FF: Love, Well almost [Chapter 50,51 - P 35] Mar 21 - Page 21

#40

From : Couch_potato@xyz.com

To: shutabulgirl@xyz.com

Subject - PVX PRIME

Hey,

G, there's a gaming convention PVX PRIME, I've been excited for months, now.

Ruhi and I, we were going to take part in it.

However, she had given her name for the VIBGYOR Competition and it was supposed to be held on 13th but now has been preponed to 10th, so the dates have clashed.

And she is more keen on participating in the VIBGYOR one. So I was thinking, will you be interested in going with me to the workshop? We will be designing games and there will be a panel consisting of CEO's of big shot companies.

I could have asked someone else but I want someone who's genuinely interested in gaming.

You wanna come?

P

From: Shutabulgal@xyz.com

To: Couch_potato@xyz.com

Subject : Re : PVX PRIME

Woah, a gaming workshop. Why didn't anybody tell me about it?

And we get to design games? Superb!

I'm in.

G

From: Couch_potato@xyz.com

To: Shutabulgal@xyz.com

Subject : Muaahhh

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much!!!!

You're a lifesaver.

I knew you wouldn't be able to say no to a gaming convention.

PVX PRIME, here we come!!!

G

#41

From : Abhinav

To: Geet

Look Geet. I can explain. Please pick up my call. Don't cut me off like this.

From : Abhinav

To: Geet

What you saw...I know what you are thinking but it's not like that. I can explain.

From : Geet

To: Abhinav

Then please explain. I am curious to know as to what kind of explanations people can come up with when caught kissing their "ex girlfriends.

From : Abhinav

To: Geet

Baby,

I know this is going difficult for you to understand but I... you know that Tara and I...we were in a very long relationship like we were together for six years.

So when she came and wanted to talk I couldn't say no... and then she said some things, she said she was sorry about the last time and she wanted to get together. I told her, I swear I told her about you. I told her how we cannot be together anymore and that it's too late I have a girlfriend and nothing can be done. But then she came onto me and before I knew she was kissing me. She took me by surprise.

From : Geet

To: Abhinav

From what I saw, you could not keep your hands off her, you jerk and you've the nerve to tell me that she came onto you!!!

Asshole Shukla, better not give me the crap of taken by surprise and all that. You could have pushed her away if you were so averse to it but no, you were busy eating her mouth, I saw it with my own eyes.

From : Abhinav

To: Geet

Look I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I got carried away in the moment.

From : Geet

To: Abhinav

Carried away my foot! You're such shameless person, Abhinav. You feel no remorse at all. It is quite evident.

You can take this apology and shove it up your ass.

We're done.

And please don't ever sit for IAS exams. First of all, I doubt you'll be able to make it. Immoral that you are, what would happen if by mistake you make through the exam.

Our system is corrupted as it is. The nation can live without your contribution.

From : Abhinav

To: Geet

Geet please. Baby, give me one chance. Please.

From : Abhinav

To: Geet

Geet. Don't ignore me like this. Please. Please Please.

I'm not a bad person Geet. I was just caught in a weak moment. Please don't cut me off like this. I am begging you.

From : Geet

To: Abhinav

It is the weak moments that reveals the measure of a man, Abhinav.

Tell me one thing. And please be honest. At least I deserve that much.

Are you still in love with her?

From : Abhinav

To: Geet

I don't know. A part of me still craves for her. And I am fond of you too. I...I love... both of you.

From : Geet

To: Abhinav

If you are fond of me, then let me go.

Stop harassing me Abhinav.

I don't want to be with you anymore. You make me hate myself. Have some mercy on me please.

#42

From : dactarni_bitiya@xyz.com

To : shutabulgirl@xyz.com

Subject : Sana

Dear Geet,

Like I told you earlier that I am in Delhi and due to some miscommunication we didn't get a accommodation place at the college that is hosting the fest. So, I wrote to your brother.

And guess what instead of him replying, I get a mail from some Sana and she tells me that Ashwin is busy and he has told her to pick me up.

Who is this Sana, Geet? Any idea? Is she his girlfriend? An admirer? She better not be or I will have to take law into my own hands.

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From : rumourmill@xyz.com

To : rahul.jain@xyz.com

Subject : Adventure

Dear Husband,

Did you ever see your wife freak out? Oh you should see me now. I'm off to an adventure. Wish me luck.

I am positive you will have some very colorful words saved for me when I come back. Oh I am already regretting this.

Sana.

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From : dactarni_bitiya@xyz.com

To : shutabulgirl@xyz.com

Subject : Borrred

Hey Geet,

I know I am pestering you with these mails but I am getting bored here.

Sana hasn't arrived yet. That is after telling me that she's good driver. Btw, I was kidding that time. If she turns out to be your brother's gf or admirer I won't be able to do anything except getting jealous of her or feeling sad for myself.

Oh it seems, she's arrived.

Nice car. Grey in colour it is. I don't have any idea about the models so I won't be able to tell you about it. She's looking for me I guess. Need to go. If I keep standing here, she won't know whom to pick up. Obviously.

Btw, she cannot be your brother's girlfriend. She's married and very much pregnant.

Gotta go. Bye.

Meera

------------------------

From : rumourmill@xyz.com

To : rahul.jain@xyz.com

Subject : Freak

Dear Husband,

Guess who is the freak? Who? I am.

So, long story short, I have come to pick up someone and that someone is *drum-roll* Meera. The same girl Ashwin keeps writing to.

Honestly, she is prettier in real than in photos. She is looking at me. I hope she wouldn't think I am a creep although I very much am.

PS: Why the hell did i not receive a call or a mail from you yet? It is as relieving as freaking me out. Are you planning to divorce me or something?

Sana.

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From : dactarni_bitiya@xyz.com

To : shutabulgirl@xyz.com

Subject : Strange feelings

Geet,

Sana is unlocking the door of her apartment.

I asked her about Ashwin and she told me he should be here in an hour or two. Oh God, I'm so excited.

Okay, so she makes me sit in her living room before asking if I would want to get fresh.

"I'm okay. I say. I had freshened up in the college's washroom.

I am feeling hungry. Very hungry. Should I tell her? Or maybe I should wait. She'll herself offer me something.

She has excused herself to change into some comfy clothes and am sitting here admiring her house.It is a two bedroom apartment, I think. She's decorated her home quiet beautifully.

Btw, did I tell you? Sana is very pretty. She has curly hair, large eyes and a bubbly personality. And she talks a lot.

All the way to her apartment, she kept talking about Ashwin.

"So you are Ashwin's friend? she had asked me.

"I am Geet's friend. Geet is Ashwin's sister.

"So you and Ashwin are not friends then? she had asked.

I didn't know what to tell her so I, on the pretext of looking out of the window, remained silent What Ashwin and I shared, does it have any name? We are not just acquaintances and we are not the best of friends. Somehow telling that he is my best friend's brother seems to be the most safest option.

"Ashwin has mentioned about you. You people exchange letters, don't you?

My heart had sped. That he had mentioned about me to someone else, to his friend made me feel special. However, there was a part of me that didn't like the fact that he had shared to someone about my letters. Did he read my letters to her? If so, then I wouldn't like it a bit.

Although in the letters we write to each other, we don't talk about very deep things or they aren't romantic, the kind of letters to be treasured. Yet, they are very special to me. And I would like to think that it's special for him too. Special enough to not show it to anybody.

Oh, she has arrived in the room and asking me if I will prefer juice or coffee.

Juice, please.

When will your brother come, Geet? I want him to come soon. And then I want him to not come at all. I will go mad, I think.

-------

From : dactarni_bitiya@xyz.com

To : shutabulgirl@xyz.com

Subject : Eavesdropping

This is getting weirder by the minute, Geet. I was sitting in the living room when Sana has gone inside, on the pretext of getting me juice although she is fumbling with her phone. Maybe she is going to call Ashwin. But why does she look tensed?

It is fifteen minutes and no sight of her. Can I browse through the books at the other end of the hall? Is it too much? Maybe I better not.

Someone had walked in, and I was getting nervous/curious with the whole butterflies in the stomach thing thinking it might be Ashwin. You know it's been such a long while since I have seen your brother. And this is the first time he would see me as me, you know as Meera, not one of his sister's friends.

I am nervous, but happy nervous.

---

Okay, so it isn't Ashwin. It is Rahul apparently, Sana's husband. He is one of those guys who comes home calling out to his wife. "Sanaaa...Sanaaa...," he was calling out, loosening his tie as he was coming in with his laptop bag.

"Sana--," he says but stops abruptly on seeing me.

"Uh Hi," he says looking around as if he was checking if he came into the wrong house.

"Sana is inside," I tell him almost attempting to make him comfortable in his own house.

"Uh okay," he says, and smiles. "Please take your seat. I will call for her," he says. "Um did she offer you anything? Tea, coffee, biscuits?"

"Juice," I tell him already liking him. Food is the first thing he mentions Geet. This guy is a keeper. Sana seems very lucky.

"Okay,"he tells looking more comfortable. "I am Rahul by the way he says extending his hand. "Sana's husband

"Meera," I tell him and the confused look is back on his face, as if he is figuring something out.

"Ashwin's friend I tell him and suddenly there is such shock in his face, that I am taken aback. Did I say something wrong?"

---

They are fighting. Sana and Rahul.

I am not eavesdropping, I tell myself. The walls are thin.

But you can't not listen when your name is taken quite some number of times. They are talking about me and Ashwin.

"This is the limit," Rahul yells. "What do you think you are doing, bringing her home like this?"

"You didn't check your mails?" Sana asks and I hear Rahul's voice again.

"For God's sake Sana, be mature. Can't you call me once before you do such a feat. Did you tell Ashwin?"

"I did," I hear her voice and a sniffle. Maybe she was crying.

I am confused Geet. Why does Rahul hate me being here. He speaks as if he knows me, but he didn't recognize me, neither did I recognize him. What is going on?

When I hear Rahul now, he was no more yelling. "Sana, look I don't want to make you cry. Just that, this is wrong, even with the best of your intentions. Call Ashwin and tell now what you have done."

"What have I done? What is wrong? Yes, I did hack into his email but then I acted out of concern for Meera. She was stranded here alone, without a place to go and Ashwin goes to our Noida office, and his phone is unreachable. He is in a meeting, and you know how we have an mobiles off meeting rule. He can't be reachable over mails or phone. So i bought her home. Left him a message explaining the situation and told him I will take care of her till he is here. Is it wrong?"

"It is. You can't take decisions for him. Inviting her to his house or not is his call. Certainly not yours"

They were continuing with their fight but I walk away to the porch. I think what I heard was enough.

#43

From : shutabulgirl@xyz.com

To: notmepleaseguy@xyz.com

Subject : Last letter

Dear Maan,

You would think I am one clingy person and that I don't have any pride. Writing to you when you've made it very clear that you aren't interested in talking to me anymore.

Please don't get scared. This will perhaps be the last letter.

I'm here to tell you that you were right about everything. About men able to love two women at the same time, about Abhinav not being what I'd thought him to be, about me being dense.

Yes, I'm a fool. The biggest fool on earth I am to have believed on Abhinav.

To have fallen for him.

To have never ever paid attention to what you had been trying to tell me.

Have you ever had your heart broken? I hope not.

Out of all the pains in the world, heartache is the most terrible. And the worst thing is you don't know which medicine to take, which doctor to consult.

It's difficult Maan, very difficult. I wake up at nights and start crying. I hate him, I do but I hate myself the most. How could I...

God, how could he be so cruel. Not even a few hours had passed since we had kissed and I had the misfortune of seeing him in the arms of some other girl, his tongue inside her mouth.

Even the thought of it makes me nauseated.

Shit man. The image of him with the other girl, it has got imprinted in my mind.

And he had the gall to tell me that he got carried away in the moment.. That he is sorry.

He said that he couldn't decide. He loved both of us! What bullshit!!

It is so obvious that he loved her and not me. I was just an option for him. As long as she was not there, he stated me and then when she came back... how could he? What right did he have to play with my feelings?

I hate him. I hate myself.

And I hate you too for being right.

Please continue to be your cocky self and iska bhi reply mat dena.

Yours Forever

Shutabulgirl

#44

From : dactarni_bitiya@xyz.com

To: Ashwinhanda@xyz.com

Subject: Inconvenience

Dear Ashwin,

I didn't intend to surprise you like this.I had no idea that didn't get time to read the letter that I had sent you. Sana wrote to me stating that you'd sent her that's why I came along with her.

I'm sorry to have caused inconvenience. I am leaving for I wouldn't want to impose on you.

I'll stay where my other friends are staying. Don't worry, it's safe and if I have any problem I can always call you.

Meera

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From : Ashwinhanda@xyz.com

To: dactarni_bitiya@xyz.com

Subject: Re : Inconvenience

Meera,

I just had gone through all the unread emails.

You know whatever I say now, you would think it is an attempt to stop you. So, let's pretend this thing never happened. Reverse a few hours, and you just arrived here and found out there is no place to go to.

You might have had more than a couple of friends here, but you wrote to me. Do you know how happy it feels knowing you are here?

It is such a long time anybody from my family has visited me and you know how much of a farm boy I am that I always have Hoshiyarpur embedded in my heart wherever I go or live?

After such a long time there is going to be someone's company, that too of someone I consider family. You are a part of my family Meera.

I know it might be safe with your friends but I would really like it if you come stay with this farm boy instead.

If yes, please wait up. I am writing this, stopping my bike to a side. I am coming to pick you up. I will go directly to Sana's place and if you are there by the time I come, I would consider myself very lucky.

Stay. Won't you?

Ashwin.

#45

From: dactarni_bitiya@xyz.com

To: shutabulgirl@xyz.com

Sub: Nervous

Geet,

Guess where I am? Yes yes I am at Ashwin's place. It is a surreal feeling for me. Not even in my dreams I had thought this day would come. Him and me under the same roof and that too alone.

Okay let me tell you what happened.

Ashwin had no idea I was coming you know that by now. And I will be honest, I felt more than a little hurt when I came to know that it wasn't Ashwin who had sent Sana.

And unwelcome too, I felt so I decided to leave.

I wrote to him saying that I didn't want to impose on him unnecessarily and in return I got a very heart melting letter.

He said I am a family to him and it would make him happy if I stay with him. Who could have said no to that.

But that gave me some doubts too. He said I am like a family to him. Does it mean he still thinks me as his sister. Please no!!!! Let's not think about it for now. In whatever sense he meant, that he wanted me to stay with him is more than enough for me.

I am a little nervous. Very in fact. Your brother has become more handsomer in these years.

I was waiting for him when someone stopped their bike in front of building gate. He had a helmet on but I knew it must be him only.

I cannot tell you how I felt as I watched him remove the helmet, course his hand through his hair and get down the bike.

My heart skipped so many beats in the minutes he took to cover the distance between us.

"Hi he said with a grin.

Oh my god Geet.

Why is he so handsome? Was he always this way? Maybe I was never subjected to his grins earlier. He looks so boyish when he smiles in that disarming way.

Do not feel weird that I am lusting on your brother but I was honestly wondering if I should give him a hug or shake hands.

Your brother, however saved my predicament.

"Let's go home? he asked and I felt my heart bursting with happiness.

"Did you say your goodbye to Sana and Rahul? he asked and when I do not reply, he takes me inside, with his hand on my wrist.

I am so not going to shower for a week.

We said our byes and there was so much tension between the couple, but your brother has a way to make people comfortable just with his presence.

"Can I speak to you for a while? asked Rahul and the men leave to a side.

Sana and I stood there awkwardly, and I did the unthinkable.

I go, give Sana a hug and whisper thank you and see the woman's surprised face.

We left after a while and I checked on Sana, and saw her smile at me, when I waved at her.

They say when God is in the mood of giving, He gives quite abundantly.

To participate in this fest is one of the best decisions I took ever in my life.

First, I get to visit the capital city. Second, I met Ashwin after so long. And the best part of course is that I am staying at his place and I get to spend time with him. It's like a dream come true for me. But there's something even better.

A ride on a bike with him. The entire journey from Sana's apartment to Ashwin's home, it was amazing. It felt like being on clouds.

That I was sitting behind him and I was actually living one of my fantasies, it was so difficult to believe.

---------------------

-

From: dactarni_bitiya@xyz.com

To: shutabulgirl@xyz.com

Sub: Dream

Geet,

Do you think this is a dream?

I should maybe stop being so fanciful and behave like a normal adult. It is one thing to be with your brother and something else altogether to have stars in my eyes every time he as much passes by or smiles.

I am going to live with him for the next course of days (OOOHHH EMMM GEEE) but I have to suppress this, right? Right. That's what we are going to do.

You have visited your brother right? I remember you mentioned it sometime back that you have gone to him in your winter vacation. Your brother's apartment, you might know it by now, how beautiful it is. The one BHK is so classy and so well decorated, reflecting your brother's taste through and through. And in the enlarged picture of your family photo in the hall, it was so cute. I sort of miss you after looking at it.

Which reminds me, why are you not replying? I sort of am dying to read your express comments on this entire situation. I wish you were here Geet.

-

From: dactarni_bitiya@xyz.com

To: shutabulgirl@xyz.com

Sub: SURREAL

Geet,

It's one am in the night and I can't sleep. He's in the hall, sleeping most probably and it feels really strange to know that there's just one door separating us.

I know you'd think me mad but this whole setting feels very intimate to me. This sharing of a house. As it is I spend the whole evening with him and the considerable part of the night talking to him so my mind is full with his thoughts.

When we reached home, "Give me a minute, I'll freshen up, he said and went inside while I checked out his place.

When he came out of the room he was dressed in a white T- shirt and khaki pants and yes, I will say this again, he's one of the most handsomest person I have ever seen.

"You must be hungry. What do you want to eat? He asked me getting inside the kitchen.

"You can cook? I asked following him.

"You will see he said.

Geet, there's nothing sexier than a man in the kitchen.

"How do you like Paneer? he asked.

A man after my own heart.

I love Paneer you know that already and though you might think I am biased, the Paneer masala he made is divine.

"So how long are you staying? he asked, chopping onions.

"It's a week long fest, I answered munching on a carrot. I had made myself comfortable on the slab. I should have offered to help but I really don't know anything so I just admired him as he went about his work.

"Have you been to Delhi earlier? Is it too preposterous if I offer to show you around?

There! That grin was back.

Preposterous?! He thought he was being preposterous. If only I could show him my heart. I was actually mentally doing a jig.

"No, this is my first time here. I would love to see around. And the first thing I would like to see is India Gate. I have always wanted to visit that place since I saw Rang De Basanti. Remember that scene where they are in a jeep and saluting. I so love that part. Will you take me there, please?

"Make a list he says smiling, dropping chopped onions, ginger and garlic in a grinder to make paste.

"I already have, I say after the noise of the grinder dies, "I can't sleep in trains, I don't know why. So I was googling all the tourist spots and seeing which places would interest me most.

"You shouldn't mind if my personal tour involves stopping at a lot of food courts okay? he says and then stands by my side, leaning against the counter his shoulders touching me lightly as he asks "Can I see the list?

"Umm... sure, I say taking out my phone from my jean pocket and showing him the memo.

As he is scrolling down the list, I sit there taking in his musky scent. I have had my classmates sitting next to me, I have had guys brushing their shoulders against mine unknowingly and sometimes purposely, too. But him standing so close to me, was causing havoc on my senses.

"Ashwin..., I say just to stop myself from feeling these unknown emotions.

"Hmm? he says still engrossed in my phone.

"It feels weird to call you Ashwin. I mean it's another thing to address you by your name while writing to you but now as you are standing right before me. I don't know.

"Do you want to call me Ashwin Bhayya? he says absent mindedly, still his eyes engrossed in the phone.

"What? NO!!! I shriek. "Obviously not. Why would I want to call you Bhaiya? Ashwin is fine. I will get used to it.

He looks at me for one confused moment. He might think I am a crazy girl so I bring another topic.

"What kind of movies do you like?

"Superhero movies he says sheepish. "Typical?

"Uh yeah, a little cliched it is. All the guys are either into Sci-fi or Superheroes. But not a bad choice. I am myself a fan of super movies. There's this new movie released. Wonder woman. I have been meaning to watch it. If you are free, can we go and watch it? I tell him.

"Gal Gadot he says almost meditative. I mean, who doesn't love Gal Gadot? I, myself have a girl crush on her. Still it makes me a little inconvenient. I am not going to use the word jealous because, let's face it that woman is a goddess. Anyway, I digress.

I know I was too forward and had anybody else been at your brother's place, he would have got the hint. But your brother being the king of innocence, he took it as my genuine interest in movies.

"So are we going? Tell me, we are. Please please please.

"Of course we are. There's this mall closeby. Walkable distance. We can go see the movie after dinner

We had the breathtaking Paneer masala and watched the movie.

I am glad he didn't judge me when I teared up during the climax when Steve dies. He had only offered me his share of Coke as well, not looking at me. Such a sweet, stupid gentleman. How can one not fall for him?

I was supposed to sleep but I couldn't for his face would keep flashing in front of my eyes and so I thought of getting some fresh air and walked to the balcony only to find him there looking at the stars.

"Can't sleep? he asks me without turning. I am surprised he had sensed me for I had tried to be as silent as possible.

"No, I should be dead tired after the journey. In fact I had thought I would go to sleep as soon as I find a bed. But now... Why aren't you asleep? Don't you have office tomorrow?

"Wouldn't it be easy if everything followed logic? he asked turning to look at me.

He was, as enchanting as heartbreaking. Was he thinking about Dhara? Is it what it is? My heart constricts just at the thought.

"Everything might not follow logic, but if we will ourselves, we can at least try and move away from what's holding us back I say.

He looks at me, his gaze not moving an inch off my face.

"But the question is I say, willing myself to look at him "Do you want to?

His is leaning with his hands clasped and resting on the railing, and I stand right next to him.

"This isn't my place to say but Dhara is..., and then I stop knowing that I have crossed an invisible line. He fingers curl around the railing, and I know I have made him upset.

The worse thing at that moment was I didn't know what to do to undo my mistake. I want him to be happy. I want him to move on from that woman, not because I like him and I want him to see me in that light. It's just that standing in that balcony, looking at the stars together, when I looked at him, I thought what a beautiful person he is, but his eyes, why are they so sad? And I wanted to tell him something, anything that would take away his pain. And I am such a duffer. I only ended up giving him more pain. I wish you were here. You'd have known to make things light.

So I just stood there like a fool, not even offering an apology, not knowing if it would be enough to make things right.

"Is there anything you and Geet not talk about? he says and I have never known what relief felt like until this moment.

"I told Geet once he says recollecting his exact words "That next time I write to you, I can have her in CC, you know since information is being transferred in this circle anyway

He is just like you, dissipating awkwardness since 1991. Yet, I sort of wish we had that talk about Dhara and get done with it. Imagine us fighting about Dhara and I confessing my undying love for him and him taking me in a flourish for a kiss. How nice that would have been!

"I don't think I like that idea much, I told him then, "I like writing to you. And I wouldn't want to share our letters with anyone.

"Not even with Geet? he asks stepping closer. And I suddenly realize how tall he is.

Okay, he hasn't reacted when I brought up Dhara but how come this suddenly became intimate?

"Not even with Geet, I confirm.

He smiled suddenly, and I think I would always lose my heart over his laughing lines.

And then... he did the unthinkable.

He flicked my nose.

FLICKED!!

"Go to sleep. You have a long day ahead he said with the same smile.

He didn't know I have a restless night ahead too.

"Goodnight Ashwin I tell him and now I can't sleep, Geet. I just can't sleep.

Please please please reply. I need someone to tell me what is it that's happening between us.

Missing you so much,

Meera

#46

From: Couch_potato@xyz.com

To: Shutabalgal@xyz.com

Subject : The Crown

Hey G,

Are you watching the Crown? Srishti is after me to watch it since real long. Is it any good?

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From: Shutabulgal

To: Couch_potato

Sub: Re: The Crown

The Crown??? Now what's that. Another HBO series?

Tbh, apart from Modern family, How I met your mother and of course F.R.I.E.N.D.S, there's nothing else in American TV that has been able to hold my attention.

My friend, Meera, she tried to make me watch Dr.House and Grey's Anatomy but medical shows are a not my cuppa tea.

From: Couch_potato

To: Shutabalgal

Sub:Re: The Crown

No, it's not an HBO series. It's Netflix original. And I googled it and got to know that it's about Queen Elizabeth II reign.

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From: Shutabulgal

To: Couch_potato

Sub: Re: The Crown

Historical drama, hmm. I see. Interesting. Lemme try. Acha, I was wanting to discuss about the game that we are designing. About its coding.

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From: Couch_potato

To: Shutabalgal

Sub:Re: The Crown

Yeah, what about it.

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From: Shutabulgal

To: Couch_potato

Sub: Re: The Crown

I am sending you a file. Just check it. And let me know if it's okay. I have some vision about this game in my mind. Look, P, I was thinking, the general video games they are all so guys-oriented. They have been designed keeping in mind the men, the teenagers mostly boys.

The girls, since it is assumed that they don't play games online, there's not much for them. And what's with the women characters being shown to wear skimpy clothes in the gaming world and all that stereotypical stuffs to appeal to a guy's basic instincts.

Sounds cheesy yeah, but I wish to bring a change here. I want to design a game that appeals to the female population as much as to the other half of the population.

Something different. Something new.

What say? So is it too cheesy? Too ambitious?

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From: Shutabulgal

To: Couch_potato

Sub: Game coding

Hey Pinks

Are you busy? Did you see the file? Actually I am really curious and excited to know your opinion?

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From: Couch_potato

To: Shutabalgal

Sub:Re: Gaming Design

Umm...Geet did you receive any anonymous mail, or a message on your phone? Anything like that?

From: Shutabulgal

To: Couch_potato

Sub: Re: Game coding

No, I haven't. Why? Should I have received something?

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From: Couch_potato

To: Shutabalgal

Sub:Re: Gaming Design

No, nothing. it's okay. Where are you, btw? Wherever you are, come to our room immediately. I am waiting. And don't talk to anyone. Don't open any mails, messages, anything. Do you get me?

Come fast.

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From: Shutabulgal

To: Couch_potato

Sub: Re: Game coding

I am in the canteen. What's this all about? Is something wrong? And dude why are people staring at me? Wait...what is going on? What message? What mail? Is something being circulated about me? Someone left a crappy poem for me on the confession page? Not the again please. Or is it some bad joke? Wait some joke about my breakup with Shukla? Right?

I received a message. Anon it is. Let me check.

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From: Couch_potato

To: Shutabalgal

Sub:Re: Gaming Design

No!!! Don't open it. Come back to the room. And we will deal with it together.

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From: Couch_potato

To: Shutabalgal

Sub: Answer my call dammit

Geet,

Where the hell are you?

Come back please. You are scaring me. Please come.

I am with you. All the girls are with you. We will go to the police. Babe, please come back. I am going mad worrying about you.

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From: Couch_potato

To: Shutabalgirl

Sub: Please

At least tell me you are safe. One message, one missed call. Anything please.

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From: abhishukla223@abc.com

To: Shutabulgirl

Sub: With you

Geet,

Whatever happened with you is unfortunate and is seriously condemnable. I know I do not deserve to say this, but I am with you. The whole college is with you. This is not your fault. So don't blame yourself. Don't hide.

You are a strong woman. And it is the tough times the reveals the measure of a strong woman. Come back. And face it. Look into their eyes and feel no shame.

The one who did such a disgraceful thing should be hiding and not you.

Yours

Asshole Shukla