THE CLIMAX

Episode 4: THE TURNING POINT

I woke up with full enthusiasm & energy since today we will reach our destination, Bangalore. I will pursue my path to achieve career goals & this is gona be a new start of my life. Uncle & Sunaina seemed equally excited, everybody was busy assembling scattered baggage. Nishant came to say goodbye to all of us as his station was prior to ours. I realised we never shared our contact details neither showed up any interest in being in touch in the future. I guess that’s a good sign for me.

“Disha, could you help me with the laptop bag & books?” Nishant asked the last favour. “Yes sure” How could I say no. Soon the train was inside the platform, he got down & kept all his belongings in one corner. While I passed down his last bag, he embraced me & our eyes stuck for half a minute. He wanted to say something & I wanted to hear from him but I could only hear my cell phone “Mama calling”. I had to receive her call before she starts panicking.

 “Beta where are you? How was your journey? What time you will reach? Call me from the station without fail. Blah Blah Blah” once a mother starts her concern no one can stop her. By the time I finished explaining her all the details of our journey, the train had left the station & there was no sign of “Mr Sorry”.

I couldn’t realize how time passed & how I starting feeling for a stranger. Uncle shook me out of my contemplation, “Hurry get down, we have reached Bangalore central. Coolie ko pakro (get the coolie)” Even after emptying the entire compartment, I felt I was forgetting something inside & kept cross-checking. “I guess I know what I was missing”. Inner voice

Just as I pulled out my mobile to make a call at home, my hands felt something inside my sling bag. It was the smiley bagde which Nishant had in his duffle bag & a small chit of paper. “Call me, I will be waiting (phone no below)” My heart stopped beating for a moment “Was I dreaming? Did he really meant it?”

“Why does it always happens with me, one moment I grab bliss the next moment it’s gone”. Before I could observe his number properly, a tough hand dragged me out of the train. “You are still inside, the coolie has already moved with our luggage, hurry up” Uncle pulled me so unexpectedly that the small chit slipped out of my hand into the railway track & I was blank. That’s the end of the story.

Somehow I am never going to forget this journey, the first bang, first zing in eyes, first heart throb, first crush or infatuation or love. Whatever it was, I was in seventh heaven for sometime.

Episode 5: CLIMAX

I was in Red stone studded Lehenga, wearing heavy gold jewellery & bridal makeup, encircled by my family & relatives.  Uncle kept his hand on my head & said “Its bidaai time” my entire family came hugging me. I could hear the whistle blowing & looked forward to see the train leaving. I paced up lifting my 20 kgs heavy Lehenga but the train took up speed.  At that point of time I saw a hand coming forward, I ran to grab it & the next moment I was pulled in. “Thank God, I didn’t miss the train this time, Raj” I spoke in a breathless voice. “It’s Nishant dear” was the reply. I looked up & saw  the same brown smiling eyes staring me with love. I was mummified & he shook me heavily. “Its getting late, wake up, wake up” I opened my eyes to see Sunaina shrieking my body hard. “You have just half an hour to get ready for the first day of college. Hope you don’t want to get late. My class starts in 10 minutes & I am leaving now.”

I was lying in my hostel room & Nishant was nowhere to be seen. “Oh, filmy dream, but nice” I laughed at my stupidity. Passed four days I tried keeping his thoughts out of my mind & concentrate in my career dream. In the next 20 minutes I was ready to soar high, with full confidence & exhilaration I entered the campus, it was full of genius minds floating here & there. “I am proud of myself to get admission in one of the best B-schools in the country. “ I congratulated myself.

There a middle aged gentleman, with geek specs helping freshers locate their classroom. I walked up to him, “1^st Year BBA classroom?”

He ogled at me as I looked much trendier than my counterparts in the campus & without a word pointed upstairs. Finally I could make up to the classroom just before the principle entered along with his PA (the geek glasses). I shared the front row as usual with two other scholarly ladies in spectacles & oiled hair.  The principle delivered mind boasting dosage for the next two hours continuously, post which we were given half an hour break to mingle with each other. I received a surprise Dairymilk from behind.  To my utter astonishment “Y...you, what are you doing here? I can’t believe this. You followed me till here?”

“Madam, I was waiting for this day, I knew earlier from your Uncle that we are in the same class. He asked me to take care of his beloved niece & I promised I will. I wanted to surprise you one more time” Nishant winked at me.

Life has enormous surprises stored for us but I guess I was the luckiest. Nishant & I had a lot of dreams in common & now our path is also common.  

Hope you can understand. “After all, it’s about love. Happy Ending” 

Episode 3: What's going on?

At 4.30 am I was awake by “Chaiya chaiya...coffee” noise. I leaned to look down two logs sleeping. The train had stopped in some station for quite some time. With heavy-eyes, I stepped down & out of the coach to get some fresh air. I saw a water tap & decided to splash some cold water to open my eyes properly & enjoy the misty panorama. The water was quite chilled but my delight came to a halt when I noticed the train was leaving without me. I was all alone in the platform & in tension my legs stopped moving. Somehow, I dragged myself but its pace was faster than mine. Just in time I felt someone pushed my back & the next moment I was inside the boogie. 

“Crazy lady! What where you doing outside at this hour? You would have missed the train. Luckily I was keeping an eye on you.” This line caught my attention. (Oh no not again)

“You! Mr sorry” I frowned. “Yes, me Nishant” Finally I got to know the name of the person who kept crashing, from the time I started the journey.

“Hi, Disha here. I thought of enjoying some early morning fresh air. But why were you, keeping an eye on me. Huh?” I questioned mounting my eyebrows.

He looked up to the ceiling & scratching his head replied with a coy smile. “Just like that”

Aww!  That was so cute, can’t say where this journey will end up but I was enjoying his company. Nishant offered me a cup of tea, we stood near the entrance & started chatting. That morning looked prettier than ever. We witnessed the sun rising in the meadow together & then I realised, I must go back to my seat before Uncle comes here searching me.

       I saw Uncle Niraj struggling with his VIP suitcase, which is his beloved marriage gift. Meanwhile Nishant kept strolling to & fro & finally the smart chap came to our seat & offered Uncle help. He looks slim but has strength, with a bang he opened the antique Pandora’s box. Very soon he gelled up with all in our compartment through his witty talks. We kept crashing our eyes & pretending not noticing each other.

       Soon it was lunch time, Uncle & Nishant got down in a station to buy Biryani. After 15 mins Uncle returned with hot & spicy Biryani however Mr Sorry was missing. “Where is Nishat, you two had gone out together?” I enquired out of concern, as the train started leaving the station. “Oh, he stopped by to purchase some magazine, he must be somewhere in the train by now.” Uncle replied with full concentrate in the Biryana parcel.

       By 5 pm, my anxiety gave way & I got down from upper berth to look around since there was no sign of Nishant. I went searching next two compartments & realized “He missed the train”. I came to my seat with a dreary face & out of the blue my eyes brightened to see the brown eyes winking at me. “Where were you so long I thought you missed the train” my concern.

       He clasped my hands, before Uncle& Sunaina could notice towed me to the fifth compartment. “I met some of my old friends. “ He introduced me to four of his school time buddies. They were all very jovial just like Nishant. One of his friends disclosed “Nishant was discussing a lot about a girl with dark eyes, cute smile, silky hair & innocent face.”

 “His Girlfriend?” I asked curiously  

“This girl has done some magic on my friend with her charisma. He is planning to woo her soon.” “Our studious friend has fallen for a fairy.” Everybody cracked out in laughter in the cabin & Nishant was blushing big time. He also shared that his dream girl was his classmate & as ambitious as him.

I lighten myself, ”whatever happens, happens for good. Atleast I can focus on my career now.” I was happy in one way for Nishant as no girl can say “No” to him. 

Episode 2- THE CONFRONT

“What happen, Disha” Uncle Niraj asked in a confused tone.

“Manual accident with a fellow passenger.” A sarcastic reply

 “Where is my seat?” I enquired to avoid further discussion.

“Upper berth” Sunaina answered pointing her index finger.

 “Oh no, I have a fear of falling down from the upper bunk. But do I have an option?” I murmured.

Soon it was lunch time & my stomach started grumbling. Uncle Niraj took out a bag full of edibles specially prepared by Aunty for the journey. She packed poori, sabji & acchar, a typical Indian cuisine, in disposable box.

“Wow that looks delicious” Sunaina grabbed her box & passed one to me. While I was adjusting my area to eat, a weighty duffle bag banged on my back & my food packet was all on the filthy floor. “Idiot, don’t you have eyes” I screamed & expected an apology. But the rude passenger was too busy amending his luggage & didn’t bother even to turn back & look what he has done.

“Don’t worry dear, we have an extra packet” Uncle consoled me & handed a packet.

I snatched & started gobbling as my hunger & anger were both at the peak.  After few minutes, unstoppable hiccups started as I am not use to spicy food.

“Drink some water” Sunaina passed me the bottle. In haste it slipped out from my hand & rolled back to the cabin behind me. I turned around to grab it & “Boom” head on collision. For few seconds I was blank and then I opened my eyes to see the unthinkable.

“Sorry, sorry are you ok?” The same husky voice spoke to me. This time I could observed his brown eyes with a zing, sharp nose & scanty beard, gelled hair. He was tall, had an athlete figure wore light blue T-shirt & Denim. 

“Control yourself, Disha” my inner voice. I totally forgot the pain.

He came close & gentle banged my head again. “Uh, I am really sorry for that time too, while adjusting my luggage...

“It’s ok” I replied before he could complete his sentence & retrieved back with the bottle. While everyone around us were staring this drama.

I looked at my watch & it was 10 ’O’ clock at night. We already finished our supper.  I bend down my berth to see Uncle & Sunaina were on their respective bed with blankets on. I continued reading my book. “Darling, you still have two more boring days to come” again my inner voice mocked me.  The train was running as though there is a fire behind, I had to grasp the wire mesh partition, separating my berth from the other side upper berth & couldn’t read further. Just then I felt warm fingers touching mine. I sprang up to scold the loafer & “Oh no, not again”.

“Sorry sorry, I didn’t mean to do this. By mistake my hands touched yours. This is the fourth time I am sorry. I am not doing anything intentionally”. He spoke in one breathe & I didn’t know how to react. I just gestured with a smile. (Can’t help this time). I pulled my blanket, prayed & closed my eyes trying to sleep. I could hear some classic romantic songs played from the other side, which made me fall in sweet dreams.

                                                     To be cntd...

THE HEART HAS REASONS BEYOND MIND’S CONTROL

Prologue-

Bollywood has influenced youngsters since time immemorial, may it be in style, action, power, romance or thrill we often relate to them. Disha, the protagonist & narrator in my story, is one such eighteen year old teenage from a small district in Assam, who is a poet, dreamer, loves romantic movies, wants to fly high, be independent & believes in love at first sight. Of course every adolescent undergoes such swing & phases of change in life.  At an early age of twelve she lost her father & since then she was serious about life, no hanky- panky business & focused in becoming an entrepreneur & shove north-east to development. Due to her brilliant academic record, her mother decided to send her to the best Business school in Bangalore. And here begins her journey to a new chapter of life.
Episode-1

Onset of a new journey 

The blue lady was getting ready to take hundreds of aspiring students to their destination & I was one among them. Uncle Niraj, a chirpy, chubby man & my cousin Sunaina, an equally plump girl, already entered & grabbed their seats while I was hugging & kissing my mother & little brother, Sameer. This was the first time in my life I would be without my family. Sunaina & I got admission in the same college but different streams. Since childhood we were together & she was more of a friend then cousin.

I heard the whistle blew & the train started moving. With teary eyes we bade goodbye till it all turned blurred.  As I sadly turned to open the door of my 3-tier AC compartment, a heavy figure bumps me along with luggage from outside the coach entrance.

“Thank God, I didn't miss the train this time. I am sorry Miss. Did I hurt you?” a husky voice spoke to me.  I could just notice his sparkling brown eyes looking straight into my watery eyes, the strong musky smell grasp my breath & I felt his heart hammering against mine. Before I could respond, Uncle Niraj was knocking from inside the glass door & signalled me to come in immediately. 

                                                to be continued...

 Of Note: This is my first attempt to put the imaginary world in writings. Lately, I have developed an interest in capturing small events, I see around or imagine, in paper either through art or writing. Hope you enjoyed this episode, I will be writing soon what happened next. Until then keep your heart throbbing with love &affection.