The waves

‘thankfully, atleast you are by my side’ – Laveena looked at the sea waves that dashed the shores on a warm summer evening.

She'd often appreciated the dusky summer evenings than winter and rainy days.

Breathing deeply a breeze of air -  ‘its only You that make me feel….’

‘Romantic ..?’ – Gaurav was watching the shore as well, sitting at a slight distance from her. He thought she was talking to him.

Startled at his reply - ‘oh..I…I think I was…’ after a pause ‘little..lost’ – she covered up with a grin

‘oops…sorry..never mind’ – he apologized; realizing things. He too was kind of... Lost in thoughts!

Both Gaurav and Laveena were strangers to each other. That evening somehow they happened to be in the same state of mind, and were looking for some peace...which they felt, they would find by the sea..

**** 

 Not too late from then, neither too far from Laveena and Gaurav..

‘you hurt me. I don’t want to talk to you’ – cried the girl

‘No. it was You who hurt me! You are a liar’ – came another cry..this time..of a boy

’but I got the game from my brother’ - girl

‘and you ditched me, did not play at all!’ – boy, sounding serious.

‘but you liked the game a lot right, moreover Ishaan and Vikrant were also with you?’ – girl, confused.

‘I wanted to play with you! Just that!’ – he sulked.

‘ but I borrowed from bhaiyaa..just for you..’ – she explained, continuing ‘ and I had a lot of Math assignment to complete – I realized late..i will get a remark from my teacher if I did not complete it’ – she continued getting a tad emotional.

‘I too had my home-work to do. I completed it and came just to play with you!’ – he said, continuing -

‘you are just giving reasons! Anyways, I will buy a game of my own and play with Anup’s gang’

‘okay..do whatever you want. My brother owns the game, I will play with him and his friends..you are not my best friend any more’ – she retaliated.

‘you think without you I cannot do anything! Go..go to your brother and other friends..I don’t want a friend like you....forget being a ‘best friend’’- he revolted back.

.....-  ‘kaheen na kaheen kuch na kuch toh kar hi loonga’ - he grumbled ... as they turned away from each other

 ****

the boy's last line, rather dramatic, made Laveena chuckle..it was too heavy a dialog for a 10-ish year old boy. ‘aaj kal ke bachche’ – she commented - ‘wherever he learnt that dialog from’ - and shrugged

Gaurav, who too was watching silently, did not reply. might be another slip of her thoughts!. He dint want to embarrass himself by responding this time. They continued watching…

****** 

..Near the shore, the little girl involved herself in designing the castle she had planned with her ‘best friend’ – all by herself now. They had almost reached their favourite spot to build this, together, but because they had picked up a row on some old issue, they decided to part ways and build it individually

The boy, never to give up, started digging up sand to build one – of his own..at a distance not too far from the girl.

She had laid a beautiful design for the castle, however her tiny hands struggled to grasp the sand and build it.

  He, on the other hand, managed to dig out enough of the material, but struggled on where to start from for he knew, she knew it better. 

None spoke. Both were determined. They glared a couple of times at each other, and then turned away - pretending to be busy building their own stuff

****

Both Laveena and Gaurav – still silent, considered helping the kids, but then a series of ‘what if’s…?’ held them back. None had enough experience with handling kids. It felt safe to play mute spectators instead, considering the intense mood the kids were in!

****

The little boy and girl gave one more glare at each other, when suddenly out of the blues, a terrible wave gushed in and washed away her design and his heap of sand. She turned to watch in dismay, he shriveled.

‘Damn-it!’ – Gaurav jolted instantly! Laveena could not speak - her own thoughts crossed each other, of course, she was relating to something else – something – rather someone she was on the verge of losing...

*****
The kids looked helplessly at each other for a moment..

Should I go pacify them? A chocolate would do? Or some funny cartoon-story? Or consider patching each other up? – thoughts of the same frequency were now ran in both Gaurav and Laveena’s minds...the silent spectators felt for them..

But before they could come to a decision, a sudden turn of events  –

***** 

‘bas..phir aisa nahi hoga – tu wahaan par design laga.. - announced the boy, clearly determined, pointing to a safer place where waves were not likely to touch –  ‘ye paani apne aapko kya samajhta hai’ - he started digging up the sand once again.

‘haan..aur yeh le’ – as she picked up a broken piece of wood. ‘is par apna mitti daal…koi leher tera kuch nahi bigaad sakta’ – she responded, as they teamed up instantly.

[Engrossed in their task ..]

‘I am very sorry…shaayad meri galti thi..main tujhe thoda pehle bata deti na’ – the girl said meekly.

‘nahi re…tera Maths weak hai na..its okay’ – he smiled back assuring her there was no war between them.

‘tu Anup ki gang ke saath khelne jaayega?’

‘areey pagli..main kyun jaaun..hum dono ko Anup pasand nahi hai na ' .. keeping her engaged...mai tere ghar hi aaunga..Sunday ko khelenge..Vikrant aur Ishaan bhi hai na.’ – as they continued their Sunday plans until a beautiful castle was built up – no wave could touch it...the kids jumped out of sheer excitement at their task accomplished

‘humne iske liye kitni planning ki thi na..Finally ban gaya’ – there was joy twinkling in their eyes. There was joy in two other pair of eyes too…

‘agar hum phir se friends nahi bante toh ye kabhi nahi banta na’ – the girl realized.

‘aise kaise nahi banne deta..hum dono humesha se best friends the’ – finally declaring ‘I am also sorry na’... adding rather precociously  - 'humaara dream-castle zyada important tha, ladaai nahi' - not realizing he had struck 2 chords directly, unbeknown to him

'ab chal ...bigaad humara ghar' - the boy mocked at the sea waves that was far from touching their dream-house.

****

…. the fight? – seemed like they had never happened. It was just the castle and the gut to confront the wave, together,  that had mattered, above all.

 ‘kaash koi camera ya mobile hota humare paas..ek photo le lete’ – as they still stood admiring their creation.

At this, both Gaurav and Laveena, not giving a second thought, sprang up, caught hold of a tourist photographer who was wandering around, and fulfilled the kids wish - ‘is photo ke peeche apna naam aur aaj ki date likh dena, theek hai na?’ – Gaurav instructed to the kids, and they nodded obediently.

The elders’ presence was felt for a short time – for the kids were still in the amazement of fulfilling their dream.

****

It grew little darker. The kids were returning happy..holding each others hands..

Laveena had found her answer – and turned to Gaurav – who somehow shared the same frequency with her that evening. They exchanged a brief smile, and Laveena, parted her way...

For one last time she turned back to look at the happy kids, with a gratitude on her face – ‘aaj kal ke bachche’ and walked towards her car to return to where she had packed her bags from – picking out the separation papers, and crushing them - this was not the solution. a small wave of brawl did not mean the end!

All she wanted to do, was just hug her husband, and remind him of the dreams they had shared together...she knew he was still waiting for her...

 ***

After some time…

****

With the kids and the young lady gone, Gaurav, who was playing his cool all the while, instantly dialled – 

‘Puja....listen. ..i know kuch dinon se humaare beech, kuch galat ho raha hai.. lekin i have realized..it was never about me against you..it's about us, facing it together..shaayad galti meri bhi thi...but I just wanted you to know…’ his voice shivered..’i still..'- he gulped a lump in his throat.. 'i..am waiting for you...please call me back..’ – and he hung his voice message.

He sat staring at the waves waiting... letting only the darkness watch his tears roll down from his eyes...

The phone rang..

The castle the little girl and the boy had built, together,  faced the sea-waves in glory..untouched...

Strangers..

The entire team of 30 was present at Toit. This was a success party from him. He was just back from the 5-week International Dance tour arranged by his Dance Academy. Being an all-rounder, he was one of the greatest assets for his Academy, and one of the Leads. Hardly had he imagined that he would be a key player in this initiative, and that it would be a huge success!

The crowd cheered as he opened the bottle of Champagne they had gifted for this grand success.

Someone from the lot shouted, “ Koi speech de de, yaar..yeh sab kaise hua..how do you feel”

(..yeh sab kaise hua..he shrugged at the thought of it. The crowd would not believe,  if he were to reveal the true ‘yeh sab kaise hua’…)

He blinked, took a deep breath, and replied..

“God’s grace” – he remarked without a thought.

“Well, I may sound too philosophical now, but then I have to say this!” – his voice went deeper – “There’s one streak in each one of us, that’s irrespective of the outside world – what the world talks about us, how the world treats us, or how it looks at us! You name it anything – Talent, Passion, the Love of your Life, God gift – whatever! And when it knocks you, there’s just nothing else to it”

Silence in the crowd!

 “yaaron! Pehle main bhi in baaton ko bakwaas hi manta tha”’ – he winked as he heard a couple of whistles from the crowd, continuing – “But I owe a very big Thanks to Someone, who is not present here”

 “kaun hai woh, haan ?”.. Who, eh?” - some more whistles

Looking at the floor and then quickly back to the audience

“A random Stranger” – he smirked.

Couple of howls, and then the team slowly started getting immersed with the drinks and food, that came in by then.

Taking this chance, Mayur slipped out of the crowd to have some time of his own (the last three words of his own speech had somehow got him disturbed). His thoughts wandered at the past, and came to a halt at that one instance..when the both had met last..

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

11 months ago:

They were Strangers...

...They had turned into strangers!

( ‘Saale yeh third person beech me aake sab kuch gotala kar dete hain. Very dangerous!’ - Ragini had agreed once, when one of her close friends had said this –‘ even worse when there are more that one ‘third person’ – she had told him)

---

Mayur spotted her taking a stroll at the office cafeteria. She doubted if she would step into this  campus ever again. This was Ragini's last day as an Employee. She would be pursuing her Masters in Mass Communication abroad and work with her cousin as a partner in his Consultancy firm.

“So..finally you have decided” – he said, as he walked and stood up in front of her  “(to leave Me)” – he said to himself.

“yep..just the right time” – she replied, with half-a-smile. “(its just too late to ask)” – to herself.

 “dreams coming true and all, eh – real fighter” – he said  (i wish I was in that list) – to himself.

“yep..kind of” – another half smile, concealing “(not all become true)” – to herself

There was a vacuum – of silence. Only two pairs of eyes looking at each other, with nothing in mind.

Breaking the silence..she continued “There’s that one streak in each one of us, Mayur  – a passion – that overcomes all the h…” –a sigh, and she left her statement trailing..

“at least for once, please attempt to make it work. i don’t even know if I can interfere any more, but you can do it! Not for that Big name..but atleast for Yourself…to meet the same old person you have had been”

He blankly looked at the floor tight-lipped and refused. He was lost! Making this promise looked tough! (why should I, at all ...? i can't live without you. i hate you - he thought in his mind)... he frowned.

She stretched out her palm at him..as she uttered “I still have..” .

Alert, he again turned and took a step closer to her- “you still have..?” – with a heavy breathe, looking deep into her eyes now.

'"h..hopes..you can , i know" - gulping the actual words she had in mind.

she stressed her hand that had reached out to him and nodded - "promise me, you will take your dance to an International level..it's not for ME!"

He had no clue how, but he knew that was the right thing to do. He nodded back and grasped her hand – only for a moment. (just for you) - he said to himself

There were these vibes in the air, that only the two could understand.It was time for Ragini to leave.

She controlled her urge to look back, as she walked towards the Exit gate. Her tears would shatter him to pieces..She knew that.

 Neither did Mayur wait. He gazed at his hand that had just given a promise, a promise he had now decided to fulfill - just for her. And then, he walked inside..

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Dude, where were you lost? we were looking out for u!” he startled, as he heard Angelo, a common well wisher, calling him inside. Lost in thoughts - he had not noticed the missed calls he'd received in the last 20 minutes.

“No where, come on, let's go inside”, as he patted Angelo.

“Are you guys in touch”, asked Angelo, sensing what possibly could have been in Mayur's mind.

“Nope”, he replied, as he unlocked his phone and opened the photo Album of his latest success. 

As he scanned through the pictures, he knocked into one, which swept him off his feet. It was that of his audience at the Mega Dance event. 

Right in the middle of the ecstatic crowd, there was this strikingly familiar face, brimming with pride, filled with tears in her eyes...a face he had not seen since the last eleven months..

Author's note: Love aint always a mushy story…!:)

The Day when everything went...

     It was too gloomy for a Friday. Bangalore weather had got somber and chill, and made the Bangaloreans think of just the pillow and the bed. To add to it, Krishna had an Interview at 9.30 am. He was back home from [over]work just in the midnight; and all he needed at this hour was just some peace of mind and a peaceful sleep. He was deprived of both, at that moment..

      It was 10 minutes before the interview schedule. He was seated at the reception, waiting for his host's call.

     This was just a chance he was taking - a custom, worldwide in the Corporate world, for the obvious reasons! Considering all the bizarre events that took place while riding his way to the interview Venue, he needed little time at least to collect himself (if not for a sleep!).

---
    ...Half-sleepy - he had run into a No-Entry path on the way and was fined for it. In trying to cover up for the time he had lost, he sped a bit and dint realize that he was on a water-clogged road due to heavy rains the previous night. A car had just passed by with a greater speed and had splashed on his Interview attire! He abused the moron and cursed him...the car had already left!

---

     "Dude! what's up? You here?..I mean..good to see you!" - Kris looked up..startled! It was his colleague Kevin, who also had come for an interview! Kevin was equally embarrassed.

     Kevin and Kris - once upon a time buddies - were the most talked about competitors in the team.   The higher authority had succeeded in drilling out both the 'resources', terming each one as a 'potential project lead'! The rat-race had just damaged their 'buddy' status, and had created a professional tiff between them. Nevertheless, they maintained a cordial rapport. Discussions were on as to who would get the Promotion. This was to be announced on the same day..


-----


    The team had assembled in the Meeting Room. This was one of those rare meetings which had some meaningful Agenda and everyone was looking forward for it. Both, Kevin and Kris were done with their Interviews for the day and were well on time at office. None spoke about the interview.

     'And finally its time to announce the Rewards and Promotions, something you have been waiting for, quite a while now' - spoke up the Ops Manager who was assigned the task of announcing the quarterly  rewards and the promotion.

     If it were a promotion, this would be the first one for Kris in his career. Ditto! for Kevin as well! The only difference was - Kris was yet to receive even the quarterly rewards. Inspite of being appreciated for work, and being called as a 'potential frontrunner' - Management had not rewarded his work till date. Was it a sheer overlook - a business tactic ? Or some lapse in communication? - he never understood...

     4 rewards were announced, one by one, in the team of 25. None of the K's names were mentioned. Kris kept up his hopes though - waiting for the big announcement!

     'And I am pleased to announce that we have a new Project Lead this year, replacing Miss Uma earlier this year. And that's none other than - Kevin D' Souza'


....The world came crashing down for Kris. For a couple of minutes, he felt like a loser. This was the first time, this kind of politics had pinched him. Theoretically, he was not new to it! But when reality bit him, he felt the pinch. All the efforts of 2 and a half years..all the appreciations he had received..started feeling meaningless! He wanted to just run out of that place. He felt an alien to the place where he was seated. Nothing made sense...

    He was not completely shattered. He  just needed some time to collect his feelings and digest whatever had happened in the day. At that moment, he was carrying a very heavy feeling...nobody noticed it..except for one colleague..


--------


     It was 11pm already! Kris did not realize he had spent the last half an hour gazing at the blank red sky, until he found that his cigarette pack had exhausted! It was almost an end of an unusual day, the night started getting equally cold. Kris moved to the floor, to pack up..

Team had already left for the day, except for that one colleague..who had noticed him...Kris was surprised..and obviously a little happy!

     'Nisha! Why you stretching so late..on a Friday!! ?'

     'Had some pending work' - she lied, with a smile and a soft tone.

 
    Nisha was a Simpleton, highly matured girl in the team - little naughty, and equally shrewd at work. Nothing went unnoticed out of her sight.  Like Kris n Kevin, Nisha too - had some 'frenemies' ..some rather nasty ones. But unlike the guys, she hardly made a noise about it and chose to concentrate on 'Constructive things'.

   In a very short time, Kris and Nisha had shared a great bonding with each other. He admired her simplicity. He always liked her way of handling things and people, even when pointed out at - something that he never was able to do. He admired the simplicity she carried. He liked her way of looking at the 'Bigger Picture' of things. He admired the smile she carried along. Secretly...he loved her...

     Though Nisha was comparatively new to the team, she very well understood the dynamics that had existed. She was one of the 4 awardees. However, she very well understood what Kris had just gone through, and knew he had deserved the better!

    'How will you get back home? Taking the cab?'

    'I thought you have come by bike?' - she winked.

   'Shucks..My bad! shall I drop you home?' Nisha was already heading off towards the parking area at the basement, with his jacket and the helmet in hand.


---------

   It was drizzling. The midnight hour was just descending. At the highway, on the way to Nisha's place, was a 24 hour Cafe Coffee Day - a place where the team often chilled out during peak work times, for a break. This day, it was only the 2!

     'Cuppa coffee ? Perfect start for the weekend!'  - offered Nisha [knowing the obvious response].

    'Sure',  replied Krishna, with no expression..rather too exhausted to give any expression. 'perfect weather too' - he said to himself.


---------

     The song 'Tum ho toh' from Rock On was playing in the Cafe. Kris was all silent at the table - a very rare scenario, considering his very jovial  and optimistic nature. Nisha did not complain.

     'So, how was your day today? You seemed little lost' - she knew what was going on. He knew she was just playing up. There was no need to explain.

     'They have a knack of terming absolutely anything as Smart Work. Anything!' - laying emphasis at the last word, he shrugged.

     'SMART WORK!' - she uttered, and giggled.  ' a term most abused in this world'  - she continued.- 'Come on, this is not the end.. and you know that...  after a pause...A day will come when even dry nurses will be termed as Smart workers'. - Kris had laughed for the first time in the last 24 hours. She finally managed to put a cheer on his face.

     Kris just looked at her smile. He still got an urge to kneel down and say to her all that he had been wanting to. But something in him, just dint let him do so. It was the 'loser' label that he had given to himself for the day...that had shadowed him..that had almost convinced him this was just not the right day!

    After a bit of gossip and humor, the duo decided to call it a Friday. They walked towards his bike, Kris doing a bit of talking this time. Nisha silently nodded to whatever he was talking, without paying much attention. Suddenly, it seemed as if she was waiting for something.

      They went near the bike. Kris dug into his Jacket pockets for the keys, when he found a paper note wrapped inside. He took out the paper and opened it. Nisha gazed at him, with her smile a little more lightened up..waiting for the obvious reaction. Finally, he came across the note that she had dropped inside his Jacket pocket, while in the basement back at the office; without his knowledge. The note said -

'How long will you keep me waiting you Idiot. I LOVE YOU! - Nishy '

     Another thud fell down at Krishna's feet. For a minute, he felt like he was seeing some dream! Without his consciousness, he walked here and there for a couple of seconds, wanting to shout, not knowing what to say, what to do! His joy knew no bounds! Nisha captured every gesture of his and just gave her characteristic naughty stare at him.

     He knelt in front of her, holding her hand and finally spoke his heart out! It felt as if all the bizarre incidents had been planned; Only to reveal the surprise that was awaiting.

     'Nisha...I...I....' - tried to collect his thoughts and speak it out! he was choking out of excitement.


     'And you lost this chan...' - he did not let her complete the sentence.


Damn the reward and promotion he had lost in the day! Damn the politics and ugly manipulations!And anyways, there was always another chance!

The real reward was right there...into his arms, embracing him...The chill midnight weather, was just perfect...


Cheers!