. Imtiaz tried to divert his attention to view outside. There was hardly anything interesting outside. He looked at Nandita. She was silent. He unlocked keypad of his mobile.

“Can’t believe, why we didn’t talk for 6 years”

Imtiaz couldn’t believe the words that came from other side. Nandita had said something at last. He was waiting for this moment. There can’t be a perfect start for conversation than this.

“But somebody didn’t wanted to talk.....”, he said with a smile.

Nandita didn’t answer.She didn’t look at Imtiaz. But there was a mild smile in her lips. Imtiaz had a look at his old friend. She was wearing sari. He wondered how people become strangers, when they are away from each other for long time. He would have made fun of her, if she was wearing the sari six years back. But now sari blended perfectly with her.

“But you could have found me, if you really wanted”

Nandita was becoming comfortable now. Her choice of words blew away Imtiaz. He couldn’t say anything.A joyous tide erupted inside him. Meeting an old friend after long time would be one of the most happy moments in life. He has got his old friend back..He didn’t want the conversation to slip away.

“I couldn’t find courage to meet you”, he said in his matured voice.

Nanidita looked at him with a mild smile.

“But I always missed you”

Imtiaz said it without any hesitation. He could say it from bottom of his heart, looking in to her eyes. Both of their eyes locked each other for a second. That second had millions in it. Nandita took her eyes off. She felt shy to face Imtiaz. They are not the same college buddies now. They have grown up.

Nandita sipped her cup of coffee. Both of them didn’t look at each other. Imtiaz felt very relieved now. A gentle breeze blew inside. Beauty of life is its unpredictability. There couldn’t be anything joyous than meeting somebody special after a long time.
“Nice coffee”, Nandita said to sound cool. Imtiaz nodded his head in agreement. Its been glorious one hour so far. He had a look at Nandita. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. He still couldn’t believe the change in his old friend. She had become a perfect women now.

She would be married by now,he thought. But he didn’t wanted to ask anything on that. He remained silent. People started occupying tables. It was tea interval.

“So what were you doing last six years?”

“Ha haa”, the question made Imtiaz smile.

“Six years if explained, it would be a star plus mega serial”

Imtiaz got excited. The conversation was becoming interesting.

“I mean, what all happened...since that day.......what you are doing right now”, Nandita interfered with a smile.

Imtiaz leaned back on his chair.It was as though he was about to narrate the whole story.

“I was busy pursuing my dreams...”, He looked at Nandita.

Nandita listened very eagerly. Imtiaz continued.

“ By God’s grace, Some how managed to be an ad film maker today”

Nandita looked at her old friend. She couldn't believe, it was the same thin Imtiaz, she knew years back.

“We always knew that you would achieve.....", she said.

Imtiaz smiled, to thank her. It would be genuine compliment, if it was Nandita’s.

“And you?”, Imtiaz didn’t waste any time to ask her.

“I am a copy writer at OM now. Recently done the campaign for surf excel”

“Oh, thats a stand out work. That came out really nice”

Nandita smiled. But there was sadness in her smile. There was always something that troubled her. She would have struggled a lot to settle her life, imtiaz thought. He felt a lot of respect for his friend.

“And yeah, tell me the name of your lucky wife”

Nandita’s question this time landed on Imtiaz like a cracker. He didn’t expect it. Nandita got excited. She eagerly waited for an answer.

“I am not yet married”, Imtiaz replied.

“Why?!”, Nandita was suprised.

“I don’t believe in the institution of marriage”, Imtiaz cracked his ready made intellectual answer.

Nandita bursted in to laughter.

“Hahh! haa..Thats interesting!!”. Nandita couldn’t stop laughing.

It suprised Imtiaz, Nandita didn’t further questioned him.

“What about you, Nandita?”,he decided to ask her.

Nandita’s smile faded. Her lips trembled.

Imtiaz was suprised by Nandita’s silence. It was tough for her to answer.

“Got divorced 1 years back!”, Nandita found courage to say it.

There was a pin drop silence.

Imtiaz couldn’t get words.

“Goodness!, Trouble never gave up with this girl”, he thought.

“I am sorry”, he said her.

Nandita brought a smile on her face. They stayed quite for some time.

Nandita’s maturity beyond age surprised Imtiaz.

She had really learned to face life with a smile”, Imtiaz thought.

Nandita’s phone ringed.

“Hello beta”

“ I am coming in 10 minutes”, Nandita said to somebody with affection.

Imtiaz guessed, it would be her child.

“Bye”, she cut the phone and looked in hurry. She looked at Imtiaz.

“Got to go now...Imtiaz!!”

Oh!, thats ok!”

“Whats name of your child?”, Imtiaz asked, as they stood up.

“Oh!, I didn’t tell you”, Nandita said with a joy.

“I have a 3 year old daughter, Chanchal!”

Imtiaz wondered, how cute she would be.

“You can meet her some day”. Nandita said as she searched something inside her bag. She took out a card from her bag.

Imtiaz recieved address card from Nandita. Both of them looked at each other for last time.

“Ahh!”, Nandita took a breath. she smiled and said ” It was nice to meet you today..keep in touch”

She shook her hands with him.

“Sure!”, Imtiaz said.

A joyous tide waved inside him. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. He watched her until she walked away out of sight