Prologue: Raj, The Love MessengerLove. The most misunderstood...yet most beautiful word in the world. Is that an opinion? I guess you could say so. But let's be honest...there's so much to love. Love is true. Love is crazy. It makes you do things you never thought you would do. That's what happened to me.
Oh, sorry! I forgot to introduce myself! I'm Raj. You may have heard the name before. Full name: Raj Mehta. Call me whatever you want...the crazy lover or what most people call me, the love messenger.
Just like people who spread the ideals of their religions, I spread my own ideals...for love. Some may think I'm mental, but let's be real...love is universal.
However, its ironic. There was a time where I thought love did not exist in real life. Only in our films or novels! But then, I met the one girl that changed my life...Nandita.
What was it about her? She was indeed beautiful. But one should not fall for someone simply for beauty. Her beauty was what first attracted me to her. After that, her sensible nature, honesty, frankness, and loving self brought me to her.
And now, Nandita and I are happily married. We may have gotten old now,but I say one thing. No matter how old, love is gold. We've been happy for over twenty years of marriage, and now have two grown daughters...Nisha and Shanaya.
So I won't bore you anymore with details. Let's move onto the story. The story of six people...and one thing in common,,,love.
Scene 1: Instant Connection
It was a simple morning in Manhattan, New York. And in this busy city, lied a nice, well built home in the downtown area. Inside this home, a young girl was making breakfast for herself, by frying eggs and making toast. As she was working on her breakfast, her cell phone rang on the table. She answered the call and said, "Hello?"
"Nisha!" a voice from the other end exclaimed.
"Dad! Hi!" the girl exclaimed.
And that was her. Nisha Mehta, 26 years old and Raj and Nandita's eldest daughter.
Nisha: How are you, Dad?
Raj: I'm fantastic! How are you?
Nisha: Great. I'm heading to work soon.
Raj: Then I won't bother you too long! Tell Sid I said hi!
Nisha: Sure. I'll talk to you later.
Raj: Bye! I love you.
Nisha: Love you, too. Bye.
Nisha hung up and placed her breakfast out onto the dining table. As soon as she did, a young, handsome man dressed in a navy blue suit came down into the dining room with his briefcase. "Sid." Nisha called. The young man turned to her.
Sid AKA Sidhant Singh, 27 years old and Nisha's husband. Sid and Nisha met in college and instantly clicked when they had classes together at MIT. Around last year, they got married and were now living only half an hour away from Raj and Nandita.
Sid: Yeah?
Nisha: Dad called. He said hi.
Sid: Okay. I got to go.
Nisha: But I made breakfast, Sid. You should eat.
Sid: Nisha, I'm getting late. There's an important meeting at the office. Please understand.
Nisha sighed and then nodded her head.
Sid: I'll see you in the evening.
Sid kissed Nisha on her forehead.
Sid: Love you. Bye.
With that, Sid left the house while Nisha looked on. Sometimes I wonder if he means it, Nisha thought to herself. Nisha shook her head and sat down to eat her breakfast. After eating, she grabbed her bag and headed out of the house.
Nisha worked at the New York Times office as an editor in chief. Her office was nearby, so she usually would walk down the streets and take the bus. As she was walking, Nisha's cell phone rang inside her purse. She rummaged through her purse and answered the call as she continued to walk.
Nisha: Hello?
Voice: Guess who?
Nisha: Hi, Shanaya.
Shanaya Mehta, 22 years old and the youngest daughter of Raj and Nandita. Shanaya just graduated from college and was now doing an internship at Manhattan Fashion Magazine. Shanaya was just walking down the streets in her four inch Jimmy Choo shoes as she spoke to her sister on the phone.
Shanaya: How are you?!
Nisha: Good. Shouldn't you be getting to work?
Shanaya: I could tell you the same thing, Nisha! Besides, I'm getting there early.
Nisha: So why did you call?
Shanaya: To ask how's the planning going on.
Nisha: Planning?
Shanaya: I mean...anniversary celebrations!
Nisha: I haven't really done much yet. I don't want Sid to know.
Shanaya: Don't worry about that! He works too much anyway. If you need help, ask Dad...our love guru.
Nisha: You always call him that.
Shanaya: What else do I call him?! He's always been a love preacher! I don't get it. Anyways, you take care of that. I'll talk to you later.
Nisha: Okay, bye.
Shanaya hung up and put her cell phone back in her Gucci purse. She brushed aside her long, raven black curls to the side of her shoulder as she straightened her red Versace dress. As she continued to walk, she began to hear the sounds of guitar playing along with singing. Singing...and guitar?! In Punjabi?! Where's it coming from? Shanaya asked herself.
As Shanaya continued to walk, she came down the street to where a young man was singing a melodious Punjabi song while playing his guitar. He had smooth black hair and wore a blue plaid shirt under a denim vest, paired with blue jeans and old brown shoes. As he continued to play, Shanaya watched him while people passing by dropped coins into a small hat the man had next to him as he sang and played his guitar. Shanaya gave a smile as she dropped four quarters into the bag. As she turned around to leave, the young man stopped playing and looked at her and said, "Thank you...jaan-e-maan."
Shanaya turned around, surprised.
Shanaya: What did you call me?
The young man: Jaan-e-maan.
Shanaya: Jaan-e-maan?!
The young man: It means sweetheart. Don't you know Hindi?
Shanaya: Of course! But why call me that?
The young man: Everyone has dropped pennies and nickels. You dropped four quarters. Your heart must be sweet then. Hence, I called you jaan-e-maan.
Shanaya: Its just me being nice. Doesn't mean you give me a nickname!
The young man: Wow! Jaan-e-maan has a feisty side!
Shanaya: Listen, you!
The young man: Anaan...Anaan Arora.
Shanaya: Anaan...I just met you. And since your song was nice, I thought of dropping some coins off. Simple! So don't waste your breath by calling me jaan-e-maan! Anyways...good day to you.
Shanaya turned around to leave, while Anaan gave a big smile.
Anaan: Hey, jaan-e-maan!
Shanaya: What?!
Anaan: Some strangers leave side effects. Don't forget me! Who knows?! I may meet you again.
Shanaya rolled her eyes as she continued to walk down the street. Anaan picked up the four quarters Shanaya dropped into his hat and smiled. That was Anaan Arora, 23 years old and a simple young, happy-go lucky boy who left a connection with the feisty Shanaya in just one word...jaan-e-maan.
Edited by -Meryl- - 10 years ago
Jhanak
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