Seat Number 63
ThankYou
Nothing
is complete without support and love of friends. Thank you so much people,
means a lot.
Kalpana,
for editing this piece of work to the best of your ability. We should meet soon,
miss cinematographer, singer, writer etc etc. Ha ha.
Shekhar
and Sohag, for kicking me to re write this one even after I lost the original
manuscript.
Sathya,
somehow you always be a part of all my work.
Bala,
for the video teaser. Had the idea much before Chetan Bhagat released his ‘half
girlfriend’ teaser but it’s your creative inputs that made the idea look
superficial. J
( url : http://goo.gl/NIDVbA )
To,
The
very girl I met by chance and fell in love with, and also to her fiancé.
Advance happy married life. And bro, can’t wait to catch up and have some
biryani with a chicken loving Brahmin. Hail chicken!
And
To The Most
Important You,
Life
has so much to offer, all you need is to step out of your house. Experience and
embrace it.
Prologue
“Travel brings power and love back into your
life.” - Rumi, Persian poet.
Everyone has a story to tell.
Stories to make you smile, to weep, to inspire and then there are some stories
just meant to be told. I too have a story to tell, just because I want to tell.
A story of a guy, who seems very arrogant yet softer at heart, a story of a guy
who enjoys a conversation over a coffee rather playing games on his PSP, a story
of a guy who wants to defy the ways of the world. A story of a girl, bold enough
to fist punch a guy who would misbehave with her yet be very romantic with the
person she loves, a story of a girl who knew how beautiful life was having seen
both the extremes of life, a story of a girl who could do anything to make her
dreams come true. A story about how Shaffin aka Shaan and Shruthi met and found
a friend in each other, well you can term it as anything you would feel like. I
could term it nothing less than what destiny is. Travelling is a marvelous
experience, to meet people from different walks of life, to taste different
cuisines, to observe changing behavioral pattern and the part of travelling is
to adapt to the challenges it possess. It’s then you learn how to handle life.
After all there is no better romance than that between travelling and
experiencing.
The Train Departs
05:00 PM
7th May.
Raichur, Karnataka.
As
he kissed innocently on her soft cheek, she blushed effortlessly and kissed him
back as he leapfrogged from his mother’s lap into her arms. It is always
special when a little kid kisses you, such love out of nowhere. Shruthi was
glad that 3 year old Darshu was relived from the fever he was suffering, from
last two days. She was a part of a young medical team, who surveyed and treated
people from small towns, free of cost at a medical camp being conducted by an
NGO. People from various age groups attended the camp much to their gratification.
It was one of the many camps she and her colleagues attend in most places of
Karnataka, Kerala, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh etc.
“Hello
ma,” Shruthi said over the phone as she attended her mother’s call.
“Shruthi,
Lakshmi aunty’s daughter, Manju, gave birth to a baby girl,” her mother said at
the other end.
“That’s
a very happy news ma.”
“They
are naming her as Asna. Everyone is attending the baby’s home coming ceremony
and dad wants you to be present.”
“Ma,
I have a camp going on. I mean I have to treat a lot of people here.” Shruthi
said in an annoying tone.
“Don’t
you remember how much Lakshmi aunty has helped our family in the past? Can’t
you come down to Chennai for her at least?” Shruthi’s mom tried to dominate
her.
“I
have to ask the travelling agent to check for availability then, ma” Shruthi
hushed in a defeated tone. She never liked such sentiments but she would be
frequently weighed down by her family. She was 24 and had completed her MBBS
degree yet her family tries to influence almost every decision of hers with an
exception of studying medicine. She badly wanted to lead an independent life.
“Dad
already has booked your berth by RAC reservation in Sainagar Shirdi - Chennai Express.
He said he would mail you the e-ticket. Be safe okay?” Shruthi’s mom said.
10:00 AM
9th May.
Shirdi Railway Station, Maharashtra.
“Abba,
I just now reached the station. Train is about to depart.” Shaan said over the
phone to his dad.
“Okay
beta. Which seat by the way?”
“Third
A/C B1 coach seat 23, Abba.”
“Seat
number 23? That’s lower side berth. Don’t exchange the seat. Be safe okay?
Khuda Hafez.” Shaan’s dad worked in the Indian railways. He could decode your
berth based on its number in matter of seconds.
“Khuda
Hafez, Abba.” Shaan said before ending the call.
As
the train hooted, the commotion on the platform increased. People bought food
for their families for a day long trip back to Chennai by Sainagar ‘Shirdi -
Chennai’ Express. Vadapavs, water bottles, biscuits and more evidently bananas
sold at high frequency. It was more a pilgrimage train from Chennai to Shirdi
and back, where people would often travel with large numbered families for the
blessing of the holiness of Shirdi Sai. To visit Shirdi, it is said it’s not as
easy as one thinks, not even if you are rich enough. It could only happen if
the ‘Sai’ himself wishes to. It was not hard to spot people from various parts
of India. South, North, North East and even few foreigners, such length Sai’s
grace spread. No he wasn’t any self-acclaimed god instead he was in his words,
‘A messenger of god’. He would emphasize more on human values in the name of
God rather than utter devotion to an invisible power. Well, one could endlessly
debate on God’s existence. Even if God actually didn’t exist, he is simply a
beautiful lie.
Shaan, 20, travelled to Shirdi alone from Chennai. It was 2 years since he last visited Shirdi. Though last December, he was all set to visit Shirdi along with his family, some last minute problem didn’t allow him to. Perhaps, Sai baba didn’t wish to see him too. Shaan made up his mind this summer to visit Shirdi, no matter what. Luckily enough, his train reservations were confirmed just an hour before the departure. Blessed he felt. Since none of his family members could find time, he was meant to travel alone. Shaan neatly placed his luggage under his berth as the train started. He lustfully munched Vadapavs for breakfast. In fact, it was his new love, he could easily down 4-5 in a go. Well, just for the love of it.
People in the coach would easily acknowledge him, as everyone knew almost each other having interacted while on their way from Chennai. It indeed felt more like a large family, though there would be numerous fake smiles around. Men would endlessly talk about politics, education opportunities for the children and play cards. Women would go on talking about their families, recipes and of course the fluctuation of gold prices. Well, it was such a stereotype. While kids would exert the maximum noise, Shaan would effortlessly spend time with them as he would do with the elders. He did have an eye on the girl with pink top who sat opposite to him. He wished he could say a ‘hi’ to her but he didn’t have too much guts to do so in front of her family. Since he travelled alone, people would offer him various dishes of food, much to his delight. Though he would politely decline, he yearned for it. Everybody yearns for food right?
“Son,
my seat number is 57 in the same coach. Can you exchange yours for mine?” An
old lady asked Shaan, so that she could join her family who had berths
19,10,21,22 reserved.
“Sure,
grandmother.” Shaan reluctantly replied. Seat number 57 meant he would have to
sit in the opposite end of the coach. It meant he could no longer, sit adjacent
to the girl in the pink top. He rued for not being able to ask her name.
He
moved to the opposite end of the coach, he was terrified by the dead silence
his coup observed. Two old ladies, around their 70’s and a young family were
asleep. He hated it. Yet, nothing he could do. He plugged in the charger and
worked on his laptop.
02:00 PM
As
the clock ticked its way to 2’o clock in the afternoon. People started having
lunch. While some people like Shaan, would relish Aloo paratha and Vadapavs
they bought from the stall near the Shirdi railway station, others would be
content with bananas and Bhel Puri sold by nomadic vendors and some consumed
‘Meals On The Wheels’ lunch from the train’s pantry car. Quite frankly, it’s
one of the worst food anyone could possible consume.
05:00 PM
“Kaushik
please check the A/C, it’s hardly cool for a long time,” Shaan complained.
Kaushik
was the A/C coach attender, wearing light blue shirt and darker pants; he was
candidly in his words the ‘caretaker’ of the coach. Having passed his higher
secondary in third class he joined as attender on contract basis. It was quite
a low paying job but certainly way better than being jobless, gambling and
playing cricket in the hot sun. Being from southern part of Tamil Nadu, he did
have a peculiar slang. He would share his memories and more with Shaan, who
actually loved listening to people. It only helped him to understand different
people.
“You
have to hear this, Anna,” Kaushik said to Shaan in his ‘Tirunalveli’ slang, “12th
board results are out.”
“Ha
ha that’s cool”
“Yeah
drama has already started” he mocked.
We
all know what kind of moments we go through on the result day. Some crying some
acting. Suddenly the coach came to life. People would ask each other their
ward’s results, make some frantic calls to relatives and suddenly the only
option they would decide even without asking their children, ‘Engineering’.
Well with us Indians a few things can’t be explained. Just the way our society
wants us to follow. Being young and inexperienced most of us meekly follow into
the trap. While Shaan and Kaushik were amused observing each’s reaction, they could
hardly control their laughter.
08:00 PM
Raichur Railway Station,
Karnataka.
As
the train approached the platform while already running late by 3 hours, it
shamelessly boasted its arrival like a bridegroom’s revelry. Kaushik opened the
train door in Shaan’s presence, in her yellow duppata and blue chudidar wearing
jasmine flowers, Shruthi brought a fresh smell into the otherwise stale
smelling coach. As she tried to force her way into the coach her heavy bag
couldn’t allow her to do so. Shaan lend his hand pulling her bag into the
coach, noticing what he thought was ‘sindoor’ on her forehead. He assumed her
to be already married as Shruthi whizzed past Shaan, even without thanking him.
It certainly pissed off Shaan a bit. To be thanked is always a good feeling but
sometimes it sparks a thought within you to help more and more people. He
nevertheless got down along with Kaushik and bought some food before the train
started to depart Raichur.
As
he returned to his seat, he was once again greeted by silence and snores while
his mind acknowledged Shruthi’s presence. Having kept his mobile and laptop for
charging, he was very bored. He then started to stare at his palms, trying to
figure out the patterns which ran over it. Life is so dull without digital
devices. Finally he decided to eat Vadapavs he had bought along with roti and
Aloo sabzi. It’s typical of people to munch on every food possible, either out
of boredom or just for the pleasure of eating and sometimes both, never mind
what the time is. Having travelled alone for his Shirdi trip, he hardly was
family sick except while seeing families having food together. They would often
have different variety of dishes, while he had to be content with his limited
options. Money can buy you the most exotic food but can’t buy you the pleasure
of sharing food with family and friends.
“Doesn’t
the 3rd A/C has curtains? Seriously! No privacy at all!” Shruthi
exclaimed, much to Shaan’s surprise. He was glad someone broke the silence that
he had been surrounded with for quite some time.
“Naah.
My father says people in 3rd tier A/C use curtains to clean nose and hands.
That’s why railways removed It.” he replied with a little laugh. She gave a
disgusted look, as much expected from a girl. She asked for the ticket examiner
to confirm her seat number 63 RAC ticket status, for she got a negative
response from Shaan. This was followed by silence from both sides.
“Traveling
to Chennai?” she asked breaking the silence, again.
“Yeah
back to Chennai and what is this RAC thing?” he asked.
She
explained in no time and initiated a free flowing talk. She was a health
research consultant who would travel to various parts of the country to provide
free health treatments and take surveys, while Shaan was an engineering
student. They soon realized the age difference of 4 years. Shaan noticed her
big black birth mark on her forehead which he assumed as her ‘sindoor’.
The
coup, which was filled with the chit chats of two old ladies who were discussing
about the daily soaps followed by brief silence and snores, without a doubt
pissed the young man’s ears till he found someone to speak to. His conversation
with her smoothly sailed over various topics and meanwhile they grew
comfortable talking to each other. The Talking-to-some-stranger factor had been
diminished. She generally travelled to inner parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, for
a period of 2 months on an average, she says. It would be an eye opener for any
person, an opportunity to learn about life. Life is what one experiences in
checking out the conditions it presents. It is certainly not what you learn
about wearing a matching tie to your suit nor owning a high end gadget or
finding the right ear rings to match your dress.
“You
have to visit Varanasi. It’s such a beautiful place.” She exclaimed as she
asked Shaan to occupy the seat opposite to her. Shaan accepted her invitation
and occupied seat number 64 on the same berth. There’s something about the
conversations that take place face to face, and often turn out to be an honest
one.
She
then effortlessly described her experience of Varanasi and how much she felt
blessed to experience ‘Ganga Arthi’ and the vibrant colors, the way the land
could mesmerize anyone and the boat ride was another great experience. She was
telling her travelling experiences followed by Shaan narrating his. Though
Shaan was mesmerized and did have the love for experiences of traveling, he
wished he had enough bank balance and freedom from the good for nothing
education system. It often makes people wonder, who is smarter? An educated
person or an experienced person!
“Assamese
are the best. So friendly and they lead their lives by values. I mean most of
these Buddhist people. For example, in a traffic jam people would hardly swear
at each other and intent to clear the traffic, unlike us, stubborn and filled
with attitude swearing at each other’s mother and sister." she explained
while Shaan nodded, observing her brown eyes.
Shruthi
showed off her jasmine flowers to Shaan, saying she was gifted by a woman whom
she treated. It really meant some much love to her, little things do really mean so much and how
much her profession meant something more than money she could earn.
“I
don’t even earn half of what my batch mates in medical school earn, most of
them are placed in leading hospitals. But the satisfaction I get is infinite
especially given that I treat people who can’t even afford basic amenities.
Some things money really can’t buy,” Shruthi said.
"Isn’t
it true, when we all were little, we wished we grew up faster, smell some
money, buy cool gadgets etc.? Now that we all are grown up losing our
innocence, the world is certainly terrible. Don’t you wish if you could own a
house by the seashore or one in the hill station?"
“People
differ with regions good or bad
environment has a big part to play."
"Not
sure about that but men in Bihar and UP are the worst. The way they look at a
girl, easily makes the girl feel like she’s being stripped publicly. It’s bad,
really bad." she continued, "Varanasi is such a holy place but trust
me dude, never ever trust this Bollywood movies, and it never shows the whole
truth. Sample this, even while standing in a queue for darshan men would grope
a woman's butt. Such a cheap thing to do in a holy place." she herself
admitted having gone through a bad experience.
Shaan
gasped in shock. He did not expect that to happen in religious places and felt
ashamed to be a part of male race. Well, it was a natural reaction.
She
loved Bangalore, her work city. Every person would get his/her share of space.
No girl would be ever teased or if at all, very rare. And a rather pleasant
weather than her native, Chennai, made her love Bangalore even more. While she
would go on and on about her experiences, Shaan too would pitch in his
experiences of places he visited. As time passed, without their knowledge, they
discussed much about their professional and personal lives. She loved her job,
it meant often meeting new people and going places at the company’s expenditure
and yes she loved the latter part very much. After all not exactly all her
money.
Shaan,
like almost every engineering student, felt aghast and disgusted about his
life. It took him nowhere except the same old college, well almost daily. He
didn’t have a girlfriend. Though he wouldn’t bother about not having one as
engineering gods wouldn’t bless many with one. Anyways who could find time for
romance, having chosen to be enslaved by engineering? He would often curse
unendingly the darn degree for which he had to go through the pain for 4 years.
While each of them strongly believed in omnipresent source of strength and
faith, they soon found out they had a lot of things in common. They would
sarcastically discuss about their weight issues and laugh at all the false
promises and resolutions they made to shed those extra pounds. Nothing could
make them stop from lusting food.
“Are
you Sagittarius?” she quipped. She noticed Shaan’s curly hair and mentally
compared it to those of younger Tendulkar’s. She was a big fan of both,
Tendulkar and his curly hair.
“I’m
sorry, come again,” he replied being confused.
“Zodiac
sign yaar. I mean our wavelengths match a lot so was wondering if you too were
Sagittarius”.
He
was cancer, not Sagittarius yet they had a healthy laugh. While she often had
to attend to her ever worrying mother’s phone calls, neither would intend break
the conversation. For her mother, she was still an innocent girl who is yet to
come in terms with the actual world. Just like any other girl, only her friends
knew her devil side.
“Could
I get your contact dude?” she asked.
“Hey,
what do I name your contact as?” he giggled as they exchanged their numbers.
They had another healthy laugh over the fact that they were talking almost
anything for two hours without even knowing each other’s name.
“Shruthi
Ranganathan and yours?” She replied with a beaming smile.
“Shaffin
Ahmed. You can call me Shaan.” he said as they shook hands.
“Muslim
right? I had a boyfriend Akram and I loved him maybe bit too much,” she said
with a smile, a more of a self observing smile. It was very confusing to see
her smile.
“Hmm...
so you broke up with him?”Shaan asked.
She
frankly spoke about her personal life and relationships, her ex-boyfriend,
Akram. Not every time and to everyone, a girl would open up. At first, it
seemed very typical of a girl to complain about her ex-boyfriend but it was far
from that. Akram was a possessive rogue, who would abuse her since her college
days. He would call her a ‘whore’, if at all she talked to guys, be it even her
cousin. He didn’t like her guy best friend and wouldn’t allow her to have one,
made her delete her Facebook account while he would party with girls of his
choice and get drunk. Basically he controlled her life. Just that she loved him
so much, though she knew she was being a puppet in his hands she couldn’t move
away from him. Which girl would be okay being called names? All she could do
was plead to him, but he couldn’t care a bit. It was very easy to compare her
situation to an incense stick. She sacrificed her self-respect to please
Akram. She convinced herself every time that her love would someday change him.
Love is such a vicious human trait.
“I
never felt any difference between Hindus and Muslims, Shaan. Who are we after
all? Just humans. I regret defending him in front of my parents. Obviously they
were enraged, being from a traditional Tamil Brahmin household. But the actual
point is, I didn’t fall in love with a person from bad community instead I fell
in love with a bad person,” Shruthi said.
Shaan
was glad to get an insight of her practical thinking ability. He would never
understand why people marry only if the spouse belonged to the same religion
and caste. Marriage is coming of two souls as one. Are souls religious? Do they
have colours? What value will love have if you shed your self-respect? Shruthi
could have easily hated the concept of love and given up. Instead she was smart
enough to realize, success ratio of marriage solely depends on how you and your
partner treat each other and how much self-respect matters.
Shaan
instantly got reminded of his past relationship. Although his relationship
didn’t last long, with every passing day he fell in love more and more with
her. She had put a lot of tension on Shaan’s mind for long time but now he
wouldn’t be bothered by her thoughts as they ceased to exist, still he felt
surreal. It took a long time for him to throw her from his life but he did
realize that she wasn’t worth the pain he went through. It was tough but it
meant freedom. Freedom to be himself and live at his own pace.
“Maybe
that’s how life goes on I guess.” Shaan tried to end the topic.
“True
Shaan such a bold step I took in my life but then I met someone very important
in my life, Varun, my boyfriend cum fiancé,” she tried hiding her blush. It
always looks amazing when a girl blushes about her fiancé.
“Varun?
Getting married?” Shaan replied complementing her a smile.
“Yeah.
Hopefully by next year or maybe this year we will. Both of our parents agreed
for our marriage” her face still beaming.
Shaan
felt so happy for her and Varun. Varun was so damn lucky to get a woman like
her, he felt. He did curse Varun but not as much as he cursed his fate. He was
amazed by the woman he met a couple of hours ago and maybe he simply fell in
love with her. Does love know age? Maybe she was the pinnacle of female
personification, he thought. Maybe too much to make through one meeting but he
believed his gut feeling. His happiness for Shruthi overcame his sadness of not
being able to meet another person like her, let alone marrying her. Very true,
men fall in love faster than women do.
Why
wouldn’t he love to marry her? She was everything, what he thought of, dreamt
of, well almost. Somewhere he felt she was right for him. Thoughts like these,
often don’t turn into reality. If ever you try being serious and entertain such
thoughts, you would often end up with a headache and couple of aspirin tablets.
It’s always nice to be content by extracting those little happiness and blushes
from it. But then with life nothing is certain, or is it?
“To
make a girl fall in love with him just after her breakup with someone else is
his genuine ways in which he’s something really special. I mean it’s a phase
when a girl would abruptly cease to trust any guy.” Shruthi said interrupting
Shaan’s thoughts.
Shruthi
was tad different than most other girls, Shaan felt. She wouldn’t avoid talking
about Akram and definitely knew where her heart belonged to, Varun. She knew
life taught her an important lesson, loving someone necessarily doesn’t mean
you will be loved back. Anyways it’s more important to find your soul mate and
live with him/her than trying to justify your past.
“Varun
is different, hmm. Dead opposite of Akram. Firstly he respects me a lot, no
matter what. He’s really sweet and such a darling. Yes we do have arguments but
at the end he calls me back and says sorry.” Shruthi beamingly said.
“Aha,
you are no different. Every girl wants to hear ‘sorry’ from guys no matter whose
mistake it is.” Shaan replied with sarcasm. He was rather uncomfortable with
Shruthi labelling Varun as a darling.
While
a girl would fall for almost any guy who talks really sweet, compliment her day
in and out on her voice, her earrings, her nail paint color and every such
stupid thing, only she can differentiate who talks sweetly and who actually
cares about her. Just like chalk and cheese. Having borne Akram’s torture,
meeting new people and touring places she could only grow up as a person and Shaan
would easily perceive she wasn’t the same girl anymore.
Shruthi’s
parents bought her up in a strict environment. Quite a homegrown and dotted
Chennai girl. Her life as a teenager was quite boring, too much of sweetness,
neither had freedom nor guts to ask for. She wouldn’t be allowed to go out with
her male classmates, hardly was allowed to talk to her cousins. For her most
times, talking to girls was an annoying thing. Too dramatic she thought of them
and same wasn’t the case while talking to guys. She loved to wear jeans, skirts
and wished to taste beer, smoke Cuban cigar and travel to places only she
dreamt of, of course with her prince charming. Varun too was a travel freak, he
would consciously save money to go for a trip to a place of his choice. Shruthi
envied and wanted to travel with him. But just like a typical Indian girl’s
fate, she could do so only after her marriage. It was basically a ticket to
freedom for her, freedom to dress like she wants to, freedom to drink beer to
heart’s content.
“I
simply can’t wait to marry him and fly to Rome for honeymoon.” Shruthi quipped
with an impish smile.
“He-he,
yeah I understand,” Shaan chuckled.
“Ha-ha,
though marriage is slated for next year, I have already chosen my dresses from
my engagement and wedding. I simply wish I could marry him right now and become
Mrs. Varun.”
“Sure,
who could wait to marry such a sweet guy?” Shaan replied sarcastically. He
somehow was reserved while talking about Varun.
“Yeah,
he is sweet but he’s equally an asshole!”
“Really?”
“You
won’t believe me if I tell you about his social service!”
“Social
service? Isn’t that a good thing to do?”
“Why don’t you listen to me fully? He doesn’t do the
general type of social service.” Shruthi said fumingly.
“Well
yeah, he’s now in Gurgaon for his internship. So there’s this girl, Rinky
Verma, his team member for a project. On the very first day they met, her heel
broke and this mister took her out and bought her new sandals from his wallet
and then he took her out for coffee!” Shruthi said with mixed emotions of
fuming and sarcasm.
“Lol,
what’s wrong in that? Just a pair of sandals and a cup of coffee. What’s
wrong?” Shaan replied with a giggle.
“Come
on, I do feel like hitting his head. I mean he is so mean, he never bought me a
sandal like never ever and how could he buy for someone he just met. The worst
part is obviously telling me all of these.”
“Ha-ha,
he obviously tells you to irritate you. It’s just being casual of him.” Shaan
replied.
“Oh
shut up, he does irritate way too much. He talks about how big breasts the
girls in his office have and how they flaunt them. Would you believe me if I
say that he tells me every day that he worships those in the office! I bet those bitch uses some push up bras,” Shruthi said with her ‘kill you Varun’ look.
“And
look at these ‘northy’ girls’ names, Rinky, Pinky, ha-ha extremely silly!”
Shaan busted into laughter as Shruthi joined him.
“You
both seem to be friends first than anything else. I mean that’s really cool.”
Shaan quipped.
“Hmm...
that’s very true, treating each other as friends makes things easier. And
obviously, I too sight guys and tell him, he obviously gets jealous, it’s a lot
of fun.”
“That’s
good counter attack.”
“Yeah,
I know. I go head over heels for Mallu guys. How cute they look!” Shruthi
winked her eye.
“Guys
are pretty cool but I seriously hate Mallu girls. Seriously too much attitude
to start with even, had 2-3 bad experiences.” Shaan sighed.
“Dude,
do you have any idea how beautiful they look?” Shruthi protested.
“I
haven’t met any, ha-ha. Anyways, what’s beauty without right attitude?”
“Hmm…
Agreed!” Shruthi said in mellowed down tone.
“Worse
is, all of them share the same name of my ex’s.”
“Ha-ha,
what a co-incidence.” Shruthi burst out laughing, “And is yours ‘ex’ Mallu
too?”
“Thankfully
no!” Shaan posed a relieved smile.
11:00
PM
“Shruthi, tell you something, I mean I
want to tell you something!” Shaan stammered.
“Yes.”
“Look, this may be quite crazy. I guess
I might fall in love with you. I mean you are most of all I thought about my
dream girl.” Shaan said quite confidently.
“Oh-ho” Shruthi quipped winking her
eye.
“Come on, everybody dreams. I know you
are 4 years older to me and most importantly you have a fiancé but still, I
mean I just felt like telling.” Shaan tried to sound reasonable.
“I will think over your application.”
Shruthi mocked.
“Hmmm…”
“Ha-ha, it was obviously no way
romantic but it was sweet though, really sweet. I like your company. You are
quite fun to be with and I haven’t been frank to anyone for long, feels good.”
Shruthi said with a beaming smile.
“Isn’t that some way of friend zoning
me?” Shaan chuckled.
“Ha-ha, not really. Hey, listen I have
a sister. She looks quite hot, MBBS 2nd year. May be try your luck
on her?” Shruthi said winking.
“No way, I not interested. She’s no
‘Shruthi’ anyhow.”
“Oye, big-thoughts-guys, do whatever,
my sister will never fall in love with you, I mean not with anyone.”
“I might take up the challenge now.”
Shaan chuckled.
“She’s no freak like me. She’s very
sweet, homegrown and too much a pampered girl and most importantly, very dumb.”
Shruthi continued laughing.
“Ha-ha.”
“Listen to this, so one day me and my
sister were at ‘Landmark’ store looking for new books and then I stumbled upon
’50 Shades of Grey’, which actually is an erotic book. My sister saw me
flipping the pages and she hurried at me and asked to replace the book. She
reacted as if it was a sin to touch such a book.” Shruthi said in bewilderment.
“An erotic book? I should read then.”
Shaan grinned.
“It’s a must read dude!” Shruthi said
excitedly.
12:00AM
“Oh shit! Shaan! I need to make a call.
It’s Varun’s birthday.” Shruthi said.
“Sure.”
“Happy birthday baby! Ah yes I’m the
first one to wish you again!” Shruthi said in an excited line over phone.
“So where are you? Are you with
friends? Ha-ha, do enjoy and beware of Rinky.” said Shruthi and as she
continued, “And I met this guy, Shaan, in train, we were talking like anything
for three hours.” Shaan, who was till then looking at his phone, suddenly looked
at Shruthi. Shruthi was evidently trying to make Varun jealous, to make him pay
for not finding time for her in the whole week.
“Do you wanna talk?” Shruthi asked Varun over
the phone.
“Shaan, talk to Varun.” She continued
startling. Shaan, though he wasn’t sure what he
could talk, still took the phone from Shruthi.
“Hello Bhai! Happy birthday.” Shaan
exclaimed.
“Hi bro thanks a lot. So what’s up with
Shruthi?” Varun said with a little laugh.
“She’s great to talk. Totally like my
best friend.”
“Ha-ha I know she’s sweet, really
sweet!”
“Yeah and how’s MBA going? And how’s
Rinky Bhabhi?” Shaan chuckled much to Shruthi’s ego.
“Rinky? Who is Rinky?”
“Oh come on, Shruthi told me all about
your social service stuff.”
“Ha-ha. Yea’ she’s hot man! Damn plain
hot.”
“Hot? Wow.” Shaan said as he stressed
to catch her expression. She was really annoyed.
“But do visit Mumbai, Hotness
overloaded!”
“Guruji please do teach me few tricks!”
Shaan said.
“Haha sure why wouldn’ I teach few
tricks? So how’s college! Single still?” Varun asked Shaan as he replied
affirmatively.
“Trust me Shaan! Being single is one of
the best times of our lives. Of course you would miss ‘romance’ in your life,
but then you have an opportunity to work ‘FUCKING’ hard. You never get time
later bro!”
As Shaan and Varun continued talking
for some time, Shruthi showed various expressions but she understood men would
be men and nothing can change that.
“Shaan, I will speak to Varun for some
time, you know it’s his birthday.” Shruthi said to Shaan, as she took back the
phone from him.
“Sure.” replied Shaan and went to the
coach door letting in the cold breeze and feeling it. He was gazing at the moon
and thought how beautiful the night was. There is no better drug for a human
other than another human.
“Anna, you didn’t sleep yet?” Kaushik
startled Shaan.
“No Kaushik.”
“What are you doing? Still talking to
that girl?” Kaushik said as he rubbed his half asleep eyes.
“Yeah, she’s a nice person. We have
been talking almost without a break!”
“She doesn’t look any good except for
her fair skin,” Kaushik monotonously laughed over his own joke.
“As if you and I look like Hritikh and
Shahrukh Khan” Shaan protested.
01:00AM
Shaan and Shruthi walked to the coach’s
door and taking in some fresh air, they continued speaking all they could.
Their eyes didn’t droop, neither mind got bored, only their jaws pained. It was
worth, each thought.
“Akram, sure did teach you a lot of
things in life right? I mean you learn a lot from your mistakes,” Shaan said.
“Yeah, he did. As I mentioned before, I
gave far more importance to him, to our relationship”
“I have a little confession to make,
sort of an incident; I gave too much importance to friendship,”
Shaan’s Little Story
I had this friend, Priya. We were friends
for 3 years and were very close. We lived near-by though we weren’t from same
college. And then I had this friend, Rishi. I’m a kind person, who loves having
friends and then, eventually I introduced Priya and Rishi to each other. I knew
they were good ‘FB’ friends. It was another weekend, to have group study at
Priya’s house. I, Vivek and Aishwarya assembled to crack some concepts of
engineering, together. We obviously had much fun and Priya was very good at
cooking especially ‘Chilly Bread’ and she excused herself to cook for us. As
she went into the kitchen, her phone beeped and the screen read
“Message
from Rishi.”
I was quite surprised and opened her
chat box.
The message read,
“When can
my lips touch yours again? I ‘m missing you baby. Let’s meet at CCD at 5.”
I was furious, boiling with anger. How
could she do such a thing even without telling her close friend? That too a
kiss! I calmly kept the phone down and acted as if I knew nothing. Neither
Vivek nor Aishwarya knew any of this.
At 5 PM, my conscious over took me. I
called her and asked her where she was. She said she was at home and I asked
her if she had Rishi’s number. She said she didn’t have his number. My anger
went to another level. I said, “Okay I’m coming to your home now”. She said,
“Shaan, guests have come.” I screamed at
her “Or are you at CCD kissing some bastard?” She cut the phone and switched it
off. I called her again the next day. She answered “I do have Rishi’s number.”
I asked why she lied but she was stern. “I didn’t lie. I must have said by
mistake.”
“What the fuck ‘mistake’ means in your
terms?”
“We fought for some time, and then
stopped talking. I was furious and had so much trust on her. I would be happy
for her had she not lied, when I asked about him. It’s bad, really bad. Worse
is she never accepted her mistake, instead blames me. Fuck her logic! I knew
what it takes to have a friendship with a girl. Even though it was her mistake
I took an initiative to solve and to be friends with her again. She never
agreed to, don’t girls love drama? Yet on my birthday I gave chocolates to my
friends and as she was present, I offered her too but she refused. What kind of
a bitch is she? Being a guy, I stepped down and tried
to make up even though it wasn’t my fault. But still.”
“I feel like kicking you, Shaan.”
Shruthi said much to Shaan’s bewilderment, and started to laugh.
"Yes Shaan, it’s your mistake. You
should have shown her a middle finger and shouldn’t have given a fuck about
her.” Shruthi added.
“I guess I should, may be show both my
middle fingers!” Shaan chuckled.
“Seriously Shaan, the next time you see
her do show her, she deserves every bit of it!” Shruthi said in a serious tone
“May be, yeah I should have treated her
like she deserved to be.”
“Friendship is a good thing man, but
then she’s not the only person who is your friend. Some people don’t actually deserve it. Don't you realise, for her, her ego is more important than friendship.”
02:00
AM
“We should call it a night, Shruthi!”
“I guess we should! And in case you
wake up early, do wake me up! We still have loads to talk!” Shruthi said as she
yawned.
“If at all I wake up!” Shaan chuckled.
She let her hair loose and lay on her
berth opposite to Shaan. He would gaze at her from the corner of his eyes while
she kept talking to Varun over the phone. Varun too, unfortunately was working
night shift at his internship even on his birthday. He did find solace every
time he spoke to his girlfriend, Shruthi. Shaan constantly pretended to be busy
at his phone, it was 2'o clock yet he didn't feel like sleeping. He, with all
his might tried to digest the fact that she wasn't going be his, at least in
this birth. Shaan was confused, he found her to be enormously beautiful but he
wasn't sure if she looked beautiful through his eyes or his heart.
Obviously she wasn't perfect as any
other girl, yet unlike them she would never tried to be prefect. She wouldn't
be insecure instead be more comfortable and try to improve herself. There is a
huge difference between perfecting yourself and improving yourself. Shruthi cut
the call owing to signal disturbances, texting on WhatsApp was better she
taught.
Shruthi: sorry
honey, terrible signals.
Varun: that’s
fine. So are you sure about this guy you were talking about?
Shruthi: Shaan?
Hmm... He’s pretty smart and really sweet, I mean at least not pervert.
Varun: You
believe people too easily. Guys do flirt too sweetly, you know that.
Shruthi: Lol,
he’s no better at flirting than you. Ha-ha.
Varun: ;): D
Shruthi: loved
talking to him, darn feeling still upbeat.
Varun: Hmmm...
Shruthi: I can
smell some jealously. Ha-ha.
Varun: I have
no issues at all. Rinky is still in office. We are working night shifts. Ha-ha.
Shruthi: okay
enough don’t talk a word about her. I will sleep for now, good night
baby. Love you
Varun: that’
okay darling. Good night love you.
Shaan crawled to his berth and opened
his WhatsApp on his phone as he found few of his close friends online.
WHAT’SAPP
GROUP CHAT
Shaan: guys
there? I’m in love!
Aum: seriously?
Wow bro: D
Jenny: dude
it’s 2AM, you must be dreaming. Wake up asshole. : P
Shaan: Jenny,
I’m serious monkey! I met this girl in train. She’s just opposite to me right
now, sleeping.
Aum: WTH,
awesome man, quiet a fairy tale. Bitch. : P
Jenny: So
become a stalker now?
Shaan: shut up,
I mean she herself talked to me first. It was awesome I mean she’s my dream
girl. Everything I thought about.
Aum: Lol,
very romantic stuff.
Shaan:
Not
quite, I mean she’s 4 years older to me, has a job and what’s worse; she has a
great boyfriend/fiancé.
Jenny:
Duh!!
(-_-)
Aum:
Lol,
does she have a great figure? Is she hot? : P ;)
Jenny: Aum
bitch shut up! Don’t behave cheap okay? She’s Shaan’s elder sister after all.
Aum: Rofl!!
Ha-ha.
Shaan: WTF!
Shut up people.
After some time, Shaan closed his eyes
for a deep sleep.
08:45
AM
10th
MAY.
It was a tired morning for both, lack
of sleep and commotion of breakfast-tea-coffee vendors didn’t help their case.
While most women along with elders woke up early and started brushing their
teeth, Shaan couldn’t understand why people did so, that too so early in the
morning in train.
“Good morning Shaan.” Shruthi wished
Shaan in her sleepy tone before making her way to bathroom to brush her teeth.
“So where are we?”
“I guess Arrakonam.” Shaan said with
his half-closed eyes.
“That’s like an hour left for the
journey! That’s it?” Shruthi exclaimed as she scared the wits out of Shaan’s
still sleepy mind. An hour? Just an hour? Each gave blank expressions to each
other as the train slowed down to stop at Arrakonam station.
“I can’t find a coffee vendor. Badly
need one.” Shruthi said taking out currency notes from her brown leather purse.
“Wait I will get you one.”
Shaan wore his slippers and stepped
down onto the platform. With Kaushik wishing him for the morning, both engaged
into another conversation about Kaushik’s future, though he was just high
school pass out.
“With an Electrical diploma my friend’s
brother got a job in railways. You know, that’s a very big thing for people as
for job security, Anna, very important.” Kaushik said in his own slang of English.
He knew with an A/C attendant job there was no way he could survive his near
future. Like any other sensible guy, with a thought about his future one day he
does hope to complete his diploma in electrical, to secure a government job.
As Shaan bought a coffee for Kaushik,
he bought two more for his ‘stranger-turned-friend’ and for himself he boarded
the coach.
“Aaha! Thank you, Shaan. That’s really
sweet. It’s one great way to get rid of headache.” Shruthi was glad she could
sip coffee for her morning to start off.
Damn, I
thought she would pay back ten rupees, Shaan thought as his finance dipped
ten more rupees down.
“I promise I will get you a better
coffee, when you come to Bangalore.”
Not a bad
return for ten rupees.
10:00AM
Near
Chennai.
All of a sudden, the train seemed to
move at top speed, may be Shruthi thought so. It was 10’o clock in the morning
and Chennai would arrive in ten minutes. She panicked and so did Shaan. It was
certainly one of the best train journeys they embarked upon. They found
companion in each other. One could say, what’s the big deal with the kind of
gadgets and technology we aid ourselves to indulge in. But is there any better
thing than to talk to a person face to face? Especially when both were
comfortable talking to each other? To pour in their personal thoughts, feelings
and trust someone, meant how close they became too soon.
Little did Shaan know he would find his
‘dream’ girl, maybe the best things happen in life by chance. He wouldn’t have
met her if he never wished to visit Shirdi again, and more importantly defy his
dad and switch seats with the old lady. The girl in pink top was of no
importance the very moment he found a friend in a certain Shruthi. With a
little wish the train never would stop, Shaan wished he could kiss her on her
forehead, something he would do to his friends, an act of affection and love.
Shruthi made few calls to her father,
who was to receive her at the station. She sighed. Meeting Shaan brought her a
change following a tough week she had. Like every person, like every girl, she
wanted someone to hear her out without being judgmental. She was glad she could
find a great friend in Shaan, to talk to him, to tease him, prank and bank
upon. And mentally thanked her dad for booking seat number 63. Anyways it was a
start to a beautiful friendship indeed.
Time is a traitor. It elongates the
moments we wish we never had, like those boring board meetings and lectures
while curtails the moments we wished we could live with ever like the first kiss
and childhood. Similar thoughts echoed Shaan’s and Shruthi’s minds as the train
slowly paced down, reaching Chennai.
"So here we are." Shruthi
said after packing her belongings.
Shaan sighed.
"It was a great trip, Shaan."
"It really was."
"When we meet the next time, I
promise to buy you a better coffee. May be at coffee day, okay? "She
giggled.
"Quite good investment for my ten
rupees coffee." he said as they got down on to the platform.
As they strolled slowly, Kaushik caught
Shaan’s attention. He was busy with his post arrival work packing towels bed
sheets and pillow. It was quite a humongous task.
"Kaushik see you again, felt good
meeting you."
"Thank you, Anna. It would easily
have been another boring trip if not for you." Kaushik said extending his
hand for a handshake.
"Seriously? Just a handshake? Give
me a hug man."
After a warm hug, Shaan joined Shruthi
and continued their walk till the entrance.
"So here we are at the “bye-bye”
time.” Shaan said. Shruthi wasn't amused.
"Dad must be here anytime."
Shruthi said while scanning through the crowd for her father's stern face.
"I will start rolling then. I’m
sure your dad wouldn’t like to see you with some guy." Shaan mocked at her
father.
"Well, he's been this way
always."
As Shaan shook his hands again and said
bye again, Shruthi all of a sudden, much to Shaan’s surprise hugged him. He
suddenly leaned back almost instantly. It wasn't that he was being hugged for
the first time by any girl. It was Shruthi’s overly conservative father who
lingered on his mind.
"What?” Shruthi said being stunted
over Shaan’s refusal to hug.
"Are you sure your dad isn't
around?"
"Not for now at least," she
giggled as she punched Shaan on his tummy.
"Bye, my love." Shaan then
tightly hugged her.
"Excuse me?" Shruthi said
while she again giggled.
"I mean bye, my friend."
Shaan said as he winked.
"You better find a girl, Shaan,
and don’t worry you are sweet, anyone would fall in love with you."
"Ha-ha I hope it’s a compliment.
Let’s see when it happens." He said winking his right eye.
As the inevitable happens, time came
for them to part ways but very importantly, they embarked on a very long
journey of friendship. One filled with love, admiration and trust in each
other.
After
few months
Shruthi’s
and Varun’s Reception, Chennai.
Followed by a full-fledged Tamil style
Brahmin marriage, Shaan attended Shruthi’s and Varun’s reception. He was
inevitably surrounded by silk dhotis and sarees while he wore formals like any
other guest. He hardly knew any other person in the hall, while Varun
introduced his cousins to him. He eventually had an eye on almost every girl,
comparing each girl's looks and variable structures. His eyes lit up when they
fell on an orange colored Ghaghara choli clad girl, who looked at least his
age. Angel, he thought. As she moved around the hall with some attention
seeking jewelry with not too bright lipstick, she smiled and greeted almost
every person. She looked so caring and homely, very much to Shaan’s liking.
“Who is that girl, Varun?” Shaan asked
elbowing the bridegroom.
“Which girl, Shaan?” Varun replied.
“The one with red bangles and long
hair. She looks hot bro.” Shaan quipped pointing out shamelessly, with his
mouth open in awe.
“What’s the gossip, guys?” Shruthi said
as she joined the boys.
“Shaan was asking about that girl in
orange Ghaghara.” Varun said to Shruthi winking his eye a bit.
“Yeah, Shruthi tell me who’s that hot
chick.” Shaan became adamant.
“I will tell you dude. That’s Shruthi’s
sister.” Varun exclaimed bursting into laughter as Shruthi gave Shaan some
swearing stares.
Epilouge
Stories are wonderful to read, even better
when felt and the best when experienced. People change but memories and
experiences don’t. None of us would ever boast of our static stereotype lives
running around in circles, day in day out. It takes just a small initiative to
change things the way they are. It takes just a small step to pack your bags and
explore things you never did.There’s nothing like ‘true friendship’, maybe it’s
hard to find but certainly when found it’s worth the patience. Life is too
short for drama, it just takes a single phone call with a positive minded
attitude from both sides to solve issues.But again, friendship is the best of
all relationships. When it grows and sustains in unexpected circumstances and
then when you look back, you truly believe your faith in destiny isn’t
misplaced. Shopping in those ‘exclusive’ store malls is no match to those
little happiness and awesomeness you experience will street shopping. Tea does
taste the best looking at the snow filled peaks and taste of road side dhabas
goes unmatched. You actually don't travel alone, when you travel with couple of
people you world is confined for conversing with them. But when you travel
alone you travel with the whole group. There is huge difference between tourist
and a traveler. Just zip your bag and step out.
