I JUST KNEW ! Part 14

It was early morning and I wasn’t able to sleep from quite some time, I checked my mobile It was displaying - 4:00 AM Aug 2^nd and I felt Oh no my holidays are over, I need to leave back to Hyderabad and join office from tomorrow, The same old boring office no idea which new project would have been started and I need to startup all over again with the planning and programming, having a job in IT industry is so pathetic at times, no idea how people manage to continue for years, maybe it’s the salary part that interest me, or maybe not. My manager could have done something to improve my rating this year I could have got a better hike. After so much of hard work we put, no idea what happens at the Appraisal meeting. I keep trying to add my data -list of things I have done for the team, and explaining them, however they win when it’s about convincing.

             All we want is to keep ourselves busy and be it any industry the patterns are always same we can’t stay jobless. We work  just to be occupied and they make us overburdened and then we get little time with our life. Over all there is no work life balance

The alarm started at 6 :00 AM and it halted the saga of thoughts running in my head.

I guess I need to join some classes for peace of mind.  

Day passed too fast, and we packed and left for Hyderabad along with lots of homemade sweets and pickles from aunt Snehal.

As always I felt too lazy to wake up next day, yet I joined office on time concluding the day we had an all hands meeting and it energized us with some appetizers, then.. I left home early taking a sharing cab to home.
 While I was going home I got multiple texts from Sumedh. They were pictures we took at their residence day before, back in Warangal. Haa… it was a fun vocation I thought I scrolled up and found a text which caught my eyes

7689$$8765 – that’s Sanskar mobile number :-P

And I clicked on the number a popup message appeared which said call 7689$$8765 I selected it, My heart started pounding soon and I dropped the call before its status could reach ringing from dialing. Well I had a very little courage to do that I convinced myself.

            Mom was happy to see me early we cooked dinner together, and had a really long chat about many topics and lots of gossips about our other relatives and neighbors. Dad reached home by 9 and I started plating and serving the dinner. Dad spoke about politics, his office work and then they spoke about few distance relatives and matches which they have suggested for me.

I dint find any of the profiles much interesting. 

Dad said “would you like to meet any of them”. I was wondering for an answer and replied “If you are interested dad, I will definitely meet them.”

I checked my messages before leaving to bed there was a missed call from a number as looked in again I felt the number was familiar and soon I checked my call logs and found it was sanskar’s number I wondered May be the call was connected before I could hung.

I gave multiple thoughts on calling back and to tell

“Oops sorry it was a wrong number” ahhh may be that would not sound apt

“Hi I actually got this number from a friend of mine . May I know who is this ” wow

Shreya you got a number without the owner of the number which friend would do that?

“May I know who is this I have a missed call with this number” then he may ask I got a call first ..

“My friend used my phone to ring you I guess” and which friends name are you going to give shreya

After too much of ifs and buts I left the thought of calling back and slept.

I JUST KNEW ! Part 13

28^th July

It’s always weird to be surrounded by people who are mostly from your community and you certainly, have no clue how they are related to you. I guess this happens to most of us who are not good with memory, I mean…it really feels awkward, when they say Oh dear you have grown so tall, you know you were so small (They actually explain you your height from the floor making a gesture with their palm facing down) when I met you last time. We need to fix someone for you, I hope your parents are looking out for a groom don’t you worry we’ll find a nice guy for you.

 And all the while you wonder who this Aunty/ Uncle are who is worried about my marriage.

I was at a housewarming function of a family friend who was closely related to Uncle Shivendra as the family was invited we too joined them for lunch. I met a childhood friend there, Sahiti.

Actually we bumped into each other at that function and she started

“Hey you remember me? Where are you these days I mean where are you working? You know I got a job at Patni computers in Bhubaneswar. I just came for my vocations it’s so good to see you”

I had a big smile all the while. Sahiti was actually Sumedh’s class mate and we often used to play together whenever we visited Sumedh’s place for my summer vocations. All those child hood memories actually started flashing in my head. We had a really long conversation at lunch and as we concluded she invited me home. I promised to visit her place.

Sakshi came up to call me “Didi we are about to leave?” And she noticed Sahiti there, “Hey Sahiti ….how are you? You have completely stopped visiting us, and you have completely forgotten me”

“Nothing as such, I just got busy with my schedules and I barely come to Warangal now” replied Sahiti.

As Sahiti was answering we were walking down stairs to the main gate of the house as we reached we saw Sumedh and rest of the family waiting for us. For a moment I noticed there were uncomfortable exchange of looks between Sahiti and Sumedh and both didn’t greet each other. Sahiti did a Namaste to rest of the family and avoided looking at Sumedh for the second time. However we soon left.

When we reached home I pinched Sumedh asking him about Sahiti. As per my knowledge she was his best friend for long time, and now what went wrong?

“You couldn’t say a hello to your longtime friend, it was you who introduced me to Sahiti right ?” I said.

“I have some work Shreya, I’ll see you in the night. “said sumedh wearing a jacket.

“Looks like someone is trying to escape from answering the questions.

 Anyway I just wanted to ask, how long will your “Some work” is going to take? As Sakshi and I have planned to go out to KFC, I know it’s your favorite hangout place however if you cannot manage to join, It’s alright” I said and smiled.

I had already invited Sahiti to join us I thought and I had a strong feeling Sumedh is surely going to come along at least for some fried chicken, I knew that Sumedh had a huge crush on Sahiti also was in relationship with her as he used to discuss a lot about her, and of course I had my other sources (Sakshi) to give me all the remaining details. All I wanted was to fix some missing pieces.

On the way back Sakshi had explained me that they had a fight when Sumedh was supposed to leave to Bangalore 2 years ago and since then they never spoke to each other.

In the evening while, I along with Sahiti and Sakshi were sitting at KFC planning what all to order, I got a message from Sumedh

“You guyz at KFC ? my work is completed can I join you people ”.

I replied “of course , we are about to order ” It was all a bit dramatic I passed my mobile to Sakshi to check messages from Sumedh. It was all planned by both of us that we are going to make these two ( Sumedh and Sahiti) meet each other without their prior knowledge.

Within 10 mins Sumedh entered the restaurant, we found him wandering at the entrance looking at every table to find us. Sakshi stood up, waving her hand and soon Sumedh noticed her as Sumedh was moving towards us he slowed down his steps finding Sahiti along with us.

Sahiti too felt a little uncomfortable and asked me “You dint tell me that Sumedh is going to join us”

I replied “I just got his message. I replied him that me and Sakshi are at KFC, I dint knew he would be joining us.” I replied.

As soon as Sumedh reached our table I gave a signal to Sakshi we both stood “Why don’t you sit and talk to your best friend as we go and order, by the way what do you want” I smiled at Sumedh he was looking very serious or maybe he was angry and he said nothing, I continued “All right I will get a meal for you both” and we walked towards the counter.

As we were ordering we peeped twice to check what these two were up to however nothing seemed working as  both of them kept calm, we reached back to the table and started eating they copied us without uttering a word.

 Then I said “So Sumedh, hows your girlfriend you should have invited her too here, we could have had some introduction”

It worked Sahiti was shocked and started staring at Sumedh and was waiting for answer.

Sumedh was startled “What, who huhh”. Sakshi helped me “I am sorry brother, Shreya was asking me continuously so I just spilled it out.. Sorry”

It was now fun to observe expressions of both Sumedh and Sahiti, they were as if talking to each other without words, Sahiti eyes went red and all of a sudden she started tearing.

We assumed that things have worked now. And yes they did Sumedh said “Sahiti they are just joking, trust me” to which she replied in a very melodramatic way “Ofcourse there is nothing and even if there is somebody why should I be bothered, you have anyway forgotten me completely you couldn’t even call me or ……”

There was a pause

“I couldn’t call you …. I called you, You never took my call” said Sumedh in disgust.

“Yeah and how many times did that happen? You gave like 4 calls and done, that’s all you could have waited, Any ways like always it was my fault I should have said sorry .. And yes I am sorry .. Happy now ……………. Go enjoy with your girl friend whom so ever she is ” Yelled Sahiti and stood to leave.

I held Sahiti’s hand to stop her and made her sit saying “There is no girlfriend I made this story, and now that you both spoke to each other please continue the conversation properly ” I paused to see her reaction she was trying to calm herself now “Sahiti, trust me you need this I am not asking you both to patch up, but just talk ”

I stood asking Sakshi to come along on another table. We both moved to a distance and started continuing to have our snack we observed that there was pretty serious conversation going on between these two Sahiti cried then spoke and then again cried. I thought wow this is going so emotional and asked Sakshi “what do you think is things going to work between these two?”

She said “I am not sure didi, But yes Sumedh still loves this girl for sure, Because he always did used to keep himself updated about Sahiti’s where about from her relatives or friends”

Things appeared like are going to take further time, we ordered some more chicken and called up Sakshi’s mom asking not to prepare dinner for us and loaded ourselves with more chicken. After one and half an hour these two moved to our table their expressions appeared good.

I asked “What?”

They both looked at each other and Sahiti said “Thanks for everything Shreya,You have no clue what you have done I always wanted a chance to speak to him and clear these things may be it was my ego stopping me to do that.” And she hugged me.

Sumedh said “I am taking her to KRV mall. And yes Thanks” and he winked.

It was nice to see these love buds back on track.

As Sumedh and Sahiti got onto Sumedh’s Bike, Sumedh smiled and said “I guess I have a gift for you, and I am sure you would love it ” and they left.

Within another 30 min’s I got a message from Sumedh, While Sakshi and I were about to reach home.

Sumedh:

7689$$8765 – that’s Sanskar mobile number :-P

 It took me whole day to get that. Make sure you don’t waste the energy and time I invested. :D

I JUST KNEW ! Part 12

“Okay Shreya, I guess that explains everything you can stop now”  Said Sumedh in a very peculiar manner.

“I dint understand, what do you want to say? ” I enquired.

“Well I have seen you first time eating chilly chicken with kheer (dessert made up of milk and rice), you see the tomato sauce is almost 1.5 inch beside it …. Ammm in your plate” and he laughed. “You know you are completely out of your mind, now tell me whom you met recently in the party.”

I gave him a weird expression looking at the sky and shaking my head. He kept laughing.

Sakshi added “Didi is everything alright you look a bit lost?”

Everyone was enjoying the lavish dinner, while I was constantly waiting for something to happen without having the slightest clue of it. That feeling of being bamboozled was weird I just wanted something good to happen which could lift my mood, I was all of a sudden feeling low when we started having dinner. May be it was a mood swing.

Sakshi shook me again “Didi are you all right?” I said “Yes I am fine; I am just not feeling hungry.”  I had no clue what had got into me, after I saw Sanskar.  I was feeling partially lost, a bit upset and guilty. Sakshi was trying hard to lift my mood “Didi I think we should try some different starters or  Chaaat there is a pani puri counter lets go there..”

And I nodded, we went to the pani puri counter and I had a few pani puri. Sakshi asked me again “Didi what is it? I heard that the marriage proposal with Sanskar was called off. Is that bothering you?” For a moment I felt as if she is reading my mind. I took some time and then  spoke “Yes may be that is the reason, and I am the reason that the proposal was called off.”

“I do not understand, it was all from his family right?

and when did they ask for your opinion?

 I have heard your dad saying that he was waiting for their response before he would ask you for your opinion. ” Said Sakshi as we were moving back to the table where all our family members were seated for dinner.

“I will explain while we go back home ” I felt someone listening me standing just behind, I turned to find Sumedh standing there “How come are you here I demanded. ” Sumedh pointed his plate it had 3 sets of dahi wadas ( North indian snack)  and said “I got another two plates for you two, try they are good.”  I picked one and started munching on hoping he hasn’t heard anything we spoke earlier. However I was wrong “So we three are going in the same car back, I want to know what’s wrong with my favorite cousin, and I don’t want to see her upset. Especially when she is looking so gorgeous”  Sumedh said having his Dahiwada.

I said “Okay! but it should be among three of us, please…as mom and dad know nothing about it.”

He said “You can trust me with that Shreya, You already have too many secrets of mine you can blackmail me if needed, Just let me know if I need to punch that Sanskar’s face,

 did he hurt you? "

I said “NO, He dint do anything. I just want to talk to him once.”

Both of them gave me a shocking look, “Really, but why … or what ?” Said Sumedh.

I curved my lips and raised my shoulder “I don’t know exactly, But I just want to talk to him.”

“Okay then let me think a bit, I feel I can plan out something.” he said confidently.

We completed dinner soon and it was time for us to leave to home. Sumedh said to his dad “Papa I just need to talk to a friend I just met can you people wait ?”

His dad asked “how long will it take.”

He replied “Just another 30 mins .”

Uncle Shivendra looked at Sakshi who was eating an ice cream and said “Okay then I will take your mom and uncle aunty along with me. You get these two girls home safely. ”

“Sure” said Sumedh.  As our parents left Sumedh asked us to sit at the same table for sometime and left, He appeared with Sanskar with in another 15 mins and as he approached us he said “Lets go girls, Sanskar said he would help us to take out our car from parking.”

I was all cold and numb as we started walking towards the parking lot, there were too many Cars and vehicles parked. Sumedh and Sakshi were walking just beside me while, we were following Sanskaar who was walking in front of us at a distance.

“What’s the number of vehicle ” Sanskar asked looking at us, “Its AP09  aa there is it ” sumedh said pointing his finger towards a random direction, Sanskar started looking at the same direction soon Sumedh murmured in my ears. “Now go and talk to him, we are going to move ahead”

and he took Sakshi arm and walked  in front of me  crossing Sanskaar. This time Sanskar followed them and I started walking just behind Sanskar.

My heart was pounding.. it was beating too fast for an instant I thought to hold his hand to stop him. But I never did have so many guts. I just kept looking at his face while he was consistently looking forward.

I wanted the saga to continue for a really long period. However soon we reached our vehicle and Sanskar called up a guard to drive it out of the parking lot there were few other vehicles hindering the route, somehow the guard managed it to pull out.

I got another 2 mins with Sanskar as we walked out of the parking area, I gathered all my energy and somehow managed to say “Sanskar”.  He turned towards me and I was frozen again.

 Mean while Sakshi and Sumedh got into the Car and I was wondering what went wrong, I was supposed to say something, I had enough time and I couldn’t find guts to speak out. Then I thought but what did I want to say to him. May be I want to be friends with him. Or I want to explain him that I never wanted him to say no to the proposal. May be it all went wrong, can we meet once and restart again afresh.

They were waiting for me. Sanskaar moved to the driver seat where Sumedh was seated and shook hands with him saying “I hope you all enjoyed the dinner.”

Sumedh said “Shreya please get into the car”  and all three looked at me. I got into the car, Sanskar checked and closed the door of car again which wasn’t properly, and moved to a distance waving his hand I kept staring him doing nothing.

Sumedh drove us all the way back, none of them questioned me. I was calm throughout till I reached home. We went to Sakshi’s room and after changing, I got into the bed. Sakshi was trying to ask something “Didi are you..”  I interrupted her and said “Good night Sakshi. I am very tired let’s talk tomorrow.” And I covered my face with a blanket, so that she couldn’t figure out that I wasn’t sleeping.

 However I fell asleep pretty early and when I was awake it was already 7:00 AM. I checked Sakshi and Sumedh were still asleep I rushed to my mom’s room with my pair of clothes and got ready as every morning mom and aunt used to leave for temple I joined them and left.

Aunt Snehal said “This is so nice shreya of you. You are very religious, why don’t you teach something to your sister. Sakshi never listens, whenever I ask her to come along for temple visit, she never wakes up early in first case.”

My mom wasn’t able to digest all of that. She added “ It’s nothing like that may be this girl was in a mood of going to temple today she too never wakes up early on a holiday be it for temple or any other reason”

I said “Mom is right Aunty ji ” and smiled thinking I am here so that I could just escape the questions from Sumedh and Sakshi. Sakshi may not ask me much but Sumedh, he planned a lot yesterday for me. He is definitely going to demand me why I didn’t use the opportunity well.

We visited four temples, The Ganesh temple and then the Durga Mata temple, a small Shiva temple which were near to each other then we had to walk for around 1.5 KM to reach Radhe-Krishna Mandir  which was Big and Very beautiful there was a huge crowd certainly because it was a Sunday. We offered our prayers and spent some time at every temple performing the rituals. It was such a peace of mind Visiting these places I felt as if I became calmer from inside and was at solace however that was all going in my head as we started back to home I felt too hungry we reached home at 10:30 and I thought we haven’t cooked anything yet what am I going to eat we had lot of Prasad with us but we had to share it with everyone back home so I cannot start munching on it.

 As we reached home we found Dad and Uncle Shivendra arranging plates with fruits and Masala Dosa (they got it parceled from nearby tiffin center) for breakfast and that was second time I understood what is peace of mind.

My mobile kept beeping while I was having my breakfast, I picked it up as soon as I completed my breakfast. All those messages were from Sumedh.

7:45

Where are you ?

8:16

Oh the mice has run away with his mom

10:00

Someone was about to tell what happened last night. She can forget, I remember every question I had in my mind.

10 40

I hope you are going to talk after the breakfast

10:41

Eat EAT … …

I looked at sumedh, He gave me a wink and pointed his thumb towards Sakshi’s room. Oh I cannot escape now I thought.

We moved to Sakshi’s room and gathered lazily on the bed Sakshi said “Now its only 3 of us can we hear the whole story ?” Sumedh added “from the beginning”

I narrated them how I met Sumit and my love story which lasted for 3 years and how the day I met Sanskar for the first time was messy and full of confusion.

“So now Sumit is married, he tricked you all the while, huhh??” came from Sumedh.

“I don’t know, May be or may be not you are listening the story from my end. I would definitely be biased to my part right?” I said.

“But didi, This means Sanskar was misguided he dint knew that you already went through the breakup” concluded Sakshi.

“Hmm, but what if he genuinely dint like me and called off that proposal. That can happen right and now I don’t find that it would help even if he knew. He would think I am just playing around. And moreover he might be seeing someone else. There is possibility for anything” I replied.

“And you dint even utter a word last night after Sanskar appeared. Did you ?” Sumedh said.

I nodded

“So what was wrong, why dint you talk, and whatwas it you wanted to tell him that you broke up with summit and you are single it was a confusion you couldn’t clear that day.” Sumedh said

“May be I wanted to say all of that. But I couldn’t. I was numb yesterday” I said feeling disheartened again.

“Shreya what do you want now, what exactly is going on in your head?” Sumedh asked me.

 “I don’t know how to put this but I feel, I am falling for Sanskar.” I felt as if I realized it only when Sumedh was questioning me, and it just came out of my mouth.

I JUST KNEW ! Part 11

25^th July

It was 4:00 PM, I looked at my watch, standing outside a meeting room, inside my office I wondered how long would it take for my boss to complete his call. I was waiting to inform him that I need to leave early today as we have to take a bus which was around 6: 30 PM. I was thinking about the luggage packing part. It was like 7 to 8 times my mom reminded me to pack everything last day, Haa lazy me. I even need to buy a mascara and a little dark shade lip gloss and Sakshi has demanded to get so many other cosmetics along with a T shirt no idea when I am going to buy all of them.

Sudheer finally opened the door of the room and enquired “Yes Shreya, Anything Urgent?”

I replied “Sudheer, I have bus at 6 PM . I need to leave early today I am planning to leave right away I have a few pending items to be done. Can I ?”

As usual my boss was not convinced by that “But you are on planned leave from tomorrow for around 8 to 9 days I suppose and you want to leave early today?”

He made an angry Bull dog face, I gave him cute puppy face. He finally said “OK fine, Go but I am not accepting any … any… not even a single leave apart from those you applied the vocation are not allowed to get extended.”

I said “Sure sir.” Well that puppy face always works I thought.

I reached a nearby mall and picked up random 3 tops and then went to health and glow for the cosmetics. I Made a bill of 7000/- that was huge when I saw the items in my basket I felt damn why are cosmetics this costly. I asked the owner “Don’t we get anything for free or any % discount on this much bill.” He was smiling then describing a lot about the product quality trying to convince me that the amount of products are reasonable. However I won at the end of the discussion I could get a body lotion medium pack, a stole and a pair of earring for free.

As I reached home, it was 6 PM dad and mom were already ready with luggage and tiffin boxes in the cab we booked, to the bus stand. I rushed to my room ignoring all that my mom was shouting about the delay, She came along I threw all the items in the bag which was partially packed by mom she was saying “I have already added three party wear dresses 2 saree and your t shirts and pajamas ”

Then I said “what about comb, tooth brush and my daily kit? And yes the jewelries ” The angry expression of mom face explained everything it took another 3 mins to pack the rest of the items and I couldn’t change my dress I had to join the cab right away dad locked the door behind with final checks of gas cylinder knob and other switches and doors.

While mom kept shouting about my last min rush, I took out my phone and updated on FB –“On the way to Warangal.. time for vocation” and texted Sakshi

We've started from home meet you for dinner tonight sweetie, do update me what all we are going to have in dinner lolz.:)

We reached Sakshi’s Place at around10: 40 PM. It was changed a bit yet the same old rituals Snehal Aunty first pour some oil at the door steps and then we were allowed to go in. As soon as I went in I hugged Aunt Snehal and then both my cousins Sumedh  and Sakshi who started bugging me as soon as we hugged. “What did you get for me? Which color T shirt... did you forget ?” and so on…

We had a superb authentic south Indian dinner on a banana leaf. There is something about these banana leaves they enhance the taste of food I feel. Later on I moved to Sakshi’s room though it was 2 AM in the morning I had to unpack my bag and show her everything I shopped that day and our gossips & discussion about what to wear for the marriage function next day continued till morning 5 AM.

I had no clue at what time exactly I slept, I felt like it was a rainy day and I am in my dream, I could feel a cold breeze of air, and then all of a sudden there was drizzling I was trying hard to find shelter and still I was getting drenched and then I heard in loud voice.

“You idiot, stop it …AAAAAAA I’ll Kill you” soon I realized it was a familiar voice, I tried hard to open my eyes it was Sakshi shouting at Sumedh who was pouring water from the sprinkler on both of us.

“Your mom said you always wake up at around 6 30 AM, its 11 AM.  Ma and aunty are making lunch already and you guyz are soooo sleepy” he was laughing on both of us.

“Holiday effect” I said “We will be ready in no time, thanks for waking us”.

Sakshi and Sumedh kept quarrelling. While I moved to the washroom.

I had a really lazy day post lunch either I was talking to the family spending leisure time or watching TV soon it was evening and we had to start getting dressed up for the marriage event. Though my dad gave us a dead line of 7:00 PM we were not able to be completely ready by 8:00 PM. While Sakshi wore a pink color ghagra I decided to wear a multi colored Saree with similar bangles and simple jewelry. We shared both cosmetics and jewelries I borrowed her Jhumkas  which were going good with the combination. I applied some make up and soon Sakshi was waiting for me to do her make up. It was fun to use all those cosmetics, I was using all those statements which the “Health and glow” Showroom owner told me to describe the quality and my taste of cosmetics that I bought for her.

There were 2 Taveras ready for us we slipped into the middle seat of one and started chatting. I was complimenting Sakshi’s  and sumedh was teasing both of us saying “we are late all because of you two and you both are not even bothered ”

It was true we weren’t we dint even check if my mom or Sakshi’s mom or dad got seated or what they have wore we continued our discussions “You look stunning Sakshi, you know I like these baby pink and peach color they are making such good combinations” I said

While Sakshi replied “didi you have no clue you are looking gorgeous, we need 2 bodygaurds for you , So that no boys follow you from the party ” and we were giggling. While Sumedh turned the volume of radio to high to get rid of our non-sense discussions.

We reached the venue in half an hour. As we gathered inside there was crowd of people few families were having dinner few were just sitting, most of the people were gathering near the newly wedded couple for photographs , Uncle Shivendra (Sakshi’s dad) Asked us to go to the stage get some picture clicked along with family and give away the gift wishing them as we were already late he dint want to wait further.

We all moved towards the stage as we were getting close to our turn, Sakshi’s said “Didi , look at your right Sanskaar … he is looking at you.”

For a moment I felt my hands went numb. I turned towards my right and found Sanskar in Cream colored kurta and dark blue jeans with a tika on his fore head. He was looking very smart. My heart skipped a beat.

It was only 5 second of eye contact and then he turned his face towards the couple. I moved ahead we greeted the couple , took pictures and gave away the gift while coming down from the stage I found myself looking in different directions just to have another glimpse of Sanskar.

I thought “God those 5 secs of eye contact !!!!!”