Hum to hamesha samajhte thhe koi, Hum jaisa haaji hi hoga
Hai zor karein, kitna shor karein, Bewaja baaton pe ainwai gaur karein
Dilsa koi kameena nahi, Koi to rokey, koi to tokey
Iss umra mein ab khaogey dhokhe, Darr lagta hai ishq karne mein ji
Dil to bachcha hai ji, Dil to bachcha hai ji
Thoda kaccha hai ji, Haan dil to baccha hai ji
Sorted.
And that's when the fatal collision occurred. From nowhere. With no precursors, with no time for preparation.
And that's when the fatal collision occurred. From nowhere. With no precursors, with no time for preparation.
Rehaan could not believe it. This was as new as anything can ever be. He was unsure of how to deal with this new surge of emotions which came with such force from nowhere and smothered him completely, leaving him completely alive and yet vulnerably raw.
He was one of the more stable guys one would have known. Not extraordinary in academics, average engineering student and then an MBA resulting in a job at E&Y. The work place brought out the best in him, and he moved up fast to become the Research Manager in 3 years.
Life was smooth and like any other 28 year old guy's would be: A sweet girl friend, a lovable family and a good bunch of friends. He was the quiet dependable guy for everyone. He was happy. But there were these days, when he felt life to be routine, that something was amiss. There was a restless energy all around him. Times when he wanted to just leave everything and go see the world. Feel life. Experience it. But how? Where? And responsibilities and duties always stopped him from taking any such rash step. These were thoughts he kept only to himself. If you asked his friends, they would say he was happy being this quiet one with a planned life.
He was one of the more stable guys one would have known. Not extraordinary in academics, average engineering student and then an MBA resulting in a job at E&Y. The work place brought out the best in him, and he moved up fast to become the Research Manager in 3 years.
Life was smooth and like any other 28 year old guy's would be: A sweet girl friend, a lovable family and a good bunch of friends. He was the quiet dependable guy for everyone. He was happy. But there were these days, when he felt life to be routine, that something was amiss. There was a restless energy all around him. Times when he wanted to just leave everything and go see the world. Feel life. Experience it. But how? Where? And responsibilities and duties always stopped him from taking any such rash step. These were thoughts he kept only to himself. If you asked his friends, they would say he was happy being this quiet one with a planned life.
And then he saw her.
Ria was eccentric. Happy in a moment. Sad in the other. Laughed out loud at the silliest joke, got angry for reasons unnecessary. She was, unpredictable on most occasions. She loved to say things that would shock people out of their wits. While at other times, the demure woman listening to elders. Loved her friends with passion and did not care about the rest of the world.
She was into film making and was assisting in Yashraj Films production. Theatre was a passion. After numerous failed relationships, she was sure that this was the one guy who was perfect. The understanding was at a new high. And she was getting over her depressive bouts and enjoying her life completely. Finally she thought she could make a commitment of getting married. Now she could look at it as something much more than a social license to make babies. She was at peace after years of turmoil.
It was New Year’s Eve and Ria agreed to go on an all girl's night to Club Escape. She wanted to usher the New Year with full gusto, to forget all the past and look forward to future. She drowned herself with mojitos and old monk while dancing to Aahun Aahun Aahun. That is when she thought she saw someone looking at her.
Ria was eccentric. Happy in a moment. Sad in the other. Laughed out loud at the silliest joke, got angry for reasons unnecessary. She was, unpredictable on most occasions. She loved to say things that would shock people out of their wits. While at other times, the demure woman listening to elders. Loved her friends with passion and did not care about the rest of the world.
She was into film making and was assisting in Yashraj Films production. Theatre was a passion. After numerous failed relationships, she was sure that this was the one guy who was perfect. The understanding was at a new high. And she was getting over her depressive bouts and enjoying her life completely. Finally she thought she could make a commitment of getting married. Now she could look at it as something much more than a social license to make babies. She was at peace after years of turmoil.
It was New Year’s Eve and Ria agreed to go on an all girl's night to Club Escape. She wanted to usher the New Year with full gusto, to forget all the past and look forward to future. She drowned herself with mojitos and old monk while dancing to Aahun Aahun Aahun. That is when she thought she saw someone looking at her.
Lucky Bugger is enjoying my non rhythmic dance of madness, she muttered in her head. And then got surprised. He smiled like he could hear her say it. Ignore ignore. You are just high and hallucinating. And again felt the same jabbing feeling like he could read her again and he replied by saying no you are not.
Okay. I think i need to get home. And that is when it happened. He came to her and said, "Let me drop you then." Zapped, Ria said, "OK" and started walking with him.
Outside, there was a nice chill to the air, fresh without the remnants of alcohol and smoky maze that the club had turned out to be in the few hours dance madness. She walked till some car's door was opened and she sat down and put the seatbelt properly.
"So where is your house?" "Andheri East. Sher-e-Punjab area."
Outside, there was a nice chill to the air, fresh without the remnants of alcohol and smoky maze that the club had turned out to be in the few hours dance madness. She walked till some car's door was opened and she sat down and put the seatbelt properly.
"So where is your house?" "Andheri East. Sher-e-Punjab area."
Silence for a few moments, while he fiddled with the car keys and then tried to start the fm.
“10-9-8-…”
That is when they both realised that they did not stay with their friends till New Year.
“Happy New Year.” “Thanks. Same to you.”
“You stay with your family?” “Nope. Working here. Living with a flat mate. And you?”
“My family’s here.” “Hmmm…Nice…”
Hang on. What is happening here? Why am I going with a total stranger to my house? And more importantly, why am I not feeling scared. Did they mix something in my drink?
“My name is Rehaan. I work with E&Y. I have no ulterior motives in dropping you home. And I don’t know how I understand you, even I am stunned. That is why I thought that if we talked I would find out.”
“Ria.” Mental Note: Nice Voice. And I hope he did not hear that.
She could have said a little more than just the name. Ria and that is it. Especially when I am trying to figure out what is happening here. I don’t know what Tarun would be thinking. Left him there, without any explanation. What if somebody sees me with her and informs Shraddha? How will I even explain this to her? I should not have come here in the first place. There would be too many people who might get hurt. Who will be able to understand it?
“You okay, Rehaan?” “Mm-hmm”
“I am an assistant director at Yashraj films. Originally from Himachal. I have lived around the country as my father works in a bank. Came to Bombay 2 years back, and have fallen in love with this city. Love the energy here and the freedom.”
“I like Bombay too. But hate its traffic.”
“Poor Bombay. So many people come here with their dreams, and it tries to welcome them with open arms in the form of roads and houses. But how much can it do?”
“Yaa. That is true. You write?”
“Why? I mean, what made you think so?”
“You have a way of saying things, like it is a story.”
“I have a blog. Let me send you the link to it. Your email?”
“rehaan@gmail.com And yours?”
“You will find it in the email I will send you.” After suitably fiddling with her blackberry, “There you go. You can check it anytime.”
“Okay.”
“Take a left from here. And then turn there. Stop in front of that black building. Thanks!”
“Let me take you to your flat.”
Is he nuts? How does he even expect that I would say a yes? The watchman will freak out if he sees me going up with a guy.
“No no. I will manage.”
Crash! She toppled over.
“Which floor?”
“5th.”
And he dropped her there. Opened her door, took her inside and made her sleep on her bed before moving out. Just as he was moving out of the door, he looked back and she was standing there staring at him. Why did she wake up? Why am I not leaving? Why am I moving back to her as she moves towards me? What is this strange attraction, what does this intense feeling mean? This is not the me i have known for 28 years. Who is this? What is this?
And they kissed.
Oh! the flame within my heart
Burns with an unquenched desire
I now tread the path
That would lead me to hell’s fire
I thought I had felt
All that is love
Until your breath
Shot up the curve
Of my lips
Entwining them with yours
And sent that tingling rush
Through my arm’s folds.
I moved with you
As if I always knew
The shape of your arms
Were to take me in
And here I am
Awake, alive
You stole my soul
With those closed eyes.
And here i live
with this one night
as i watch you sleep
in my embrace tight...
to be continued...
really nicely written... waiting for part 2
ReplyDeleteVery good attempt at a short story.. :)
ReplyDeleteI liked it, especially the fact that that the theme made me uncomfier than i wud have liked!
ReplyDelete@Nithya: It is coming...should be there soon
ReplyDelete@Utsav: Thanks! :)
@Isha: to get you uncomfortable is good in a way i guess! :P
finish it fast now!!
ReplyDelete