Posted:
First of all a big apology for burdening you with yet another FF, with a bunchful of fabulous ones already going on.
I just am a freaky woman who likes grabbing pen every now and then. And I loved the response to the prologue too. Anyways, updating part One. If at all it grabs, I'll continue with the next. Or else I'll wait for the right time and opportunity. Thank you so much for responding.
Before I begin, this story is about very realistic life situations some people fall in...and may lack dramatic moments and elements. So kindly avoid reading if you like those.
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14 April,2016
" Deewanaa tera tujhe hi bulaaye... ye marziii teri...tu aaye na aaye...!"
The ring tone suddenly tore apart the almost silent cafeteria, and Shayara blushed in embarrassment while quickly pressing the power button.
She didn't know though why the cafe looked like a library or a funeral, but when people hardly talk, a sudden wail from your side definitely embarrasses you even without a reason.
" What was that? "
With brows slightly together Shayara turned her phone silent.
" Anyways. If you keep leaving jobs at this rate, your family will soon be at stake. "
Parth gobbled a piece of cake.
Shayara sighed and began scratching the table without a word.
Why am I here?
" If journalism was really not your cup of tea, why didn't you try for school services? I don't understand your decisions. They're too clumsy.
A lady who has to bear a family, needs to be more rational I believe. "
You believe. Not I.
Shayara stayed silent.
" Waiter! Two espresso! "
" A hot chocolate for me. " , Shayara broke her silence.
Parth stared in disbelief.
" Since when? Where did Ms Calorie Conscious disappear?"
" in thin air. " , a sarcastic cornerly smile appeared on her lips. Shayara had been adopting this smile since sometime now. Sort of a signature.
Parth stared for sometime, briskly adjusting his glasses.
" Cool enough if you are really turning cool. " , he twisted his lips and concentrated on his cake.
Keep calm Shayara. It's fine.
" by the way... you didn't tell me what was the damn reason you left the job for. "
Yes. To be laughed at.
" Must be something very silly right? "
Shayara couldn't believe how much she hated sitting here right now. But what could she do even? Curtsey and manners flowed through her veins, a pretty too much.
" I don't really understand why you are still with a girl who's the silliest in world. "
Of course, Shayara knew her limits. And of others too.
" It's been five years. Quite sometime now. Shouldn't we break up? "
Shayara didn't believe it was she talking now. Curtsey? Manners? But something made her extremely satisfied. And that something was, Parth's fallen jaws.
" What's wrong with you Shayara? I can understand you have job tension, you just left one. But I'm just trying to share..."
" You are just trying to mock me. That's what you do! What do you think? That you are cool? That's what you think? The coolest of your college bunch? No, I'm not cool! But are you? If you really were that cool, why and how didn't you get a girlfriend at college? Why did you have to return to a school friend after graduations? Just to show them that you too can have a girlfriend? Tell me are you cool enough? "
Control. Relax. Chill. Drop.
Parth's eyes were on the verge of bursting.
He just couldn't believe what he heard. Shayara Dasgupta speaking this way to him after five long years of a snail paced relationship! His ears!
" I tell you ...you have gone shit crazy! "
" Okay tell me. Why didn't you introduce me to any of your college friends? Why didn't you dare to take me to your reunions? Because me is a nerd? Me is uncool? Me reacts to silly things? Me not the typical outgoing youngster? But are you? Are you Mr Shukla?? If you were, you would have dumped me long back! But since you don't have a choice, you are here. With me. And you know what? You think I too don't have a choice. "
Shayara almost knocked down the chair she was sitting on, and got up.
Parth sat still. Without a word, his face stern. He was stoned on a serious note.
" And want more laughter feeds? Then listen. The uncool Shayara Dasgupta left the job because, she discovered... that the boss she respected like god since she got into this job, has a folder stocked with blue films which he forgot to shift while handing over his laptop when hers crashed today.
And the uncool Shayara Dasgupta cannot work with a pervert.
Now laugh. And make sure this news reaches your friends. "
A few seconds later Shayara was on her scooty, leaving behind a dumbstruck Parth, the smile returning to her lips.
****
Shayara parked the scooty with a jerk. Though it felt pretty cool initially, a bitterness filled her as she drived on.
Do I really have a choice?
As she twirled the key around her index finger, in a split second it flew off and fell directly into a grilled manhole.
" Oh nooo!!! " , Shayara almost lied down only to see utter darkness inside the manhole while her key happily swayed through the sewage system.
I hate my life!
Back home, the extremely usual boredom thrived before her eyes.
Her mother opened the door with a face as if she had just swallowed a kilo of bitter gourds.
Why do I return home even? To be greeted this way?
" Where were you? "
Shayara stared at maa with an expression of utter surprise. But then she knew it was past eight.
" With Parth. "
She opened the fridge only to find not a single bottle of cold water.
Does anyone even know what I want?
" Ohhh... " ,a very usual sigh of relief left her mother's chest.
Shayara suddenly lost control. For the second time the very day.
" What is so relieving about that? How do you know I'm extremely safe with him? "
Her mother almost had the same expressions as Parth.
Good enough.
" I don't understand what's your problem! He's with you for five long years! Isn't that enough? "
" oh wow! He's doing such a great favour on your worthless daughter, right? Then why don't you get me married? Talk to him please! "
Her mother almost glared at her and went inside the kitchen.
I hate myself.
Shayara switched off the television which was shouting on top of its lungs.
Her mother immediately ran out.
" What happened? "
" Do you know there's a sound button to the television? "
" Just because you earn, do we have to remain at your service? "
Enough.
Shayara sprang up. " We? Really? You and your son remain at my service? Why don't I see that maa? "
Her mother immediately switched on the television.
" Of course! Whenever it comes to answering me, there is always a choice."
" You are crossing your limits Shayu! Now you want me and Dhruv to answer you? "
" Seriously, why even will you answer me? You are my family! Baba has left his responsibilities on his elder daughter's shoulder, of holding his family together! Not that he was extremely poor! A government school teacher whose wife receives good pension still. But fixes the entire money for the future.
That's how I myself have to arrange for my marital costs even. And till I don't, my marriage will be withheld. My mother can entrust the entire family onto her daughter's head, but cannot trust that her daughter can manage without a 'man' after eight in the night. Contradictions!
I have to fulfil each of my brother's wishes. Like having a bike today, a DSLR tomorrow, an admission to the best animation school in town today, an admission to filming tomorrow!
He's only two years younger to me maa! Isn't it his responsibility to... "
Shayara stopped. Because her mother was too engrossed in television now, least interested in her blabber.
When had anyone listened even?
As Shayara slowly retired to her room, a message popped up on her phone screen.
" Last date of Tata Sky Connection recharge is today. "
Crap.
She threw the phone on the bed and her body next to it.
Everyone exploits. And I am still dangling between the fake relationships of 'a daughter' , 'a sister' and 'a girlfriend'.
Anupamaa
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