Preeti and Kishan (Episode2)

Before jumping to the story I would suggest you to go through my previous entry First Date v/s Last Date (in case you have missed it), that will establish a link and you would able to understand this story a bit more.

Disclaimer:  This conversation is purely fictional and based on my personal experience. Any connection found with anyone whether living or dead or with any other story then it would be a pure coincidence.

20^th Dec. 2009

It was a typical Sunday morning, I was preparing for my semester-end examinations that was to start in a week’s time. Mom came to my room and said I’m thinking of making dalia ladoos for the winters, what you think? Would you able to take out some time to help us... I replied, oh! Sure why not, right now am studying let me finish this. It would take around one hour. She said fine we’ll do it after having lunch. I nodded.

At 12, I came out from my room, Mumma asked through? I replied yep. She said ok, let’s have a meal first. When I was taking meal, I received Preeti’s call. My dad was sitting in front of me. I could not take her call. I gently press the ‘silence’ button. My dad asked “kiska phone h?” I said idea. He again concentrates on his food. I cleverly put the phone in vibration mode. Just then whole table thundered with the vibration of the phone. My dad raised his eyebrow. I fumbled the phone and said “ofo, ye rohit bhi na kbhi bhi call kar deta hai.” I again press the silent button. After 10 secs more it vibrated again, this time I received a message from Preeti, “whr r u”. Just then my dad snatched my phone and said “you eat your food first”. I finished my food in no time and washed my hands. I actually forgot about Preeti as I was busy with mom. Mom asked who was calling you. Ohh Shit! I quickly collected my phone and dialled Preeti’s no. She picked up in second time and was little upset as I had not picked up her phone. I pleaded her for sometime then she asked where you are? I replied at home, she said, am at my institute South Ex. I’m free can you come, so that we can meet.

I had a hint of this that she would ask me to come in. I told her about my semester-end examination. She did some emotional blackmailing to me and I gave up. I told her, I would reach in one hour. She smiled (actually giggled) and said ok am waiting. I told mumma that I need to go to my friend’s place to collect some notes. My mom looks me into shock and called my dad.

Dad asked me, from whom you are going to collect your notes? I casually said, Aman though I never came across any person in my life whose name is Aman. Mom knows most of my friends she enquired, who is he? I replied; my senior. She said ok fine, but try to come early, we have lots of work here as well. I thought it’s impossible to come early I said, I would come around 7. She screamed, 7? Where this Aman put up? I replied near by only and SN came out of my mouth. I continued I’m thinking of talking some help (as well) on the topic .She said that’s nice and smiled; you can take our car if you want. I could not take undue advantage of my parents moreover there are parking crunches at South-ex. So I denied and said no, absolutely ok, I’m comfortable with the bus.

I went to my room changed my sweater and came out. I checked my pockets there was not a single penny. I checked another jeans and got the same result. Luckily I found 900 bucks in my bag. I tied my shoes and screamed “bye” nobody bothered to respond. Everybody was appearing soo busy. When I reached to the lane I turned back and saw the whole family is standing in the balcony and waving. I smiled and waved them back and thought; drama academy.

I reached bus stand and quickly got a bus. I messaged her that I’ve got a bus and am reaching in half an hour. She did not reply. I waited for 5 minutes then I called her she did not pick up. I tried second time this time she cut the phone. I thought what now? Should I go back? Just then I received her message, am in class can’t pick-up your phone now. Now what the hack is this? Ain’t she told me that she’s free? If she had to attend her classes why she invited me at first place? She had spoiled my mood. I no more wanted to go to meet her. I was thinking of getting down from the bus. Just then another message came from her side: she had written. By the time you will reach, I would get free. I typed ‘K’ and send. She replied am sorry. I did not reply back.

I got down at south-ex and have no clue where to go and what to do. I messaged her that I have reached and waiting at bus stand. She called back and said my classes are over but I have some work in institute. It will still take some time. I wanted to say fuck you, but she has warned me of using F word. So I asked her how much time you would take. She replied 10 mins. I said ok am at part-II bus stand. She asked me which one is part-II. I really had now clue, how to make her understand that which one is part-II. I said am in front of Levi’s square she said kool just stay there, am coming in 10 mins. I looked up to find some space to sit but did not find any. I said am going to other side you please come there, the Mc.D side. She replied ok and hung.

I crossed the road through subway and sat on the bus stand. It was hard for me to time pass there. I was getting the guilt feeling that I have my exams next week and am wasting my time here. After 15 mins she gave me a missed call. I looked up, has she reached? But I did not find her. I dialled her no. She picked up and said, I have just left the college, where are you? I heard her cracking voice I got to know she is walking very fast. I said easy Preeti, am at bus stand only, not going anywhere; there is no need to hurry. She replied ok-ok-ok reaching in 5 mins. I thought so finally she’s coming, though she had spoiled my mood but I did not want to spoil hers now. These days people often say am loosing my patience and through tantrums for small things. I thought up of some good lines which can make her feel less guilty as she made me wait for almost half an hour. I came across many and finally decided “somebody is looking gorgeous today”.

Although there is nothing left between Preeti and me but still I want to earn some nice memories with her. This will also make her happy.

I stood up and walked towards the subway to greet her. By the time I reach there she already came out from subway and looking for me. I saw she is in pink suit her hair was untied and loose. She was looking beauty to me. I thought my gorgeous word would be less now. But I can’t call her beauty now. I do not want to give any wrong signal to her moreover; I was trying to move on. I composed myself and call her name ‘Preeti’. She turned back, her eyes lit up as she saw me. She came close to me. I wanted to hug her, but I hesitated. When you hesitate in love that means your relationship is over. She came closer and we shook hands. I took a closer look of her now, her face was all glowing. She had applied lip gloss perfectly on her lips. She was appearing very beautiful.

I told her somebody is looking gorgeous today. I guess she was not expecting this. She became numb for the half of a second and then she smiled then she laughed and said you will never change and patted my back. I imitated her; yes I’ll never change and patted my back. We both laughed at this. We started moving towards the khel goan marg. She questioned me where are we going, while tying her hair. I replied Ansals, where else? She asked why Ansals every time don’t you get bored of the place? Can’t we try anything new? I replied same boy, same girl, same place; everything is so perfect. Why experiment? She gets overwhelmed and said, somebody is becoming master of beautiful lines. I smiled and thought book reading is helping me a lot.

I switched the topic by asking more career related questions. How are you and how’s life. She also asked the same q’ns. We both replied to each other and I explained how life is getting busier these days. By talking all this we entered an empty lane. Though we always take the same way to go to Ansals but it was very empty today. She asked me where are you taking me. I replied, I don’t know, I think am going to take your advantage. I looked to different side and controlled my laugh. She turned towards me and burst out laughing. She was trying to look into my eyes. I was avoiding eye contact. She gets frustrated and punched me thrice saying you can’t, you can’t, and you can’t.

I stopped her hand look right into her eyes and asked why did you ask this? Don’t you trust me? She looked down and did not answer. I had got my answer. After some time she looked up and said, no, I don’t and laughed. She thinks she can fool everyone around with her yawning replies. No she can’t. I had my answer I did not protest.

We reached the main road; there was a Red light and a proper Zebra crossing to cross the road. But I held her wrist and almost dragged her, she let herself dragged. asa we crossed the road she screamed you want to kill me or what. I replied I was just checking how much do you trust me and I got you do not trust me at all and laughed. She punched me and laughed and said, No, you want to kill me. You are a mind reader, I replied and laughed. She replied haaww! and punched me twice. Yes it is true if you'll die. I’ll be the happiest person, I replied. Her small lips get more shrink as she’s gonna cry now, she said you are soo bad and moved three steps away from me. Yes it was true Preeti is becoming an oblivious pain to me the more I try to forget her more I become weak. I just do not know whether I need her or not? If she would not be there, there would be no q’n of having her. May be she’s right its better for me to forget her. She says we have no future. By thinking all this I recalled she has a bf now and am just a friend. Yes just a friend.

I moved close to her and put my hands on her shoulders and asked how’s sandy? She looked at me and giggled and said he’s fine. I did not ask more questions we entered the mall and went to first floor and decided to get fresh. We roam in Ansal veranda and then decide to sit in the open area at Ansals. I recalled my last week visit to the place with Radhika and Vinita. I told Preeti about it. She asked how Radhika is. I replied she’s good. At our college days Preeti always used to think that Radhika does not like her and make fun of her. I never tried to identify why she feels that ways, though I always used to tell her that’s not the case. But when today also she repeated her doubt and worries, I asked her why she feels like that? She replied whenever I used to come across your friend she used to laugh at me. I asked is that so? I thought up of breaking all 32 of Radhika. Preeti replied, I do not know, but definitely she used to pass a smile a cranky smile. I started looking for some cover to hid myself. But I have to defend Radhika here. I asked her how you can say her smile was not friendly. It is true that Radhika has broken my million crushes in college but she has never uttered a bad word for you. Infact she likes you and I remember, one day when she had told me that you’ll never break Preeti’s heart ever, you have my swear. Preeti raised her eyebrow. I continued may be she used to smile coz she used to feel happy to see you. I saw her mouth was open in disbelief. Preeti said ok-ok-ok, I understand; and am sorry now. I understood your friend wrong. I did not reply. She said you and Radhika are close na! I nodded! She said, you should marry her. Hahaha! I laughed really loud. And asked her why you saying this? She replied I feel that way she’ll take good care of yours. I replied you do not know her, by the way this is not the first time somebody has said this to me. She replied look what I was saying, I know you very well now and can make out what is going in your mind. I do not want to talk on this topic anymore but some part of mine actually wants to. I want make everything very clear. I said, we are good friends and I do not think any such things exist between us. She reacted, ohh! And behaved as if am lying.

We both remained quite for a minute. After a min I told her am getting bored, she said me too. Earlier we never used to get bored of each other and spending one evening together is bringing bored-ness. But if you had shared wonderful bond once everything comes back on track quickly. I said last weekend I had fun here with my two friends. She said you have very good friends with you. I said even you are blessed with good friends. She uplifted her face and looked me and said I don’t think so. I smirked, don’t you count me as your friend. Hehehe! She laughed yes you are right! I have few other friends as well you remember Shikha? Shikha and her boyfriend we three enjoys a lot together. I said touchwood!

I asked her, are you in touch with any of our classmate? She replied no am not and asked the same q’n to me. I nodded my head. She asked do you remember our last day at college we had our last exam. Yea! As it is I replied. Where were you got disappeared that day? She replied I was with Jyoti we were at CCD. I asked CCD? What you guys were doing there? She replied we were waiting for you. I did not get this and asked, as in? Why waiting for me? Just like that we were thinking it’s the last day and you would come to meet us. I thought I had no clue about this. She continued Jyoti was saying how two years went pass and you didn’t propose me.

I became speechless, I really did not know what to say, I said, I was partying with my friends I had no clue that you were waiting for me. I recalled how Preeti and I were on non- speaking terms in our examination time. How our small fight was grown up to big levels. I also remember how in first two days she tried to talk to me but I avoided her completely. But later I realised I have made a mistake and decided to talk to her on our next exam. But on the next exam, which was our second last, things were reversed. I tried to make the eye contact but she ignored me. I asked Jyoti about Preeti she replied, Preeti is fine anyway why you are not talking to her. I did not reply. On the last day also I tried to talk with Preeti but she did not look to me even once. In this situation how can I think that she is waiting for me to propose her in CCD?

I told her why I didn’t propose her she did not say anything. In fact we both didn’t say anything. After two mins she looked me and smiled. I also gave a formal smile to her then she started laughing. I asked what...? She said nothing and continued to laugh. I held her neck and almost chocked her wind pipe, she said, Devika used to say that you had a crush on her and laughed. I screamed what?  This took a little time to digest. Although Devika was cute but tiny girls are never in my list. She continued to laugh. I said no yaar I never had a crush on Devika, she was a good friend. She nodded and laughed again. I said shut up! When she stopped, I said let’s have a coffee at Nescafe! She said wow! Great idea! And we moved to Nescafe.

asa we entered the Nescafe our nostrils get filled with the smell of Maggie. She screamed, I want Maggie and start jumping like a 4 year old. I smiled and replied definitely. I ordered one plate Maggie and two cappuccinos. I paid the bill of 140 Rs. I told the counter boy prepare coffee after some time. We need Maggie first. Preeti and I decide to sit in cafe only for the time being. Preeti seemed overly happy. She told me I never had a thought that we would ever be sitting like this. It’s all because of you; you have managed everything so perfectly. I wish if you were there from starting of my life. I trust you more than sandy or anyone else. I was listening everything with my head down. I was hoping she would cry big time now. My heart beating really fast that I could hear my heart beats. My ears turned red. Very few people know whenever anyone catches me at right moment my ears turned red. She noticed this and tried to uplift my face with her hand. My eyes were full of water, I could not face her I elegantly pushed her back and asked for one minute.. After 15 secs I looked up and smiled, she smiled back. I ask her what the time is. She puts her nose in her bag and tries to find her cell. I quickly clear my tears of. She checks her phone and said 4.25. Just then counter boy tapped the counter with the help of a steal spoon and said your Maggie is ready sir. Preeti was about to ask something. I told her that Maggie is prepared and I stood up to collect it, in this way I avoided her q’n. I came back and put the plate down. She asked there is a just one fork. I replied, ohh! Let me bring another one. She squeezed my arm and said no need to bring another one we’ll share it. I smiled she asked what are my plans lately. Before I could speak an old lady came aside us and put Seven plates of Maggie one by one to our slap. I did not care but Preeti was looking at her in disbelief. Old lady tapped my shoulder and said please keep an eye on my Maggie. I’m coming in 5 mins.. I asked what? Preeti said, ok no problem aunty ji we’ll take care of your order. Preeti and I get back involved in our talks. I said I’m thinking of completing my MBA then will try for Civil Services. Preeti said I want to see you grow. I replied I want us to grow together. She smiled just then old lady reappeared and tapped my shoulder and asked where my order is. I saw there was not a single plate of Maggie I looked Preeti her mouth was opened in shocked. I said, I didn’t take the responsibility and fingered towards Preeti. Preeti was unable to say anything. She said I was looking after it but don’t know where did it get disappeared. We started blaming each other while I was calculating the total amount of loss in my mind. That could come to me anytime.


Just then a little girl came and said ‘Dadi’ what are you waiting for? We all are waiting for you with the order. I gave a sheepish smile to old lady. Yea! This girl took the plates from here I saw her. Yea! Preeti nodded. This girl told us she is known to you. Old lady gave us horrible looks and little girl appeared confused. I signaled Preeti let’s get escape from here quickly. She just jumped from her chair to right in front of the Coffee counter boy and told him, this is your fork, just give us our coffee. I saw the counter boy holding that plastic fork and looking it stupidly. I could not control my laugh and burst out of laughing, I asked the counter boy to drop it down, this girl is mad just make the coffee quickly. He throws the fork in dustbin and washed his hands and said I have a bad day. We came out of Nescafe with cup of cappuccino in our hand we took one round of Ansal veranda then we decide to leave.

Preeti asked me, do you have hanky? I said, no; I asked why? She said I need to clean my hands. I asked will tissue paper do. I gave her tissue paper she gave me her giant bag and continued walking out of Ansal boundary. I screamed hey! She got scared and asked what? I replied I’m not gonna carry your bag she said, please for some time I love you. I replied, I love you too but sorry as well, can’t carry ladies bag man can’t compromise my masculinity. She pleaded some more and continued walking. I put the bag down and moved aside. She started throwing tantrums. She came and picked her bag up made face towards me and started walking quickly. She was taking longer steps. I had to run, to catch up with her. I said I love you. She replied I hate you. I repeated I love you. She repeated I hate you 10 times by this we reached the same empty lane. I thought I have enough of it. I screamed I do not love you. She screamed even loudly I do not hate you. She stopped No...I mean;

I love you a lot, I said. She became quite she nodded may be not more than I do her tears rolled out of her eyes, you will never leave me she asked me. I cannot leave you I replied. She kissed me. We were kissing after a long time I held her she looked me and we started laughing and kissed again. She asked me do you realise we are in India. I replied yea! Let's run and winked, we ran out from that lane. 

Blood was rushing all over my body my heart was beating fast. She asked me what now while untying her hair, I thought my heart will pop-out from my chest. I replied let’s go back to our respective places and please tie your hair, you know it well that this is my weak point. She laughed and said let’s go to Satya Niketan. I asked ain’t you getting late? She said, she’ll manage and winked I was looking for some cover to hid my self. I replied you better go to your place. She raised her eyebrow and placed her index finger on my chest, are you sure? I gently removed her hand and said, very much and winked. By this time we have reached to South Ext. Bus stand. Bus came in no time. She starred up in the Bus and took window seat and started waving to me. All the seats were occupied by someone or another except the seat aside Preeti. I thought is god signaling something to me just then bus started moving. I realised how can I let her go? I started running to catch up the bus, bus doors started getting closed I held side bar of the window, doors were almost closed I step on the pavement and jumped I somehow managed to entered the bus I fell down but stood up quickly. I narrowly escaped an accident every passenger was looking at me. I was avoiding eye contact. I signaled everyone with my hands that I’m ok I’m alright. I moved towards Preeti with my head down and get seated quietly. 

Preeti screamed are you mad. I replied, just for you, baby. She said, you are a gone case. If something would have happened to you, what would I have done? I replied I saw empty seat besides you. I wanted to sit here that’s it. She burst out of laughing. I also formally smiled. She said grow up my baby.

An old lady bored the bus from next stand; she came and stood aside me and asked me to leave the seat as it was reserved for ladies. I smiled and stood up. Fucking shit I thought. Preeti was making fun of all this. I hated her for that. I was cursing myself for catching the fucking bus now I could have died.

We got down at Satya Niketan. I asked Preeti would you take anything. She replied not really. I asked again, you were saying you want to have ice cream from Gianis' what happened? She replied not today, am getting late and you are coming with me till my place. I said, as you say. We started moving towards Anand Niketan. We recalled old memories of our college and the lovely time we have spent there. By discussing all that we reached to Anand Niketan. I said that’s it we have reached. She nodded, I asked shall I leave? She asked would you stop if I would say no. I replied of course, she laughed and said goo. By this we shook hands and I left.

I moved quickly and reached bus stop and bored the bus and reached my place in 20 minutes. It was 8:20 in the watch. Dad asked come beta let’s taste this dalia ladoos, it was yum I said. Mumma asked me how was with Aman? I replied, good and came to my room.