Mumbai.The city of slum dwellers to houses of millionaires.The city of dreams turning reality and reality turning to dreams.Among several sky scrapping apartments, Preeti sat in her flat,at her four seater dining table ,munching on some quinoa puffs and salad.Her concentration completely off the food plate,strangely,but surely.The strips of thinly sliced carrot messing around the dining table was the proof.The last phone call had made her lose the sleep in early morning.Though she grunted and cursed the caller for spoiling her Sunday sleep she could not help but get off and work according to instructions given over phone. Preeti continued playing and mincing the poor piece of tofu under the sharp spikes of fork.The tofu piece was shredded to lees and yet Preeti had not noticed the mess she was creating. A smile playing at her lips,her mind was full of beautiful moments from a day ..a special day ;years ago
December 25, 1995
The blockbuster movie 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge' was on billboards. The movie still giving competition to other releases and all going gaga over Raj ,Simran and their London-India love story.Even after 2 months of release the movie halls were houseful and ticket prices were soaring high in black markets.But nothing dampened the spirits of avid movie goers and nothing still can.
Preeti was awfully sad at her missed chance of trying to watch the movie for third time in row in two unfortunate weeks.Chachaji was being the responsible citizen of India and didn't want to buy tickets more than the price of actual tickets.Bela had lost all hopes of watching the movie in movie halls and her saving grace was the nearby VCD parlour who had assured her to get a cassette for her. In bargain of a steel tiffin and some currency notes. Preeti wanted to wait but the constant discussions buzzing in and out of college about how handsome Shah Rukh looked,how he was much more impressive playing the romantic lover boy, how the way Raj teases Simran about their drunk escapade..the discussions were making her go crazy and she had none to take her for the movie.
Preeti was miffed at Naina too.For her sister didn't make any attempt to convince and cajole her dearest Chachaji for the movie outing.VJN College was celebrating Christmas Day as a part of National Integrity programme.Naina ,being the President of Student Council now, was awfully busy in preparations. Arranging for the Christmas tree to contact the Bishop of the nearest Church.Being from a Hindu Conservative family she had absolutely no idea about celebrations of Christamas.She had never been to any religious institutions before this event turned up.Taiji's orthodox beliefs had made her read about Church and Christmas celebration in text books only.She was at her wit's end about the conducting and organizing the whole function but as always she had found her solutions with Sameer. Sameer's formal years of education in a Convent School came to rescue.He knew few basic things as how Christmas was celebrated in educational institutions and rest he put his street-smart' brain to use.Naina knew with Sameer as her support and Munna Pandit with Sameer,nothing is impossible ,nothing difficult.
Preeti was however not interested in visiting churches for collecting information along with Kamya and Hema.Her mood was particularly off since she had heard the songs playing from the nearest shop. She could only imagine what were expressions of Shah Rukh and Kajol in that particular scene? How Raj and Simran met and why the song? She was angry now since her idea of going to the movie was rejected immediately by her beloved sister Naina and Jijaji Sameer.Sameer asked her to help Naina in putting the fairy lights around the celebration area and that they will go to watch the movie some time later in January.
Enough was enough.Preeti decided to work upon the proverb she had read in Mr.Poonawala's decorated activity room.Self Help is the Best Help She decided to watch the movie alone. She pulled out her wallet and counted the notes.She calculated each expense and concluded that she has to forego the auto back to home.That would save her some money and she can use it for ticket.All set for the movie,she sneaked away from the group discussion Naina was holding with students on arrangements and schedules for evening.
Preeti awaited for several minutes and was disappointed again and again.All buses seemed full and none looked enough comfortable for a ride to movie hall.Finally and fortunately after an hour long wait and dejection a bus arrived .Not many passengers crowded it and she immediately went inside.The bus moved with a creak start again.A sense of achievement coursed in Preeti's veins as she saw the bus move towards her desired place.But this sense of achievement and happiness didn't last long.
Few boys started with their ugly antics. What started with mild comments at her on travelling alone being a young girl that escalated to a bigger form of eve teasing.Preeti was appalled at the audacity of boys and the silence of fellow passengers.
"Samjhte kya ho khudko?Main koi abla naari nahin hun.Jaante nahin ho mujhe'' Preeti shouted and much to her shock a filthy guy held her wrist in his tight grip.The conductor turned away a blind eye to this and Preeti tried vainly to pull her wrist free.''Khubsurat ladkiyan aise gaaliyan dete ache nahin lagte ''The guy uttered in a lecherous tone and all Preeti wanted was the bus to stop somewhere,anywhere.No more she wanted to see the movie,she just wanted to step down ,go back to her house and sleep. As another guy tried holding her other wrist,she felt her weakness replaced by extreme anger.She jerked her wrists forcefully and slapped both the boys hard.Shouting at the driver to stop the bus,she hurriedly rushed down the steps of bus.
Preeti stood at an unknown turn of road.Not knowing the way back to home nor knowing the way to movie hall.''Aur chadha apne sar pe film dekhne ki bhooth.Teri koi Raj nahin aayega tujhe lene yahan se.Bhagwanji!Kahan fas gayi.''Preeti's eyes had tears.Like the dry leaves falling from the trees, imperceptible to others,same like her helpless tears rolled down her cheeks.
Pandit searched the roads,the entry hall and even the bus he had seen Preeti board.He was extremely worried about her disappearance into thin air.He was definite that Preeti had boarded the bus solely for coming to the movie but it seemed that she has not reached.Where was she? Where did she get down? Why did she get down after all?
Dejected over his futile search ,Pandit decided to have some Thrill in some shop before returning back to college.He tried assuring his heart that she might have gone back to home,may be she saw her O Bai' Taiji in bus or may be some relative like Naina did in Sameer's birthday party and had ran away.He chuckled how both sisters were same in so many characterstics.
Pandit would have taken a swift turn at road had he not seen the familiar figure with her familiar handbag,sitting under a shady tea stall.There was absolutely no hallucination, no mistake.She was Preeti and this time he could bet with anyone to win easily.He observed keenly and could feel that something has gone terribly wrong.She visibly looked very upset;unlike her chirpy,positive self.
Pandit parked Sameer's bike and took quick steps towards the stall.Preeti was lost in some thoughtful ponderings and failed to see Pandit ,standing close to her.
"Preeti!Yahan kya kar rahi ho?Pata hai Bhabhi kitni pareshan ho rahi thi?'' Pandit started and Preeti jerked out of reverie on hearing her name being called and the very familiar voice.
"TUM? Yahan kaise?Naina bhi saath aayi hai kya?'' Preeti asked in urgency and looked slightly terrified.''Kya hua hai?Sab thik to hai?Yahan kyun utar gayi?'' Pandit asked and handed her over a bottle of Thrill to make her feel relaxed.Preeti tried faking a smile but failed.The jitters from the ugly incident still gave her goosebumps.
"Arey batao na..Yahan pe koi Shah rukh ko dekh liya kya?'' Pandit teased and suddenly found himself engulfed in an unexpected hug. He felt a whoosh of air escape from his lungs.Things for him were going in a totally new direction. Regret consumed her soul along with extreme anger and hatred for the boys.At the same time the need of love and warmth felt predominant. His insides fluttered as he felt her soft form against him.No girl had ever hugged him before.The feeling was new but strangely comfortable.However his mind took quick notice of her eyes wetting his shirt. Was she crying? WHY?
"Preeti! Tu ro rahi hai?'' Pandit asked pulling her face and cradling in both of his palms.He wiped her tears and knew that something very terrible has transpired. He didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable again by prodding and pestering her to share the tragedy. An idea instantly lit up his mind.
"Movie dekhne chale?'' He asked and Preeti nodded in negation.''Mujhe wapas college le chalo.'' She said and Pandit knew that would be the response. ''Wo to main le chalunga par ab chalo movie dekh lete hein.Yeh Sameer aur Munn ka wait karenge to film ab agli saal hi dekhenge.Kya khayal hai ?'' Pandit tried to bring back the lively Preeti he has seen since his school days.He was ready for all her grunts and scoldings even but could not afford to see tears in her eyes.
"Paisa hai tumhara pass do ticket ke liye? Mere pass ek ka hi hai.'' Preeti said feeling happy and safe under his caring gazes.She no more felt vulnerable and there was strange sense of completeness now.''Hai na.Sameer ne kuch samman kharid ne ke liye diye hein.Samaan baad mein le aaunga abhi film dekh lete hein.'' Preeti smiled at this naughty antic of Pandit which was so characteristic of him.
Soon they were seated among many,waiting with bated breaths to catch on the journey of Raj and Simran.Pandit ,though a movie freak,caught the smiling face of Preeti as the credits rolled on the screen.He was finally relieved that she was atlest happy.Her hot tear drops on his shirt had turned cold and dried up ,but he could not feel relieved unless he saw her face brightened up.Cheerful she looked.That was the temporary relief his heart thrived on.
Pandit never knew he would find the permanent relief soon and Preeti would meet horror again.At the end of blissful three hours, Preeti came out of the hall talking about the moments that stood out for her in the movie.Her animated discussion was punctuated by few of comic additions by Pandit.Preeti's eyes suddenly stilled. Pandit halted,looked in the line of gaze.Preeti didn't voice anything,but the gaze was unmistakable.
The same group of boys throwing her lecherous glances and uttering some lewd comments.The comments not reaching her,thanks to the shouts of houseful audience and impatient hawkers.Pandit decided to lurch forward,but was stopped by Preeti.She mentally decided not to mess with the hooligans.Though she was enough traumatised with the incident ,she didn't want Pandit to be manhandled.After all they are friends first.
"Oye Chikna! Yeh chori ko akela chod de.Hum bhi thoda saath mein romance kar lenge.'' One of the brats shouted,completely missing the raging fury in Preeti's eyes.Pandit was angry yet decided to inform Sameer before situation goes out of control.
SLAP!
The brat held his cheek as a tight slap landed on him,most unexpectedly.''Jo dil mein gussa ho,uss dil mein pyar ke liye koi jagah nahin hota.Samjhe?'' Preeti shouted.The history repeated as the same boy held her wrists in tight grip again.'' Bola tha na? Khubsurat ladkiyan gaaliyan dete ache nahin lagte.'' Pandit saw the mishap as he came out of the PCO cabin. His eyes caught the brutal sight and soon there was an ugly fight breaking in.
"Saale muh tod dunga tera.Ladki ko chedta hai.'' Pandit had turned red in extreme fury.His punches showed the lava of anger in his heart.One glance at Preeti's bruished wrist and he was ready for another round of bloody punches.Preeti tried stopping,failing in vain and watched in shock; a strong punch knocking Pandit off his balance.
Preeti felt the blood in her veins evaporate,the shapes of people fading into oblivion,the whole scene suddenly turning hazy.She knew not anything but the fact that Pandit was knocked hard and was bleeding.Preeti didn't remember when she had kneeled down,had pulled his head onto her lap. Though she remembered how she had wiped his bleeding nose with her handkerchief.The blood stains bearing testimony to this unexpected and unwanted gory incident.
Preeti vividly remembered being taken to Police Station soon.She had felt herself in mid of some bad dream until she felt the warm hug of her sister.She clearly remembered Sameer thanking the Police Inspector and the group of boys behind bars.She smiled as she remembered her miffed Jijaji tersely asking her "Batake nahin aa sakte the?'' She was upset but had smiled on Kamya's comment "Asli Raj to humara Pandit nikla''.
Days have rolled into months,months swiftly forming years.Calendars have changed like the billboards on the opposite street.There have been enough disasters,emotional roller coasters taking their friendship through several rides.
Preeti jerked from her thoughts as she heard a honk and saw her phone vibrating violently.Preeti leaped from her chair and rushed to the balcony.
There He was.
Pandit caught the sight of her.He knew emotions can't be framed in single word or sentence.There was happiness in her eyes,blush on her cheeks and her hairs looked slightly unkempt.Without dwelling much,he fished out a bright red rose from his pocket and held out two movie tickets in other hand.Preeti's happiness changed into excitement, making her feel like a rocket of emotions.
Some minutes later,they were seated in a car and Preeti could not help but ask "Hum jaa kahan rahe hein?'' Pandit smiled and answered ,taking a swift turn at the curvature "DDLJ dekhne Maratha Mandir mein.''
Preeti gaped and involuntarily voiced "Kya? Hazar baar se jyada dekh chuki hun uss movie ko.Ek ek dialogue yaad hai mujhe.'' She looked cross;clearly with his decision.Pandit could not help but laughed a sardonic laughter before saying "Itna bhi boring nahin hun.Khana,peena aur cinema ka acha taste hai mera. SRK ki film hai.''
Preeti leaned onto his shoulder,gingerly placing her head on his upper arm.The arms that had grown from lean to hard and supportive in these years.The tiresome years of working hard in business and gym has turned the caring boy into a supportive man.
"Aur girlfriend ki choice?'' Preeti asked,lifting her eyes and meeting his.'' Wo choice to blockbuster hai.Bilkul Samosa ka ketchup ke saath jodi jaisa.'' Pandit said ,now keenly concentrating on the traffic lights at front.
"Galat.Pakode ke saath pudina chutney ki jodi jaisa.'' Preeti countered and they were soon busy in talking about,bickering on the food combinations that describes their relationship best.
They both knew they have shared their laughs with many,but tears with some and both have shared emotions to interests with each other.Romantic love is secondary ,they are friends first forever.
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P.S.:Thank you so much for reading.😃 Would love to read all your feedback.😳
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