Vandita!
There was only one person who had patted my back and was on talking terms with me after my encounter with RKB.
She definitely harbored hatred for RKB due to some old grudge which provoked her to stand by me.
We had become quite good friends in a span of a week and she had willingly shifted her seat besides mine in the classroom.
As she stayed close to the school she would go home for lunch.
So I sat alone at my desk taking out my tiffin during the lunch break when all of a sudden someone banged my table saying "Hey you!"
I looked up startled to see a pretty girl with a mole above her lips in extra short skirt, 3 buttons on her shirt left open which were clearly inviting guys attention and shoulder length hair left open.
She was beautiful yet the way she was flaunting her beauty didn't sit well with me.
Yet I replied to her calmly and politely "Yes"
"Tum apne aap ko samjhti kya ho? Tumne RKB par hath uthaya?"
Oh another RKB fan...I rolled my eyes.
"Mai sirf kuch dinon keliye Australia kya chali gayi tumne mere RKB par nazar dalne ki jurrat ki? Tumhe kya laga ye sab karke tum RKB ki attention hasil kar logi? I am warning you RKB belongs only to Shagun Arora"
Oh my...what is she? Miss World?
"Excuse me. Listen. Mujhe koi shouk nahi hai tumhare RKB me. Please keep him for yourself" I spat.
"Ek thappad maarke tumhe lagta hai tum bahut mahaan hogayi? Yaad rakhna RKB kisi ka hisab baki nahi rakhta. Wo iska badla lekar rahega. Wo tumhe chodega nahi" she warned.
"Ms. Arora thanks for your concern but no thanks. Maine tumhe apna guardian nahi banaya hai. So please tumhe meri fikr karne ki zarurat nahi"
"You...you..."
"Kya hua? Aage ki line yaad nahi? Koi baat nahi. Waise bhi mujhe sunne me koi interest nahi hai. Now please excuse me" I said tapping her cheek gently and walking away.
That Shagun Arora had spoilt my mood and now I didn't want to have my lunch amongst the gossips of my encounter with her.
So I started looking for some quite place where I could have my lunch peacefully.
I saw a few juniors sitting in a circle in the green field chatting and having their lunch. I would have loved to join them if I knew at least one of them.
I was sure my arrival would not be welcomed in the gang.
Thus I chose a shady corner with my back facing them and quietly opened my tiffin.
Umphhh...I let out a displeasing groan at the sight of Idli and Sambar in my tiffin.
Why does Amma have to give me Idli often?
I wish I had some Rajma Chawal, although I knew such wishes wouldn't come true.
"Ummm" I heard a moan as against my displeasing grunt.
"Ye sambar ki khusbu kahan se aa rahi hai?" I heard an exciting squeal.
Sambar keliye bhi koi itna excited ho sakta hai? I wondered.
Anyways mujhe kya karna hai? Mujhe to yahi khana padega...I lamented and started eating.
When I was having my second morsel, I saw a girl in front of me.
"Can we exchange our tiffin please?" She asked.
I looked at her in surprise.
Why would I or rather why should I exchange my tiffin with her? I thought.
She answered as if having read my mind "I know it's kind of awkward. We don't know each other but your sambar is so tempting that I could not stop myself"
Sambar & tempting??? I never knew.
I was still not convinced to exchange my tiffin with her.
I couldn't trust anyone here you see.
"I know I don't have anything special to offer you in exchange. It's just Rajma Chawal but..."
"Rajma Chawal????" I screamed without letting her complete her sentence and grabbed her tiffin and stuffed it into my mouth.
"Umm...this is amazing" I said savoring every grain of rice.
The girl stared at me with open mouth
"You are excited for Rajma Chawal????" She asked stunned at my behavior.
"Just like you are excited for Sambar" I said offering her my tiffin.
"Ummm...this is amazing" she said after biting into the idli dipped in sambar.
We looked at each other and laughed out loud
"May be the hedge on the other side is always greener..." I said.
"I know right" she said and we both continued laughing and then eating from the other's tiffin.
"Thanks" we said together and laughed out again.
We returned the tiffin and were starting to leave.
"By the way I am Ishita, Grade 10" I said extending my Rajma Chawal smeared hand for a shake.
"Oops sorry" I said retrieving my right hand and extending my left.
"It's alright. I am Simmi" she said shaking my hand with her left.
"Simmi? That reminds me of someone I met years ago"
"Really? Your name is quite familiar too. I wonder if the Simmi you are talking about is me" she said.
"Nay...that can't be you" I said confidently.
"What makes you think so?" She asked while we washed our hands.
"Just like that. May be because she was cute but equally annoying" I said making a face.
"Oh!" She said taken aback. "Never seen you before. New to the school?"
"Yes I am. Recently shifted from Chennai"
"Oh South Indian...That's why the Sambar tastes delicious. First time in North India?"
"Not really. We lived in Mumbai for a year when I was five. Then we moved back to Chennai because of some family problem" I briefed.
"Mumbai? Where in Mumbai?"
"Goregaon"
"Goregaon? Tumhara poora naam Ishita Iyer hai?"
"Wow! How do you know?" I was surprised.
I saw her color go pale and the smile she had earlier turn into a frown as she said "Kyunki wo cute but very annoying Simmi mai hi hun"
"What!????" I was surprised and shocked at the same time.
"Tum Toshi Aunty ki beti Simmi ho?" I asked to re-confirm.
"Haan" she said grumpily.
Ayyo...Ishita you broke her heart...
"I am sorry Simmi. But you are not annoying anymore" I said side hugging her.
"I know. But not cute either" she said with a mournful expression.
"Kisne kaha you are not cute. Dekho kitni cute lag rahi ho. Aur I am sure ke tum smile karogi to aur bhi cute lagogi" I said trying to cajole her.
She quirked her eyebrow suspiciously.
I pinched my throat mouthing "Sachhi" which brought a smile on her face.
"Maine sahi kaha tha. You look cuuute" I said pulling her cheeks.
She laughed heartily and we hugged each other.
"I am so happy to have found you" I said genuinely.
"Same here" she said.
"Sorry haan" I apologized remembering how I had made her upset.
"Ek shart pe maaf karungi" she said.
"Kya?"
"Mujhe kal Vada chahiye tiffin me"
"Oh haan...Pakka" We made a deal.
"Tum bhai se mili?" She enquired.
My heart skipped a beat.
Simmi is in this school. Does that mean he is here too?
"Raman isi school me hai?" I had goosebumps all over my body just by the mention of his name.
"Haan of course. He is in Grade 12B. Tumhe nahi pata tha?"
"Na...hi..." that was all I could manage after uttering his name
"Bhai to tumhare best friend hua karte the na"
Hua karte the nahi...ab bhi hain...I wanted to tell her but my mouth had already gone dry just at the thought of him being around.
"Chalo bhai se milte hain" she said dragging me along.
My heart started to race and breathing got uneven.
I was going to see him.
OMG! Finally I am going to meet Raman.
My prayers were going to be answered.
She took me to the place where the senior boys used to practice basketball, cricket and football during lunch hours.
I scanned the area hopefully to recognize him.
"Bhai" Simmi screamed and rushed towards the boys who were playing cricket.
I stood rooted to my spot and watched in the direction that Simmi went.
"Bhai" she screamed again waving at a guy whose face was hidden behind the helmet.
Lub dub lub dub...my heart started to gallop like a horse.
On hearing Simmi, he asked for time out and strode towards her.
I waited impatiently for him to remove the helmet and unravel the face that had always been in my dreams, my thoughts and my imaginations.
He loosened the helmet below his chin and then took it off while wiping off his sweaty face on the sleeve of his shirt which hid his face completely.
Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion except for my thumping heart.
His head moved upwards while his hand slid down.
The eyes...the same brown eyes I met 10 years ago...
I was completely lost in his eyes until his hands were completely off his face and now I could see him clearly.
He smiled a half smile that took my breath away just like it had stolen my breath few days ago...
Wait...what am I saying?
Rather what am I seeing?
What?
No!
It's him?
It is him!
RKB...My Raman???? Shocked...
RKB...My Raman!!!! Surprised...
Raman I whispered...and then stumbled...
Thanks to the pillar nearby which I held on to support as I felt dizzy due to the speeding of my pulse rate and quickening of my breath.
I saw him putting an arm across Simmi's shoulder and walking towards the shade.
A blush crept over my cheek and shyness overpowered me as I hid myself behind the pillar breathing heavily, my back touching the pillar and my hands clutching onto it tightly for support.
Raman I whispered again.
The name giving me goosebumps all over yet again.
I shut my eyes tightly as his face flashed in front of my eyes causing my lips to curve into a wide smile.
Finally my dreams, my thoughts and my imaginations had a face.
Khwabon khayalon
Khwahishon ko chehra mila
Oh hello! Its that rude, arrogant RKB who you can't stand even for a minute...my internal self conflicted.
But it's my Raman who has not left my thoughts even for a second...I countered.
So what? Will you forgot how he fought with you???? It argued.
But I can't even forget how he fought others for me I replied.
He is RKB Ishita! The same RKB who you hate to the care! It provoked.
But he is Raman! The Raman who I love the most! I reminded.
Whatever! I ain't coming to your rescue when he messes with you...It warned.
Don't you worry...I will not need you anymore as I have found the purpose of my life, my love, my Raman! I shooed it away.
Mere hone ka matlab mila
Koi Mil Gaya
Meanwhile I eavesdropped the conversation between Raman and Simmi.
"Tu is campus me kya kar rahi hai? Maine mana kiya tha na tujhe yahan ane se"
"Wo Bhai mai kisi ko aapse milane keliye layi thi"
"Koun?"
"Arrey...kahan gayi? Yahin to thi"
"Koun kahan gayi?"
"Woh Bhai...wo"
And the long bell rang announcing the end of lunch break.
"Bell hogayi hai. Tu class me jaa. Tujhe der hogi class keliye. Mujhe bhi change karna hai. Chal shaam ko milte hain"
"Par Bhai wo Ish..."
"Simmiii" he said strenly
"OK Bhai"
"Aram se jaana"
"Jee Bhai"
I then heard heavy footsteps coming my way and opened my eyes only to meet with the brown ones that had stolen my heart 10 years ago.
I smiled cheekily at him with a sparkle in my eyes.
He was at first confused and then glared at me while walking away angrily.
I was first confused at his reaction then remembered the encounter we had whenever we met.
Yun to hum tum
Milne ko milte rahe
Had it been some other day, I would have loved to strangle him but today it was all different. All that I wanted to do is take him into a bone-crushing hug and stay in his embrace forever.
Par kyun aaj aisa laga
I was smiling like an insane looking in the direction he was going when a waving hand obstructed my view.
"Oye. Ye pagalon ki tarah has kyun rahi hai?" it was Vandita I recognised.
"Koi mil gaya" I said in a trance.
Koi Mil Gaya
Koi Mil Gaya
"Koun?" she asked
Haan koun mil gaya
"Wo Ra...Hai koi" I said coming out of my reverie for I was aware of the explosion that would take place with the revelation of RKB being the Raman of my dreams.
Koi Mil Gaya
"Tu kya keh rahi hai? Mere kuch samajh me nahi araha" she was perplexed.
"Chal class keliye der ho rahi hai. Ms.Shaali se daant khani hai kya?" I diverted the topic.
"Arre nahi yaar. Chal bhaagte hain" and we rushed to the class, thoughts of Raman still rushing in my mind.
The dispersal bell went off and in no time I was in the corridor that led to Grade 12B.
Why?
Remember Simmi said Raman is in Grade 12B.
I hid my face behind a book while I waited for him to come out of his class.
There...finally...ermmm...how many times did I use the word Finally today? mental smack.
I wished that he was not surrounded by his cronies.
Oh Wow! This is definitely supposed to be the Make A Wish day of my life!
He was entertaining himself by whistling while running hand through his hair and walking towards the staircase.
I mustered up all the courage I had and mumbled "Raman"
Seeing no effect on him I realised he was unable to hear me.
I cleared my throat and once again called out a little louder this time "Raman"
"Who the hell called me that?" he scoffed as he searched the source of the voice.
The book in my hand slipped out of anxiety which invited his attention.
"Tum yahan kya kar rahi ho?" he spat with bloodshot eyes.
"Woh mai...mai...woh" I was unable to form a coherent reply.
"Ye bakri ki tarah mai mai kya kar rahi ho? Batao yahan kyun ayi ho?"
"Wo actually..." I began
"Thappad to maar chuki ho. Ab kya karne ayi ho?" he challenged.
I don't know what got over me. I just hugged him and said "I love you" placing a soft peck on his cheek.
"Kuch yaad aya?" I asked hopefully.
Mujhse Milkar Kya Hota Hai
Yeh Batlao Na
Yeh Batlao Na
His demeanor was completely inscrutable.
He probably did not remember anything.
My heart sank at the thought as I slowly retrieved my steps and turned away to go back.
Tears had already started welling up in my eyes and decided to leave the place before they broke their boundary and invaded onto my cheeks that had reddened due to the blush that had crept up a while ago on seeing him.
"Ishita" a husky whisper brought me and my thoughts to a screeching halt.
"Ishita Vishwanathan Iyer"
"Tumhe mera naam yaad hai?" I asked turning towards him excitedly.
"Aur bhi bahut kuch yaad hai. Paas aaogi to bataunga" he said with his famous lop-sided smile.
Baat Yeh Hum Kaano Mein Kahenge
Paas Mein Aao Na
Paas Mein Aao Na
Like an obedient kid I was obeying his command and nearing him.
A mischievous and naughty glint in his eyes told me that his intentions were not very noble.
So I began walking backwards while saying "Mai janti hun tum kya kehna chahte ho"
Jo Baat Tum Kahoge
Woh Baat Main Bhi Jaanu
"Kuch zaroori baat kehni hai. Aao yahan" he said extending his arms.
"Nahi aungi" I said showing my thumb and sticking out my tongue as I ran across the corridor.
Yeh Paas Mein Aane Ki
Main Baat Nahi Maanu
"Arrey Ishita...Suno to" he said trying to catch me
Suno Na Suno Na Suno Na
I glanced back while running ahead assuming him to be behind me.
But I was disppointed as he was nowhere to be seen.
I slowed down and started to look for him when I was forcefully pulled and cornered from the other side of the corridor.
I closed my eyes in panic and wanted to scream but a hand clamped my mouth not letting me do that.
"Shhh...Mai hun" he assured.
I let out a huge sigh which assured him that I was fine now and he let go of his hand that clamped my mouth.
"Ab batao mai kya bolnewala tha" he huskily ordered.
The proximity was creating a havoc in my body and had my mind go numb.
I just shut my eyes tightly and stood tight-lipped.
"Waise to bada bolti ho. Ab kyun bolti band hai?"
Yun To Baatein Karne Ko Karte Rahe
Par Kyon Aaj Aisa Laga
"Bolo na...Kya hua hai aaj?" he coaxed
"Koi mil gaya" I whispered looking down
Koi Mil Gaya
Koi Mil Gaya
"Koun?"
Haan Koun mil gaya
"Hai koi" I replied teasing him
Koi Mil Gaya
"Meri taraf dekho aur batao ke kahin woh mai to nahi" he demanded
I shook my head vigorously refusing to look up.
"Nahi dekhogi?"
I repeated my action.
"Dekhogi nahi. Par sunto logi na jo mai kehna chahta hun"
I shook my head up and down slowly indicating a yes.
"To theek hai suno" he said inching closer.
I could feel his warm breath on my earlobe.
"I Love...
YOU Ishita Iyer"
"Ye tumhari awaz ko kya hogaya achanak" I asked when the last 3 words sounded quite stern.
"Awaz ko kuch nahi hua hai. Lekin tumhare sath bahut kuch honewala hai" I heard someone speak between the teeth.
I felt a nudge at my elbow.
I turned to see who it was and I found Vandita beside me.
"Vandu tum yahan kya kar rahi ho?" I asked her.
"Agar yahi sawal mai tumse poochun to?" I heard that stern voice again behind my back.
"Ye classroom sone ki jagah hai?" I heard that stern voice yell.
Classroom???? I asked myself while looking around.
All the familiar faces giggling looking at me made me realise that...
Ayyyo! I am in the classroom! I was dreaming!
"Ms. Shaali. I am sorry" I apologised to the huge lady glaring at me like a devil.
"Miss Iyer. Out of my class. Now" she screamed pointing towards the door.
I knew I had no refuge accept leaving the class then and there.
I collected my books and left the class being the laughing stock of the day.
I smacked my head and chuckled at my fantasizing dream.
I then realised my dreams have always been the result of my fantasies.
But I was happy coz soon my dreams would be coming true.
"Hamara milna kismat me pehle se likha hua tha. Isiliye shayd aaj tak...
Tum Mere Khwabon Se Jaa Na Sake"
------------------------------To be continued----------------------------------
IshRa ko lekar apne khwabon(wishes) ko karein share
Aur uske sath koi romantic number apki pasand ka...
Kyunki jald hi lagnewala hai
Ishita ke khwabon me Romance ka tadka...
Ye bath bhi hai ke
Kuch khwab to reh jayenge adhoore...
Par phir bhi dekhte hain
Aap me se kiske khwab hothe hain poore...
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