howdy girls & boys!!!!
here's my new chapter..... i'm taking a 5 months leap this time so happy reading!!!!!!
hugs & kisses
nadini 😉 😉
~~~~CHARACTERS of this chapter~~~~
~~After 5 months~~
"Taani where are you?"
Anurag sounded paranoid on the phone. I ran towards a taxi carrying a gift on one hand and the mobile on the other hand, which was glued to my ear.
Taani: I'm on my way Onu
Onu???
Robindo once told me that Anurag's parents used to call him Onu when he was young. So I started calling him Onu as well and mind you, for some reason he didn't mind me calling him that. But he got pretty fumed up whenever Robindo or Shekhar unlce refer to him as Onu.
Anurag: You were on your way half an hour ago
Taani: bhaiyya, please take me to Edward Avenue
I got in to the taxi and instructed the driver and totally forgot that Anurag was on the other end of the line.
Anurag: what?? You just got in to a taxi?? You said you were on your way?!?!! TAANIIII
Anurag was screaming over the phone.
Taani: no no I'll be there in 10 minutes. I'm just around the corner hey, is he there?
Anurag: not yet but he'll be here any minute so you better hurry up!!
Taani: don't worry I'll be there. If he comes before I do, just do something and send him off
Anurag: send him off?? Taani, are you kidding me? Please hurry up
Taani: all right all right, just don't panic
Anurag: I'll try
"Bhaiyya please, can't we go any faster?" I was so desperate and the taxi driver raced the car without looking back.
~~At the 'Central Perk', coffee shop~~
I barged in to the coffee shop and ran towards Anurag who was by the way looked quite miffed with my late arrival.
Anurag: finally madam is here
Taani: is he here?? Is he here??? Did he come??
Anurag: no he's not here. You almost gave me a stroke Taani. What took you so long?
Taani: sorry Onu. I got stuck at a meeting and lost track of time
Anurag: You and your office
Office????
Yes, you heard it right. You're reading about the new Production Executive of 'Agni', one of the leading Event Organizing and Entertainment Companies in Mumbai. It was Anurag & Shekhar uncle who urged me to start working again. It has been 5 months since I moved in to Mumbai and as I slowly recovered from the pain of losing my parents in Sri Lanka, I realized I had to move on with my life. Their nagging finally paid off as I got a job offer at Agni 3 months back and now I'm happily working as a Production Executive there.
Taani: ok so let's double check everything. Champaign?
Anurag: got it. Where's the gift?
Taani: I have it. Where's the cake?
Anurag: er'. I don't know
Robindo: it's with me
A beautifully decorated chocolate fudge cake was placed on the table by Robindo.
Robindo: Taani what took you so long?
Taani: don't ask Robbie, long story. Onu, where are the flowers?
Anurag: flowers? What flowers?
Taani: Anurag!! 😡😡
Anurag: I thought you were supposed to bring them?!!
Taani: no you were supposed to bring them
Anurag: oh let's forget about it. Besides, he doesn't like flowers
Taani: no he likes flowers
Anurag: well he has to stop liking them now. At least for today
Robindo: guys please stop it
Robindo stood between Anurag and me. I stared at Anurag with my arms crossed and he smiled mischievously like a brat. Suddenly the coffee shop door opened and in came the man of the hour.
Robindo: he's here. Let's go for it
Anurag: ok on my count 3,2,1'.
"Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday dear Shekhar
Happy birthday to you"
Robindo, Anurag and I started singing and we were soon chorused by the customers and the fellow workers at Central Park coffee shop. Our birthday boy; Shekhar uncle was awestruck with our teeny weeny surprise. He was full of smiles as we all galloped towards him to wish him. It was his 45th birthday.
Shekhar uncle: wow!! Thank you my sugar plum for the surprise
Shekhar uncle hugged and kissed me.
Taani: it's a collective effort uncle, not just me
Shekhar uncle: well then, thank you Anurag & Robindo & all of you
The customers and the workers laughed as we huddled up to hug the birthday boy. Shekhar uncle usually brings in his birthday at a night club with his close friends. But I wanted his birthday to be special this time as it was his first birthday since I moved in with him in Mumbai. Night clubs was not my thing, so I told Anurag that we'd celebrate his special day at the coffee shop this year and Anurag swiftly agreed since he churned uncle to a coffee drinker from a tea fan. Well Robindo's magic worked on uncle just like it worked for me. Shekhar uncle became a regular customer of Central Perk ever since.
Anyways our mission was accomplished as the birthday boy looked really happy with our surprise. After serving all the onlookers at the coffee shop with cake, 4 of us (Anurag, Robindo, Shekhar uncle & me) sat around the table and started chatting cheerfully.
Shekhar uncle: so how's work Taani?
Taani: bit hectic uncle but nothing I can't handle. We're getting ready for a new dance show at Yash Raj Studio
Anurag: dance show?
Taani: yes, it's like a mix of all dance styles. We're getting big names like Terrance Lewis, Remo & Shyamak Dawar to perform with their troupes. And also Dance India Dance stars like Salman, Darmesh, Shakti'
Robindo: wow!! I'm a big fan of Shakti
Anurag: is it? Well then buddy don't worry, Taani will make sure that you get a date with Shakti
We all started laughing and Robindo blushed.
Taani: how was your day uncle?
Shekhar uncle: full of surprises, cakes and flowers
Taani: really?
Shekhar uncle: yeah. There were 2 photo shoots; one with some Russian models and the afternoon session was for Priyanka Chopra's new shampoo ad. But I got cakes from both locations. Priyanka remembered my b' day, it was really sweet of her.
For all those who've forgotten, my uncle is an ace photographer in the hub of Mumbai. He gets to meet bollywood stars and skinny models all the time.
Anurag: Robbie, are you alright?
Anurag patted on Robindo's back as poor Robbie looked dumbstruck with his mouth open and eyes all weirdly widened up. I couldn't stop laughing cuz it was really comical.
Taani: what's wrong Robbie?
Robindo: well it's just that I'm a big fan of Priyanka. That's all
Shekhar uncle: how about you Anurag? How was work?
Anurag: it was good
Anurag never talked about his work life. He's a therapist and the youngest therapist at Lilavathi hospital, Mumbai. His philosophy is never to share his patient's details with anybody, not even with his closest friends which I really respect and admire. He says that people who have guts to admit they need help, come to him so he should never divulge the trust they placed upon him.
Sometimes I wonder if Anurag saved me from breaking into pieces. I was sad, depressed and had no confidence when I moved in to Mumbai. The death of my parents and traumatic experience I lived with, never really set me free to be happy. As a result I never smiled. But it was Anurag who changed me. He got me out of my shell and made me realize what life is all about without lecturing me. We chatted at coffee shop about various things and nothing about my personal life although I did share some special memories of my parents with him. But he never asked questions. I guess he used his counseling talents to bring up the best in me and most importantly he brought back the smile which was missing from my face.
Now I am a changed girl. A much changed Taani compared to the Taani at the beginning of this story. I'm no more timid, laid back and silent. The old me was back. In fact I felt like a new person. I was expressive, forward and most of all happy.
Anurag: Taani
Anurag flipped his fingers at my face and I realized I was lost in my thoughts.
Taani: yeah
Anurag: what were you thinking?
Robindo: probably about Salman, Dance India Dance wala
Taani: Robbie!!!
Robindo: what?? You told me that you like him
Anurag: haha Colombo girl is blushing
Shekhar uncle's mobile was vibrating so he picked up the phone and read a text message.
Shekhar uncle: guys, I've to bounce. Daboo wants to meet me at his house urgently. It seems like Sonam and Anil have confirmed their dinner plans with him and I promised Daboo I'd join them
Robindo: Sonam? You mean Sonam Kapoor????
Anurag and I looked at each other at the same time and we both started giggling.
Shekhar uncle: yes Sonam Kapoor, kya hua beta? You're a big fan of Sonam too I suppose?
Robindo's cheeks turned flaming red and he looked down like a smitten kitten.
Shekhar uncle: Anurag, would you mind dropping off Taani? Cuz I've to take the jag
Anurag: sure Shekhar no problem
Shekhar uncle: thanks man. Ok I'll see you later munchkin, don't wait for me, you have dinner and go to bed. If there's anything, just buzz me
Taani: don't worry uncle. I'll be ok
Shekhar uncle kissed my forehead and went off to Daboo Ratani, his friend's place and I walked back to the apartment with Anurag after helping Robindo to clear the decorations and our table.
Anurag: good night Colombo girl
Anurag stood at the apartment door till I got in as usual and smiled.
Taani: phir milenge chalte chalte
Anurag: hehe😆 yeah phir milenge chalte chalte
I waited at the door till Onu got in to the elevator and locked the door. It was too early for dinner and I was not in a mood to stuff myself anymore so I sent a text message to Roshi & Vishu; my best friends who were in Sri Lanka to come on skype. For my luck, Roshi was at Vishu's place so 3 of us got a chance to have a girly talk.
Roshi: hey Taani
Taani: hi Rosh, hi Vishu
Vishu: ok cut the crap! How was the big birthday bash? How's my George Clooney?
Roshi: VISHU 😡
Roshi poked Vishu's head and Vishu stared at Roshi. Yes, they were still going on at each other as always. Their cat fights never failed to bring up a smile on my face.
Taani: Shekhar uncle's fine and it wasn't a big bash, just a small get together
Vishu: awww' please give him a kiss from me
Roshi: yeah that's all he needs. A kiss from you
Vishu: oh just ignore her Taani. She's just jealous
Roshi: now why should I get jealous?? And by the way, don't forget Karan and that you're taken
Vishu: Karan?? Karan who?? You mean Johar?? anyways Shekhar is my hot uncle fantasy....😆
Taani: so how's Karan?
Vishu: he's awesome. OMG Taani, his mom totally loves me. I'm her hot favourite now
Roshi: I still can't believe Karan actually proposed
Vishu & Karan
You're guesses are right. Karan, the Casanova type boss of Vishu's, really shocked us all by proposing to Vishu. He had so many flings and we never believed he could settle down or fall in love with a girl. But he proved both Roshi & me wrong. Now Vishu's happily engaged to him.
Vishu: Taani, you're coming down to Colombo early na??? You have to be here at least one week early ok?? No excuses
Taani: don't worry. I'm not gonna miss my best friend's wedding
Roshi: besides, you have no choice cuz you're a maid of honour
Taani: we both are hehe 😛
Vishu: OMG we're gonna have so much fun at the wedding
Roshi: fun?? Yeah we'll try to have fun
Taani: so how are the wedding preparations going on?
Vishu: ohhhhh everything's happening according to my plan and Roshi's such a sweetheart. She's helping me with everything single thing
Roshi: I feel like killing myself yar
Vishu: ha ha haa 😆😆😆
Taani: is it that bad?
Roshi: don't ask. This woman is a nightmare. Don't get carried away with her sweet smile or niceness. She's such a witch. She can murder someone at anytime of the day with her ruthless commands and orders. I seriously feel sorry Karan
Three of us had a good laugh.
Vishu: ok enough about me, so tell us about you. How's the new job? Most importantly how's Anurag?
Taani: work's fine and Onu's fine as well
Roshi: Onu??? You call him that?
Vishu: ooooohhh sooooooooo romantic
Taani: nothing is romantic and Vishu please don't get any ideas. Anurag's just a friend. That's it
Vishu: so what? First you become friends and then'. Ta daaa'.. Violins start to play, wind will start to blow, you'll breath in slow motion'.
Roshi: ha ha' I'm imagining the whole thing
Taani: guys please'.
Vishu: and then' the prince charming will come to you on horseback with a ring
Roshi: oooohhhhh
Vishu: he'll get off from the horse and kneed down to propose you
Taani: guys seriously stop it. I've told you this once and I'm saying it again. Anurag and I are JUST FRIENDS. Nothing more. Nothing will ever happen between us got it? Nothing!!! Don't ever use the four letter word when you talk about Anurag and me. I don't love him, I never did and I never will. For that matter, I won't love anybody AGAIN!!!! 😡😡😡
My whole body was shaking with anger. Tears were slowly pouring down from my eyes and I quickly wiped them off. Roshi grabbed Vishu's hand and Vishu stopped talking at once. We were all silent for few minutes and I felt bad for shouting at them.
Taani: listen I'm really sorry girls
Roshi: It's ok darling we understand
Vishu: I'm sooooooo sorry Taani. Please forgive me, I swear I won't say another word about Anurag ever!!!
Taani: it's ok Vishu. It's just that you know'
Vishu: I know
We ended our conversation on that note and I lied down on my bed and sighed. I knew I moved on in life but some memories were too painful to erase. Time was the best healer and I wanted it to heal my broken heart just like it healed my loneliness and sorrow.
Edited by NaDzGirl - 15 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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