Hey guys,
I feel as if I am doing a specialization in Short Stories?but to be honest I like them?they are very subtle and cute?I enjoy writing them?and I sincerely hope you all enjoy reading them too?
Here is another SS?it is a sweet story about love and coincidence?just a hypothetical thing which might happen with anybody?you will know after reading it why the title is ?Love? By Chance? ??
Please, do reply as always?Thank you for appreciating my efforts!! It really means a lot to me!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~
LOVE? ? BY CHANCE? ? ?
Maasi was busy instructing Tony??Tony...saari shelves saaf karo?jo bhi samaan hain sab nikalo?? maasi said in a muffled tone as half of her face was covered by the pallu of her cream colored cotton sari?
Tony wriggled his nose as he inhaled the rising dust particles? ?
?Yeh ladka bhi na?pata nahin kya kya samaan ikhata karke rakha hain?? tony heard maasi complain about his master? ?
Soon all the shelves and cupboards were emptied? ?a pile of colorful files stacked on top of one another stood in a lonely corner?some books were scattered on the marbled floor covered with a thick layer of stagnant dust? ?the room was suffocating?the air had become heavy and oppressed?maasi moved away?as she was finding it difficult to breathe? tony wearily put away all the accumulated things to one side?he switched on the vacuum cleaner? ?the machine started with a buzzing noise and swiftly sucked in the dirt? ?
Jai entered the house to find it surprisingly empty?he heard a faint humming sound?wondering what it could be? he climbed the stairs?he saw maasi standing at the doorway of his room?the intensity of the sound had increased?he moved towards his room only to be shocked out of his wits?his room?his beautiful, wonderful room?was completely ransacked?all the things were topsy-turvy?it looked as if the room was hit by a violent destructive storm?
?MAASI?? he let out an exasperated cry?
Maasi was momentarily startled to find her nephew standing just behind her?his face designed in utter shock?What was he doing so early?? She had thought everything would be done before he came?but her rosy plan had gone for a toss?
?Umm?Jai? woh?? she fumbled with her words?she knew jai didn?t like his things to be touched?he was very-much possessive about them?
?KYA?aapne?aapne mere kamre ka kya haal bana diya hain?aapko...? jai said dropping his office bag on the floor?
?Haan?pata hian?tujhe acha nahin lagta..par dekhna kitna phaltu ka samman ikhta hogaya hain?maine socha saaf karvadeti hoon??
?Mera kitna important samman ko aap phaltu keh rahin hain??
?Important?kya hain important?purane kitaben..bekaar ke files?aur pata nahin kya kya kabad hain??maasi said irritated?
?Kabad?aapne mere samman ko kabad kaha??
?Haan toh..yeh kabad nahin toh kya hain?duniya bhar ka kachda yahin hain?Thank God mujhe dust allergy nahin hain warna ab ak toh leelavati pahunchgayi hoti??
?Maasi?aap?Tony just shut that damn vacuum cleaner now?NOW TONY?? jai almost screamed to make his voice heard? tony obeyed his master?s orders?
Jai strode into the room?he diligently started inspecting the files, books and other papers?keeping the things which he felt were important he asked tony to clean everything properly? ?
?Shaanti mil gayi aapko?? he said looking at maasi...who was amazed to see that except two or three things he had kept everything else?again?
?Kaahan?phirse saari cheezen andar aa gayi..tujhe kya milta hain?yeh sab rakh kar?tera room kam aur antique shop jyaada lagta hain?? massi replied?
Jai looked a bit lost?a feel of contemplation filled him...?Bas maasi?acha lagta hain mujhe?har cheez se koi na koi yaad judi hain?? he said softly?
Maasi shook her head in disapproval??Tera kuch nahin ho sakta??
~~~~~~~~~~~
Jai sat in his room?looking at the things which he had safely kept till date?his mind reverted back to the gone past?the notebooks of his school days?photos of his college days?his personal dairies?files of his successful?unsuccessful official projects?he kept it everything?just as a sweet memory?
When we get something that we dream of or fiercely want, we are ecstatic?soon there is a hollow feeling within us and a loss of purpose and direction?a loss of any sort leaves a deeper imprint on our hearts. Maybe because the feeling is incomplete or the yearning for something which could not be, is like bittersweet pain, buried somewhere deep within?
A smile lit his face as he remembered his childhood friends with whom he had lost touch?Mrs. Shahai his first ever crush, the pretty teacher who taught him English? ?and spoke with a refined accent?the one-sided love affairs of college?his smile broadened??What if???
These were all bittersweet memories, the sort which can be taken out on a rainy day, dusted and relived, bringing tears to our eyes as well as smile to our lips?The joy of fulfillment is satisfying, but the sorrow of lost dreams and memories is felt deeper in our souls? ?
He thought in retrospection?the past 10 years have been such a roller-coaster ride?there were set-backs?unhappiness?sad experiences?problems?but there were also achievements?happiness?success?the death of his parents in a air-crash?Jigyasa di?s wedding to a wonderful man Aditya jiju?he joining the Walia group of industries and taking it to newer heights?at one time when the shares had crashed soon after his father?s expiry?everyone predicted that Walia industries was finished but today it was the number one company?the birth of his niece was most special?the naughty, chirpy little devil Anu his sweet-heart?whom he loved to pamper? he felt at times that?Life was surreal? ?
He picked up the stack of things and was about to put them neatly in his cupboard?when a book fell on the ground? a photo was sticking out from it?putting the things away he picked up the book and sat on the couch?
It was one of his diaries?the year was 1996?
Jai Walia
12th standard
Head Boy
Bombay Scottish School
The first page read? he flipped through the pages?at random? some sensible?some senseless?things were written?
Today I had a major fight with Rahul?during the basketball match?he had pushed me while I was dribbling the ball?
We had an elocution competition?my Blue house had won?
Boards are coming near?I need to prepare more seriously?Radhika is scoring so well in her prelims?study jai?from today all video games band?and no T.V.
He smiled as he read a few lines?
Yeh!!!! Dad got me the latest advanced camera?as a gift?as I did very well in my boards?I scored 93.5%...2 % more than Radhika?I am so happy?
He opened the page where the photo was kept?the photo had almost lost its sheen?it was in a poor condition?he could not see the contents of the photograph clearly...only a pretty face of a girl was vaguely visible?he tried to recollect?he remembered something?he started reading further?
July 15 1997?
I was reluctant to go to this trip because it was a family affair?dad, mom, di, massi, and karuna?we were going to the ISKCON temple in Mayapur, near Calcutta. I wanted to go for trekking to shimla with my friends but then mom was adamant?she wanted to see the biggest Radha-Krishna Mandir?she had heard from her friends that it was really beautiful?but the trip which I thought would be boring, surprisingly, it turned out to be my most memorable and unforgettable?outing ever?
A volunteer took us around the beautiful ISKCON temple. Suddenly I spotted ?HER?. She seemed to be around my age may a bit younger than me; she was not very tall, fair with dark brown hair?she was wearing a simple pink salwar kameez?her head covered by the dupatta? I caught a whiff of her perfume and was captivated forever?
I followed her closely after that. I wanted her to notice me but she seemed to be lost in her own world, murmuring some inaudible prayers?she was holding on to her little sister?s hand and walking?looking around the wondrous temple with amusement?I clicked a few pictures of the temple and HER?with my new camera?I soon joined my family?
I saw her again in the evening when we went for the evening aarati?she was again engrossed in herself?silently singing the aarati and clapping her hands rhythmically?I hoped she would look at me just once?I wanted to smile at HER?
Suddenly?she opened her eyes and looked up and our eyes met?I smiled a HER?she gave me a confused look and then flashed a cute smile?that brief interaction was enough for me?Now I could return home a contented man...I captured that image in my mind forever?
It was beautiful?I wish I would meet her one day? ?
Jai?
{I have gone to the ISKCON temple in Mayapur. It is very beautiful; I don?t remember properly, I was very small. But I remember they used to give huge freshly prepared pastries as Prasad as there were many foreigners?you must go it is really wonderful place}
The memories rushed back to his mind?his inner most feelings surfaced again?he had never forgotten this incident?yes he had kept it locked up deep inside his heart?but it surely lived within him somewhere?he was surprised at how after so many years?nearly 10 years?he again relived that beautiful part of his life?he felt a dull ache in the pit of his stomach?Where did it all go???? He did wonder at times how one by one everything dimmed and just faded out of view?
Yes, he did date a few women?in fact pretty women?he was quiet popular among them?but be it sonali or roshni?they all seemed to be fake and in-genuine?over-caring, over-concerned, over-affectionate, there were real over-pretenders? ?somehow even after much conscious effort he couldn?t connect to them on an emotional level? ?the kind of connection he felt 1o years ago for a an unknown, strange, acquaintance, he couldn?t feel that for any of his exes, probably he unconsciously compared them with ?HER??he was a young na? boy?but then?even now he could still related to HER?he was trying to weave a song form word?s he barely felt? he knew that what he was searching for?or rather what he wanted was a distant dream?it was like a fairy-tale?and fairy tales only existed in books not in real life? ? he was too practical to accept that happily? ? he kept the photo inside and shut the book?he placed it in the shelf and locked it?
~~~~~~~~~~~
?Bani?kahan hain?? Ravindar Singh asked his wife, Kiran, as he made himself comfortable in the sofa, it was a tiring day in the office?being the vice president of a reputed bank was not an easy job?checking the hefty transactions?bringing in business to the bank?marketing the schemes?it was indeed a painstaking job?and to be honest was even more difficult? ?but he always stuck to his principles? ?come what may?
?Andar hain?apne kamre main?? kiran replied as she came out of the kitchen bringing some refreshments for her husband?
?Thik hain??
?kyun kya hua??
?Aree, nahin woh Kapoor saheb hain na?woh koi rishta bata rahen the?Mumbai main hi hain ladka?Uday Walia ka ek lauta beta Jai Walia??
?lekin woh toh bohot bade log hain?aur hum shayaad??
?Arre, Kapoor saheb keh rahen the ki woh log bahut ache hain?who yeh sab nahin maante hain?ladka apni massi ke saath rehta hain?jo suna hain bohot achi hain??
?Woh sab to thik hain?par aap bani se ek baar baat karke dekh lijiye??
?Hmm?yeh ladki bhi na?hamesha apni mamani karti hain?apni marzi se itna pad likh liya?achi khasi naukri bhi kar rahin hain?pata nahin shaadi se kya problem hain??
?Aap hi baat karna?woh apke zyadaa kareeb hain??
?Thik hain...Dinner ke baad baat karlunga??
?Kya baaten ho rahin hain?pops?? a girlish chirpy voice could be heard?
?Kitni baar kahan hain Rano?mujhe yeh pops shab bilkul pasand nahin hain?? Ravindar roared?he hated this new age?cool language?
?Chill papa?? rano said?casually?
?Shut up Rano?? kiran said while dragging her into the kitchen? ?
~~~~~~~~~~~
?Massi?aap phir se shuru hogayi?? jai said as he ate his favorite malai kofta with naan?
?Toh kya?zindagi bhar aise hi rehega?kunwara?? massi said?
?Nahin maasi?but isn?t it too early??
?Too early?apni umar ka andazaa hain?29 saal ka hone waale hain?jab budha hojayega tab shaadi karega kya??
?Maasi?mujhe abhi shaadi nahin karni??
?Ek baar ladki ko dekh toh le?nahin pasand aayi toh mat karna?bas ek baar mil le?uska naam bani hain?bohot pyaari hain?yeh rahin uski photo?? maasi showed him a photograph?jai looked at it absolutely?uninterested?he didn?t even pay much attention?
?Thik hain?aap ke liye main chala jaaonga..par?I can?t promise anything??
?Thik hain baba?tu pehle mil to sahi??
Jai looked at the photo?she was pretty attractive?but he found something extremely similar about her?you are just over-imagining jai?he tried to reason out? ?
~~~~~~~~~~~
Bani was busy sketching the concept for the new ad assignment?it was a cosmetics ad?and she had already prepared the whole concept and its executation?tomorrow there was an meeting with the company head regarding the finalizing of the advertisement? she was the creative head of a high profile advertising agency?and this project was very important for her?and her company?Bani was the eldest daughter of Ravindar and Kiran Singh, a very mature, confident, hardworking, pretty looking independent girl who was modern in her outlook and thinking but firmly believed in her values, culture and traditions?
?Bani?? she heard her father call out?
?main andar aaoon?? her father said?
?Aap ko kab permission lene ki zaroorat pad gayi?? she continuing sketching?
?Bas aise hi?bohot busy ho kya??
?Hmm?papa?kal ek bohot important meeting hain??
?Tujhse kuch baat karni thi??
?Kahiye na papa??
?Beta?zindagi bohot tez bhaagti hain?10 saal shararat karne main beet jaate hain?20 saal tak padhai karne main?aur 30 saal tak kaam karne main beet jaata hian?aur uske baad insaan ko pata hi nahin chalta ki aage kya karna chahiye??
?Aap kehna kya chahte hain??
?Beta?maine aaj tak tujhe roka nahin? tune apni marzi se sab kiya?aur mujhe tujpar garv hain tune kabhi bhi meri di hui azaadi ka galat faida nahin uthaya??
?Papa?saaf saaf batayi na??
?Beta zindagi main ek humsafar ki bohot zaroorat hoti hain?jo such dukh main hamesha tumhara saath de?beta ek rishta aaya hain?tumhare liye??
?toh yeh baat hain??
?Dekh agar tu kissi se pyaar karti hain toh batade??
?OH!!!Papa?aap bhi na?aisa kuch nahin hain?woh toh bas kabhi?shaadi ke bare main seriously socha nahin hain maine issliye??
?Beta tu ek baar uss ladke se mil toh le uske baad decide kar?agar pasand nahin aaya toh thik hain?baat khatam?par ek baar milne main toh koi harj nahin hain na??
?Okay papa?jaisa aap kahen?main mil lungi?Khush??
?Bohot?I love you beta??
?I love you too papa?? the father and daughter hugged each other lovingly?
?Jaldi so jao?raat bohot ho chuki hain??
?Okay papa?Good night??
?Good night beta?? saying so Ravindar left the room?
~~~~~~~~~~~
Bani hurried into the Cross Caf?he was already 20 minutes late?thanks to the Mumbai traffic jams?she entered the Caf?teadying herself?she fixed her heavily embroidered pink salwar kameez?adjusting her dupatta properly?she looked for her ?prospective groom?? she had seen his photo yesterday night?was quite good-looking?quite would be a wrong word to use?was very much a handsome hunk?her cheeks tinged with a reddish blush as she remembered the last night incident?when rano had teased her endlessly?and didn?t let her sleep? ? she walked in confidently?but she couldn?t help but feel a bit jittery and nervous? ??Chill Bani?? she repeated this to herself for the zillionth time?
Jai was waiting for his ?prospective bride? to come?she was 20 minutes late?20 minutes?if it hadn?t been for Maasi he would left way back? ?his mood was already spoiled?he drummed his fingers on the table?the irritating waiter came again?to take the order for the 4th time?
?I said? I am waiting for someone?I will call you if I need something?now please?? jai said trying his best to be patient? ?he was looking around aimlessly when suddenly his heart skipped a beat seeing the vision in front of him?
Bani came near the table where jai was seated??Hi!!! Bani??
?Hi!! Jai?? jai got up?
?I am sorry I am late?I was just caught up in the traffic jam?? bani said politely trying to calm her over-excited nerves? ?jai just stared at her?composing himself he said?
?It?s?its okay?please have a seat?? he literally stammered?
He kept looking at her?who was seated opposite to him?no he can?t be mistaken?it was HER?it could be only HER?the eyes?the eyes were the same?
The waiter came again??Order sir??
?Later?? jai said firmly?and shooed him away? ?
?Have you ever been to the ISKCON temple in Mayapur??? jai asked impatiently?Bani was startled by his question?what kind of question was that?she looked at him surprised?but jai knew it was ?HER?? ?only ?HER??
Jai waited for her answer? ?I don?t remember properly but I have been there?after my board results had come?par aapko kaise pata??
Jai smiled broadly?he couldn?t believe his luck?How can this be remotely possible??? His heart did a summersault? ?he was actually meeting ?HER??
?Well?it?s a long story?? jai said resting his back on the chair?
?Order sir?? that same waiter had come again? jai laughed?bani watched him with amusement his smile was so familiar?as if she had seen it before? ?she felt strange?
?Cappuccino?or mocha?or something else?? jai asked her?
?Cappuccino?? she answered meekly?still trying to figure out the missing link?
?One cappuccino and one espresso please?? jai placed the order?
?Kya hum pehle mile hain?? bani asked looking a bit suspicious?
Jai grinned??Yes??
~~~~~~~~~~~
?I can?t believe this?hum mile the?I mean?? bani couldn?t believe her ears?they had met 10 years ago?not even met?just looked at each other... and now they were here?and this man remembered everything?WOW!!!! That was a perfect coincidence? ?
?Shayaad?this is what we call destiny?? jai said?
?Shayaad??
?So??
?So??
?Yes or no??
?Well?probably destiny?wants us to be together?always?? bani said? her eyes glistening with mischief?
?Probably?? jai said looking straight into her doe-shaped eyes? ?
?Bill?sir?? the same waiter had come again?
Jai looked at bani wearing a hopeless expression? ?they both burst out laughing?drawing a bit of attention?from their surroundings? ?
~~~~~~~~~~~
The End? ?
God bless
Dhani
P.S.: just saw ROCK ON!!! i must say prachi was very impressive...it was a nice movie!!!
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