FF~Human After All #11~Imp NOTE on 144:) - Page 22

At Rahul Malhotra's office ( Shaan's college friend.)

May I come in??

Oh Hi mere dost!! Come on in! Hey! This is your place and I am your pal! Or did you forget that already? Rahul jumped up from his chair behind his massive walnut desk and thumped his friend on the back who returned the gesture with equal enthusiasm.

Very nice! A sign of prosperity and well deserved success! Congratulations!! Shaan said looking with an approving eye at the well appointed office. His friend had indeed stepped in to the big league.

Thanks, I value that! But let me look at you first! Rahul stood back and ran a critical eye over Shaan who grinned a little sheepish; he wasn't used to being checked out by the male eye ( at least not openly.)

He looked exceptionally handsome in his professional attire of pinstripe white and navy shirt, deep navy trousers and matching tie which his wife had personally picked out for him.

Hmm! You were always a sharp dresser who made me feel like I was lounging in bed on a Sunday afternoon, Rahul laughed; but there is something different there which I like very much! Married life suits you man!

Shaan laughed; Different? Yes, I have lost a lot of weight without trying to.

Hmm... Doing what? Rahul winked.

Hey, hey! No personal questions, that's between my wife and me! But I must say it's wonderful to share your life with somebody you love and I was so lucky to have been at the right place at the right time.

You mean in front of that murderous truck on a rainy day? Rahul laughed.

Come to think of it, you could not be more correct Rahul, if it hadn't been for that accident, Khanak and I would have never crossed paths again. Maybe I should go find that truck driver and thank him! Shaan appeared serious.

OMG! I could never understand you! Thank that truck driver? You could have been killed that day! Rahul exclaimed bewilderment written all over his engaging face.

Yes, I could have but again if I hadn't been there I would have never had the opportunity of really Living again with a capital L! Shaan wasn't jesting.

Pal! You do have someone very special, if only you'd stop thinking that marriage means getting tied down!

I know what you mean! And to say the truth, Jyo and I have started talking to each other again and one of these days I am thinking of proposing. Rahul stated a little embarrassed.

Shaan was incredulous; My, my! My Casanova friend for whom lasting relationships were equivalent to impending disasters is now considering shackles? Now who could have led to this miraculous change?

You my friend! When I saw you shed that unhealthy veneer of ruthlessness, impossible ambition and the desire to win at any cost after you found your Khanak, I thought that perhaps living and sharing your life with someone else for a change was not a bad idea if it could make one a better person like you have become.

Is that the reason you avoided me like a pariah during those early days after I returned from Harvard? Shaan pretended to look injured.

Well you didn't particularly seek me out either Shaan, you were too involved in the business of making money.

I guess I was rather unapproachable; Shaan looked down at his shoes in regret.

Never mind let's not dwell on it anymore! At least we are able to talk frankly with each other, without getting bitter. Cheer up, its time to start anew! Isn't that the reason you are here today? Rahul said encouragingly.

Shaan nodded smiling thoughtfully; Yes a new start!

Then laughing; But before I forget I want to advise you to propose and wed soon for your clock has been ticking for sometime dude! I don't want you to have kids when you become a doddering old fool!

Rahul glared at him; I hope you are not talking about yourself, after all you are just a year younger than me. Or is this a prelude to good news?

Nope, at least not that I know of so far! Shaan grinned; though it may not come as a shock either. But Khanak is the expert in that department!

Yes, yes, while you are the happy go lucky co-conspirator! Poor bhabhi, I really pity her now!

Shut up Rahul! Don't start your theatrics now, try it on Jyo! So what do you have for me here? Shaan was quick to change the topic.

Your partner? Doubtful.

Yes, my friend, I would love to have your new ideas supplement my construction business which I am sure will beat the competition hands down! Rahul was enthusiastic.

Shaan thought; the idea sounded attractive, a readymade company, a steady pay check but did he really want that?

No my friend! I would like to work with you but not as your partner! I don't want to do anything without proving myself first!

But you have already proven yourself, your designs are quoted in talks, they are featured in top architectural magazines, and you are greatly sought after! Infact I have everything to gain with you as my partner.

Shaan shook his head; But all that was while I was part of the Khandelwal group, my name has always been associated with my father's name. I have never really ever been identified on individual merit . I need to do something about that and I would like to seek your support Rahul.

'''''''''

Juhu Seaside Apartments:

But it was sweet of them anyway... particularly Mr Gupta who had become her favorite patient, he had been the reason for her first meeting with Shantanu. He had called to update her on his blood pressure trend...( he had been measuring it rigorously everyday even though it hadn't changed much in the past 4 months.)

Beta, where did you disappear? Dr Krishnan bahut acche hain magar unke paas mere liye bahut kam time hai; beech mein kaat ke kehte thie ki ..continue your medicines as Dr Agarwal has prescribed. He does not listen like you beta!

Dr Krishnan has a very busy practice uncle and he has a lot of other concerns too, but he means well. Now you don't have to call every week with your readings, since they are stable. Just bring them to the clinic when you come next...( but she was sure he would call her again at the same time next week. Perhaps he was lonely; he had lost his wife of 40 yrs not too long ago.)

She walked into the bedroom, thinking how it would feel to lose someone who has been your intimate companion for so many years; it would be devastating. She picked up Shaan's clothes one by one, his shirt, his towel which lay helter skelter on the bed and the floor. Putting his still damp towel to her nose she inhaled deeply, wishing to permanently stamp his distinct scent into her brain; oh how she missed him. But this weakness won't do, she had to be strong.

With a new determination she made a quick survey of the house, making a mental list of all things that she thought were necessary; cleaning supplies to be bought, hire a maid.(that would be a task she would need help with,) laundry and plenty of it, coordinating their time tables so they were able to at least have a meal together every day. Try out a few easy recipes; nothing too fancy but still palatable; she had to seek help from Mama and perhaps even ask Pooja, Shaan's cousin who was known to be a great cook. And last but not the least planning for their future together; she smiled..they could do that when they talked, when he was in his most receptive frame of mind.

She righted the kitchen as best as she could and slipped back on all the green and red bangles she had removed earlier; she would keep them on all day like a proper 'nayi naveli dulhan' would or should; her line of work considered them impractical. But she wanted to indulge in 'normality' for a change... her eyes filled with tears when she remembered how he had bought dozens of them on impulse at the Bangle Bhandaar that wonderful rainy day with a promise to keep their love alive forever.

God!! It was so hard to concentrate on anything else in this place. Each and everything seemed to invariable lead to him;

His Architectural text books; dog earred from frequent use with notes scrawled neatly in the margins; the music system and his IPOD filled with his own selection of classical music, even the Discovery channel was featuring Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural achievements...Shaan's idol.

Please comment😃

Love, Simi