FF - The Man of My Dreams - CH 2 PG -8 Up 29/8/11 - Page 6

Chapter 2

Three Days Earlier New York:

A handsome young man in his late twenties, with black hair falling on his forehead, wearing his khaki shorts and tee…with slippers was sitting or one could say sprawled on his favourite arm chair, with his favourite drink , scotch on the rocks, looking out into the night lighted New York, contemplating his ten years in the States, from his achieving his bachelors and double majors in Marketing and finance to his job in the most prestigious and leading advertising company to his citizen ship to his leaving it all and moving to India to join his family business. He was in deep thoughts when the bell of his apartment and …bringing him out of his revives.

He was the dashing, the handsome, the debonair, Shantanu Khandelwal. Shan as everyone called him or knew him; no one called him Shantanu since he could remember. He had a very charismatic personality, which drew both the sexes towards him. He was arrogant but friendly too, with whom he was comfortable and knew. Women of all age, race were attracted to him, and he was a charmer and a flirt to boot, and a smile that the women swore by that was to die for as he had dimples.

There was no woman that he had met who said no to him, but then there were not many women he said yes to. By no means that made him a sinner but neither was he a saint. He played hard as he worked hard and lived by his own set of rules. Had a great sense of humour, as well as drip scram as he could charm. Did not suffer fools gladly, never messed or entered a relationship with a married, engaged, dating women or when she way going through a divorce or breakup.

He could talk a person in to buying or selling anything. This skill came in handy a lot, in his business as well as personal life, especially with the fairer sex. He was straight from the beginning or starting a relationship with them, it's all for fun, companionship, and of course sex, but not for love or marriage, or making babies or happily ever after.

He sauntered over to the door and opened it without looking through the eyehole, as he knew who it would be …his best friend Alex, as he had already told the person at the reception and the front gate to tell anyone else asking for him that he was out. Alex was going to stay over and see him off in two days' time.

In ten years, he had only three relationships and the last that ended four months back was the longest and a way serious one from the rest. A taboo subject now not to be talked about and other then Alex no one knew the whole story and no one dared to ask or even broach the subject with him.

Alex and he had been friends from their first day at Stanford. What drew them towards each other only God knew, maybe both being young and so full of life, both being so far away from friends and family; Alex, all the way from, a small town in Wyoming and him, all the way from Mumbai, India.

They both had the same classes as both had the same majors and as luck would have it both shared the same dorm room as well, as well as a job in the same company. Alex in the finance department and he in the marketing. The only…okay not only as both were from different countries, looked different, etc…but the only difference other than that in the ten years they have been friends and were together was , he was single and Alex was happily married to his childhood sweetheart…Okay no Alex's sweetheart …but his wife. As Alex then was in love with his wife Katherine's elder sister Caroline, one can say faith or destiny played its hand and one drunken night he proposed to the wrong woman. The right one now…and ended up married. The beginning was shaky but all worked out for the best and he realized that he loved Katharine and Caroline was only a crush, infatuation of an adolescent man.

"Hey man", they both shook hands and hugged.

"All set and ready to go" asked Alex stepping in and dropping the duffle bag he brought to the floor, shutting the door behind him.

"Ready, to leave all this and move", I really don't know…but ready as in packed and getting my favourite stuff cartooned of and shipped and delivered to India yes" he said

"Man, I really don't know if I am making the right decision or not" Shantanu continued, "But had to do it as I promised Dad and bro, that will do so. So..."he left the sentence incomplete and shrugged his shoulders.

Both moved towards their favourite place, the set of arm chair that faced towards the top to floor window, and each other, with the view of Central park and beyond.

Alex made himself comfortable by sprawling on the chair similar to how Shantanu was in it a few minutes ago.

"Want anything to drink" asked Shantanu, moving towards the bar.

"Yes, the same as you are having" replied Alex.

Shantanu got the bottle of scotch and the mini ice box, put them on the small round table in between them and settled down in the arm chair he had vacated opposite Alex.

"Sigh…it's been a damn busy week with all those farewell parties and dinner parties. This is bliss, just chilling, relaxing and no worries about work, women, etc." He quipped.

Alex poured himself a drink, "Cheers" he said pointing his glass at Shan and sprawling back in his chair.

"So are we going out or dinning in" asked Alex, taking a sip of his drink.

"God yes" replied Shan, "We'll order take out. Don't have the energy to move"

On hearing this Alex raised his jet black brow.

Shan laughed out loud, "Alex, you would be dead tired to after the packers left. I swear the whole house was full of them everywhere, and thousand and one questions they had, could drive anyone crazy" he said with expiration.

"I feel for you…" he said with all sympathy, "NOT", he said laughing. "I so remember the time you made fun of me when I used to complain about it when Kate and I shifted. Now you know its gruelling work" he said.

"Oh, Shan aren't you taking these chairs with you?" asked Alex "I thought they were your favourites."

"Oh, yes I am, they will be packed tomorrow. The one you are sitting on will be delivered to you" he replied back.

Alex looked at him in the eye, understanding it all, both looked at each other for a while , nodded in understanding and sat back talking about mundane stuff, when Alex all of the sudden brought up the forbidden topic.

"Did you call her" he asked gravely.

Shan did not need to ask who Alex was talking about. On hearing the question his gaze turned steely and the look he bestowed on Alex would have withered anyone else.

"Did you" Alex persisted ignoring the look he was being impaled with.

"Alex" Shan said sharply "I Do Not want to discuss Her at all!! Do you understand or should I spell it out for you??!!!" he emphasised.

"I bet Kate put you up to it?" he asked. "It's not like you at all to broach a subject that I clearly do not want to discuss or talk about ever" he continued, "when did Kate start feeling sorry for her" he asked sarcastically.

"Yes, its Kate who wanted me to ask you this and no, she does not feel sorry for her nor does she empathize, she's worried about you, cares for you. You are like a brother to her, you know that" said Alex with concern and feeling.

"I agree with Kate on this, you need to talk. Man it's been four bloody months and the whole issue, relationship did not have a closure, and before starting a new life or getting into a relationship again you need to do it for yourself if nothing else" said Alex with expiration.

"Alex" Shan said with anger.

"No, you listen to me. I can't see you this way" Alex said out loud.

Putting his hand over his hair he looked at Alex and minced out "I did"

"You what" asked Alex all surprised, not believing what he had heard.

"Do I need to spell it out for you" Shan minced out again. "Pay attention as I am not going to repeat it again"

"I called and her answering machine received the call. I told her I was leaving and I forgive her for what she did. Let bygones be bygones and wished her well for her future." Shan told.

"So how do you feel after this and why didn't you tell me before giving me all those looks" asked Alex.

"Alex, what's done is done. I may have forgiven her for what she did, but can I forget. I really don't know. I am just happy to let go, that's all. We may never meet again and I do not want to go to my grave carrying a grudge." He said

Alex heard his explanation and nodded understanding and not saying anything at all that he so wanted to say…that no he was still not over her, would have been better if he had the talk face to face, thus getting out all the pent up emotions out of his system, etc He just prayed that his best friend found happiness and love as he did. He prayed that Shan found a woman who loved him for himself and not his wealth, his good looks but the person he truly was, that she liked him with all his quirks and faults, who accepted him for what he was, as he was truly a gem of a person a diamond in the rough. What he needed was a woman who could see the real Shantanu, and make a diamond out of him. He may give an impression of being arrogant, cynical and he was after the disastrous relationship, but inside he was a kind, soft hearted man. He really hoped and prayed that God would give him a person that would see those qualities of his and realise for herself, what a Gem of a person he truly was.

They enjoyed the night talking about his kids, Kate, her visit to Texas for her sister's for Caroline, his ex and her oldest sister first child delivery. They talked about work, vacation, exes, sports, movies, books, and meeting each other soon, him on his vacation that was coming up in a months' time.

The next day they were busy with last minute packing with the packers….visiting the real estate person to put the house of his on rent, as it was his investment here. Then they went to the bank to take care of the remaining investments he had that was to be handled by him on Shan's absence. Later they went to pick up Kate and the kids form the airport, had a quiet dinner at his place again a takeout and from there went to the apartment, collected all his luggage and drove to the airport to check them in , so that he did not have to worry about them early tomorrow morning, they came back his apartment for the night, as he had an early morning flight to catch, both were too tired to talk and hit the bed for a good night dreamless sleep.

The day of his flight, Shan packed his small duffle bag with his important papers, his change of clothes looked at the place one last time and gave one extra pair of keys to Alex, and one he kept for himself

All the way at the airport, they were quiet , busy in their won contemplations. Once the car was parked, both together said, "God…will miss you" and both hugged each other tight.

"Call once you reach" said Alex, "don't forget. We will worry otherwise"

"Yes will do. You have all my contact numbers nah?" Shan asked while getting out of the car, and getting his duffle bag from the back seat where he had thrown it.

"Yes, I do. Email every day" Alex said, "and send pictures too, till we both meet in a month's time", Alex said while getting out himself.

He pulled Shan into a tighter hug and pushed him towards the entrance, "don't be late" and waved bye and stood there till Shan disappeared.

He looked up and into the skies, and just knew all would be well, something good was going to happen soon for his buddy. He got back into his car before the traffic police man could notice and drove home.