After 1hr, I received Ruchhi’s call again. I was still doing computers. She said, am stuck somewhere, and can’t come today. We would meet tomorrow. I shut down the computer and asked Ruchika at what time and where? She asked, what the timings of the show at priyas are? I replied 10:35am & 4:25pm. I guess both will not suit us. We could catch another hall. She mummed…and said we’ll see… I said “ok” and hung.
Next Morning,
Again, when I was doing computers I received Vasudha’s call she asked. So ji, what’s the plan for today? I replied, I don’t know. I don’t have much idea. I guess, we are going for Rocket Singh. She sighed and asked where? I don’t know, Priya’s timing will not suit us and in fact the first show is about to start and we can’t go for the evening show anyway. She asked for any other hall near by. I replied, after Chanakya get closed. I don’t have much idea beside Chanakya. Nearby halls are at Nehru Place and Saket. Saket is always a deal. Yes, we should go to Saket. Timings would never be problem as there are three multiplexes. Vasudha said, I'll call you back in some time, let me confirm with Ruchika and ended the call. ASA call ended I dialed up Ruchika’s no… she picked up the phone and said she is busy in doing some home stuff and won’t be available for the movie. I fainted and thought “so again the meeting has been cancelled”. She continued but yes, we are meeting today. I asked. What…? When…? Where…? She asked, can you come to Sai baba mandir in the evening? I was happy and said at the same time.
Sad… coz, I was missing the chance of watching movie with Ruchika
Happy… coz, at least I was meeting with Ruchika and that too in Sai baba mandir…great!
I said, ok! Am game and ended the call. I called up Vasudha after some time, to tell her. Before I could tell her I got to know she already had a word with Ruchika. So, I said let’s see ya in the eve and put the ph down.
After half an hour more Ruchika called me again and asked…so, what has been decided? I replied we are not going for the movie in complaining tone. She said, but we are meeting and we’ll eat pizza from there. I wondered pizza at Sai Baba mandir and asked her about it… she said, we would go to slice of Italy to have pizza. I asked, where? She said at Lodhi road market. I yucked out and asked ain’t there is any other option available to us? As I never liked slice of Italy’s food…she said, we’ll see and hung. After 5min.s Vasudha called up and asked every thing decided? I said, yea! Almost she said, hmm…so at what time we should fix the meet? I replied you see your convenience; I’m game for any time. She asked 3 or 4? I replied 3:30. We fixed it for 3:30. Call ended in 2mins.
I ate lunch and went to bed to take rest. While lying down I was thinking what would I wear? It’s been a long time we met. While thinking that I fall asleep. At 2:30 maa came to my room and questioned me, “you were going somewhere?” I asked what’s the time? She said 2:30. Shit! I stood up and straight went to wash basin and washed my face and quickly changed to the dress I found first. I listened mumma to saying, when he’ll grow up?
I saw it was 2:45 now. I quickly wear my shoes though I never wanted to wear high ankles but I had no option as my other variants were drying up in the sun at terrace. Every member of our family was sleeping sound, except muma. I said 'bye' to her, she came close to me and gave me one 50Rs. Note and one 20Rs. Note, though that was really a very small amount but I really liked it. I saw muma was smiling. I hugged her…hugged her tight and said thanks. She raised her eyebrow in suspicion and said, what’s up! I said, nothing…love you and waved her and left. After some time I turned back, she was still standing there and thinking. I waved again to draw her attention. She smiled and waved me back.
I saw it’s almost 3:00 I started walking fast (read running) ASA I reached stand I got the bus and let out a sigh of relief. When I crossed south-ex, I received Ruchika’s message that where have you reached? I got confused to call her or to text her…and decided to call her, before she could ask any other question, I fired “where are you?” she replied, am at Lodhi road red-light and will be reaching in 5mins, I said me too reaching in 5-10mins and did not disclose my location and hung. I checked the time it was 3:40. I started preparing myself to listen some curses from Ruchika as bus was moving painfully slow. At 3:45 I got down at Sai Baba mandir bus stand.
Sai Baba Mandir, Lodhi Road @3:45 p.m.
I saw Ruchka and Vasudha were standing in front of the main entrance and were talking. I was proceeding towards them and trying to hide myself to 'bow' them, but Vassu saw me and before she could convey this to Ruchika, Ruchika saw me by herself. Ruchika was in her rarest good mood today. She gave me the biggest smile possible by her. I extended my hand she shacked hand and came close to me. I was not ready for the hug and we ended in the most pathetic hug I have ever had. I saw Vasudha was suppressing her laugh. I hated both the girls at the same time for different reasons. Nevertheless, I still greeted with Vasudha. Ruchika said, thank god your hair are back. I touched my hair to feel them and said… So, what you were thinking I would remain bald for rest of my life. She showed straight face to me and said, I meant your hairs are back simply. I regretted cracking the bad one at the wrong time. I replied, ohh! Thanks but my hairs are still not enough long. She said anyhow, you are looking better and don’t try to shave your head in future. I said I swear…and placed my hand on her head. She punched me in my stomach. It hurt but I enjoyed that. We went to shoe deposit centre I took ages to untie my shoes. Ruchika and Vasudha waited patiently. Then I collected the token and we went to the water point to wash our hands. We purchased mala and Prasad and entered the temple. We did darshan and prayed and then we went to the upper floor. We sat there for some time, then I said let’s leave and we stood up and went downstairs. Ruchika put teeka on my forehead. Vasudha saw this and said I want too, Ruchika put on her forehead too. I put on Ruchhi’s forehead.
Ruchika was leading us, she went to the wrong way and Vasudha looked me in confusion as if asking, “Why we are not going from other way?” I told Ruchhi that we have to go from here…she stopped and trailed us. There was washing going on and the floor was really slippery. I was thinking I would fall now. We were slowly and steadily moving. Ruchika commented, show people the right way but they do not listen to you and behaved as she knew this way is not clear. Huh! We went to Dwarka Mai and I recalled the last time we had visited here and every one else did too. Ruchika said look the doors are open today… I was telling you… There was something special that day… Vassu and I nodded.
We came out of the mandir and went to shoe deposit centre. When I was trying to wear my shoes a li’l gal came to me and start begging. I hadn’t had anything to offer but she kept persisting me. I told her, “look at those two gals…ask them…they are very rich…they have came in BMW. She looked me in confusion, it was hard for her to believe that they are this rich so she kept persisting me. By the time I finished with the process of tying up me shoes. I ignored the girl and stood up and signaled Ruchika and Vasudha to come. Just then a boy approached me asking for money followed by another. I said, “being smart is crime these days”. Ruchika asked what? I told the boys to ask from Ruchika, she ignored them completely and asked, what did you just say? I said nothing and looked Vasudha. She was looking at me as if asking, who is smart here? I changed the topic by saying we were going to have pizza? What happened? Ruchika said, oh! Yes, we are going to “Slice of Italy”. We are going there. I asked ain’t there any other joint. She shrugged her shoulders and we started moving towards Lodhi Market.
We turned an entered an empty lane. Ruchika and Vasudha were doing some alien talks. Neither I was getting anything nor I was interested, until I heard “he is cute”. I asked Vasudha who, ‘he’? She replied Ruchika is seeing someone. I felt earth shook beneath me; I went unconscious for few seconds. I looked Ruchika and asked, you didn’t tell me? She looked away and said it has happened recently. Vasudha said something about the guy, ‘which’ I did not listen, in fact I was not listening anything but continued walking with them. They were talking less and laughing more and I was getting feeling the matter is not of that much interest even to them as they were making to appear, and soon I realized they are fooling me. I joined them, asking more questions about the guy.
I checked my watch it was 4:50. We crossed the road and entered the final stretch, and closed the topic of the guy. Ruchhi said where, did Slice of Italy go? Just then I found Slice of Italy’s hoarding and said, here it is… the place was soo less attractive and I was getting feeling that hardly anyone come here. Even Ruchhi was taken aback to see such a dull entrance. Although she did not say anything but her expressions were suggesting so. We entered the restaurant there was no one there except a couple who seemed arguing to each other. We ignored them and sat to different table, leaving one table in between. I told Ruchhi I have to go to washroom; she nodded as if I was asking for her permission. I asked the staff about washroom and entered in it and cleaned my braces.
Slice of Italy @5:00 pm, Lodhi Market
When I came back, I saw they were discussing something probably the order… Vasudha was sitting facing the counter and Ruchika facing the door. They were sitting in a diagonal. I sat facing Ruchika and adjacent to Vasudha. Vasudha had left that place for me; I really liked Vasudha for that. ASA I sat Ruchhi passed the menu card to me. I asked what? I have to order? She nodded. Now, First I hate Slice of Italy, second I was not taking anything. So, why should I order? I quickly fumbled the menu and passed it to the Vasudha. She passed it back to the Ruchika. Ruchika was confused between the two toppings for the dish; she called the waitress, and asked her which one is better? She looked us in confusion. Ruchhi asked her again, which one would you choose, if you have to order? She gave even harder look and appeared more confused. Might be the first time she was having such a question. Waitress tried hard to answer Ruchhi but she failed miserably… I was feeling sorry for the girl. After some time, she answered Ruchhi, with lots of manipulation and was still looking very confused. Ruchika was still not convinced. I asked about the two toppings and chose one and ordered. I saw the whole staff was concentrating at our desk until the girl left. I looked Ruchika, she was avoiding eye contact. I said, what Ruchika? You are asking her? What would she reply? Even Vasudha supported me. Ruchika did not find the words and remained quite.
We discussed something, which I do not remember. Order came in 10mins. There were two plates, one having stuffed sandwich and other was having vegetable curry, which I think they had forgotten to cook and one cold drink for me. I grasped my coke and offered to both the girls. No one took. Ruchhi was insisting me to have something. I denied... Vassu slid the uncooked curry to me and said, at least taste it. I saw it and yucked out, thankfully I did not throw up. I said I would take this one and took the other plate an ate the 1/4th portion of sandwich. It was fine but I did not dare to touch the other dish. Just then I heard noises from other table which distracted our concentration. We looked each other in quick succession. I raised my eyebrow, Ruchhi’s eye lit up as she was facing the couple and catching the live scene. Vassu and I were missing it out as we were sitting backing them, and did not want to turn, to appear curious creatures. I signaled Ruchika to calm down and ignore them. Though I desperately wanted to sit aside Ruchhi and enjoy the scene.
I checked my watch it’s 5:30 now. I asked Ruchhi to ask for the bill now. She called the girl and asked for the check, which we generally ask in bars. Bill was of 337Rs. I took out 500Rs noteand signaled the girl to collect it. Ruchika said you are not paying anyway and asked Vasudha to pay the bill. I asked why? She said you are not earning yet. I said, that’s ok I’ll manage. Vasudha placed the 300 bucks on the bill. I gave back to her but she put it again. I saw…Again the staff was concentrating on us, probably thinking…
1.) Guys – how lucky he is, having two great friends
2.) Girls – look at the cheap stuff, taking money from the girls.
I thought something and took the 300 bucks and balance and left the change 13Rs for the girl.
Ruchika asked for something to pack the uncooked curry from the staff. She took it…to her place to give the taste of the type of the food she eats outside to her family members, might be she wanna torture them. You never know: P
We came out of the restaurant at 5:45. Ruchhi said we are going to Gopaljee now. Vasudha said, yes I have to but some cookies. We entered the bakery…Ruchhi said what would you take? I was busy in exploring the shop. Ruchika asked again, would you take anything? I said, yea! Nah! No nothing. Ruchika said, let’s eat pastry and they chose the chocolate flavored pastry. The piece was really big; we shared the piece among us. Vasudha bought some cookies and paid. We came out of the shop and were confused what to do? Where to go? Ruchika suggested let’s go to Priyas. I almost jumped inside when I heard that but behaved as nothing has happened. Vasudha screamed, I have to see Priyas...
Ruchika thought something and said we are not going to Priyas. I asked why? She replied, “aise hi” I don’t know who suggested Ansals and we all agreed to it. We started looking for the auto just then Ruchhi’s phone rang. She picked up and starts talking and signaled us that we would find auto from Lodhi road. We started moving towards Lodhi road. Vasudha and I discussed about some traveling plans. She told me, a person should roam with four types of persons in his life.
1.) with parents
2.) with friends
3.) with spouse
4.) with childrens
And made me understand, the importance of traveling and tracking. I told her about the youth hostel she keenly listened about it and asked me to find the complete info about it.
Ruchika was still on phone and walking along side us. She was walking almost in the middle of the road. Just then a speedy truck approached her. I quickly pulled her to the pavement. She was still on the phone totally unaware of the situation. I wanted to slam her phone into the pieces. But I didn’t do anything, and continued walking. We crossed the road and hired an auto to Ansals. We reached @ 6:10pm. I paid the fare.
Ansal Plaza, Khel Gaon Marg @ 6:10pm.
There was a sign of twilight, as it was not completely dark yet. I said I need to go to wash room. They looked me as I had said that I have peed in my pants. We entered the mall I said washroom is on 1st floor but they said it’s on ground floor and blah-blah. Anyhow, we checked and found lady’s washroom only. We went to first floor to find the gents washroom. I entered and cleaned my braces. When I returned I told them why am using washroom again and again.
Down escalators were not working, we used staircase to come down. We decided to sit in open area for sometime. We sat to one place. Ruchika and Vasudha started their alien talks. I was least interested in that and recalled my past visits to the place. Vasudha tapped my shoulder and asked where…? I said nothing you carry on. I was really getting bored. Ruchika’s hand was lying on my shoulder, I started playing with it. She did not protest. I took her hand towards my mouth and clinged one bracket in it. She turned towards me and pulled her hand away. I smirked. She said, “I would be requiring 14 injections for that”. That was unexpected from Ruchika, she was calling me dog but not at all in bad humor in fact that was the good one. I really went out of words. I didn’t know what to do? Laugh or anger? I kept looking her for 5secs. And asked her when we’ll leave from here? Without changing my posture. She checked the time it was 6:35. she said, let’s take coffee from Nescafe. I said great idea and we moved to Nescafe. Ruchika ordered one cappuccino for me, one maccuccino for herself and flavoured milk for Vasudha. Ruchhi paid and we moved towards the parking area.
Ruchika said, now you’ll write diary entry for today. I wondered where this came from. I replied probably not as I don’t have much time these days. She fainted. I decide I would surely write now. I asked her why you asked this. She replied, coz you generally do, right? I nodded.
We reached the parking area, we were talking and laughing. Ruchika was behaving as she is drunk. She said, Vasudha…kannu is a friend of mine whom I actually can call a true friend. I have full confidence in his friendship. I know he’ll never leave me any circumstances. I was stunned that even I have some importance. I wanted to cry, smile, hug all at the same time but does exact opposite. I said, how much misunderstanding do you have? Suddenly her smile left he place. I hated myself for that. I said, I was kidding and moved close to her, she moved back…I continued, yes! It’s true you are so important to me and I would stand by you forever even if you won’t respond that ways. She said, you know…what Vasudha has said to me once. I asked what? She replied, that if Ruchika’s friends are in trouble you will always find Ruchika standing for her friends with full bucket of water…..
To drawn water on their expectations. I laughed really loud, that was so true. I almost applaud for Vasudha. Nice observation Vasudha. Vasudha said, even then her friends never leave her. I thought even this is very true. I nodded. I saw Ruchika was blushing. I patted her back.
Ruchika said, my maccauccino is not that great. I said even my cappuccino is just ‘ok’. Vasudha said my shake is fabulous, she offered us but we said no thanks. Ruchika hired an auto for Sarojni Nagar, Vasudha was going at Ruchhi’s place. I said, am coming with you guys err! gals. I would get down at Safdarjung. Ruchika entered first I second and Vasudha last. When we crossed south-ex, Ruchika turned towards me and asked how your GFs are? I laughed really loud even the driver bhayya looked up from the rear view mirror. Ruchika waited me to stop then she asked again. I said my girl fiendssssss…well I don’t have any and laughed again without reason she said Payal…? She was never my GF, I replied in fact her chapter is over now and I don’t have any GF and looked outside. She moved a bit, I turned to see what she was doing our eyes locked for a second then I pulled away and looked down. She said, easy, I was just asking aise hi! I sighed out. After a moment I said, I enjoyed today’s meet. Ruchika quickly raised her hand in agreement and said me too. Vasudha looked Ruchhi and then me. She too raised her hand and said, “me too”. We all three laughed at this.
Safdarjung came and I got down, Ruchhi screamed “take care”. I turned back they were waving manically. I smiled and waved back.
At bus stand I realized I have left mala and Prasad in Vassu’s bag. I quickly messaged Ruchhi about this; she replied…she’ll take care of that.
Bus came after 5mins. I got down @ IAC and reached home at eight. Mumma asked what you would take. I replied I had food outside. She raised her eyebrow in suspicion and asked but you went to mandir I suppose? I replied but later we went to some restaurant but still I would eat two chapattis but after some time…she mummed. After a while I had dinner and went to sleep.
Posts
