Author's Note:
Hi Everyone! I'm not a new member to IF...just haven't been very active.
I'm Chinese American by the way so Hindi is not my first language. I've been watching Hindi serials for several years thanks to a good Indian friend who got me hooked.
I use to write a little on the forums and then I sort of stopped. But recently the writing bug has grabbed me again. I had a little idea and decided to pen it down. Not too sure if this is worth continuing so let me know by commenting.
Hope you all enjoy reading it!
Please excuse any spelling or grammatical errors.
**No copyright infringement intended. I do not own the characters but storylines are my own.
INDEX
Chapter 1: Zindagi Aa Raha Hoon Main - located at first post
Chapter 4: Main Hoon Hero Tera
Chapter 8: Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte
Chapter 13: Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
Chapter 18: Tere Mere Beech Mein Part I
Chapter 19: Tere Mere Beech Mein Part II
Chapter 1: Zindagi Aa Raha Hoon Main
Brown eyes shifted up and down between the gray numbers on the overhead bins and the black inked ones on his ticket. "Twenty-four A...Twenty-four A..." he murmured to himself unaware that someone was silently laughing in amusement. "Ah...Twenty-four A" His eyes lit in approval at having finally found his assigned seat. Quickly letting his backpack slide from his shoulders, he reached upward hoping to place it where it belong only to feel a sudden resistance. His eyes immediately widen at the muffled sound coming to his left. "I'm so sorry!" he quickly apologized realizing he had knocked his bag onto a girl standing behind him.
"It's...it's okay..." she replied trying hard not to show the pain she felt in her cheek.
He hurriedly put his belongings away and sat down by the window. To his surprise he saw the girl he had just clobbered with his backpack sit down in the seat next to him.
"Twenty-four B" she simply said causing him to give an embarrassed grin.
"Twenty-four A. Neil...Neil Malhotra."
"Sam...well, Samaria...Sam is what people call me...Khanna," she replied indicating she had no hard feelings toward him.
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The sound of heels clicking steadily down a corridor echoed loudly in the still night. She sighed at the sight before her. "Why must he do this?" Widening the glass door that was left slightly ajar, "Is Superman ready for his dinner yet?"
A pair of dark chocolate eyes lifted up from the laptop. "Bua? Oh, I'm almost done."
She sighed as she pointed to the hallway, "And the lights? It's so dark Arjun. Why didn't you turn them on?"
"The office has the lights on and you just walked through the hallway. Why didn't you turn the lights on?"
She let out an agreeing chuckle, "That is true. Come," holding his arm, "It's time to stop this office work and eat dinner. I made your favorite and everyone else's...famously called Nandini's Chicken Briyani." Arjun gave a small grin at her comment. "A smile? I haven't seen one for weeks. I think the stress about getting all the preparations done for the golf tournament is beginning to affect you. I want you to know that you are doing a wonderful job and I think maybe you need a vacation..."
"This golf tournament needs to be done and then we have the car exhibition to attend to and then there is the flower expo..."
"And you don't think your aging Bua can handle it?"
Arjun's eyes widened in alarm, "Never...I never said that. And you are not old."
Sighing, "I see where this is going."
"Bua..."
"Chupe...you will go on vacation," mischievously grabbing his cheeks, "I was only joking. And when you come back...maybe we can talk about that advertising company?"
"Really? You're serious?" He replied in shocked.
"Yes, I promised you didn't I? And I always make good on my deals."
"Thank you."
Patting his back, "Now, let's eat. And don't you have to pick up your best friend tonight?"
"The flight doesn't come in until 5:00am," Arjun replied.
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Neil rubbed his eyes and then yawned stretching his back. He sat upright trying his best to not fall asleep as he waited for his seatmate to come back from the restroom. He couldn't believe how he had passed the time on the flight. Save for a few hours of sleep he had been talking nonstop with Samaria. He always found it amusing at how people would just randomly open up to him; telling him at times very personal things that perhaps a stranger really should not need to know about. It also made dating hard because every potential girlfriend kept friend-zoning him because he was always such a "good listener" and gave "great advice" but just wasn't "boyfriend material." Not boyfriend material? Like what did that mean? Didn't they want to be listened to? Have someone care about their thoughts and dreams? At least that is what every TV show and movie portrayed the perfect "boyfriend" to be. Needless to say he would get frustrated at these predicaments he found himself in sometimes.
His eyes went alert as he saw Samaria make her way back to her seat. She beamed a smile and gushed, "Can you believe only two hours left before we reach home?" He nodded with a sleepy movement. "Oh, I hope I didn't bore you? Or did I keep you up with my non-stop chatter?"
"No, not at all," Neil quickly replied. "I've enjoyed talking with you."
"Me too. Oh, before I forget," taking out a card from her wallet, "My card."
Neil graciously took the business card in hand and silently read, "BirdSong Advertising LLC. Samaria Khanna, Marketing Manager."
"You just graduated with your Marketing MBA. We have a few job openings available. If you are interested look us up and apply."
"Thank you very much Samaria."
"Sam," she corrected. "Friends call me Sam, remember?"
"Ms. Khanna, I'll look you guys up. And then after I get hired I'll tell Sam."
Sam smiled, "Well, Mr. Malhotra I look forward to that interview."
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"Why must it be so late? Oh, keep awake...awake, " rubbing her cheeks up and down in a desperate effort to keep herself from drifting off into sleep. "Awake...awake..." She had been far too excited earlier in the day and wasn't able to sleep at night and now she was paying the price for it. She lazily wrapped her hair up into a ponytail and started to stride back and forth.
She suddenly staggered forward and looked up to see a tall man wearing a black shirt stroll past her, not caring that he had ran into her. Shocked at his rudeness she confronted him, "Excuse me, sir..."
He turned and glared, "What?"
Her eyes widen at his handsome features but then quickly narrowed appalled at his behavior, "Um, you ran into me and didn't apologize."
"Since when did this place turn into your own personal gym where you keep walking back and forth trying to keep yourself awake? Maybe you should watch where you are going," he huffed.
"Were you watching me?" she gasped in disgusted horror.
"Don't flatter yourself. You were so loud everyone could hear you," he replied. "Next time do us all a favor and just shut it." He saw her eyes darken into a fiery brown and found himself oddly amused. But before he could hear her reply there was an announcement over the loud speaker breaking their conversation. He smirked and then walked away leaving her still fuming.
"Jerk!" she muttered under her breath.
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"You seem super excited," Neil inquired as they briskly walked towards the baggage carousel.
"That's because my bestest friend in the whole wide world is picking me up," Sam squealed with delight causing Neil to break out into a hearty laugh himself. Sam turned and piped, "You seem very excited yourself."
Grinning, "Because I am also seeing my best friend after eight years! We use to have a lot of fun hanging out and doing masti...yaar, it was the best."
"Eight year is a long time. I don't think I could stay away that long."
"My family moved to the U.S. after High School so we really didn't have a choice," Neil explained.
Thirty minutes later Neil was putting the last of Sam's luggage onto her trolley. "Phew," wiping his brow, "Four bags, really for a two and half week trip? And they are all labeled heavy."
"I had to bring back gifts," Sam matter of factly replied. "Did you bring any gifts?"
"Gifts?"
"You haven't seen your best friend in eight years and you didn't bring a gift?"
Tugging at his shirt with a smirk, "I am the gift. What more?"
Sam just looked at him and burst out into laughter. "Oh, you are just too much. Please keep in touch."
"Well do," Neil replied as Sam walked to the next free custom agent. He waved his hand in farewell as he watched her walk through the queue without having to get her bags checked and around the corner heading out of the airport.
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Sam searched expectantly for the face she had longed to see for the past 20 plus hours. And in an instant she saw the bright smile she knew was only for her. "Radhika!" she shouted with glee as she hugged her best friend. The two girls squealed loudly not caring who was nearby. "Oh My God! Did you cut your hair?"
"It wasn't that long," Radhika replied.
"It wasn't that long? Your ponytail is a lot shorter. Put it down let me see it."
"It's now shoulder length," Radhika said as she let her dark silky tresses unfurl.
"Oh, I like this cut, it suits your face...frames it really nicely." Sam said as she inspected her friend.
"I can't believe we are talking about my hair. Hello, your trip? The instgram photos...you have to tell me about it. I saw this handsome guy," Radhika replied.
"Which one?"
"Which one? Oh, so there is more than one? This I have to hear," Radhika teased making Sam giggle.
"Okay, let's go home," shaking her finger with warning, "You're not going to fall asleep on me? You must be sleepy."
"I'm wide awake now," Radhika beamed. And with that the two girls started to make their way to the parking lot.
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"Wow, you look happy to see me," Neil said with one eyebrow arched.
Arjun tugged at his right earlobe shaking his head slightly, "I am. It's just the squealing a minute ago. Girls, why are they so loud?" Neil chucked at his remark. Arjun opened his arms wide and gave him a big hug. "You grew taller."
"I certainly hope so from the last time you saw me," Neil responded.
"I mean I saw pictures but...you're taller now. You use to be so short," mimicking the height with his hands.
"Thanks for the reminder," Neil replied. "It wasn't easy being the shortest kid in the class."
"So these are the bags," Arjun stated taking the trolley away from him. "You sleep any on the flight?"
"No, not really..." Neil answered with a fond memory.
"What's with the laugh?"
"Nothing," Neil replied still smiling. "Just there was this girl..."
"Who talked your ear off? You know what...you should do what I do. Just close your eyes and turn your head to the other side. That will make them stop immediately. Works every time I guarantee it," Arjun advised. "Stops the noisy chit-chatting all at once."
Neil looked at him with a bewildered face, "When's the last time you went on a date?"
"Date?" Arjun repeated in the same perplexed tone.
"Yes, D-A-T-E, not the one on the calendar...the one you have with a person of the opposite sex. Or maybe in your case even friends?" Arjun just blinked in silence. Neil slowly patted his back and comforted, "Ok, now that I'm back...we'll take care of that."
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Sam sighed heavily as she pulled her suitcase up the flight of stairs. "Why didn't I think about this when I was shopping?"
"Sam? Why are you trying to carry that? The driver is handing it," Radhika asked with alarm as she rushed to help her friend.
"I know but it was the last one in the car," Sam panted.
"Madam," the taxi driver expressed with urgency as he quickly took the luggage out of her hands. "Let me do this."
Sam relinquished control and let the driver take the bag up the rest of the remaining steps. "Oh," massaging her arms, "I really should have remembered the stairs."
Radhika paid the taxi driver his money and then went to the front door of their apartment to open the door. "Where's the key..." sighing," I know I have it otherwise how did I lock the door?" Sam looked at her with impatience. "I'm sorry...I'm looking for it...ah-ha! Found it!" Radhika beamed. She opened the door and moved out of the way for Sam to walk in first.
"Why is it so dark in here?" Sam asked as she fumbled to find the light switch. The minute she turned on the lights she heard voices calling out, "SURPRISE!" She was startled by the sounds but then saw to her delight her parents standing in the apartment with streamers in hand and big grinning faces. "Mom? Dad?"
"Surprise! Welcome home Sam," Samrat Khanna grinned widely. "How was the trip?"
"It was great Dad," Sam replied as she received her father's bear hug. "But what are you guys doing here?"
"Are we not allowed to welcome back our daughter after she has come back from being overseas?" Piyali Khanna inquired as she took her turn to hug her daughter.
"Of course you are, but this early in the morning? You must be so tired."
"They were up all night preparing," Radhika explained. "No sign of sleepiness."
"She," Samrat directed with his eyes, "Ms. Radhika helped us plan everything."
Sam grinned widely giving loving looks to her father, mother, and Radhika; her family. "You guys are the best! Thank you so much."
Piyali tucked Sam's hair behind her ear and softly coaxed, "Go freshen up and I'll get breakfast started. Your favorite...homemade dosas."
Sam's eyes lit up at her words and she eagerly nodded, "Okay," and ran towards the bathroom. Half way there she realized she had forgotten to grab her toiletry bag. She went back to the living room to look for her purse. The corner of her lips curled into a thankful smile seeing her mother standing by the stove preparing to cook. Her father by her mother's side helping her and Radhika busily getting the dining room table set. She never could have imagined this scene three years ago. Her family had been torn apart by the death of her brother Jai; a car accident that still haunted her on foggy Sunday mornings. The guilt of surviving took a heavy toll on her. She tired her best to only show her strong face to the world even though she was broken inside. And she had almost succeeded in hiding everything. While she hid, her parents had become distant. Her father threw himself into his work and her mother became spiteful. She blamed her for Jai's death and never let a moment go by without reminding her of that fact. Eventually, she could no longer take the fights at home and she moved out. That was when she met her roommate, her best friend, and her savior. Radhika Mishra, a young woman who had left everything to come to the big city to pursue her dreams. Her pure heart, unwavering tenacity, and genuine friendship helped her heal her wounds and the wounds of her family. She had everything to thank for because of her. Radhika had brought them back together and they were a family now. Sam hoped one day she would be able to repay her for all that she had done.
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Neil glanced to his side and gave a disapproving look. Arjun was on the Bluetooth in deep conversation about something for work. It was so early in the morning how could he be thinking about business right now, especially since he had come back after eight years. This was unacceptable. Neil quickly reached over and grabbed the Bluetooth. Arjun immediately jerked his hand causing the car to swerve to the side. "What are you doing?"
"Car!" Neil warned. Arjun adjusted the Mahindra XUV in the nick of time but still received a series of harsh angry honks from the other driver. Neil gave a sheepish grin.
"Give it back."
"No," Neil replied gripping the Bluetooth in his hand tightly. "You're bothering some poor girl named Roshini at 6:00 in the morning...asking about color pallets? Come on man..."
"It was an important conversation. It was work. People work in the morning."
"You called her at 5:50am!" Neil replied. "Who does that? Since when did you become a workaholic?"
Arjun's face went stern. "Since the time I had to become the man of the house. Now, give me back the Bluetooth."
"No," Neil simply stated. "It's been years and instead of celebrating my return...your best buddy...your cousin...you're on the phone doing work."
"Since when did you turn into such a whiny girl?" Arjun asked.
"Since when did you forget about having fun?" Neil retorted back. "If I had known you turn into something like this I would have never left to go to America."
"Give it back to me," Arjun demanded. "And I have fun. Just there is a place and time to do that. But right now it's time for seriousness."
"At 5:00am?!" Neil gasped. "Who in their right mind can talk about work this early in the morning? How many hours do you sleep at night?"
"Four or five..."
"You do realize eight hours is the recommended amount." Sighing heavily, "Okay, I was joking earlier about the date thing but now I know I have to help you."
"I don't need any help," Arjun grumbled.
"You need to get laid," Neil advised causing Arjun to slam on the brakes.
"What?!" Arjun hollered. He smacked the back of his cousin's head, "What have they taught you over there?"
Neil scrunched his face and rubbed the back of his head. "Nothing. Just you need some female companionship."
"No I don't. I'm fine, thank you."
Neil arched his eyebrow and softly asked, "You're not gay are you? I mean...if you are...that is totally cool. Have you told the family? If not I can help. No shame in what you are."
Arjun stared at Neil with a stagger look. "What are you babbling about? I'm not gay you idiot!"
"When is the last time you had a girlfriend?" Neil asked.
Arjun's face turned red and he quickly retorted, "When is the last time you had a girlfriend?"
Neil suddenly went quiet. "What's the matter now? Cat got your tongue?" Arjun teased.
"I...I've been having a bit of a dry spell." His eyes went narrow as he heard Arjun burst into laughter. Nodding his head in agitation, "It's been two years..." Arjun's laughter just continue to grow making Neil swarm uncomfortably, "I am not the playboy type...I commit for a long time...and I've only had 2 girlfriends..."
"Four..." Arjun suddenly answered causing Neil to pause. "It's been four years...so I guess I'm the loser..."
Noticing how solemn the mood had suddenly become Neil joked, "Maybe you should ask Roshini if she has any single girl friends instead of those color pallets." The two cousins just looked at each other and then started laughing.
Arjun shook his head with a grin, "Let's get you home," starting to drive again, "Aunt Nandini is waiting to see you."
"She's going to make me Briyani?" Neil inquired making Arjun chuckle. "I can't wait for some 6am Chicken Briyani."
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Thank you for reading.
Let me know what you think š
**EDITED
For those interested in my other works:
Anupamaa
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Bollywood
