Epistle 84: For Better of For Worse?
A/N: Hey there everyone! :D :D Here is the next update! :D :D
Happy Reading! :D :D
4th November, 2007:
This has been the weirdest day ever.
You know how I was supposed to be going with Papa to meet
his best friend and his family, right? Yeah well, that happened. And you won't
even guess who his son is! The same guy who spilled coffee upon me at the
airport! Can you believe it?! And it was just when I reached home that I even
realized it. I'm not even sure he remembers it either. I mean what are the
odds, really? And that's not even the weird part - the two of us have spotted
each other thrice today since morning somewhere or the other!
The odds are astronomical!
First, I spotted him at the coffee shop hanging around
with a couple of friends, where I and Gayatri (my college classmate) had gone
after the lectures had ended. Then, I spotted him again at the same florist
from where I was buying some blue-purple orchids for myself, and then again, I
spotted him near the library where I had to return my book. For a moment there
I was almost certain that he was following me, but it couldn't be since he was
there at all the three places before me.
And I think what remained pending that day, I completed
today. Well, I did get into a fight with him. Well, not a fight exactly because
I was in my own lalaland and he was just trying to be friendly. So I snapped at
him and was kinda rude to him. But he... I don't know, he was just so patient.
Nobody is ever this patient with me, except Ranveer.
Well, I guess I better tell you the whole thing right
from the start then.
They had a small get together at their place for us since
they wanted us to meet their son, who'd just returned from US. I had no
inclination to go because I usually never do, but somehow Maa and Papa both
seemed to want to take me along. I've been rather aloof these days and they
felt that I did need some fresh air apart from the hours I spend all alone,
either painting or reading a book or just by playing the piano. I didn't want
to go and I put up a good fight, but there was no Ranveer to help me out over
here this time.
So, I had to go. There was no other option, to be honest.
And so, with a surly face and an even ill-tempered mood, I accompanied the
whole Parekh clan to this "friend's" house, just thinking of what I was to
paint the moment I got back home. Well, I've completed fourteen paintings so
far, and they're all turning out to be absolutely superb! Papa wasn't sure
initially about what I was up to, but now that he's been paying more attention
upon me, he's really been liking my work. Says that I could become a good
painter too. And seeing how passionate he is about paintings like that, this
was a huge, huge compliment from him.
Err, where was I? The meeting, oh yes.
So, we ended up at their how and Keertan Uncle and his
wife greeted us at the door with the typical high society etiquettes. Had
Ranveer been here, we would have sniggered so much, but alas. And his absence
only made the void grow more painful in my heart and that managed to put off my
mood even further. Everything just felt... wrong, without him.
And then, amidst our conversation entered their son, and
the man of the evening, apparently. Chirag Mehta. MBA topper, only son to the
Mehta heirloom and the entrepreneur in the making, like his father put it so
passionately. He came over and touched my parent's feet instantly until he
stopped near where I stood and smiled, putting forth his hand.
My first evaluation upon him? Smart, good looking and
definitely a mystery box. Unusual and someone to watch out for. Still waters
run deep. His eyes felt familiar but I couldn't place it, really because I was
so busy reeling from the shock of realizing that the unknown stalker from today
was actually the heir of the Mehta clan. How weird, really. My mother slapped
my back lightly that managed to snap me out from my thoughts and I hastily put
forward my hand, feeling flustered.
"Chirag," he introduced himself and I nodded.
"Ishaani."
"That's a nice name," he remarked politely and
I nodded my head. Honestly, I thought he was trying out one of those lame
flirtatious lines and that put me off even more so. Apparently, I was thoroughly
mistaken.
"Thank you," I replied blankly, hoping that
he'd take the clue that I wasn't interested in anything of the sort.
I honestly don't know what I was thinking or even why I
was getting so judgmental and pissed off at everything he did. Ranveer would call
it a hormonal imbalance. But I think I was just trying to put up a shield and
protect myself. It's almost been a month for Ranveer to leave and I'm still
reeling from the emotional strain and the low phase that I've been going
through. Defense mechanisms just pop up. Not my fault.
Sorry, where was I? Ah yes, Chirag.
He took back his seat again and conversations resumed.
The women around kept talking about their kitty party circles with more
gossiping and bitching while the men spoke about their business ideas and
triumphs. I sat between the two groups, hearing everything yet taking in
nothing. And Ranveer's absence only kept weighing harder and harder upon me until
I abruptly stood up and walked outside the house without any word.
I simply sat by the fountain-side, staring away at the
botanic beauty of the garden outside the mansion when I felt someone sit beside
me. On turning around, I noticed that it was Chirag again. If I'm to be honest
with you, I wanted to punch him in the nose for a reason I couldn't place. But
I do have an inkling why. I mistook his concern for sympathy. And sympathy is
the one thing that I cannot take ever. I thought he was just like those typical
high society boys who flout their fathers' money by trying to be sugary sweet when
all they want is lust. It seems that I was mistaken, again. No wonder Ranveer
says that I suck at mind reading.
"Are you alright?" asked Chirag, a slight frown
upon his face. I noticed that he was fiddling with his thumbs.
"I'm fine," I replied stonily, wondering why he
was behind me like a leech, if I must confess.
God, the amount of miscalculations in judgments that I've
made today are seriously astronomical! I think after all of Ranveer's art of
manipulation crap, I've simply become incapable of trusting anyone at all.
"Are you sure?" he asked me again, turning his
fullest attention towards me as he put a hand upon my shoulder in the gentlest
of touches.
I still didn't bother to look at him, though. And it
wasn't because I was trying to be rude or anything, but I don't know. It was as
though my mind kept bringing up this weird kind of blockade that kept yelling
out to me to not look into his eyes. Why my mind was acting so funny, I
couldn't say though. But somehow, I found myself incapable of listening to my
brain anymore. So defying all the warning bells, I threw his hand off of my
shoulder and turned to look at him straight in his eyes.
"I said that I'm fine, damn it!" I roared at
him, unable to bear what I assumed was more fake sympathy. And I gasped.
In return of my gaze came the most powerful pair of eyes,
sparkling brown in the night lamps with a power that just... I don't know,
disarmed me. There was something... extraordinary about the power with which
our eyes met that managed to shake my entire soul. Those eyes... I've seen that
same kind of intensity somewhere, but I couldn't place it in that moment. I
still can't. But what I couldn't help but notice was that he was the first
person who managed to make my soul reverberate with the power of our eyelock as
strongly as Ranveer could.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Easy there, tiger," he said
genially as he raised his hand in surrender. I turned my face away from him to
look at the sky that was as barren as my life left without Ranveer. The moon
was terrified of being alone in the sky without the stars. And so was I without
Ranveer.
"Don't call me that, and don't pretend like you're
my friend. Because you're not," I emphasized, not bothering to sound
courteous.
There was a power about his personality that made my
heart prickle uncomfortably. It was as though he had the capability to delve
into the deepest of my fears and insecurities without even really having to
try. All he'd have to do was lock gaze. I wanted him out from there as soon as
I could, even though it was his house. I just wanted him to get away from me as
far as he could. And when Chirag remained patiently silent without showing any
intention to get up, it riled me up even more so.
"Why were you stalking me today?" I asked him
suddenly, hoping that he'd just leave me alone if I remained rude with him
continuously. He looked at me, bewildered.
"What?" he asked, surprised. My question had
taken him off-guard.
"Don't try to act smart, okay?" I shot back
acidly, throwing him the dirtiest look at I could muster.
And I think that did push him to the limit of his
patience. And well, I'm ashamed to admit that I was rather happy that he looked
so because I thought that it meant that he couldn't fake the kindness any
longer. Again mistaken.
"Excuse me, I have a life, you know?" he
retorted, now sounding borderline annoyed.
There was a thin line between ego and self-respect and I
mistook his to be of the former. Apparently, it was the latter. I really don't
know why he even bothered putting up with half of the crap I gave him.
"Who do you think you are, really? I didn't even who
you were until Dad introduced me to Harshad Uncle and his family," he
defended, and I actually had the guts to scoff at him before looking at the sky
again.
I just wanted him to leave me alone because his gaze was
beginning to make my heart prickle for a reason I couldn't understand. It was
as though he was trying to hook his way into my mind.
"Why have you come here? Just go back to your social
gathering," I spoke with disdain and I saw him cock his eyebrow at him out
of the corner of my eye.
"I came outside because I saw that you were feeling
left out and I wanted to cheer you up. It seems that it was a wrong call,
apparently," he remarked and stood up, putting his hands back into his
pockets.
"Yeah thanks for all the concern. I'm happy all
alone," I snapped, keeping my eyes resolutely upon the inscrutable moon,
as though afraid that the fire in his eyes would scorch my soul.
There was something rather... fiery about his gaze that
held my own in a hypnosis yet fear at the same time. God, how I wished that
Ranveer were here so that he could tell me what all this meant!
"Even loners needs company at times. It's what gives
them the strength to embrace loneliness with choice, not circumstances. Think
about it," he added, as though after an extra thought.
And I don't know what happened suddenly, but I dared to
look at him for the second time. It was his tone that had caught my attention,
really. More like the mystical aura of his tone that did. But unlike the last
time, I felt my heart sag the moment our eyes met. Gone was the super-confident
and la-di-da attitude of his. In lieu stood a guy who looked... tired. Lonely.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked him,
suddenly unsettled.
I knew that look upon his face. It was the same one I had
whenever I let the facade fall away. And I could atleast recognize the
difference between putting up a facade and letting it fall away. And this was
the latter, my heart yelled. My brain still seemed confused with everything
that was going on. I don't know what's gone wrong with the stupid thing though.
"Nothing. But just think about it," he advised
and began making his way towards the mansion, making my heart squelch in what I
realize now was guilt.
Guilt for hurting him unintentionally. It wasn't his
problem that I was going through a low phase. If anything, he'd tried being
nice to me and to make me feel comfortable just so that I couldn't feel lonely.
And look at what I'd done in return. God, I've actually forgotten what it's
like to recognize the difference between someone being genuinely nice to you or
just being so for some ulterior motive!
"Chirag?" I called out, deciding to trust my
heart on this for once since my brain still didn't seem to give me a clear
answer. Ranveer always tells me to trust my heart because it'll never guide me
wrong. I don't know whether it was my heart or just instinct, but I decided to
trust that little voice in my head anyway.
"Yes?" he called back, turning around and
looking at me in surprise.
"I- I'm sorry, okay? I shouldn't have gone berserk
on you when you were just trying to be nice," I admitted, wondering how
difficult it actually was for me to say the word 'sorry'.
After all these years with Ranveer, this is one word I've
rarely ever used and it's all his fault that he's pampered me so much! I never
really knew that it'd ever be so difficult to say sorry, or even more so that
someone actually managed to retrieve a heartfelt sorry from me, that too a
complete stranger, no less.
"It's okay. I realize that you need some time alone,"
replied Chirag good-naturedly as he shot me a reassuring smile. I shook my
head, flashing him an apologetic smile. Well, that was all I could do, really.
It was embarrassing, my behaviour.
"Would you mind giving me some company? You do seem
decent enough," I confessed, and he gave me a thoughtful look. After a
minute's worth of more pensiveness, he finally granted me a small smile and
took his seat beside me again.
"Sure," he replied and both of us fell silent,
neither one of us looking at each other again.
I could feel the air around us get awkward after our
initial start off that was as rocky as it could get while the silence only kept getting stickier
and stickier. Until, I decided that it was better so say something rather than
sit in the unbearable quiet of the night where even the buzzing of the
fireflies seemed louder than usual.
"This is really embarrassing," was all I could
think of saying, really. It was such a stupid thing to say too, I know, but
that's all I could think about. My voice seemed to snap Chirag out from his
thoughts as he flashed me a reassuring smile.
"Hey listen. There's no need to be embarrassed,
okay? In fact I should be the one embarrassed for intruding upon you like
that," he admitted and I couldn't help but smile at him.
Well-mannered and simple, from what I could guess by the
way he spoke. His eyes hardly ever made contact with mine as though he was too
shy to meet them. Why was he being so sweet when I deserved no such treatment,
I don't know, but I liked it nonetheless. It had been almost a month since
anyone last gave me this kind of respect.
"You don't need to be so sweet," I told him,
unable to resist the smile that crossed my face. I don't know, but after that
initial show down, the calm suddenly seemed so... right. So welcome, like a
blast of fresh air from the suffocating atmosphere of where my mind had held me
in prison.
"I get that very often," joked Chirag, and both
of us laughed uproariously.
There was nothing as such to laugh upon it, to be honest,
but it was just the way he said it that made me laugh. I always appreciate guys
with good wit, but sadly no one so far could even touch Ranveer's standards
when it came to it. Maybe finally, he might have a competitor in this arena.
"Popular, eh?" I heaved in response after both of
us had sobered down considerably. I'd not laughed like this since almost a
month. Since Ranveer's birthday, to be exact. Wow, what have I been doing with
my life in this one month, really?
"Just saying," he replied, throwing his hands
up in the air for the second time that evening.
Oh, those little nuances of his only made me feel a
little more comfortable because... okay, this is going to sound really stupid.
But because they reminded me of Ranveer. God, Ranveer's driven me crazy!
Anything and everything reminds me about him! And I think I spent five whole
minutes staring at Chirag, lost in thought about how all those resemblances
were so uncanny when my line of thoughts came to an abrupt halt all of a sudden.
But this time, the question slipped from my tongue even before I was
consciously aware about it.
"So, MBA topper, eh?" I asked, giving him an
inquisitive smile. Chirag flushed at the mention of this achievement.
"Oh God, Dad can get really embarrassing at times.
He just exaggerates," replied Chirag quickly, as though too embarrassed to
say anything further.
And in that moment, the images of Ranveer flushing the
same way crossed my mind whenever Papa would praise him like this. Eerie.
Honestly, what kind of freak show was this that my mind seemed hell-bent on
playing with me?
"You just reminded me of my friend," I
whispered absentmindedly, and Chirag looked confused.
"Friend?" he asked, and I flushed. I hadn't
meant to let that out to him, but now that I had, I didn't really regret it
either. It was the truth and something that I was immensely proud of Ranveer
about always. His humility and modesty.
"Yeah, he's doing his masters in Sydney right now.
He'd also always get awkward whenever anyone praised him so much. Prefect
Perfect, I'd call him," I added suddenly, more to myself than to Chirag,
but he heard me anyway.
"Prefect who-?" he asked, looking even more
puzzled o than ever and I couldn't help but chuckle.
Ranveer was a mystery that even left strangers baffled
with the stories associated with him. And Chirag just proved my point too. But
somehow, I liked talking about Ranveer to whoever was willing to listen. Just
talking about him made him me feel like he was right next to me in flesh and
blood even though all that floated across my eyes were memories.
"Prefect Perfect. Prefect because he was one in
school and even went on to become the Head Boy as well, and perfect because...
well, he was perfect at everything he did," I explained further and Chirag
gave me a soft smile.
And it made me like him a little more because it was for
the first time that someone was actually paying me such good attention in a
long time. I'd forgotten somehow that a world existed beyond Ranveer too. And
maybe, just maybe... it wasn't as bad as I thought of it to be. It was for the
first time that I was genuinely enjoying myself in someone else's company, and
I don't even know why. Chirag just made me feel... comfortable. At ease. The
same kind of comfort that Ranveer would always provide. And I could see the
genuine interest in Chirag's eyes too.
"Wow, sounds like quite a gem, this friend of
yours," was his remark upon what I'd just told him and all I could do was
smile proudly. Anyone who praised Ranveer always earned brownie points from me.
"He truly is," I replied, suddenly feeling
lighter at heart. The unease was dissipating as the fog in my brain began
descending away. And with it came certainty. Chirag Mehta was certainly unusual
than the usual lot he came from. And he made me feel better from my usual dope
of misery. Anyone who made me feel respected and relaxed and the tad bit
cheerful that I felt now was much more than welcome. I liked the warmth after
the harsh cold of my own drowning miseries, and I'd fight tooth and nail to
cling on to that warmth that made me feel alive for the first time in a month.
"That explains why you feel so lost," remarked
Chirag suddenly, and the smile faded away from upon my face as an involuntary
gasp escaped my lips. Being moody was one thing, but how did he get that so
quickly? Was he a mind-reader like Ranveer too? Why was he so alike Ranveer?
"What do you mean?" I asked, unable to keep the
fear out of my tone.
And yet I wanted to bare my soul out to him, vulnerable
and weak as it was. I wanted to see how I could sustain the world without
Ranveer's shield. I wanted to see how strong I was or how much anyone could
read me truly.
"He seems pretty close to you," replied Chirag,
and I could see the sudden caution in the way he chose his words. He clearly
didn't want to rub me off the wrong way after our first little spat.
I gave out a half-hearted sigh. My brain was just acting
stupid for no reason, and had contracted what I'd call Ranveer's 'reckless
mania'. Maybe I was feeling reckless because I was vulnerable. I don't know.
"He is. So tell me about yourself," I said
suddenly, wanting to change the topic once and for all.
It was a stupid impulse and I was regretting my little
daredevil stunt already, especially with the way Chirag was staring at me now.
The fire in his eyes had dimmed down to make them much more appealing to stare
at, but it somehow kept drowning me in a sort of hypnosis that I couldn't
place.
"Well, what do you want to know?" he asked, and
I knew that he knew I was changing the topic. But he let me do it anyway.
Seriously, did I judge the world too harshly or do good guys still exist apart
from Ranveer?
"MBA topper back to India? Planning to continue with
your father or venture out on your own?" I asked, the questions leaving my
lips one after another in continuity with such ease that it surprised me.
I'd never been to have an easy conversation with anyone
so far the way I was having one with Chirag. With Ranveer, it was hours and
hours of relentless talking and I still wouldn't tire and neither would he of listening
to me. But Chirag was just a stranger - and yet I could see that the gusto was
genuine in the way he was interacting with me. And that gusto made me feel even
better.
"I'm hoping to revamp Dad's business. Give it a
whole new angle," he told me and suddenly, I saw the same passion flare up
in Chirag's eyes that I'd often see in Ranveer's eyes whenever he would talk
about the stock markets. Freaky. Seriously freaky.
"Oh, sounds interesting! Any plans on it so
far?" I asked, hoping that he wouldn't somehow catch on to my train of
thoughts since I couldn't help but smile drunkenly every time I thought about
how similar Chirag and Ranveer were.
"Can't tell you now if I did have them though, can
I?" joked Chirag, and yet I could sense a seriousness about his tone. It
was as though he was suddenly on guard, his eyes now looking tense.
"Why not?" I asked him foolishly and he rolled
his eyes at me. Well, it was rather foolish of me to ask that, to be honest.
"Well, confidentiality issues, you know," he replied,
shrugging his shoulders helplessly. This was a limit of coincidence, really!
What on Earth was the matter with me? Either the world was going crazy or I
was. How much more creeping similar could the two of them get?
"Oh okay, I get it. Wow, you really do remind me of
my friend so much. He was also all about the confidentiality about whatever
happened at the office," I said, and I think Chirag sensed the unease in
my tone because he very subtly changed the topic the next moment.
"Oh wow, your friend has got a job experience too,
then?" he asked, looking at me innocently.
All those little nuances! It felt good after a long time
to see someone stepping back to give me the upper hand when these days it's
only felt as though all of the world's sacrifices were piled around my neck.
"He's been working with Papa since he was fourteen.
His unofficial advisor at the stock markets," I whispered to him, as
though in confidence. His mouth fell agog in shock and what I thought was more
of a gobsmacked look.
"You've got to be kidding me," he exclaimed
with a deadpan look, and I shook my head.
"There's a reason I call him Prefect Perfect, you
know," I told him jovially and both of us laughed for five whole minutes.
I don't know what was so funny really but we both laughed. And hell, it felt
good. This was the first time I was laughing like this since Ranveer's birthday
without a care in the world.
"You sound like a giddy school girl," breathed
Chirag heavily after finally managing to catch his breath. I coughed a little
as the laughter ceased eventually, only to leave behind a slight tension in the
air.
"What?" I asked, feeling confused. This was
new.
"What's the scene between the two of you?"
asked Chirag suddenly, now looking at me seriously.
There was a strange glint that danced in his eyes... And
that glint just seemed to captivate my attention. Wow, this is never happened
before except with Ranveer. Damn it, everything was related to Ranveer in
something or the other!
"Excuse me?" I asked, once again feeling that same
tension mount in between the two of us. Chirag gave me a hesitant look but
spoke up nonetheless.
"Well, it's very obvious that you care for
him," said Chirag, and I could sense the caution in his tone as though he
was afraid to blow me off the wrong way again. I think I'd really frightened
the poor guy rather badly with my earlier outburst.
"So?" I shot back, a little stronger than I
intended it to be.
Well, he was getting a hang of my psychology much faster
than I'd have liked it too and I didn't want him to go about assuming all sorts
of things without knowing the facts. Why did it matter though, I don't know.
But it did for some very odd reason.
"I'm asking you," he replied innocently,
raising his hands in surrender again for the third time this evening.
"We're best friends, that's all," I replied,
sighing quietly. Thinking about Ranveer and myself that way felt... wrong. I
don't know why but it did. I could never, ever think of Ranveer that way.
"It's good that way, you know? A friend to cherish
for life. I wish I had someone like you have your friend," exclaimed
Chirag, giving me a reassuring smile. And all I could do was thank God. He
might have almost planted a very stupid idea in my head.
"What do you mean?" I asked suddenly wondering
whether there was something more to what he wanted to say or no.
"Obviously I have loads of friends, but I don't have
anyone who'd care for me because of... me, you know? It's all either because of
my father's money or because they're too afraid to be on the wrong side. I've
never had a real... friend, you know?" he confessed and I suddenly felt my
heart bleed for him a little. I could understand very well how that felt.
"I know how it feels. Obviously I had no issue for
people befriending me because of my money," I commented suddenly, and he
looked surprised.
Well, in my defense, I've been too starkly honestly with
him all through the evening and I've told him things that I wouldn't even tell
my "supposed" friends in my right mind. And yet, I don't know. I just
felt comfortable doing so. Sometimes, you just need a confidante who you can
share things with who you barely know because it helps you gain a better
perspective. Or make you feel better just venting out, as has been in my case.
"Then?" he questioned me, and I shut my eyes in
prayer.
I didn't know whether he knew what I was about to tell
him or how much he knew upon this matter but I somehow wanted everything to be
crystal clear between the two of us. Why again, don't ask. I've been a confused
soul. But either way, I decided to take the plunge.
"No one really befriends me because I'm Harshad
Parekh's illegitimate daughter to the world. No one likes to be on the wrong
side of Baa. So I've been friendless all my life like that. But God sent
Ranveer to me as a messiah eleven years ago. And since then, I've never turned
back because Ranveer's never given me a chance to," I admitted bitterly,
and chose to stare at the moon again. Why were there no stars in the sky at all
tonight? The stars had never left the moon before in isolation. Then why now?
Chirag stared at me silently for a couple of minutes, and
sighed finally.
"Wow, I really wish I had a friend like that. You're
so lucky," he added, and the longing in his voice made me smile ruefully.
Oh, I was lucky to have Ranveer in my life... the luckiest.
I just wish that I wasn't so selfish.
"That I am," I remarked, giving him a small
smile as I decided to put a break upon my thoughts.
Enough was enough. I had to pick up the pieces and get
back my guard again. Before either of us could say anything further though, a
helper walked up to us and told us that dinner was being served. Chirag nodded
his head and ushered the helper away kindly before getting to his feet.
"Oh, they're calling us for dinner. You
coming?" he asked, signalling me to get upon my feet.
"Sure!" was all I could say as both of us made
our way back to his house silently, both of us lost in our own thoughts.
As was to be expected, dinner was as grand an affair as I
could imagine it to be with the seven-course meal that the helpers had so
precariously decided for the special guests. The meal ended with desserts and
alcohol, all the men returning to the drawing room for further discussions
while the women stayed back in the living room and gossiped some more. Chirag
and I took a stroll around the park in complete silence, neither of us knowing
what to say.
And even though it was more than three quarters of an
hour that we had been walking aimlessly for, it felt like just fifteen minutes
when the same helper came out and told us that everyone were leaving and we
calling me back to the car. Chirag led me back to the entrance where Maa had
just bid goodbye to his mother and had promised to attend her next kitty party.
I touched both Uncle and Aunty's feet as they shot me a
pair of dazzling smiles, and it felt... decent, I guess. They didn't seem to
have those accusatory eyes, and neither did their smiles feel artificial as
much. Or maybe I was too busy reveling in the happiness I felt to even give a
damn. But either way, Aunty asked Chirag to drop me to the car, and so without
another word, he did exactly that.
"I had a good time, tonight. Thanks," I told
him as we came to a standstill right next to the car.
It was indeed a refreshing night after so long and I
could not deny that this was an impossible feat that made me feel better.
Socializing with strangers. What was next now, falling in love?
"My pleasure. Besides, it was rather fun getting to
know you too," remarked Chirag, suddenly looking shy. I couldn't help but
notice how cute it made him look.
I think there was definitely something wrong with my
head, because this was certainly something that'd never happened before. Me
warming up to a stranger's presence so quickly and becoming such quick friends.
Like Ranveer always says though, there's a first time for everything, I guess.
"Cool. See you around, then. Not stalking,
ofcourse," I joked, and he laughed awkwardly.
"Obviously. Will run away ten miles from you if I
spot you again," he replied, running his hand behind his hair awkwardly.
"I'm not even that bad, you know," I commented,
slapping him across his arm.
"I know, I know, kidding. So..." he trailed
off, looking hesitant.
I knew what he wanted to know. Boys. But somehow, I don't
know why, it didn't feel so wrong. Chirag did seem like pretty decent folk. And
besides, I don't know why but I actually enjoyed his company. He listened to me
patiently, cracked some pretty good jokes, made some upon himself too and made
me laugh loads. I guess I liked having that after Ranveer left because for the
last few weeks, I've only been wondering whether I'd even be able to laugh
again or feel happy again. And just on impulse, I gave him my number.
"9892456743."
"What?" He asked, looking surprised. I couldn't
help but laugh at the astonishment upon his face, as though he was clearly
having trouble believing what I'd just told him.
"My number. I see that you were thinking about
asking me for it," I whispered, and he shot me a quick smile as though he
was a child caught at mischief. How predictable could boys get, really?
"Mind-reader, eh?" he remarked shrewdly, a kind
twinkle in his eyes as we both gave each other a knowing look.
I didn't have an issue flaunting how well I could read
minds, even though Ranveer always said the contrary. Well, no harm in bluffing,
right? And besides, I'm not even that bad at it. I'm just not as good as
Ranveer is, that's all.
"Boys. Obvious as heck," I replied confidently
and the two of us laughed again.
"I was actually thinking about being a little more
subtle," he confessed suddenly, rubbing his temple casually by the flick
of his finger. I cocked my eyebrow at him curiously, urging him to speak.
"What might that be?" I asked him, and he
flushed dully.
And let's just say that it made me even more curious.
Curiosity always kills the cat, Ranveer would tell me. God, he's such a sage!
Has an advice for everything at the tip of his tongue. But for the first time,
I wanted to see where this new establishment of a friendship of sorts took me.
I couldn't forever abandon living and mope around because
of Ranveer's absence. He wasn't the only one with dreams and ambitions - even I
was. And I had to get back upon track. I had to get back into the fight alive
and kicking. And if that meant learning to trust people wisely, I was willing
to give it a shot. And somehow... I don't know, there was a sudden surge of a
thrill that I felt with the exposure that our conversation had, Chirag and
mine's. What had gotten into me?
"If you're free tomorrow, you mind going for a walk
in the park in the evening?" he asked me, looking at me with a slight
embarrassment and I gasped. Well, this certainly was the last thing that I was
expecting, to be honest.
"Err..." I whispered as my eyes darted around
the place, my mind too puzzled about what to say.
Until they fell upon my mother, who I suddenly realized
had overheard our entire conversation. I blushed furiously as she nodded her
head vehemently, asking me to say a yes. I scowled at my mother and shook my
head at her to remain silent, but as luck could have it, Chirag was the one who
spotted it instead.
"What?" he asked again, looking uncomfortable
now.
I gave him an unsure look, suddenly deciding to play it
safe. I didn't want to go but I didn't want to say no either. Something kept
nagging behind my mind, but I couldn't say what.
"I never knew that boys can be so sensitive too,
rather than typical ones. Especially the rich ones," I told him stupidly
but all he did was shake his head. He looked nervous, suddenly.
"You need to change your perception then. Especially
since your best friend is a guy," he added and I cocked my eyebrow at him
as though in challenge.
"He's Ranveer. He's different," I shot back
defiantly and he shrugged his shoulders.
"Give it a shot, you won't be disappointed," he
said, and simply smiled.
And I don't know what happened to me all of a sudden but
the way he just looked at me... It was the same kind of look that a person had
when he was in dire need to company and wanted someone to be there. And I could
surmise from our interaction this evening that he lacked a real friend who
could see him for him, and not what the world saw him as. A cash cow. And then
again the prickle erupted in my heart at the thought of how it truly felt,
seeing that even I was sailing in the same boat.
"You know what, maybe I will," I told him even
before I'd consciously come to a decision. But he didn't whoop or celebrate
like I thought he would. He just gave me a grateful smile and that was
assuring, somehow. Well, I did want to give it a shot and see where it took me.
"For real? I thought you were a tough cookie to
crack," he confessed, the somberness of his tone making it evident how
much he was genuinely looking forward to having a friend and how surprised he
actually was from getting an affirmative from me.
Well, I still don't know what I was thinking and whether
I do really want to meet him tomorrow. I might probably cancel the plan last
minute though. I'm not sure. But anyways...
"I've never had an easy conversation with anyone so
far. You're an exception. And that makes me wonder..." I told him honestly
and he sighed.
"So you're willing to accompany me tomorrow because
you're curious?"
"Sort of," I admitted again. He smiled.
"Okay, I'll take that. I'll let you know the time
tomorrow," he replied as he opened the door of the car for me. I still
caught the edge of the door though.
"How?" I asked, thinking about what he could
possibly have up his sleeve now.
"I do remember your number," he replied cheekily
and that earned him another slap on his shoulder.
I'd forgotten also about giving him my number even though
it was just five minutes ago. Stupid me. But I won't deny, he's a good talker.
He has a way with the words. I better be careful or else I'll have a Ranveer
Part 2 on my hands soon enough. But nobody can beat my Ranveer. Because he's
the best. Period.
"Goodnight and take care."
"Same to you. It was nice meeting you," I told
him as I finally sat into the car, my eyes still not leaving him. He was rather
fascinating, in my opinion. He leaned against the open window of the car and
smiled at me once again.
"It was nice meeting you too. You know that your
life is going to change forever, right?" he asked suddenly and I my heart
stopped beating for a moment with what he'd just said.
I couldn't understand what it was meant to imply because
my brain seemed to have begun fogging once again. So all I could do was satisfy
myself with a curious look.
"For better or for worse?" I asked him with a
smirk, hoping that he'd back down. And he did, but not without a final wink as
Maa signalled the driver to put the car into gear.
"Let that be a mystery for now."
And before I could say anything, the car revved up and he
waved us all goodbye, the vehicle finding its way upon the graveled path of the
gate and upon the smoothened roads. Well, this meeting was certainly a mystery
that I couldn't decipher because it was both exhilarating and puzzling for some
very odd reason. It was as though there was clarity yet ambiguity, honesty yet
deception. I'm never used to getting anything so easy in life, friendship the
least. And so, I don't know where life is going to be heading towards from this
point forth, nor where this newfound acquaintance with Chirag is going to be
leading to either.
Towards the better or the worse though, only time would
tell.
Constructive criticism will be more than welcome and sorry for any typos. :D :D
Next chapter:
Epistle 85
Edited by LadyMeringue - 7 years ago
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