29/12/2007
The story is nothing new…I call it a page taken from life. Hope you find it enjoyable to read the most common story of students (and grin too like you do on coming to know of such stories😆). You never know wherefrom you begin and where you end……
Cross Connection
Ek ladki thi deewani si
Mobile le kar chalti thi
Nazre jhukake
Mobile mein kuch karti thi
Jab bhi milti thi mujhse
Yehi pucha karti thi
Yeh ON kaise hota hai……..
Jay and Suraj played drum on the table and laughed looking in Bani's direction. Bani didn't turn to face them; she knew that they were teasing her. Her friends were about to get up and start a fight but stopped as she held their hands. To her embarrassment her mobile phone just beeped then. Jay and Suraj laughed. Just then Pushkar entered the canteen and his eyes first went on Bani and then on his friends Jay and Suraj. He straight went towards Bani's table and said, "Bani I am sorry for what Jay and Suraj did. Please forget it. We are all friends. I know you don't like all this. I'll them not to do such things anymore. Hope you are feeling fine now." Bani's friends were about to praise him for his understanding nature but Bani beat them. She lifted her head and said, "Pushkar definitely you should stop your friends from doing such things and please make them understand that it won't help you." She got up and started to leave as a surprised Pushkar questioned, "Me? Help me?" Reaching the exit Bani stopped, then turned and replied quite loudly so that all the three boys can hear, "You people know it better."
As the three boys stared at her retreating back…..Suraj laughed, "This plan flopped too! Bad luck Pushky." "I don't understand how to win her heart….we spent so much of time planning how to impress her but every time she plays the smarter one" Pushkar felt hopeless. "Doesn't she understand…this way or that way…Okay she indirectly said that she understands then why not accept it!" Pushkar banged his fist on the table. Suraj suggested, "Why don't you put it straight to her?" Pushkar glared at him, "Is it that easy? I mean if it would have been some other girl….like most of Bani's friends then it would have been a matter of few days but it's Bani….hmmm…Baniiiiiii…" Suraj turned towards Jay, "Why don't you suggest something Mr. Genius?" Jay smiled, "Try and try until you succeed."
Jay, Pushkar and Suraj were roommates. Theirs was a fully residential college. The boys in the Boys Hostel always complained that the Girls hostel shouldn't have been constructed so far from theirs…..a complaint for decades that passed on to new candidates. Not that some of the girls in the Girls Hostel didn't think the same for the Boys Hostel! They were all in their final year. They means Jay, Pushkar, Suraj….and boys and Bani and the girls. They were in the same department; everybody had his/her group to mix with. There was the usual relationship between the boys and the girls….particular ones talked to particular ones….some were mixed bag group, some hated each other..some had a king size crush on someone….some were too busy with books and running after the teachers that they had no time for anything else, some acted as The Almighty…..there were fights – boys/girls sort of…or on other issues…..just like in any other college! Pushkar always wanted to have a girlfriend…had even two in the first two and a half year…but they were just the beginning where he realized that his choice was wrong. Fortunately he never said I like you or anything that sort of…they just ticked with over interaction…they ended soon on a happy note!
But for the past few months he started finding interest in Bani. They used to be together in lab groups and used to interact too much then….she was quite helpful but with his flying interests, Pushkar and her friendship landed down to a good friend kind of thing where they hardly interacted with each other. Pushkar thinking of someone meant everybody will know. He went around everywhere expressing his feelings and this time he was going crazy after Bani…she has become more beautiful…..her attractive introvert nature and her popularity among students due to her in-depth knowledge on the subjects taught…..Pushkar suddenly became eager to be with her. His craziness forced his friends to help him out….just in any way. And the way that they had selected was to make Pushkar appear as a gentleman who cared for Bani the most. The only way to show that was to create situations. Jay who was Pushkar's good friend tried to help him out on his insistence and followed the stupid way. Most of the pre-final year students knew about Pushkar's craziness for Bani and used to pull his legs which he enjoyed too much but when in front of Bani…he pretended to be ignorant although he liked that. They used to talk about things that classmates do but the spark was missing. Bani even knew of these things but didn't give much importance to it as she used to think that a matter stretched is a situation worsened. Her friends used to convince her to give Pushkar a chance which annoyed her.
As boys were trying their hands out to help Pushkar, the situation was getting day by day for Bani. Anywhere she used to go in the campus….fellow classmates or year-mates used to discuss something about Pushkar. How much she tried to avoid the situation…..her own class turned out to be hell…..whenever she entered the class…somebody or the other would shout Pushkar…some would laugh and worse of all some of her friends even joined the force. Her hostel was not even spared…..constant discussions about Pushkar's latest efforts used to go on in her floor. Nearly 80% of her classmates and year-mates dreamt about someone who would go crazy after them. Bani was pissed off and the main problem was that Pushkar never spoke clearly so if she broaches the subject…she feared that he and his friends might completely deny the fact and she will make a fool of herself. A clear cut NO would have solved the problem…..only if he had the guts to ask. Stupid creature…..specially his friends.
It was October. After the failed attempt in the canteen, there were several more cautious attempts to soften Bani's heart for Pushkar….but they also turned out to be failures. Jay was returning back from somewhere at night just before when the gates got closed when he found Bani walking in the direction of her hostel. The streetlights of the road that led to her hostel were off and hers was a long way to go. Jay walked in her direction and lit the torch. Surprised she turned back to see Jay. "Let's go" was all that Jay said. They walked in silence towards the Girls Hostel and as they reached the gates the security guard was missing from there and the gates were locked. Bani said, "Thanks" indirectly asking him to leave of course with gratitude for helping her out. "Let the guard come." Jay knew that he still needed to be there. They sat down on a bench outside. Bani broke the silence, "Jay why do you people act like that in college? At the moment you are a complete different person or actually the person whom I used to know as Jay."
"As if you don't know! Bani it's just to make you incline towards Pushkar."
"And do you think that it is a way?"
"There is no harm in trying!!"
"So exactly what's the aim?"
"As I've said….to incline I mean to create a soft corner in your heart for him!"
"Jay don't you believe in the fact that if it has to happen it will happen…..why take such troubles….and give others trouble too!"
"Yeah I kind of believe that but you see somewhere one has to start….and for everyone that somewhere is different. Don't you realize how crazy Pushkar is about you?"
"No need to explain….I know he has gone nuts…in case you wanted to mention it. But Jay forget about Pushkar, is it you who is helping your friend?"
"Why I always lend my helping hand to friends..strangers….aquaintances…family..everyone so why not him?"
"What I mean is that you are doing such pardon me but stupid things…it's not just you Jay…not you. Helping a friend is good…helping till the end is also good but can you identify with yourself? Having fun, having a change in lifestyle is all good but why lose your personality for the sake of artificiality? Does your inner self likes this change in you? Don't you want to seek the peace and loneliness you always prefer, at times nowadays?"
Jay felt uneasy, "I think we were talking about Pushkar."
"And I am talking about you….Jay I've known you for quite a long time..Although we didn't have that kind of close friendship yet there is nothing wrong in admiration. Not just as a student, but as a person too there are many good things about you that caught my attention in the past few years. And seeing the change should I say drastic change in you, I am quite disappointed. I don't want you to live up to my expectations because you actually need not but I felt that I should share my thought."
Hearing a sound of iron gates…they both looked up and saw that the guard has returned. Bani got up and moved towards the gate. Softly she said, "Jay I didn't mean to hurt in case that has happened but….I hope you understand just as a friend. And I know you don't believe a penny on the way Pushkar is trying to attract me towards him. Good night, Sweet dreams and Thanks once again for accompanying me."
Jay kept standing there looking at Bani's shadowy figure getting merged with the building's shadow. He still stood there…eyes transfixed on the first floor balcony which Bani must cross to reach her room (Pushkar's information). As he saw Bani appearing in the dim light he wanted to turn back but his eyes didn't. They hoped to see Bani seeing them. When the hope was at the verge of sinking…a tiny waved him goodbye. He returned it with a wave of hands and finally turned….relieved. As he walked on the roads back to his hostel, his eyes were fixed on the ground illuminated by the pocket torch but his mind wandered elsewhere. Is it the reason that Pushkar likes her so much? She understands things so well..puts them so well he thought. Then he admitted that Pushkar was beyond the capability of seeing that. For the first time in his friendship with Pushkar and others he found himself lonely….because none could understand his true self…even he tended to forget that…except may be one person.
Seeing Jay becoming someone different, Bani tossed on her bed wondering if Jay shares the story of their meeting and conversation with his friends. God knows what she was supposed to face next day in the college. But somewhere he believed him, The good boy as she used to think of him in college all these years. On the other hand Jay retired on his bed dreaming of the conversation he just had and his own interests in life without letting the information of the incident leak to his roommates who were planning some new super cool idea.
Bani dreaded to go to college the next day…..first four classes finished…lunch hour gone…lab over….nothing weird…just like every other day at college. May be Jay didn't say anything to his friends! She was crossing the lab when she found Pushkar still taking notes. She decided not to disturb but how was she supposed to know that he was waiting for her! He called out in his playful voice, "Hey Bani have you taken these notes…here take it…lab instructions…syllabus..next day work…" They walked outside the laboratory towards the exit. Pushkar carried on talking on subjects while Bani felt uneasy in his presence as most of the known faces stared at them, heads turned, smiles shared and what not. Finally she lost her patience, "Pushkar I need to go to the ladies' room..if you please excuse me." Pushkar's plan of changing the topic of discussion and leading it to somewhere else died an instant death. He nodded his head and let her go.
So Jay didn't tell him about last night. Good. Bani thought. In the next few days, Bani found Jay to be not a usual part of his so-called gang. He started to be aloof. She often overheard arguments among his friends that he was not as active as he used to be among them lately. Bani felt guilty. One day she called him out of the class to discuss about something. As he came outside Bani had a good look of him. She hesitated for a moment and then began, "Look Jay I know I shouldn't interfere in your matters…but this has more to do with me than you. I don't know why I am getting this feeling that you are no more in your group actively due to what I said to you that night. Please if it is the case…don't overburden yourself to keep everyone happy…" Jay interrupted, "Baniii…stop overburdening yourself with this guilt. I know I am acting differently but not because of what you said or what you wish but because of what I've realized."
"You Sure?"
"Cent Percent. Do I need to prove it?" Jay laughed.
"How about a cup of coffee?"
"I guess two!"
They laughed and enjoying each other's company went to the canteen. Only to their dismay the cup of coffee had to be made three as Pushkar joined them wondering that Jay was taking another attempt for him.
In the next one month, Jay and Bani became quite good friends. The silent admiration beneath the talking that they used to have occasionally in the past few years became expressive. But they knew it was not the friendship that was driving them together….it was the comfort in each other's company, the togetherness and the attraction towards each other beyond physical barriers…only if they had the guts to admit that to themselves.
There was a week long holiday for the students on the occasion of Diwali. As everyone went to their house…Jay looked forward to returning to college…he didn't know why!!! May be the upcoming exhibitions and events. May be…..the day when they returned he spent most of the time outside the hostel looking at the happy and sad faces returning back to college. His unsettled heart still searched for something. Next day morning when he found Bani crossing the garden area……his heart stopped beating…yet it relaxed…..his disturbed thoughts got their answer…..Bani. The next few days they went around in the same manner but when in isolation, Jay used to wonder how will Bani react if she comes to know of his feelings for her. He was in one way happy that he had fallen in love with her but on the other hand he was worried because his feelings and approach can be misinterpreted as a plan since he knew that she had no feelings for Pushkar. Jay dreaded that thought the most…what if she blames him that seeing Pushkar out of the queue, he tried his hands tactfully. Jay preferred to die than to hear such accusations from none other than Bani. He was not sure that she will react like that…but you never know!!! Her concern for him, her care…her carefree attitude with him….her jokes….her mischief…her smile…her eyes…her eyes……her eyes……unforgettable…..
Just a week before Christmas and New Year holidays…a serious issue came up. Bani entered the classroom whose picture was strikingly silent. Many pair of eyes fell on her, some whispered, some exchanged glances…but none said anything to her.
"What happened to the class? Anything wrong?" Bani enquired her friend.
"Yesterday night Jay and Pushkar had a fight in there room…Serious fight."
"What they fought? They? Why???"
"May be for you!" the girl replied with a pause. She continued, "Everyone is guessing the same thing."
Bani felt uncomfortable. She didn't enquire anything anymore. By the end of the day…the class was divided into two groups supporting either Jay or Pushkar without knowing the exact reason. Bani hesitated to meet Jay after class hours yet gathered some courage and met him in a somewhat isolated place within the campus.
"Jay I heard you had a fight with Pushkar last night!"
"Hmmm…"
Bani felt extremely uncomfortable so she got up and went away. Jay looked in her direction and remembered what happened last night in his room. He happened to watch a cool video in his cell phone. The video was taken in their classroom. Everyone was enjoying as their results were out and everyone got good marks. Pushkar came and joined him. He was staring at the same person as was Jay….Bani. Pushkar raised some issue and they had a quiet hearty discussion about it. But then Pushkar dragged the matter which finally led to some serious disagreement from Jay's front. As the others who were there then at their room enjoyed the heated discussion…suddenly a fight broke out between the two. For Pushkar that was possibly acceptable but not Jay. Seething with anger Pushkar shouted at high pitch against Jay and his relationship with Bani….how he had used Pushkar to get close to Bani….how he cheated him and all nonsense and specially something against Bani. Jay couldn't hold it and theirs was a fight worth watching.
Jay knew that Bani had the idea that she was the main reason of the fight and that made him feel bad. Forget about getting together, his friendship with her had come to the verge of breaking. Why couldn't he afford to miss her, not to love her, not to like her, not to admire her, not to dream of her, not to think of her?
Holidays began. Jay waited for Bani's bus to leave the campus. Bani couldn't miss the look in his eyes. For the past one week their happy-go-lucky friendship was strained. Although Pushkar and Jay's relationship was getting back to normal but it was not like before. It needed time. Bani needed time. Jay needed time. After the incident Bani realized that she didn't feel bad on Jay's part for fighting for her. Yes she did have a little soft corner for him for all these years but that was out of respect may be. May be she poured her heart out that night to Jay because of that. May be….but then the little corner grew in size and became softer than ever. She never knew she had found love. 99% sure of why Jay fought for her, she started feeling crazy for him. The week long holiday seemed to be longer than one year.
Jay had called her twice during the holidays talking of random things or studies. She couldn't wait to meet him on the New Year 2nd January when the college was going to re-open. Her hot favorite song became….
Chahe tum kuch na kaho
Maine sun liye
Ke saaathi pyar ka
Mujhe chun liya
Chun liya
Maine sun liya….
Pehla nasha
Pehla khumar
Naya pyar hai
Naya intezaar
Karloon main apna haal
Ae diley bekarar
Mere diley bekarar
Tu hi bata….
Jay also used to sing the same song…….
Udta hi phiroon
In hawaon mein kahin
Ya main jhool jaoon
In ghataon mein kahin
Ek kardoon aasmaan
Aur zameen
Kaho yaaron kya karoon
Kya nahi…….
Pehla nasha
Pehla khumar
Naya pyar hai
Naya intezaar
Karloon main apna haal
Ae diley bekarar
Mere diley bekarar
Tu hi bata….
Bani was getting the feeling that he might confess…….
Usne baat ki
Kuch aise shang se
Sapne de gaya
Wo hazaron rang ke
Reh jaoon jaise main haarke
Aur chumey wo mujhe pyar se
Pehla nasha
Pehla khumar
Naya pyar hai
Naya intezaar
Karloon main apna haal
Ae diley bekarar
Mere diley bekarar
Tu hi bata….
Both couldn't wait for 2nd January to come. When they met…Bani almost closed her eyes dreamily thinking that he might say "I……"
"Happy New Year Bani" he nervously said.
Say what I want to hear Bani said inwardly.
"I've finished that assignment." He talked about everything but of them.
Say what I want to hear Bani said inwardly.
Both waited for the moment to come….
Few days later, a Professor entering the main building suddenly caught them together may be arguing over some numerical problem. But his experienced eyes and the college rumors that reached his ears verified the closeness among them. Finally these two also caught in the web! But good to see the two great minds together. They make a good couple he chuckled at his thought.
Two years later
Jay and Bani just made up after some argument. They seemed to be too contented and too happy with their lives which included each other. At the car parking outside a theatre, they met Pushkar. A girl accompanied him whom he introduced as his colleague as well as girlfriend. As they were in a hurry…they left earlier. Jay smiled at some thought.
"What is it?" Bani asked smilingly suspecting that he was thinking something about the girl.
"Just saw in Pushkar's eyes….he still regrets for not having you in his life…" he smiled.
"And what about you?" Bani linked her arms with his, looking at him with high expectations.
"I am over the moon for not being in his situation" he answered the truth.
Hope you enjoyed reading this college based love story. 😃
Take Care 😃
ree
