Part 52
Feb 14th 2011
9:14 PM
Saket C Block
Mrs Bhatia's condition had begun to worry Sudha and she had decided to take her to Max in Saket. Mr Bhatia's flight from Mumbai was delayed as Spice Jet had cancelled the 8 PM flight...... they had two kids, 9th and 4th grade. Sudha called Radhika and asked her to get there as soon as possible.
Rachit and his wife were in Sarojini Nagar shopping, the dinner for Sudha was not until 9 ish.......
Radhika stood in the balcony of their friend's home. It was a mirror image of theirs, the rooms were to the left of the living room instead of right as in Tripathis. DDA's creativity was quite limited..........
Radhika had walked out of her East of Kailsh office in a daze, she tried to be "normal" but something struck her as odd. "He kissed like he had girlfriends, the way he had reached for her waist, the way he had held her after the kiss, the way he had let her body rest on his, supporting her afterwards......... seemed like he was very comfortable"
"Have you picked a place?" he had asked her
"Kahin bhi.... but please GK I nahi..... wahan ke saare waiters hamey jaante hain, bahut bore ho chuki hoon. Its so close to home......." she rambled pretending to read the Car User Manual....... as she played with the front console keys........
"Radhika"
"I have many nicknames.... atleast 5 to roz use hota hai...... tum sirf ek ho jo mujhe Radhika kehte ho" "Mujhe lagta hai Dilli mein har ghar mein har bache ka nick name hota hoga, it must be a Delhi thing......... Thank God my parents didnt name me a Guddi or a Munni. The latter would have been hard to live down after Dabangg" she chattered.........
He turned towards her and just smiled.... his amused, "have you done a thesis on nicknames?" kind of smile.
A second later he smile disappeared to be replaced with something she saw in the records room.... the light turned green and he surged forward... just as her phone rang.... it was her Ma.
She explained the situation, and Radhika tried not to visibly express her disappointment.
"Jee Ma" she concluded and hung up
"Mujhe ghar chalna chahiye. My Mom's friend from Gargi is unwell"
"I am sorry." he said softly. She looked at his face to see if he was bummed out as well. She couldnt tell........
*********
She stood in Mrs Bhatia's balcony, her kids were on the computer. She dialled Ritwik's number.....
"What did you do?" he asked as he answrred the phone and then corrected himself "No! Dont tell me! Just tell me HOW bad it is"
"RITTTTTT!!"
"Kya hua? Are you upset?" (concerned)
"Umm... not really.... I am actually thrilled" (giggling)
"Ajeeb reaction hota hai tera"
"Tu kya kar raha hai"
"Didnt Ma tell you, you are not supposed to say "Tu" smirks
Theek hai main abhi phone rakhti hoon, you jerk!" she bristled
"Why did u call? Chal talk to you later..."
"Ritwik please yaar!"
"Tell me you idiot"
"I think there is someone now"
"Where? Are you alone at home?" mock fearful
"You are the most annoying, most pathetic bro in the whole entire world" (sulks)
"Kaun hai woh?" (gently)
"His name is Raghav Kapoor"
"PUNJABI? Ma ko maloom hai? Ghar ki izzat ka kya hoga?"
"Go to hell"
"Sorry Mate! Not until I get all the dirt on this one"he is obviously enjoying himself
"Seriously? Where did you pick him up?" asked Ritwik curiously
"Thanks! On the street last nite!" offended
"Usey pata hai tujhe bolney ki bimaari hai? Its incurable? People that come in contact dont last for more than a year?"
"I am just going to hang up you MORON!"
"Are you in love?"
"Jee! Mujhe sab 2 nazar aa raha hai. Bhook bhi nahi hai (which was true!) Neend bhi nahi aati (true!) You are not listening to me Ritwik. Did I do that when you raved about the world's best sex a month ago?"
"You did!"
"I did didnt I" she was sheepish
"What does he do for a living? Tere kisi NGO mein hai kya? Khadi kurta and jholas and Relaxo Hawai chappal?"
"How did you know?"
"Does he know you are such high maintenance?"
"Not yet"
"Phir to gaya kaam se. My crystal ball sees only a break up in the near future"
Pause...
"You are not serious yaar."
"Are you? About him I mean..........."
"I dont know.... but I think I have a massive crush on him"
"Did you sleep with him?"
She coughs, clears her throat and coughs and gags "REALLY? Tumhe bataoongi main?"
"Ma ko keh diya?" he asks
"Why did you think I called YOU, you twit"
"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh NO! NOOOOO WAYYYYYY! NOOOOOOOOOOO" he sounds scared
"Theek hai. I will tell Ma about the 3 week fling you had in Delhi in January"
He swears
"Ma to yeh bhi kaha tha ki tum aise words use nahi kar sakte"
"Are you serious Radz?"
"I dont want to marry teh Citi Bank dude!"
"So you are just using this Kohli guy to get rid of the banker?"
"Kohli nahi Kapoor"
"Jo bhi hai" "Since when did you become afraid to speak your mind?"
He was oddly surprised about his baby sister. She was the one that jumped to conclusions, spoke her mind, was not afraid to speak the truth. It was quite unlike her to be this way............
"I dont want to say No to the Citi Bank dude and then have this geek bail on me..... you know what I mean."Papa Ma bhi naraaz hain mujhse already , ab is bande ke baare mein kahoongi to I will be slaughtered.......... kya karoon.... koi solution bata.......... hes a Panju....
"Techie hai kya?"
"He writes apps for a living. He wears glasses and went to CMU to study Comp Sc"
"Shit" "He doesnt have a steady job then. Ma ke list ki pehli requirement"
"Like I am going to get MARRIED to him!" "Pffffff!" she shook her head arrogantly
Friday, April 27, 2012
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Part 51--Scoop of Life--Astounded
February 14th 2011
7:04 PM Onwards
East of Kailash-Saket.
They were in an embrace.........her arms went under his and were holding his shoulder from the back........ his was wrapped around her waist, his right hand held the back of her neck......... coaxing, pleading....
His scent was all over face and neck, her dupatta lay on the floor, she felt like a giant pendulum was swinging inside crashing from side to side.......... her every pore throbbed and she was completely QUIET!
"Raghav" she said for the very first time.....
As the sound entered his ears... he clenched her waist.........
His coarse soul patch had grazed her cheek and neck afterall......
She was shockingly aware of him now.... physically... the awareness that had crept in now and then, when she found him looking at her deeply, was all encompassing now.........
She had touched his glasses when his face had loomed close, he watched her hands intently as she traced the frame with her finger, and gently nudged it on the bridge of his nose, as HE DID all the time...
Her phone rang jolting her out of her trance. She let go of him suddenly and searched the now messy desk....
He steadied her.... a hand on her waist
His hair was fully tousled.... the parting no longer visible.
He had chuckled when she had messed with it moments ago.
He had done the same..... groaning in pleasure...
"Radhika....." he had whispered.... multiple times in her face
It was her Mom!
"Jee Ma?" she said hoarsley trying to find her voice
Her Mom spoke animatedly for a change.......
"Woh main" she said looking at where she was.....
"Radhu?" her Mom enquired worrying....
He was picking up all the fallen USB drives and stacking them up according to the ID sticker back in the box.
He picked up her dupatta.....
"Thanks" she muttered without meeting his eyes. Swiftly strangled herself.... or tried to....
"Radhu?" her Mom called out
"Aap Bhai ke ghar hain?"
"What happened? I JUST told you, I am at Mrs Bhatia's her insulin levels were low and I will be here until Uncle returns" "Radhu?"
She could hear her insides thud painfully..... she leaned back on the nearest table.....
Her "geek" was rearranging her USB box
Every time he touched his glasses or soul patch she turned red.....
"Ma main East of Kailsh hoon" she mumbled....
"Wahan kyon gayi? Office band hai na?"
"Jee"
"KYA hua beta? Gaadi kharab hai kya? Tum to aaj lekar bhi nahi gayi, Umesh ke saath gayi na?"
"Hmm"
Her Mom is seriously worried.........
"Woh Kanpur trip ke liye research karne aayi Ma. Ek ghante mein ghar?"
"Main laut jaaon Mrs Bhatia ke yahan se? Tum bhi chalogi Rachit ke ghar?"
"NAHI" she denied too quick....
"Radhu beta?"
"I .... I... Main aa jaaoongi Mom...." "Abhi rakhoon?"
"Hmmm" she said not convinced
She turned around facing away from him, and touched her cheek, placed her phone's back side on it, it cooled it down a bit............. now everything smells like him........ she pulled her dupatta from her neck and inhaled "Yeh bhi?"
She turned around walked purposefully to the sorting desk and looked for her drives.... placed it nervously on her stack of things as the lobby guard walked in!!!
"Madam ho gaya kaam?"
"How did YOU know?" she muttered under her breath........ beginning to laugh.... which returned some of her composure.
The guard lingered looking at the foot high stack of documents she had collected
"Madam antry kar do lekar jaana hai to"
She nodded....
Raghav was by the windows looking through a book
"Dinner, Radhika?" he asked making eye contact.......as if he knew she was looking at him.
7:04 PM Onwards
East of Kailash-Saket.
They were in an embrace.........her arms went under his and were holding his shoulder from the back........ his was wrapped around her waist, his right hand held the back of her neck......... coaxing, pleading....
His scent was all over face and neck, her dupatta lay on the floor, she felt like a giant pendulum was swinging inside crashing from side to side.......... her every pore throbbed and she was completely QUIET!
"Raghav" she said for the very first time.....
As the sound entered his ears... he clenched her waist.........
His coarse soul patch had grazed her cheek and neck afterall......
She was shockingly aware of him now.... physically... the awareness that had crept in now and then, when she found him looking at her deeply, was all encompassing now.........
She had touched his glasses when his face had loomed close, he watched her hands intently as she traced the frame with her finger, and gently nudged it on the bridge of his nose, as HE DID all the time...
Her phone rang jolting her out of her trance. She let go of him suddenly and searched the now messy desk....
He steadied her.... a hand on her waist
His hair was fully tousled.... the parting no longer visible.
He had chuckled when she had messed with it moments ago.
He had done the same..... groaning in pleasure...
"Radhika....." he had whispered.... multiple times in her face
It was her Mom!
"Jee Ma?" she said hoarsley trying to find her voice
Her Mom spoke animatedly for a change.......
"Woh main" she said looking at where she was.....
"Radhu?" her Mom enquired worrying....
He was picking up all the fallen USB drives and stacking them up according to the ID sticker back in the box.
He picked up her dupatta.....
"Thanks" she muttered without meeting his eyes. Swiftly strangled herself.... or tried to....
"Radhu?" her Mom called out
"Aap Bhai ke ghar hain?"
"What happened? I JUST told you, I am at Mrs Bhatia's her insulin levels were low and I will be here until Uncle returns" "Radhu?"
She could hear her insides thud painfully..... she leaned back on the nearest table.....
Her "geek" was rearranging her USB box
Every time he touched his glasses or soul patch she turned red.....
"Ma main East of Kailsh hoon" she mumbled....
"Wahan kyon gayi? Office band hai na?"
"Jee"
"KYA hua beta? Gaadi kharab hai kya? Tum to aaj lekar bhi nahi gayi, Umesh ke saath gayi na?"
"Hmm"
Her Mom is seriously worried.........
"Woh Kanpur trip ke liye research karne aayi Ma. Ek ghante mein ghar?"
"Main laut jaaon Mrs Bhatia ke yahan se? Tum bhi chalogi Rachit ke ghar?"
"NAHI" she denied too quick....
"Radhu beta?"
"I .... I... Main aa jaaoongi Mom...." "Abhi rakhoon?"
"Hmmm" she said not convinced
She turned around facing away from him, and touched her cheek, placed her phone's back side on it, it cooled it down a bit............. now everything smells like him........ she pulled her dupatta from her neck and inhaled "Yeh bhi?"
She turned around walked purposefully to the sorting desk and looked for her drives.... placed it nervously on her stack of things as the lobby guard walked in!!!
"Madam ho gaya kaam?"
"How did YOU know?" she muttered under her breath........ beginning to laugh.... which returned some of her composure.
The guard lingered looking at the foot high stack of documents she had collected
"Madam antry kar do lekar jaana hai to"
She nodded....
Raghav was by the windows looking through a book
"Dinner, Radhika?" he asked making eye contact.......as if he knew she was looking at him.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Part 50--Scoop of Life---Consensus
February 14th 2011
5 ish PM Onwards
Malviya Nagar-East of Kailash--Saket
Rad: Its a VW today? (smiling at the silver, convertible). OK I need to know what your Dad does for a living (laughs) These things cost a fortune. I am saving up to buy myself a BMW convertible by the time I am... (stops doesnt say "30")
He held the door open for her, the black tarp like roof was in place...
Just as he was used to have her chatter endlessly, he waited.....
She put her voluminous leather satchels and laptop bags in the back, he tilted and slid the passenger seat forward for her..............
Rad: When we went to Mauritius a year or two ago, Rit rented a Mazda Miata. I ABSOLUTELY loved it. Papa ne mujhe chalaane nahi diya. Ma was OK. I had gotten my license a year ago, phir bhi.......
He sat down and just stared at her......
A lock of hair fell repeatedly on his left eyebrow, he gently pushed it back with his long tapering fingers..... the action told her he must do that a lot........
That and pushing his glasses on the bridge of his nose..........
"Tum busy nahi the aaj?" she asked smiling suggestively
He looked confused....
"OMG! Tumhe yaad bhi nahi?"
"Kya?" he asked still lost some where in her face
"Aaaj Valentines day hai" (smug)
"Hmm" he acknowledged
His first two girlfriends "made" him do all the cliched routine associated with the day........ he was more keen on what ever he got at night..... it was O.K. he thought...........
Radhika paused and wondered "So he has NO clue? I must have hurt him by asking like that. Koi girlfriend rahi nahi hogi iski...... kabhi"
"When I was in high school we used to have competitions over heart shaped chocolate boxes and pink stuffed bears............. ughhhhhhhhhhhhhh 11th mein mujhe 7 mila.... I was second best"
He smiled............
"Tum hamesha kam bolte ho? Ya main kuch zyaada bolti hoon?" she giggled
He smiled "The first" he said softly
Mere kisi friends ko yakeen nahi hai I am seeing a guy that speaks 1 sentence when I speak 100. My ex used to compete with me in talking department" she said derisively
"I would rather compete....... elsewhere" he thought.....
The traffic was heavy behind a huge pile up near South Ex
She circled the nose ring with her index finger repeatedly..... he noticed, while she talked on the phone.......... "It must hurt!" he thought........
"Hamey, Panchseel se aana chahiye tha nahi?" "Papa jab bhi yeh road lete hain koi na koi jan rehta hai, I have to tell him there is one more person on the list" she laughed
He turned and looked at her " She does look exactly like him. They share the same eyes and smile" he concluded
She told him about her favorite PVR, her favorite grilled cheese place, her favorite spa, he favorite.....
She was too busy talking, she could only spare her arms for giving directions, she texted and answered a couple of calls as well..............
His phone didnt ring once, Nayana was texting him asking about tonite...........
The East of Kailash Branch Office was a bungalow converted in B Block...... the guard was reading a newspaper, the gates were shut............ it was past 6:30
She got out of the car, and he locked up and followed......... she spoke to the guy at the gate and waited for him
Raghav walked up to her............ "In shoes mein main tumhaari jitni tall hoon? Nahi?" she asked proudly
Her three inch heels made her appear 6 feet tall, still she came short by 5 or so inches, he smiled teasingly, as she measured herself on the drive way........ shoulder to shoulder, as she pressed down on his, hoping to squish him..............
:)
They walked into the lobby as she explained what the office was for "Dutch donors, Execs, multinational "prospect" donors etc" "Yeh hamara front end hai" "Worker bees like me are at the back end" "That dumpy office is where the real plans and real program charter is drafted, paani hum lekar aate hain,in logon ko bus photo opp chahiye bottle ke saath" firm and purposeful, she sounded very ambitious and driven........
The interiors were plush and well furnished, lots of laminated pictures of past and present projects adorned the walls, a guy sat at the reception wearing the same secirity company's uniform
He pushed a binder with Visitor Regn on it, she showed him her badged, he sulked and tapped the binder "Is par likh do madam"
She wrote, in neat handwriting............ aur yeh saab?" he asked suspiciously
"Mere friend hain" she said confidently
"ANTRY kar do madam" he raised his voice" "Aur gaadi ka number bhi aur mobile number bhi"
"I lied!" she declared "This is actually the vault of a Swiss Bank" she hissed
He smiled and took a pen and wrote, the "K" on his Kapoor entangled with the P on the Tripathi..........sending a strange shock wave through her.............. the enmeshed letters were sending her thoughts haywire...... she smiled secretly at her fantasy......... "I have a gutter mind!" "This guy will have a seizure if he hears my fantasies" she presumed.
She gave him a "Visitor" sticker and walked towards the stairs.......... "Mujhe Records room mein kaam hai Bhayya" she had said to the lobby guard
He had given her the keys.......... she unlocked hit the lights of what appeared to be a huge study converted into a library of sorts............ she logged on to a sleeping PC and looked up papers and docx.......... he leaned on the closed door and just watched, she called Poonam a couple times and answered Arin's call.......... the room echoed despite being closed in with a million books and files.
She grabbed some USB drives and some CDs and some paper files, got a another box of USB drives and leaned on the table sifting through them..........
She could hear him approach........ "Bus abhi 10 min?" "Ek 2007, ek 2009 ke do projects dhoond rahi hoon" searched the huge plastic bix of neatly marked media.
She patted and soothed her nose flesh he noticed............ "It must throb when she bends" he worried
"Why didnt you respond to my text" he asked..........
"Because I was hoping you would show up" she bit her lower lip to hide a clever smile as that thot formed in her mind
She urned around as the scent of the aftershave drew near.
She had a bunch of USBs in both her hands........he was an inch from her..........
"Does your nose hurt?" he asked softly.......... he brought an index finger and touched her sparkly stud.....
She sucked her breath in audibly, completely not prepared for the casual concern, she let go of the USBs and clutched the table with one hand.............
"Mujhe laga you missed a spot while shaving" she teased staring at his tuft below his lower lip.......
"Its called a soul patch" he educated her softly, his finger somewhere on her face............ face that was quickly glowing pink and scorching............
"It looks bristly" she declared hoarsely staring at the soul patch.......as she found his other hand on her waist.......... as all the USBs in her right hand cluttered to the floor.........
"Its not!" he said..........as his lips grazed hers ..............at first moist....cool........and full........
"You are right "Its not" she agreed in her mind..........floating some where in the stratosphere......."I am dead thats why I see stars!" she thought....
5 ish PM Onwards
Malviya Nagar-East of Kailash--Saket
Rad: Its a VW today? (smiling at the silver, convertible). OK I need to know what your Dad does for a living (laughs) These things cost a fortune. I am saving up to buy myself a BMW convertible by the time I am... (stops doesnt say "30")
He held the door open for her, the black tarp like roof was in place...
Just as he was used to have her chatter endlessly, he waited.....
She put her voluminous leather satchels and laptop bags in the back, he tilted and slid the passenger seat forward for her..............
Rad: When we went to Mauritius a year or two ago, Rit rented a Mazda Miata. I ABSOLUTELY loved it. Papa ne mujhe chalaane nahi diya. Ma was OK. I had gotten my license a year ago, phir bhi.......
He sat down and just stared at her......
A lock of hair fell repeatedly on his left eyebrow, he gently pushed it back with his long tapering fingers..... the action told her he must do that a lot........
That and pushing his glasses on the bridge of his nose..........
"Tum busy nahi the aaj?" she asked smiling suggestively
He looked confused....
"OMG! Tumhe yaad bhi nahi?"
"Kya?" he asked still lost some where in her face
"Aaaj Valentines day hai" (smug)
"Hmm" he acknowledged
His first two girlfriends "made" him do all the cliched routine associated with the day........ he was more keen on what ever he got at night..... it was O.K. he thought...........
Radhika paused and wondered "So he has NO clue? I must have hurt him by asking like that. Koi girlfriend rahi nahi hogi iski...... kabhi"
"When I was in high school we used to have competitions over heart shaped chocolate boxes and pink stuffed bears............. ughhhhhhhhhhhhhh 11th mein mujhe 7 mila.... I was second best"
He smiled............
"Tum hamesha kam bolte ho? Ya main kuch zyaada bolti hoon?" she giggled
He smiled "The first" he said softly
Mere kisi friends ko yakeen nahi hai I am seeing a guy that speaks 1 sentence when I speak 100. My ex used to compete with me in talking department" she said derisively
"I would rather compete....... elsewhere" he thought.....
The traffic was heavy behind a huge pile up near South Ex
She circled the nose ring with her index finger repeatedly..... he noticed, while she talked on the phone.......... "It must hurt!" he thought........
"Hamey, Panchseel se aana chahiye tha nahi?" "Papa jab bhi yeh road lete hain koi na koi jan rehta hai, I have to tell him there is one more person on the list" she laughed
He turned and looked at her " She does look exactly like him. They share the same eyes and smile" he concluded
She told him about her favorite PVR, her favorite grilled cheese place, her favorite spa, he favorite.....
She was too busy talking, she could only spare her arms for giving directions, she texted and answered a couple of calls as well..............
His phone didnt ring once, Nayana was texting him asking about tonite...........
The East of Kailash Branch Office was a bungalow converted in B Block...... the guard was reading a newspaper, the gates were shut............ it was past 6:30
She got out of the car, and he locked up and followed......... she spoke to the guy at the gate and waited for him
Raghav walked up to her............ "In shoes mein main tumhaari jitni tall hoon? Nahi?" she asked proudly
Her three inch heels made her appear 6 feet tall, still she came short by 5 or so inches, he smiled teasingly, as she measured herself on the drive way........ shoulder to shoulder, as she pressed down on his, hoping to squish him..............
:)
They walked into the lobby as she explained what the office was for "Dutch donors, Execs, multinational "prospect" donors etc" "Yeh hamara front end hai" "Worker bees like me are at the back end" "That dumpy office is where the real plans and real program charter is drafted, paani hum lekar aate hain,in logon ko bus photo opp chahiye bottle ke saath" firm and purposeful, she sounded very ambitious and driven........
The interiors were plush and well furnished, lots of laminated pictures of past and present projects adorned the walls, a guy sat at the reception wearing the same secirity company's uniform
He pushed a binder with Visitor Regn on it, she showed him her badged, he sulked and tapped the binder "Is par likh do madam"
She wrote, in neat handwriting............ aur yeh saab?" he asked suspiciously
"Mere friend hain" she said confidently
"ANTRY kar do madam" he raised his voice" "Aur gaadi ka number bhi aur mobile number bhi"
"I lied!" she declared "This is actually the vault of a Swiss Bank" she hissed
He smiled and took a pen and wrote, the "K" on his Kapoor entangled with the P on the Tripathi..........sending a strange shock wave through her.............. the enmeshed letters were sending her thoughts haywire...... she smiled secretly at her fantasy......... "I have a gutter mind!" "This guy will have a seizure if he hears my fantasies" she presumed.
She gave him a "Visitor" sticker and walked towards the stairs.......... "Mujhe Records room mein kaam hai Bhayya" she had said to the lobby guard
He had given her the keys.......... she unlocked hit the lights of what appeared to be a huge study converted into a library of sorts............ she logged on to a sleeping PC and looked up papers and docx.......... he leaned on the closed door and just watched, she called Poonam a couple times and answered Arin's call.......... the room echoed despite being closed in with a million books and files.
She grabbed some USB drives and some CDs and some paper files, got a another box of USB drives and leaned on the table sifting through them..........
She could hear him approach........ "Bus abhi 10 min?" "Ek 2007, ek 2009 ke do projects dhoond rahi hoon" searched the huge plastic bix of neatly marked media.
She patted and soothed her nose flesh he noticed............ "It must throb when she bends" he worried
"Why didnt you respond to my text" he asked..........
"Because I was hoping you would show up" she bit her lower lip to hide a clever smile as that thot formed in her mind
She urned around as the scent of the aftershave drew near.
She had a bunch of USBs in both her hands........he was an inch from her..........
"Does your nose hurt?" he asked softly.......... he brought an index finger and touched her sparkly stud.....
She sucked her breath in audibly, completely not prepared for the casual concern, she let go of the USBs and clutched the table with one hand.............
"Mujhe laga you missed a spot while shaving" she teased staring at his tuft below his lower lip.......
"Its called a soul patch" he educated her softly, his finger somewhere on her face............ face that was quickly glowing pink and scorching............
"It looks bristly" she declared hoarsely staring at the soul patch.......as she found his other hand on her waist.......... as all the USBs in her right hand cluttered to the floor.........
"Its not!" he said..........as his lips grazed hers ..............at first moist....cool........and full........
"You are right "Its not" she agreed in her mind..........floating some where in the stratosphere......."I am dead thats why I see stars!" she thought....
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Part 49--Scoop of Life-- Accede
Feb 14th 2011
Monday
Malviya Nagar
4 ish
"TUMM???" she asked, incredulous....
"Radhika" he said, as if that answered her question....
She walked upto him smiling............ her dupatta trailed behind her clumsily he noticed.......
"Tum yaha kya kar rahe ho?" confused, she asks
"You got your nose pierced?" he answered, with another question.
He looked at the sore red skin around her sparkling diamond, she turned her face to give him full view of it...
"Ahem!" "Kaisi lag rahi hoon main?" and laughed....
He had his arms folded across his chest, he smiled, and looked past her, as if indicating "Do you want me to tell you NOW?"
"Dad got a new job, you see, AND he LOVES it. He asked me what I wanted, it was either jewelry or a trip to Dubai, I was angling for both. My Mom is going to be shocked" "Par chalega, woh frequently mujhse naraaz rehti hain" "Mere baal yaha tak the, she indicates a spot in her bare midriff, the tucked shirt offered up a spot in the gleaming waist.... smooth like ivory" he thought.... ek din main bangs ke liye gayi, aur kaat liye. She literally fell of the sofa" "I mean SACH MEIN"
He leaned on the wall comfortably and just stared, he was happy to do that......... he had wanted to do that since their missed date on Friday.
He wanted to know why she didnt respond to his text from the morning.
He wanted to know what she did over the weekend.
As if on cue, she answered "Do you know? Mera matlab, shock mat hona, its not shocking, its not a woman, its a guy, but you know (conspiratorily) kal main ek ladke se milne gayi"
For a few moments after, she found herself being lost for words, as both stared wordlessly at each other
Something profoundly sensitive passed between the two.
Until a man pushed against the glass door Raghav was leaning on
"Oh!" said Raghav, still staring at her face.
She would not committ to any further details. She just clammed up. Looked behind his shoulder at the visitor
"Lawyer ke office se?" she asked the man.
"Jee he said
As Raghav continued to stare
She sensed a whiff of something warm and fuzzy crawl all over her body........... slowly..... melting her insides
She turned to look at him, as if he said something
He simply shook his head
"Tripathi Maam?" asked the visitor
"Woh meri Mom hain" giggling
The man looked confused
"Bhayya meri Ma college mein padhaati hain, Main Radhika Hoon" (not MAAM)
"Sorry Ma... mera matlab"
She signed the dirty brown envelope he held
The lady at the reception hollered "Radhu tere liye phone hai Aurin.........."
The visitor adjusts his shoulder strap of his courier bag and leaves.
"Aurin ko bolo mujhe us se koi baat nahi karni" (opens the envelope eagerly)
"Lady: Tu keh le na?
Rad: Shaheen Nahi yaar
"Good" Radhika muttered under her breath, sifting through the papers
Looked up straight into his eyes and asked "Tum kyon aaye?"
"Are you heading home shortly?" he asked ("I am not going to answer that Q")
"Mujhe East of Kailash jaana hai to get some files and media for the trip. Abhi ghar nahi ja sakti main. Ma Rachu Bhayya ke ghar dinner karne ja rahin hain, Papa office waalon ke saath, I am a lone ranger" "Shaheen tum lawyer ko phone kar dogi kya? Ack sign nahi kiya maine, mujhe abhi yaad aaya, notice issue karne mein abhi hafta hai"
"East of Kailash?' he asked
"Am I insane or what? Shaam ko dilli mein 5 baje main Malviya Nagar se East of Kailash jaane waali hoon."
"Do you need a ride?" he asked
She did, she hoped he would ask, talking made her jumpiness go away...... or atleast suppress it, she told herself.... she inhaled something akin to an aftershave........ as he straightened himself from leaning on the wall
Poonam yelled from inside "Tera phone 4 baar baj chuka hai Rad"
Radhika walked inside reading the documents she held, turned around mid way and asked "5 minutes?" earnestly......
"Only 5" he said softly...
Monday
Malviya Nagar
4 ish
"TUMM???" she asked, incredulous....
"Radhika" he said, as if that answered her question....
She walked upto him smiling............ her dupatta trailed behind her clumsily he noticed.......
"Tum yaha kya kar rahe ho?" confused, she asks
"You got your nose pierced?" he answered, with another question.
He looked at the sore red skin around her sparkling diamond, she turned her face to give him full view of it...
"Ahem!" "Kaisi lag rahi hoon main?" and laughed....
He had his arms folded across his chest, he smiled, and looked past her, as if indicating "Do you want me to tell you NOW?"
"Dad got a new job, you see, AND he LOVES it. He asked me what I wanted, it was either jewelry or a trip to Dubai, I was angling for both. My Mom is going to be shocked" "Par chalega, woh frequently mujhse naraaz rehti hain" "Mere baal yaha tak the, she indicates a spot in her bare midriff, the tucked shirt offered up a spot in the gleaming waist.... smooth like ivory" he thought.... ek din main bangs ke liye gayi, aur kaat liye. She literally fell of the sofa" "I mean SACH MEIN"
He leaned on the wall comfortably and just stared, he was happy to do that......... he had wanted to do that since their missed date on Friday.
He wanted to know why she didnt respond to his text from the morning.
He wanted to know what she did over the weekend.
As if on cue, she answered "Do you know? Mera matlab, shock mat hona, its not shocking, its not a woman, its a guy, but you know (conspiratorily) kal main ek ladke se milne gayi"
For a few moments after, she found herself being lost for words, as both stared wordlessly at each other
Something profoundly sensitive passed between the two.
Until a man pushed against the glass door Raghav was leaning on
"Oh!" said Raghav, still staring at her face.
She would not committ to any further details. She just clammed up. Looked behind his shoulder at the visitor
"Lawyer ke office se?" she asked the man.
"Jee he said
As Raghav continued to stare
She sensed a whiff of something warm and fuzzy crawl all over her body........... slowly..... melting her insides
She turned to look at him, as if he said something
He simply shook his head
"Tripathi Maam?" asked the visitor
"Woh meri Mom hain" giggling
The man looked confused
"Bhayya meri Ma college mein padhaati hain, Main Radhika Hoon" (not MAAM)
"Sorry Ma... mera matlab"
She signed the dirty brown envelope he held
The lady at the reception hollered "Radhu tere liye phone hai Aurin.........."
The visitor adjusts his shoulder strap of his courier bag and leaves.
"Aurin ko bolo mujhe us se koi baat nahi karni" (opens the envelope eagerly)
"Lady: Tu keh le na?
Rad: Shaheen Nahi yaar
"Good" Radhika muttered under her breath, sifting through the papers
Looked up straight into his eyes and asked "Tum kyon aaye?"
"Are you heading home shortly?" he asked ("I am not going to answer that Q")
"Mujhe East of Kailash jaana hai to get some files and media for the trip. Abhi ghar nahi ja sakti main. Ma Rachu Bhayya ke ghar dinner karne ja rahin hain, Papa office waalon ke saath, I am a lone ranger" "Shaheen tum lawyer ko phone kar dogi kya? Ack sign nahi kiya maine, mujhe abhi yaad aaya, notice issue karne mein abhi hafta hai"
"East of Kailash?' he asked
"Am I insane or what? Shaam ko dilli mein 5 baje main Malviya Nagar se East of Kailash jaane waali hoon."
"Do you need a ride?" he asked
She did, she hoped he would ask, talking made her jumpiness go away...... or atleast suppress it, she told herself.... she inhaled something akin to an aftershave........ as he straightened himself from leaning on the wall
Poonam yelled from inside "Tera phone 4 baar baj chuka hai Rad"
Radhika walked inside reading the documents she held, turned around mid way and asked "5 minutes?" earnestly......
"Only 5" he said softly...
Monday, April 23, 2012
Part 48--Scoop of Life-- Sparkle
February 14th 2011
Monday
Two-ish...
Gopaldas Bhavan Connaught Circus
Raghav paced his cube lazily..........deep in thought........ he wore a blue black trouser with what seemed like a formal white shirt with silver/self stripes... the tail was half tucked in half out.... at the back.... and crumpled....
He adjusted his ear bud in his right ear.... looked down at the traffic from the elevated vantage point........... scrolled... picked another song..... wore his second ear piece and listened for a minute... and removed it.
Leaned on the huge wall of windows, looking towards the inside........... people were milling around.... busy Monday.......
His screen saver jumped, image to image to image........ trekking.... rock climbing, scaling the Andes.... back packing in Norway....... there were some of his Mom cooking......... Rohini braiding her hair and Dadi reading the Ramayan........ there was only one of his Dad making a perfect drink......
His cousins dressed like Elvis........ for a Halloween....... BOTH, looking nothing like Elvis.........
There was a gentle tap on the door Nayana peeked in.... "Cup of jolt?" she asked, raising her mug...
Her plunging neckline did not leave anything to his imagination....she was relatively flat chested...... he had seen and felt what lay underneath more than a dozen times.......... now a white crocheted blouse, ......what looked like a table cloth Dadi spun when she was bored some afternoons............only pretended to sheath her lacy bra.......... the tan silk jacket she had worn at the meeting earlier was missing..........,
He twitched his lips to decline the offer..... she allowed him a view of herself..... before slowly stepping in and shutting the door.......... he didnt move from his lounging position.........
She sipped as she approached him...........
"You shaved?" she grinned "Knowingly"
He rubbed his hand on his jaw.......fingered his soul patch fondly... he didnt hear the rasp......... he had shaved at Noon before the cotsyn meeting in his private bathroom at work.......he pushed his frame back on his nose....... he could smell aftershave in his palms
Krishan was apalled when he showed up at 11 looking like he had just lost his fortune in the Wall Street collapse....
"Peruvian beans" she said arrogantly, inhaling her cup............ "Fair trade Peruvian beans"
The term Fair Trade reminded him of an activist..... better endowed than Nayana.......... she had caught him staring at Boombox a couple times.......... if he didnt know bettr he would assume she had blushed......
"Raghav?" Nayana coaxed for the third time as she admired her manicured hand holding his silver stripe shirt...........
"You do need coffee" she muttered huskily, as if it were something else
She held her cup near his lips......... he turned his face sideways........
checked his phone........... no texts...........
Nayana followed him like a puppy.........
He picked up his car keys from his sprawling gleaming walnut desk....... he recalled joking about it to his cousin Ateendra when the shipment had arrived from Philippines....... "I all I need is a pot belly and a cigar" he had joked sarcastically when his Dad had walked in to admire the desk............... Krishan continued to offer "some" privileges to the Kapoor first born.......... despite the cynicism he saw in the young man's eyes.......... too vividly sometimes.
"At this rate, it wont be long before the paunch shows" he had said in response to his son's nonchalance.
"Kahan ja rahe ho?" Nayana purred.......waking him
"Nowhere" he said, though his eyes seemed like they were purposeful...... she realized disappointedly
"Mr Tripathi was gushing about the way you met the cotsyn team" she offered a tempation..... and continued " Mr Modi, Mr Dayal Mr Sood.......... (all employee execs) thought you must start showing up everyday to work....... your Chachu will be SO proud" she gushed blocking his way clandestinely......... straightening her blouse, letting her neckline plunge further......
"Be back" he said blandly........ as he let himself out, she sipped her coffee and wondered........ staring at his tall, lean, wiry form.....
--------------
Malviya Nagar
Clean Water Initiative Office
3: 30 ish
Feb 14th 2011
Monday
Radhika: I let him speak 3 sentences in two hours......... itna to main Ritu ko bhi nahi bolne deti (giggled)
She was on the phone......... she wore blue jeans and a white shirt with shoulder straps....... a orange dupatta almost strangled her neck.......... she wore red bangles in her hand, they were all square............she felt her nose ring......... it was sore all around....... the diamond sparked.......... she made eye contact with Poonam and winked
Poonam joined her index finger and thumb to indicate she looked rocking.......... Radhika walked to a dumpy rest room in the corner, switched on the tube light......... the light sputtered and glowed in pain.......
she admired her nose ring.......... "Ma ko nahi maloom, Papa ko keh diya as soon as I got it at South Ex. Arey Ma pehanti hain....... Bhabhi ko kaha unhoney Bhabhi ka pain threshold bahut low hai, she refused.......... Papa wants grandkids, Bhabhi ne to mana kar diya (giggles) and on and on she rambles)
Poonam brings papers and files for review, documents that need signing......... she signed, and after every signature walked to the bathroom to look at her reflection........... and talked and talked........
Umesh walked in "Koi milne aaya hai tujhse" he yells
Radhika: Kaun? Woh Abdul Sattar & Co se? Kitne lawyers hain us company mein? (she talks WHILE being on another call)
Apologizes, hangs up......... bores Umesh to death before walking out to the chaotic, unkempt lobby
"TUM????????" she says shocked,though smiling......... looking down at herself to check her attire secretly........ her hair is a mess/mass of curls............ she is bare feet, as she liked to sit with her feet up in the chair.......
"Radhika" he responded staring at her nose ring....... letting his senses be aroused as his brain sent the happy signals all over...
Monday
Two-ish...
Gopaldas Bhavan Connaught Circus
Raghav paced his cube lazily..........deep in thought........ he wore a blue black trouser with what seemed like a formal white shirt with silver/self stripes... the tail was half tucked in half out.... at the back.... and crumpled....
He adjusted his ear bud in his right ear.... looked down at the traffic from the elevated vantage point........... scrolled... picked another song..... wore his second ear piece and listened for a minute... and removed it.
Leaned on the huge wall of windows, looking towards the inside........... people were milling around.... busy Monday.......
His screen saver jumped, image to image to image........ trekking.... rock climbing, scaling the Andes.... back packing in Norway....... there were some of his Mom cooking......... Rohini braiding her hair and Dadi reading the Ramayan........ there was only one of his Dad making a perfect drink......
His cousins dressed like Elvis........ for a Halloween....... BOTH, looking nothing like Elvis.........
There was a gentle tap on the door Nayana peeked in.... "Cup of jolt?" she asked, raising her mug...
Her plunging neckline did not leave anything to his imagination....she was relatively flat chested...... he had seen and felt what lay underneath more than a dozen times.......... now a white crocheted blouse, ......what looked like a table cloth Dadi spun when she was bored some afternoons............only pretended to sheath her lacy bra.......... the tan silk jacket she had worn at the meeting earlier was missing..........,
He twitched his lips to decline the offer..... she allowed him a view of herself..... before slowly stepping in and shutting the door.......... he didnt move from his lounging position.........
She sipped as she approached him...........
"You shaved?" she grinned "Knowingly"
He rubbed his hand on his jaw.......fingered his soul patch fondly... he didnt hear the rasp......... he had shaved at Noon before the cotsyn meeting in his private bathroom at work.......he pushed his frame back on his nose....... he could smell aftershave in his palms
Krishan was apalled when he showed up at 11 looking like he had just lost his fortune in the Wall Street collapse....
"Peruvian beans" she said arrogantly, inhaling her cup............ "Fair trade Peruvian beans"
The term Fair Trade reminded him of an activist..... better endowed than Nayana.......... she had caught him staring at Boombox a couple times.......... if he didnt know bettr he would assume she had blushed......
"Raghav?" Nayana coaxed for the third time as she admired her manicured hand holding his silver stripe shirt...........
"You do need coffee" she muttered huskily, as if it were something else
She held her cup near his lips......... he turned his face sideways........
checked his phone........... no texts...........
Nayana followed him like a puppy.........
He picked up his car keys from his sprawling gleaming walnut desk....... he recalled joking about it to his cousin Ateendra when the shipment had arrived from Philippines....... "I all I need is a pot belly and a cigar" he had joked sarcastically when his Dad had walked in to admire the desk............... Krishan continued to offer "some" privileges to the Kapoor first born.......... despite the cynicism he saw in the young man's eyes.......... too vividly sometimes.
"At this rate, it wont be long before the paunch shows" he had said in response to his son's nonchalance.
"Kahan ja rahe ho?" Nayana purred.......waking him
"Nowhere" he said, though his eyes seemed like they were purposeful...... she realized disappointedly
"Mr Tripathi was gushing about the way you met the cotsyn team" she offered a tempation..... and continued " Mr Modi, Mr Dayal Mr Sood.......... (all employee execs) thought you must start showing up everyday to work....... your Chachu will be SO proud" she gushed blocking his way clandestinely......... straightening her blouse, letting her neckline plunge further......
"Be back" he said blandly........ as he let himself out, she sipped her coffee and wondered........ staring at his tall, lean, wiry form.....
--------------
Malviya Nagar
Clean Water Initiative Office
3: 30 ish
Feb 14th 2011
Monday
Radhika: I let him speak 3 sentences in two hours......... itna to main Ritu ko bhi nahi bolne deti (giggled)
She was on the phone......... she wore blue jeans and a white shirt with shoulder straps....... a orange dupatta almost strangled her neck.......... she wore red bangles in her hand, they were all square............she felt her nose ring......... it was sore all around....... the diamond sparked.......... she made eye contact with Poonam and winked
Poonam joined her index finger and thumb to indicate she looked rocking.......... Radhika walked to a dumpy rest room in the corner, switched on the tube light......... the light sputtered and glowed in pain.......
she admired her nose ring.......... "Ma ko nahi maloom, Papa ko keh diya as soon as I got it at South Ex. Arey Ma pehanti hain....... Bhabhi ko kaha unhoney Bhabhi ka pain threshold bahut low hai, she refused.......... Papa wants grandkids, Bhabhi ne to mana kar diya (giggles) and on and on she rambles)
Poonam brings papers and files for review, documents that need signing......... she signed, and after every signature walked to the bathroom to look at her reflection........... and talked and talked........
Umesh walked in "Koi milne aaya hai tujhse" he yells
Radhika: Kaun? Woh Abdul Sattar & Co se? Kitne lawyers hain us company mein? (she talks WHILE being on another call)
Apologizes, hangs up......... bores Umesh to death before walking out to the chaotic, unkempt lobby
"TUM????????" she says shocked,though smiling......... looking down at herself to check her attire secretly........ her hair is a mess/mass of curls............ she is bare feet, as she liked to sit with her feet up in the chair.......
"Radhika" he responded staring at her nose ring....... letting his senses be aroused as his brain sent the happy signals all over...
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Part 47--Scoop of Life--Longing
Feb 14th 2011
Monday
Golf Links
8:08 AM
Kapoor Residence
Dadi: Do you need another omlette Raghav? (turning towards him)
Raghav chews on his toast while Ruchira clumps up his hair and tries to tie it with her scuncie
Ruchira: Ma, Bhai ke baal mere se kitne thick hain.
Her Mom smiles, "Like your Dad's" she says, proudly....
Ruchira: Why couldnt it have been MINE?
Mridula: Phir tum bhi iski tarah chup chup rehti
Dadi: Koi mere Raghav ko kuch nahi kahega.
Ruchira: Par Nayana to bolti hai (giggles)
Just as Mridula, signals her to shut up as her husband approaches....
Dadi: Are you still seeing her Raghav?
Raghav: With my glasses..... yes.... I do.... (bland)
Dadi rolls her eyes
Mridula: Raghav, yeh kya jawaab hua Raghav?
Raghav just looks at his Mom. She is wearing a crisp blue cotton saree, pinned on her shoulder, like a teacher..... she is TALL and attarctive.... just like his Dad, who approached the table.....
Krishan: Aaj to full force? (signals his first born with his eyes)
Dadi smiles proudly..... "He cant always be the slacker!"
Krishan: Arey wah!
Raghav continues to eat.... he helps himself to another omlette..... digs at something green on it..... looks up at his Mom and smiles..... "Parsley and cumin?"
Dadi: THIS is your calling Raghav... Join forces with Mom!
He smiles and chews........
Ruchira takes a bite from his plate........
Mridula: Ruchira!!! Where is your manners....
Ruchira: Bhai borrowed it!!!
"Bhai" chuckles
Krishan: Just like everything else, he must not have returned it....
Dadaji walks in with Gin and Tonic in tow, they lunge at Raghav.........
He feeds Gin a bite of omlette.......... She chews hungrily.......
Krishan: There! Thats exactly what I am talking about
Krishan's phone rings "Nayana... I was supposed to meet with an Info & Broadcasting Under Secy at 11, zara push kar dogi usko until 2. Pawan and I are meeting the cotsyn lawyer with Sushil....
He listens..........
Krsihan: Raghav? (into the phone)
Raghav's face takes on a look of controlled awareness, he is sure his Mom and Dadi are watching him closely.........
Krishan: Pawan se baat kar loon main? (into the phone)
Gestures his wife to stop the pouring of oatmeal........ she garnishes it with fresh ground cinnamon.......
Hesays no brown sugar......
Raghav reaches for coffee.....
Mridula: Thrid cup beta?
Raghav nods....
Dadi: He was up until 2 ish this morning......
Dadaji: Shaadi kar do iski, biwi bistar se uthne nahi degi
Ruchira: Woh kyon Dadaji?
Dadi smacks her husband and smiles at her grand daughter..........
Ruchira: OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I KNOW!! (giggles)
Raghav smiles, his half smile.........
Dadaji: Nayana is already working him too hard (guffaws)
Krishan: Dad DO YOU MIND? (hisses, indicating, she is on the PHONE)
Dadaji, unfazed.... "Laga reh puttar," (swears in Punjabi, and follows with a risque joke)
Mridula clears her throat and leaves the table.... Krishan almost blushes...........
Dadi admonishes her hubby in stern Punjabi
Ruchira is trying to make sense of the thick native Punjabi.....
Raghav looks at his Dadaji and half smiles.......... completely unfazed just like the septuagenarian
Dadaji: Jisko samajhna tha woh samajh gaya
Krsihan: Hes pretty good.... shows a lot of spark..... good leader ship skills (into the phone)
Raghav realizes it must be another call, as Nayana would care about how skilled anybody is, except HIMSELF in BED........ ofcourse.........
He thought about the last time they slept together, over a month ago..........
He hadnt been celibate this long..... since.......... he understood the meaning of the word.......
Mridula: Your coffee beta!
He nods and smiles........
Mridula: Kidhar kho gaye?
Rohini walks up to her and hugs her...........
Mridula: Scrambled eggs?
Raghav pulls on her longish braid......... as she yelps
Rohini: MA! Bhai is a pest!
Dadi: He is my most fave.........
Rohini (snotty) That doesnt mean anything dadi
Mridula: Rohini!!!
Raghav lets his sister Ruchira clean up his plate, feeds teh crumbs to the sleepy canines under the table...... while Mridula "Tchh tcch" es.
Mridula (slightly nervous) Aaj ja rahe ho Corp Office
Raghav sensing the curiosity "Maybe.... in the afternoon"
Krsihan: Subah kis kaam mein busy ho? (bluntly, as he hung up the phone)
Raghav: Not busy........ (evasive)
Krishan: then you can meet with us over the cotsyn thing.......... the Ops Director..... Tripathi can use some assistance"
Raghav looks up at his Dad.......... his Dad returns the shocked expression........
Krishan: What? We have people working for us.... you know.... (mocking)
Raghav shrugs.......
Krishan: Hes been with us for a month now? Apna kuch business tha kabhi he says......
Dadaji: Great! I am happy you filled that slot.......
Krishan: Hes quite good! (guarded)
Dadaji: Did you have to pay relocation?
Krishan: Nope! Hes from Delhi....... 4 jobs in 4 years (mocking) Not sure where he lives......... IIT grad......
Dadaji looks impressed
Dadi and Mridula are talking about a writer's Forum Mridula wants Dadi to go with...
Raghav: Whats his name?
Krishan: Sushil Tripathi...
Raghav vaguely recalls seeing that name.... SOME WHERE.....
Krishan: Pawan had to meet the Safety Director for the Yavatmal plant..... koi naya DM appoint hua hai.......... he is planning to cite us for safety violations and unsavory working conditions" (incredulous)
Dadaji: Usko khilao pilao, rafa dafa karo maamle ko!
Krishan: pata nahi ji.... kisi baat par settle nahi ho raha banda....... 4 saal hue IAS karey hue... (mocking)
Dadaji: Josh mein hoga! (admiring)
Krishan pointedly looking at his son "Yep! Some of them have the passion"
The last word triggers a hunger in his body.........
Raghav is for some reason reminded of his vision from his dream....... of being in bed with a tall curly haired.... edgy, non conformist style..... goddess that talked like it was nobody's business..........
He picked up his glass and sipped his water............ a huge chunk of ice..... slipped into his mouth........ he chewed and crunched it confidently........ as he stared at the center of the table...... pushed his glasses on the bridge of his nose.........
"When is the meeting?" asks Raghav....... as he scrolls on his phone to find Radhika's number
Monday
Golf Links
8:08 AM
Kapoor Residence
Dadi: Do you need another omlette Raghav? (turning towards him)
Raghav chews on his toast while Ruchira clumps up his hair and tries to tie it with her scuncie
Ruchira: Ma, Bhai ke baal mere se kitne thick hain.
Her Mom smiles, "Like your Dad's" she says, proudly....
Ruchira: Why couldnt it have been MINE?
Mridula: Phir tum bhi iski tarah chup chup rehti
Dadi: Koi mere Raghav ko kuch nahi kahega.
Ruchira: Par Nayana to bolti hai (giggles)
Just as Mridula, signals her to shut up as her husband approaches....
Dadi: Are you still seeing her Raghav?
Raghav: With my glasses..... yes.... I do.... (bland)
Dadi rolls her eyes
Mridula: Raghav, yeh kya jawaab hua Raghav?
Raghav just looks at his Mom. She is wearing a crisp blue cotton saree, pinned on her shoulder, like a teacher..... she is TALL and attarctive.... just like his Dad, who approached the table.....
Krishan: Aaj to full force? (signals his first born with his eyes)
Dadi smiles proudly..... "He cant always be the slacker!"
Krishan: Arey wah!
Raghav continues to eat.... he helps himself to another omlette..... digs at something green on it..... looks up at his Mom and smiles..... "Parsley and cumin?"
Dadi: THIS is your calling Raghav... Join forces with Mom!
He smiles and chews........
Ruchira takes a bite from his plate........
Mridula: Ruchira!!! Where is your manners....
Ruchira: Bhai borrowed it!!!
"Bhai" chuckles
Krishan: Just like everything else, he must not have returned it....
Dadaji walks in with Gin and Tonic in tow, they lunge at Raghav.........
He feeds Gin a bite of omlette.......... She chews hungrily.......
Krishan: There! Thats exactly what I am talking about
Krishan's phone rings "Nayana... I was supposed to meet with an Info & Broadcasting Under Secy at 11, zara push kar dogi usko until 2. Pawan and I are meeting the cotsyn lawyer with Sushil....
He listens..........
Krsihan: Raghav? (into the phone)
Raghav's face takes on a look of controlled awareness, he is sure his Mom and Dadi are watching him closely.........
Krishan: Pawan se baat kar loon main? (into the phone)
Gestures his wife to stop the pouring of oatmeal........ she garnishes it with fresh ground cinnamon.......
Hesays no brown sugar......
Raghav reaches for coffee.....
Mridula: Thrid cup beta?
Raghav nods....
Dadi: He was up until 2 ish this morning......
Dadaji: Shaadi kar do iski, biwi bistar se uthne nahi degi
Ruchira: Woh kyon Dadaji?
Dadi smacks her husband and smiles at her grand daughter..........
Ruchira: OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I KNOW!! (giggles)
Raghav smiles, his half smile.........
Dadaji: Nayana is already working him too hard (guffaws)
Krishan: Dad DO YOU MIND? (hisses, indicating, she is on the PHONE)
Dadaji, unfazed.... "Laga reh puttar," (swears in Punjabi, and follows with a risque joke)
Mridula clears her throat and leaves the table.... Krishan almost blushes...........
Dadi admonishes her hubby in stern Punjabi
Ruchira is trying to make sense of the thick native Punjabi.....
Raghav looks at his Dadaji and half smiles.......... completely unfazed just like the septuagenarian
Dadaji: Jisko samajhna tha woh samajh gaya
Krsihan: Hes pretty good.... shows a lot of spark..... good leader ship skills (into the phone)
Raghav realizes it must be another call, as Nayana would care about how skilled anybody is, except HIMSELF in BED........ ofcourse.........
He thought about the last time they slept together, over a month ago..........
He hadnt been celibate this long..... since.......... he understood the meaning of the word.......
Mridula: Your coffee beta!
He nods and smiles........
Mridula: Kidhar kho gaye?
Rohini walks up to her and hugs her...........
Mridula: Scrambled eggs?
Raghav pulls on her longish braid......... as she yelps
Rohini: MA! Bhai is a pest!
Dadi: He is my most fave.........
Rohini (snotty) That doesnt mean anything dadi
Mridula: Rohini!!!
Raghav lets his sister Ruchira clean up his plate, feeds teh crumbs to the sleepy canines under the table...... while Mridula "Tchh tcch" es.
Mridula (slightly nervous) Aaj ja rahe ho Corp Office
Raghav sensing the curiosity "Maybe.... in the afternoon"
Krsihan: Subah kis kaam mein busy ho? (bluntly, as he hung up the phone)
Raghav: Not busy........ (evasive)
Krishan: then you can meet with us over the cotsyn thing.......... the Ops Director..... Tripathi can use some assistance"
Raghav looks up at his Dad.......... his Dad returns the shocked expression........
Krishan: What? We have people working for us.... you know.... (mocking)
Raghav shrugs.......
Krishan: Hes been with us for a month now? Apna kuch business tha kabhi he says......
Dadaji: Great! I am happy you filled that slot.......
Krishan: Hes quite good! (guarded)
Dadaji: Did you have to pay relocation?
Krishan: Nope! Hes from Delhi....... 4 jobs in 4 years (mocking) Not sure where he lives......... IIT grad......
Dadaji looks impressed
Dadi and Mridula are talking about a writer's Forum Mridula wants Dadi to go with...
Raghav: Whats his name?
Krishan: Sushil Tripathi...
Raghav vaguely recalls seeing that name.... SOME WHERE.....
Krishan: Pawan had to meet the Safety Director for the Yavatmal plant..... koi naya DM appoint hua hai.......... he is planning to cite us for safety violations and unsavory working conditions" (incredulous)
Dadaji: Usko khilao pilao, rafa dafa karo maamle ko!
Krishan: pata nahi ji.... kisi baat par settle nahi ho raha banda....... 4 saal hue IAS karey hue... (mocking)
Dadaji: Josh mein hoga! (admiring)
Krishan pointedly looking at his son "Yep! Some of them have the passion"
The last word triggers a hunger in his body.........
Raghav is for some reason reminded of his vision from his dream....... of being in bed with a tall curly haired.... edgy, non conformist style..... goddess that talked like it was nobody's business..........
He picked up his glass and sipped his water............ a huge chunk of ice..... slipped into his mouth........ he chewed and crunched it confidently........ as he stared at the center of the table...... pushed his glasses on the bridge of his nose.........
"When is the meeting?" asks Raghav....... as he scrolls on his phone to find Radhika's number
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Part 46-- Scoop of Life-- Connecting the dots
Feb 13th 2011
Sunday
Saket
11:04 AM
Radhika and her Mom are on the couch sipping chai. Gopi is watching a soap re run in the kitchen. Her Dad is reading the Sunday newspaper
Radhika is strangely quiet!
Her Mom is reviewing some class notes, she notices her daughter's silence surreptiously...........
Makes eye contact with her husband.....
Dad: So how did you like the guy beta?
Thinking of who she was at the time, a smile forms, followed by some high color..... she clears her throat..... "I dont want to get married Papa!"
Sudha: Ufffff! Phir se shuru ho gayi....
Dad silences Mom "Achha BTW did I tell you about the various things my company is planning to expand into?
Radhika understands the pointed change of topic "Haan Papa, aap apne naye job ki baat karen, its SAFE. Waise ek baat sochiye, agar MAIN chali gayi to aap ki baat sun ne waala kaun hai?" (giggles)
Mom: Baat SUN NE waala nahi, baat karne waali (firm, smacking her with paper)
Radz: Papa LOVES to hear me talk..........
Her Dad abandons his rocking chair seat and newspaper and goes sits by his daughter.....
Radhika hugs him tight..... " I am going to stay in Saket ALLLLLLL my life........ Ma, aap chahe BHU mein woh temp position lekar jaayen main to Papa ke paas"
Her Mom rolls her eyes
Dad: Haan bus Radhika ko koi khaana banana sikha do bhai.... phir mujhe koi problem nahi hai.. (grins)
Radz: Gopi hai na Papa....
Dad: uski shaadi ho gayi to?
Radhika is lost for words...........
Sudha: Gopi ki shaadi ho jaaye phir bhi woh hamari Radhu ki seva karegi (mocks)
Radhika makes a face "I will learn to cook, to please my Papa! " Index finger raised.........
Sudha: Kis se?
Rad: Mere.........(boyfriend?) meri friend ke Mom se, she is an author........
Sushil: Cook book author? (suddenly very curious)
Radhika is confused and so is her Mom........
Sushila: Too many people in our food these days..... the company's president's wife apparently is a famous author....
Sudha is not very interested in culinary arts, so she just shrugs.....
Radhika: Aapki company kya kya banati hai Papa? I saw an ad on TV a week or so ago....
Sushil: Cotton and terylene yarn, coir, machine tools, textiles.... abhi ek cotsyn compnay khareedne ki baat chal rahi hai.... a sick industrial unit....
Radhika is reading the comics page.....
Sushil: Too many of those in UP, since China came along
She jumps up at the mention of UP "UP MEIN? "Kidhar?"
Sushil: Farrukhabad, Hardoi, Sitapur etc mein mills hain.... ek aur bhi... (thoughtful)
Radz: Do you love your job?
Sushil: its a job! (morose)
Sudha raises her head from her papers and looks at her husband....
Sushil: We could have had it all Radhu..... ek time tha!
Radhika, who was always upbeat and cheerful, never really moped for anything, was not moody or sad frequently.... was suddenly very quiet....
She stared at her Dad as he removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes..... he then looked at the huge glass covered shelving filled with brass art ware.....
Sushil: We could have been the brass kings! (proud)
Sudha: Gopi, doosri chai bana lo zara, aur bhindi la do main kaat deti hoon (changing the topic)
Radhika: I wouled have LOVED that Papa, I always wanted to be a Page 3 regular.........
Stands up and preens, walks like would on a ramp.........
She is tall and lovely..... though sleepy eyed and clumsy.......
Sushil: yaad aa gaya... ek unit Dehat Kanpur mein bhi hai!
Radhika blushes, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear..... as her insides rotate
Sunday
Saket
11:04 AM
Radhika and her Mom are on the couch sipping chai. Gopi is watching a soap re run in the kitchen. Her Dad is reading the Sunday newspaper
Radhika is strangely quiet!
Her Mom is reviewing some class notes, she notices her daughter's silence surreptiously...........
Makes eye contact with her husband.....
Dad: So how did you like the guy beta?
Thinking of who she was at the time, a smile forms, followed by some high color..... she clears her throat..... "I dont want to get married Papa!"
Sudha: Ufffff! Phir se shuru ho gayi....
Dad silences Mom "Achha BTW did I tell you about the various things my company is planning to expand into?
Radhika understands the pointed change of topic "Haan Papa, aap apne naye job ki baat karen, its SAFE. Waise ek baat sochiye, agar MAIN chali gayi to aap ki baat sun ne waala kaun hai?" (giggles)
Mom: Baat SUN NE waala nahi, baat karne waali (firm, smacking her with paper)
Radz: Papa LOVES to hear me talk..........
Her Dad abandons his rocking chair seat and newspaper and goes sits by his daughter.....
Radhika hugs him tight..... " I am going to stay in Saket ALLLLLLL my life........ Ma, aap chahe BHU mein woh temp position lekar jaayen main to Papa ke paas"
Her Mom rolls her eyes
Dad: Haan bus Radhika ko koi khaana banana sikha do bhai.... phir mujhe koi problem nahi hai.. (grins)
Radz: Gopi hai na Papa....
Dad: uski shaadi ho gayi to?
Radhika is lost for words...........
Sudha: Gopi ki shaadi ho jaaye phir bhi woh hamari Radhu ki seva karegi (mocks)
Radhika makes a face "I will learn to cook, to please my Papa! " Index finger raised.........
Sudha: Kis se?
Rad: Mere.........(boyfriend?) meri friend ke Mom se, she is an author........
Sushil: Cook book author? (suddenly very curious)
Radhika is confused and so is her Mom........
Sushila: Too many people in our food these days..... the company's president's wife apparently is a famous author....
Sudha is not very interested in culinary arts, so she just shrugs.....
Radhika: Aapki company kya kya banati hai Papa? I saw an ad on TV a week or so ago....
Sushil: Cotton and terylene yarn, coir, machine tools, textiles.... abhi ek cotsyn compnay khareedne ki baat chal rahi hai.... a sick industrial unit....
Radhika is reading the comics page.....
Sushil: Too many of those in UP, since China came along
She jumps up at the mention of UP "UP MEIN? "Kidhar?"
Sushil: Farrukhabad, Hardoi, Sitapur etc mein mills hain.... ek aur bhi... (thoughtful)
Radz: Do you love your job?
Sushil: its a job! (morose)
Sudha raises her head from her papers and looks at her husband....
Sushil: We could have had it all Radhu..... ek time tha!
Radhika, who was always upbeat and cheerful, never really moped for anything, was not moody or sad frequently.... was suddenly very quiet....
She stared at her Dad as he removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes..... he then looked at the huge glass covered shelving filled with brass art ware.....
Sushil: We could have been the brass kings! (proud)
Sudha: Gopi, doosri chai bana lo zara, aur bhindi la do main kaat deti hoon (changing the topic)
Radhika: I wouled have LOVED that Papa, I always wanted to be a Page 3 regular.........
Stands up and preens, walks like would on a ramp.........
She is tall and lovely..... though sleepy eyed and clumsy.......
Sushil: yaad aa gaya... ek unit Dehat Kanpur mein bhi hai!
Radhika blushes, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear..... as her insides rotate
Monday, April 16, 2012
Part 45 Scoop of Life--Just like me!
February 12th 2011
Saturday
8:14 PM
Saket
Sudha: You should give him a little more thought beta!
Radhika: I have been thinking about him since we boarded the car ma, at Claridges! (LIAR!)
Sudha: Tum 4 ladke reject kar chuki ho abhi tak.......... we dont need to do this if you are NOT serious....
Radhika"I am NOT!" (angry) I am not even 25 yet....
Sudha: I had Rachit at 25!!
Radhika:Mujhe bacha nahi chahiye.... I just want to be single and have fun....
Her Dad is reading India today in his fave cane recliner by the balcony.... Mom and daughter are slugging it out.... Bhabhi and Gopi are fixing dinner
Rachit is in the study on the computer......
Sudha: Koi isko kuch kahega?
Radhika: I dont think so Ma. I am going back to Kanpur on Tuesday, it will be a series of trips, the first attempt was botched..... my career is not about promotions and the next big pay check and trips over seas MA! Its about MEANINGFUL work..... hamare family mein kisi ne NGO mein kabhi kaam nahi kiya to mujhe to koi respect milegi nahi
Sudha: Its NOT about your career this time Radhika!!!
Rad: (evasive) It is, aap meri shaadi kar deejiye, woh South East Asia ka head hai us ke saath mein main biz class mein ghoomti rahoongi. Log aur unke liye paani kabhi nahi laa paaoongi
Sudha: Tum ek baar bolna shuru hoti ho to, band nahi hoti
Bhabhi: Mom, aloo methi alag se nikal loon thodi si? Isko to mirchi pasand nahi?
Sudha: Waise bhi kidhar khaati hai yeh methi.... (disappointed)
Radhika: Its tastes like GHAAS....... DU mein lawns mein baithe baithe maine bahut ghaas khaayi hai (giggles) some stalks are juicy, methi mein koi swaad nahi hai.... ouhhhhh(mimics puking)
Sudha smacks her on her shoulder
Bhabhi smiles secretively.....
Sudha: Isko aaj raat ko khaana nahi milega.... jab tak yeh dhang se sochkar koi baat decide nahi karti
Sushil laughs out loud in the balcony..........
Rachit: achhha hai Ma, kitna khaati hai.... is mahiney aapke 2 ya 3 hazaar bache
Radhika makes a face..... her orange and pink chiffon skirt is tiered and huge..... she is wearing a orange spaghetti strap blouse and a purple scarf.......... it trails all over the living room floor, as she walks clutching her skirt folds...........
She leans on the waist length book case by a window........ and folds her arms across her chest..... exactly like some one did early this morning...........
Her Mom walks up to her and hisses "Are you back in touch with your boyfriend?"
Radhika: Kaun? (lost)
Sudha: Radhu mujhe bata do, kam se kam mujhe aur Papa ko embarrassment nahi hogi...........
Rad: Rachu Bhayya aur Bhabi ko karoon embarrass to chalega? (giggles)
Sudha: Was your thing with......... u know.... was it physical? (softly even though her husband was on the phone and her son was talking with his wife)
Radhika blushes deeply "EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! AAP ? I cant answer such questions" (haughty, nose in the air)
Sudha yanks her arm, "Shhhhhhh! Shut up Radhooo"
Radhika: Ouch! MA!
Sudha:I need to know....
Radhika......... dreamy....... "No Ma! My new crush is just like me! We both dont have a clue!" savors the thought in her mind....as a smile escapes..........
Saturday
8:14 PM
Saket
Sudha: You should give him a little more thought beta!
Radhika: I have been thinking about him since we boarded the car ma, at Claridges! (LIAR!)
Sudha: Tum 4 ladke reject kar chuki ho abhi tak.......... we dont need to do this if you are NOT serious....
Radhika"I am NOT!" (angry) I am not even 25 yet....
Sudha: I had Rachit at 25!!
Radhika:Mujhe bacha nahi chahiye.... I just want to be single and have fun....
Her Dad is reading India today in his fave cane recliner by the balcony.... Mom and daughter are slugging it out.... Bhabhi and Gopi are fixing dinner
Rachit is in the study on the computer......
Sudha: Koi isko kuch kahega?
Radhika: I dont think so Ma. I am going back to Kanpur on Tuesday, it will be a series of trips, the first attempt was botched..... my career is not about promotions and the next big pay check and trips over seas MA! Its about MEANINGFUL work..... hamare family mein kisi ne NGO mein kabhi kaam nahi kiya to mujhe to koi respect milegi nahi
Sudha: Its NOT about your career this time Radhika!!!
Rad: (evasive) It is, aap meri shaadi kar deejiye, woh South East Asia ka head hai us ke saath mein main biz class mein ghoomti rahoongi. Log aur unke liye paani kabhi nahi laa paaoongi
Sudha: Tum ek baar bolna shuru hoti ho to, band nahi hoti
Bhabhi: Mom, aloo methi alag se nikal loon thodi si? Isko to mirchi pasand nahi?
Sudha: Waise bhi kidhar khaati hai yeh methi.... (disappointed)
Radhika: Its tastes like GHAAS....... DU mein lawns mein baithe baithe maine bahut ghaas khaayi hai (giggles) some stalks are juicy, methi mein koi swaad nahi hai.... ouhhhhh(mimics puking)
Sudha smacks her on her shoulder
Bhabhi smiles secretively.....
Sudha: Isko aaj raat ko khaana nahi milega.... jab tak yeh dhang se sochkar koi baat decide nahi karti
Sushil laughs out loud in the balcony..........
Rachit: achhha hai Ma, kitna khaati hai.... is mahiney aapke 2 ya 3 hazaar bache
Radhika makes a face..... her orange and pink chiffon skirt is tiered and huge..... she is wearing a orange spaghetti strap blouse and a purple scarf.......... it trails all over the living room floor, as she walks clutching her skirt folds...........
She leans on the waist length book case by a window........ and folds her arms across her chest..... exactly like some one did early this morning...........
Her Mom walks up to her and hisses "Are you back in touch with your boyfriend?"
Radhika: Kaun? (lost)
Sudha: Radhu mujhe bata do, kam se kam mujhe aur Papa ko embarrassment nahi hogi...........
Rad: Rachu Bhayya aur Bhabi ko karoon embarrass to chalega? (giggles)
Sudha: Was your thing with......... u know.... was it physical? (softly even though her husband was on the phone and her son was talking with his wife)
Radhika blushes deeply "EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! AAP ? I cant answer such questions" (haughty, nose in the air)
Sudha yanks her arm, "Shhhhhhh! Shut up Radhooo"
Radhika: Ouch! MA!
Sudha:I need to know....
Radhika......... dreamy....... "No Ma! My new crush is just like me! We both dont have a clue!" savors the thought in her mind....as a smile escapes..........
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
PART 44 Scoop of Life--- Hidden (?) Treasures
February 12th 2011
Saturday
Noon
Saket
Sudha: Utho beta!
Radz: Ughhhhhhhh.......... NAHI.... (muffled, speaking from inside her pillow)
Gopi and her Dad are walking in and out of the room, Gopi is picking up her clothes for washing, her Dad looking for his Natl Geographic magazine...
Sudha: Abhi aapke paas time hai yeh padhne ko?
Sushil: Dont i? (grinning)
Sudha: TEEN BAJE hamey pahunchna hai, Claridges.....
Sushil: Yeh uthkar tayyar hogi tab na jaayenge? Tumhe lekar chala gaya waha, aur unko TUM pasand aa gayi to?
Sudha: REALLY? NOW? (not amused)
They both approach her bed......
Raat ko hum 2 baje aaye hain, tabhi jagi hui thi. NOW she is asleep....... woh neeche 534 ka horn lekar aao aap, iske kaam ke paas honk kariye (irritated)
Gopi: Bhabiji yeh neela swaytar bhi jaayega masheen mein?
Sudha looking at it carelessly....... "Haan"
When Gopi is walking away " KAUN SA? Dikhao?" Sudha is organizing her daughter's closet...... most clothes are on the floor............ To the right of the wardrobe is a row of shelving.......... it contains, books, perfumes, mirror work jewelry boxes.......... her pictures from childhood........... hair trinkets costume jeewelry etc............ nestled in the middle, she finds what looks like a JAR OF NUTS!!
Sudha: Yeh? (asks herself)
Sushil reading the mag in a rocking chair by the window........ "She is over 18, tum uske things se door raho zara"
Sudha carelessly puts it away, she knows pecans are her daughter's fave nuts........... but in the closet??
Hmmm...........
Sudha: Citi Bank mein woh kitne saal se hai?(preoccupied)
Sushil: 5? 6? Shaayad.......
Sudha: I want the guy to be a little older Sushil.......... she is really good in her work..... but she needs someone who is............ kaise kahoon?
Sushil: Shaitaan hai, maanta hoon, but u know.......... not a discipline issue........
Radhika: Thanks Papa!
Sudha flings a dupatta on her form "Utho Radhuuuuuuu"
Sushil: Citibank waala tumse milne ke liye bahut excited hai......
She sits up in bed.......... sees her parents, one on each side of her bed........... "Aap dono MERE kamre mein ho?"
Sudha: Thats enough drama Radhu, UTHO!
Radhika looks at her Mom warily...... wonders if she saw the jar of nuts............
That reminded her of last nite........... early this morning, and her balcony...... they had stood there for a long time.......... chatting..........
She had been the one to end the "nightly rendezvous" with a "Tumhe ghar nahi jaana?"
"Soon....." he had said....
"Chai banaoon? Ya beer?"
"You brew your own beer at home?" he teased
And he watched her laugh............
Saturday
Noon
Saket
Sudha: Utho beta!
Radz: Ughhhhhhhh.......... NAHI.... (muffled, speaking from inside her pillow)
Gopi and her Dad are walking in and out of the room, Gopi is picking up her clothes for washing, her Dad looking for his Natl Geographic magazine...
Sudha: Abhi aapke paas time hai yeh padhne ko?
Sushil: Dont i? (grinning)
Sudha: TEEN BAJE hamey pahunchna hai, Claridges.....
Sushil: Yeh uthkar tayyar hogi tab na jaayenge? Tumhe lekar chala gaya waha, aur unko TUM pasand aa gayi to?
Sudha: REALLY? NOW? (not amused)
They both approach her bed......
Raat ko hum 2 baje aaye hain, tabhi jagi hui thi. NOW she is asleep....... woh neeche 534 ka horn lekar aao aap, iske kaam ke paas honk kariye (irritated)
Gopi: Bhabiji yeh neela swaytar bhi jaayega masheen mein?
Sudha looking at it carelessly....... "Haan"
When Gopi is walking away " KAUN SA? Dikhao?" Sudha is organizing her daughter's closet...... most clothes are on the floor............ To the right of the wardrobe is a row of shelving.......... it contains, books, perfumes, mirror work jewelry boxes.......... her pictures from childhood........... hair trinkets costume jeewelry etc............ nestled in the middle, she finds what looks like a JAR OF NUTS!!
Sudha: Yeh? (asks herself)
Sushil reading the mag in a rocking chair by the window........ "She is over 18, tum uske things se door raho zara"
Sudha carelessly puts it away, she knows pecans are her daughter's fave nuts........... but in the closet??
Hmmm...........
Sudha: Citi Bank mein woh kitne saal se hai?(preoccupied)
Sushil: 5? 6? Shaayad.......
Sudha: I want the guy to be a little older Sushil.......... she is really good in her work..... but she needs someone who is............ kaise kahoon?
Sushil: Shaitaan hai, maanta hoon, but u know.......... not a discipline issue........
Radhika: Thanks Papa!
Sudha flings a dupatta on her form "Utho Radhuuuuuuu"
Sushil: Citibank waala tumse milne ke liye bahut excited hai......
She sits up in bed.......... sees her parents, one on each side of her bed........... "Aap dono MERE kamre mein ho?"
Sudha: Thats enough drama Radhu, UTHO!
Radhika looks at her Mom warily...... wonders if she saw the jar of nuts............
That reminded her of last nite........... early this morning, and her balcony...... they had stood there for a long time.......... chatting..........
She had been the one to end the "nightly rendezvous" with a "Tumhe ghar nahi jaana?"
"Soon....." he had said....
"Chai banaoon? Ya beer?"
"You brew your own beer at home?" he teased
And he watched her laugh............
Monday, April 9, 2012
Part 43--Scoop of Life--Balcony.....
Saket
Feb 11th 2011
Saturday
11:24 PM
She stared at the jar of nuts as he lingered around the front steel door.........she quickly hit the outside light and her living room light....... and ofcourse got a good look of him.... his white shirt was crumpled in places........ one sleeve was folded to the elbow the other........ hung lazily as its owner......... he tucked it into his pocket hurriedly.............
"Its yours" he said handing her the jar of nuts........
She stared at her phone on the doormat, and then at the nuts.......
Getting her voice back she squeaked "Tum yeh nuts dene ITNI DOOR AAYE? ITNI RAAT KO?" Clamped her hand on her mouth........ stumbling back, shutting her front door......
Opening it again to get her fallen phone......... ended the call............
He looked at her salwar..... and sleeveless tee......... wondered what that dress was supposed to be........... her jewelry was intact........ which was odd..... a chunky bead like thing around her neck and some metallic bangles on her wrist......... arm........ almost uptill her elbows.............
The home phone rang......... she jumped out of her skin...... and reached to answer.......... it was Ritwik........
"TUM" she said, annoyed.......... "Ma Papa Gunjan ki shaadi mein gaye Panchsheel Club" (barked) "Papa ne kehne ko kaha ki unhoney tumhaare paise wire transfer kar diye hain aaj......... tum karte kya ho? Padh rahe ho? Ya sucking Ma Papa's retirement savings out?" "I mean.... 1.14 LAKHS? Itne mein main 15 kue khod doongi"
Realizes she has company...... "Sun abhi main rakhti hoon" "I am busy"
Her "geeky visitor" is in the balcony......... she hisses into the phone....... "I was in bed with my hunk......... itna baat kar liya maine tumse yeh bahut hai. Abhi rakhoon?" impatient......
Listens to her bro........ "Keh chuke? Thank you, keh doongi apne hunk ko......." giggles and slams the phone down.
Stands by the phone and looks at her visitor..... her phone and jar of nuts in her left hand......... lets the phone slip to the couch..... untwists the jar and samples the nuts.......... smiles " HE IS A GEEK" "He actually brought me nuts" "Shaayad main iski pehli love interest hoon" "How exciting!"
Giggles.. muffled......
He turned around and leaned on the rail...... and looked inside....... she stopped chewing set her jar on the sofa.......... and smiled back.........
"Home alone?" he asked
"Not any more" she said grinning..... they both took a few steps toward each other and met by the couch....... he watched the color crawl up all over her face as her smile disappeared in growing awareness of him......... his scent wafted through the night breeze...... a strange longing overtook her as she fantasized......
"Tum ITNI door mujhe nuts pakdaane aaye?" she smiles...........
He smiles back...... his usual half smile........
"Tumhaare ghar mein sabko pata hai ki tum raat ke 11 baje across town kisi ladki ko nuts dene ja rahe ho?" giggles
"Sabko nahi" he admits queitly
"Iska matlab, sabko keh diya?" shocked.....
"Just Mom" he says
"Well this is the first time I have received nuts......... flowers to mile hain..... chocolates bhi...... thru a courier.....aur is time to nuts bhi and the (guy that delivered it?)
She smiles smugly....... acknowledging the effect they both were having on each other.......
"My parents have gone to a wedding, they will be shocked to find a guy in their balcony holding a jar of nuts and their daughter having a conversation with him (laughs heartily)
"ALL at midnite!!" (laughs some more as she shakes her head in disbelief)
"A first for me!" he admitted, candidly reconfirming the incorrect "geeky" assumption she had of him, as they stood an inch away from each other
Feb 11th 2011
Saturday
11:24 PM
She stared at the jar of nuts as he lingered around the front steel door.........she quickly hit the outside light and her living room light....... and ofcourse got a good look of him.... his white shirt was crumpled in places........ one sleeve was folded to the elbow the other........ hung lazily as its owner......... he tucked it into his pocket hurriedly.............
"Its yours" he said handing her the jar of nuts........
She stared at her phone on the doormat, and then at the nuts.......
Getting her voice back she squeaked "Tum yeh nuts dene ITNI DOOR AAYE? ITNI RAAT KO?" Clamped her hand on her mouth........ stumbling back, shutting her front door......
Opening it again to get her fallen phone......... ended the call............
He looked at her salwar..... and sleeveless tee......... wondered what that dress was supposed to be........... her jewelry was intact........ which was odd..... a chunky bead like thing around her neck and some metallic bangles on her wrist......... arm........ almost uptill her elbows.............
The home phone rang......... she jumped out of her skin...... and reached to answer.......... it was Ritwik........
"TUM" she said, annoyed.......... "Ma Papa Gunjan ki shaadi mein gaye Panchsheel Club" (barked) "Papa ne kehne ko kaha ki unhoney tumhaare paise wire transfer kar diye hain aaj......... tum karte kya ho? Padh rahe ho? Ya sucking Ma Papa's retirement savings out?" "I mean.... 1.14 LAKHS? Itne mein main 15 kue khod doongi"
Realizes she has company...... "Sun abhi main rakhti hoon" "I am busy"
Her "geeky visitor" is in the balcony......... she hisses into the phone....... "I was in bed with my hunk......... itna baat kar liya maine tumse yeh bahut hai. Abhi rakhoon?" impatient......
Listens to her bro........ "Keh chuke? Thank you, keh doongi apne hunk ko......." giggles and slams the phone down.
Stands by the phone and looks at her visitor..... her phone and jar of nuts in her left hand......... lets the phone slip to the couch..... untwists the jar and samples the nuts.......... smiles " HE IS A GEEK" "He actually brought me nuts" "Shaayad main iski pehli love interest hoon" "How exciting!"
Giggles.. muffled......
He turned around and leaned on the rail...... and looked inside....... she stopped chewing set her jar on the sofa.......... and smiled back.........
"Home alone?" he asked
"Not any more" she said grinning..... they both took a few steps toward each other and met by the couch....... he watched the color crawl up all over her face as her smile disappeared in growing awareness of him......... his scent wafted through the night breeze...... a strange longing overtook her as she fantasized......
"Tum ITNI door mujhe nuts pakdaane aaye?" she smiles...........
He smiles back...... his usual half smile........
"Tumhaare ghar mein sabko pata hai ki tum raat ke 11 baje across town kisi ladki ko nuts dene ja rahe ho?" giggles
"Sabko nahi" he admits queitly
"Iska matlab, sabko keh diya?" shocked.....
"Just Mom" he says
"Well this is the first time I have received nuts......... flowers to mile hain..... chocolates bhi...... thru a courier.....aur is time to nuts bhi and the (guy that delivered it?)
She smiles smugly....... acknowledging the effect they both were having on each other.......
"My parents have gone to a wedding, they will be shocked to find a guy in their balcony holding a jar of nuts and their daughter having a conversation with him (laughs heartily)
"ALL at midnite!!" (laughs some more as she shakes her head in disbelief)
"A first for me!" he admitted, candidly reconfirming the incorrect "geeky" assumption she had of him, as they stood an inch away from each other
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