FF : Jab We Met (part 9 - 5th april 2013) - Page 8

Ok so here's the fourth part.. hope you all would love reading😳

Don't forget to leave your responses.. eagerly waiting for them😊

And wishing you all a very happy Navratri😃

Part 4

May 1986 – A temple in Rajkot

It was a golden day for the Modi family. Class 10^th board results were declared and the elder son of the family had topped at the city level. As they were proceeding to buy Prasad they heard someone calling from behind,"Ahem". Ahem turned around and saw his princess standing at the entrance of the temple smiling and waving at him. He pinched himself twice only to realize Gopi's presence at one of the most important day of his life. His heart has been overflowing with happiness since morning and now this present from God at the doorstep of the temple made him go crazy. He almost laughed and said, "Oh my God…." ,but then realized his mother's suspicious eyes staring at him. He started collecting words to utter in front of his mom 'what should I tell mom? That she's the girl whom I saved from that bull..no no..mom would create a scene here…then should I tell her that she's the one whose cousin kicked me hard on that annual fest day as he thought that I took his sister alone in a building with some bad intentions…are you mad Ahem..ok maybe I should tell mom that she's just a friend of mine..friend ??'

"Ahem beta.. is she your classmate ?? must be wanting to congratulate you.." said Hetal Kaki, saving Ahem just at the right moment. Ahem nodded yes to which Kokila said, "Go..but come soon , we need to do prayers..by the time we'll buy the prasad".

Before Ahem could reach her she stretched out her hands and cheerfully said, "Congratulations..".

"Oh thanks.. wait... but how do you know?"exclaimed Ahem while shaking hands.

"ComeOn the whole country knows about board results being declared today.. I myself had been waiting for this day since months… and you are at a temple to take blessings..so that means that you passed your exams…so shouldn't I congratulate you…and instead of congratulating me..you are asking me stupid questions…and thankgod this time you recognized me..you didn't wave back at me..for a second I felt I made a fool out of myself..and why are you smiling ??". Ahem who had missed her so much couldn't help smiling. He chuckled and said, "You know you haven't changed a bit.. and by the way a big congratulations to you".

She smiled and then glanced at the road saying, "Im waiting for my family.. I came along with Dhawal Bhai on his two-wheeler while the others followed us in a taxi.. We reached here half an hour ago but still they haven't come.. a friend of Dhawal Bhai saw them on the road as their taxi had some problems.. Dhawal Bhai has gone to help them.. and before they come I want you to go back so that neither my dad nor Dhawal Bhai would be able to see us together.. you know some dads and brothers are overprotective.. and mine are one of them.."

Ahem shivered a bit at the thought of Dhawal's smack which he had on his head just a few years back and said, "Yeah I know that… even I have to rush back as my mom is already waving at me to come back……….damn !! its so ridiculous.. we met after almost three years.. and we are not able to talk for even three minutes… umm.. so can we meet tomorrow… umm.. I have to give you a treat and even you owe me one…."

Ahem paused and then looked up to catch her reply "Sorry dear, we have our train tomorrow in the morning.. umm.. maybe next time"

"This is pathetic.. why do you always have to return the very next day.. and you tell me.. when will be the next time we'll meet.. dad is planning to send me to a boarding school next month.. I won't be here anymore.. go.. there comes your Dhawal Bhai.. tell him that Ahem is no more a kid and to stay out of my way.. and you.. you know I … I … I wanted to tell you something.. just let it be..". With those final words and a tear in an eye Ahem turned and walked quickly towards his family.

November 1986 – St. Joseph's College, Nainital

Drizzling on a winter morning followed by a warm sunny afternoon meant that Ahem and his friends would occupy a corner of the basketball court for group studies, but as it was the last day of school before the diwali holidays they decided to play a game – Truth or Dare. Ahem had no idea that this silly game would solve some of the biggest puzzles of his mind that had been troubling him for quite sometime.

"So Ahem.. your turn.. tell us.. truth or dare ?" asked one of his friends. "Hmmm.. for a change.. truth this time", replied Ahem. After a minute's discussion his friends came up with the question, "Ok so Ahem.. truth haan.. tell us.. do you love someone? And please don't give us stupid answers saying that yes you love your family and all… what we mean is that.. do you love a girl ?? ".

Ahem skipped a heartbeat as soon as he realized that he was about to say Yes. He looked down for a second and closed his eyes pondering over things 'No I don't love her.. she's just a friend of mine.. we've hardly met three times.. I can't even call her a good friend of mine.. we hardly know each other.. its just that those incidents..the bull one..then the school one and then that temple.. they just keep revolving in my mind.. Im sure its just an attraction.. and I know I am a fool who keeps on thinking about her before going to sleep.. I know I am a fool who never forgets to remember her in my prayers.. I know Im a fool who scribbles her name at the back of my copy every now and then.. I know Im a fool who ran about 3 kilometers on the mall road last month just because I heard her name being called out and wanted to make sure whether she was around.. I know.. I know its just a crush or something..so the answer is No.. I don't love anyone..ok Ahem relax.. just say No.." . With that he opened his eyes, looked up to meet those eyes that had been waiting for him. Those big round eyes sparkling, the eyes that were unforgettable for him, which made him smile even while solving the most difficult questions of calculus, the eyes which had several questions and contained several answers that he had in his heart.."Gopi…", he smiled and said.

"Hmm.. Gopi.. we thought that you'll just answer a yes or a no.. but..", spoke one of his friends softly. Ahem turned around to answer him, "Yeah.. but what is she doing here ?" and looked back to find that she was gone. "Oh… hello Mr. Romeo… come out of your wonderland… she's not here" ,laughed one of his friend.

Before going to sleep tonight, Ahem had a huge smile on his face. He was really happy that he was successful in finding some of the answers to his questions. 'Well I know I love her.. no matter how much I deny.. but the fact is that I do love her.. damn.. I love her.. hmm.. just wish that I could meet her as soon as possible..'

He never knew that his wish would be fulfilled within 2 days. He was dying to meet his princess unaware of the fact that his princess was no more the same.

Life is never easy for those who dream - Robert James Waller

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that is yet again a fantastic update sukriti...ahem is completely smitten...but what about gopi...we dont really know much about what she thinks...and the way u ended it...intriguing...cant wait for more...thanks for the pm...

Originally posted by: varshu27

that is yet again a fantastic update sukriti...ahem is completely smitten...but what about gopi...we dont really know much about what she thinks...and the way u ended it...intriguing...cant wait for more...thanks for the pm...

thanks dear.. glad that you liked it😊
you'd get to see what exactly gopi feels in the next part..would be updating soon 😊

wonderful love it so he is in love wow cant wait too long

wow wonderful love it so he is in love wow cant wait to long

Originally posted by: hanaGoHem

wonderful love it so he is in love wow cant wait too long

thanks dear😊
would be updating the next part next week

Originally posted by: Chammak.Challo

Very nice story

thanks dear😊

Here's the next part.. hope you all would like it..
waiting for your responses 😃

Part 5

November 1986 – a park in Rajkot

It was the diwali day and Ahem was home for a week. While enjoying crackers in the park, he was distracted by a girl who was sitting on a big round cemented platform build around a tree of that park. She had her back towards him and was busy doing something. At one point of time, she glanced sideways at the girls who were busy making rangoli near the entrance. Ahem noticed that she wore spectacles and was busy reading a book. She had something in her that Ahem couldn't resist, so he decided to rest for a few minutes and sat on that cemented platform at 90 degrees from the girl. He took out a bottle from his bag and started drinking water while trying to peek sideways. He noticed that the girl had a novel on her lap but was continuously staring at the ground, lost in another world. After a few seconds she removed her specs to wipe out her tears and then started having hiccups.

"hey.. have some water.. you'll feel better" said Ahem stretching out his hands with the bottle towards her. She turned instantly, startled by the voice, as she hardly knew that there was someone else sitting on that platform. "Gopi ?? hey what a pleasant surprise..what are you doing here ?? " cried Ahem, almost jumping up. "Thanks" ,she said as she took the bottle from him. Ahem came and sat next to her, observing her carefully while she took some sips of water. The sadness in her eyes and her dull face which used to glow with happiness once, did not go unnoticed by him. "Something wrong ??" he asked her after she handed him the bottle. She waved her head signaling a No without speaking a word. She continued looking down, making the silence unbearable for Ahem. There was a time when she with her bright bubbly personality used to speak so much that people had to cut her sentences to speak up, and now she was sitting there hanging her head down least bothered to react to anything.

"Are you angry with me for what I said last time ? See… I think you understand.. I was furious to know that you were going back the next day.. and upon that you mentioned your Dhawal Bhai which made me remember that annual fest day… I couldn't help it... Im sorry", he said which made her look at him and say, "Its ok… I understand" and then again continued looking at the ground. Ahem waited for her to speak something more but soon realized that she would prefer being quiet. He again tried to begin the conversation by asking her about when she'll be going back to which she replied that she's now living in Rajkot itself. She told him how Dhawal helped her in getting admission to a school as she had to join in the mid-session. Dhawal had been temporarily teaching there before he got a call from a company in Delhi. After each answer she paused which made Ahem ask another question which she again answered as briefly as possible. Soon he realized that maybe she wasn't in a good mood and that they should continue talking some other time.

"Gopi.. it's already afternoon.. I think we should leave.. your mum would be waiting for you on lunch". She looked at him with a tear in her eyes and then stood up to leave. He noticed her moist eyes and said, "Can we walk along towards your home.. now that you stay here.. I should know where my friend stays" . She nodded yes and started walking while Ahem followed her. As they crossed the gates and saw the rangoli, Ahem inquired whether she'll again be buying colours on diwali, to which she replied, "We won't be celebrating Diwali this time". They walked over two streets when she pointed her house. Ahem wanted to ask her whether they could meet the next day but then felt that the answer would be no as she wasn't in a good mood, so he ended up saying, "Ok then.. I guess this is when I say goodbye.. I think its better to retrace from here or else your over-protective dad or brother would kill me if they would see me dropping you..". Gopi in a low-toned voice replied, "Dhawal Bhai wouldn't be coming home this diwali.. n my dad..". She paused n tried to swallow something before emitting the next part of the sentence, …" my dad and mom died in an accident a few months back.." and she almost ran towards her house.

Ahem stood there for a few seconds with a blank expression. He felt himself shivering as if he was just about to die and someone saved him. He wasn't sure whether he saw tears in her eyes before she ran away, he just knew one thing and that was that he would never leave her alone.. not till his last breath of life.

================== flashback ends ===================

March 2012 – A park in Rajkot

Down the park, near the river side, were the two of them sitting as if they were not a part of this world. Ahem was still holding the mud in his hands and Dr. Neeta was looking at the gently flowing river completely engrossed in his story. When he was quiet for about a few minutes she turned around and saw him wiping off his tears and then he looked up at her and spoke, "But you know what we make promises without realizing the fact that we are mere puppets in the hands of god… he does what he wants to.. he doesn't even think for a second that why is he being so harsh to some people in particular.. he took away everything from Gopi.. the moment she found happiness in her life he took it away.. there are people who have dozens of other people loving and caring for them and there are some who have just one.. how can he be so cruel to take away that person.. n this is what she ended up doing.. she's in coma now and the one responsible for all this is he..". He was looking at the clouds above him squeezing his teeth when Dr. Neeta spoke up, "I can understand how you must be feeling towards God.. its true that we all are puppets in his hands.. but just believe in the play he's carrying out.. im sure it would have an happy ending..". They heard the guard whistling at them as it was late evening and the park needed to be closed. Ahem carefully placed the mud on the river bank after which they got up and started walking towards the gates. They decided to meet at the same place, early morning, the next day.

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Caught up with the last two parts ... great updates.

wonderful update sukriti...poor gopi losing her parents like that...and ahem is angry at god...cant wait to read what happens next...thanks for the pm...