Chapter 8

LadyMeringue

@LadyMeringue

A/N: Hey there everyone! :D :D Here is the next update! :D :D

Note: The conversation between Chishaani in the second entry has been taken from YJHD's epic scene with Kabira and Naina having their debate on whose life was better. <3 <3

Happy Reading! :D :D

8th November, 2007:

Well, Chirag finally called today.

It was kind of a surprise really because I wasn't really expecting him to call back after that night. Oh come on, I may have been really messed up that night to see all kinds of similarities between them, but the fact is that no one can be like Ranveer. And even if Chirag wouldn't have cancelled upon me the next day, I would have. So I got an exceptional excuse to escape from meeting him.

I'd almost forgotten about the whole fiasco when I received a text this morning asking me whether I recognized who was on the opposite line. Well, I didn't, so I didn't respond to it at all. Mistook it for a wrong number and let it be when another text popped upon my phone, reading 'I hope you haven't forgotten about our rendezvous at the park', and that got me thinking about who it might probably be until it finally hit me like a flash.

Papa's friend's son.

I was busy painting so I didn't bother responding to it anyway. Why should I? He was the one late by a week. And besides, I was in one of those moods to paint where I don't like any sort of interruption. And particularly for this one where Ranveer's face cut was giving me an issue. But then, no further message popped upon my phone. What a relief really. But my relief was short-lived since by the time I'd finished painting in the afternoon, there was a knock upon my door. Opening it revealed Maa, who looked at little excited.

"Come down quickly, Chirag is here," she exclaimed in a single breath.

I didn't even have the time to react before she left the room like a storm retreating just as quickly as it had come. It took me atleast five minutes to realize that he must have come over because I hadn't responded to his messages. Well, he could have called as well, but okay. Apparently I was not the only reason that he'd come over for. Washing my hands clean from the plethora of colours that had found its way in a mix upon them, I only spent sufficient time to comb my hair (since Maa gets really angry when my hair is all messed up in front of guests) before heading over to the living room where Chirag now sat, looking around the place awkwardly.

The moment our eyes met, he gave me a soft smile that turned into an awkward glance before he looked away, his attention broken by Disha who seemed mesmerized by him. Atleast his eyes didn't have that overly passionate ferocity about it today that made my heart beat all funny. God knows why I'd turned so stupid that night. Anyways, I took a seat in between Maa and Chaitali Kaki, both of them eyeing me suddenly with a newfound interest. Papa remained seated at the single sofa piece, sipping upon his tea while going through some of his work-related files.

"I'm sorry that I couldn't come that day. Wasn't well," he added, looking guilty. To be honest, it didn't matter much anyway so I decided to be empathetic rather than plain rude.

"What happened?" I asked and he gave me a small grimace.

"Food poisoning," he replied, and Maa grimaced in what was supposed to be sympathy. I rolled my eyes at her in spite of myself.

"Um, so, uh, are you free right now?" he asked suddenly and all that I could wonder was why he was stuttering and so awkward when there was no reason to be so, really. I only cocked up my eyebrow at him in response and he hastened to continue. 

"I mean only if you want..."

"You're asking me out in front of my parents?" I asked, unable to keep the incredulity out from my voice. 

That was one gutsy fellow, really. But my question was just as gutsy because everyone was suddenly eyeing me with either shock or sheer disapproval.

"Your parents already know about this and they're alright, provided I get you back home by seven. It all depends upon you now," he replied, the uncertainty gone from his voice to be replaced back with the original confidence he exuded. I looked at Maa and Papa to see them already looking at me eagerly, prompting me to say yes

"Alright fine. Since everyone has decided already..." I replied halfheartedly, rolling my eyes at my parents. Why did they like doing such things to me, I couldn't imagine.

Chirag flashed a small smile as he stood up, and so did I, looking around the room awkwardly as all eyes were upon me. Baa was definitely going to give me a hard time for this since Chaitali Kaki would definitely go and blabber this "hot piece of gossip" to her at the first go, or if not her, then Baa's sidekick Chanchal Kaki. Maa and Papa somehow had an oddly relaxed smile upon their face as they eyed each other. Clearly they were happy that I was leaving the confines of my room for things apart from just attending college.

Why can't I just choose to be the way I want, I don't really understand. But since the two of them seemed to be looking at me as though all the expectations in the world that they had from me depended upon whether or not I said yes or no, I said okay. And besides, from how much Chirag and I interacted that night, he did seem pretty decent, so I guess it did no harm really since it was just for a couple of hours.

So Chirag led me towards his car and both of us stared at the driver, wondering what was to be done next when he coughed awkwardly.

"So, um... take your seat," he said pointing towards the car. I looked at him curiously, suddenly deciding to make his life just a little more difficult for trying to pull me out from my cocoon.

"Would you mind if I drove?" I asked him, and like expected, he lost all the colour from upon his face.

"You can drive?" he choked out, looking at me with utmost surprise. 

I gave him a cold look, as though challenging him to crack a joke upon me. On the contrary, he looked rather impressed and a little envious too, from what I could surmise. Envious about what though, beat me.

"Well, why don't I give you a test run then?" I asked sarcastically, but either he was too dumb or too smart. He ignored my jibe completely, running his hand behind his head in hesitancy.

"Err, sure!" he replied, looking at the BMW he'd come in awkwardly. And I couldn't help but laugh at him cynically. Boys with toys. 

"We'll take my car, don't worry," I assured, and he flushed dully. 

And even before he could even protest, I walked towards where my car was parked and asked one of the drivers to get my key and come. By the time I'd revved the car and brought it to where Chirag now stood, he was still standing the same way I left him.

"You were serious about the driving part?" he asked, suddenly looking unsure with the whole agreement.

"Does it look like I was kidding? Come fast, I need to get back home at seven," I reminded, and he let out an annoyed huff of breath.

Chirag hesitantly took the passenger seat, as though clearly having second thoughts about this little "rendezvous" of ours. And for some odd reason, I liked having this power over him. It felt like I had the upper hand over here, which clear meant that I'd be in control of things. And I wanted it be the same way. I took the car over and headed towards the Marines, switching on the radio for a want of a better distraction. And just as luck could have it, the last song that I wanted to hear played upon the radio.

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna.

But thankfully, Chirag remained silent throughout the journey, just staring out from the window as though he was seeing all this for the first time. It oddly reminded me of myself whenever Ranveer would take me on long drives like these where I'd let myself get lost into a world of my own until I'd snap out of it on my own and Ranveer would simply smile in understanding.

And somehow, this made me relax a little as the air in the car grew warm now. I didn't feel so hostile towards Chirag anymore now that the memories from that night flit into my mind with more clarity, reminding me that Chirag was a lost soul too in a world where he was forced to remain happy and up-to-date, but the truth was that he had nobody to call his own.

I didn't realize when my foot hit the break and brought the car to a halt right outside the park, so lost in thought I was. It managed to snap Chirag out from his little reverie as well, and he gave me a sheepish look.

"Sorry, I just-"

"Zoned out. It's okay. I do that too," I assured, giving him a small smile. 

I'm sure he must be wondering about my mood swings, but I don't care. You want to roam in parks with me, you have to take along my mood swings as well. As simple as that.

"You're just being nice," he said awkwardly, and I couldn't help but feel a little bad at the way I'd behaved earlier. Somehow he was always the target of my mood swings even though he was the last person that I wanted to vent out over.

"I know how that feels," I replied and we both smiled. 

We both understood what I was talking about - someone understanding you so well when the world clearly failed to, especially without anything being said.

"I survived the journey atleast," joked Chirag, and I gave him a punch on his shoulder as I flashed him a glare. But my smile gave me away, I think.

We sighed at each other as we took a stroll around the Hanging Garden, enjoying each other's company in silence as we both remained lost in our own thoughts. And somehow, the silence didn't feel awkward anymore, because it was as though some kind of... I don't know, connection maybe, was being formed between us. Ranveer always told me that silence gave away a lot more than words ever could at times and it was something I felt with Chirag in that moment.

It's not even that he reminded me of Ranveer today, because he absolutely didn't. But well, I don't know what it is about him that just... ensnares me. I don't even know how to phrase it, but I liked the feeling. It was like there was a warmth between us that accommodated the cold shells and just... gave us a kind of shelter.

I miss Ranveer's embraces so much but I've got to get used to being without that warmth. And if that means learning to accommodate the closest I can get with new people and new experiences, so be it. He cannot keep planning his life in accordance to mine, and I won't ever make him do so as well. I knew what I was signing up for when I got into this and I'll see this through the end. I was in it for the long haul, and I meant it every single time I said so.

It was time to stand my ground and stick to my decision. And so far, its not been too bad too. Getting better and better with my paintings, my academic performance at college getting better as well, and no one's messing around with me at home so far. And then I guess there's Chirag, who I still won't call a friend, but he's definitely more than an acquaintance. He interests me with the mysterious aura about him.

And as the evening progressed, we finally did get into a smooth flow of conversation. His life in the US, mine over here with the course I was doing and what I wanted to pursue ahead, a little about our families and their oddities, about his sister in the US and Ranveer in Sydney, and a lot more trivial talk over buttas that we bought right outside the park from a buttawala. I was surprised that he enjoyed them so much considering he comes from such an 'elite' background, but Chirag's always been a surprise from the moment I first saw him.

He dropped me home by exactly seven and met Maa and Papa again before leaving. I really like how well-mannered he is though for someone who has lived in the States. I mean, don't get me wrong, but kids these days tend to forget their roots more often than not. But I'm glad that Chirag is an exception. It makes me believe that there can be good people like him in this world too, although I know that it is too early to say anything.

Maa and Papa were pretty amused though about how much fun I had today evening considering my swollen expressions before leaving home and they even gave me a hard time for it with all the leg-pulling. But I'm glad that I could make them smile and laugh like this after so long. And this made me realize that I've been so selfish this past one month. I was so consumed in my own grief that I didn't even notice that I was becoming the cause of one for my parents too.

And that made me make up mind. If Ranveer was reading to put himself on the fire just so that he could make his parents proud, then so would I. If their one smile could dim the darkness of my mind to begin seeing things clearly, then I'd make sure to give them more reasons to smile because of me. And if that meant being friends with Chirag, I don't mind. Honestly, he does look like a good chap at heart to me even though he does appear rather arrogant on the front. Looks can certainly be deceptive though.

Let's see where it takes me from this point forth.

19th December, 2007:

Well, coffee meet gone successful.

This was the first time that Chirag and I were going for any kind of meal like this. But it was rather fun. We got into quite a competitive spirit about proving what was better - Mumbai or Massachusetts and that was one heck of a brilliant debate we had. And I think this was the first time that the two of us have spoken like we've known each other since ages and not just a month and a half. We talk on the phone daily for some or the other thing whenever we are bored, and you know what the funny part is? We actually have loads of topics to talk about!

Be it any doubts I have in my studies or in case he needs any help on the piano classes that he's just started with, we just have heaps and heaps of things to talk about that just start from one thing and end up to something else entirely! And to think that till two weeks ago, Chirag was as good as non-existent to me. I've never made a friend this soon and in spite of the fact that I'm on the constant look out for anything out of the box, so far I've found nothing wrong with him, so I'm alright with it.

Most of the time though, our discussions somehow round up at Ranveer and then I just go on and on about him from all those little incidents that have happened through the years and the memories of them that make me smile so stupidly. But you know what's the best thing about it? That Chirag's so patient about it all! He actually listens to everything that I tell him about Ranveer, and is genuinely interested. Not blank-zone talking with just grunts and 'hmms'. He's really eager to hear everything that I've got to say about Ranveer and says that he gets to learn so much from him in terms of spirit and a lot more.

Ranveer's always been a brilliant listener, but I think Chirag's pretty good too. He makes it easier for me when it comes to missing Ranveer because he's just there for me whenever I need to say something or speak my mind out. It's been gradual, what Chirag and I have between us. And I don't know why some bonds are like that - quick, instantaneous, bewitching where something just... connects. And it's been the case with myself and Chirag. There's just trust without any reasoning.

He shared quite a few of his secrets that he confessed he hadn't spoke on to anyone because he didn't like talking about them, and I in turn told him some of mine because he trusted me with his. I know boys well enough to know that if they're trusting their secrets to someone, that means that they really trust them. There are a lot of similarities between him and Ranveer, but their essence is as different as it can be. Ranveer is... well, Ranveer.

It's been two months now, and there isn't a day that I don't miss him, but its not as painful as before. Ranveer says that distance always makes the heart grow fonder and I couldn't agree more. Everyday when I talk to Chirag and discuss Ranveer, it only makes me respect him a little more with every passing day thinking about the efforts he's taking just to stand up to his dreams and accomplishing them.

He's already sent me two letters this month telling me that he's doing okay and that he's found a budding friendship with his Financial Law professor who's a specimen, but a gem at heart. He keeps sending me postcards and an updated list of whatever he's seen in these two months along with some snippets here and there about his University life and its pros and cons.

I do the same thing in return and keep updating him about what's going on in my college and my syllabus and more gossips from the house and the stock markets (wheneber Papa tells me about it). He talks to Papa on the phone once in fifteen days whenever either of them are free while Papa updates him on the same. He takes feedback and advises from Ranveer about what's to be done next, so atleast he doesn't miss out much on what's happening over here.

I, in turn  sent Ranveer three letters (I'm still awaiting his response to this letter) telling him all about Chirag and our budding friendship. He was pretty happy that I'd found a companion but he always asks me to not trust him so quickly and to be on guard. On any normal occasion I'd have given him a earful for underestimating my ability to judge people so much but I couldn't since it was exactly what I asked him to do as well when it came to that professor of his - be on guard.

It is rather odd, the amount of interest his professor is taking in him. I mean a stranger, no less a foreigner, taking such painstaking efforts and even talking to the other faculty in charge to accept Ranveer's first assignment whose due date he had missed. The odds are astronomical and certainly a little weird, so I did my job of warning Ranveer against it. My boy's smart so I'm sure he knows what he's doing, but it doesn't do any harm to warn him off a little in advance now, does it? That's my right as his best friend.

But if everything works out, I'm just happy that he's got someone there to take care of him as a friend, and I've got someone over here who has my back as well. And this brings me to our lunch at the cafe this afternoon. Actually, Chirag was getting bored and when we were talking upon the phone, he asked me whether I was free for lunch and since I was, I thought that I might as well give the poor guy some company since all of his friends refused to.

He came and picked me up and we ended up going to the same cafe that we'd first spotted each other in two months ago. The memory of that incident made us both smile in spite of ourselves. Finding a comfortable booth, we were snacking over coffee and sandwiches in no time and discussing about my plans for Harvard. And that's when I was struck by a curious thought. It's lifestyle. 

"Coffee houses... this is all what your life has been in Massachusetts, right?" I asked, and he gave me a confused look before I urged him to speak. His face relaxed into a smile as he shut his eyes, confessing in a dreamy voice.

"Oh, its thrilling over there, Ishaani. I can never live like you guys over here."

"What's the supposed to mean?" I asked sharply, and that managed to slap him out from his stupor.

"Meaning staying in one country, one city, one house, one room. Are you willing to spend your life like that, Ishaani? Doesn't it frighten you?" he asked, looking suddenly uneasy himself, as though his own question had taken him offguard.

"I do want to travel the world, yes. But that doesn't frighten me because its a life I've chosen. I'm not interested in being a firangi like you," I added and just like I'd expected, it stung him. I so loved messing with him that way.

"Firangi? That's strong. And you're just saying this because you haven't seen the world till now. You don't know the intoxication of staying in different countries and experiencing their lives," he challenged, and I leaned forward and shot back my response at him immediately.

"And you don't know what its like to stay with your loved ones," I said and he gasped. Well clearly, I had the upper hand from between the two of us, but he wasn't one to accept defeat so soon either.

"You don't know what it's like to sit at a bar and listen to strangers talk about their live stories just like that," he defended, and the next answer was at the tip of my tongue without even any conscious effort.

"And you don't know what it is to sit with your friends and recount the same tales over and over again," I countered and he shot me a satisfactory smile. My answers were clearly disarming him.

"I'll take you to Massachusetts one day and make you have my favourite double chocolate puff biscuits one day," he boasted, and I waved my hand in the air at him airily.

"And I'll bake you my Chocolate Chip cookies one day. You'll forget everything else. Just let me know in case you have any allergies though," I added seriously, remembering what had happened the last time I tried baking them.

"Peanuts. I'm allergic to peanuts," he said suddenly, and I gasped. This was a limit of co-incidences between the two now!

"You've got to be kidding me. Ranveer's allergic to peanuts too!" I exclaimed, and he looked just as surprised. It took some time for both of us to recover from the fact of what we'd just learnt before I plunged into speech again.

"Er sorry, where were we? Ah yes! Let's continue our debate. Shoot," I told him and he smiled.

"Super Bowl 2005 with New England Patriots at Gilette Stadium. Dillon's six points that gave NEP the 14-2 win," he told me and I rolled my eyes at him. I'd have been lost had anyone told me this two months ago, but Chirag had told me sufficient things about baseball to now know what he was talking about.

"The World T20 Finals this year at the Wankhede Stadium. MS Dhoni's winning six," I defended, and then it was just both of us trying to best the other.

"Massachusettes's summers."

"Mumbai's rains."

"Blueberry cheesecake."

"Gaajar ka halwa, duh."

"Phantom of the Opera on Broadway."

"DDLJ in Maratha Mandir. With popcorn," I added lamely and he shot me a deadpan look.

"Really? DDLJ?" he asked, the disappointment in his tone evident. I rolled my eyes at him, giving him the sign to continue with the list.

And we went on and on until the waiter had to come to our table to tell us that they had customers waiting. It was rather embarrassing and Chirag and I both had a good laugh upon it the whole way back home. The two of us got down from the car and he waved me off, telling me that he'd call me tomorrow and we'd continue our discussion. I smiled and was about to walk back inside when he caught my wrist. I turned back in surprise and he gave me a soft smile.

"You're not right, you know? Just a little different," he replied and I couldn't help but smile in return.

"I know," was all I could reply before he let go of my wrist and I walked back inside, smiling stupidly at the thought of our lunch and the debate that came along complementary.

This was certainly interesting, this debate that I did have with Chirag. It also gave me such a good idea about Massachusetts because if I'm to go to Harvard, I'm going to have to take along a lot of ideas about the place as well so that I'm prepared for it all. And it does honestly sound like a beautiful city - vibrant and lively. Well, atleast I did get to learn a lot from Chirag that I might have not gotten to learn about otherwise. Reminds me about the time Ranveer made me teach him the piano.

Atleast I was finally putting his techniques into good use.

21st January, 2008:

I had absolutely no idea that Chirag was such a book lover!

This is such a big surprise because I always thought of him as a sports person seeing his love for baseball, football and tennis! This was really such a pleasant surprise, albeit a very funny one because Chirag and a novel are as big a misfit together as much as me and dancing are. And in these three months, we know each other very well and are pretty good friends too but this was a clear surprise. And when talking with each other, I realized that not just is he an avid reader but also that we share so many mutual favourites too!

I wouldn't have even come to know about this had it not been for me going to the library to get myself a new book when I spotted someone sitting far away near one of the windows who looked like Chirag. Being the curious soul that I am, I made my way towards the guy in question and I was right. It was Chirag, reading Charles Dickens' The Great Expectations. Honestly, never have I seen such a misfit contrast of a person and a book but I mustn't judge. And I don't even know why its so surprising.

I mean with Ranveer it was no surprise because it... I don't know, fits his psychological structure. But with Chirag, I've always seen him as the sweet-yet-savory cool dude type that books seem a little... un-macho for him. I know, I know, I'm being objective here and Ranveer has told me not to do that but I can't help it! I get stupid at times like that. 

But yeah, I'm no one to objectify his choice.

So well, as you know me, since I'd already completed the painting that I was currently on (the 28th one), I had nothing better to do at home as well so I decided to sit with Chirag and give him some company. Just sitting in silence, like we always did when we had nothing better to say or to do. The silences wouldn't be like the ones with Ranveer but they gave me a different kind of solace. And it worked for me.

The two of us sat in silence when for the first time, something different happened. I was sitting right beside him and reading over his shoulder (well, I'd read the book already so it was okay), when suddenly, I realized that our fingers had gotten interlocked within each others. Just like that. And I didn't even realize how or when. And it was... gentle.

Our fingers kept brushing against each other's in the softest of touches, his skin as soft as the silkiest of fabrics. His hand was not a perfect fit like the way Ranveer's was, but the spark it suddenly set explode in my stomach was something I was unprepared for. I took my hand out of his grip the moment I realized what happened and looked away, afraid that he might catch the blush creep upon my face at the accident. And more over, his eyes that could read my mind much better than anyone else could, somehow. Not as well as Ranveer, ofcourse, but the closest to that.

"I- I'm sorry, I didn't-" he began, looking flabbergasted when I gave him a reassuring look.

"It's okay. It's my fault," I argued and both of us gave each other an awkward look. 

It was rather weird, the situation. Somehow this never felt weird with Ranveer, but then again, that was Ranveer. He's always an exception to everything.

And then just out of nowhere, the two of us began laughing. It was embarrassing but for some odd reason it was extremely funny too. I think the only think that sobered us was the dirty look that the librarian gave us that silenced us both. It's a real surprise that she didn't throw us out considering how strict she actually is. And somehow, it gave us both a thrill of talking like that in the forbidden silence through our eyes, until he asked me about my favourite novels.

And from then it was a whole new discussion that took place, both of us discussing our favourite novels in depth, especially the Harry Potter series that we both seemed to have done an entire PhD upon, or so would anyone have assumed by the way we discussed it so seriously. And finally when the librarian could no longer have it, she did what we feared she'd do - show us the door.

On any given occasion I'd have been reduced to tears but Chirag and I were so engrossed with the discussion that we just made our way to the car, still chattering away about Snape and whether or not his character was worth the sympathy and love it got in the end. Chirag was for it, I was against. And I don't know how, but out of nowhere, I ended up talking about Ranveer's views on the same where he had a neutral view and Chirag just shot me this very amused smile that brought my speech to an end.

"You know, you know him so well that you can actually write a book upon him," he said and I remembered the time when I'd challenged Ranveer to do the same on my 18th birthday. The memory of it made me smile in nostalgia.

"That's what I'd tell him too with regards to me," I whispered back in response and Chirag gave me a curious look suddenly.

"And did he?" he asked and I laughed aloud. Chirag was really silly at times for someone who was so smart. 

"Naah, it was a joke. It's not like he'd do it seriously. Nobody in their right mind would," I added, knowing that Ranveer had more brains than that to do something so... this. It was a very romantic idea but it was dangerous too. The danger of romance, as Ranveer would put it.

"Heck, you've told me so much about him that I think even I could positively right one upon him," joked Chirag and we both laughed upon it some more. 

He wasn't even wrong, you know. I've told him practically everything about Ranveer by now that even he could write a book upon him! It's so weird I swear. I didn't even realize that until he told me about it.

"I think I better head home now, I've got to check on my painting," I told him, seeing that it was already three in the afternoon. The painting of myself and Ranveer sitting underneath the stars must have gotten dried up by then, I knew. It was the last painting of that sequence before the final showpiece.

"When will you call me over to see them?" asked Chirag, looking eager now. I told him all about my paintings and the idea behind it and he's been so encouraging! I really don't know how I'm going to thank him for it.

"You can come right now too, if you want," I told him, knowing that I'd made him wait long enough and if anyone had the right to see it apart from my parents, it was him. This was going to be a surprise for Ranveer when he got back from Sydney.

"Oh wow, that's cool. This reminds me, do you have As The Crow Flies?" he asked, and I remembered briefly about Ranveer talking about the same book for a whole week because he was so fascinated by Charles Trumper's (I think that's the name) story. 

"The Jeffrey Archer one?" I double-checked and Chirag nodded his head.

"Yeah, the same," he confirmed and I racked my brains to remember whether Ranveer still had the book with him and whether he'd left it in his room or no because I did remember him mentioning that a couple of his novels did remain behind afterall.

"I don't, but Ranveer will. You'll have to check it in his room though. He usually keeps some of his books underneath the mattress because he doesn't have sufficient space," I explained and Chirag rolled his eyes at him.

"I guess I'll just have to do that," he replied ironically and I couldn't help but laugh.

The gentleman that he is, he did drop me home too before heading for his own place because he had some work to be done yet. He said that he'd come in the evening and have a look at the paintings and would search for the novel as well so I invited him for dinner only. Anyways Maa has been eating up my head to call him for dinner ever since Shweta Aunty called me for one, so I guess this was the best chance to.

You must be wondering why I told him to search Ranveer's room on his own though. Sigh. I would have helped him search for the book in Ranveer's room but... I don't go there anymore. It daunts me, the emptiness of it. I don't have it in me to go and open that room again and let all those pains and griefs in my heart burst out again. It's with great difficulty that I've been able to pull myself up. I'm not going to do anything stupid to bring it all crumbling down again.

So Chirag'll have to search for it himself. I'd have told the helpers to, but since all of them are on a holiday today and no one else is going to do it for him, I guess he'll have to do the needful. I really wish that this was a lot more easier than it is. But it isn't. The only thing that's making this remotely easy for me is Chirag. It's becoming a little easier by the day as our friendship is progressing gradually for the better.

I guess it's just building the blocks now till Ranveer returns.

Constructive criticism will be more than welcome and sorry for any typos. :D :D

Next chapter:
Epistle 87