Kanpur-Gandhinagar-Bangalore-Calcutta

Story continued from - http://kgbc.blogspot.com/2010/05/short-story-proposal.html

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My proposal was turned down. I saw her walking away from me. I stood aimlessly in the faculty block for quite some time. Could almost hear some sad music playing in the background and winds blowing dry leaves in air to create a melancholy effect.

I returned to my room. Felt like tearing her photo, except I had no photograph of hers. I wanted to throw away her gifts, sadly I had not received any gift from her till date. I never had got a card, mail or anything that remotely indicated she was interested in me- which I could destroy to feel good. But I needed to do something rude to vent out my frustration. I finally settled upon deleting her orkut profile link from my bookmarks.
That felt so good. Now I can forget her, I told mself.

Days passed and I would still find myself staring at her. I would madly wait in canteen for her and once she would arrive- start looking in opposite direction to show her that I didn't care. "Yeah! Now she will realize that how much she missed me". One week passed and nothing happened. "I need to do something!"

I started stalking her. I used to sit for whole evenings and nights on a bench in garden- from which her seat in computer lab was visible. I could see her smile, getting bored, making child faces, getting sad and wondered if I would kill myself for her. That day I was sitting on the chair and she had not turned up since afternoon. It was late in night and I felt kind of stupid sitting in the park for whole evening. I shouted out loud- "Kahan hai yaar? Abhi tak kyon nahin aayi?"

I heard a voice - "Kaun nahin aayi?" I shouted- "None of your business" At that time I realized somebody standing next to me. I turned to my right, saw her and fell down from my chair, out of total shock. I hit my head to a rock- the best thing that had ever happened to me for some time (Seriously!). She saw me bleeding and started apologizing for the surprise (Hell yeah! Who cares if it was her fault or not!) "I was waiting for ice cream. I had a stupid bet with one of my friends who taught I'm scared to sit alone in park in middle of night. I had won and was waiting for my ice cream. But seems like he lied" . I started blurting out randomly before she could realize my true motive of sitting there. I think my acting-in-pain-performance was really good - for she actually believed it.

"Hey are you fine?"
"Yeah I'm fine. Please don't talk to me"
"Oh about that! I was angry that day. I'm sorry. We are friends after all. Can we stay as friends? I have no feelings but you're a very good friend of mine. Please!"
I was disappointed but that was my only option -"Yeah sure! I'll try"
"Let's go for an ice cream then."
I wished like shouting at all the other guys who were following her and acting like complete morons (I feel my case was an exception as I was destined to be with her)- "Take that you idiots! I am going out with her"

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And that's how things got back to track once again. Took me approximately one more year from that day to get the magical "Yes", still the day was extremely important for me to make a comeback after being shot down the first time.

I watched her sitting in the corner of library. She had neatly arranged 5 pencils, 2 pens, 3 erasers, 1 blue marker, 2 black markers and 1 pink marker in front of her books- I could have completed my B.Tech and Ph.D (maybe double Ph.D) with that much of stationary. She fiddled with her hair- realized she was acting stupid, got conscious and looked around to see if anybody was watching. I quickly looked down to avoid being caught staring at her and started reading some text book that made no sense. Sadly, the book had to make sense soon, as I had my exam tomorrow- but then I looked above and got lost again.

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I asked her for one final time- give me your answer in yes or no. She was feeling strained- I've not decided yet. I don't care. Give me an answer. I'll go mad without an answer. Yes.- she said. I felt guilty of forcing her to say yes. But then I looked at her. A drop of tear appeared on corner of her eye. I thought of being the devil- to accept the yes that was said forcefully. How could I let her go? I'm sorry for forcing you to give an answer. Just was irritated as have waited for more than a year now for your answer. I'll be there for you. Take your time. I kicked myself atleast 1000 times while returning home that day.

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It was moonlit night. We hold hands while watching the stars. She rested her head on my shoulder. If somebody would have recorded the scene, the video could have been easily mistaken for SRK's next flick. Her face glowed in the moonlight. I watched her watching the moon. I just stared blankly at her. She suddenly looked at me. As an instant reaction I started looking towards left. She laughed. Now you can be caught staring at me. Though I will kill you if you're caught looking at somebody else.- came the first disclaimer of 1,34,234,123 more to come.

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I was standing on the stage with her. I felt that I looked like a complete fool especially with she standing on my right. I saw my parents and her parents standing together infront of us. I tried hard to wake myself from the beautiful dream- but it didn't work. Maybe it was really happening. I got the ring, bent on my left knee and asked- Will you marry me? She laughed- I need more time. I hastily put the ring on her ring finger. I can't make the same mistake I once did before.. We posed from the camera and the pic has been my wallpaper ever since.

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Few years back (Vadodra, Gujarat):

Hey Akshay! Look, my school, my mom shouted in joy. It was weird to see her clapping her hands like a small girl. For a 6 year old, mom is the most powerful person. She is the one who controls your destiny- from what you eat to what you wear to what you get beaten with. Seeing her acting like that confused me.
Come on ma! What a big deal! Just a building. That too in such a bad shape. Who likes the school anyway?
Mom mellowed down her excitement, but still stared at her school, seemingly lost in her thoughts and watched her school left behind as we drove through.
Hey why do you hate your school so much?
Ma! What is there to like about a school? Homework, Exercise, Wake up early, Dress, Punishment, Bullies- who in the world can love his school?
You'll realize some day.

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25 years later (Pune, Maharashtra):
(Life had moved on. I was working in a software firm. Married, settled. Ma was no more. But I knew she was still looking after me.)

Angel! Come on. Get ready for school. It's 8 a.m. already
Come on dad! Please let me sleep. I'm not going school today.
Angel, subah subah punishment chahiye kya? Chalo ready ho! Dress nikal di hai. And breakfast mein cornflakes khayenge. Jaldi!

I turned on the news. The headline said- "Today President will visit JK school in Kanpur and address students."
Angel angel! Come here. My school. See!
I was jumping with joy seeing my school in news footage.
Dad! She said, rubbing her eyes and looking confused - It's just a small building. What's the big deal?
I looked up facing the sky and said with a faint smile- You'll realize some day

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(Too much of a mushy story. Thought of deleting it, but then I'll post it anyways since I get very few opportunities to update this space now.)