Anushka:
Little did I imagine this was going to be a perfect day when it started. The past few weeks have been full of stress and anguish, with the mess around the airline deal first, then Prabhakar Uncle's untimely demise, and the terrible mess my personal life had become.
Hai kuchh hamara puraana. It all started a long time back, and I guess events started rushing in, as I returned to India. Though the Airline deal turned a damp squib for us, the way Sidhanth stood with his father made me warm up to him. In fact, there was a time I started dressing up for him wanting him to notice me, approve of me...but he was at a different wavelength. There was a particular moment I could swear he was attracted to me too. Unfortunately, he chose to down my hopes, raising issues from our past. For a while I had been so upset, Prabhakar Uncle read me out like a book and offered to settle things between us. I decided not to, since I know how hard it is to convince Jr. Sinha and I was still hurting a lot from the things he said years back. So that was it- tha kuchh hamara puraana. I thought I would have to leave it at that.
Things changed drastically when Prabhakar Uncle left us so prematurely. It was so shocking to me, and I was worried sick for Sidhanth- he was the worst affected- he couldn't even cry to let out his grief! He seemed to cope up a little later, but I was still dying to see him after he left for Patna. I wanted to be near to him, when he was so distressed. And there was my personal grief too. I lost a great friend, a guide, a counsellor. Prabhakar Uncle is the man I always looked up to, my Appa's dear friend and...he was so many things to me. He is the one person who understood me the best, no doubt. What a great loss to lose someone like that! Yesterday when Sidhanth retuned too, he seemed to be brooding and angry and so hostile. I was still worried for him and his family, so I went along with Appa to visit them.
He seemed to have calmed down a bit already and Appa offered him a job with us. I could still feel the tension within him, so I simply requested he turned to his father's wisdom before he made his decision.
And then, today dawned!
Like I said, little did I know this was going to be one of the most perfect days in my life.
Sidhanth walked up to me early in the morning and told me about his decision. He wanted to join us- I was only too happy. That was not all, apparently. He quoted our friendship and said there once was something...I was quietly wondering where this was leading to, when he said he wanted to start things over. If this was not a second chance at us, what was? I don't know what made him change his mind about me, but I was so supremely happy to be called his friend again.
A while later I am introduced to his gold fish that apparently never goes neglected, and I know instantly in whose memory he keeps the fish! He hadn't forgotten. I wonder for how long he has been tending to these fish, after he couldn't keep his promise to me. So very sweet and considerate! And secretive much! You should have seen the look on his face when I caught him with the goldfish...Ha! He couldn't hide this time!
I invite him for lunch with me, along with Sweetyji. And...What a revelation! I was going to taste the curry when he stopped me saying I was allergic to the ingredient. What a guy! He knows about my allergies better than I myself do. And then that incident at his home struck me. He had pulled that cookie out of my hand too. First the gold fish, and now this! I couldn't resist asking him- mujhe gur se bhi allergy hai kya? Honestly, I don't keep track of these things much. My allergy is just a nuisance for me. But this guy knows! He nodded in the affirmative and I was so overjoyed. HE CARES! HE CARES! HE CARES! He may not like to show it much, but this is proof enough that he cares about me!!!
I was so happy, I couldn't help stealing glances at him- OK, it was more than that. I was literally mooning over the guy- when he caught me. I was embarrassed and hid myself in a corner after that.
What a glorious end to a wonderful day when I catch him furiously working away, as I am ready to call it a day. I order a tea for him, coffee for myself, invite myself to the cosy chair opposite him and settle down to stare at him. He mentions it is distracting him. I simply brush it away as I relish another good memory long back when I would curl up with an ice cream and stare at the boy who fascinated me. He forever fascinates me! He would protest back then too- about time he got used to it, what say? No, I'm not embarrassed.
Sweetyji wakes up from his nap around this time, Sidhanth teases him about his snoring and how his wife tolerates him, and Sweetyji innocently hurls a question at me if haven't loved anyone...and naturally...I'm sitting opposite the guy I have loved always and I turn away to hide my blush.
Sigh...It's been a perfect day. I push my luck a little further, wanting more of him to myself, guess that would have been the cherry on the cream of the cake the day had turned out to be. Ah! That will have to wait for another day. For now, I will have to bank on the sweetness of this day to fill my dreams. Sigh...It really was like a dream, this day!
Sidhanth:
It was a bittersweet day. Bitter, for the memories of my father and his bluff haunted me through the day. Kartik added to it, with his bossy attitude. Never mind! Sidhanth Sinha takes whatever comes his way. In fact, Sidhanth Sinha knows his way around things, more than things know their way around Sidhanth Sinha!
I knew my mother wouldn't be happy with my decision to join the Reddys, but I was dreading Anushka's reaction more. I know she had a deep connection with my Pitashree , therefore, I expect her to throw his lines at me every step of the way. Much like she reminded me yesterday- think of your father before you make a decision. Little does she know of the heaviness I carry in my heart. This burden I cannot shun, this pain I have to bear on my own.
And I didn't want constant reminders from her about my Pitashri, trying to prick and prod my conscience as he consistently used to.
So, she was the most important thing I had to tackle today. I suggested we start over as two people who just met- respecting each other's personal space, reserving judgements. She surprised me by accepting wholeheartedly, and a weight was lifted off my mind. After all, Kuchh tha hamara puraana. If we could leave the past at that, and start over as two grown up individuals, what could be better than that?!
Later in the day, she caught me with the gold fish...though I tried to hide them behind me...I guess there is no harm in her knowing I did care. A while later as we had lunch together too, I had to let her know I still remembered every little detail about her allergies...part of the new friendship deal...since the past is past, I guess I shouldn't have to be guarded all the time. Though I must say, I feel comfortable keeping my feelings to myself. And certainly not openly displaying, the way I caught someone staring at me. I must say I enjoy these moments and Anoushka can be read like a book at times. I could say she was pleased with our new peace treaty.
She decides to drop in before she wound up and I am thankful for the tea and pleasantly surprised that she decides to hang around. She used to love doing that before too...Well, we both used to hang around each other quite a lot, in fact. Now...
Sweetyji teases another pleasing moment out of Anushka for me, when he asks her if she doesn't know of love... To be honest, I was dreading her answer in case she had some experience...but she is embarrassed and uncomfortable and looks away from me, which can mean only one thing...Haan ,kuchh tha hamara puraana.
She offers to drop me home, but since I have my bike and am more practical, I turn it down politely and retire for the day.
My official first day at the Reddy Corporation is over. Not at all bad, for a first day...and a new beginning- as far as a certain friend is concerned. I hope we can continue on like this, without her hurting me.
PS: I had to squeeze in quite a few important episodes here- but since yesterday was too tempting, I couldn't resist penning down some thing. This was one of the most romantic episodes in the show till now.š³ I loved how they drifted effortlessly into this chapter.š
Vasudha
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