
This is my Christmas gift to Vidisha. She made my work easier by giving some pointers. Hope I live up to her expectations.
Here, I wish to give a disclaimer...😉😆. You may not find Nidhi at all.. or may find only in one or two glimpses. This is the story about Ashutosh and Mallika only...❤️ Show-wala (KPji's) Ashutosh doesnt deserve her... But in this story, Ashutosh is only for Mallika...
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It all started on a cloudy day in London, September 1998...
It was a long and hectic day for me. Sure, I would hit the bed like a dead log.
as I opened the door to my flat, 'a guest for you Ash'.. my roomie announced. A girl sitting and watching TV in the hall.. She turned towards me..stood up... The moment I saw her, my tiredness has jumped out of the window...Clear intelligent eyes.. A slender figure that Vidisha would die for... Dressed in an elegant teal blue kurta. Something smooth and musical overall .. A divine beauty ... ❤️
Vaguely remembered .. once Baba said, his long lost friend's daughter is arriving here to our college but never remember that she would come directly to my flat. My good manners took over... still , 'You are Mallika?'.. my tone was a bit accusing..
'Hi hello .. you are Ashutosh.. I have seen your photo to recognize you' answered in a sweet and innocent voice like Anjani...
But she understood me...so continued... 'There was a miscommunication. My booking agent booked ticket for today. But my room is available only from the day after tomorrow. Baba suggested me to come here..he could not get your number'... she smiled apologetically. ... Smile.. what a smile... I am a fool to greet her with accusation.. Anyway, I must make it up.. 'Did you eat anything?'
'No.. I was thinking of a takeaway' while taking out a big packet of sweets from her bag... yummy.. Rasgulla...
'No need... I manage my cooking somehow here and I have fruit here..I will cook dinner' ..I noticed suddenly I have become accommodative.. is it the sweet? or the charming beauty...or really I am so generous? Usually Armaan comes to sort me out in these types of situations... now somehow I donot want to tell him...
***
October 1999
Mallika and I have become good friends. She is hard working ... very very innovative.. first time I have seen beauty and brains together.. I am noticing the over working of my hormones... unfortunately, my other friends have noticed it too... An aspiring brain surgeon losing his own brain is really such a ROFLing mine of gold that friends would never like to lose...
***
August 2000
Does she? or doesnt she? She developed taste in western classical music for me. She has become more conscious about my presence around her... She knows about my taste buds.. learnt cooking aubergine in tomato curry exactly the way I like.. I have almost asked her to move into my flat when she had to vacate her University accommodation... No.. girls in our country donot like that... I wish I could get a small hint... I silently prayed for some divine intervention... The otherday she blushed when our friend peter cracked a joke on us... Shyness is the best given God's gift to Indian girls... I could give anything to see that blush again on her face...
***
October 2000
Why wouldnt she tell me anything.. Is she waiting for me? My graduation is next month.. What shall I do?
'Mallika! I have got placed at KGH in Lucknow'... Darling... you should know where I am going... please come there.. I want you with me there..
'Oh Great! I heard KGH is a very big hospital.. It is really great to get at such a place'
'You too apply there... you are such a brilliant.. you will definitely get there'... Love! I will do what all I can do to keep you there... just tell me those magical three words too..
'One more year is there for me... and you are leaving this place.. this place wont be same for me till next year I see you again'
Am I dreaming??? or just reading too much??? or my left and right brain parts have interchanged???? did she stop while saying.. something, ...I love you? ... Oh God .. Oh dear God... ' It is not long Mallika.. anyway we will be together in Lucknow.. Baba also will love to know you..'
Please.. please respond now..
***
March 2002
'Baba! Mallika is coming for dinner today here'... Baba is silently observing me getting all workedup to keep the house spic and span...
There she is... I dont want to describe her with a simple and silly word like gorgeous... she has transformed into something else.. a white self embroidered saree from Mudra Creations has amplified her beauty... I am a goner.. no escape...
'Ashutosh! Wont you invite her inside?'... baba is pulling my leg...ahhh.. Mallika... I will do whatever you want just to walk along with you on the aisle and promise - I do...
***
August 2009
I hope you love this pendant.. This exquisite, exclusive just like you.. I know your jewellery choices.. Why only jewellery choice.. I know you like baby pink colour, chikan kari work kurtis..your choice of soap... your humour...and every other small likes... It is just your nod it takes for me to know your bedroom tastes as well.
I have stayed a bachelor only for you Mallika... I know you love me... but you see... though I am a brain surgeon, I cannot read brains... please say it out my girl!!!! Banda hamesha aapke seva mein...
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October 2011
I dont know Mallika.. May be its that..you do not like me.. you never said what I want to hear...I may have to settle down with some insignificant souls like Nidhi.. I am waiting here.. please say yes now atleast before I drink this forbidden Adrak wali chai ka cup!!