~Friends Forever~ Part 11 - Pg 4 - Page 2

Gaurav turned around to go to his own car and smiled at this different, funny and strange experience, completely oblivious to the fact that She was Shantanu Khandelwal's wife.

After opening the main door of the apartment with his key, Gaurav locked it back and kept the key on the table just near the door.

"Gaurav, is it you ?? How come you are late?" it was a frail voice behind him.

"Oh, Ma……...there was a lot of rush in the temple. And you know……...a funny incident happened there. I met this strange girl who had lost her purse. I was just trying to help her and it took some time to locate her driver.…..why do you keep worrying Ma?"

"I was not worrying……..I was waiting for the breakfast. Come…..have it."

At the breakfast table, Sharda asked her son about the incidence.

"Why did you say that it was a funny incident?"

"It was……...believe me…..and very strange too. She made me run from pillar to post in search of her black car, just because it did not strike to her that she remembered her husband's number. I don't think she has gone beyond her school ever….….looked like she was from a small city…….but you know, she had come in a Mercedes !"

"So what?...her husband must be a rich man."

"Of course…….some filthy, rich, businessman," he spoke, while trying to recollect the incident, "That is what intrigues me….…she was not as dim-witted as she gave an initial impression. In fact, I found her very intelligent…….then what made her fall in the trap of a middle-aged, fat, rich man from Mumbai."

"Did you see her husband?" Sharda was surprised at his description.

"Nopes………just imagined him…..…by logic," he smiled very confidently, looking at his mom, "A person who is rich……owns a Merc…..stays in Mumbai…….marries a less- educated young girl from a small city….…or maybe a village…..can't be a hot dude obviously……..He has to be aging, hopeless, fat and very dull. I think it must be his second marriage…….. A complete loser……."

"She appears to be some poor innocent girl. Oh………I feel sorry for her," Sharda said softly.

"Forget it Ma .……..I went to the temple just because you told me to…….now don't you ever tell me that I never listen to you….and now I think I should move fast…..or I'll be late for my meeting. Let's see, if something materialises." He had finished his breakfast.

His mom sat still with a dull expression.

"What happened?" Gaurav asked, while getting up from the table

"Gaurav……...sit," she made him sit back, and continued, "I know you are not happy here…………. I should have been more understanding and co-operative."

"It's ok Ma…………," he hugged her while speaking slowly.

"You had a good job and a promising career in Canada. You were well settled with a place for yourself and I made you come back just because I did not want to shift from India."

"It's fine Ma……...we have talked about it. And now that I have come here, I don't really think about it…… My focus now, is to carve a niche for myself in this city."

"And get settled…….…get married," Sharda tried to complete it for him.

"Yes, definitely…….Shall I move now?"

He picked up his files and his laptop for the meeting and almost rushed to gather things before leaving.

…….……………………………………………………………….

It was almost an hour since Shantanu came back home but he was not getting any chance to talk to Khanak. He tried twice but she was constantly busy……… initially in the kitchen and then was around the dining table.

He wanted to know about the incidence at the temple and whether she was fine, but was not getting even a slightest chance. After strolling from here to there, trying to be with her, he gave up.

Finally he reached the dining table and sat on his chair looking at Khanak. She nodded in a subtle 'No', as she did not want to tell everybody about the morning incident.

As she served him, he gestured her to sit down. And after placing everything on the table, she came to sit on the chair near him. She looked at him and was moved with the concern in his eyes. He slowly moved his left hand on the table and before anybody could see it, he slid it over her right hand. She was startled at first and immediately out of reflex action, lowered her hand beneath the table but could not free it from his strong hold.

She tried to free herself but he strongly held her hand caressing the back of her hand with his thumb.

After a few futile attempts, she used her eyes to plead mercy and he smiled teasingly to release her hand before anyone could notice their little flirtation at the dining table.

Everybody else was busy in their own conversations. Akshay and Sunil were discussing of Shaan's decision to be independent in which Madhavi also took interest and Shaan listened to all intently, throwing fleeting glances at Khanak in between.

She had already served everyone else and now she put a little quantity of rice in her plate with a little curd.

"Arrey Khanak, why are you eating so less ?" noticed dadi.

"Dadi…..I am not hungry," she meekly replied.

"But you should eat beta…..you will become weak." said Sunil.

She just smiled and did not take more. Everyone was back to their convo when Shaan subtly transferred a spoonful of rice from his plate to hers.

She was surprised and looked at his face. He didn't react and kept talking to others with amazing interest and concentration.

She gave a weak smile and ate her own rice, curd and finished the rice he had placed to be surprised by another serving of veggie and salad in her plate. She wanted to stand up and shout at him, if only she could……

She quietly finished that too.

"Khanak, can you please pass the daal and the rice…..??" Shantanu asked innocently.

She looked at his face amazed at this and he kept a blank face as if nothing happened. She followed him obediently and passed the food and after that she kept passing food, salad, dessert to him and while everyone ate and talked, he kept putting things in her plate till she used her eyebrows, narrowing them to plead mercy once again…..and he grinned inwardly.

Finally, Shantanu spared her after a lot of grave looks.

………………………………………………………………………………

Khanak quickly finished giving the instructions to the three helpers in the kitchen and left them to clear the table and the kitchen area. She smiled as she remembered that Shantanu had told her to give away her empire to the staff…….

She was proud of him……his ways……his attempt at getting independent at business ...his care and concern for her……….and how much he loved her……

She couldn't help but smile at the fact that he went out of his way to teach her English and to see a potential in her for helping him in the business. She was only too willing to give her empire temporarily to be by her husband's side to help him with his new business.

Shaan was sitting on the floor near the pool with some papers in his hand when he saw Khanak coming to him. She looked very pretty in a pristine cream coloured salwar kurta with a chiffon dupatta.

"I was looking for you all over the place, and you are sitting here…." She said softly.

He looked deep in thought while she came closer observing him and sat down near him.

They sat facing the pool and spoke nothing for a few minutes. The moonlight falling and scattering on the still water in the pool augmented the serenity of the moment ….of their togetherness…….. and of their feelings…….

Shaan kept the papers on one side and said, "Tell me……..…"

"What….….?" She asked, turning to him. For a moment she had forgotten everything.

"Whatever happened at the temple," he said.

"Ohh that……..….," and she started telling him about the incident in her own flow, making all sorts of hand gestures and face expressions, giving every minute detail, and how Gaurav helped her and saved her from being crushed in the crowd.

He listened to her patiently and then reached out to her to bring her closer. Subtly, he took her in an embrace and held her with her back leaning against his chest. She slowly slid her hands over his forearms which were holding her from the back and caressed him.

He kissed her hair and spoke in an unhurried, slow tone, "Please take care more from now on, especially when you go out on your own….……just cram the home and office addresses, all the numbers and emergency numbers," he spoke in one breath, "I'll ask you tomorrow."

The concern touched Khanak……..and she nodded like an obedient student.

But she was also surprised, "I was scared that you'll get angry and I thought that you will tell me not to go out on my own anymore………."

He was amused at the way she spoke.

"I know that you count me among 'burthals' but I am a lot better, you know," he said, teasing her, "On a serious note, it won't help to sit at home. I wish to see you as an independent woman……..so in fact, you should go out alone more often, just take a few precautions and slowly you will learn the ways of the city. Thousands of women move around the city alone, even by public transport……..and you are no less."

She got up to sit and turned to look at him…….speechless.

"What happened?" he looked at her surprisingly.

"Shantanu, I'm so proud of you !!"

"Proud?" he chuckled, "who told you this new word?"

"Did you forget ? Yesterday morning you read that article from the newspaper and told me this word……….remember?" she tried to remind him.

"Wow………..you are so talented yaar," his naughty tone was back, "What a devoted student !!...I need to re-start and be regular with your classes……."

"I guess you should start quickly then…………I need to ask a lot of questions that I heard on TV……."

"On TV ?...English words ??"he faked a frown, "Which channel, Hmm?"

She just grinned and hit him lovingly on his arm making a fist.

"Ok let's go to our room and from now on……..no more carelessness….….especially at public places. Be more alert. You are lucky to have met a nice person by sheer co-incidence."

"Arrey…." She jumped, "I said the same thing to that man and you know what a beautiful reply he gave……...he said 'there is no such thing as a co-incidence, and we meet only those people who we are destined to' that means nothing happens like that……..."

For a fraction of a second, Shantanu was stunned by the words.

Exactly what Gaurav used to say. He thought.

But in the same breath, he just shrugged and discarded the thought.

"What happened? Why did you do like that?" She was perplexed to see him lost in his thoughts for a second and then shrug.

"Nothing significant……...actually I had a friend in college who used to say this sentence every now and then……… and we used to pull his leg." He tried his best to act indifferent.

"Who was he?... Tell me more about him."

"Later Khanak………..I am very sleepy right now. Let's go." He said curtly and stood up.

"But…….….I like to sit here." She did not get up.

He made a hand gesture for her to stand up, while he stood straight.

"No………..I am not going." She still kept sitting.

He bent down a little and started tying his shoe laces,

"If you are thinking that I will lift you now and carry you inside, then………" he let it trail off.

"Then…………….Then what ?"

"Just say it……..….."he said bluntly and then smirked, "I've never said 'no' to you……."

"Why should I say it………….shouldn't you do it on your own?

He answered in a husky low baritone,"Mmm…….how do I know what you are thinking ……..may be you don't like it……"

"Ohh No !! That's not true…………I love it…………In fact, whenever you……. ….,"she went on speaking in a flow…..realised it and stopped herself only when she saw him laughing and reaching out to take her in his arms.

……………………………………………………………..

Shantanu took longer than usual in the shower. It was normal for him, when he had something disturbing him and since last night there was a sense of uneasiness that he constantly felt.

All this while he was thinking about the college and his friends especially Gaurav, his once best friend. Hundreds of thoughts crossed his mind within a few minutes.

The Gaurav I knew will never go to a temple…….at least I had never seen him in all those years…..definitely it can't be Gaurav. The statement Khanak told is a very common and generalised one….can be used by anyone in this world. This doesn't mean that I should derive something out of it. And anyways Gaurav Khanna is settled in Canada…….the last news I heard of him….He kept thinking about his past in the shower, trying to shrug away the thoughts of the times spent with his friends.

Finally, after a long time, he stepped out……wearing a blue checked shirt that was one of the favourites of Khanak. While putting the buttons on, he impulsively left it halfway and picked up his mobile from the bed and started searching for the incoming call that had come on his phone, the day before. After a few minutes, he found it. It was a local number.

"Khanak………..," he turned to look at Khanak who was making the bed, and asked patiently, trying to make sure that he didn't look eager, "Do you think, for courtesy sake, I should call that stranger to thank him for being helpful to you?"

Khanak stopped the work for few moments, looked straight at him and said , "Yes, Of course, you should call him and tell him how thankful we are. There are very few people in this world who do this for strangers……..we are indebted, in fact."

Shaan still had the phone in hand with Gaurav's number on the scroll. Khanak left her work and came to stand beside him.

"We should call at least once…………I think…….," she said.

"Did he tell you his name?" Shaan looked into the phone and started fidgeting to avoid her sharp eyes…….he pressed his lips and tapped his foot while she tried to remember and took a few seconds.

"Yes……….he told me……," Khanak was busy recalling, "……..it was a nice name………haan……...it was Gaurav."

For a moment Shaan was dumbfounded. He couldn't believe what he heard.

"What??!!"

"Haan………..his name was Gaurav."

"How did he look like?" He asked and without waiting for the answer, rushed to fetch his laptop, "Wait for a second……..….." he said down on the bed with his laptop in front of him.

"What happened to you suddenly?" she was clueless to his attitude…….while she came to stand by his side.

"One minute Khanak…………..give me some time……..…" he said while waiting for the laptop to boot and then get connected.

Khanak nodded and seated herself on the bed to beside him, though she did not understand one bit of what was going on. She had not expected this reaction from Shantanu.

He connected to the 'facebook' and logged in……..Khanak was surprised and amazed to see all this………but decided to observe without being much vocal unless he asked her as she did not want to disturb him……

He tapped at the keyboard while waiting for the response, obviously making evident his anxiety and restlessness.

He typed 'Gaurav Khanna' in the search box and within a second got several several accounts, out of which, it wasn't hard to find Gaurav's account…...

There were many photographs of Gaurav, which he showed to Khanak.

"Oh My God……!!!!" Khanak could not resist opening her mouth. She was speechless for a minute and couldn't believe what she saw.

Shaan touched her chin to lift it up so as to close her open mouth, and asked, softly, "Was it him??"

Khanak nodded heavily in a 'Yes' still shocked to say something and widened her eyes to look at him.

He had been staring at her praying that she would nod a 'No' but she did the opposite……

Khanak and Shantanu were both flabbergasted……….

She had met a stranger a day before, whose photographs were in Shantanu's laptop ………….at least according to her.

He had not met his once best friend since 5 years and who he thought was in Canada, and here his wife meets that old friend, accidentally at a temple !!!

It was a reason enough for both of them to be zapped.

Khanak spoke first, "Is this magic ??!!! OMG, I just told the name and you could find his photograph………he was the one !!!"

"Did you meet Gaurav yesterday ?" there was excitement in his voice, his face was beaming and his eyes revealed the thrill that he was unable to hide. He almost jumped on the bed so that now he was kneeling in front of her and with both the hands he gripped her shoulders, "Khanak……do you know whom did you meet yesterday…… Gosh, he was my best friend in college……….Gaurav !!!"

He wondered aloud,"But, I thought he is settled in Canada……has he come on a vacation ?? Gosh….I can't believe it……….it's been years since I met him………"

Khanak completely forgot about the facebook part…..and the hundred questions she had in mind.Presently she was bowled over at Shaan's response.

'Strange…….he hasn't told me about a friend till yesterday and now he is feeling so happy thinking about him……….so surprising…..'

"Were you really good friends ?" she tried to probe further.

"Good ? best friends Khanak……...everyone knew about us in the college……we used to bunk classes……..go for outings together…….we almost stayed together….." he was lost in his thoughts for a while.

Not able to contain his excitement, he stood up and tiptoed into the room thinking of his college days.

"Call him then……….you have his phone number too, now………" she said.

He looked at the phone and was brought back to the present. Suddenly, his face was grim, smiles vanished and he became serious. She could observe clearly that his jaw muscles became taut, the facial creases deepened and there was a distant aloofness in his eyes that she could not read. There was something that was troubling him and he became quiet at the thought of something that he had been avoiding to face since a long time.

She knew that Shantanu was not someone who would face harsh circumstances with an effortless ease. He crumbled down when faced with hard times and preferred an escapist route to avoid everything that pained him and his loved ones. Immediately she reached ahead to be by his side but he had already drifted apart…..

He switched his phone off and turned away.

He found it easy to evade questioning eyes by going away, but somewhere he knew that it was futile to avoid Khanak and her contant pursuit to 'his' happiness, finding solutions to 'his' problems and above all……a desperate need that she had in her to see him smiling………he knew that she would go at any length now, to find out the root issue…..

It was difficult for Khanak to understand. She saw him anxious and felt like holding him in an embrace. She knew that she had never seen him behaving like this on small issues. He hardly cared for petty, insignificant issues in his life…….So, this person must be someone important and close to him.

She followed him and turned around to stand directly in front of him, trying to look into his eyes. He stared back trying to avoid her………

Instinctively, she put her hand on his shoulder and said, "At least this much I can guess that the issue is not a small one. You have never told me about this friend, even once since we are together…..you never talk to him…….and even your friend didn't call you despite of being in the same city……..if you feel that I might be able to understand, please tell me…..."

Her voice was calm and composed and her eyes had a genuineness that he had always found adorable. He loved her way of dealing with everything straightaway, but felt helpless himself………… as he was not used to dealing with issues upfront. He felt devastated……..and lost for a long time……when problems occurred.

He needed time to get over his emotions and think rationally. He needed support to come out of the depression he faced. Being an overprotected kid in the family, he was not used to dealing with problems, emergencies and crisis of any form.

He remained quiet for a few seconds.

Then turned to her and said, "I just need some time Khanak……….I'll tell you everything, but not now…………."

"I don't understand that what could be an issue that you can't discuss with me ?" She was surprised because she had expected him to confide in her.

"I have told you that my life is a lot more complicated than you know…..this is one aspect of it. Just be patient and trust me……...I'll tell you everything. For now I can just tell you that my friendship with Gaurav broke 5 years back due to a major fight …..…and after that we haven't spoken and are not in touch, by any means."

"But what happened long back can be forgotten and forgiven……….…"

"That is not in my hands……….because it was majorly my fault." She could hear the guilt in his tone. He was sad.

Is it just because of a friend, or there is more to it?….she tried to guess.

"Apologise then…………." She shrugged and her ultimate solution came out.

He watched her intently for a long time and smiled. He realised that he loved one more thing about her……..

"I envy you Khanak………..your life is so simple. A simple solution – "Apologise, if it is your fault and forgive if it is someone else's…" ………I wish I could be so simple as you are," he brought her closer and hugged her, his hands encircling her and her head resting on his chest.

She smiled and hugged him back, holding him tightly at his waist.

"You know Khanak, I feel that suddenly life has become tension-free and stress-free whenever I am with you…….."

"So, you will apologise………right ??!!" she did not want anything else but his happiness right now and she would leave no stone unturned to get it back.

"Hmm……….I wish I could…………. but I think, I can't."

……………………..………………………………………………….

Shaan sat in his office looking at the project file. He had made a strategical presentation and was comparing notes from the file and the laptop.

He spent the whole afternoon making a list of things to be done……..he had to arrange for finances, meet the investors, hire staff specifically trained according to his requirements, get the quotations for the several raw materials….….etc etc…

'I have taken a major decision by going independent. It would have been easy to simply extend the business with dad and bhaiya. Hope I am able to meet this challenge that I took upon myself.' He thought.

After a long time, he closed the file and shut the laptop. He called the front desk for a coffee and picked up his mobile phone. After inspecting it for a moment, he went back to the incoming calls section.

After some scrolling, he located Gaurav's number once again and looked at it intently for a few seconds.

'Is it really Gaurav? It would have been difficult to believe if Khanak had not confirmed to his profile pics.'

'Is he just a 'dial' away ??!!!'

The thought puzzled him……….. he didn't decide whether he was happy or sad…. Numerous thoughts crossed through him, numerous instances from his college life flashed in a form a slide show before his eyes……..to keep the thoughts coherent at this stage was difficult and he didn't try……let them zoom in and out of his mind, till he observed that he had an excruciating headache.

Finally, he saved the number with Gaurav's name and opened his laptop once again.

With a huge mug of coffee in his hand, he logged into 'facebook' again and went directly to Gaurav's page……987 friends…….nahin sudhrega…...hasn't updated since 4 months !

Shaan spent 1 hour on the net just like that…and then later returned back to his work. It was a huge project that he had taken up and he didn't want distractions.

…………………………………………………………….

Shantanu had come for a business meeting at a 'The Royal Cliffe' ……… a 7 star hotel in the heart of the city. He asked Khanak to accompany him so that after the meeting, he could take her out for the dinner.

Khanak was only too happy as they had come out for dinner after a long time….

Shantanu proceeded for the meeting in the conference hall, while Khanak had been waiting in the lobby of the hotel for him to finish his work and come back.

She picked up a magazine and was flicking through it's pages when she spotted Gaurav coming out of the lift opening at the lobby. She sprang from her seat and headed straight towards him.

"Gaurav ji…..…" she called him from the back.

He turned back and was surprised to see her. She looked pleasing in a light blue chiffon churidaar and hair let loose. And she appeared really glad to see him.

"You…..?" he observed her from tip to toe as if quickly inspecting her, "Purse, mobile……..everything in place ? yeah, fine………….now you speak." He spoke heaving a sigh of relief.

"I've come here with my husband……what a huge co-incidence that we met again," She couldn't hide her happiness and he was surprised to see her glee as he saw no reason for that.

"It isn't much of a co-incidence……..….this hotel has good conference rooms and is known as ideal place for business meetings. Hence we met." His reply was straight.

"But that day you said that we don't meet anyone just like that. Even today, there is a reason that we met, you know ?"

"Really ? Is that so…?? Please enlighten me too…." He tried hard not to laugh sarcastically.

"My husband will be here in a while, if you sit with me and wait for some time, he will be glad to meet you."

Gaurav once again imagined 'the husband' using his own logic and couldn't hide his smile. He had no interest in meeting her 'loser' husband but he was really astounded to see this girl talking like crazy about her husband every minute. She did not appear to be unhappy even slightly………..she looked extremely satisfied and blissful at her life.

He looked at her and thought, 'Is it easy to compromise with your life and still be so happy?'

He gave a quick glance to his wrist watch……he had about half an hour before his next round of meetings. So he decided to devote time in talking to her just because he felt inquisitive.

"Ok" he simply shrugged and agreed.

He guided her to a sofa in the lobby.

He was dressed in a formal light brown shirt and dark trousers. The way he walked and presented himself said a lot about his confidence and the way he maintained a comfortable distance from her, Khanak could easily judge that he respected women.

They sat on two single sofas kept in L shape at one corner of the lobby.

"You really did a lot for me that day, my husband wanted to call you but somehow, it didn't happen. I was thinking of calling you, but see my luck, I met you here." She spoke visibly elated.

"Planning to call me? Why?" he shrugged and looked genuinely surprised.

"Wanted to talk…….about something very important…….about my husband." She didn't know how to proceed.

"Regarding?" he asked clearly astonished.

'Oh, poor girl with no-one in the city , wants to talk to a stranger……. this guy must be really torturing her.'

"I don't know how to say but can you answer a few questions first?" she decided to gauge his feelings first.

"Like?" he spoke in monosyllables, still wondering why this lady wanted to call him, that too after just one short meeting.

'She doesn't have anyone who sympathises with her'….. he finally decided.

"There are so many things in our life to look forward to…… should we brood on small misunderstandings or try to move on?" she thought it best to go in an indirect way initially.

He grinned before saying,"I think small things should be forgiven and forgotten."

"What if it is a big issue?" she was testing the waters, slowly and cautiously.

"After some time, even the big issues seem smaller." He said matter-of-factly.

"So basically, you think that it is easy to forgive your loved ones." She asked judging every word he spoke.

"Basically, it's not about me. I did not plan to call you. You did."

"Of course I wanted to….….but even I did not," she smiled, "We met by chance."

"It's okay. So what does your husband do?" asked Gaurav without wanting to listen to the answer.

'He must be a businessman, model thode hi hoga….silly question by me…...'

"He is a businessman," said Khanak, proudly.

'I knew it…bingo'……. his thoughts followed every sentence.

"Really !!" answered Gaurav……trying to appear interested and surprised. He was dying to ask her about his age but stopped himself.

Khanak thought for a moment and planned to give it another try before Gaurav met Shantanu.

'What if the meeting ended in another fight?'….she decided that she should do some homework first.

"Actually I have seen you somewhere. Yes, now I remember I have seen your photograph; that day I couldn't recognise you…….. but now I do?

"What do you mean? Where did you see my photograph?" he was totally amazed.

"In your best friend's room." she immediately had a brainwave.

"My best friend?" he was astonished, "Who?"

"Shantanu Khandelwal, your college friend."

"Shaan?...how do you know him?" he now sat on the edge of the sofa.

"Woh……," she fumbled initially, "actually I know his wife."

"Wife?...Did he get married? When?" a wide smile spread on Gaurav's face. It relieved Khanak.

'So both of them still feel for each other, Good !!'

Gaurav was really happy to hear this and couldn't contain his excitement.

"Actually, I am not in touch with him……. And I was not regular on facebook and other networking sites too since many months ….but strange…… no one told me about this," he was wondering aloud while Khanak was all smiles.

Gaurav became a little more comfortable with Khanak, "So basically you know Natasha ?"

All smiles vanished from Khanak's face, "Err……….No…………he didn't get married to Natashaji……."

"What? He didn't marry Natasha? Why?" Gaurav was clearly disappointed.

Khanak had no answer. She just gave a desperate look……she had gotten herself into this and she had to face it now.

"Of course, how would you know? Why am I asking you? You wouldn't know internal matters but it really surprises me that he and Natasha broke up."

Khanak was increasingly getting restless. Though she had always known Natasha, but today hearing anybody else's name taken with Shantanu was making her a little uneasy. She felt like crying now.

'Why did she even think of digging skeletons from his closet?….there is more pain ahead.' She thought.

"Anyways, the topic drifted away, what were you saying? You wanted to talk something about your husband."

She composed herself back again.

"I was saying that I saw your snap other day in an album in your friend's room; You seemed to be quite close, then how come you don't know about his marriage?"

"We are out of touch…….." he tried to hide what he felt.

"But once in a while, friends do talk, no matter how busy."

"We are not talking about me, why are we discussing my college friends?"

"It is important…firstly because I know him and secondly, it helps me to understand my concerns….Can you please, tell me…..what went wrong ?"

"I don't want to discuss this, that too with a stranger," Gaurav got up from his seat.

"Sometimes strangers can be best listeners, because they don't judge you." Khanak gave a last try, "I just wished to know if you two could be back together again."

"I don't know why I'm telling this to you, but it was a major fight…. and it is a scar that will remain forever." He slowly sat down again.

"Just now you said that after a long time, even big issues appear smaller."

"Yes I said…..but those are my views purely. He might not feel that way."

"What if he does?" she finally saw a ray of hope.

"Not a chance….he must be hating me. It was totally my fault" She could hear the guilt in his voice too.

"Can't you apologise then ?" she tried here too.

"I wish it was so easy…..and I really wish that I could." Said Gaurav.

Khanak was confused no end.

'Both say it's their fault, both are guilty and both want to ask for forgiveness but both can't…..what is it that had happened' She had to sort this out.

Khanak was still engrossed in her thoughts, when Gaurav got up, and spoke casually, "I really don't know how I talked so much after a long time, especially to a person whom I don't know at all. But one thing that I am convinced about is… that your esteemed husband will throw you out of his house, for sure, if he comes to know that you are sitting and discussing two handsome young men and their problems here."

She laughed at the 'handsome young men' comment while Gaurav picked up his laptop and moved away to leave.

He went ahead a few steps and turned back, "By the way, how is Shaan?"

"He is good." She smiled after answering.

And they parted.

Shantanu came out and entered the lobby after a few minutes and hugged her, as enthusiastic as always, "Khanak, everything went very well and most of the technical issues will be dealt now. Can you believe this?...You know, all my problems get sorted out when you are with me. Stay with me, at every step, please."

Saying this he released her slightly, lowered his lips and gave a 'longer than usual' peck on her cheek.

"Shantanu, this is a hotel lobby !"

"Relax darling, a small peck on a cheek is what people hardly care about….. !" saying this, he hugged her again.

"Where are we going now?" she asked.

"For a candle light dinner……." he still didn't want to release her from his hold.

"Woh kya hota hai?" she asked, innocently fluttering her eyes.

He blew a kiss to her in air and said, "Don't do this or I'll take you home instead."

It had been four months of dilemma for Gaurav and his life was going through a turbulence of extreme measure. He had been in Canada for past four and a half years and had made a position for himself in a reputed company.

He was not just another lucky guy or the one who had rich relatives staying abroad to help him. On the contrary, he had reached that space on his own merit.

He had always been a brilliant student with straightforward approach to issues…he had put in tremendous amount of hard work and had finally secured a coveted position in his company. But a few months back he realised that his younger brother Akhil and his wife wanted to move to Australia as Akhil's boss had opened a new office in Australia and wanted him to take charge there.

It was then, that Gaurav realised that they had a Ma to take care of and he had always taken her for granted as Akhil was always there for Ma.

He thought it to be too mean to talk about this to Akhil as even Akhil had every right to think about his future and being an older son Gaurav came to take care of their Ma. Sharda had acted very sensible in all this and agreed to move to Canada with Gaurav. According to her, all she had in her life was her two sons and she didn't want them to compromise their careers for her.

After taking her to Canada with him, Gaurav sensed that she became depressed progressively. She had no one to talk to the whole day and she would stay quiet almost always, to hide her loneliness. She started losing her health and gradually Gaurav realised that he was not being fair to her.

He brought her back to India, specifically to Mumbai.

She had tried to manage in Canada but couldn't succeed as her heart was still in India. Gaurav could understand his Ma's condition and it was fine with him as long as she missed only the country and their relatives. What hurt him most was her missing their father and he could not bear the pain she went through, long after their father had died.

Finally, just one month back he shifted to Mumbai for good. It was strange, but he felt uprooted while returning to his own country….

He decided against working for someone else……and now, he had made up his mind to do a business of his own.

He was lost deep in his thoughts when Sharda entered the room and switched the lights on.

"Why are you sitting in the dark?"

"Just like that Ma,"he said and added jokingly, "I was meditating….…".

"Chal………meditation aur tu…." She laughed affectionately and reached for his ruffled bed covers and started folding them. He straightened up making a place for her to sit.

"You know Gaurav, when you stay alone for some time, you start becoming weird."

"If you are trying to say that I am becoming weird, than don't bother…as I was always weird…." He laughed to keep the conversation light as he exactly knew where it was heading…………..towards his marriage.

"Can't you be a little serious? You know it very well that I want you to get married and be happy in life."

"Please be specific Ma……do you want me to get married or you want me to be happy?" he knew that this was the only way to discourage her as she would become frustrated and leave.

But Sharda was determined today…..she had brought a few photographs with her which she flashed in front of him. She absolutely refused to budge.

"Thanks Ma…." He sighed and surprised Sharda.

"Thanks ??...for what ??."

"For proving that you are normal……..A Typical Normal Indian Mom….," He stressed each word in a way that she couldn't resist her laughter.

"And I WILL get you married………." She said determinedly and got up to go.

"What happens to you after every few days ?"

"This time, I won't get discouraged……..what are you waiting for? You have saved enough money while working in Canada…..you are experienced, are capable of doing anything you wish…….I really don't understand what exactly do you want?"

"I just want you to give me some time……"

"How much time?"

"At least 5 years….I'll get married when I am 31…...alright?"

"And do you expect all pretty, qualified, eligible young girls to wait for you till then?"

"I'll marry whoever is left….. is it fine?" he winked.

By this time, his dog 'Cuddle', a Labrador, entered and true to his name, jumped on his bed and snuggled close to him.

Gaurav paid some attention to his pet getting enough reason to avoid the questioning from his mom.

Unsuccessful yet again…Sharda left.

He brushed Cuddle's hair and remembered the time when he was only 35 days old. Cuddle was brought to his house by Paridhi when she was leaving with her mom for a month long vacation to her aunt's place in Singapore. As there was no one to take care of the puppy at her place, she left little Cuddle with Gaurav so that he could be taken care of. Puppy Cuddle spent one month with Gaurav, Akhil and Sharda…. and never left after that.

Gaurav smiled to himself and was proud of how cuddle completely refused to leave their home. He had been a baby of their home since then.

Paridhi………….

Gaurav thought about her and a whiff of fresh air touched him all over. She had been the only girl whom he was close to in the college days. Paridhi, Shaan and Abhijit were the only friends he had in college. And he had never felt alone. Now he has 987 people added in his personal profile on facebook but not a single person whom he could actually call his 'friend'…..

He smiled at the word 'friends' used on the networking sites……sometimes you barely know people whom you have added.

A small pang of loneliness hit him. He longed to talk to someone….since a long time he had not had a heart to heart talk with a close friend and he was sure without any doubt that he was beyond that need now…..but today he felt that this need is something eternal.

He wondered where Paridhi was presently….she wasn't much active on networking sites, either.

The last time he saw Paridhi was at the party at Shaan's house and after that there was no communication from either side. He sighed and wished he could meet her once.

...

PS - the above sig is made by Ramani...thanks a lot Ramzz !!!

My original choice for Gaurav was Kavi Shastri, classic, elegant and stylish...but a lot of people wanted Gaurav Khanna to be here... I like him equally.

Those who have already read with Kavi in mind...Go on...initial 11 parts were written with Kavi in mind...but to think of Shaan's friend... even Gaurav looks good as his friend.

Upto you !!!