This is a short 6 to 8 part FF.
Decided to post 4 parts this time around as it is my Birthday today! Enjoy!
Please post your comments once you read it. Thank you.š
Part -1
What was the problem with the whole world today?! The shops were closed, there were hardly any people on the streets, the air was clear and it looked like it was going to stay this way for the next couple of days.
Calcutta, Bombay and all other major cities were in a lock down mode. The day was moving towards dusk and as she looked up at the sky, it was painted in brilliant shades of orange and yellow as the sun began to settle down on the horizon. The last rays of the sun were getting dimmer by the minute but the Street lights din't turn on as they always did. The lights were out and there was nay a soul in sight.
She was the only person walking on the street. She kept looking back as she walked hurriedly towards the house. Books in hand, sweat dripping down her back and tendrils of hair flying around her face, she kept going.
Her day had started rotten and it was getting progressively worse by the minute. Where was he?. He was her best friend. They had gone to school together. Even though he was 5 years senior to her he had always taken the time to talk to her and helped her with all her problems. They were neighbors too. She could recollect each and every details of their encounter through her childhood.
He had been there for her when she had first lost her tooth. He had promised her that the tooth fairy will give her money if she placed it under her pillow. She had believed him then and she still believed him now.Every word that he had uttered was etched in her brain.
Now, where was he? She was getting impatient. She needed to get home soon or her dad would worry about her.
As she turned the corner, she saw a couple of guys her age on their Motorcycles talking to each other. As, she walked passed them one of the guys started whistling at her. She was getting a bit nervous and started running towards her destination. She turned back to check and noticed that the guy's had started their motorcycles and were following her.
A black Mercedes Benz came to a screeching halt with the driver swearing as he hit the brake pedals really hard. She fell on top of the hood but luckily she was not hurt.
The driver was spitting mad. " Do you have death wish! Even, if you did have a death wish why couldn't you find another car to fall in front off" he shouted
As soon as the goons saw the car and the guy getting out of it, they had vanished with the speed of light!
She slowly looked up from her hunched position on the car and moved all the hair that had fallen in front of her.
As she looked up at him, she saw the stunned look on his face.
"you areā¦" He was speechless for a minute.
"you are the professor's daughter, aren't you" he asked finally
"Yes"
"What are you doing this late out here? Hasn't anybody taught you that it is not safe to walk alone on such a dark night?"
"Ahhā¦I was at the library waiting to meet a friend and it got late"
After a few seconds she asked him the question that was top most on her mind.
"Do I know you, you look familiar" She said
"Probably, you might have seen my picture somewhere?"
"oh! Maybe, I must have"
"Come on, let me drop you at your place. Its just a few blocks away from here isn't it?"
"Yes, But I don't know you"
"you know me Gauri, think with you heart you'll remember me!"
Gauri woke up with a start. She had been dreaming again.She was sweating as the last sentence reverberated in her brain. She reached for a glass of water from the night table and found it empty.
Who was this guy? She had been having the same variations of this dream for the past few weeks. What was happening? She was getting obsessed with the guy in her dreams.
Part - 2
"Son, you really have to go and see this girl we have seen for you. This is your mother's wish. I have already told the girl's father that you would be coming down to Calcutta this weekend."
"Dad, I am not interested in seeing a gal. In this day and age the choice should be left to me!" he roared with anger.
"I know son, but just this one! For your mother's sake" his dad pleaded with him.
"But, Dad I am a grown up Man. I run an empire for heaven sakes, why don't you people think that I would make the right decision in choosing my own wife, when I do that in business"
His father was trying to pacify him once again. He understood his son's reluctance at seeing a girl and marrying her without even knowing anything about her. But, he wanted his son to meet this girl. He had met her the last time he was in Calcutta.
He could clearly remember how it had happened. He was at a bookstore where had accidentally met his friend who had invited him home and had introduced him to his daughters.
Coming out of his revere, he looked at his handsome son. He desperately wanted his son to meet this girl. She was such a homely girl who would suit his worldly son perfectly.
"Pleaseā¦ā¦-"
He din't want his father pleading with him. So, with reluctance and anger he agreed to go and see the girl his parents wanted him to meet.
"Thank you; you'll not regret this. I promise!" his dad said.
"O.K! Dad! I am doing this for you and I am not promising anything from the visit". Saying he went and gave his dad a hug, as his father started to step out of his office.
"Take Care now, I am leaving for London tomorrow. Will talk to you once I get back from there" Saying his father left his office as silently as he had entered.
He went to his chair and sat down. He slowly swirled around and looked at the Bombay skyline from his window and closed his eyes.
He remembered his dreams from yesterday. It all came clearly to him now.
He had been having this dream from his time at Oxford. It was always the same. He could clearly visualize the dream as he started thinking about it.
The doors were old, the building - maybe a few centuries old. There were still cobwebs in certain areas of the building. The walls were turning yellow as though the last time the building was painted might have been more than a few decades or a century ago. He was in his oldest Jeans and a worn out T-shirt as he stepped into the gates of the building.
Weeds were growing all over the place as though no one had time to clean up this land. He slowly walked towards the building and climbed the 10 or 12 steps that led into it. He slowly pushed open the door as it creaked on its hinges.
As he entered, he was surprised by the beauty of the inside. There were wall to wall shelves with books dating from the 12th century to the present. He walked towards the section that said history and pulled out a book and sat on the nearest seat.
He was so engrossed in the reading of the book that he first din't notice the musical laughter the reverberated from one corner of the room. As, the laughter slowly penetrated his conscience he started looking around for the voice. He placed the book down and slowly got up and moved towards the general vicinity of the voice. As he approached, he saw the back of the girl who was laughing. She was tall with long raven black her. She was dressed in a red saree and there was another girl with her.
As, she heared approaching foot steps her laughter abruptly stopped. She turned around and starred at him with her big beautiful eyes. Her features were perfect.
He had eyes only for her. He walked up to her and opened up his arms.
She came running towards him. She was sobbing and hugging him at the same time.
"Where have you been all this time? I have been looking for you!" she said.
"I am here now. Love! Where else can I be?" he said as he consoled her.
"I missed you. I will never let you leave me again. You are mine and you will always remain mine in all my seven lives"
"I am always yours. I will never leave you again" he told her as she sobbed into his neck.
He pulled her from the embrace so that he could look at her face and etch it into his brain once more.
She looked at him with watery eyes and said, "Shiv, Please don't you ever forget me again. I can't wait for another century to see you" and the dream slowly vanished replacing it with haziness as the girl disappeared.
Shiv slowly opened his eyes and came to the present. Who could this girl be? He wanted her and only her. His heart told him that she was the girl for him.
Part ā 3
It was early morning, there were dew drops on the trees, the windows were covered with a light mist and the sun was shining its early morning rays through the windows.
Kaya opened the door to her sister's bedroom and looked at her exasperatedly.
"Gauri, wake up! You have to go for the interview today! Remember! Wake up!" saying her sister started shaking her trying to get her to wake up.
"Kaya, Leave me alone. Let me get some more sleep! Please" Gauri pleaded
"No, you have to go for this interview. Din't you tell me yesterday that you really wanted this job! Now, Wake Up!" kaya said.
"I will pour a bucket of water on you now! If you don't get up" She threatened.
With a sigh, Gauri just turned over and covered her head with the blanket and went back to sleep promptly.
Kaya knew that waking up her sister was the most difficult thing in her world. Gauri was a sound sleeper and even an earthquake wouldn't have moved her from the bed.
Kaya decided to do the thing that she threatened her sister with. She went into the bathroom filled a mug with water and came near the bed. She decided to warn her sister just one last time!
"Gauri, you better wake up or you are not going to like what I am going to do after this last warning "
Gauri was so deep into her sleep that she did not even hear her sister's warning. Kaya waited for a minute and then decided to pour the cold water from the tap on her sister.
Kaya tip toed to the bed pulled the blanket from Gauri's head and threw the mug full of water on Gauri's face.
Gauri woke up with a start and a curse. "What the----"and saw her sister standing there smiling at her.
"Kaya, Why did you do that!. I am going to get you for this one day! Remember that!" so saying she got out of her bed. She was spitting mad at her sister as her peaceful early morning sleep got ruined.
"O.k...O.k...You can get your revenge later. Now, go and get ready for the interview Didi. Papa is going to drop at the interview place before he heads out"
Gauri slowly slipped out of the bed as remnants of sleep still remained. She walked towards the bathroom to get ready for her interview that was scheduled for 10 'o' clock today.
She remembered her last night's dream. Who was this guy? He kept intruding into her thoughts as she got ready. The dream was hazy now. She couldn't see his face clearly in the dream and she couldn't remember his face at all now. But at the back of her mind the dream still lingered.
As she stepped out of her room thoughts about her childhood hero and her neighbor came to the fore front of her mind. She had adored him from a very young age. Where was he now? Probably at work.
Kaya, Massi and her dad were waiting for her.
"o.k.ā¦ Gauri. Finish you breakfast its already 9.00, it will take us nearly hour to get to the office and with the traffic it might be later than that too"
Gauri hurriedly finished her breakfast and got up to head out.
"Let's go papa!! I am all done" So saying she went hurriedly to Massi and got blessings from her.
Massi smiled as she waved Goodbye to the both of them.
As she waited for her name to be announced for the interview her thoughts went back to the man that she dreamt about. As, she was lost in her reverie her name got announced by the receptionist.
Part ā 4
Shiv was going through some business files when the phone rang. He automatically reached out and picked up the phone.
"Hello, Shiv Kapoor speaking".
It was the Vice President of his company who over saw the Steel manufacturing unit. He quietly listened to what he was telling him without any agitation. It looked like there was problem at the Steel plant and he would have to fly out immediately to resolve the issue.
"I'll be there in two hours. Send the driver to the airport to receive me"So, saying he replaced the phone.
He called his Secretary and told her to get the company
jet for him in 10 minutes. He hurriedly checked his calendar and asked his secretary once again to postpone his meeting for the afternoon and the entire day tomorrow.
He made another call to his driver to get his suitcase ready for the trip. Once he had arranged everything to his liking he headed out of his office to fly out to his destination.
As he boarded the private jet the airhostess of his jet enquired if he required anything to drink.
"No, Jenny. I am fine for now". He politely refused her offer and went to join the captain, at the helm of the aircraft.
"So, how is the weather looking today" he asked his captain
"We've got clear skies and all the way through. We should be taxing off in another 10 minutes. Shiv"
"Good". He returned back to his seat and got immersed in the case load of files that he had to go through.
As the flight made it's descend towards its destination Shiv closed all his files and looked out the window. The sky was all blue and clear with no cloud in sight for miles and miles.
The captain turned on the seat belt sign and the flight made its final descend. As the jet taxied off the runway and came to a final halt, Shiv got up and shrugged on his Armani black coat as the doors opened and he stepped out of the jet.
The driver of his car came running towards him to get his bag as he walked towards the car.
As the driver drove out of the airport, Shiv was contemplating how to solve the issue that his Vice President had raised on the Phone call.
"Take me straight to the office, Ramu"
"O.k... sir"
The driver opened the car door and shiv stepped out to get into the building. He picked up his Mobile as he walked hurriedly towards the elevator. People were wishing him as he walked towards it but he was so engrossed with the problem at hand that he din't even bother to wish them back.
As he went towards the executive offices on the 13th floor, the VP came hurriedly to welcome him.
"Sir..."
"Let's discuss this in my office, shall we?" Saying that he walked fast into his office
The VP had to literally run behind to keep up with him. Once they entered the office, the doors slowly closed behind them.
Part - 5
Gauri was sitting on one of the chairs in front of the reception area when she saw all the employees wishing a guy, who not even bother to look up and wish those people back.
How rude? She thought. What Kind of a guy was he? He hadn't even bothered to look up at those poor souls who had wished him. What arrogance? Who was he?
The receptionist must have announced her name at least a couple of times from the looks she was giving her.
"Oops! Sorry" So, saying she got up to go in for the interview.
She slightly knocked on the door and a voice from inside said "Come on in"
"Hello, I am Gauri Chatterjee" Saying she put her hands forwards to shake hands with the guy who was going to interview her.
Shaking her hands, the guy said "Take your seat Miss. Chatterjee"
And so the grueling interview began. The interview was supposed to be for half an hour when it got over it was close to 50 minutes.
"Thank you, Miss Chatterjee for coming in. We will get back to you on our decision in the next couple of days"
So saying the guy walked her out of his office.
Gauri stepped out and the morning sun was hitting hard on this really hot summer day. She decided to call her childhood friend and mentor as she felt like talking to him. She had always envisioned him to be the guy for her.
"Hello! Sashank. How are you?"
"Gauri, What a surprise? You are calling at this time! What's going on?"
"Oh! I just finished a grueling interview and wanted to unwind so I called you" she said with a smile on her face.
"So, how did it go?" he asked
"I think I will get the job. But you know something else happened" she said
"What! Happened"
"I was waiting for the interview and this guy walked in as though he owned the place. He was so rude he din't even bother to wish the people who were wishing him a good day! How arrogant is that" she said.
"Hmmm..That wound you up, is it?" Sashank asked as he knew her very well. Gauri was the kind of girl who took the time to wish everyone whether she knew them or not.
"yeah! I was pretty surprised that people like that do exist, People who think they are the king of the world and everyone their subject. How arrogant" she couldn't digest that kind of attitude.
"Hey! Don't worry your pretty head over something which is so trivial to your life. Forget about it! Don't give it so much importance."
To cheer her up, Sashank invited her to lunch.
"Do you want to meet for lunch at the old town caf?"
"Hmmm..Sure" she couldn't take the thought about the guy out of her head.
"Heyā¦.Gauri!! Don't think about it. I will come and pick you up in 15 minutes at the front of your office building. Give me the address"
As Gauri told him the address she stepped out and crossed the road to wait for him.
She turned her back to the office building and was admiring the flowers that were growing in the garden opposite to it as she waited for Sashank to pick her up.
Part - 6
Shiv must have spent nearly 2 to 3 hours getting appraised of the problem when he decided to talk to the unions himself. From what he had listened so far it looked like the executive team had made a mess of a simple situation and now the unions had gotten involved.
Shiv sighed as the meeting was going no where. Everyone was pointing fingers at each other.
"Gentlemen, Let's conclude this meeting now. Call a meeting with the unions for tomorrow morning at 9.00 and I will handle it from there" So saying Shiv drew the meeting to a close.
As everybody from the meeting went out of the conference room, Shiv got up and walked to the wall to wall windows that surrounded the room. The blinds were drawn to keep the sunlight out. He parted the blinds and look out at the scene below.
There were cars everywhere. The lunch crowds from his building were heading out to the caf's on the opposite side of the road. As his eyes followed the moment, he caught sight of a lady who was leaning against a tree with her back towards him. She had long black hair that was shinning due to the rays of the sun hitting it. She slightly turned and he could see a half profile of the girl.
Something in his heart told him to go and talk to her. He immediately stepped out of the conference and sprinted towards the elevator. He pushed the buttons of the elevator and waited impatiently for the elevator to arrive.
As the elevator doors opened, Shiv immediately stepped inside and pushed the button to head to the ground floor. Even before the doors could completely open, he stepped outside and ran towards the outside of the building.
People who were standing around the reception area were surprised to see the mighty Shiv Kapoor in such a hurry.
Outside, it took him a minute to orient his eyes to the sunlight that was hitting hard. He composed himself and tried to walk across the road when a bus zipped by. He took a step back and waited for the road to clear. It must have been nearly 2 or 3 minutes before he could cross the road.
He crossed the road and walked towards the tree where he had seen her last. He neared the tree and she was no where in sight. Shiv started walking amongst the flowers and trees in search of her.
After nearly 10 minutes into the search, he stopped, called himself a fool and decided to get back to the office and get back to the work at hand. As he walked towards the tree he had last seen her, he saw a girl similar to the one at tree walking a mere few feet away.
He ran towards her and laid his hands on her shoulders. The girl came to an abrupt halt as she turned and looked at him surprise.
"Hi, I am sorry; I thought you were somebody that I knew" Shiv apologized as he immediately dropped his hands from her shoulder.
"Oh! That's O.k!" She said and started to walk past him
Shiv called himself a fool again and decided to finally get back to work. He went back to his office and sat in his chair dejectedly. He had really thought that he had finally seen her. Where was she now?
Maybe, he should just listen to his parents and visit the girl his parents had seen for him. He was already in Calcutta due to this unanticipated problem. He would call the number his father had given of his friend and tell them that he would visit them today evening.
Part ā 7
Gauri was admiring the gardens when she heard a slight tap on her shoulder.
"Sashank! Finally! I've been waiting for nearly 30 minutes"
"Sorry, Gauri. Something came up at the last minute and I had to take care of it."
"Oh! O.k.! Let's go! I am really starving" So saying she dragged him towards his waiting car.
Sashank laughed as he got into his car and drove towards their favorite caf. Sashank had always liked Gauri. He had been secretly in love with her from the time he knew what love meant. He had been postponing the occasion to declare his love for some reason or the other. Now, he decided was the time to tell her his heart's desire at their favorite spot.
Gauri was chattering away about her interview and Sashank was replying with an occasional nod or an Hmmm. He was immersed in his thoughts about Gauri. She was the most prettiest and gorgeous looking girl he had ever known. He would be the luckiest person on this world if she accepted his proposal.
Sashank parked the car as Gauri stepped out of it. They both walked together and they both made a very dashing couple. Lot's of people were casting their envious looks on them as the sat at a corner table.
As they waited for their order to be delivered, Sashank broached the subject.
"Hmmmā¦.Gauri. What do you think of love?" Gauri was really surprised at the question that too coming from Sashank.
"I think love is an emotion that bonds two souls for eternity. Love is something that grows and stays with you even if the person is no longer with you" She said thoughtfully.
"Why are you asking this question, Sashank?" Gauri asked curiously.
"I am in Love, Gauri" He said.
"Who is the lucky girl? How long have you known her?"
"I've known her from childhood. She used to hang around with me all the time" Sashank replied.
"How come, I don't know her? I always use to hang around with you" she said thinking to herself, who could the girl be?
As it slowly dawned on her that he was talking about her.
Sashank was looking at her expectantly and the moment he saw the realization dawning on her face he took her hands in his and told her his heart's desire.
"Gauri, I love you. Will you marry me?" he said with love shining from his eyes.
Gauri was stupefied. She couldn't answer. She thought about her Dream lover but the practical side of her nature came to the fore now. She had somebody who truly loved her and who knows whether she will ever meet the man in her dreams or not.
She liked Sashank and loved him too in her own way.
Gauri looked at Sashank who was waiting for her reply.
"Yes" she said with a small smile on her face.
Sashank was excited. He talked non-stop nonsense after she had told him "Yes". He told her that he would visit her home tomorrow and talk to her father and Massi to get their blessings and approval.
Both of them finished their lunch and Gauri asked Sashank to drop her off at the library.
Part ā 8
Shiv parked his car outside of his Father's friend house at 6.30 sharp as he had told them. He got out and walked towards the house. This house was a home - he thought. Whoever the girl maybe, this house reflected strength and character.
He went and rang the bell and father's friend came out and gave him a warm welcome.
"Shiv?"
"Yes, I am Shiv Kapoor. Mahen Kapoor's son." He said.
"Come on in, come on in" he said enthusiastically. A small smile came onto shiv's face hearing the welcome.
Shiv was showed to a formal living room. Shiv sat there, while the girl's father went inside to get the other folks of the house.
Shiv was looking at the decoration around the house. It showed that someone had lovingly decorated this house with their own hands rather than an expensive designer. Shiv looked at the magazine that was lying on the center table and picked it up when he heard footsteps approaching the room.
He replaced the book and waited for them to arrive. The girl's father introduced them.
"This is my younger daughter, Kaya and their Massi". He said.
"Hello Kaya! Namaste Massi" Shiv said.
The two elders left Kaya to entertain him and went to fetch something cool for him to drink.
"So, Kaya, What do you do?" he asked
"I am studying to be doctor" she said.
"Wow, that's a pretty interesting field." As they talked, her father and Massi brought buttermilk for the 4 of them.
"I am sorry. My eldest daughter has not returned yet. So, if you could wait for 15 minutes..." he said reluctantly.
"That's o.k.! Uncle. I'll wait" Shiv said. He was not happy about the wait but he did want to let them know about his displeasure.
As 15 minutes turned into an hour there was no sign of the girl. Shiv finally excused himself and told them that he had left some files unfinished and he had to get back to it. He could see that they were relieved about his impending departure.
As he stepped out of the house, he saw a girl coming hurriedly towards the house with her head bent forward. Shiv din't pay her much attention as he opened the car door to get in.
Gauri saw an expensive car parked at the front of the house and came hurrying towards her house. The guy who was unlocking his car had just stepped out of her house. What was going on? As she approached the car with hair flying all over her face the guy looked up at her.
She had almost reached him when the book she was carrying fell out of her hands. Both of them reached for it simultaneously.
"Here you go", Shiv said as he retrieved the book for her.
Gauri stood up and was still looking at the book with a bent head when the voice registered.
She looked up at him with a shocked look.
He was reading the title of the book that she had dropped.
"You are the professor's daughter aren't you?" he asked as he flipped through the pages and looked up at her.
Gauri's hair was falling forward and she slowly pushed it away from her face.
Shiv looked up at her and he was stunned.
"Gauriiiiiiiii?" he said.
"How do you know my name?" she asked. Just to be sure even though her heart knew it.
"You know me Gauri, think with your heart you'll remember me!" he said.
"Shivvvvvvvvvv" as Gauri exclaimed he came towards her and hugged her tightly.
He must have placed a dozen kisses on her face as they both chanted,
"Gauri..."
"Shiv"
"Gauri"
"Shiv"
Epilogue
It had been 3 years since they had gotten married.
"Gauri, Wake up! We have to go to Sashank's wedding" shiv called out
"Hmmmā¦Let me sleep for some more time shiv!" She pleaded.
"No. you have to wake up Gauri. It's getting late and we have to be there on time" he told her exasperatedly.
Gauri turned over as usual and went back to sleep once again. Shiv slowly crept towards her and started tickling her as usual. This had become their morning routine for the last 3 years.
"Shiv, Stop it...Pleaseeeeeeeeeee"
"Not, until you wake up" So saying he started tickling her again.
Gauri started squirming and after nearly 5 minutes both of them were exhausted by it.
"Shiv, I dreamt again." She said seriously.
"What was you dream about?" Shiv asked quietly. He had also dreamt about something yesterday night.
"We are going to have a baby! And It's going to be a girl" She exclaimed. Shiv bent over Gauri and gave her one hard kiss and whispered
"In about 8 months, I know! and the girl's name is going to be Shanti" he said.
Shiv and Gauri looked at each other with understanding. They could never be separated from each other not in this life time or any other. Their souls were united for eternity and that's how it would remain forever.
The End.
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
