"Do you have the address of the hotel saved?"
"Yes."
"Have you packed your medicines?"
"Yes."
"Have you taken warm clothes?"
"Yes."
"Power bank?"
"Yes."
"Extra batteries for the camera?"
"Yes."
"Condoms?"
"What?"
"Kidding, baby... I know you'd not be needing them when I'm not accompanying you!"
"..."
"Okay, bad joke. I'm sorry..."
"..."
"Baby, are you there?"
"Yes."
"I know you'll be having a lot of fun at Rudra's wedding in Manali, but try to miss me, okay?"
"Yes."
"I would have dropped you to the airport, if it wasn't for this client who insisted on meeting today for restructuring the interiors of his living room..."
"No big deal. I understand."
"Hmm... And, Omkara?"
"Yes?"
"I love you..."
"Me too."
"Enjoy with the boys, and then come back to me as early as possible."
"Okay."
"Oh... Omkara?"
"Yes?"
"Your fiance will miss you, baby... a lot."
"Me too"
"Okay then, gotta go... Buh-byeee... I love you..."
"Bye."
*Cuts the call*
***
"Hey bhagwan, why Manali?"
"I don't know, Mumma. But you know I cannot miss Bhavya's wedding!"
"I know, but how will you travel so far, alone?"
"Mumma? Alone? Our whole girl's gang is going together..."
"What is this "gang"? It sounds like you all are going to kidnap or kill someone..."
"Of course, Annika, Tanya and I are going to kill people with our jawani ka jalwa Mumma..."
"Hush, will you? If someone hears you talking this way what will they think?"
"Haha, they'll think that I have the coolest Mumma in the world, and will envy me..."
"Huh, by the way, did you pack warm clothes?"
"Yes, Mumma, for the fourth time I am saying this, I packed warm clothes, extra clothes, my makeup, sanitary napkins, my phone charger, my earphones... everything! Should I pack some contraceptives too? What if I find a handsome son-in-law for you, whose charm I cannot resist and I make some haseen galti with him?"
"Besharam ladki... Kuch bhi bolti hai!"
"Mumma, I told you already, I've packed all my things. You asked me for the fourth time!"
"Whatever. Did you take Shankar ji's idol?"
"How can I forget? Shanky is sitting in my handbag!"
"Badtameez... At least spare the Lord from your nicknames..."
"Mumma, He's the Lord whom you fear, your Shankar ji, but He's my bestie, my Shanky. Sounds so cool na?"
"Tera kuch nahi ho sakta..."
"I know!"
"By the way, I know you don't have time to call me when you're with your friends, but atleast put a text, okay? As soon as you board the airplane, give me a call. And yes, when you reach your hotel as well! Also, don't keep your head in the air. Be careful of people around you at the wedding venue and hotel. Don't leave your purse or phone anywhere and be in your dreamland. And..."
"Ohhooo Mumma, relax. I'm not going on a war. Chill!"
"I'll chill only when you're back. Whole seven days you'll be gone from me. Why did Bhavya and her husband have to get married in Manali? Mumbai mein jagah khaali pad gayi thi kya?"
"Arey Mumma, aap naa..."
*Car honk*
"Your "gang" is here... Go now..."
"How can I go without a tight hug from you, Mumma?"
"Come back soon to me, okay?"
"Of course, Mumma. As if I'm getting married! I'll be back before you know it..."
"I know... I'll miss you!"
"I'll miss you too Mumma... Now, I'll go?"
"Hmmm... See you soon, Gauri..."
"See you Mumma..."
"Call me after you reach the hotel... and don't take anything to eat or drink from strangers, okay? Zamaana kharab hai..."
"Yes, for the fifth time, Mumma. Now byeee..."
***
Two separate lives, two independent destines, waiting to collide in the beautiful, cold, lush green valleys of Manali. How fate tangles them, for better or for worse, remains to be seen...
Anupamaa
